Dan Dare

This is well within budget - http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Squier-by-Fender-Vintage-Modified-Jaguar-Bass-SS-Short-Scale-Black/JWJ

Hope you manage to get them back.

Jaguar? Medium scale and a P/J pickup combination, so similar to what you've been using.

You really have to try some stuff and not buy on recommendation. What suits us may not suit you. You can always visit a well stocked shop or two, get an idea of what you like and then look for it used if the budget is tight.

I've had both. Found Hot Covers to be slightly better made/sturdy, but more expensive. Your choice.

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1500180775' post='3336050'] Over time, I've tried to stop fretting about it. Particularly in a live situation. Yesterday I payed at a festival with an active Precision through a Trace Elloitt combo. I didn't like the tone I was hearing on stage at all, but the people out front said it sounded just dandy. [/quote] So true. I played through a Markbass rig that belonged to another bass player on the same bill. Didn't like the sound on stage, but it was excellent out front. We were both using J basses, so I what I heard when he was playing must have been the same or very close to the sound I had.

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1499981423' post='3335011'] Thanks guys, but i think it might be a memory thing. I can play random creative stuff like nothing, but its recreating it, and making a song/structure around it thats my main issue [/quote] It may sound tedious, but it appears you may need to learn some theory. Being "creative", i.e. noodling, is good fun, but you need to understand what you're doing, otherwise it all goes up the chimney and you start every day from square one.

Good sense. Shame so few do it.

Interesting that several refer to the fact that the sound from one band at a concert (usually the headliner) was excellent, but terrible for other acts. Probably because the main band's sound man was doing it and didn't want others to sound too good. It happens.

Hilarious. Mega bargain

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Promethean-4X10-Bass-Cab-By-Ibanez-/162549889654?hash=item25d8ba7a76:g:lLAAAOSw-29ZPWH1"]http://www.ebay.co.u...LAAAOSw-29ZPWH1[/url] Looks interesting. Didn't know they had done a 4x10. Anyone think it worth a look?

Thumbs up

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1499721596' post='3333197'] What complete and utter tosh [/quote] You're quite right. I read and find it very useful - you can learn things so much more quickly and easily. Nobody questions the need to be able to read the language, claiming it "limits soul/creativity". However, I wouldn't wish to see an actor reading from a script on stage. It's about presentation. Musicians reading parts in a performance situation can look lifeless - as if they're not really there. Worse is seeing them reading off iPads, their faces illuminated by that ghastly blue glow from the screen. I use parts to learn material, but would prefer not have them in front of me in a performance situation.

About the going rate, I think. Those Chinese Ashdown cabs don't fetch a lot used.

In my experience (such as it is), I find that classical players tend to want the dots as a comfort blanket. They don't actually need them - most are very accomplished - but they have always had them and find it hard to break the habit. If they are willing to try without at rehearsals, they may be surprised at how well they can manage without them. But (and it's a big but) they have to be willing to try. Some I've encountered just wouldn't. If that's the case with your situation, I would think about whether you want to continue with it. It could be very trying.

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1499467882' post='3331804'] Judging by the amount of chart music where huge amounts of autotune are applied deliberately making the artist sound like a robot, i fear for the future of singing? [/quote] Chart music is a tiny part of the totality of music. It may have a high profile, but it is an irrelevance. The "future of singing" is safe. It just ain't in the hands of western chart music and its purveyors.

Let us know what you find. Would be interesting to know what it turns out to be. Incidentally, a pal of mine has a lefty Fender P that works (see your sig). He's added a J pickup at the bridge and it sounds great.

I had a Bugera Veyron as backup. Picked it up mint and used for less than £300. Powerful, light, flexible eq and not half bad sounding. Sold it recently when I upgraded my main amp (at which point, the old main amp became my backup).

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1499420952' post='3331438'] Don't entirely agree with this. A lot of us have come from practice amps to the gear we have now and owned a lot of different gear in between. I've had everything from small combos to 8x10 rigs and so I like to think I can offer some valuable advice. My current rig is best for what I do just now but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. OP is simply asking for a "better sounding" practice amp that won't break the bank. Personally I'd be looking at GK, Hartke, Fender, TC or even Line 6 for a step-up from your current practice combo, with a 2x10" or 12" speaker depending how loud you want to go. Hope that helps. [/quote] My tongue was partly in my cheek when I posted. However, I stand by my point - that the OP simply must go and try what is available (and within his budget) to get areal idea of what will suit him.

Nice. Dangerous shop, BD. They just give you something nice to play with and that's the budget right out of the window. Enjoy the new toy.

Most things would be an improvement on your practice amp. You really need to go to a few shops and try some stuff out. Don't listen to us. We all suffer from confirmation bias and will recommend what we have.

House backline often seems to belong to someone whose arm the organiser has twisted. I've occasionally been asked if people can use mine. The answer is always a firm no. If I take an old rig I don't care about, there'll be moans. If I take my good stuff, I'll be constantly worrying that some idiot will damage it.

[quote name='ribbetingfrog' timestamp='1499184521' post='3329797'] I sometimes wonder if I'm a freak amongst bass players, I love new, bright strings and boost my mids religiously. Everyone on basschat seems to be opposite. [/quote] You're probably just a bit mutton Jeff...