Sean

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506253227' post='3377294'] Did you mean Ashdown or Orange? I'm inclined to agreed either way How does the Nexus Tube compare to your Mesa 400+? But the SLS is obviously a very different beast to the Nexus Tube in terms of both price and weight (as well as being Class D vs Tube). I agree that Laney are a bit of a hidden gem and worth exploring further and seem to be offering a heck of lot of bang for buck. [/quote] Oh, I meant Ashdown My MJW Taranis is more or less a clone of a Matamp GT200 or Orange AD200 but with two very different channels and loads of knobs and power scaling and valve routing options. I contacted both Matamp and Orange at the time and neither wanted to do a custom front end so I found ex-Matamp builder/designer and boutique guitar amp builder Mr MJW who knocked up a new (old tech) take on a GT200 for me. I will say that the Ashdown Big Block thing intrigues me but I don't trust the build quality. Laney Nexus Tube vs Mesa 400+? It's like comparing a 1990s Porsche 911 Turbo to a modern Audi RS6! They're both fundamentally massive valve amps but with very different characters and although the core technology is the same, the Nexus has incorporated a lot of modern touches. The 400+ can be more brutal, has a tone stack and EQ that is confusing to the uninitiated and has two very good and different preamp channels. It also has the mindfck Mesa DI system. Don't touch anything on the panel after the sound guy has done his job! The Nexus is more tweak-able and generally easier to live with. It does weigh in at 37kg, though, a lot heavier than the 400+ but I couldn't give a toss, I have a trolley and work out. They are both amazing and get selected randomly to go to the gig. These are my two main gigging amps. The SLS is probably a worthy amp and I carry a Class D in my gigbag in case "my real amp" blows up but I can't get excited about sterile characterless hardware. No point in having the Solid State vs Valve argument. For me they all have their place and I've made my choices. And my choices cover all the bases as I have a MOSFET Hybrid SS amp in the stable too that is also amazing.

I tried an ASAT and couldn't get on with the way it hangs. The strap button is too close to the body. The Tom Hamilton signature model is fabulous and has its own exclusive pickups that can't be bought aftermarket so it's more than an L2000 with a different shape body. If you check TH playing live you'll see he has an extender for the strap button that is attached to the back of the bass; this brings the strap button to a position similar to that of his F, Sadowsky and Dusenberg bass guitars. ASATs hang like T-birds. Very marmite. I can understand why the used values are where they are.

[quote name='gthyni' timestamp='1502822649' post='3353799'] lovely. just wonder why they removed the neck tilt mechanism from the newer basses. It was a really nice feature [/quote] Sacrificed for a more stable neck joint.

I use this http://www.laney.co.uk/products/nexus-tube/ Amazing quality piece of kit. I reckon Laney is a hidden gem. Kicks the livin' bejeezuz out of that other British brand that has a massive endorsement roster.

[quote name='countjodius' timestamp='1505674419' post='3373502'] Interesting to hear Sean. How do you find slap, double thumbing and such on the L2500? Worried that big hands plus being used to Lakland fiver necks would make the spacing feel pretty tight! [/quote] I don't do much of that. I play fingerstyle and pick. I only slap on Aerosmith's Elevator and that's not an issue at all. The only answer is having a go. Hopefully one will turn up soon.

I switch between an L2500 and L2000. The spacing is 17.5mm vs 19mm. I love the 17.5 for string skipping and fast finger work e.g. Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. I don't really think about it much. USA L2500 is one of the best instruments I've ever owned and I've had a lot.

John's been in touch. Asked me if I still live at the same address.. Let's see what happens.

[quote name='rmcki' timestamp='1505125949' post='3369581'] I had a similar issue and contacted East-UK who sent me the springs in the post (when moving the treble pot on a J-Retro i was getting some earthing issues). The springs are a solution from East to address a grounding issue with pots on the older pre-amps, i think all the new pre-amps have the springs fitted. Maybe you have 2 pre-amps on either side of the solution date. Either way East-UK were great to deal with and the springs sorted my issues. Hope this helps [/quote] That makes a lot of sense. Definitely different versions of the same preamp as the hardware is different with some components. I've contacted John East through the website form but have not yet had a response. I'll update here when I get a response.

Mike bought a pedal off me. Excellent transaction, good comms. Highly recommended.

Hi all I've got an MMSR preamp in two basses (same circuits, same pickups). Both were professionally fitted. http://www.east-uk.com/index.php/bass/mmsr/mmsr-3-knob-3-band.html The one has earthing issues, the other is absolutely fine. Are the springs that sit under the upper/smaller stack knobs a critical part of the earthing of the circuits? Any help greatly appreciated.

Try Belushi's (Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush). My band always has a good reception there.

I notice from ordering recently that Elixir has changed its packaging to fight against counterfeiters. A seal has been added that I guess isn't that difficult to fake either. I've had a set of the fake ones and they are very poor. I bought a set for £18 on eBay suspecting fakery and was confirmed right. As a set of strings they aren't too bad but compared to Elixirs they rubbish. The real ones are fantastic. It's great to see the measures taken to protect the punter and the Elixir company but the word has to get out. New packaging: https://www.gak.co.uk/en/elixir-nanoweb-stainless-steel-bass-strings-50/117101?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_4Ou2cPX1QIVAZPtCh0p1A9rEAQYCCABEgK9tvD_BwE Non-English video but easy to understand the salient points on fake strings. It's the ball-end messiness that is the dead giveaway. The packaging is also a different shade. https://youtu.be/jY2hQTSkkGg How many of you have bought fake strings?

I sold a pickup to John. Good comms, prompt payment and let me know as soon as the package landed. Top Basschatter, highly recommended.

Bought a pedal from Al. bank transfer and RM 1st Class postage that arrived the following day. Very smooth transaction. A proper Basschatter Very happy.

Fabulous stuff. Daryl's house is a great show. The format is so cool. Slightly OT but my favourite Daryl's House is this one with Cheap Trick http://youtu.be/wsa3DUnWPPk The opening song, Hello There just hits you.

Ritchie Kotzen in London in September. Also Pineapple Thief in Bristol in September.