Dan Dare

What's your budget? I use a fab lightweight (45lb) powered sub (Fohhn XS22) but it cost £2.5k...You could do a lot worse than look at Mackie or RCF. For more money, Yamaha's newer PA speakers are nice (they bought Nexo and are using their technology).

Went shopping for new compact combo on Saturday. After trying a few, settled on 2 options - GK MB112 budget or Markbass 1x12 for more money (can't afford AER and delivery times very long). Before I handed over the plastic, I spotted a Phil Jones 4x5 cab and asked what it was like. "Amazing" came the reply. So I asked them to let me try it. Blimey. Driven by a mini GK head, it destroyed the others for volume and the tone was killer. It cost around 70 quid more than the GK combo. Had to have it. Driven by my Basswitch and a 500w power amp, it's astonishing. May have to get another and ditch the heavy cab. Am extremely surprised.

Allparts (expensive, though) or Mighty Mite. They come up on eBay sometimes. Know it's a faff, but importing from the US a lot cheaper. Best of luck.

I agree with those who say high mass bridges are a mixed blessing. I fitted a Badass and removed it because I felt the instrument (Jazz) lost some warmth (although notes were marginally cleaner). Gotohs are decent and good value.

Sack him. Nobody's irreplaceable. No good carrying someone, no matter how able, if they're too pissed to play. Only you, who know what they're capable of when sober, will know they're any use. The audience, who never hear them sober, will just think they're crap - and the rest of the band, too - few will notice that the rest of you do get it right. They'll only notice sonny boy messing up. As for "illness" etc, you're a band, not social workers or therapists. Horses for courses.

You mentioned that you couldn't use your additional cab. Perhaps that was the problem - not moving enough air. A similar sized combo may not make a lot of difference unless you spend serious wedge (AER, Tecamp and the like). If you like the Trace sound, why not think about an extra power amp and cab to drive from it?

Sad fact of life that major sports events take precedence. Little point in pursuing the money - even if you get it, the place probably won't book you again. Perhaps best to check when a job is offered whether it clashes with a big game or similar and suggest to the venue that a different night would be better if so.

Although expensive, the HK Elements systems are good. Scalable, so you can take out what you need for the venue size. These mini line array plus sub systems are the PA equivalent of our class D/lightweight rigs. I run Fohhn LX150s + subs. Highly recommend it, but a bit pricey.

I think a beginners' corner is an excellent idea - what about it, Mods? I would encourage you not to worry about asking questions. Most of us oldies on here are pretty average players at best, so don't be shy.

Another vote for Orchid (and their DI boxes are ace if you need one).

You might find it would struggle to drive an additional cab to any volume with 100w. Check whether it would be happy into the lower impedance, too. Best to visit a few shops and try some rather than buy on spec'.

Only been once, but found them very helpful. Mark is friendly and well informed - he does, as others say, have his own opinions, but they're based on knowledge and experience. He gave me good advice - I was after a new preamp - and even drove me to the station with my new toy as it was a wet day. Can't say fairer than that.

True Bill, but as a working assumption, the excursion capabilities of a lot drivers are much of a muchness until you get into the realms of the most expensive (which the majority of manufacturers won't be using).

Agree with Bigwan re. the Line 6 110. It also has a nice preamp, so you can use it on gigs with an add on power amp and cab(s).

It's a car bulb known as a festoon - typically used for interior lights.

That's interesting, Bill. Could it explain why I sometimes find that I don't like the sound of my rig on stage, but that if I go for a walk (courtesy of the wireless) whilst playing, it sounds fine in the room/mix whilst the sound I like on stage doesn't work in the room?

I agree with JTUK. I have an overall sound I like and use that most of the time, with gentle modification to suit certain circumstances. I find a J versatile enough for my needs.

Agree with discreet. 2x10 has just about the same surface area as 1x15 and will move the same amount of air. Another MB 2x10 the logical choice if you like the tone of yours.

Paul Rodgers and Mavis Staples.

The point of overdrive is that it's great when it's a contrast -. dirty guitar sound versus clean bass/keyboard sound, for example. If everyone uses it, though, the whole thing just sounds a mess (imho, of course). And yes, blokes who approach you in the toilets are bound to be up to no good...