JapanAxe

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1431240859' post='2769016'] When you are securing the neck to the body make sure that the screws pass through the body without catching. They should be a tight fit but the thread should not catch. If the screws do catch on the body this can cause you to create a gap between the neck and body because the screws can be screwed tight up to the end in the body wood, but only part way into the neck wood. The resulting gap is then like a shim. [/quote] My vote goes for this. Alternatively, some neck screws engage with a self-tapped thread in the body as well as in the neck. This creates the same problem as Grangur describes, in that the very end of the heel may be sitting a screw-turn too high in the pocket. A photo of the fretboard side of the heel, sitting in the body, might help - normally the line where the fretboard meets the neck will be parallel to the top of the body.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1431209050' post='2768898'] The smaller one is listed as plywood, which would be a sensible choice. [/quote] Fair enough then

The actual boards look suspiciously like chunks of MDF covered in Tolex and Velcro-eye material.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1431208160' post='2768883'] Or get a reasonable pedalboard bag then build a board to fit it... ...actually while Googling stuff I came across this board-in-a-bag for £32 which seems reasonable. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/gator_gptblack_pedalboard_mit_bag.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ard_mit_bag.htm[/url] Almost makes me want to buy some FX to use with it! Almost. [/quote] And the 'Pro' version is less than £50! http://www.thomann.de/gb/gator_gptpro_pedalboard_with_bag.htm

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1431178267' post='2768520'] For example, can you tell me why this costs the best part of £140? Because I can't see it, myself... [url="http://www.dv247.com/cases/pedaltrain-junior-hc-hardcase--208758"]http://www.dv247.com...ardcase--208758[/url] [/quote] I have used a Pedaltrain 2 for several years as the basis of my guitar FX board. Although they are pretty pricey, the box is a bomb-proof flight-case type of thing, and who here has the metalwork skills to make up the PT board itself? Combined with power supply and switching solutions from The GigRig, it has been the most effective and reliable pedalboard system I have owned. Having said that, the whole thing was so darned big and heavy that I swapped over to the much cheaper soft case version (and the case doubles as a cover for my Ampeg SVT 3Pro).

And here's the pics:

The won't-switch-off fault has recently disappeared of its own accord, so while the Demeter is working properly I took the opportunity to gig it tonight - no point looking to fix a fault when it's working fine! The gig was a party for students, parents, and staff at a nice secondary school, with a 6-piece function band. I chose to take just my Sandberg bass and Compact cab. This may have been a mistake, as they are both quite polite-sounding, and I had underestimated both the size of the hall and the loudness of the rest of the band (of which my bass was about the only thing not mic'd or DI'd). Although I would have been better off with the Midget as well, the Demeter/Compact rig gave plenty of volume. Any difficulty hearing myself was more to do with the mushy low-end-heavy sound coming out of the back of the guitarist's Peavey tranny amp (bleargh!) which was just in front of me on the drum riser, and the fact that said riser put the kit that much nearer to my left ear! I found myself pushing up the presence, to counteract the inherent softness of the Sandberg's sound (with Chrome flats that is). Each gig or rehearsal is an opportunity for me to find out what combinations of bass and cab(s) work best with the Demeter, so this is all gravy. Next up is a country/Americana rehearsal in a village hall on Sunday. I'll be taking my Precision and both cabs, so if the Compact doesn't cut it I can add in the Midget. Bwahahahaaah!

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1431036420' post='2767291'] Has anyone had any experience of buying from Joe's Pedals? That is all. [/quote] No but now you've made me go and look at their website. D'oh!

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1430984377' post='2766469'] If they practice every week you could be looking at a hobby band who are not particularly interested in gigs. If they want me gig ready for a booked gig in two weeks then they're the band for me. [/quote] ^^^ This!

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1430811431' post='2764664'] Thanks for the review, I've been admiring these and it's great to get some first-hand feedback on them The power switch fault is worrying though, having it go once is unfortunate, but twice?! Pretty bad for such a premium amp IMO. What's the repair turnaround time like - do they have to go back to the US each time? molan: It would be interesting to know if this fault has been properly rectified for the next batch? [/quote] I now don't think it was the power switch, more likely a relay? It went to Bassgear's amp tech, not back to the US! And this is the only reported instance, so don't let that put you off. [quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1430812585' post='2764675'] Is this the version with the DI? [/quote] Yes it is, but haven't tried it yet. [quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1430816750' post='2764737'] Thanks for the review, looking forward to hearing this when you are out next with it. [/quote] I'll be sure to post here when I'm next playing locally.

53? You young whipper-snapper! Plenty on here older than that, myself included. In fact your age is [i]for[/i] you, as by now you have the life skills to apply yourself and make fast progress. Enjoy!

[quote name='NoRhino' timestamp='1430766461' post='2764431'] One thing I don't understand is the sniping from the sidelines from people not involved in the scene who think they have the right to stir up arguments and trouble. So we just totally ignore them. [/quote] Yep, some musos seem to like dissing tribute bands. I put it down to snobbery! Some of the most talented players can be found in tribute bands.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1428515578' post='2742066'] This is through my Spector set with the Eq flat and the P pup slightly pushed. The bass and treble on the head are flat with a slightly pushed mid. The blend and gain settings are both equal at a touch past 9 o'clock, so it could go less if that be your thing. or more indeed. Any-hoo is this kinda what you mean? [url="https://soundcloud.com/lord-bongus/ob1blendgain9andabit"]https://soundcloud.c...endgain9andabit[/url] [/quote] Sort of, but this has all got a bit academic for me since I got my Demeter head! Sorry!

I was going to suggest taking your amp with you, then I realised it weighs 40lb!

[quote name='Freddie75' timestamp='1430738085' post='2764106'] Just a cheap one - think it cost about £25 with about 10 9v outputs. What would you recommend? Many thanks Freddie [/quote] A cheap power brick like that will not have isolated outputs, so you can't use a voltage doubler cable with it.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1430751737' post='2764260'] I will probably my regret asking this but by why would anyone want a valve front end these days? If there is any magic in valves it comes from the output transformer and owner supply not the preamp. [/quote] Before the lynch mob gathers, I'd say it kind of depends on the amp and on your personal preferences.

This is my third attempt to write this post, as previous ones got bogged down in detail. In short, this is one brilliant amp. The sound is so clear that you can hear yourself without having the volume up high, but even when loud it never sounds obnoxious. Clear, smooth, sweet, and warm without losing its lovely high end (which puts it way ahead of the GB Streamliner). Background noise is extremely low - you wouldn't know it's on! As well as plenty of home use, I have used it as follows with a classic rock band I have been depping with: [indent=1]Rehearsal: '73 Precision (Chromes) > Demeter > BF Midget[/indent] [indent=1]Pub gig: Fender Pawn Shop Mustang (Chromes) > Demeter > BF Midget + Compact stack[/indent] The mid control is passive, and I dislike a scooped sound, so I keep this at 2-3 o'clock. The switch by the input sets the overall tone of the amp: dark/normal/bright. I normally go for dark (not dull!), but with the Mustang I selected bright, cranked up the Presence @2kHz, bass flat, treble rolled back slightly, and was rewarded with a monster rock tone. I adjusted volume and tone on the bass according to the song. I was smiling all night hearing the sound coming from behind me (even with earplugs in). I used to think I needed some drive to get 'my' sound, but it was probably more to do with mid-range 'colour'. The Demeter has only a volume control, which comes after the valve preamp. I can just get it to overdrive audibly by playing the Mustang harder than normal, so no need for me to adjust the internal trim pot. [u]Things I like[/u] The sound - pure quality. Did I mention the clarity? It's not sterile-sounding by any means, but you can hear and bring out the voice of each bass. The various controls are worth spending some time on, but I think I have it sussed now, so for me it has become plug-and-play. There is no fan, just a mahoosive heatsink and passive ventilation for the 800W Minnie Class D amp section. The amp came fitted with JJ valves (my first choice for off-the-shelf quality), but I may swap out the 12AX7 for a '76 Sylvania at some point. Last and probably least, it actually looks like a proper amp head and not a boy racer's car stereo! Despite the wooden sleeve, it only weighs 10.5lb, and fits comfortably in a double bass-drum pedal gig bag. It is a perfect match width-wise for my Midget, and looks perfectly at home on top of a Midget/Compact stack. [u]Things I don't like[/u] I would have preferred a mute switch, which I think could have been implemented using the relay that mutes the audio for the first 15-20 seconds after power-up; clearly not a deal breaker though! Full disclosure: This example developed a fault whereby the power stayed on when the amp was switched off. Bassgear got it fixed for me FOC (replacement mains switch), but a similar fault has now recurred, so it has to go back again. As a result I have had fewer opportunities to gig/rehearse with it than I would like, and I will probably have to use other amps for my gig and rehearsal this coming weekend. When Mrs Axe asked me whether I was going to request a refund, I said what's the point, I'd only want to buy it again! Now a couple of pics: [b]Midget mini-stack[/b] [b]Snug as a bug in a gig-bag[/b] [b][/b] These amps are on back-order so you may not have many opportunities to hear or try one. If you are local to Swindon and want to try mine, PM me, but it will likely be a week or two before I have the amp back again. Also if I have any public gigs I will add a post to this thread.

I second that, I had a Silver Series Jazz and it had the longer bridge pickup to match the increased string spacing. I think most of the modern Squier Jazzes have both pickups the same length, which I expect helps to reduce tooling and production costs.

Big Prince fan here, although I gave up after '2010'. Many of his old B-sides pee all over other people's A-sides!