Kiwi

Yeah this Trace 1248H cab would be pretty sweet but the only places that have them online these days are rental companies and studios. This cab is also rated at 8ohms where the V8 is rated at 4 or 2 ohms specifically so I'd have to see if I could rewire it to give 2 or 4 ohms instead.

Looks like its a Series 3 with the smaller body. Looks also like it might have a through neck rather than the glue-in but its hard to tell with the photos. It might well be a glue-in with the same laminates used all the way through. There was a Series 2 MK and a GA24 that finished early last week too, both sold for about £850.

I'm not aware of any valve stereo poweramps being made these days. Was it stereo you were specifically looking for? The Strategy 400 was the only example of a stereo valve power amp I could actually find. I didn't discover until after I bought it, that it weighed about 30kg unracked! US Ebay is probably the most likely place you'll find one, but the shipping charges for anything other than surface shipping are likely to be horrific. The bloke I bought mine off had done the importing himself. Burman did a 2 piece, 100w 60's/70's valve powered PA called the powerpak which had a valve preamp capable of driving more than one valve power amp. You could get a couple of the power amps for relatively little money (maybe £250 each?) off Ebay but each will probably weigh the same as one Strategy 400. Same situation with an [url="http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_vintage_db728.htm"]400w Aguilar DB728[/url] too (and they'll be more expensive). Probably the most practical solution would be to get an Alembic F-1X preamp and a 1 unit Class D power amp like those made by powersoft, BK electronics or peavey perhaps.

[quote name='bnt' post='38649' date='Jul 29 2007, 10:00 PM']They don't ship Ernie Balls outside the US... so does that mean I can't have that MM Bongo, Teal Pearl w/ Moonstone pickguard, then? Dang...[/quote] They can if they're second hand.

Probably the only Mesa Boogie power amp worth using with bass is one of these: Not many around and they weigh a tonne but I use one as my hi-fi amp

Thanks for your comments guys. The closest thing I can compare the amp to is an old Burman, funnily enough. Im hoping for a pair of Acme B2's but a Trace 4x12 would be equally welcome (assuming I can get it up the stairs!) [quote name='ped' post='38466' date='Jul 29 2007, 01:34 PM']I will have to come and see the V8 soon kiwi. it must be sodding loud - I suppose at home/practice you can switch it to V4 configuration.[/quote] If/when I get cabs for it, sure. There's a half power switch on the back of it which would come in handy for rehearsals I guess.

i used to own one of those cabs - I loved the sound coming from it but at 125lbs it was no easy lift. I believe Lukeward got in contact with Larry Hartke to astke if they were planning to release a light weight version of the XL cabs at a higher spec than the TP series. I can't remember what the response was though.

[quote name='ped' post='38316' date='Jul 29 2007, 12:21 AM']Kiwi has a v8 now.....[/quote] Aye its true enough, Tonyf and I reached a deal over his. Its a gorgeous sounding amp - less grindy than an Ampeg, clearer than the Bass400+ (although that is a nice amp), warmer than an Aguilar. In short full, clear, well balanced and sweet. I just need to get some cabs for it and hopefully that'll happen in a few weeks. [quote name='TheRinser' post='38340' date='Jul 29 2007, 03:48 AM']Kiwi! I want a V8 [/quote] Phyrexian has his for sale up on Talkbass IIRC. I don't know if he's sold it yet.

Solid state (GK) heads, plectrum, jj/jp bass with ash body and maple neck.

Leylandii should be classed as weeds OK, lets get back on topic now ppl, maple vs wenge. If people would like to talk more generally about the influence of materials on sound, we can split the topic up into two threads so they carry on independently.

[quote name='ARGH' post='37535' date='Jul 26 2007, 09:12 PM']If (INSERT FAVE BASSMAKER HERE) insisted that Tapioca rice lam'd between Gnatwood was the new tonal nirvana,Im sure a quantity of people on here would be insisting of having it installed asap. Its taste,but then Reality kicks in,when the next 'tonal craze' comes along.[/quote] Thats a bit insulting to those who think wood does make a difference and particularly to those who are interested in exploring other alternatives to ash/maple. The way I see it, you can't rule out the influence of wood, any more than you can include the effect of all the other elements you've mentioned. As I stated before, its a balancing act and each part contributes to the overall whole. In any event I happen to own two basses that are, for all intents and purposes, identical apart from their neck material. Any bass player doing an A/B of these instruments would hear and feel for themselves that neck material has a substantial influence on the sound of an instrument. I think it's a no brainer.

[quote name='ARGH' post='37534' date='Jul 26 2007, 09:05 PM']Do you like maple as a neckwood..ok,good,do you prefer Wenge? Well great. But discussing it beyond what is stable,and looks/feels nice is kinda...[/quote] ...still valid. I think some input from people who have more experience - ie. luthiers, would be quite helpful at this point.

What one person thinks is good may not appeal to another person. However the purpose of this thread is to seek where the general consensus of opinion lies. Its all good and I think variations in perception will occur according to the number and variety of basses each individual has tried and/or built. There's also a tremendous variation in wood but I think its ultimately all a balancing act. That point of balance varies for everyone and... ...there are a multitude of approaches to achieving that balance, depending on what is most important to a player. Are you a planes, boats or smiley-creepy-crawlies man? Oh wait, its about maple and wenge isn't it?

I think a maple neck with a couple of laminates of wenge is aural nirvana. Growl, warmth, brightness... ...its all there.

Hi Jeff, welcome aboard

I was caught out like this with my Modulus Q5 fretless which had a neck like a banana but to some players who like high action it wouldn't have been a problem. I had to take the hit basically, then I paid Rob Green to skim the fingerboard which cost £75 + shipping and sold the bass on. Luckily I managed to break even on the deal. I've bought two other Modulus basses and a Pedulla MVP5 from private sellers in the US and the transactions were fine. However I will never buy through ebay from a private seller outside the UK again. Its not worth the risk, you're screwed even if they offer a refund because they can ask for the bass to be returned and you'll have to cover the cost of shipping.

maybe a bit of expanded aluminium mesh and some bodge, mate? LOL Is the cage going to provide a support for your vertabrae while the bone heals over the gap or something?

[quote name='ped' post='36361' date='Jul 24 2007, 01:36 PM']p.s just had a walk around and feeling pretty good.[/quote] Blimey, that was quick! How many stitches did they give you? Will you be setting metal detectors off at the airport?

Good to see he's still around The woodwork in the instrument I reviewed was excellent.

I'm left handed too.

Just a thought, but are you using buffer preamp with that David Gage pickup? If not, that could explain your sound.

Tonyf ordered his Modulus Flea from them and I understand he rates them very highly.