Dan Dare

The tension of the strings dictates (or should) the diameter. I use that set and find them balanced. The only way to find out if they suit you is to try some.

I just don't get this. Mass produced stuff and tat acquiring the status of a holy relic because someone famous has used/abused it. I can understand why the organisers put on such events (bizness, innit?), but why do so many go along to pay money and gawp? Are people that gullible?

Don't forget the full on doom/death metal costume and make up, blood capsules in the mouth to bite at appropriate moments and to strangle a live chicken during the sermon 😉

NABOP (not another bloody overdrive pedal)

Another vote for Watford Valves. Derek is very helpful.

As the Bassman 135 used four 6L6 power tubes, I think it would produce rather more than 65 or so watts. Have you ever used one? It's a pokey amp, trust me.

The final phrase - "the punters seem to like it" - is what it's about. It's all very well being "authentic" and "true to one's principles", but it doesn't pay the bills.

Fabulous playing. Those producers didn't like him because he was prone to be erratic and to over-indulge in the old electric soup. Tragic waste. Brilliance only carries you so far. If people can't rely on you, they look elsewhere.

That Bassman 135 should make plenty of noise with the 4x10. Older wattage ratings were very conservative. I had the same rig as you back in the 1980s. The old 2x15 was a bit of a beast to lug around (my trusty Volvo estate came in handy). One of the speakers went pop and I replaced them with Peavey Black Widows, which made a big improvement to the sound.

This. If you're spending proper money on something (which, unless you are buying a beater bass or a cheap amp for, say, a youngster, is the case with instruments) and the seller is not a legit shop/dealer (they must offer guarantees, etc, which gives you some protection), it's crazy not to deal face to face.

If you have big hands, a certain guitar, er, customiser, whose work is much revered on here should be able to help out... Being serious for a moment, I agree. I like to dig the pads of my fingers slightly under the strings - it gives a fatter tone - and find there's too much rattle and clank with a low action. Some of the vid's you see, especially by slap players, are terrible for that. All bzzz, bzzz, rattle, rattle and no note.

Black, too.

I think it's a rolling thing. Everything changes over time. When I were a lad in the 1950s, a classic car was something pre-war. The classic cars I eventually owned (Saab 96s and 99s) hadn't even been introduced or even designed back then. However, when I had them in the 1990s/early 2000s, they were considered classic cars. The music's no different.

They do project well. I first noticed this when someone else played through my rig. I was surprised how much bass there was out in the room from a couple of 4x5 cabs. Re. comments about weight, they are solidly built and the larger PJB cabs are heavy. However, if you run several of the smaller cabs, as we do, they are easy to carry in several trips from/to the car. No big deal.

Don't you believe it. Plenty of jazzers do very nicely playing in function bands, etc. They may not get to play much pure jazz, but if they make good money doing a few weddings and parties each week, they have plenty of time to satisfy their souls at other times.

That's a nice set-up you have. I prefer the 4B to the C4 (I have both). You'll have to spend a lot of money to improve on it and I also find they make just about any bass sound great. Is yours the older Suitcase (same size as the 4B)? The newer (C4 size) one is a bit punchier and not as fat sounding in my experience. Probably due to the cab size.

You simply must try and compare before making the switch. FWIW, I use PJB cabs with an AG700 and like the sound a great deal. PJB stuff is quite hi-fi and the slight warmth that Aguilar kit has is a good foil for that. You need a few PJB cabs to shift air if you're using the 5" drivers (I have four 4x5s, although smaller jobs are adequately covered by two or three). The 7s, as in the C47s you refer to, are better in that regard - more weight to the sound. However, don't make the switch without trying/comparing. It could be an expensive wrong turning.

You have our sympathy, but do they want the other guy - the one who left and came back - because he's a better player? Experiences such as this are unpleasant, but there is often a positive (even if it's hard to see at first) that we can take from them. Worth taking some lessons and/or working on the technique to improve your skill level and musical abilities?

What a sweetie. Obviously very musical if she was attempting to stop you making a solo bass album 😁

They disappear through a hole in the space-time continuum, to turn up in a parallel universe bearing outrageous price tags.

A nice reel. Sorry, wrong type of bass...

That's a very good idea (assuming you use more than one cab, so can run two amps). A lot cheaper than a new valve head and if you're happy with the sound of the PF50, it should give you more of what you like.

Ag700. On the warm side of neutral, but not the thicker sound of the THs. I use mine with PJB cabs, which are very clear and it's a good blend.

Have you a small or class D head already? If so, I'd just get a small, lightweight cab. That's what I've done. No heavier than a small combo and less expense than one.