thodrik

Vigier Excess bass, Fafner head, new Trace Elliot cabs. That probably makes me Arsene Wenger: I have a great love for expensive and exotic French things up front that most people haven't really heard of; I own a great midfield engine working to half its potential due to the backline (4ohms); and a backline that was once famous for its power, quality and reliability, but in recent years has been exposed and come up short when tested against the big boys, to the point that it is now a shadow of its former self. While I'm sure my backline would perform alright for some else, its comparative mediocre status is holding back my otherwise exotic set-up. However, I lack the funds necessary to buy the backline I truly desire, so I'll probably just sit around for another year and make do with what I already have.

[quote name='Geoff' post='562877' date='Aug 7 2009, 04:14 PM']I think the Fafner is more 'tube' sounding and possibly has a slightly grittier sound from what I can work out. Get a Fafner and if you dont like the sound i'll swap it with my TD650 haha. I was really torn between the Fafner and the TD650 and went for the 650 as it seemed like it was more versatile.[/quote] Yeah, I would agree that the Fafner is a bit more grittier sounding and a bit dirtier, but not by all that much really. I think you can just about dial in the same kind of sound on the TD 650, but as the Fafner [i]looks[/i] more like a rock head, the difference in sound appears greater than it actually is. That last sentence didn't make much sense sorry! Anyway, lots of HiFi sounding slap guys have used the Fafner too though, so it is pretty versatile as well, though probably not as much as the 650. But for me, both heads sound great, the Fafner has the looks and a (slightly) grittier sound and the 650 has the features and versatility. I don't need the features though and couldn't be happier with the Fafner!

The TD650 is a kick-ass amp, tried it once at a gig with the Proline 4x10 and was very impressed. I ended up getting a Fafner in the end but only because I thought I didn't need the extra features of the 650. That said the Fafner II, with all its new bells and whistles, has got me quite excited!

Despite being started as a statement against lightweight amps, this thread has just made me just want a Compact! I've always liked the sound of a single 15inch speaker and don't think I lose anything when using one and would gladly take it over most 4x10s. That said, I don't know if I would want anything smaller than a 15 for a single speaker enclosure as I don't think a ten or 12 would cut it at the gigs I do. Yeah, I would like to use a 4x12, 8x10 or 2x15 cab for all my gigs, but I don't own a van, so I have to maximize my sound but be able to fit it in a small car with radiator problems!

Ummm, I don't use them anymore! I probably should, but I have never dropped a bass at a rehearsal or a gig in the 5 years since I stopped using them and just got a decent strap. Now I've said that, the next time I pick up a bass it will inevitably crash onto the floor, so I now have to go out and buy straplocks. Great.

'You need both!' For the first minute or so it was fairly interesting, but it descended quickly into corporate shilling, (you need both) generalisations (if you play a Precision you always play in the pocket) and outright strangeness! I still like the Jay guy though, he is pretty watchable.

[quote name='Geoff' post='559987' date='Aug 4 2009, 10:21 AM']Get an EBS Fafner. There was one in the for sale section recently. They go down to 2Ohms, sound very valve like, are loud and look very metal. I play in a Black/Thrash metal band and have to compete with an ENGL and Mesa through 4x12's and getting my EBS has been a godsend. I have the TD650 which is slightly more HIFI sounding than the Fafner, but I can imagine that working out pretty well for you too.[/quote] I would recommend the Fafner also, and I own one to boot. It can handle any style, looks cool and secondhand it would be in the price range. If you really wanted all valve you could try an Electric Amp. [url="http://www.electricamp.com/"]http://www.electricamp.com/[/url] I pretty sure price-wise it would be way out of budget and you probably wouldn't find them second hand, but I just think they look really cool!

Not tried attaching anything yet, but here goes! If I did it right it should be me and the 1978 P-bass. If you look closely you can see the crack where the last owner had cut the scratchplate in two!

[quote name='Tee' post='556301' date='Jul 30 2009, 04:26 PM']EHX English Muff'n. It's a tube overdrive and it reacts well to your attack (eg more break up the harder you play etc). It also keeps the lows pretty intact. here's a sample [attachment=29982:Spy_Driver.mov][/quote] +1 on that, the Muff'n has been the best purchase I've made this year. It also has the addition of you being able to swap the tubes to 12AX7s for a slightly different sound. I'd like to try the EBS Valvedrive and Multidrive, but you don't see it in shops around here and I'm not going to order them blindly.

[url="http://www.bass.se/"]http://www.bass.se/[/url] FAQ question 5. All the EBS heads apart from the 90 watt tube amp should work okay without a load. Also, good to see another Fafner owner and in Glasgow no less! Ach beaten to it, but I did refer to the website, so not entirely useless.

Scott Reeder, Kyuss, Unida, Nebula and...Scott Reeder. Using a Rickenbacker bass, he played psychedelic stoner-rock left-handed, using his fingers and usually barefoot. Later switched to Ibanez ATK 300 (and later to a custom model). Often downtuned and using lots of pentatonic stuff. Amps during Kyuss were old style Ampeg SVTs through a couple of 8x10s, probably has used other stuff too over the years, but generally whatever the amp the process is the same, crank a tube amp up and play loud. Sorry its not too in depth the Dirk Lance one is kinda hard to top! Oh, he auditioned for Tool and Metallica but didn't get either gig, probably because he played psychedelic stoner-rock left-handed, using his fingers and usually barefoot! Produces stuff as well like Orange Goblin. If anyone wants to do a more in depth and accurate one, they are welcome, I just want Mr Reeder to be recognised!

[quote name='leonshelley01' post='557470' date='Jul 31 2009, 10:42 PM']Ordered a Dunlop 105q Wah that was "in stock" from Bass Centre on 30th June. They duly took my money and after many phone calls and broken promises, apparently it may arrive next week.[/quote] Ah, then I'm not the only one! I ordered a Mesa Walkabout that was 'in stock' in early January. I was charged and it duly arrived in April. Luckily I did end up getting the new blackface model and if they had charged me after I received it, it would have included the almost £300 price hike that was attached to the amp since the time I ordered it. So I guess I was lucky to be unlucky! It was taking the piss a bit though when I walk into my local shop in early February and a second hand Walkabout is sitting in the shop!

I always try and support the local shop in terms of buying strings, straps and pedals etc. If everybody bought online then shops would close which be shame, (well mostly be a shame, the music shop bashing thread could convince you otherwise!) But for the sake of a couple of quid I don't see the point and find the online thing more awkward;waiting for delivery, the long awkward process if it doesn't work right. Buying locally has the bonus of the product being there already. However, if the difference is more than £100 quid on an item priced between £200-800, then I'm liable to buy online. Also, when it came to my main purchases, they have all been online (or at least discoverd online) but mostly because there was nowhere near to me that stocked what I wanted and since they were not registered dealers, they were not exactly going to order them in!

When I saw the stuff at first, my first thought was 'gimmicky', but but after I tried the briefcase I was very much impressed. One of my mates is planning to pick one up as he is starting to do teaching and needs an amp to carry about from lesson to lesson. I have not tried the bigger cabs yet, but something tells me I would still pick a big 12 or 15 inch speaker over them, but that is just me being a traditionalist. If I was (a);doing gigs on the upright, or (; doing some small acoustic type gigs, I would consider the suitcase or briefcase. However, I've not done an upright gig in 5 years and don't see myself ever doing the acoustic thing. The Bass Buddy is probably most tempting though, for a luxury headphone practice tool, it would be that or the EBS Microbass I think. Just now I've got a cheap Park/Marshall 25 watt thing thats lasted 11 years, and until my finances change, I think it will be around a lot longer than that!

[quote name='Tee' post='556909' date='Jul 31 2009, 10:33 AM']Just ordered from the bass centre for the first time. A pedal that's in stock. I'm wondering how long the process will take. Any ideas?[/quote] Well. that depends on whether it is actually in stock, or just in stock unitl you get charged for it, after which it is magically no longer have it in stock and you have to wait ages for them to get hold of it! That only happened to me once at bass centre but a couple of times with other places, so I'm wary of being dicked around now! Generally Bass Centre have been pretty good and delivered within 3 days to me when it is actually in stock, which is pretty good.

Well, I have generally found that the theory has been more helpful than reading, at least in a rock band situation. Having a working knowledge of scales, harmony and melody has been far more helpful in band situations than the ability to read, as most band members I've had either don't know how to read, or don't work with notation when writing. I picked up the double bass at 15, 4 years after picking up the bass, and it was honestly the best thing that I ever did to improve my abilities and knowledge of the role of bass in music. I already knew how to read since learning the violin at a young age but playing double bass really opened up my eyes, until I ultimately got sick of it. Doing all the grades, but more importantly playing in orchestras really helped my basic understanding of theory, playing abilities and timing; nothing prepares you for open E, 98 bar rest, open E! Being a rock guy though, I was fed of classical music after the first year of studying it at uni and I've not played in an orchestra since. However, the theory has stuck with me subconsciously and I'm glad I did go through with all the grades etc, as it allows you to look at music from different angle and be aware of more interesting harmonies than the minor 3rds and perfect 5ths. At least the ability to read is there when I need it, though it might need a bit of work after 5 years away from it! That said you have to know how to play as well! I can't count the amount of guitarists I've met that talk a great game and actually know a lot of theory, but have no feeling, timing and can only play in drop d with one fingered chords.

Being a big Trace fan, I really rate these amps and I would imagine that the problem wouldn't be that serious. That said, I am reluctant to buy something that doesn't work properly, unless it is for dirt cheap. I've seen a fair number or these type of amps amps on the second hand market, so its not exactly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy. Also, why is he advertising it as a 300w head when it clearly isn't? I actually own the GP7SM 300 combo which he is pretty much claiming to be selling. That said, the speaker in mine is 8ohms with an option for an additional speaker, while the speaker in the advertised combo is at 4. Not that much real difference in volume when the combo is used by itself, but still! As said before, you getting a very good amp if you can sort out the existing problems. It would handle most gigs around Glasgow without much of a problem. I would suggest to try before you buy, and if you buy it, to report back whether this top 40 album is any good!

Yeah I would secretly love the Bass 400+, but the potential costs of revalving pretty much put me off all-valve amps! Until I'm minted and able to replace power-amp valves whenever and carry a back-up amp at all times, I think I'll stick to hybrid amps. Pre-amp tubes are a lot cheaper to replace generally and the amps generally sound 'valvey' enough to do the job. In a gig situation, I don't really think I'm lacking that much in terms of sound to make me think, 'I really need more valves' or the added weight they bring! Personally as well, in a side by side comparison I thought an Aguilar DB 750 and the Fafner (which only has one valve in it) destroyed an all-tube Ampeg SVT Classic. But that was a new Ampeg, and I don't even want to begin the old Ampeg vs new Ampeg thing...

Some scary stories here guys! I really want to take a trip down to the Gallery when I next need a bass. Never really heard much of the Bass Cellar, but doesn't really inspire me now! Have ordered from the Bass Centre before and they do mean well. Just the annoying sales thing where they say something is in stock and ready to ship, you order it, you get charged and you find out the day later that it wasn't actually in stock but is on order. Then you have to wait and wait and they never really get in touch to tell you when it will arrive. I waited almost 4 months for a combo that I was told was in stock when I ordered it. Ordered a rack case from Bass Direct and got the same thing, but I just asked them to give me money back, which they actually did to their credit. Luckily living in Glasgow, Guitar Guitar and CC Music are really good shops and the staff are usually very helpful and tend not to bullshit you or treat you like an idiot, unlike a certain other music shop in the city which I visited when I was younger. I recall this conversation: Me: Can I try that Jazz bass (Standard US model at the time)? Him: Only if you are serious about buying it. Me: I travelled all the way from Orkney to buy a quality bass. Him: Uuuurghh, you sure you are ready for a Fender? Prick. I spend a whole day travelling in order to buy a quality bass, only to be told I shouldn't have bothered as I probably suck. That gave me a lot of motivation to spend money in that shop. Also, so what if I did suck? I would still have probably bought the thing and the store would have, you know, MADE MONEY!

[quote name='JTUK' post='554496' date='Jul 28 2009, 10:15 PM']I'd be looking 2nd hand 1st and foremost to get rid of any depreciation issues. Also, I'd want it to be made by a western salaried tech for that money..talking of which, I wouldn't have a Mesa as two many guitarists I've known have had problems and my amp man says they are poorly made inside. He hates getting them in to repair.. so, lovely sound, but............. IMO On my radar would be Aguilar pre's and amps, Markbass, Glocks and erm..that will do for now.. It wil be fun getting round to trying therm all[/quote] I have heard that about Mesa guitar stuff, plus the Rectifier amps are to blame for a lot of the ultra-polished US rock stuff I really hate. But after trying the bass stuff, I was impressed to the point of really wanting it! Maybe I ended up dodging a bullet in the long term, but I would pick the Mesa over a lot of other stuff. The price really does put me off though, even second hand stuff. Around Chrismas before I bought my amp, a second hand BB 750 went on e-bay for well over 1100 quid, which to me seems just plain silly for an amp with no warrenty.

Ah well, its their loss. Keep practising, thinking about how to improve and just look for other bands. Depends on the type of music obviously, but there should be lots of bands in Edinburgh or musicians looking to form new ones. For those that had to grow up in the middle of nowhere, it is actully pretty good. I've never been sacked by a band, I generally leave when it gets stale or the whole thing slowly and collectively dies on its arse through inactivity. Getting to know by e-mail sucks though, I would prefer a phone call even, then you can ask questions right away.

I play a Vigier Excess II. Cool bass, for me its some kind of hybrid between a Rick and a Jazz bass. Nothing really fancy in terms of pre-amp, just a really well made bass. Kind of a marmite bass though, a couple of people have tried it and just not taken to it at all!

Ahhh, £1400 quid for a new head, to be in that position again! When it comes to the top end stuff, it just depends on what you are looking for. I had a similar figure and ended up with the EBS Fafner, but the GK rb stuff and Aguilar DB 750 were very tempting, as was the Mesa Big Block 750 which ended up being a bit too high for my price range! All I can say is that I wasn't tempted by the Ampeg SVT Classic, mainly as a tube went when I was trying it out. I would love to have an opinion on the Glockenklang stuff, but I can't have an opinion on something I've never tried!

[quote name='steve-soar' post='551976' date='Jul 26 2009, 06:40 PM']Hi Chris, my 90's Jap Jazz is a beaut but I've tried the new American Jazz basses and they are great. But, I still lust after a 70's Jazz, as I doubt I'll be able to aford a 60's bass. I think you should get a 70's P bass.[/quote] I'm in the same position here, I would really like a properly vintage jazz, but the prices of vintage jazz basses are a bit excessive. I would probably rather buy a new quality Jazz style bass than paying more for an old bass is more likely to have issues. You can still get a good deal out a 70s Precision though, at least in comparison to a Jazz bass from the same year! I've been playing a 1978 Fender P-bass for about 9 years now, and I've never played a J bass that plays as well as it, hence I've never actually owned a J-style bass. There is something special about Fenders, especially older ones, in terms of history and 'vibe'. However, it would have to be one hell of a Fender, new or vintage, to make me want to part with a Sadowsky that I owned already! I have played a couple of the Fender 08/09 Jazz basses and was impressed, but the only thing it has going for it the Sadowsky doesn't would be that instant familiarity,'history, tradition and vibe' that Fender pushes so hard, rather than construction, quality of parts, quality control. But if your really need the classic passive Fender sound, you might as well get a Fender. If soundman can't cope with anything other than a passive Fender P or J bass, that is fairly sad in this day and age. Also, if they are that hopeless, there is little chance they will be able to tell if a bass is a Fender or a Sadowsky! I'm talking in terms of running your own projects though. If you are doing session work, I would imagine it would be wise to own a Precision and a Jazz, just in case you need 'that' sound if the person who is paying you asks for it. But I'm not a session guy though, so I might be talking balls again.

I've tried the TVX 4x10 before and was very impressed. Peavey gear is generally pretty good and good value for money in the mid-price range in my opinion.