Chrisward

Thanks again for all the feedback folks. In the end, rather than getting a new combo, I've bought a Trace Elliot ELF. It's tiny, which is the primary requirement, and I can simply plug it into my existing TC Electronic 2x10 or 2x12 (or both at a push, but there's only one speaker output so that would end up chaining the cabs). It's dead simple - which is perfect for most of my needs. I don't need loads of features. Having an amp head that can fit into the pocket of my EA bass gig bag is very liberating! My existing Hartke 250w head weighs a ton but can be kept for gigs with the drummer (using both TC cabs plugged in parallel for extra bone shaking). Cheers folks. Chris

Hi all, Sorry for the lack of responses, been a busy few days. I very much appreciate all the points and am looking into the various specific gear suggestions. There are some bits of kit listed here that are beautiful. It's interesting to the the debate of the use of electro-acoustic basses. I play the EA bass more through accident than design. Several years ago, when we were an electric 3-piece, I heard an advert on local radio for local artists to send in demos of their songs for a weekly drivetime show interview/performance slot. We got a slot but were told "no amps permitted, purely acoustic". The drummer was not interested in doing any sort of acoustic tapping-of-things, BUT I had an EA bass which I'd bought years ago purely to be able to practice without plugging my big Trace Elliot rig in. We then got other slots on other shows on that radio station and some others. We were something of novelty, being more in the "unplugged rock band" than the, more common, "acoustic folk". This led to getting asked to do acoustic stages, festivals etc. etc. Never had so many gigs, and mostly playing our own material. The irony being that just BEFORE we "went acoustic", I had eventually ordered a brand new JayDee Supernatural Series 1 bass. I've wanted one since about 1985!!!! By the time it was arrived, all our work was acoustic duo songwriters! D'oh! So I mainly play the EA now because it's sort of become our "look" to have the two acoustic guitars, with one being the bass. I am not precious about EA basses specifically. I bought a second EA bass as back-up (a Fender) but it's only ever been used once, I can't seem to form a relationship with it, but it's only there in case the main one breaks on stage. I think I probably need a portable but beefy combo with the option to plug in one of the TC cabs when doing electric gigs with the JayDee. Sell the existing amp head and the other TC cab. Thanks again folks. Chris

Hi folks. I'm seeking your collective wisdom on a suitable gear set-up for my split-personality bass playing life. I used to be in a three-piece band with a guitarist and drummer and I have a set-up with a 250w amp head (Hartke) and a couple of cabs (2x10 and 2x12 TC Electronic). Life was simple enough. But we've morphed into mainly being an acoustic singer/songwriter duo where I use an acoustic bass (Crafter). The vast majority of what we do is as this duo, in varied settings too, from small rooms to big outdoor events. Above a certain size they obviously have a suitable PA so those are not a problem. Often an event will only have a vocal/guitar type PA, so I end up lugging the amp + 1 cab around and it's no fun. We DO still occasionally play with a drummer (not acoustic duo gigs) so I still need to have enough beef for that when it happens. Here's my question ... I hoped the Hartke KB12 or KB15 combo, rated at 500w, might be the answer. Supposedly very loud (to work with drums) but also very portable, but I've read mixed reviews. Some reports say that they start farting with the volume over halfway. That does seem reasonable as 500w seems like a lot to push through a single speaker. I'd happily add one of the TC Electronic cabs where needed, I know those combos don't offer an extra speaker output, but I read that using a splitter cable works. Any thoughts welcome. I just want to avoid buying something that turns out to be wrong. I know I should go and try these combos out in-store, but that's unlikely to tell me if they're going to work with drums. Thanks all, Chris

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1429874295' post='2755812'] Well, they're probably aren't that many around anyway, certainly compared to a lot of other makes. There's also the fact that a lot of them, the one I had built for me in the early 1980s included, suffered from serious neck issues (truss rods breaking, general instability problems) that might mean lots of them just aren't in a playable state these days. [/quote] I've seen this said quite a lot. My understanding was that there was a period of high demand back in the 1980s during which the components for the neck weren't as reliable as they would have wished. I get the impression that this is sorted on the current ones (so if buy a new one it won't suffer). It would explain why some of those older ones don't show up though. Thanks for that. Interesting.

Hi all, I am a recent member of the Basschat forum. It's great. My problem : I've wanted a Jaydee Supernatural since I was a teenager (and that's a long time). Now I've finally decided to scratch that itch and get one, I find the wait time for a new one is 16 months. That wait feels more frightening that the cost. I can live with it, after all I've waited a long time already, but my question is [b]how[/b] [b]come you never see any around in shops?[/b] Even high-end bass specialist shops say they seldom see one. I guess this is a good thing for a new one holding it's value. I've done some searching around on this and there closest thing I found was [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/250813-jaydee-supernatural/page__p__2666192__hl__jaydee%20supernatural__fromsearch__1#entry2666192"]this thread[/url], I know there are some others. Keen to hear any feedback on this, Chris

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1427820242' post='2734675'] I think everyone else has covered every thing, but one point I'd like to make is, any bass can be used for slapping. New strings obviously help, but you shouldn't have to buy a particular " slapping" bass . Not wanting to sound condescending [/quote] It's a very valuable point. It does tell me that my "needs to be active" mindset is probably just something that formed years ago and I've just not questioned/reviewed it. Thanks.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1427816267' post='2734586'] There's no reason why the Scorpio shouldn't make an excellent slapper - so, when slapping, what is it about the sound of the Status that you prefer to the Peavey? [/quote] It's not that the Scorpio doesn't sound good for slapping, and I certainly do play some slap on it, but the (Washburn) Status is active and I have it fixed in my head that the best "slappers" need to be active. This may well not be the case. I recently tried out number of quite expensive (£800 - £15000) basses and some of the most responsive ones turned out to be passive. I had convinced myself I needed an (active) MusicMan Stingray, then discovered I liked a (passive) Fender Jazz. Didn't buy anything at that time though. This could be a long-held misconception on my part, since starting playing in the 1990s, that active is essential for a good slap sound. This is why I wondered if sticking active gear on a previously passive bass would be a reasonable thing to do. It sure sounds like a lot of work.

Watched the [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Basswitch video. Very nice. Thanks for pointing these guys out. Particularly useful showing the comparison of active/passive.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Thanks again,[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chris[/font][/color]

All good replies, thanks folks. Picking up on some of the points ... Sorry for using the four-letter "s" word. I don't mean to provoke civil unrest I do have an external pre-amp/fx in the shape of a Boss GT10B which has so many options on it that I tend to gravitate to only a small set. This'll make you laugh, I used to have a Trace Elliot AH200 GP12 amp head, but I sold that after getting it serviced (netting about £10!!!), spent a fortune on the GT10B, bought a Hartke amp head, then ended up always using the "British Trace Elliot" setting on the GT10B. I don;t think there is a more expense way I could have "ended up sounding the same". Agree about the strings. For most of my playing/gigging I use medium gauge and mainly the Scorpio bass, but sometimes go for a light gauge. To be honest I tend to use my Status for the thunder-thumbs stuff (with a light gauge). What I am interested to find out is just how much a bass can be changed by putting on new pickups etc, since I've never been bold enough to try it for myself.

Hello bass folks, This is my first post on the forum so please be gentle. I've had basses since I was 19 (I'm 48 now) but I've never had an high-end one, and I've never customized any of the ones I have owned - which makes me sound rather dull! I have a very broad question - "how much can be achieved through pimping a cheap-to-mid price bass?" Let me frame this with some specifics ... I have a [url="http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/bass_guitars/peavey/zodiac_de_scorpio"]Peavey Zodiac DE Scropio [/url]bass. I really like it, and don't have any really intention to change it, but it's a passive bass pitched at rock players (being a David Ellefson signature) and I like to sometimes play slap bass. I've got a Washburn Status for slapping, but I am intrigued to know if I could replace the electionics on the Peavey to achieve a bass that suits slapping. Is it ever by worth turning a passive bass into an active bass or is the cost/effort never worth it? Cheers, Chris

Thank you for the welcome(s). I like the sound of something called a "Bassbash" - I will get my Googles on and find out more ....

Hello all. By way of introduction, I'm Chris 48, been playing in bands non-professionally since my early twenties but I have been a bass fan since teens. What lured me to the bass was a combination of John Taylor and Mark King and over-exposure to Disco in my childhood. My collection of gear currently is. Peavey Zodiac DE Scoprio bass (passive), Washburn Status Series 2000 (for all your slapping needs), Crafter Acoustic. Boss GT10B FX processer pedal board. Hartke 2500 amp head, Trace Elliot 410 (1990's vintage and still going strong), I am in the process of switching over to TC Electronic cabs. I bought a 2x12 but it's not beefy enough to gig with drums so an additional 2x10 is the plan. I love my old Trace Elliot 410 but it's a beast to move and I want something fresh. Used to have a Trace Elliot amp head but it got exhausted. Anyway - "hello". Chris