Steve Browning

I'm a professor, according to my English Heritage membership. Mind you, I just picked that from the 'title' options when I joined.

I guess that they must be amps I've used, in order to allow an opinion. So, for me they will be Mesa Bass 400 - my introduction to Mesa Boogie. I have had a 400+ but just found the 400 to be more 'open' sounding. The 400+ was a bit 'detailed'. Pairing them was fun! Mesa TT-800 - my current amp. It can do the 400 sound and pretty much everything else. All in a super-light package. Mesa Walkabout/M-Pulse 600. They not exactly the same amp, but share similarities. The Walkabout is integral to my Scout combo (the 15" one) and is another superb sounding amp. The radiator underneath really adds depth to the sound. The M-Pulse was my first hybrid (valve/mos:fet) and it killed off my belief that all valve was the only way to go. No surprises there, I guess. I have owned a 70's Portaflex and played through an SVT on many occasions. The Portaflex was good but wasn't a useful amp on a gig, whereas the Walkabout is gigged regularly and is equally at home in a studio. The SVT is invariably coupled with a fridge and I just don't enjoy playing through 10s. Probably bias on my part, but it's my opinion so I can be!

You even managed to pick the same picture! Great choice.

John Deacon - of course.

Welcome to the club. The Walkabout is a truly great amp.

Yes it can. It's just held in its snug fit so you can put it where you want and you can reverse it so store your basses either way round.

I guess my SVLs would be classed as boutique Precisions. They were made from measurements taken from my 66 Pbass. They are certainly over the budget we're talking about, but the picture shows the wiring. That's indicative of Simon's attention to detail, and I was happy to pay it. I've not played a Custom Shop bass, but these basses are flawless. Light and resonant, and beautifully finished. A good bit cheaper than the Custom Shop, too.

I remember getting £210 pay one month, in 1977. It was my usual amount plus a tax rebate. It enabled me to go to Andertons and spend the £209 that enabled me to buy my first Precision. Sunburst and rosewood and no case. It meant I had to walk about 8 miles to and from work for a month, but it was worth it!

I've posted these before. They'd cost a smidge more now.

But think of the exposure.

Tony bought a Fender bridge from me. Paid as soon as he made contact and let me know it had arrived ok. Great comms and super fast deal done. Highly recommended.

My very first amp was a Carlsboro Top 50. I remember it as a perfectly good amp. They reissued them a while back. The wonderful Bill Nelson was a Carlsboro man, too.

My '66 Precision. Bought in the early 80's, from Tiger Music in Brighton (for £260). Pictures are almost 40 years apart.

Thanks Martin. Will do. Steve

Bought a set of Gotoh Resolite tuners from Martin. Brilliant comms and they were posted at the first opportunity and arrived very well packaged and exactly as described. Highly recommended. Cheers, Martin

Indeed, but this appears not to be.

Best bargain is an easy one for me. I managed to win a Mesa Road Ready 2x18 on Ebay for 62 quid. The auction finished at something daft like 6:30 on a Sunday morning. I sometimes paired it with my Diesel 2x15 using a Bass 400 and a 400+. It sounded immense.

John Deacon territory!!

And you'll need to use the true value for your Customs documents.

Responded to Ian's request for a Subway DI. Deal done very quickly and payment made immediately. Perfect transaction and highly recommended.