Bigwan

I hear a lot of people say they have to tweak their amps to venues - I must be the odd one out. I run the ashdown combo totally flat, gain up about 3/4, drive at 1/2, volume to taste. That's it.

Yep, my ABM C110 combo... although I DI to the PA and keep stage volume low (personal monitor really). The DI tone is perfect for me!

The Boss BR Micro has similar features, although I believe you can't adjust mp3 volume (someone hear may be able to confirm/deny this) independently. I'll know soon enough as I should have one coming any day now.

[quote name='john_the_bass' post='451224' date='Apr 1 2009, 09:51 AM']Very nice - I agree with the Trace looks comment. I have heard very good things about the Brown Note stuff. Fancy making one for my 30th birthday? You've got about 8 months![/quote] No probs - if you can afford me! It sounds just like you'd expect a dumble-type circuit to sound. Fender-esque on the clean channel (and SRV-like when pushed hard), and Robben Ford/early Santana on the dirty channel. It does miss reverb on the clean channel, but that's something I can look at later.

Hi guys, For years I've been wanting to build a valve guitar amp. Don't ask me why - I'm a bass player after all (obviously)! Well (eventually!) my first creation is ALIVE! The problem is now I want to build more... Anyway. It's a 'Lite' clone of a Dumble ODS Overdrive circuit, 22 watts output on JJ 6V6s (but sounds much louder, can get 35 watts out of it on 6L6s). It's basically a Fender clean channel with an extra 2 gain stages that can be switched in and out for a dirty channel. I bought it as a kit from the states about 3 years ago (from www.brownnote.net) and it sat in a corner getting anxious and nervous looks now and again! I haven't put the footswitching circuitry or the effects loop in there yet, but I was in a panic to get it 'finished'. I originally intended to build the amp for myself, but it's ended up as a 30th Birthday present for my wee bro (hence the panic). The completed pics below are from his phone cam (the vinyl is a much nicer colour in person!), but the chassis pics are someone elses off the net as I forgot to take some of mine myself. My wiring is slightly neater looking... The cab was built by my own fair hand too. I've learned a lot doing this (mostly that I don't enjoy working with vinyl!) and would recommend anybody that's curious, and knows how to wield a soldering iron in anger, should give it a go. ...and it gets Stewie's seal of approval!

[quote name='chris_b' post='432444' date='Mar 12 2009, 02:21 PM']Just get the JO5, so that I don't have to keep looking at it![/quote] Yeah, what he said!

CK's recently departed Celinder Update Jazz is the best 4 string bass I've ever played. Gutted I didn't have the money for it to be honest...

Nearly died there I did... thought you were gonna hack up the RBV!

Don't fool yourself into thinking that building cabs will save you money. It won't in the long run. I've been there. Better buying something second hand, then at least it has a resale value!

Yes you're right, you'd need an extension cab for the full output. I'm very tempted by the shuttle myself, but not just at the minute. Spent quite enough in the past year thanks very much!

You're getting close to Markbass combo territory with your budget, but probably ever so slightly shy. I'm ashdown to the core (a bit like a stick of rock - if you cut me in 2 you could read the letters ABM!) but I would never buy a Little Giant... not with the reviews they're getting and no valve in the preamp.

My tip would be to aim for a pre '00 warwick. I have a '93 'Vette and it's the best Warwick I've ever heard (by a long way!). Mine's a bolt-on with a wenge neck and bubinga body. I've played a lot of W's over the years (Stremer Stage I's were my dream basses when I started playing). I haven't played a $$, but have yet to play a post '00 Warwick that compares to mine. I had my Shuker 6 based on my 'Vette as recent W's just aren't my thing.