stewblack

All I ever wanted when I started playing bass in the early 80s was a big TE rig. A 15, a 4 X 10, and a glowing green lit head to reach up and plug into. The ultimate set up it seemed to me. When I finally acquired my first Trace many years later it was a small 130w combo. It sounded every bit as good as I hoped it would and lasted me for years, but it wasn't the huge rig I'd fantasised and lusted for. Fast forward to the present. My dream set up appears regularly in the for sale section here and on eBay and guess what? Now I can afford it I can't bloody lift it.

Reading the comments in response to a best bassists type video and one of them asserts the 80s was the high water mark for bass guitar in popular music. What do you think? Apart from the obvious - I too agree comparing and ranking musicians is pointless - which decade was the bassy best? More importantly, why?

That picture is positively pornographic! Congratulations, beautiful looking rig and gorgeous bass.

Don't have the JC but do have a semi acoustic which caused me similar grief. I found an acoustic guitar case fitted the bill perfectly

Mine was an Amazon 'as new' guessing it had been returned. If my fading memory serves it was around £160 - £170. Collosal bargain.

This one is well regarded https://www.thejazzguide.co.uk

I'm not a scientist so please take whatever I say with a pinch of salt, but I've played both this amp and an Orange Terror (allegedly 1000 watts) through the same cabs at various venues and I've never noticed any loss of volume/power/output/headroom (call it what you will) when using the Bugera. Doesn't bother me what numbers the marketing people choose, it's lightweight, pretty, versatile and sounds great

Used these strings at two rehearsals this week, different bands, same result. Fantastic tone, guitarist even said it was the best bass sound he'd heard from me! I know he's only a guitarist so I shouldn't take any notice but he's been around a while so...

I would be surprised if you are disappointed. Mine is a thundering beast of a thing

That's quality.

Loaded my Precision with the Adagios yesterday; transformed it. Really lovely tone. Naturally I've no idea about longevity but I'll keep you all in the loop

Seen any good ones? I like this

Yes there is such input

Any better?

Totally works for me. The rubber sticks to the surface of both bass and desk. I even used it on a snare drum the other day. Perfect.

My first ever 'proper' gig. Colston Hall. Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson. Hairs on my neck still stand up when I remember it. Brian Downey was awesome too.

Oh and next up from that the Zoom B1on.

Nope. Cheeper and more cheerful is this ugly little bastard Which I bought to replace the overpriced flimsy Vox. It's excellent.

If you don't have a capo a pen and elastic band can be pressed into service.

I mostly avoid the off topic forum. That's because I know I don't cope well with opinions which differ from my own. This is a character defect of mine and not a fault of BC or other posters. The handful of times I've been bewildered by people getting overheated about amplifier ratings or the shape of a headstock is hugely outweighed by the amount of helpful, informative posts I've read. I've also download free transcriptions, received invaluable technical advice, found a fantastic tutor, discovered lightweight cabs and instruments which have prolonged my career, met some truly remarkable, kind, selfless people, been introduced to stunning bands and bass players, received and given practical help to and from fellow Basschaters, and been relieved of a staggering amount of money I could ill afford to lose in the market place. The good outweighs the bad. Sadly, for some, confrontation and dispute are entertaining and simple to ignite. These people seldom care about those they hurt.

I've had some great experiences and some worryingly poor. Luckily enough being a recovering alcoholic I've learned the value of acceptance. Accept the things I cannot change, is the motto by which I have to live. I can't change a sound engineer or how they do their job any more than they can change how I play the bass. Of course it sucks if they get a crappy bass sound, but I have to accept it so I do. The one rule I've always maintained is to shake them by the hand and thank them for what they've done for me. I never know when they will next be in charge of making my band sound as good as they can so I try to keep them on side as much as possible. None of this in any way belittles the OP nor his disappointment which I entirely understand. I can only speak to my own experience.

Black tie 'do' at a golf club for me last night. Good food, a lift up to the function room, nice space to relax and get changed, lovely band to dep for. In bed happy by 3.30am. Perfect start to the new year.

Oh God I hadn't thought of the bass free opportunities. Might have to start carrying drum sticks.