Cat Burrito

In an update (that possibly should have just been a PM to NiceGuyHomer! ) I thought I'd share my thoughts on this. First up as a sideline Absolute Music haven't impressed me. I received generic emails stating I'd get contact on dispatch which I didn't. Not professional and not good service. As a plus it arrived within one working day (most online firms offer this) but the tolex at the back is slightly scuffed and the end pins to the kettle lead were bent and broken. Surely a very basic inspection prior to dispatch is not too unreasonable to expect? I have emailed them and I'll see what they have to say. In terms of the amp. Fancy packaging. Even the tape around the box was customised with an Orange logo. Inside the card box was a very colourful box that immediately made me feel like I was somehow buying into a lifestyle. In a positive way. The size of the combo is fair, bigger than a practice amp but half size of a small gigging combo. The tolex is thin and slightly badly finished at the back in places. From any kind of distance it looks stunning though. A very manageable weight and striking looks. The controls are what you would expect with Orange and I like these. I did momentarily get confused with how to plug it in and did have a muppet moment of wondering why I had no signal plugging a 51RI into the headphone socket! D'Oh! Tonally it's a good sound. The correlation between the gain and the master volume isn't like with a tube amp (second muppet mistake and I was well aware this was solid state) so you can crank it very loudly without colouring the tone too much. I like this as I plan to put the double bass through it. I played around with both the volume and the tone controls and was able to get a fair range of tones that were pleasing. The 12" speaker feels solid. The tuner is cool and the lights look funky if you leave them on. My overall feeling is that it will be useful for small acoustic jams, a light bit of home use and even use with light drum accompaniment at a VERY intimate gig. Not the most well built on close inspection but certainly on an acoustic stage it allows you to buy into a retro chic without blowing the budget. I'm pleased with it.

I don't know the Zoom product everyone is raving about is but I was going to put my vote on the Boss Micro BR which again is also easy to use

Welcome - I love it when I find out just how Global this site actually is.

the Boss one for me and it seems also standard issue with a lot of musicians that I work with

My playing certainly woke up when I started lessons and I'm never afraid to go back when I'm in a rut. Good luck with it

Just to revive this older thread I found this Ed Friedland video that I thought I'd share. If he'd have "Bass" in the title I'd have found it a lot sooner!

[quote name='Gamble' post='678072' date='Dec 8 2009, 03:56 PM']And on that brighter note - I JUST GOT A JOB!! Only part time hours atr the local Odeon cinema but it's a start, and I'm made up about it! Yays![/quote] Nice one. My family has been affected by redundancy too this year and we're bouncing back now. All the best

I would always point people in the way of something like a precision or a jazz as they cross genres / styles and are classic. I too rate the Squier range but there is some really good advice on this thread. Try as many as you can and pick what feels good for you As a personal view, if you are a guitarist and looking for a recording bass I would give Danelectro a bit of serious thought. The short scale basses are good for guitarists who are just dipping in for a bit of home recording.

Pretty much as yorick says.... [quote name='yorick' post='678079' date='Dec 8 2009, 04:01 PM']Cover the inside of the control cavity with the tapem and maybe the underside if the control plate.[/quote] I got my friend who services guitars to do mine as I have a similar technical phobia (plus he won't charge me!). It can be included in a fairly normal set up and you could get your local shop to do it. The copper tape is pennies and EBay is as good a source as anywhere.

Looks awesome & an amazing story to what I am sure will be a popular thread.

sounds like earthing to me. I had the same thing on my 80s P-bass and sorted it with copper tape. It's perfect now

[quote name='crez5150' post='677792' date='Dec 8 2009, 12:47 PM']Tried one of these which was pretty good - [url="http://purple-chili.com/bass-cabs/pcb410t.htm"]Purple-chili[/url] 23.5Kg[/quote] I was curious about this too. The review in the Bass Magazine (of a different model, mind) wasn't quite so good but I wondered if a different speaker configuration like 4x10 would sort that

Mine is probably the worst looking in some eyes but has a certain retro charm

I made a point of naming my basses in the early 90s but it always felt a bit awkward. It was only the other day when my wife referred to my original p bass as "Sid" (as in vicious) that I even remembered. I never felt a he or she thing with an instrument but whatever gets you through the night, I guess

I hope to see Jake in the new year - sorry I've been slack on the pm Jake but this chemo has been an energy sapper! Well up for seeing you & be in touch

I think you need to talk about levels. I haven't had this in my last few bands but when I was playing more straight rock stuff it was a common problem. Guitar tube amps sound great when they are cranked but not to the point that the band is too loud. It's about finding that balance

Nice collection. Your Columbus reminds me of my early 70s Antoria

Yes but not for a while. This is my hobby so I have the rule I have to enjoy it. If it's a big issue you may have to address it but if you can tolerate him than it's no issue

I'm no expert but I would have thought that is quite good. You would pay more for a full blown refinish

I've usually found GAK to be pretty good but that said I have taken to phoning ahead these days if ever I'm in a hurry. I know it defeats the point but that's what happens when you've had your fingers burned in the past. Personally on stuff like strings I prefer buying from my local shop. You pay a bit more but they are there for the emergencies. I'd probably cancel the order on this occasion

I ordered it last night so I'll let you know in a couple of days

Pretty much as the thread says really. I know there was some excitement around the tiny terror heads but these little combos look like fun for those on a budget. [url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Orange_Crush_Pix_Bass_CR50BXT/OR-CR50BXT"]http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Orange_Cru...0BXT/OR-CR50BXT[/url] Just for mucking about really & acoustic jams. I bought on looks, I'm sure it's hideously overpriced in some eyes but it just screamed retro cool to me

Some great shots of some great looking gear - welcome to Basschat

I was admiring the Area 51 pup online just yesterday. Can't say I've heard it but it looks awesome. Happy to be proven wrong but the SD pups are really good and I do wonder whether the difference would be worth the cost - or even if there is that big a difference? I tend to favour the SPB-1 and the Antiquity pups for my playing though (although I am familar with the SPB-3).