casapete

Generally I'm not a big fan of TE stuff. Bit sterile/mid heavy for me - have recently used some of the newer (made by Peavey) range and an earlier combo and wasn't wild about either. However!.......used to own an early AH500 watt head (2x250w with the GP11 preamp section) which was a superb amp. Built like a tank,loud and a bit warmer sounding than other TE's I've tried. My amp tech said at the time "well built British amp - I can keep it going for as long as you want". Wish I'd listened to him and hung on to it now.

[quote name='basshead56' post='700825' date='Jan 4 2010, 07:20 PM']Finally some lurve for the P-Lyte! I had two, still have one (greensparkle, gold hardware). Love them. The one I still have is the proper japanese one, from 1986 Incredibly lightweight, lovely neck (like a Gibson SG guitar neck at the nut!-very thin and super-fast) It doesn´t sound like a common-or-garden Precision, given the PJ pup config and active pre, but they do have a very versatille range. Records very well and has a lot of bite live too (I like to use the P pup on half and the J bout 3/4 up roll back the tone a little and play with a pick-like a little T-Bird ) You can get close to nearly any bass sound you want (though action, string choice and a million other things are factors in this) Never noticed any neck dive in mine. My only complaint about the P Lyte, and I´m [u]sure[/u] some others will have had the same problem at some point (I know 4 other guys in this boat): The really dodgy input jack on the bass. Horrible. incredibly cheap and always come loose! Replace the factory one and your on the pigs back! I tried an American-made Deluxe version of this bass (has a Humbucker in the bridge) and it didnt hold a candle to the MIJ ones! Buy a decent second hand japanese Lyte and you WILL NOT REGRET IT!!! [/quote] +1 on the dodgy jack socket- forgot about that! My Deluxe was a Japanese model with rear humbucker and 5th control knob for panning between the pickups,but as you say the standard Japanese model was better IMO. Think they made a USA model using the same style/layout but it was it called a Lyte? Think it may have been a 'jazz' something or other?

I've had a couple of Precision Lytes,a standard in Arctic White (or was it maybe Frost white?) and a deluxe in natural. The standard was actually the better of the two,but both were fine instruments and both active - did they make passive ones? Pros - nice and light, very fast slim jazz style neck, active controls good, price, overall modern 'jazz' sound. Cons - Slight neck dive, not really a Precision sounding bass, they eat batteries. I had a small mod done to the electrics which stopped this Duracell habit! (Just remember to remove the jack when not in use too.) If you can get one for a good price then go for it. Japanese Fenders are generally becoming more sought after these days. Cheers Pete.

[quote name='Doddy' post='698136' date='Jan 1 2010, 05:26 PM']Yes-because a drop tuner gives you notes that were previously unavailable-a capo takes away notes that were previously available. I don't really see the need for a capo on bass,but then again,I don't for guitar either- I've never used one and neither do most of the guitarists I play with.[/quote] Personally dont see the need for capo on bass,but then again why not? For guitar though it's a godsend-enables songs to be performed in keys which would not usually sound great without certain chord inversions and open tunings that would be otherwise unavailable. Lots of famous players would never have made great recordings without the use of them - my faves include James Taylor,Keith Richard, Ry Cooder etc etc.

[quote name='Jigster' post='698567' date='Jan 2 2010, 10:00 AM']basic isn't always bad - [/quote] hey- basic is never bad!

Check first! Marshall made 120 watt 4x12 cabs which could be used for both bass and guitar - they were designated seperate model numbers on the rear panel. The cabs were known as models 1982A and 1982B, and contained 'heavy duty' Celestion G12 speakers. Many variations of the G12 speaker were being made available, and Marshall did not always increase the power capacity of their cabinets at the same time as Celestion improved the spec of their speakers - for a while Marshall claimed a capacity of 120 watts for one of their 4x12's when in fact the cabinet could handle in the region of 320 watts. I think all the 4x12's were only available in 16 ohm format - as previous post mentions,this was to marry up a pair of cabs to valve heads thus giving an ideal load of 8 ohms. 16 ohm cabs not therefore great to use alone with a transistor head! Hope this helps! Pete.

There is the Hartke A100S combo on sale at Reverb stores at the moment for £229 in their sale. 100 watts,15" speaker,graphic,cd input/headphone output etc etc. You could do a lot worse for the dosh!

The SVT3 Pro is a great sounding amp, although (IMO) isn't particularly loud for its rating. To get the best out of it, best to pair it with a 4 ohm load - the Ampeg 610 is fine for this. Using just one 410HE would not release the full output of the amp as they are an 8 ohm cab. You could always pair it with a 410 HLF though, which are rated at 4 ohms, or use the 410HE along with another cab as you mention in your post. That way you'll get the full whack from the amp. Cheers.

Saw the new 58 dead on copperburst model on sale at GAK for £249 - great value.

[quote name='brick' post='685103' date='Dec 15 2009, 12:56 PM']prob not pluged in, didnt see him on x factor but he looked to be faking playing bass at the children in need thing a couple of weeks back[/quote] Macca's band looked 100% live to me.

Love GK amps - got a couple of them. 700 RB-11 and a 'vintage' 800RB. The 700 is my main gigging amp which I've had for over two years with no problems whatsoever. Its loud & sounds very 'musical' through a variety of cabinets. Its got great tone controls along with the boost facility which gives a nice bit of growl too. It is also a very manageable 16.5 lbs in a 2 rack space,so whilst not in the Markbass league still makes it an easy carry-in. The 800 is just sublime, my fave amp head other than an SVT which I've always regretted selling. It sounds very similar to the 700, just that bit more old school-y perhaps. Again,works well with most cabs-last night it was running a 2x15 EV cab and really pumped the sound out great. Not quite as loud/versatile as the 700,but enough for a non-twiddler like me. The guy who services my gear isn't a massive fan of GK stuff-says they are nothing special in the build dept, and I have to agree with previous post re the dislike of plastic jack sockets which I believe is across the range (?). However, I've had no reliabilty probs with either amp over the last few years, and think that the design of their stuff just works whatever! Cheers.

Been a fingerstyle player from the start, despite graduating on to bass from gui*ar. Last year after an injury I had to use a pick for some songs, and could n't believe how hard it is, and what a difference it makes to the sound. My fave players have always been fingerstyle, but there was a guy in Hull who I used to go and see in my teens who had the best sound - using a P-bass, Top 50 valve amp and a 4x12 cab,and it sounded immense! Horses for courses sez I.

Had similar excellent service from Ben at WD. Recommended.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='673300' date='Dec 3 2009, 03:48 PM']Some PA cabs are outstanding for bass but some are appalling. The bigger and more expensive they are, the better they tend to be. I'd run a mile from using most cheap PA cabs for bass but if you can find a nice big and not el cheapo one for a good price secondhand then go for it! Alex[/quote] +1 Sometimes use my band's spare 1x15+horn PA cab on smaller gigs. Its an ASS cab with B&C drivers and sounds just fine. I have a PA cab for sale in 'Other musically related stuff for sale' on here - think it may fall into the 'el cheapo' category at £25 though!!! Still, may be okay for someone starting out etc.

Years ago, the country rock band I was in got a gig at a rugby club some 60 miles away. We arrived in good time, set the gear up only to discover that the guitarist/pedal steel player had left both his instruments at home. Anyway, whilst we sat around for a while wondering how best to tell the booker, we noticed a distinct lack of punters. By around 9pm the booker shuffled over and apologised for not promoting the gig properly,then asked if we minded not playing and gave us our fee! Phew!

Just got a MM Stingray off James. Top bloke to deal with, and knows a thing or two about quality instruments! Bass was exactly as described - would recommend to all. Cheers.

[quote name='Moos3h' post='664248' date='Nov 24 2009, 07:55 PM']Oh, I just realised....I had a Marshall Bluesbreaker combo that not only caught fire, but then set fire to the curtains in the pub we were playing in. Weird thing was, whilst it was on fire, there was still sound coming out of it![/quote] Had a similar experience with a Vox AC30 when playing at a club in Knaresborough. Saw the audience pointing at me,turned round and the amp was on fire,as was the curtain at the back of the stage. Think the audience thought it was pyrotechnics! Regarding early Trace stuff catching fire, this happened to a bass player in Hull who I think had the first Trace rig in the area. The keyboard player saw it was on fire and promptly threw his drink on it - which unfortunately was a large brandy resulting in more flames!