Rayman

Well I’ve gone for a modest D class to start with, the reviews are good, and it’s small, so it ticks all the boxes for now.

Me neither….. hopefully it’ll work. It wasn’t expensive at all, but then this is a cheap temporary set up.

So as I’m in a rush, and I wanted something for the next gig, I’ve gone for a temporary measure. A used TC BQ500 and a Peavey 2x12 4ohm 350W cab. I understand that the TC output is probably realistically closer to 400W anyway. So that’ll do as a temporary setup, but the search for a proper rig will continue in the New Year

Oh right….. please do tell us your findings

I’m not quite there yet lol…. and only a couple of years ago during lockdown I was solo lifting washing machines into the back of a van. Couldn’t do that now. I’ve seen a tiny 500W TC BQ class D head…. my only experience of TC is that I’ve blown two of them to bits…. but it’s small and powerful…. plugged into a 2x12 it might work

I’ll be interested in your findings in a live situation.

Also in the mix, is that I’m an Ashdown guy, have been for years, and we’re a loud original heavy rock 3pce. So I need grunt……..light, grunty and affordable , not asking for much like.

Dave Swift has kindly had a look, but as you can imagine, getting a hold of Pino to ask the question about this bass and it's origins is difficult. So for now at least that's a dead end, sorry.

Fabulous.... thank you 👍

So embarrassingly, after 40yrs of using combos, I have a question. Proof that you're never too old to learn... I just can't keep lugging my Ashdown ABM combo around anymore. We live in an upstairs flat, and it's getting impossible to hump it up and down the stairs. So I'm looking to move to separates, a lightweight head and 1 or 2 cabs instead. How does the Ohm thing work? Can I use a 500W rated head with a 300W cab? Thanks for your assistance

I think Dave Swift knows Pino, obviously Pino was in the Who…. I’ll message Dave.

Joe Osborn. I had a candy apple red one, with Fralins. Absolutely outstanding bass, probably the best "jazz" bass I ever had.

For the band…..always the Thunderbird live yes….., but at home and for anything else, it’s been one of these three for the last few months. I recorded a couple of tracks with some friends at the weekend, and used the GTB jazz…. it recorded really well.

Sleaford Mods & Big Special Superb both

Sat here with a large coffee, after a morning session with my (current) favourite 3 basses. Regardless of price…. these Arias are absolutely my go to basses right now. Lovely players, comfortable and awesome sounding. It does make me wonder why I still hanker for expensive gear, when instruments like these are around for peanuts. I hunt around for the Korean ones mostly, or the Japanese ones if there’s a bargain to be had. The 5er at the top is an IGB68 and was 200 quid. Awesome tone, beautiful fretboard, crap tuners, I intend to change them. The Integra on the left was a 100, fabulous tone, the pickups are brilliant in these, nice neck…. and the GTB on the right was 50 quid….. absolutely ridiculously lovely bass, again great neck, great pickups. I put Gotoh GB707s on both of those basses. It massively improves the playing experience. To be honest, between the three basses, I really don’t need any of the others, they’re that good, in my opinion.

Ashdown are the best. Dave is a lovely and very helpful chap…. and everyone upstairs in the office are just as friendly. Great amps, great company.

Although the OP is sorted, just a quick plug for Matt @ House of Tone in Chester. Anyone needing pickup work doing in the NW (of England) he’s your guy.

So there it is finished, complete with its new Gotoh GB707s. As you can see, it bares a few scars, but man, this is a lovely comfortable bass that sounds killer. Very happy.

😍