Conan

[quote name='throwoff' post='775959' date='Mar 16 2010, 08:43 AM']Maybe there is something corrosive in the air where I live but no less than 4 basses (mine plus 3 other peoples) all had the bridge saddles collapse 12 months after buying them![/quote] Do you live on Venus?

I'm not sure that anyone was "blaming the Chinese" or anyone else. Its hard to "blame" a company for wanting to maximise profits too! The global economy is not a level playing field - which is why so many call centres for UK companies moved to India a few years ago. The problem, as Chris said, is when corners get cut. When cheaper components are used or QC levels fall. But that almost always turns round and bites the company on the butt! Sometimes to the extent that customers will buy their "original" range, but shun their far-east made products. Ampeg would be one example where sellers are quick to state that their gear is "US made". As long as the origins are clearly displayed I don't really see a problem. If there is a cost difference then its up to the consumer which range or brand to choose.

[quote name='AndyMartin' post='782022' date='Mar 21 2010, 08:02 PM']It matters a very great deal where it is made. The only way we will stop the slide towards having a third world economy is if consumers take an interest in where stuff is made.[/quote] Agreed. Not sure about the "third world economy" bit, but consumers should definitely take more of an active interest in where their goods are sourced and/or manufactured. If money were no object, I would buy British all the way as long as it didn't involve a compromise on quality. To be fair though, although there seem to be a few quality cabinet manufacturers in the UK - what is the situation like for amplifiers? Most of the big names bandied about on here are US, Danish, Swedish, German or Italian!

Not sure what Alex's wishes are for the cab that I currently have. I assume it is the "Northern Compact" of which you speak Largo? I picked it up from WaterofTyne on friday but am yet to hear it until my speakon/jack cable arrives! I may well be up in Edinburgh this weekend Largo.... so depending on what Alex/WoT have planned for it I would probably be able to bring it up to Scotland with me.... Just thinking out loud here!

By "far east" read "People's Republic of China". That's certainly where my MAG cabs were made, but they also proudly display "designed in the UK"!

Damn! Just spotted this thread now! Will try to make it next time... Love the Maggie bank - played some great gigs there over the years. Good beer, good food, good crowd!

Bugger! Having collected the Compact from WoT I find that it only has a speakon input! Never mind, one duly ordered from bassic-bits! Look forward to trying it when I can actually connect it to my amp!!

Excellent! Dunno about the gigging yet, but I have family in Bonchester Bridge so I look forward to staying up here and trying the place out!

Wasn't there on in Moffat last year? Or did I dream that?

Another satisfied customer!

Try a bike shop? They arrive in large boxes but are not often sold in them... Large electrical goods? These guitar boxes are hard to get unless you buy a new guitar or know someone who does! But that's an expensive way of getting them! Improvise!

Exchanged a few messages with Seb on wednesday this week. The next evening he came up to Newcastle with his gear, we talked bass, A/Bed cabinets and tried each other's guitars. He left with my Ampeg and left me with his Ashdown! Both of us extremely happy! Lovely guy and a pleasure to do business with! Cheers Seb!

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='777723' date='Mar 17 2010, 05:38 PM']I'll speak to Michael soon and see what we can sort but it'll likely not be a big affair. [/quote] Small and friendly suits me fine!

That's OK Seb - you've got first ebbs on it!

Maybe I should put the cab up for sale on here, as there seem to be so many fans!

46?!?! Jeez, I once had a relative that lived to be that old.... I'm 43 (good age for a fan of Level 42!) and I still think of myself as "young". Sadly, my knees are starting to disagree with me...

[quote name='Musicman20' post='777334' date='Mar 17 2010, 01:16 PM']I think a North East Bass Bash is on the cards.... I have no car now due to living literally in the centre of Newcastle and it was just a waste to have it sat there when I can walk and get in shape more. That will mean a lack of my gear at the bash....but maybe I can work around that.[/quote] After all you've said about the TC gear, I'll come and pick you up myself!!

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='777111' date='Mar 17 2010, 10:34 AM']Conan, if you're interested in trying a Barefaced cab, remember that Alex offers a one-month trial period. Buy one; if you don't like it, send it back for a refund. Alternatively, wait for another NE Bash (time for another one, guys?) and I'll bring my Vintage.[/quote] That's probably a good idea, but I would feel somehow fraudulent doing that! At the moment I can't afford a new cab of any description so buying one just to return it after a month would feel wrong to me... The Bass Bash idea is a very good one though! I'm looking forward to meeting some of the local guys and I can't make it down to the Yorks bash this weekend... Although my gear will seem very low-rent compared to some of the stuff you lads own!! Hopefully I will be trying a Compact this weekend if WoT and I can get something sorted.

[quote name='davidmpires' post='777066' date='Mar 17 2010, 09:59 AM']Who's that?[/quote] Bill Fitzmaurice innit?

Depends what you're used to! It would need to be something pretty heavy to tune down two full tones and still get the "feel" that you like, but my idea of heavy may not be the same as yours... Also, different brands of string behave differently with respect to tension and feel. Getting a bit out of my depth on that one as I have only used a small number of string brands myself! I'm sure others will be along later with more experience in that field!

Guess it depends on the gauges! A light gauge "B" might be the same diameter as a heavy gauge "E" from a four string set! I take it you don't have a five string bass? Are you talking about tuning down your regular bass for that one track, or tuning a different bass down and only using it for No-one knows?

[quote name='0175westwood29' post='776471' date='Mar 16 2010, 05:31 PM']15's arent normally known for there high dude?[/quote] There are several threads on here where speaker cabinet designers and/or manufacturers state very clearly that there is no such thing as "the sound of a 15" or "the punch of a 10" etc. I used to use Trace Elliot gear, and the 1x15 cab had loads more "clicky" top end than the 4x10!! It also had more low end. This is more likely to be due to the box that they are housed in than the speakers themselves I believe. Being the owner of the above-mentioned ampeg cab I can vouch for the sound of it. Plenty of top AND bottom end, but certainly not as growly and mid-rangey as the Ashdown 410 (which also has a tweeter, which adds to the "shouty" sound!). Seb, the Ampeg will help your Rick sound like a Rick! It allows my Status to sound like a Status, and, as you might expect, the Cort sounds like itself! Bring your Rick tomorrow and you can try as many amp/cab/bass combinations as you like! BTW, the ashdown goes for £270 new and the cheapest I can find an SVT-15E for is £434!!! I must be mad!

Even in his absence he divides opinion!