Matt P

a quick scan of the fender website and a google search and i can't find anything remotely similar except for a proper vintage one (i think this is modelled on a 64 Jazz) i'm not usually a fan of signature basses and i'm not U2's biggest fan but the combination of colour, blocks and tuners is very good to my eyes, luckily i discovered a while ago that i don't really like Jazz basses. Matt

the vintage one would be my pick i think, already has improved pickups (Wilkinson Vintage) and i'm a sucker for a natural finish,i'd definately buy one if i didn't already have a Mex Std Tele. Matt

If the secondhand big twin is still available then go and try it out, i think you might be surprised at how loud it will go, i use a pair of midgets and so far i've never been drowned out, i heard a single midget against a pair of marshall half stacks and it was clear as a bell! (i thought that there was a compact hooked up as well but it was being used as a stand) the modern bass cabs are so far ahead of what was available 10 years ago, you might be surprised at how small and light a rig you can have now. I will say that as much as i love my barefaced cabs, the TKS ones are very close in terms of sound quality, i was witness to a shootout between the 12" tks and the midgets at a bass bash and there was very little in it. Matt

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1425887628' post='2711716'] It was very simple really - I wanted more midrange in my tone and the LH500 couldn't give it to me! Other amps I have tried since have been able to provide the mids, but due to the way the controls work, finding a sound that I like and can use in a band situation is more difficult than I had anticipated... The Aggie (which I tried last night) has lots of potential, but (as I recall reading in someone else's post a while back), the interactivity of the controls is counter-intuitive and frustrating. What it shows (quite clearly!) is that there is no one "bass tone" and that each manufacturer of bass gear has different goals in mind and different ways of achieving them! As with other things in life, sometimes the journey is more enjoyable than the destination [/quote] Have you tried Markbass? if you wanted to test out my F1 then just give me a shout, and if all the knob twiddling with the TH500 doesn't work out then i'll swap it for a bundle of cash! Matt

i might have something suitable in my parts stash, i'll have a look when i get home. Matt

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1425472086' post='2707637'] Absolutely Matt! I know I am giving the impression of being a bit flighty and indecisive over this amp business, but I'm really not! I just feel a bit like a kid in a sweet shop at the moment... But yes - you can have first dibs! [/quote] thanks, i'm not going to hold my breath though, i've tried a th500/barefaced rig and it was epic, if i hadn't been broke i would have bought it on the spot! i think the chances of you not liking it are probably power than my chances of winning the lottery this weekend (which are very slim as i've never bought a ticket ) Matt

[quote name='obbm' timestamp='1425389037' post='2706762'] Small Soundcraft mixer, bass into one channel, PC or MP3 player into a stereo channel and a pair of headphones. Been doing this for years. Loudest thing is the tapping of my foot so I have to put it on a thick cushion to keep Mrs obbm happy. [/quote] this is almost exactly the setup i use, except that i could only afford a little behringer mixer, i've got it setup as a recording station as well, with a cheap behringer usb to phono box, then my monitor speakers connected to the main outputs, i have my bass into channel one, then 2/3 are a stereo pair for my tablet/cd/whatever i'm playing along to, and my metronome is plugged into 4/5. very easy to get it all balanced and i tend to pan the bass to one side and the music to the other so i can get better seperation. Matt

i know this is a hundred million to one chance, but if you don't like it then give me a call and i'll buy it off you! (Shy bairns get nowt!) Matt

i've got Roqsolid covers for my Midgets, mainly to keep them looking new, i never bothered before but i dug my old marshall combo out a while ago and it looks like it has been attacked by rats, and that's just from being loaded in and out of the car. i went for the extra padding and the speaker protection pocket, mainly for peace of mind. i voted that i don't have a cover for the amp but it does live in a laptop bag when it's not in use. Matt

see if the bass base will do you a trade in for the aguilar? he seemed to be open to trades when i spoke to him. Matt

any chance of some nice clear pictures? it might show up some more fasteners that you haven't noticed yet, i'm assuming that the amp section is mounted at the back of the combo? are thee any fixings on the front grille? you might be able to get the speaker out and hunt for the rattling problem from there? Matt

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1424422786' post='2696075'] Sorry, I'm re-posting (re-quoting) this again Purely because I haven't seen the pics of this bass for a few days now I am an addict, and I don't mind admitting it This bass is THE best looking bass I've ever seen I'm pretty sure I've even dreamed about it! lol There is no hope for me, is there? Cor! Just Cor!!!! [/quote] i get to see and hear this particular bass every week at my bass lesson, it doesn't help with my Gas for a Nice light-relic sonic blue P-bass! Matt

i've just been looking at the mids mod on the bdi21 and it seems to be within my technical ability, i might pick one up and mod it myself, if it goes well i'd be happy to mod one for you as well. they're cheap as chips and the extra components aren't expensive either. Matt

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1423653126' post='2687398'] Another amp has come to my attention: [url="http://www.swramps.com/en-GB/support/vintage.php/"]http://www.swramps.c...rt/vintage.php/[/url] There is a used one for sale on this very forum, and bang on budget! It would certainly seem to offer the mid-range control that I am after... but I have no experience of SWR gear. Opinions anyone? [/quote] i'm assuming that it's the SM-500 that you're looking at (the link goes to a page with a dozen or more amps but the SM-500 is the first one i find in the classifieds) i can't comment on the sm-500 but i had a SWR Headlite and it just lacked something for me, not enough punch, i bought the Markbass F1 and my bandmates really noticed the difference, we got to the end of the first song at the first parctice with it and they both commented on how much easier it was to hear me and how much better the mix was. i'm guessing that you're not too worried about how much the amp weighs then? Matt

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1423485172' post='2685274'] Believe it or not, I've never even heard of that place! Might have to have a look... [/quote] it was called Ginger Music, it has been the venue for the last 3 North East Bass Bashes, recently it's dedicated to Bass Guitars and usually has some nice kit in, including some G+L's and a selection of Fenders. I believe the owner is called Dee, he's very good at pricing stuff as well, pretty competetive. [url="http://www.gingermusiccompany.co.uk/"]http://www.gingermusiccompany.co.uk/[/url] Matt

i'm saving for the TH500, tried one at the Bass bash with my Midgets and it was FAB! they usually have both the 350 and the 500 in stock over at the Bass Base in Pelaw if you want a proper go, if you arrange in advance you might get to try it in the rehearsal space at a decent volume. Matt

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1422476721' post='2673255'] That would be my concern too! As for refinishing, should you go that route, I can't speak highly enough of David Wilson: [url="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002025970885&fref=ts"]https://www.facebook...5970885&fref=ts[/url] Contact him, great guy, superb job, and not as expensive as some of the others although you would never know looking at the results! [/quote] Dave Wilson is a true expert when it comes to re-finishing, if the body wood isn't nice enough then you could consider a thin veneer over the top and bottom, the burst at the edges would cover the join, this would add to the cost though, a home refinish in a solid colour would be much cheaper. if you really want sunburst then the suggestions of buying another bass are a great option. Matt

depending on the bass it might be better buying a fretless neck instead, then you can swap back to fretted at a later date, and you have the option of an unlined board if that's your preference, the side markers will be in the right place as well (speaking as a man with a defretted bass.) Matt

i picked up a 70's VM precision locally (Via Basschat) and i's really lovely, actaully compares really well to my proper 77 precision (and it's a good couple of pounds lighter) but i've got really bad GAS for a Sonic blue CV Precision so it will probably get swapped out at some point when one pops up for sale. Matt

the seymour duncan website has some really good clear diagrams, if you want some help i'm in newcastle and have swapped a fair few pickups on guitars and basses over the years, be happy to guide you through the process over a cup of coffee. Matt EDIT- just noticed that you're a Teacher at the Acadamy, i live not far from the morrisons at cowgate so possibly you could drop in on your way home one evening.

i'm a bridge cover only guy, i did fit the pickup cover as well (the holes were already there) but after one short practice session i took it off. i don't really palm mute anymore, i switched to floating thumb instead. Matt

i use these and the only issue i had was when i lost the little insertion tool, they just don't fit snugly if i don't use it, i had to make a new one from a bit of biro barrel but that was a 2 minute job. they sound good to me and i love the different inserts that they provide, great to be able to tune the attenuation to the gig. i've bought another set for my wife and our guitarist/frontman uses them as well. Matt

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1422404574' post='2672374'] Well I'm always up for a bit of nudity, but on the other hand... [/quote] is that a Limelight or a Fender? regardless of what make it is i still love it! just the right amount of wear, the perfect colour and the covers just finish it off perfectly! Matt

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1422362411' post='2671569'] Well, this is on it's way to me soon. 63P in faded sonic blue, with lightest relic available. Can't wait to get my hands on it! [/quote] that's the nicest yet! not helping my Sonic Blue P-Bass GAS!

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1422001006' post='2667499'] This one was built for me to my spec - but unfortunately I never ended up buying it so it went elsewhere pretty quickly. Not sure where sorry. [/quote] oh well, i'm not sure if i want it to turn up for sale or not, the idea of specifying my own build is very tempting, maybe after i've bought a new bathroom and a new kitchen! i think i'd specify the same as 119 but with a lighter relicing and a bridge cover. Matt