JHBASS

Hello all again, I was recently in town, when I saw a band busking. My band may be doing something similar as well. They had a full set up, including a amplified bass player. He was going through on of those Roland Cube RX amps (it was off the batteries). I went home did some research and found this costs £160+, and I'm looking for a cheaper alternative. I've found a number of guitar-specified amps, like the Micro Spider or Vox DA 5, do you think these would work? I don't really want effects etc. just the ability to use it with batteries/without a mains power supply. Does anybody have any suggestions? Cheers, Josh

Hey guys, just thought I'd end this quest of Fun, Frolics and Fuzz. I went into Bonners, and spent a good 40 mins try out an USA reissue Big Muff. I love it. It looks amazing, and more importantly sounds top notch too. I don't think it would be to everone's taste, but teamed up with my other pedals, it makes a really nice addition. Thanks for all your help, Im sure I'll have some other question later in the future! Many thanks, Josh

Cheers, for all the help guys....I've emailed GAK to see how they can help. I will also keep an eye out for the Russian models as well. Thankyou so much everybody, Josh

Cheers for the help guys, I think I may just try the Big Muff just to see if it is any good (but from the feedback...it may be completly opposite), so Ill just have to hang about and wait for the bass big muff to appear in GAK in Brighton. Cheers, Josh

So I take it that the Russian Big Muff seems to be favourite. But what about the American Big Muff? Any users or supporters of this pedal? Cheers, Josh

Hi all, I've been on the hunt for somewhere to try out the Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff and Bass Blogger down south, and Ive struggled to locate them anywhere. However, I have seen in a music shop with a standard EHX Big Muff. Do any of you have any clue whether this works well with a Bass, or and thoughts on the pedal itself. I remember seeing at a bass summer school a few weeks back a player who had one on his pedal board. I just want to know if theres any point me asking whether I can try the pedal out with a Bass. Cheers, Hope this is clear enough, Josh

My current workhorse....shes done every gig with me, and has never let me down! [u]Price paid:[/u] £ 769 [u]Purchased from:[/u] GAK [u]Features:[/u] The new American Standard Jazz Bass, is a bass that's needed to be played, to be believed. Brand new for 2008, the New Jazz (and it's Precision Sister), launch Leo Fenders Designs into modern day times. Made in the USA, this bass features 20 medium jumbo frets, a beatiful traditional Jazz-thin maple neck, with a satin finish. The fretboard comes in either maple or rosewood, and is in a gloss finish as well as the headstock. You have your classic J-Bass body, and a new thinner finish on the paint, giving a lighter instrument. The bridge, can either be as a conventional jazz bass bridge, or now strung-thru the body, giving great sustain.The bass has the standard 2 J-Bass Pickups, and 2 volume, and 1 tone control. The tuners have the 'elephant ear' design, but they have been modified to also reduce weight. A new lockable hard case comes with the bass, which also includes a cloth, strap, and a cable (and of course a manual, and truss rod tool). [u]Rating:[/u] 10 [u]Sound:[/u] Everybody knows what Jazz Basses sound like. This continues that classic sound, as well as continuing the versatility. Sounds great through any bass amp, and complements my 12" Ashdown Blue 180 combo in a mellow way. [u]Rating:[/u] 9 [u]Action, Fit & Finish:[/u] Not much to say on this subject. The bass was ready to play, out of the case, with no imperfections on the instrument it's self. The bass came with full protection on parts like the stratchplate and tuners. The action was fine, infact I havent changed it since. Nice a fast playing. My bass is in the Olympic White finish with a Tortoise Shell Pickguard, and I found no blemishes or damage to the finish. [u]Rating:[/u] 9 [u]Reliability & Durability:[/u] I have gigged with this bass numerous times now, and she has not let me down. The hardware feels secure, and stays firmly where it should do. The strap buttons are solid, and are shaped in such away where it's near impossible for the strap to slip. You can totally depend on this bird, she will never let you down. Her finish has also stood up to gigging, even playing on the back of an old farm truck!. Fenders can last for years, and I'm sure this one will follow suite! [u]Rating:[/u] 10 [u]Impression:[/u] The two bands I play with do mainly self-penned stuff, so I get to create some busy bass lines. This bass allows me to do this. I've been playing for nearly 4 years, and started on a Squier Bronco Bass (I only have small hands), and a Fender Rumble 15 Combo. Scince then I've collected a Squier Precision Special (with both P-Bass and J-Bass pickups, and a J-Bass neck). As I mentioned above, I have an Ashdown Bass Combo as my amp, a beautiful combination for mellow sounds. If this bass was stolen, I would certainly re-purchase it. it's a fantastic bass with all the power you need to play those licks loud and clear. I love practically everthing about this bass. The only one point I can come come across that is poor about this bass, is not bass itself. The strap supplied with the bass is far to thin for comfortable playing, I suggest using a thick strap with this bass (however, I'm a teenager, I'm not that strong). I did originally have a Highway One Jazz, but the neck pickup was totally dead, so I sent it back to Fender. They have since refunded that bass, and put it towards this one. Compared to the Highway One, for me, this bass is superior. [u]Rating[/u]: 10 Cheers, hope this helps some of you out there in the bass world! Josh

Yes I have, realised there was a whole section as soon after i posted this!

Theres a review of one in Bass Guitar Magazine (Issue 23). They gave it 66 out of an overall 100. Best way to find out is to try it out. Im sure the shop wont mind! I practise with a 15w amp alone in my bedroom, Im not sure what you would need for salsa. Im sure there will be someone on here with some greater knowledge!

What a coincidence! Yeh I'm really pleased with my purchase, I recieve £40 worth of Bonners Vouchers for a gig I did recently, so I thought what the heck, and tried it out

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is it that Mark has round his slapping thumb, I've looked everywhere for and answer, but I just can't find it! Cheers Josh

Hello fellow four-stringers! Just thought I'd give a quick review of the Ashdown Envelope Filter Bass Pedal, which I have absolutely fallen I love with! So, here we go...... Price paid: £49 at Bonners First Impressions: Nice packaging. Opened the box, and found a nicely packed pedal, with an informative manual (which doubles as advertising...it features all the pedals on the sheet). I quickly got the pedal out, and plugged her in! Ease of Use: I'm no pedal freak, so alot of the phrases used in manuals meen nothing to me! I have to just try and experiment. Even with my lack of experience it took me a mere 15 minutes to find something I liked, Ive been tweaking ever since, and found some great sounds. There a 5 pots, and a standard on/off stomp switch. The five pots are labled as: Input, Peak, UP/DOWN, BP/LP, Output. The first and last pot, allow you to make sure you don't loose any volume when the pedal is engaged. The peak, well as I said, I dont have a great knowledge about technical stuff, but it seems to limit the sweep. The up down pot selects whether the sweep goes up the frequency or down. For example, full anit-clockwise is a full sweep up, and the same fully clockwise for down. Bang on 12 o'clock means little or now sweep. BP/LP stands for what i believe Band Pass and Low Bass, Low Bass seems to keep all your bass in, while Band Pass takes it out. The VU meter (which nicely glows, with a white light, just like the amps) helps you set the input level. A small red L.E.D. states whether the effect is engaged or not. On the back of the unit, there is a jack in (from guitar) and jack out to amp. Nice and simple. There is also a 9V input, for an adaptor, or there is a battery compartment (under the unit secured with a single screw). Not to easy for battery changes, but it doesnt matter too much. Rating: 9.5 Sound: So far I've only put this pedal through my Squier P-Bass and my small Fender Rumble 15. I do have higer end gear, but havent got it out yet. The one problem is my Rumble 15 has only an 8" inch speaker, so it cant handle some of the output of the pedal. None the less, there are some great sounds on offer, making some really funky and cool tones. You can go from sutle squelch to full on sweep. Whatever takes your fancy. The up and down pot also enables more control over you sound. To fully explain this, id have to type some wierd noises! I will suggest a peek on the Ashdown website, where you can hear sound clips of this (and the other) pedals. Rating: 9 (only because of my poor equipment organisation!) Reliability & Durability This pedal is built like a tank, as is any other Ashdown product. Its heavy and bigger than most stomp boxes, but this gives a feeling of never falling apart. The VU display has its own 'roll cage' so you cant stamp on it, and the pots are all secured, and are in their own 'trench' so you don't accidentaly change your settings. The stomp switch feels nice and secure and feels like it could withstand many a gig being stomped on. On a side note, I had a quiery about buying a power adaptor, seeing as a current isnt specified in the manual. I sent an email off to Ashdown relatively late one evening, went to bed, and work up to find my question answered in a really clear and friendly way. Customer service was second to none! Rating: 10 Final Impressions: I play mostly self penned stuff with my band, and there are alot of middle eights to fill. This allows me to bring a bit of interest to the bass sound. Im still an unexperienced at effects, so this has been a lovely pedal to start with. Reliable, sounds great, and looks amazing. If this was stolen, I'd repalce it instantly, especially at it's price point! I think I'm smitten! Long Live the Ashdown Bass Pedals! Overall Rating: 9.5 Cheers, hope this has helped some people. Josh

Hello fellow four-stringers! Just thought I'd give a quick review of the Ashdown Envelope Filter Bass Pedal, which I have absolutely fallen I love with! So, here we go...... [u]Price paid:[/u] £49 at Bonners [u]First Impressions:[/u] Nice packaging. Opened the box, and found a nicely packed pedal, with an informative manual (which doubles as advertising...it features all the pedals on the sheet). I quickly got the pedal out, and plugged her in! [u]Ease of Use:[/u] I'm no pedal freak, so alot of the phrases used in manuals meen nothing to me! I have to just try and experiment. Even with my lack of experience it took me a mere 15 minutes to find something I liked, Ive been tweaking ever since, and found some great sounds. There a 5 pots, and a standard on/off stomp switch. The five pots are labled as: Input, Peak, UP/DOWN, BP/LP, Output. The first and last pot, allow you to make sure you don't loose any volume when the pedal is engaged. The peak, well as I said, I dont have a great knowledge about technical stuff, but it seems to limit the sweep. The up down pot selects whether the sweep goes up the frequency or down. For example, full anit-clockwise is a full sweep up, and the same fully clockwise for down. Bang on 12 o'clock means little or now sweep. BP/LP stands for what i believe Band Pass and Low Bass, Low Bass seems to keep all your bass in, while Band Pass takes it out. The VU meter (which nicely glows, with a white light, just like the amps) helps you set the input level. A small red L.E.D. states whether the effect is engaged or not. On the back of the unit, there is a jack in (from guitar) and jack out to amp. Nice and simple. There is also a 9V input, for an adaptor, or there is a battery compartment (under the unit secured with a single screw). Not to easy for battery changes, but it doesnt matter too much. [u]Rating:[/u] 9.5 [u]Sound:[/u] So far I've only put this pedal through my Squier P-Bass and my small Fender Rumble 15. I do have higer end gear, but havent got it out yet. The one problem is my Rumble 15 has only an 8" inch speaker, so it cant handle some of the output of the pedal. None the less, there are some great sounds on offer, making some really funky and cool tones. You can go from sutle squelch to full on sweep. Whatever takes your fancy. The up and down pot also enables more control over you sound. To fully explain this, id have to type some wierd noises! I will suggest a peek on the Ashdown website, where you can hear sound clips of this (and the other) pedals. [u]Rating:[/u] 9 (only because of my poor equipment organisation!) [u]Reliability & Durability[/u] This pedal is built like a tank, as is any other Ashdown product. Its heavy and bigger than most stomp boxes, but this gives a feeling of never falling apart. The VU display has its own 'roll cage' so you cant stamp on it, and the pots are all secured, and are in their own 'trench' so you don't accidentaly change your settings. The stomp switch feels nice and secure and feels like it could withstand many a gig being stomped on. On a side note, I had a quiery about buying a power adaptor, seeing as a current isnt specified in the manual. I sent an email off to Ashdown relatively late one evening, went to bed, and work up to find my question answered in a really clear and friendly way. Customer service was second to none! [u]Rating:[/u] 10 [u]Final Impressions:[/u] I play mostly self penned stuff with my band, and there are alot of middle eights to fill. This allows me to bring a bit of interest to the bass sound. Im still an unexperienced at effects, so this has been a lovely pedal to start with. Reliable, sounds great, and looks amazing. If this was stolen, I'd repalce it instantly, especially at it's price point! I think I'm smitten! Long Live the Ashdown Bass Pedals! [u]Overall Rating: [/u] 9.5 Cheers, hope this has helped some people. Josh

Thats great to here shep, tbh, i think a Big Muff may just over cook it on the fuzz front. I liked the verstillity of the Blogger, im just very confused at the number of bad reviews about it! I shall have to go down to GAK in Brighton, and hope they have both to try out! Cheers, Josh

Thankyou for all making me feel so welcome! Yes, there is Jazz in the arsenal of four strings, along with her stablemates of a Squier P-Bass Special (she's slowly relicing herself due to constant use) and an Ibanez AFB 200 semi acoustic bass....fitted with Rotosound Tru 88's Nylon tapewounds....lovely. Ive also just discoverd that much suffered GAS....i just keep seeing things! Cheers, Josh

Cheers Shep, that would be great.......seems like a very welcoming place here

Hello everybody, this is my first post here, so i hope its ok! Im currently in need of fuzz/grit to add to my sound for some songs my band does. Ive got my eye on some electro-harmonix pedals, because of their price points, durability etc. Has anybody had a any experience of the Bass Blogger (good or bad) or the Bass Big Muff (once again good or bad). Any info and suggestions will be greatly thanked . Cheers Josh (Btw sorry for double posting.....my mistake...hope its not to much of a problem!)

Hello everybody, this is my first post here, so i hope its ok! Im currently in need of fuzz/grit to add to my sound for some songs my band does. Ive got my eye on some electro-harmonix pedals, because of their price points, durability etc. Has anybody had a any experience of the Bass Blogger (good or bad) or the Bass Big Muff (once again good or bad). Any info and suggestions will be greatly thanked . Cheers Josh

Hello everybody, another newbie on the scene! Just thought I'd introduce myself Been playing bass for 3 1/2 years now, in two bands, main bass a Fender Jazz (plus others, so i can take them to college) Well thats me really! Cheers, Josh