franzbassist

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1332512219' post='1589416'] That and the TE 500 head have a dull silver faceplate like the old Trace Twin/Quadra/Hexa-Valve Heads had - very nice [/quote] And there's the answer!

The MiBass combos sound a great idea, especially since most folk seem to like the heads. From the description, the TE500 just sounds like the latest incarnation of what has variously been called the MK500 (red face), AD600 (gold) and the JJ500 (black) in the past. I wonder what colour this one'll be?

This theme pops up a lot! I've had both the Mono and the Protec. Indeed I still have the Contego, as although it's heavier it does offer better protection. If you get a Protec, get it from [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/protec_contego_e_bass_case.htm"]Thomann[/url], as it is a lot cheaper than the £110ish you quote! Cheers Gareth

Go for it, life's too short! I picked up an Aria [url="http://www.ariausa.com/basses/swblitebis.html"]SWB[/url] two years back, the one the Stagg is modelled on, but very quickly moved on to a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/110096-bsx-allegro-5"]BSX Allegro[/url] as it confirmed everything I had hoped for in the upright! I absolutely love it and use it for about half the songs in my current band now. It sounds and looks the biz, and is always a real talking point with the audience. I was scared of the scale length change initially, but when the BSX arrived, with no dots at all on the neck, I knew I just had to go for it! String choice was critical for me. I really didn't get on with metal strings, but Innovation Silver Slaps gave me the feel/tension and tone I wanted. All the best Gareth

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1332281491' post='1586197'] Anyone want to dispute or add to this list: [/quote] Surely there must be some anonymous factory in "String City" China, churning out roudwounds at an incredible rate for some of the budget basses being churned out across SE Asia?!

Sold a cab to Dean. It took a while for me to get the cab to him, but he was patient and happy to pay up front. Recommended.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1331918325' post='1580958'] Never tried the Klystron stuff but Ashdown gear DOES sound great and this gets good reviews... Can't hurt especially for that price! [/quote] Absolutely! I have the 2x10 and 1x15 from the same range and they are very good.

[url="http://www.promenademusic.co.uk/ashdown-klystron-410-bass-cab"]This[/url] seems like a killer deal to me.

My favourite Foxton story (told before here on BC so apologies if you've heard it before)... My band was playing at The White House in Guildford, must be ten years ago now, when Mr Foxton walks in, orders a pint, and proceeds to sit at the bar watching us.... no pressure there then! We finish the set and clear off to our table and, no sooner do we get there, Bruce comes over and gets a round in! We're all a touch gobsmacked, to say the least, but minutes later he's back with a drink for everyone and then joins us for the rest of the break. He seemed genuinely interested in us, and was a pleasure to talk to. He stayed for most of the second set and gave us a nod as he left. The bloke is class, plain and simple. Cheers Gareth

Hurrah and huzzah! This is good news indeed.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1331815863' post='1579303'] Just out of interest are the dots on the side in the same place on a fretless or located to where the fret would be - or both if it depends on the luthier? [/quote] On an unlined they are usually (but not always, so check!) where the fret would be. On a lined, they're mid-fret.

Interesting one. Is it a proper vintage (as in old, not the budget make) bass? If so, taking at apart to get as much provenance as possible seems reasonable, to me at least! I you do take the neck off, how will you test it's okay? Do you just want to be able to check it turns in both directions a bit, returning it to "neutral" afterwards?

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1331799445' post='1578891'] Is that a P-Retro on the Fender Walbassist? How does it fit with the fretless sound? Mine is on a fretted P and I'm liking it very much. Big GAS problem now is whether I'm brave enought to go UNLINED. Still peeking out from behind the sofa on this one though. [/quote] Yes it is, or rather was, as I decided the bass really didn't need any extra help in the tone department. It's back to passive volume and tone now. Great preamp though! I would say go unlined: it's very liberating, and if you've played fretted long enough your "fretting" hand will fall into the right shape anyway. You always have side dots for big jumps!

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1331657897' post='1576736'] You'll need a hat also [/quote] I love the hat!

My main gigging bass is a 1970 fretless P. Bashed up but such a great player and tone......

[quote name='rapscallion' timestamp='1331583281' post='1575398'] Do you need a cab attached to use the di? I couldn't use the di on it's own? [/quote] Yes, you must have a speaker (or dummy, I guess) load attached to these heads.

[quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1331499225' post='1573868'] You had a contract, that it was verbal does not matter, you fulfilled it. They failed to fulfill it. Small claims court, join the union now and they will deal with it for you. Most importantly the manager should learn not to treat people in this way. [/quote] This ^^^

Another excellent transaction with Martin, this time an Ashdwon Mini Neo 1x15. Great communication, prompt payment, and all the MB1 humour we know and love