jrixn1

As you say, this is a "powered pedal". Continuing in that direction of thought: instead of a head and cab, why not a very flat bass combo without a preamp (the "blank canvas"), plus a separate preamp pedal (for the "colour/flavour"). Then if she doesn't like the tone or just wants to experiment, either today or in six months or in two years, much easier and cheaper to swap out just a pedal than a head. This "very flat bass combo without a preamp" is normally called an active PA speaker, and the one I recommend is an RCF 732A. At £600 and 18kg, it will be cheaper and lighter than your proposed setup of RC210 + head, just as loud, and possibly more clarity.

What's the setup for these gigs: is there PA; is your small cab just for your own monitoring, or do the other musicians/audience rely on it too? If if it's just for you, can you use some in-ear monitoring to assist with pitching? The time I recall having the most success with this approach was in a theatre where we actually had some really nice monitors, but for some acoustical reason I just couldn't pitch myself, and we were running out of sound check time. I used non-isolating earphones in that instance.

I use headphones at home, but have wondered about the HS7. Do you think a single one on its own would work (if just for playing bass)?

It's Yiddish though (originally), which does seem to rhyme with 'explain'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSVw0iye9Gw

Yes, I believe it has a DI out, which is what goes straight into a PA desk.

Yes, I mean use just the fx return. The amp's front instrument input and fx send are unused. I think this is where it starts to depend on the exact gear being used: pedals differ with their output levels, and power amps with their input sensitivities. Most pedals have output volume, so turn that up first, but if it's still too weak you might need some gain (e.g. a clean gain pedal). A while since I owned an amp (they're very last century, didn't you know...) but having experimented with pedals into the fx loop, it turned out easier to just go into the front to have the extra gain control there. (I think I was using an older Zoom pedal which didn't have a quick output level knob.) Amp was a Genz Benz Shuttle though whose preamp I found to be quite uncoloured. I'd only bother going into the fx loop directly if you actively dislike the sound of your preamp - but then in that case why do you own that gear in the first place?

The loop being in series after the preamp is exactly why this approach will bypasses the amp's preamp. You plug your bass into the pedal, not into the amp.

I asked Sandberg a while back if they could make me a passive Superlight VT5, and they said yes, although they didn't specify the wood. I didn't order it in the end, so can't say for certain, but the best thing would be clarify with them directly. The email address which worked for me was: [email protected] .

Request "Superlight": paulownia body, norwegian maple neck. It'll be under 3kg.

There is this: https://www.bassmute.eu/bm_mainframe.html I've never used one but looks interesting, and the only thing which exists if you need to flick the muting on and off quickly.

Ah, I misunderstood!

I don't know why it's like that, but address the issue by getting a working pot. It should be audio taper. The varitone approaches things from a different angle, giving you the "tone rolled off all the way" sound, but with two variations. Do you like that fully rolled-off tone currently? You'll lose the ability to have it quarter- or half-rolled off, personally I use those the most, and rarely all the way off. I don't know what the stock cap is in a BB424 but it should say on the side of the cap, or post a photo here if you're not sure.

How different people choose to upgrade their instruments could be an interesting topic, but your posts are against the spirit of a forum, which is to discuss and share ideas and information openly. You use it only a place to spam your YouTube channel.

Send @KiOgon a message. Highly recommended by many basschatters. He will make you a quality loom. https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/334251-bass-wiring-looms-for-sale/iO

You can try Ubuntu without actually having to install anything, by booting from a DVD or memory stick: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-before-you-install

One thing to bear in mind is if you need to return it (either because it's faulty or you just change your mind), it sounds like a real headache, unclear process, lots of forms to fill in.

4.6kg is definitely at the higher end, but your bog-standard Elwood 5 is about 4.25kg. You pay extra for the chambered ones (I think those are called "Elwood L".) Have a browse at https://www.public-peace.de/bass-guitars/maruszczyk/elwood/5-string

@Helen SWhat make/model bass is he currently learning on, and does he like it or not?

In that case I'd get a powered speaker and take a feed from the desk. Then you'll be able to hear not just yourself, but also the lead guitarist. If there was no sound person at a gig, you could do your suggestion of just plugging the second output of the Helix directly into the powered speaker. The same direct setup will work for home practice too.

Can I check what you mean when you say "FRFR"? Because a BB2 and a clean head is full-range and flat-response. Do you mean "a powered speaker"? In which case yes, I do think my RCF 732A is as good as - if not better than - my BB2 setup. They both sound really good: loud, clear, etc - all the usual properties one desires. BB2 weighs less though, clear winner. With my BB2, I used a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2. It seems pretty flat and uncoloured with the drive turned down, and EQ controls at noon. I didn't do any scientific tests.