PatrickJ

My order status still shows due by the 18th Feb, no dispatch notice yet though so I expect that will slip to March / April.

I love the Ampeg tone but their recent offerings have had mixed responses. I almost got a SVT 7 Pro until I read lots of negative comments from owners about them cutting out. I also liked the look of the PF-50T but initially read lots of complaints regarding unacceptable noise/hum levels. The B15, V4 and SVT are all classics and featue in many recordings from old school R&B, blues, funk to all forms of rock / metal. I guess there might be a few out their (modern jazz players and perhaps the ultra modern metal) may want a cleaner uncoloured tone but I echo the comments of others, i've seen very few say they dislike the Ampeg tone. I'm looking forward to the Yamaha era - i could conceivably see myself with an Ampeg for my next amp.

Have you got a picture of the reworked guitar with maple top?

Out of interest - did you dictate the pickups placement or was it on recommendation of the builder? - weight will be important to me too. My Sandberg weighs 3.7kg , so 4kg or under is my target. Where did you end up weight wise on your build and what was the consequence on tone?

Really great input guys, thanks! The 3k budget to me is huge and for my ability level and amatuer status as a musician is very extravogant. If the wife hadn't offered it as a 40th present (and that I have no other hobbies other than bass playing) I would never have considered it. Therefore a custom build seems the way to go for me rather than off the shelf as the design process and journey is what makes it special and exciting. I met Martin when I was at the Bass Gallery and he seemed really nice, knowledgable and I have no complaints over communication other than it's a bit slow. Jon however is being amazing, much more engaged with the design process already; asking loads of questions sending me images of wood samples for ideas. I hear all the warnings on know what you want, and I'm definitely going to take a lead from whoever the luthier ends up being. I'm not a flamboyant guy, I like understated and I want some thing that is going to age well with me over the next 10-20 years. I'll be looking for a more conservative body shape (I really like the GB spitfire or a jazz-esque type body) with a head, finished in a natural Flamed maple or similar and good quality components.

2.5 - 3k

I ended up buying the Markbass traveller 2×10. It certainly lacked the clarity of the other 2 cabs with EQ at noon, but with some adjustment (treble boost, low mid cut) I could get it to a similar ball park. I figured in the mix with the band most of that clarity would be lost anyway. There were a load of other advantages to the Markbass cab too. I.e being half the price and in vertical format the foot print was smaller - downsizing was a definite objective.

I hadn't heard of GB before, just checked them out ; nice body shapes, especially the Jazz-esque Spitfire. He doesn't seem to offer a lot of flexibility in specification though? I've been having an email conversation with Jon @ Shuker. He's being super helpful, really engaging even at this early stage. Will hopefully go and see him later this week and try a few instruments.

I went into Andertons yesterday to try a few cabs side by side. I tried the Markbass NY121 and can't say I liked it all that much. However I was blown away by the Genzler Bass Array and Aguilar SL112 - the clarity on those cabs was just incredible - more than I wanted to spend this year but definitely on the GAS list for the future.

As per a previous thread of mine I'm considering a custom build bass this year. I've had some initial conversations with Jon from Shuker and Martin from Sei. I was wondering if anyone has experience of owning both and your thoughts on the build experience and end product? I got to play a few Sei Basses at the Bass Gallery last week and I was seriously impressed. I'm hoping Jon also has a few I can try as well. If you know of any other custom builders please let me know. I looked at ACG but unless I go for J Bass I wasn't super keen on the body shapes. I've seen a thread about a Zoot build recently too I've not looked into them much yet but I will.

Interesting thread. I have a Sandberg VT4, it's my goto bass and I love it for comfort and playability . But I have been questioning how much I like the core tone compared to my Fender PJ or Mayones J. With those I can leave EQ pretty flat on my preamp and be happy but I find the Sandberg needs quite a lot of adjustments. I wouldn't say the Delano are dead, but I do find they do lack low end ooomf. I'm considering swapping them out for an Aguilar PJ set - maybe I just prefer a more vintage tone. I'll look into the black labels too.

I was really unsure when I first joined Basschat last year how effective the market place would be. Turns out very! I've ended up selling a lot of stuff on here from Books to Amps, Cabs and Bass Guitars. I won't hesitate in renewing my sellers subscription. The worst experience I had was a member messing me around coming through with payment for a cab and then eventually disappearing. It was my fault however, I declined a deposit offer he made initially and subsequently let him make too many promises about payment before calling it a day. Apart from that everyone had been great, I've enjoyed meeting and talking to fellow BCers.

Reviving this old thread as I'm looking to swap the pre-amp on my Mayones J Bass. The stock mayo one is quite hissy and causes a slight and intermittent pop when adjusting the bass control, not to mention a noticable volume change when switching between active and passive modes I've heard good things about the East pre-amps but since this thread is almost 4 years old I figured I'd check to see if the new offerings from Aguilar, Markbass etc have moved things on at all. The East looks relatively easy to install, given you can buy a preloaded plate which is a big plus. The other pre I was looking at as a Glockenklang - I think these are stock on some Jabba's but not heard much about them so thoughts welcome .

I'd love an update on if the so called captain (Mr Lee Anderton) responded to you and was able to resolve things for you? That would be helpful to the minority like myself who have had a number of issues with company and have not had success with customer services in resolving issues.

Yes you are. You are selling us you, and your ideas on Funk Theory to drive YouTube views, subscriptions and the associated revenue this brings in. That's not a criticism BTW. If I had the ability to do something like this I would . If some dude can earn a million dollars from playing Fortnite and having kids like mine watch him then why can't you from Bass Playing. I'm sure YouTube hits heavily contrubutes to the likes of Scott Devine, Stuart Clayton's income . Anyway, I will tune in to the first episode to see where this goes - I'm intrigued.

Do it!

Another Zombie thread revival .. though I wish I'd seen it sooner as I'm guilty of more than one of these! especially the aforementioned social media comments 😣

I hope it helps, I've not used it so I can't validate it works and is monitored by Lee or one of his representatives. I used to be a real supporter of Anderton's but in the last 18 months I've had many problems with orders so I've stopped using them.

There's an email address for Lee Anderton (current MD) listed on this site http://www.mia.org.uk/members/andertons-music-company/

^^ this ^^

Sounds like you've been through some real stinky poo over the past few years. I've not been there so I can't imagine what it has been like for you but you seem like a good dude so I hope 2019 picks up for you! Good luck with the job hunt, just think what gear you'll be able to acquire with that first pay cheque!

It looks like Amazon has stopped taking orders for the book. Hopefully this doesn't mean existing orders will be cancelled The £110 price is offers for second hand copies available through 3rd parties on the Amazon Market Place.

I was in the Bass Gallery (Camden) last week, they had a pretty decent selection on Amps, including the Trickfish .5k and a bunch of Markbass stuff.