discreet

Looking good! Recent convert to Sonic Blue here...

Thanks for the feedback Jean-Marie, it was a pleasure.

Jean-Marie asked me to paint a P Bass body for him. He allowed me as long as it took, which is how it should be. Great Comms, all good. Thanks very much, it was fun.

OK, this has to go - £125. Silly price.

Big price drop *£175*

Thanks for the heads-up, Nik. They looked OK on my PC, but not on my phone - for some unfathomable reason. They seem to be OK now. Computers, eh?

*SOLD* Hughes & Kettner BK200 Bass Combo Massive price drop *£175* NOW *£125* From H&K's BassKick series. This particular example is in near-mint condition and has seen very little use. The pics show how clean it is. The 15" Eminence driver hasn't even been played-in yet. The input stage features H&K's 'Tube Touch' circuit and also their 'Dyna Clip' power stage, which emulates the warmth of a valve amp. Most manufacturer's attempts to do this involve fitting a 12AX7 valve at the input stage - which achieves little except to create a marketing opportunity - but in this case the technology does indeed result in some harmonically-rich and articulate tones. The EQ is wired parallel, which is quite unusual. This has the effect of separating the frequencies somewhat and results in a much cleaner, more lucid sound. The 'Punch' button is in essence a very mild mid-scoop, but it doesn't result in loss of audibility in the mix like some 'contour' -type buttons, and is actually very useful. There is also a really sweet-sounding Leson HF horn (switchable) which adds air and a nice glassy presence, but is never harsh or strident. The single-knob compressor is a real beauty - you can dial in a tight, controlled bottom end and smooth, even levels across the strings without any squashy artefacts or pumping. It sounds natural and very transparent. The controls have a nice weight to them, are positive in use and the Compressor and Master controls are reassuringly large, with a pleasing retro look. The combo is built to a very high standard (made in Germany) and would easily handle a punishing tour... or twenty tours, come to that. You get a full 200W into 4ohms, but this doesn't mean you can't add an extension cab (or cabs) as another unusual feature is how the amp deals with impedance - with a regular 500W amp you'd get around 300W at 8ohms, add another 8ohm cab and you'll get 500W at 4ohms. But with this amp the impedance is additive - so if you plug in an 8ohm cab the amp runs at 12ohms, if you add a 4ohm cab it will run at 8ohms. Brilliant if you think about it, as this feature protects the amp - it will never run at an impedance lower than it can comfortably handle, yet you get all the power of the amp into the 4ohm driver when it's used as a stand-alone combo. Very clever. It may be 'only' 200 watts, but it go loud and provides great heft and authority without distortion. Easily keeps up with drums and guitars and is very suitable for use in small to medium rooms - and rooms of any size with PA support. Will do pub gigs with ease. So get in and get yourself a high-quality, great sounding combo at a bargain price. Cash on collection only please. I'm in SE London close to the A205 South Circular. Will consider delivery for fuel costs if you're within striking distance. 200 Watts RMS 15" Custom Eminence Driver USA Tube Touch & Dyna Clip Circuits Leson HF Horn (Switchable) 4-Band Parallel EQ Variable Compressor Additive Impedance Cab System Dimensions: 552 X 604 X 385mm Weight: 24kg Made in Germany My feedback is here. I'm open to (sensible) offers. Not looking for trades.

Rod bought a combo which arrived damaged despite my best packing efforts. He reacted calmly and intelligently, arranged for local repair at his end and kept me informed at every stage. I can't recommend Rod highly enough, he's a great guy, a great basschatter and is not only a gentleman and a scholar but quite possibly an acrobat, too... Thanks for everything Rod, very much appreciate you making the best of what could have been a very tedious ordeal with great good humour, care and goodwill. I hope you enjoy the amp. Needless to say you can deal with Rod in complete and total confidence. Highly recommended.

Very sad news. When I was a kid we had the radio on all day long and I was in love with the bass playing I was hearing, even though I didn't know who the players were. It turned out one was James Jamerson, another was Herbie Flowers and another was Joe Osborn (among others). These are the people without whom my life would be very different. RIP.

Or 'Lazarus points' as they're sometimes known.

Depends how much you shuffle about when you're playing, really.

Surely you'd tune the bass whatever happened?

+1. Motivation is all. Lots of comments on this forum from people who feel 'guilty' because they think they're 'not practising enough'. If I'm not actually playing bass, I'm thinking about playing bass and I'm never really happy until I am playing bass.

As said above, your gear has very little to do with it. What's important is how good a player you are - and equally importantly, how good your bandmates are at what they do. Having the best gear in the world means nothing if you and your band aren't at an acceptable level of competence. Having said that, if you're looking for a new band, try to find people who are better than you - that is the quickest way to improve your own playing as you will tend to play up to their level.

Neil bought some strings. Fast payment, great comms, he let me know when they arrived and no shenanigans. Recommended.