solo4652

[b]Thanks to everybody for their very helpful thoughts regarding Squier VMJ vs VMP vs Epiphone Thunderbird.[/b] I've decided against the Thunderbird. My next dilemma: Does it make more sense to spend £200 - £250 on a new Squier VMP TB or a secondhand Fender MIM Precision? Any thoughts?

See: [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-thunderbird/475"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-thunderbird/475[/url] Elewhere on ebay, these are anywhere between £225 and £300 new. Am i missing something here, please?

Hi, I'm in the market for a decent combo as a step-up from my practice amp. Looking for 100w with CD/mp3 input and headphone jack. Ideally, not too big/heavy. Any thoughts on SWR LA 15 for £199? Reliability a bit suspect? See [url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=284&category_id=2&subcat_id=4"]http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.ph...amp;subcat_id=4[/url] How does this compare to Fender Rumble 100? I've been advised that Fender don't make good amps. See [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/11481"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/fl...roduct_id/11481[/url] Any other suggestions, please? Thanks to everybody for your very helpful comments and reports. A decision has to be made, after 2 weeks of confusing and tiring research. I'm going to buy the SWR. It's got the simple features I want without the weight or the complexity. SWR's reputation seems good too. I got very mixed comments about Fender amps - everything from "Superb" to "Awful - muddiest sound I've ever heard..." Everyone has a favourite, of course. Let's hope the SWR is reliable enough, and has enough power. At £199 including delivery, it seemed a good deal. Fingers crossed.

I've found some reviews for this, and they're not too good. Don't think I'll be buying it, so no need for anybody to reply.

I'm looking for a decent bass combo around 100w for around £150. Just spotted this. Any good? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARLSBRO-BASS-BOMBER-125W-BASS-COMBO-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ230255806768QQihZ013QQcategoryZ58719QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARLSBRO-BASS-BOMBER...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

[quote name='Buzz' post='195647' date='May 9 2008, 07:29 PM']Essentially a rig is made up of the Amplifier and the Speaker Cabinet (aka cab). The amp is also known as the "head", it's the electrical box of wonders that the instrument plugs into, and has knobs on (it contains a pre-amp and a poweramp). A cab is a box, with a speaker(s) in. Cabs and heads are seperate units, with cabling linking the two. A combo is ONE unit which combines both the amp and speakers in one packager, and your practice amp is a good example of a combo. Lots more information here: [url="http://wiki.basschat.co.uk/"]http://wiki.basschat.co.uk/[/url] Amp is often used as generic term to describe what makes sound, whether it be a combo or a head, but it also can refer to just the head. As a note, generally the more powerful the rig is, the less chance of it being a combo, generally due to portability, powerful combos can be very heavy (there are exceptions but they cost more). Thank you. Exactly the advice and information I needed. I'll be looking out for a decent secondhand combo shortly. Stockport area. Anybody got anything for me? Please treat me gently - I'm new to all this! Er, I think that's it.[/quote]

Well, thank you to all who replied. I'm certainly getting the consistent message that the thing to do is upgrade the amp when I need to. I'll need help and guidance to do so, so look out for my cry for help in the near future. I'm not sure I fully understand the difference between an amp and a combo. Can somebody advise?

10 weeks ago I bought a new Yamaha BB404 and a cheap Stagg practice amp. I've definitely caught the bass-playing bug. Generally, I download a favourite song from Youtube, find the chords for it, and jam along. I'm up to 25 songs now. A drum-playing friend has asked me to jam along with him. A band beckons in the future. Don't laugh, please. Rightly or wrongly, I'm already starting to think about the kit I've got. I've got £200 burning a hole in my pocket. What's the most sensible way to spend this in order to sensibly upgrade my kit? 1. Buy another bass? I've played an Epiphone Thunderbird and really liked the easy action. I've also been looking out for a secondhand Fender mexican Jazz. 2. Stick with the Yamaha, and upgrade the amp? If so, what's a good one to buy that might be OK for performing at a party indoors? Something small, light yet powerful 3. Do nothing for now - just keep practising? Boring. Seriously - what would be a sensible way forward?

[quote name='Jobiebass' post='195296' date='May 9 2008, 11:00 AM']get the serial number off the headstock, go on [url="http://www.fender.com/support/mexican_instruments.php"]the fender site [/url]and it tells you what year it is, for eg, mine is MZ3 which is 2003/4. if hes being genuine and its a 7 year old bass it should start MZ0+ 5 digits 2000-2001 MZ1+ 5 digits 2001-2002[/quote] Thank you! - Exactly the advice I was after.

I've been offered a Fender Mexican Jazz, but I'm suspicious. Some cock-and-bull story about his grandfather buying it new 7 years ago and then leaving it to the seller in his will. I've asked for pictures - none so far. We haven't got as far as discussing price yet. What critical information should I ask for to help me convince myself that this is a genuine sale/deal? Are there identification numbers, or something? if so, can they be checked against some sort of register? Assuming that it's a genuine 7-year old mexican Jazz in good condition with a hardcase (as claimed), what shall I offer? £200?? All advice to prevent me buying a dog, or something stolen, gratefully received.

T

Hi, 4 weeks into playing the bass, and I'm loving it. I'm trying to find the chords for "Happy Birthday" by Altered Images. Can anybody help, please?

[quote name='funkypenguin' post='157881' date='Mar 15 2008, 10:42 AM']alternatively if you can find songs with simple bass lines, you could always find the TAB and jam along to them?[/quote] This sounds exactly what I'm after. Where would I get such things on the Web, please? Pardon my ignorance.

Firstly - thank you to all of you who wished me well with my new bass guitar. I've not touched a guitar since putting my classical guitar down 35 years ago. I've had my Yamaha BB 404 for 6 days now and I'm using www.studybass.com to get me going. I'm enjoying jamming along with the simple exrcises. Already, I'm looking for a website of free drum backing tracks to jam with - anybody got any suggestions please?

Hi, As a teenager, I tried to play classical guitar and hated it. I haven't played a guitar for 35 years, until today! Just bought a "new" (shop soiled) Yamaha BB 404 for £100. Hope I wasn't robbed. It's so new, I'm still waiting for the practice amp to be delivered today. The promised lead didn't come with the guitar, so I'll need to buy one. Recommendations for a half-decent lead for under £20?