ossyrocks

Last nights gig, The Hope & Anchor in Ulverston. I've never played it before. It was tiny. But probably one of the most friendly and welcoming pubs I've been in for a long time. Lovely place, lovely audience, and we went down a storm. Here's the GK rig out in the wilds of Cumbria. Rob

We have a winner !

This is the second version too. I'm just home from the first gig with it. It's great, I think it's going to become my main amp, which is bonkers as I have invested a ton in more modern and new amps. I always carry a spare, so if the worst happens, it won't be a disaster. My band isn't shy, we're on the enthusiastic side of volume levels, and I was barely tickling this thing, it had loads left to give. The bass and the cab have a lot to do with it too. Tonight I was using my 1970 P bass with La Bella flats and a Barefaced 3x10 cab which is 4 ohms. The cab really brings out the best of any amp I run through it, and I love the sound of their 10's. I'm thinking I'll find someone good to give it a look over and a service, so I can be confident in using it. Rob

I will also add, it's flippin' loud for its 200w rating.

It's funny you mentioned Bergantino. That's what I've been A/B'ing it against tonight, a Forte D, which has been my usual gigging amp for the last few gigs. Whouda thunk it !

I bought this from the classifieds here. My old friend @shug has one of these, and, despite being a remarkable human being, and probably the best bass player in the north west, he also sounds very good. At a festival gig a couple of months ago, his band were on after mine. My wife Jan and I stayed for the evening and enjoyed the show. This amp, through Barefaced 10's, and Shugs playing, combined to be simply sublime. So, I have to try one don't I? Anyway, it's here. It's not the best example you might find. It had loose DIY rack ears mounted with pop rivets which have now been removed, and the case is a bit battered and scratched. But it's functional, and I've spent a bit of time with it over the last couple of days. I have other splendid amps, some quite expensive, but this thing has me scratching my head. It sounds bloody marvelous! It's so present, so right here in the room, so hefty, weighty and toneful. It's got me wondering that modern amp manufacture has taken a wrong turn somewhere. Why didn't they just stop here? I actually can't believe that tomorrow night I'm choosing to take the cheapest bit of kit I own out for a gig, and I'm really looking forward to using it. Yours, puzzled, Rob

I always fancied trying a MB Casa rig. I'm a bit of a Michael League fanboy, and we both play predominantly P basses. Rob

Me too. I haven't counted that either.

You're the reason I'm getting the GK amp! Yours sounded tremendous at the festival. Yes, it's the one from Edinburgh, should be here this week. Yes, the Tecamp is the same as Eich, at least the Tecamp Puma 900 is the same as the Eich T900. We A/B'd them at the bass bash, and there was no difference. The Tecamp is a very workman-like amp, it gets the job done, but you're right, it doesn't have much character. It does punch hard and has a lot of heft though. The Taste control is very useful. I'll be selling mine however, as it won't get a look in over the others now. How are you doing with the covid? I'm nearly three weeks in now and still suffering! Rob

Ooof, Olympic White !

It’s not allowed to say ‘76 Jazz’ without including a picture of it.

I've clicked "cetera" although I'm attempting to be sane. I currently have only one cab, a Barefaced 3x10. But the heads are another matter - Fender Bassman 50, Bergantino Forte D, Ashdown RM800 EVOII, Tecamp Puma 900, TE Elf, and incoming a GK 400RB. I will sell one or two of the heads, i will, I will, at some point. Rob

The most success I have is by attending jam nights. Some of the best bands I’ve ever been in started life at jams. I was asked to join my current band by two chaps I met first at a jazz jam, who then asked if I could be house bass player for a night at a funk jam, and then I was asked if I would to join them in a newly forming band. I now count them all as friends. Same with the last band, and numerous others over the years. Rob

Tonight's gig was brought to you by Lemsip, Ibuprofen and high strength Vitamin C, washed down with Shipyard Low Tide Pale Ale. I seriously had to dig deep tonight. New venue for us, The Pub on China St in Lancaster, a legendary venue locally. The setup was complicated by the fact that we haven't been there before and they have a house Bose PA system, or rather powered speakers (subs and tops) and we ran our desk into them and brought our own monitors. Once we were setup I could relax a bit and concentrate on actually being able to play and sing. Well, we managed it. Great crowd, very appreciative, some dancing, some singing along. The stage area was tight and Covid appears to have robbed me of any spatial awareness I may have had before, so I must have bumped my mic stand or the guitarists mic stand half a dozen times with my bass! Lots of positive comments after, so I think we'll be back there in the future. Two weeks until the next gig, so that's a blessed relief, I may be starting to feel human again by then. I used my new to me '70 P bass for the first time tonight, through the Bergantino Forte D and the Barefaced 3x10. It sounded just right, I cannot think how it could sound better. Rob

I haven't played my gig yet, but it's going to be a tough one. It's 11 days since I tested positive for Covid and cancelled the gig last Saturday. Tonight's gig is going ahead, and I feel absolutely dreadful. I'm not testing positive since Thursday, but I'm well and truly hanging. The list of symptoms is too long to go into here. 9.30pm start, 2 sets, and I'm singing nearly half of them too. Wish me luck! Rob.

Prices have increased a lot since I bought my '73 too, probably by about £1k in two and a half years. I actually really like the early 70's basses. I don't want to go much earlier as I don't like the wider nut width. Rob

NBD ! A 1970 Precision in very nice original condition. I mentioned earlier in this thread that I was sniffing around for another early 70's P bass, and someone on here got in touch. A very very smooth deal, lots of honesty and trust involved. It's more or less all original apart from a single pickguard screw and the pots are changed, but you wouldn't know unless you were told, as they are CTS pots from 1970. I spent some time yesterday with it, tweaking it to my liking. Now sporting La Bella Low Tension Flats with a very nice low action. It has more definition and a bit more top end than my '73 (which is the most mellow P I've ever heard), and they complement each other perfectly. The rosewood board on this one is particularly dark, smooth and tight grained compared with the '73 too. I'm a happy chappie. The upshot of this, is that I'll be selling my super lightweight '78 P bass soon if anyone is interested. Cheers, Rob

|Blimey.

I would like to ask about the light in the VU meter. I have a new RM800 EVO II, bought in their "last chance" sale. Some people on here seem to be saying that as well as a green flashing LED in the meter when levels are good, there's also a red flashing led when you push it too hard. Mine does not flash red at all. I just have to keep an eye on the needle to trim the input accordingly. So, should there be a red flashing LED in the meter? Rob

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that. 15% is fine, and it's what Richard Henry charges for guitar sales. Rob

Thanks Tony. Yes, it's very expensive, but I'm just looking around to see what's available. Do you know how Andy Baxter treats trade ins/part ex's? I have a bass I'd consider putting up in a deal, and also a guitar (he does sell vintage Gibsons, of which this is one). Rob

I sold a bass and and cab this week, and I'm starting to sniff around for another early 70's P bass with tort guard. I have spied this one on Andy Baxter's site. Looks nice, great weight, lots going for it (albeit expensive), but then I can't get past looking at the string/neck alignment. I know it's been apart for photos, that's obvious, but this looks more than just a neck loosen and push it up fix. What do you think? Rob Link to the bass: https://www.andybaxterbass.com/collections/fender-precision-bass/products/1971-fender-precision-bass-sunburst-4 Pic:

How was my gig last night?...............CANCELLED. Due to me testing positive for Covid on Wednesday after feeling crap all day Tuesday. No doubt picked up at the gig I did last Saturday at Morecambe Music Festival in a packed to capacity, hot and sweaty venue. We have our fingers and toes crossed for the gig next Saturday, but I'm still testing positive today and don't feel great. Soooo many people have Covid again right now. Rob

Not a 4x10, but a 3x10 here in Morecambe.