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I know someone selling a nice Matamp rig in red tolex. Only messing. I'd be seriously surprised if your rig never turns up. Your "Get Matamp to chop up the 8x10" sounds like a plan. Your insurance money could then fund you a new GT200. Though if it was me, I'd get a good combo (as that's what I did).

Go get an 8x10 rig with a 1000w amp. Forget the watts & go & try some combos. When I did acoustic stuff, I'd either use my Markbass 2x10 (which is @ 350 watts into 8Ω) or my Vox 1x12 combo (which is @ 30 watts into 4Ω). Depending on how much room there was. Either were more than ample when playing with a guitarist/singer & mandolinist. Either was perfectly useable when the drummer joined in too.

If they called it the "bridge", then that would have caused a lot of confusion. Especially when someone suggests resting your palm on the bridge to mute the strings. So to save the confusion of having two bridges, they called it a nut. Simple really!

[quote name='lonestar' timestamp='1364921874' post='2032687'] I feel a Markbass settings forum coming on... or maybe a Markbass bash ? [/quote] The only problem with putting a "settings" list is that you also have the bass & any effects to chuck into the equation too. Some basses have quite a lot in the lows, some more in the mids. Then you have strings (I use flats, so no sparkly annoying zing to make you turn the top end down). Then I use a few effects, on being a filter bank that I use to cut out/keep in certain mid range frequencies. When that's on, the bass sounds completely different. A Markbass Bash is a good idea, but I'm too far away from everyone to join in the fun.

We used to do this quite a lot. If we was just a 3 piece, then I would adapt the bassline to incorporate the clave part when there was no vocals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao4k6gNYCKs

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1364898767' post='2032252'] The VPF is a cut in the mids, the more you turn it up the more dB it pulls out. Anything above 9 O'clock and you will disappear from the mix completely. Leave it off in a band mix, it will work better that way. The [b]VLE[/b] is a low pass filter and the more you turn it up the more you roll the frequency down, so off its set at 20KHz, and all the way on its not letting much of anything out above 250Hz. It was designed to make up for the lack of a tweeter control on early MB combos. Again just try leaving it off, its a very unusual control with a very specific intended usage, and I personally think the hi and upper mid controls will give you what you want in a way you would expect better than this particular filter does. Just my opinion, but I've gigged this amp for 4 or 5 years to get that opinion.... [/quote] Fixed it for ya.

From the manual it say's that the VPF is suited to slap playing. I turn it up a touch at home when on my own as it adds a little extra low & scoops the mids, but it's back to nixy when I have company.

Try turning the VPF & VLE right down (off) & take things from there. I have my VLE at @ 10 o'clock & the VPF off (@ 7 o'clock). The VPF doesn't work very well for my sound in a live situation. I tend to put the EQ controls flat too & adjust to suit the band.

[quote name='gazhowe' timestamp='1364737258' post='2030153'] With regards to comments about the RH being compressed when pushed, I haven't found this to be an issue IME. I don't want to re-ignite the debate about whether the RH450 is a 236w or 450w amp, or whether the RH450 is louder than my 500w MoMark, as we don't put my bass through our PA and I've still never needed to run either amp past noon, so its a moot point for me. [/quote] I had a 30 watt Quad amp that went louder than my 100 watt Technics amp through the same Mission speakers. I'd try amps based on what it sounds like & if you like the extra flashing lights.

Go & have a play about. The Markbass combos ticked all my boxes & I have been happy with the 2x10 combo for a good few years now. It's a 1 hand lift & the same size as any good 2x10 cab. If that's too big, maybe a rig like Lozz has (the 12" combo & a 12" cab). Valhalalf, ignore the need for watts. It has little baring on how loud your rig will be.

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1364646943' post='2029175'] Apart from the cord issue, how sturdy are they? I'd like to not have to spend £100 odd on a decent pedal unless I have to. Although £40 isn't a massive outlay. Decisions... [/quote] The Moog pedal is pretty solid. The cord issue was a 2 min fix. It's quite long to start with & all I did was unwind from the spindle inside & tie it back on, that was @ a year ago when playing at home & it's been fine since. The pedal itself is made of a thick abs plastic & has a metal baseplate. It feels solid underfoot & haven't had any gig issues.

The moog ep-2 works with it & it's solid (though I've had to change the cord in it once). Also has a handy potentiometer on the side for adjusting it's range.

Massive Attack - Safe From Harm. Not hard notes wise, more of a stamina test. Good fun to play along to. Jamiroquai - Where Do We Go From Here. Sounds harder than it is & also good fun.

You can run both cabs from that one amp, but like Mr F says, there's more important variables than watts (tolex Vs carpet is probably higher up on the importance scale ). I'd be tempted just to go with the 2x12.

I enjoyed listening to all of those. Shame I have to pick just one, but it's done. Another tough choice! Nice work all.

Get yourself to a shop (with your bass & amp) & try out as many cabs as you can. I like the sound of the MarkBass cabs (& amps), but not everyone does.

Good update time! The guitarist genuinely did cut his thumb pretty badly (he showed me it when I saw him a few days later) & it's fully healed now. The drummer apologised about not getting to the rooms & is still very keen. He had electrical issues (in an Alfa Romeo? I don't believe it! ). He also had a lot of issues with his phone where it wasn't getting messages or calls. He replaced his phone last week. The DJ Got back to me to ask how it went & said sorry he couldn't make it. I explained what happened & he offered to pay towards the room. The singer never got back to me. I texted him & have heard nowt, so I guess he's out. Even if he does get back. So forward almost a month & we had a meet up for a chat on Wednesday about what we're doing. Discussed what sort of stuff I envision us sounding like & the other guys love the concept & are very excited about it. The DJ is buying some new kit for his part in the band & is also going to take on singing duties. It's going to be an originals band, but to get our juices flowing we're going to start jamming a few covers (in our own style, whatever that may be). We're compiling a short list of @ 4-5 tracks & so far have these to try & see what can work for us... Duke - So In Love With You Hot Natured - Benediction Jamiroquai - Planet Home, Where Do We Go From Here or Runaway Gnarles Barklay - Crazy (probably been done to death by a lot of bands, but it's fun to play differently) Soul II Soul - Bambelela Brand New Heavies - Dream On Dreamer or Shelter I dare say 1/2 of them won't work how we want, but then the ones that I think might work, might not. Still having a listen to those other suggestions & shall share them with the band to see what can work. Planning on getting a jam in @ 10 days time, so watch this space!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1364048200' post='2021308'] None of the above [/quote] You mean you prefer these? I'm also liking those GWB tuners.

GarageBand supports AUs. I'm not 100% sure it supports all VSTis, but I think it does for most of them. Isn't there amp sims under the effects sections in GB?

I really wanted to enter this month & had a tune in my head, but I just haven't had any time. Come Monday, I have quite a bit of spare time for the whole week. Well I'll use that time to listen to everyone's entries.

No preference, but it does depend on the design of the bass & the headstock.

What about putting an EQ or Boost pedal between your bass & amp & turning it down so the output from it isn't so hot? That would mean you have more control over the input gain (obviously you need to increase the output gain accordingly). Would this not have the desired effect? There is a cheaper but harder option. Try backing off some of the bass's volume. I know its hard not to have it as far as it goes.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1363990170' post='2020778'] I would talk to Shep (pantherairsoft) about your issues. You need to try and fix some of your own inherent issues and possible bad technique before searching for the one bass. At the minute finding something that works will be impossible. If you fancy taking the long road up to notts I'm sure he'll be more than happy to let you try his roscoe too. [/quote] She'll end up with a massive pedal board (or two) if she does that!

Get the amp sim & spend the rest on some other fx.

I've been a 1 bass guy since I started playing bass almost 30 years ago. Started with a Vox bass & then got my Ibby in '91 which is still my main bass. I've still got the Vox (in pieces in the shed) & I've tried quite a few other basses, but it's the bass that does what I want it to & feels comfortable in my hands. So the answer is, whichever bass feels most comfortable in your hands & allows you to play freely & sounds how you want to, is the bass that you should stick with. it might be one of the basses you have, it might be still in the shop/luther's. Only you know that answer. If you don't need to sell the others & want to keep them, pop em away & just bring em out if really needed (e.g. your "one" bass fails you). Good luck with it.