dannybuoy

Most strings have silks on... You can always singe em off with a lighter?! Bright, high tension? Sounds like you want some Chromes.

This book is good too: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bass-Masters-They-Play-Softcover/dp/0879308699"][/url]

I've asked the question about the EQ before, and while there wasn't a straight answer, most seemed to suggest it was active. It's supposed to be the same preamp as the AD200B but I'm not certain this is the case. The EQ does have the trait of most passives where turning all 3 knobs down cuts all the sound out, but it's flat with all knobs around 12 unlike the AD200B.

Nothing floppy about the B on the Yamaha BB415 (except for with the stock strings)!

I'm in a band, but due to most of my gigs being either straight after work or just difficult to park nearby in central London, my AD200B spends most of it's life as a bedroom amp, and I'd keep it if I quit!

I know, but with an AD200B perched on top? I don't think so!

So, for old skool sound that won't break my back, how about a pair of Ampeg SVT 210 AV cabs side by side supporting my tube head? Sounds good in theory...

Going by the bands you have listed, I'd go for a used Ashdown ABM combo, it will give you an excellent gritty rock tone without having to rely on pedals. A Sansamp pedal (or the Behringer BDI21 knock off) will be useful too, either as an overdrive/booster, or for providing an amp like sound to the PA should you ever find yourself needing to play without an amp. Get a stage tuner pedal also so you can tune in silence! Best bang for buck are the Ibanez LU-20 or Artec tuners, or spend a bit more for a Korg Pitchblack or TC Polytune.

Thanks for the explanation Bill!

I've heard on numerous occasions that valve amps 'like' sealed cabs. Why is this? Do valve amps behave differently when connected to sealed/ported cabs? Just investigating new cab options to go with an AD200B and slightly less extended lows traded in for a more punchy vintage tone sounds good to me. I've played through the Orange OBC410 and like it, it has a horn but doesn't sound too harsh when using fuzz. I think I would really prefer no horn though, or at least have a switch that defeated the entire crossover circuit and not just turn the horn off. Guess you could always mod one! The other option I was looking at is a Marshall VBC412, there are couple going for stupidly low prices at the moment... There's also the Berg NV series which I'd love but they are rather pricey. Any others out there I should know about?

Look out for a used set of Alesis M1 Mk2 powered monitors. I went to Digital Village a few years ago and tried out loads of monitors and liked these the most - and they also happened to be the cheapest. You can get a pair used for around £120 and have amps built into them. It's also good to do monitoring on standard hi-fi equipment though as that's what people will be listening through! The headfi.org forums are a great place for headphone guidance.

Well, that has just increased the likelihood of me (and probably others) turning up!

I didn't like the Ashdown J-Lo and couldn't get a good sound out of it - and had similar experiences with the Owen Gremlin and Markbass Distorsore, which work in a similar way. Main problem with it is that the distortion channel has no low end, so you blend it with the clean you end up with less bass than your clean bypass sound. Plenty seem to love it though, and it's cheap! If you want a bit of throaty roar with a mid boost, a Bad Monkey modded for a little extra low end gives you the best bang for buck I reckon. If you want more of a clanky grindy mid scooped tone, the Sansamp VT, BDDI or the Behringer BDI21 knockoff are the way to go. These 2 pedals play very nicely with each other also so why not get both!

I might pop down if I can - I didn't know you had a new band. Are you playing DB at all? Not much room for one on that stage! Bit of a funny setup that venue, stand downstairs and I get a good view of your shins, or go upstairs and I can just see your heads! Played my first ever gig there.

Back pocket. Easy to get in and out without fuss.

The ad was edited this afternoon. He probably sold it elsewhere and doesn't know how to retract the ad.

I want one of those vertical 2x12s as well, perfect fit underneath an AD200B from a pic I saw. Might have to give them a call at some point...

Also check out the Status half rounds. They are rounds ground down to be as smooth as flats and sound like a mixture of both.

I have a local shop Clas Olson (like a cross between Ikea, Maplin and Homebase!) that sell the good ol' lead stuff: [url="http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Siteseeker/Search_o.aspx?q=solder"]http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Siteseeker/Sea...o.aspx?q=solder[/url] I tried the Maplin silver solder and not only is it hard to melt, it doesn't stick anywhere near as well as the 60/40.