M@23

Don't worry too much about how you appear onstage either. Most people are like statues for the first few songs, if not the whole gig; and that's fine. That stuff all comes with experience.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1435958204' post='2814065'] I tend to not bother with the pad, and simply adjust the input gain as required. To be honest, my active basses don't seem louder than my passive ones. Only of of my J-Retro equipped ones, whose preamp I keep meaning to turn down a bit but I haven't yet. My G&L L2000, passive, is probably the loudest of the lot! [/quote] The amp doesn't have an input gain pot in the traditional respect. So I wasn't 100% sure on how it was going to react. Turns out that without the pad engaged, I'm still not clipping the pre but it is putting out alot more volume.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1435949812' post='2813990'] Yep..it is just signal into the amp... and I always run my active thru passive pads.. [/quote] Cool, I think we have similar, if not the same, rigs too! First gig of the weekend down, only a quiet one, but I didn't use the 10db pad, and ran the pre on the bass flat. Well; treble and bass sitting at the centre detents, don't know if that is flat... Gain and drive in their normal settings on the TH500 but the master at half what it would have been with my last P bass. It sounded great. Really full and clear in passive mode, but better in active. Not hugely different, mind.

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1435931078' post='2813759'] If you have a Sandberg then the preamp is Glockenklang (or Sandberg, designed by/inspired by Glock). That preamp is very flat, it doesn't pump the gain, so with flat EQ you get the same aoutput as you get if you turn the bass to passive. You can try it, put everything flat and see the diferences between passive and active mode, it's incredibly close to nothing. I love Glock preamps because of this feature. If you use your Sandberg without boosting too much EQ i'm sure it will handle very well without the need to push in the pad in the amp [/quote] Great. Thanks for that. I was really surprised there was no drop in volume when popping it to passive. I do like the pre alot. I lied in my original post, I had a Stingray 2eq which slipped my mind and the pre in the Sandberg isn't as hot, but is very useable.

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1435917747' post='2813547'] Does this active bass have a trim pot on the pre amp, to cool down the signal? My active basses have this feature.. [/quote] I don't know to be honest. There is nothing obvious, could be internal though.

I think my old passive basses must have had a very low output compared to the new Sandberg. Even in passive mode it's output is much higher, the pole pieces are huge, if that's any indication of output!

Just got my first decent active bass after years of passives! Just playing around with my Aguilar TH before this weekends gigs and noticed that it is unbelievable loud without the 10db pad engaged, but doesn't clip. I play with quite a light touch so am used to cranking the amp with my passive basses. The volume is barely on with the active and its much louder. I guess a lot is dependant on how hot the basses pre is and how hard people play, but, do people use the pads on their amps? The bass doesn't seem to lose any volume in passive mode either, which I wasn't expecting. At the moment I'm thinking of not bothering with the pad and just keeping the master volume down.

[IMG]http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg488/mattdigweed/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07-02%2019.51.10_zpsefwaf0xg.jpg[/IMG] Not a very good photo, but here she is! Really liking it so far. Gigs are stacked right up for July and I can't wait to get started!

Cort do some cracking basses within budget, not the coolest brand, but do make some nice basses.

My VM5 California Supreme came through today, after an absolute headache courtesy for Parcelforce... Only had a quick go, but, wow. I'm really pleased! Seems very capable and versatile. Great setup out of the box too! Finish and frets are perfect. Pics to follow!

Thread resurrection! How are you guys getting on with Loxx strap locks? I'm looking at getting a set for a new bass. Supposedly Loxx directly replace most stock strap button screw without need for matchsticks and wood glue!

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1435305955' post='2807395'] Not got my Sandberg yet, been waiting since January for my custom build California TT tobacco sunburst with ebony fretboard, it should hopefully be ready in the next couple of weeks. Anyone seen or tried the 2015 California's? There are a few differences with the new models and wanted to see what people think? [/quote] I really like the look of them. But, just ordered my VM5, which will be the older model. I was debating whether to hold out for a new version, but couldn't resist mine when I saw it! Plus, I need it now and couldn't afford to wait until they're available.

Fantastic! Nicest example of one of these I've seen.

I posted a Fender P yesterday in SKB case and cardboard box with near enough a roll of parcel tape wrapped round it! According to my recepit it weighed 11.634kg. Those SKB cases aren't what I'd call lightweight though.

As the 8 pages here will testify, Nick is a super easy guy to deal with and like a lot of us, loves his basses. Met Nick for the second time today, in another ferry terminal car park and swapped envelope for bass in the time honoured BC tradition. Enjoy the bass mate :-)