Clarky

Good spot Sarah. Ordered as its very difficult for me to get to use our VHS player

The fdeck preamp, for those unfamiliar, is a clever little preamp box which contains a high pass filter (which dials out boomy bass frequencies by cutting everything below the chosen threshold), a phase switch (useful for fighting feedback), and a volume switch. The DB players on TalkBass love it to bits and a large number of them place it in their signal path between pickup and amp (many not bothering with a traditional preamp like a Fishman Plat Pro, even though the fdeck has no EQ capabilities). Its very cheap (<£100) but the drawback is that they are not on sale in Europe. However there are several helpful Stateside TB'ers who will order one on your behalf and then send it on. Details here: [url="https://sites.google.com/site/hpftechllc/home/hpf-pre"]https://sites.google.com/site/hpftechllc/home/hpf-pre[/url]

The most common recommended bridge wing piezo (which tends to be the cheapest type of pickup) would probably be the BassMax, also the Shadow 950, the Rev Solo and Underwood are liked by many DBers. These are generally quite simple to operate but require a preamp to match their impedance with an amplifier. They can be thin and nasal sounding and feedbackprone but with the right EQ and a decent preamp they deliver a decent DB type sound live. I have a Full Circle on my 3/4 double bass which sounds nice but is a bit above your budget as it requires fitting in an adjustable bridge. On my smaller bass I have a Realist and it sounds very nice, although I have only just fitted it so my experience is a little limited ( one gig only so far). They are a bit more than £150 new but you can pick them up second hand for £80-110. So far I am liking the Realist a lot

This might just cut it - the Rigel Acousta Bass ... if you have a spare $2200 plus shipping and tax http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZjg0EwfBMM&feature=related

Thinking laterally here, maybe sneak in a battery-0powered Roland Micro Cube combo, plonk it behind you and noone will spot it ... you get the benefit of amplification of your acoustic bass and hopefully (depending on placement) no feedback issues either [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/combo-amps/pid13888/cid691/roland-bass-microcube-rx-batterymains-powered-bass-ampfree-6m-lead.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/combo-amps/pid13888/cid691/roland-bass-microcube-rx-batterymains-powered-bass-ampfree-6m-lead.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping[/url]

Just bought an EA amp from Tom. All good

Originals. A mix of folk, flamenco, country and blues, so not too many covers opportunities there then!!!!

Good stuff John! Bit like a retro mash-up of Kinks, Small Faces and the Specials. Bet it goes down really well live PS, is that the new blue P bass on the recording?

Link doesn't work for me John?

I'm 49 and have way too much gear for my needs (see my sig) - I can find a use for most of it but the reality is its a GAS-induced luxury. I would actually be perfectly happy with one Precision (it would have to be my '63 though), one double bass (probably my Kolstein as the chunky neck on my old German flatback is a bit hard on my left hand), and one amp rig (probably my Acoustic Image combo and my incoming Crazy8 cab). That would free up a lot of cash but until I feel the financial need to do so, i am going to hang on in there and enjoy all my gear. There will though come a point where I make a similar decision Lozz.

I didn't measure my Kolstein but I assume its very similar to bassace's (and much more comfortable/relaxing for my left hand than my mega-beefy flatback)

My German flatback: 6 & 1/3 inches I have to say I do find it a bit of a handful and quite hard work if I play repetitive pieces involving hand stretches in the lower registers

[quote name='PURPOLARIS' timestamp='1350472916' post='1839247'] The '63 gets my vote for looks and also because it's my year of birth. I want it. [/quote] +1 in all respects from another '63 baby

don't know what you mean Sean? [attachment=121317:304737_481791265166343_151891584_n.jpg]