SamIAm

4 strings! Which is frustating, I play short/sub short scale due to fretting hand pain on anything longer and there are vanishing few 5 string short scales about. S'manth x

I've investigated a similar setup, tho for me f/x return is key which excluded units like the Elf and the Bam200 (Tho the BAM 200 seemed a strong contender) I read the MiniMax (Both V1 and V2) has a very loud fan ; there is a Bugera Veyron listed here on BC that tempted me, but I fear the master volume crackle would drive me mad! I've ended up going for a HB 800-B, it is not so good from a preamp perspective, but I intend to use the F/X return from my modelling unit (Dwarf) and I can mod as described on the german bassic site to tame the preamp; it has a poweramp unit that is as good as most class D systems. S'manth x

Bit of a bargain to be had!

Some really interesting options listed, thanks all! I've also poured over what's listed on BC at present... Reports of scratchy master volumes or intrusive fan noise (My home practice is in a small space at low volumes) on some might really bug me. There are a couple of corkers that are tantilizingly just above my budget, but I then got to thinking ... if I'm going to go for f/x amp modelling into the f/x return, why pay for all the preamp goodies ... so I've been investigating just a power amp, like a GR PureAmp 350 or GSS Baby Sumo, any here using these? What are your thoughts about them? I'm quite tempted by the HB Block 800B which seems to have all the options I would like, is affordable, reviews seem favourable and it would come with 3 year warranty ... if I didn't like it (Or suffered the high floor noise I saw one user have) then I could return it. The other one that shouts to me is the PJB BP-800, I've watched some great reviews and it would be nicely matched with the C4 (and who knows if a twin might one day join the fold) ... but the lowest new price I've seen is £660, which is out of my reach , I've posted in the wanted section as you never know ... S'manth x

I'm currently using a TC BH250 to drive the C4 and it is suitable powerful for the gigs I'm doing (No drummer!), if the TC only had FX loop I'd most likely stick with it. S'manth x

I can just about manage a couple of meters! But I've a bad back, which is why I try to get the lightest gear I can. A small hand cart works great for me, but the one I've got currently is at its limit with this cab and it has tiny wheels so stairs are challenging. S'manth x

13Kg S'manth x

PM'd

-ve ... no! It is from such input that we can work to improve things S'manth x

I've recently relieved @MungoBass of a PJB C4. Delivery was lightning fast and the cab was nicely packed. I was anxious about some chuffing I heard, but the lovely @Chimike welcomed me to his bass paridise and easily sorted it; David was super supportive, offering to accept it back or cover repair costs, Mike took no payment for the time nor the 6 screws that solved it all <hugs>. I had read the feedback for @MungoBass when buying the cab from him and my experience has shown they are, well, not glowing enough to reflect what a star BCer he is! A S'manth rating of 12/10 without question! I can say that you can buy/sell in total confidence and that he is the best of the best. S'manth x

I assume with a 20x40 extrusion one would not have to worry about a truss rod? S'manth x

Did you ever resolve the high noise floor/hiss? S'manth x

Neck looks printed, I see artifacts. S'manth x

Interesting approach of using an aluminium backbone ... hmmmm. S'manth x

Short scale? S'manth x

So ... The lovely @Chimike welcomed me to his Aladin's cave of most things bass yesterday and kindly shared his skill in trying to resolve the issue. After a listen, he described the sound as 'chuffing' rather than a rattle. Dissapeared into the treasure trove and when he emerged he popped 6 screws into the holes in the C4's back panel (Where the skids had lived). No more chuffing! Playing my bass/head, my bass his head, his bass his head ... all sounded OK, tho there was some power tool noise from adjacent workshops and we were outdoors (To avoid any resonance from all the gear he has ... it seemed to go on for miles, but in reality was probably just kilometers) so hard to guage, but a good sign. I arrived home to late yesterday too try it out, but late afternoon when I got home from work I hastened to get my rig setup ... and it sounds fab! A very happy camper! Thank you all for your suggestions. By the way, the seller (Top man and why BC is THE place to buy) totally lived up to his glowing feedback, despite not having experienced the chuffing himself he had offered to either refund me or cover the cost repair. @Chimike refused to let me pay for the screws (Or his expertise). I'm delighted that neither were required. I've fallen in love with the my dimunitive C4 and, whilst it is heavier than I had aimed for in a cab, a hand cart will easily sort that! S'manth x

On a more detailed note ... with (I imagine?) a light body, is neck dive an issue? S'manth x

Thank you kind sir! Gang of Four, Booch ... teeth cut on OOP (I even worked for a short time with Richard Helm in Auckland!) I suspect (STRONGLY!) that finding a suitable neck will be the biggest obstacle! (Build one S'manth ... shudder!) S'manth x

Awesome Rob! It is inspiring me to try similar (But a 5 string short scale headless). Woodworking ... daunts me, but Fusion 360 and 3D printing do not! I might have to steal reuse some of your design concepts S'manth x

Ta muchly! I'm also in the process (amongst far too many other things when I should actually be practicing bass playing!) of making my own pedalboard; 3D printed ... I've done it before (But it melted away in my fire) and like the built in handle of yours ... might have to incorporate something like it S'manth x

Cool! What is it sitting on? S'manth x

Hey kiwi dude (Having emigrated to NZ in the 90s I own this) I ain't no model ... tho I do try modelling in my FX rig! S'manth x

I'll check it out Ooooo ... defo a contender! After reading some posts by those who know more than I do, some heads (especially wee ones like gnome/elf /bam... tho these don't have fx circuit) seem to have a lower response from low notes ... the C4 I'm hoping to pair with claims 30H/z low . S'manth x

Sadness that the years/life can afflict us so! A back injury (Which ended my bedside nursing career) and pain in my fretting hand when playing a normal bass has meant that I now Play sub-short scale, which helps with both issues as they are short and light. Cannot stand for any length of time ... playing on a stool is still OK tho? S'manth x