BassBod

Current ones have multi-tap transformers - rewiring instructions are on their website/forum somewhere. I've got a very old (blue case, red knobs) one they sold me a new transformer, with instructions. Nice people to deal with, but better on the phone than by email. The F2B is really built to last - as long as you can deal with the passive eq, it will be a keeper...but get a good passive Di as well (its a bit short on features like that).

Thanks Alex - great discussion. Can't wait to see what you come up with.....

Its worth talking about "lows" with double bass amplification. Piezo's (used by most) produce a lot of very low stuff, (more than you'd ever hear acoustically) and can be a real problem even though you can't hear it directly. I've seen the cone on my CXL110 jump just from damping the strings! So if you are looking to reproduce the acoustic sound its worth thinking about? The low cut (or high pass?) filter on the Acoustic Image preamp works, but it seems a bit crude to me? I guess it really designed with the combo "downward" speaker design in mind.

I really should've bought that Larkin.....oh well. Nice 'Wicks.

So, was I just being a fussy git about the hum? BB

I'd say amp - you also get the benefit of a better DI. Lighter good cabs are now on the used market, so take your time and there will be more choice.

I find two EA CXL110s or one CXL112 go about as loud as I'd ever want on stage, with acoustic or EUB. The audience is far better off hearing the bass through the PA if that much level is needed. The CXL112 is the best all round cab I've used or even heard for bass guitar or double - but at 44 lbs or so its too much for a lot of small pubs and clubs. I guess my ideal cab would be something very similar to the CXL112, but ever so slightly smaller, about 10 lbs lighter and with a waxed plywood look like the Bag End. and I'd want two, for louder situations. How's that for a spec?

Hi Timo, I got most of my stuff here (including the GK) - much better value secondhand. Keep an eye open on the for sales pages...

They vary a bit - the roto ones sound like old crap flats, but the La Bella's are much more focussed and lively (if heavy guage). The Status ones are also pretty alive and very flexy for a standard guage set (like the Thomastik flats).

I'm using a few options for both EUB and acoustic. Most used (lazy option) is GKMB150 - no real lows, but does a good impression of a great amp - and so easy to cart around and set up. For more critical situatons, one or two EA CXL110's with either iamp500 or Acoustic Image Clarus. Better sound, but more weight and set up time. For recording its the Alembic F2B, or "good" DI plus a mike on the acoustic. Situations vary from small virtually acoustic, no drums, through to festival stages with noisy drummers. I like to go without backline when possible, but usually carry the GK as insurance. There are a lot of situations where ease of use is more important than sound quality - even the EUB is relatively large and heavy, and I normally drive/ shift my own gear. Maybe I should care more...but a lot of the time its about getting the job done with minimal hassle.

I'll be there, even though I normally drive straight past Bridgewater, and do everything possible to avoid Taunton....

I live in Bristol, but I'd recommend a trip to Mansons in Exeter - not the cheapest, but the best range you'll find and the staff are very professional. I'd also steer them towards secondhand basses everytime - older Arias, Westones Yamaha etc

I remember a Japanese version - early 90's? - very nice, and also a much nicer "yellow" than the current version. I thought it was a slab body though?

It would work fine, but think about casing the power amp seperatley - so you can use it as an add on without having to re-jig everything. The only potential problem is earth/ground loops, with a few mains powered items in contact through the rack rails, but I've never seen this with Trace stuff (it usually seems to be American stuff that suffers from this?).

Just use a small wad of the finest grade steel wool. That should get rid of most light marks, then a drop or three of you choice of oil (I use almond oil). Only precaution is to put masking tape completely over the pickups first, so that steel dust doesn't get into them.

I know that feeling - I saw a reformed version of Brand X in Bristol about ten years ago! Percy didn't sound like Percy...and the guitarist was unbelievabley loud and generally off his nut....interesting, but not a great night. Did see a healthy contingent of Bristol's bassists, lurking in the shadows.

I've got a K&M one which hangs by the headstock (no direct body supports) - works with a J really well.

If I had to choose between an Alembic F1X and the GP11....the Alembic would win, no contest.

For local stuff, it can vary a lot but somewhere between £50 - £150. It all depends how long it takes, and the overall budget/profile of the project. I'd expect considerably more for a "name". On the other side, one of my projects recently used a very well respected US player for a few tracks - something like £300 in total, using paypal. I was surprised he agreed to do it for so little, but I guess it didn't take him too long!

As I've said before, I've owned two over the years, and passed them on each time. Mainly due to weight and (lack of) balance. However, I still rate them highly in terms of originality and construction - and they were always a pleasure to deal with. I've never played any of the more developed versions with extended top horns and lighter tuners, but I guess I would be more comfortable with these. I've heard other people sound great on them....but not for me.

Solid state - got one here. Pretty warm, very flexible...bit hissy by modern standards..just don't use the pre-shape. Mine is a two rack-unit case, but the mounting holes don't line up so it only fits in a three space rack case. No idea why, but something to check out?

That sounds like normal Jbass hum to me - and it can be pretty loud, depending on what you are standing near. In a critical gig situation I adjust the volumes down as a song begins - this has become a habit. I even do it when I'm playing other basses that don't hum!

EMGs with the tone down about half way- always sounds good to me, even on my cheapy de-fretted J bass.

Sounds like its the single coil hum you're hearing (direct from the pickup) rather than a sheilding problem. The only solution is a hum cancelling version of a J pickup - there are a few currently made, most of which claim to retain the "single coil sound" - but I've never tried any. Thought about it, but never had the funds/time/inclination. The DiMarzio model J is a humbucker, and is dead quiet when soloed, but hasn't got the real single coil top end - haven't heard one for a few years, but I always liked them. Good luck BB