SimonK

There's a huge difference between what sounds great on it's own and what works in the mix. My current approach is to dial in just enough crunch using the drive control on the Aguilar to be aware of in isolation. Then I give the desk the "post" signal on the DI, which some sound engineers don't like - I'm always in two minds as one part of me thinks that the preamp is only really there to shape the tone coming out of the cabs so yes the desk should get a "clean" signal, but then again the Agi preamp sounds so good with a touch of drive! I should say I also have an EHX Big Muff for proper hit the dirt moments.

That's interesting to hear - I was never too impressed by their stock or prices, but used to drop by fairly frequently for strings, cables, stands and also to check out what second hand gear they had in as sometimes gems could turn up. The staff were actually quite friendly, but yes almost aways despairing about the management. It does seem that as a music retailer you now have to go big online as Andertons have done, or maybe try to be more niche. I like the idea of getting a physical premise somewhere and then running a commission business model selling second hand gear sourced from local musicians - there's enough of us around wanting to get rid of stuff. Could probably also branch out into rentals and repairs...

Here's mine:

I was in the Portsmouth PMT just before Christmas. The stock was dwindling and the only basses that caught my interest were a pair of sunburst American Standards - both J & P, albeit their mid priced Ibanez range was pretty good. Then this morning someone told me the shop closed down at Christmas - and checking the website this seems it may well be the case! I wonder if the whole chain is going bust?

Hi all, Decided to join this forum as have been a long time member over on talkbass, but then after some struggles moving on second hand gear as most of their members are US based, someone asked why I'm not on the UK forum! Current setup: Stingray Fretted/Fretless or Acoustic guitar into: (NB top row for guitar, bottom row bass, switching between chorus, envelope & octave depending on mood (but seldom use any of them!): and then into: