Skybone

Any of your mates/mates of mates got anything that they're willing to loan you for the recording session? Did this recommendation come from the studio? If so, then ask them if they have anything you can borrow (not hire, as it's their recommendation!). Change the strings on yours about a week before going into the studio, and get them "played in".

Most of these bands aren't "new", but they're definitely not getting the kind of exposure they should IMO... The Human Condition Unsilence IronVoid Arkham Witch Solstice 40 Watt Sun Iron Hearse Witchsorrow

Maybe that's why places like Bass Direct & GBBL are doing so well.

I assume that you'll be purchasing said new bass from a Musical Instrument Emporium? Try quite a few out before buying don't feel pressurised into buying anything, it's your money at the end of the day, spend it wisely. Don't look at spending all your budget, there's loads of great gear out there around £100-200. Look at Squire Jazz because you're used to them first, and work from there. Consider getting something like a Vox Stomplab, that you can use with headphones. Good luck!

Good.

Brinsley Forde? He of "The Double Deckers" fame!

I'm hoping that their "retirement" is retirement from the long tours that they're known for. I'm hoping that they do come to the UK at some point in the not too distant future, and I'm also hoping that they continue to operate as a recording band, as Clockwork Angels was their best album in a long time. Best albums for a non-Rush fan? I' say that yo should try Clockwork Angels, Snakes & Arrows and Vapour Trails. Then work through the rest of the back catalogue if you like them.

Any relation to Matt?

Lets just say that it gave me something to do at work today.

From what I know of Aria Pro's, the first digit suggests the year, so I'd take a stab at 1983. The neck pickup is definitely an Aria. Found it. Aria Pro II WL Custom, though it looks like it may have been butchered somewhat over the years. [url="http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/1985/85_ap2_cat_pg19.jpg.html"]http://www.matsumoku...t_pg19.jpg.html[/url]

Fender?

Jumping jack flash..... It's more GAS, GAS, GAS!

I've always used the "dick-head test" when meeting a potential band. If I think one or all of them are dick-heads, then I'll not join the band. Been in too many situations in the past where the band goes nowhere because of the dick-heads involved, and annoyingly, you knew they were dick-heads the instant you met them.

Thanks for the info Norris. Did you get the footswitch for it as well? How does the overdrive sound (if you've used it!)?

Definitely have 1 more than I need just now... well, make that 2 more than I "need", there's my No. 1, then it's identical "spare", then No. 3, which needs to be found a new home. I could definitely use another motorbike though...

I'm thinking about the Rumble 500, but having been out of the bass amp market for a number of years, I'm not sure whether it would be a good investment or not. Even though it's not that expensive, it's still a fair outlay. Is the quoted 350w of the combo on it's own powerful enough in a band situation? Obviously, with the external cab, you can get the "full fat" 500w, but are the "normal" 350w enough to cope with a drummer & 2 guitars? Does the "Vintage/Modern switch make that much of a difference to the sound? Has anyone tried it with a RickenFaker?

All sounds pretty good so far. I had a trawl through eBay the other night, but couldn't find anything about the Quantum amps. In fact, a general Google search of the good ole t'interweb didn't find very much indeed (but did find a thread on here from 2009). The way I see it, the £300 guide isn't far off the mark given the fact that they were willing to drop £100 off the ticket price on simply asking about the amp. Given the condition I'd say that £300 would be a fair price. I'm looking for something that will be a good sounding "rock" amp, so I assume that it will meet my requirements. Not sure about the TC / MB points of reference, but I think that I might need to take one of my basses in with me next time I go in there. There wasn't much in the way of Bass stock on show, there was a Mark Bass 300w 1x? combo, a couple of AER's (in their bags, so no idea on model / output), everything else was well under 100w - not ideal for a band situation. Does anyone know if the quoted 400w for the Quantum is the "full fat" 400w with the internal speakers, or with an external cab? He was also recommending the Fender Rumble 500, which is on my "would like to try" list, but I certainly wouldn't want to buy before hearing it.

I had a mosey around today, and decided to have a look in the music shops while I could. One of the shops had a second hand Hughes & Kettner Quantum 421 combo that took my eye. They're asking a lot for it on the ticket, but I had a chat with one of the sales people, and was told that they'd drop £100 off the price just to move it on (I got the impression that they'd drop a fair bit more too if you pressed them!). Condition wise, it's been well used, with a few scuffs, marks & small tears on the covering, but nothing too drastic as far as I could see. Didn't plug it in as it was only a bit of a browsing session. Weight wise, it wasn't too bad, a bit heavy but not overly heavy, awkward due to the wedge shape, but nothing that you couldn't live with. Has anyone used one before? Sound good? Any limitations? How reliable are they? etc...