stewblack

Massive sigh of relief here! Hated the thought of giving advice and it not go well, although my confidence in the bass itself never wavered. You mentioned the weight, never weighed mine but I have gigged with it regularly. Must be something about the way it balances on the strap because I don't feel it when playing and I have long standing shoulder problems. You're right about the pick up. Hot without losing character or definition. Enjoy!

I am really warming to this cool fresh colour. For years I assumed if a bass was neither black nor red then it must have been painted as a practical joke. So shallow was my taste. What I failed to realise was how much I limited my GAS with such a narrow minded attitude. This is a particularly beautiful example.

How do we quantify a good or bad instrument? Difficult when so much is subject to personal preference and taste. I think one way is to ask yourself, if all your basses bar this were to somehow disappear, would you be happy to go out there and gig, rehearse and record with just this one? Another way, assuming you have multiple basses from which to choose, is how often do you choose this one? And when you do, how does it make you feel? For me the answer is a resounding yes to the first question. And to the second? I try to rotate, but sometimes just grab and go but this is always near the top of my list. And the final question is easy - it puts a smile on my face. I think this is the hidden gem in the HB bass inventory.

Time for an update. There is a tendency to exaggerate when receiving new gear. It's either the best thing ever or a crushing disappointment. Expectations and excitement play a part. With this in mind I thought I'd let the froth settle and ask myself some searching questions now I've had this bass for a couple of weeks.

Yes they do, tis pic was from their site. Love the colour combo

It really does, thank you. The look is great, reasonably priced, P Bass sound is what I like, but that Jazz neck is a stumbling block. I'll keep an eye out for second hand as that narrow spacing combined with my fat sausage fingers can be a problem. Thanks again

Missed this post, I'll have a play today.

Plus one for this. I bought one recently best Trace head I've ever owned. Two others went up for sale not long after it arrived.

Are these any good?

I shall be an avid follower.

Absolutely, me too. Keep the filth for elsewhere.

Anyone using one? I have a problem but I'm pretty gone on my medication right now so could be me! When using with all 3 channels on, you enter the master bypass with a double tap on any button. Then any button, single tap and all 3 come back on. This allows simultaneous on off of all 3 loops - handy if like me you run 3 distortions in parallel. Saves a lot of tap dancing! However, when I give it the old double tap, I get an almighty humming noise. Doesn't happen if all three are switched off individually only by the double stomp. Any ideas?

As I have way too much time on my hands I had a little switcheroo in my tri-amp rig. The Trace is now through the Ashdown on midrange duties, the Bugera handling the lows. Perfect system. The more modern amp delivers a tight, rounded bottom (settle down at the back please) and the Trace a beautiful gutsy midrift. But the real joy is the effect loop on the TE. Not only do you have a variable send level and an optional hpf on it but at the front of the amp is a blend level. I can dial in as much or as little effect as I want giving me a mix of dirty and clean mids with my lovely round smooth bottom clean and untouched by either.

Worst instance ever was starting A Message To You Rudy. Or rather not starting it. Specials trib, early soundcheck, long afternoon drinking. Stepped to the front of the stage, made 'em wait for a bit then thought to myself - I have no idea what this song even sounds like. Mortifying. Nowadays it still happens occasionally but two significant factors have changed. One I'm sober. Two I realise I'm a musician not a heart surgeon. Nobody dies if I fluff my lines. So I just ask the rest of the band to hum or play it to me. We were doing a Bruno Mars song which I had successfully busked with chord sheets until this particular gig. The guitarist told me I should start it.Byt there's no bass on the intro I argued. BL agreed with him and sure enough when we reached the song I had no idea. Couldn't bring it to mind. After a few fumbled attempts guitar wandered over and asked - Do you actually know this song? I was bang to rights. Had to admit that no I didn't. Apart from when we gigged it I never heard of it.

To be honest I knew it was a long shot and it's no worse than it was before.

Oh to be given the chance to be so choosy