Marc S

I have a PF 500, which I really only use as a backup head or depending on which band / musicians I'm playing with, I use it as my main amp with a smaller rig...... and I've used it quite a bit for rehearsals I've got to say, I really like the sound the amp produces and it packs a punch, especially for something so small So far, no issues with it whatsoever, except as earlier posts suggest re the gain control On one of my active basses (Ibanez SR500) I need to take care on not setting output on the bass, and gain on the amp too high The limiter simply cuts in - but no cutting out issues..... Although I haven't used it a huge amount, it seems totally reliable and it's a head I really like Again, maybe I'm just lucky and got a good one.... Just adding my own thoughts / experiences to the others who've found their Ampeg PF's to be fine

Strange, yes But isn't it a bit satisfying too? Cool cover on the CD How much do you sell it for usually? Might just pick a copy up.... Marc

A lot of people on here seem to recommend either Thomann, or Geddo A short while back, I was in a similar situation to yourself I wanted a DB, but there just seem to be none locally to me either new or Secondhand Fortunately for me, I was offered my lovely DB, by fellow BC'er Sarah Who let me come & try the bass first, didn't live too far away ... and even made me a cuppa One problem about buying a DB secondhand, is that you don't really know its' history And as you point out, you don't have any guarantees... However, everyone I've now dealt with on this forum has been great.... I don't personally know [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]thisnameistaken, or any of his friends but it does seem to me, that buying from a fellow BC'er is a safer bet than buying from a stranger, say on ebay, or another site like Gumtree.... The fact that this one has already been set up, by an experienced player is a real bonus Another BC'er recently said that he'd bought a cheap-ish bass a short while back and the sound he got from that was good, and had improved But it had only improved because he was playing it and the sure-fire way of improving the sound & playing was to get stuck in, and not dither about whether to spend £500, or hang on until he had saved £2000 Keep your eyes peeled for other 2nd hand DB's on here too, but in your position, I'd really be considering [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]thisnameistaken's bass[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I've not looked back since buying my DB - even if my playing isn't brilliant - I just love it Welcome to the world of DB And please let us know what you decide.... Best of luck in starting your new, exciting adventure Marc[/font][/color]

There is also a short scale electro acoustic bass Can't recall who markets it in the UK But I think it's branded with the name "Swift" (of London?) I played one I had on loan for a short while It's got a slim neck, and was dead easy to play Sounded really good through an amp too And I did see them on ebay, for around £50 I could have bought it for around £30! but although my first couple of basses were short scale I couldn't swap back down to the short scale easily.....

Saw them a few years ago, and they were as good as ever! JJ is still one of my fave bass players Hope Jet is OK Time to see them again, maybe?

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1394190287' post='2388889'] ...... As a quick fix, the rubber washer from a Grolsch bottle do a fair job too. [/quote] A guitarist pal of mine uses these Swears by them - never seen him drop his guitar either Useful tip

I'd say, if you're new to DB This bass could be a bit of a risk, for all the points mentioned above It's difficult to know what is a good instrument and what isn't if you haven't played much..... I'd recommend seeking a few out, and giving them a whirl Not always easy depending on where you live, and how many there are in shops near you I was very lucky, in that Sarah (above) sold me my lovely Boosey & Hawkes laminate I was in your position just a short while ago and I'm so glad I bought my bass Is there a fellow Basschat member near you, who'd be kind enough to let you have a play of their bass? Keep your eye on the "for sale" section of this forum It's a good place to buy from, IMHO Good luck, and let us know what you decide Marc EDIT: There's a bass F/S on this forum at the moment, actually http://basschat.co.uk/topic/231153-fs-34-laminate-bass-l500/ Worth a look, at least?

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1394016362' post='2386867'] If you want graphic finish, you could simply use a clear pickguard material like perspex, which allows you to place any image you want behind it - when the the pickguard is in place even a matt colour photocopy/printout will look nice and glossy. I hand cut one for my squire strat many years ago and mounted this image underneath. [url="http://www.rodneymatthews.com/elric8.htm"]http://www.rodneymat....com/elric8.htm[/url] It is a bit fiddly trimming the picture that you want to sit underneath, but it has the advantage that you can make adjustments to the position of the image before commiting and change it out if you get bored with it. I simply made a single ply clear plate and placed the image underneath - being older and wiser, if I were to repeat this method, I would use two layers for the scratchplate, allowing me to sandwich the image in the middle, and importantly apply proper shielding to the rear of the bottom layer (a big fail in my original effort). [/quote] Great idea! Thanks for sharing

Please make sure you let us know what you opt for.... I'm getting excited for you now, LOL I'm sure you'll enjoy owning & playing a DB String choice will depend on personal preference and that's hard to pin down, until you've experimented a bit Which is, of course, difficult I play pizzicato, and prefer lower tension strings I opted for Innovation "Silver Slaps" which suit me fine I'm not sure if you're aware, but Daf Lewis on this forum will let you borrow a set of any of the Innovation strings... Just send them on to the next person who wants to try them.... Anyhow, good luck with it all Marc

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1393420726' post='2379980'] Beautiful? It's a pain inducing money pit [/quote] I think for me, the initial outlay, and new set of strings and a pickup, was a tad pain-inducing, However, as someone else said "owning a double bass is a beautiful thing" I couldn't agree more. Also, since buying said strings, pickup (and case) It hasn't cost me any more but the joy it brings is immeasurable I can't imagine life without playing my DB now If you're thinking about getting a DB - just do it! That's my humble opinion I'm so glad I bought mine Marc PS. OP - don't forget to contact Gedo too Their basses look stunning

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1392996650' post='2375100'] 'been around the block'... also known as having MoJo. [/quote] Absolutely! Welcome Jimbo I'm a lefty - but I play righty marc

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1392804461' post='2372845'] They are fine as starter instruments and, yes, an upgrade on bridge and strings would be a good idea. Alternatives include Gedo Musik's basses which are similarly priced (I started on one priced at around £1400 but they are perfectly credible at lower prices). If you want to hear my cheap, nasty bass (irony, it's lovely), check out 'Calypso Zoom', 'Speak Now', 'Estate', 'Wee' or 'Caravan' on my Soundccloud page. There is a lot of what I call hysteria about cheap basses but, in my opinion, getting one looked at by a luthier and getting to the act of playing the damn thing will be more use to you than agonising over whether to spend £700 this year or wait another six months until you have £1500. The difference between the two will be irrelevant for a few years until you really get a handle on the instrument. My 'cheap' bass sounds four times better now than it did when I got it. Not because it has been modified but because I have been playing it for four years now and am much better than I was when I bought it! I cannot see how a marginally 'better' (i.e. different) bass would improve my 'thing' as convincingly. My advice in one sentence: Just start your journey and enjoy it. [/quote] So well put Good advice Marc

Not tried one personally, but when I was looking for my first DB most folk on here seemed to say they were pretty good The advice seemed to be to stay away from G4M, but that Thomann were OK A lot of folk on here really rate Geddo in Germany though I've read several BC'ers who are more than pleased with their DB and they'll set it up the way you want too Here's a link to one of their DB's on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Bass-redbrown-3-4-size-new-/310697743781?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item48570755a5 Good luck, and happy shopping Marc

That's the main thing Great to hear it has worked out for the best for you And glad to hear that band-matters seem to have settled

Good stuff, Glad you've sorted it out Think I'd miss the acoustic tone myself, but that's just my preference Is it a huge difference in tone? How has it affected volume? Cheers Marc

Hi, and welcome to the forum, and to the world of bass I'd go with your feelings re your exams at the moment, if I were you I too would want to be playing with / experimenting with a new instrument ..... stick to your studies for now, and treat yourself afterwards! You should be able to get a decent enough bass for under that money but adding an amp you could gig with could be difficult However, I'd go for getting the best bass you can - get a cheap 5 or 10 Watt practice combo for now, and save for a better amp, when your playing has improved There are plenty of decent budget basses around these days Ibanez basses are great IMO and several of the Squier range are fine I have an Indonesian built Squier P bass, and it's great - for just over £200 or go for 2nd hand - but check with care before buying, if buying online You sound like you already have several guitars, so you know some of the things to look for, when buying an instrument You could always sell, or swap / PX a guitar? - just a thought.... Good luck with your studies, and your playing Good music taste too matey Cheers now Marc