la bam

I've been all round the houses with this. I've had big old amps and cabs. I've had smaller class d amps, and half way cabs (barefaced etc). I even went small using helix stomp modeller and class d. All did a decent job. Cant complain. However, I've now gone back to using class a/b amps and a 410. The stomp was good, but not a great DI. No matter what I did, it just wasnt a great bass sound. It was there, but not great. Was that my fault or the helix? I dont know. Maybe theres too much to play with, or maybe the technology just isnt there yet. No one ever mentioned it, but it just didnt have the depth or sparkle to me. I plug in my abm600 and it's there. Every time. Great sound (pre or post) nicely balanced and no hassle. Has the power and sound I like on stage and the di sound that sound guys like. I always find a medium to big powerful amp and cab onstage help create a great rhythm section. It has that slam that you and the drummer can create with - remember hearing the bass and its sound isnt just for us bassist- and it just has that warm sound to make you raise your game. As much as I liked the stomp, I never really got that feeling with it.

I said straight away that unfortunately football would drive the return to normality, rather than a more valid solution. Football went back earlier than everyone else who was non essential. Now, I saw that crowds would be allowed back to watch from Sep/Oct. Well, they're not gonna sit in silence, and you'll have thousands, if not tens of thousands shouting and screaming, so I'd imagine we'll be looking at the same time for returning to gigging.

Theres a spector rebop on facebook group for £600-700 at moment. Looks nice.

One of the new Ashdown basses on the wall?

.... I bet theres even a massive price hike in 15 years when they reach 75 years old.

The quicker they rise the quicker the investors will jump onboard and snap them up, and artificially keep the prices high. The more they snap up, the less are on the market, making them rarer which then puts the prices higher still. Good investment if you can find one at a good price. If they're 60 years old now, imagine the fuss around them when they are even rarer and reach the magical 100 years old.

An amp that has great tonal flexibility for any gig. Powerful enough for 99% of gigs, and practice mixer. Plus an exact replica for back up amp (if you wanted to) for 5kg. Cant go wrong.

My SC was fine with a 500w markbass head (so prob 300w at 8ohm) until I ended up in a large building, with a high ceiling. Then it really struggled with everything maxed out too. All the sound disappeared quickly. In fairness it wasnt the right tool for the job. In all honesty, I'd go twin as a minimum (if not a 4x10 upwards). Not much bigger and all that extra there on tap.

Completely agree. On first hearing the pre shape, the initial response it to turn it off and use the flat shape and eq as it does sound a bit duller, but it really does work in the mix. I always have to add more mids in anyway, but it really sits well and does that sound where it also kind of fills in all the gaps in the mix. Definitely try a RM500 or 800 if you can. As I've said before, ashdown are wonderful for getting the job done. You can tell theyve been designed and built with the aim of sitting in the mix well, rather than having a great stand alone sound that doesnt work in a mix at all.

It's been a good time to reflect on what's important and what's not. Bands can be all consuming and take over your life if you let them. It's been a good time to reflect, make changes and hopefully get back to the love of playing.

That's good to hear. I've been doing some jamming along to backing tracks via my phone directly into the rm and using lozz's settings - pre shape on and mids boosted, with a bit of drive and compression, it sits smack bang in the middle of the mix perfectly. Very impressed.

Haha.....its EVERYTHING about it!! Ridiculous guitar pose when playing one chord at the start. Playing the bass line on one string.....when he manages to keep it together. 'Ready for some Rock n Roll....' Acting like rock gods. Guitar legends knew slide from mark on bass despite playing 2 notes. Not even knowing the song! What's going on at the start? Wrong lyrics Not even gonna mention the dancing! .....or the playing.......! Still.....they give it a go I suppose! I've DJ'd in Gary's old house, trust me, I'd didnt do them any harm money wise! Somehow

Cheers.

Is there any difference between the rm500 and rm800? In particular does the 800 stay fuller sounding at louder levels like the abm?

That Take That video..... Oh My God. Worse thing ever!

Just adopt the rip the plaster off ethos. Sell it, and dont look back. Dont become attached to material things. Itll wear you down and get the better of you. Sell, move on, be happy.

I think youd get more out of separates (both in storage/fitting in the car) and volume. Rather than a combo that only puts out half of what it says it does (unless you add an extension cab) I'd go for an 800w class d (so you get around 4-500w at 8ohm) and just to throw a curve ball - how about a markbass 210? I had one a while back and it could go blistering loud.

I quit my band in March. I dont miss the drama and all the grief that goes with it, one bit. I have missed playing live though. Joined a new band now and looking forward to it. No dramas, no hassle, just sit in the background and play.