neepheid

The specific answers to your questions: The EB-3 is a bass and not much else. What I mean by that is that it'll do you a reasonable job within fairly regular rock boundaries but if you're looking for sparkling highs and hi-fi slap sound then it won't be so much use. Is it good for a beginner? Well, my first bass was an Epi EB-3. It does have quite a slim neck, but it's quite unbalanced because of the little SG body, long scale and giant shovel of a headstock with full size tuners. This means that the neck will always be wanting to tip towards the floor and you'll have to keep it propped up. This might hamper your technique. Honestly, if I had my time again, knowing what I know now I wouldn't have an Epi EB-3 as my first bass (or any bass, come to think of it). This is just my opinion but when you're starting out you'd be much better off taking a more balanced bass like a Squier Jazz or Precision, or Yamaha make good stuff (an RBX can probably be obtained new within your budget, or a second hand BB) and while this is just my experience, I bought the EB-3 because it looked pretty with no idea what I actually wanted from a bass and it sat unused for ages. You might love it. Ultimately, the only way to check is to try one first. There must be one in a shop somewhere. Knowing what I know now, and although I don't really care for any of them, out of that four I would take the Les Paul Special. I had an Epi Les Paul Standard bass once (they don't make them any more) and it was lovely.

[quote name='baseline9' timestamp='1349093447' post='1821596'] <p>I feel guilty now, I've started a depressing thread!! Someone in Aberdeen got their head trapped in a public bin over the weekend! [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-19783214"]http://www.bbc.co.uk...etland-19783214[/url] Something to cheer us all up!! [/quote] Sorry guys, I thought I saw a bass headstock in there

Never say never (life sometimes gets in the way and tastes change). I've even been known to sell a Gibson in order to fuel my further curiosity but I suppose the one that is completely exempt save for keeping the roof over our heads (and it would go last) would be my Gibson RD Artist. My wife (the bass fairy) got me it and as such its perpetual presence in my collection is not up for debate.

Yes, I have noticed

I went to see Rich yesterday. Just thought I'd update you and let you know that he's making good progress after his op and is weaning himself off the stormtrooper's boot: It's pretty awesome looking, as long as you don't have to wear it

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1348747907' post='1817653'] I had a case of batteries only lasting a monthor less in my bass, then I discovered that there was a short in the circuit which meant the active circuit was on even when a jack wasn't plugged in. [/quote] That's true, I had an active Yamaha with the same problem, about a month and the battery would be dead, regardless of how much it was played. I'd check that out.

Edited because I can't read. I would say that I've had no problems with Duracell Procells.

Oh, that's brutal

Simple reason is Thomann were out of stock of the HB when I wanted it and couldn't commit to a date when new stock would arrive. Also got an extended 5 year warranty with the RedSub for not much extra. The red speaker is cool, but was neither here nor there in the decision

I am deliriously happy with my RedSub 5110 combo. I have used it for gigs, in the combo for quiet gigs and out into my Zoot cab for bigger stuff. I have used it in the combo at a band practice against a voice, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, trombone and drums and it has made itself heard (and I had to drive it quite hard). I have used it outdoors. I have used it to amplify my laptop when we're watching films. I've had it since March and it has never let me down. There's your glowing report.

At lunch time I had a fettle with my Guild B402-A (*cough* which is still for sale btw *cough*) - truss rod adjustment and a bit of a noodle. Tonight I did some practice - used my G&L Tribute L-2000 to play some previous band stuff and some ska/2 tone stuff. Good times

Excellent thread resurrection! I've gone a bit BBonkers lately. I had a BB614 but decided to sell it on because I didn't like my universal backup/rough/outdoor/festival bass being active only, and the chrome surrounds were a bit too "blingy" for my tastes. So I replaced it with a BB300. What can I say? It's simple but highly effective and the neck suits me well - it's chunky enough. Since then I've picked up a somewhat battered BB350F (reverse P/J) to have a wee go at fretless and am in the process of reconstructing a BB450 (regular P/J). Here's a wee pic of the BB300 next to the BB614 when they were briefly together: And here's the BB350F I'll post up the BB450 when it's done. Currently at Rich's getting a new nut made

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a left handed bridge. Just string it up "upside down" and readjust your intonation accordingly (reverse the position of the saddles as they are now. If your badass has grooves cut then you should physically remove them and swap em round too so the grooves match up with the intended string (swap E with G and A with D). Hopefully everything will line up ok.

As a relative oldie I would say that I generally don't try to offer people "the benefit of my experience" unless it's asked for. Let the music do the talking.

I don't know who makes Hartke bass strings and I don't care - I love how they sound, how they feel, they have no silks and they're ridiculously inexpensive

Electronics? Not much. 1 split Precision style pickup, 1 volume control, 1 tone control, 1 output jack. Passive.

They can go poke themselves for using a courier that charges me almost double for postage because I live north of Edinburgh? I'm on the f'n mainland! Get it right up ye.

I am going to have to re-investigate these - I tried one in a shop a while back and left rather unimpressed. Must have been the amp, because I've seen a few vids now with these basses sounding rather good.

It's impossible to pin down, and my opinion is just as valid/invalid as the next person's, therefore I won't bore you or further muddy the waters with it.

I've only played (I mean noodled) for about 5 mins so far this month. To be fair, I was away on holiday and I quit my band when I came home, so I haven't really been in the mood.