paul_5

A temperature controlled one is a good idea, as I've found that the ones without get too damn hot and end up damaging stuff. If you're just doing wires and sockets then it's not quite so critical. Also you can get away with a larger tip if it's just for wires and sockets. I use a cheapo one from Craplins at the moment and it's doing ok for a £20 thing. Maplins don't sell them any more, but there's a chap in Stockport selling them on eBay for £15: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Variable-Temperature-Soldering-Station-Iron-Kit-NEW-/120730956097?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 Don't forget that if you're going for a new iron then you'll need to 'tin' the tip like this: http://youtu.be/j1ZnkTC5bps Also, when soldering offboard (generally wires) then you'll need to 'tin' the ends of the wires too - once you've stripped them twist all of the strands together and apply the iron and solder at the same time so that they turn a lovely, shiny silver colour - this stops any errant strands making contact with stuff that they shouldn't, and makes for a better solder joint. Hope this helps.

I had one of these and it's VERY close to the OC2, I seem to remember it played better with active basses than the OC2 though. Cast metal housing too. Do it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, I know I was.

Accelerator, brake and clutch. Some bassists don't have a clutch, but for my setup all 3 are essential.

erm, [i]most of them...[/i] Maybe it's just me. I'm sure there have been some spiffing releases this year.

ROHS bunch would shoot me for saying this, but lead solder all the way. I ran out last month and have been using some sh*tty 'lead free' stuff from Craplins (hey, desperate times) and it's absolutely rubbish to work with. Just my 2p worth! Use it in a well ventilated area though* *whilst wearing a mask, gloves, goggles, condom etc...

I play fretless almost exclusively but I'm a 'Jazz' man, not a 'P' guy. It's a beautiful bass though.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1379884659' post='2217931'] Yep, the DHA would get my vote for this as well. [/quote] Yup. DHA all the way!

Another +1 for the John East. I've had a couple of J retros, and if the P retro is half as good as those were, then it's well worth getting!

I record all my bass tracks (and quite a few of other people's) DI'ed through a DHA VT1 EQ. It's lovely at fattening up the bottom end, and can give a LOT of crunch if you need it, without losing low frequencies. Not everyone's first choice, as technically it's an overdrive pedal, but it's got loads of clean boost and a whisper quiet DI output. Way under your budget too.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1379847250' post='2217301'] The 35W version is pretty small, and the one I had would just about manage a rehearsal with a (restrained) drummer. I mean a drummer that kept the volume down, not one that was tied up or anything. [/quote] You should try this - they're even quieter this way.

I've just built a Catalinbread Poblano Picoso clone and it's ACE! It's designed as a booster/buffer/ampeg grit pedal but can get really loud due to the boost circuit. Chuck a volume control on the output stage and it's a keeper for sure. Small enough to fit in a gig bag, and the parts cost even less than a BDI-21 too. Happy days.

Dunno. At least with a low B it doubles as a thumb rest.

Dunno really. I'm not massively attached to any of my kit; they're tools to do a job and nothing more. I [i]do[/i] love the sound of my fretless bitsa with 2 humbuckers though...

He's round at mine - we be chillin' I wish.

I'll sit on the fence and say Hydrive cabs (designed with LH amps in mind) and HA amps. Honestly, I could argue with myself in an empty room!

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1379185667' post='2209676'] Not happy with some of the advice so far... tapping!? WtF? [/quote] Calm down sunshine; just suggesting different approaches. Granted it's not a conventional 'normal' approach, but it works.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1379181088' post='2209602'] WARNING: Too close an interest in the workings of fuzz pedals can send you wibbly-hatstand! [/quote] It's too late for me, but you can still save yourself!

So it's not even a proper banjo? über crap!

Scott's got a medical condition (Focal Dystonia) and wears them for that reason. French player Etienne M'bapeé wears them too because he's got super acidic sweat. Back OT, Jamerson never changed his strings and either used an Ampeg or went straight to the desk. DOn't know about tone shaping on the desk, but those old B15s are "thumptastic"!

you could try tapping the low notes or the first of the high ones. That's getting a bit too complicated though...

Depending on the tempo I'd play the low F# with my plucking hand thumb, and the two high F#s with my 'normal' finger technique. Hope this helps, Mel.

Dunno, I had to upgrade to Lion 10.8 to get my macbook pro to connect to it, so maybe not.

A quarter pounder for my P bass. And a filet o' fish for my wife...