LukeFRC

That’s good to know , there’s videos about of Jonas talking about the input transformers ... I wondered if I were going mad. I ended up using it without the eq most the time, I have one of those plans that one day I will get round to where I DIY something similar

+1 on that question RE the hellborg pre amp - while it is exceptional as far as I can tell it isn’t based on a Neve or API circuit but a high end pre stage based on a different preamp design based around the input stage IC . Also if I can read a schematic correctly the input stage transformer is bypassed when using a quarter inch jack lead in...,

I always take GAS is a symptom for not being a focused, or worthwhile musician - that I’m getting distracted by so many trinkets.... however fun curiosity trying things cos it could be fun... ild encourage that!

That’s really interesting given I’ve had GAS for a hellborg rig for years!

The last post was a bit short becasuse at lunch... google tells me that there’s not a global wet/dry setting. Youre one of the guys on here that I listen to your reviews and opinions - so in my head you’ve got a fairly clear idea of what you like in your head - so I’m a bit loath to blether about the B3n beyond what I can say categorically! I’ve never used whammy or pitch blend, so I could go switch it on and play with it but I have no idea if it’s good or not! the question about tone flattening is a good one - maybe a little, more in that there seems to be a little compression and you loose a little something - in my head that’s probably something to do with the analogue-digital conversion? You’ve then got to play around with matching the gain of different patches and effects to make sure live it’s fairly consistent output level - why these kinda things don’t come with a PFL metering type system I don’t know. But it’s great for the money. I used to have a B3, and can’t remember why I sold it but missed having it about, and for the secondhand price of a B3n I don’t really think I lost out at all. I mostly use it for the amp sims into a PA.... would a spectracomp into a BDDI or similar get me where I wanted to be and sound better... possibly, but then I would miss out on having the ability to have some of the other stuff.... and try random stuff... lets look at it the other way... what else would I want the HX stomp to do to convince me to spend the extra ££? If the amp models are a step up in naturalness of feel... if the gain matching is way simpler, and I guess if I had a FRFR setup it could double as a electric guitar rig... it would also let you do your wet/dry blends, have a xlr out ... let me put it this way, the B3n is great... but I’m going to go try an HX stomp, and if I was a bit more flush I would be selling you my old B3n as the HX had replaced it!

Cab sims on the B3n are based on ir I think, but you can’t load your own. B3 aren’t. Wet dry is per effect I think rather than per patch, I can’t promise all of them have them! I think you need to find a London basschatter to lend you one

The B3n is a step up on the B3. Small in some ways but really noticeable when playing. Construction wise it’s fine too, not as metal based as the B3 but in practice I doubt you will brake it! I’ve not compared it to a Helix but would like to. Compared to a BDDI I guess it’s a digital effect with all the extra functionality and fannying about with gain staging and headroom that entails. For the money the B3n is very good

I'm slightly bumping an old thread but the B3n is a step up on the B3 sound wise and worth trying. If you're anywhere near Leeds you can borrow mine for a week to try. ESP at the cost. I have one and it feels a bit different than going straight into an analogue amp, but I'm think it's not at a stage where it's "different" rather than "worse". Would love to compare to a Helix!

Unfortunately not! I think it’s a cheaper alternative to a lunchbox type set up with different modules and probably more live use friendly. That said for live use doesn’t someone on here use a kemper with a neve desk profile or something? Live, how close could you get with software emulation?

how much tweaking do you need to do.... would an API Tranzformer LX pedal get you near enough?

Though with the passive two band preamp in the L1000 I think the pup works well, and using the three controls you get enough control. I’ve tried a L2000 and agree with what you’re saying

There comes a point where you’ve tried enough stuff and new stuff is just different compared to what you have rather than better. I think it’s more remarkable how some company bolts their preamp onto thesameclassDampeveryoneelseisusing and people get so excited about it sell the stuff they were happy with and get the new thing

+1 Based on this if I had to recommend a bass from a mainstream shop that would have ‘that’ playability the 2018 Ray is very very very good based on the one I tried. Then G&L and then Squier is what I would recomend

I'm not sure an app based interface adds much to the UX. The mobile view of the site is pretty good and gives the whole experience. There's a few wee bits I would change but overall the UX is good and gives a nice streamlined experience. TBH I'm so used to using it in mobile view the desktop version feels odd!

that's interesting, different approach than I've seen taken by other folk

nice use of technology there.

As an observer there seems to be a real obsession generally on bass forums with preamps in pedal format that I’m not sure was there a few years back

Isn’t the cut order waiting on a wee update?

Not a bad cheap rig. If you didn’t like gigging the bassman then it’s probsbly an upgrade. I only gigged a bassman once when I shared a rig with the bass player from Glasvagas - to my ears it sounded amazing

Stop being coy, what do you think of Coldplay?

Sadowsky Metro will Lee

Ever since I started playing I wanted an early Warwick Thumb bass - the first proper bass I tried was a friends 5 string thumb and it is just a beautiful bass. My 30th present came a year early as bass and finances collided and I got my dream bass - a stunning 1985 Warwick thumb with a few ‘custom shop’ factory features... it then spent 4-5 years on my wall not being played. Ergonomics were ok but the tone and how it played never was first of second choice for the things I was doing. At meet ups with other bassists the Thumb was always popular and people enjoyed playing it but I just didn’t click with it. I recently traded it for a bass I was expecting to like but not love that I would try for half a year or so and move on. But from first play I realised it was a special instrument for me and my technique- I’ve tottaly clicked with it and it gets most the playing time now. my thoughts... Follow your GAS if you can afford, don’t hoard but try out things that you want to try out some things can’t be done off the shelf - if you know what you want, go custom. some makers build on a custom basis, if you like their work find s way to try it then that’s a good idea if you know and like the builder. Custom instruments don’t hold their value, either be prepared for the loss in value if you end up selling it on, or really really know what you’re after. I still think some instruments come together and seem to have some magic. Personally I would rather have a great instrument that is 90% what I want than a 100% my spec and wants that is a competent but not a great instrument - my temptation given £3k to spend would either be to try something I had Gas for (secondhand so I wouldn’t loose too much if it didn’t click) or try lots to find something that is great - someone local to me has an early stingray. On spec it’s ok, in your hands,even with corroded strings on it absolutely sings.

What a find! Well done!!!!

Routers are great if you enjoy making multiple templates and guides and doing lots of test pieces