Stub Mandrel

I was in the firing line of one Sunday evening, extraordinary volume 👍 That's because of how Vox specified the power (30W before onset of audible distortion) while contemporary Marshall amps were specced as 100W flat out. The AC30 has proven louder than a comparable, contemporary 100W Marshall combo.

This is very true, but avoid the small Trace Elliot Elf cabs; I and others have found them gutless. My brother uses his with an Ampeg Portaflex 1x15 (which he got for £15, as new!) and it's a great match.

Listen to the advice above. Amp power ratings can be very misleading. A 1000W amp is only twice as loud as 100W into the same cab. Speaker efficiency makes a huge difference, as does an amp with (good) built in compression/limiting. That's why the above mentioned Trace Elliot Elf into an efficient cab can be as good as a 1000W combo with a crap speaker. I used to gig with 150W and two 2x12 cabs in the 90s. These days a 500W Orange Terror into a single good 2x12 and it's difficult to set it quiet enough for most venues and I've used it ticking over in 250 capacity venues and open air gigs with no PA support. There's no upper limit (I saw the bass player of Preying Mantis use one in the Manchester O2, with PA support). So my advice is choose an amp you like the sound of with power in the hundreds of watts and match it with a good (ideally the best you can afford) lightweight cab. Amps are very personal as they determine your core sound. Good cabs include GRBASS, LFsys, Barefaced, Markbass, TC Electronic. The first two are a bit boutique. The other three probably cover 90% of the cabs I see used by regularly gigging bands.

First I've heard of this! Will there be a Basschat presence/meetup?

Rumbles are a good solid sounding amp at reasonable weight.

Was expecting a quiet period but picked up a couple of gigs in late January.

I have a strap for each bass, chosen onveither aesthetics, practicality (wide and or padded ones for heavier basses), fender ones for fendahs and squiers or just on a whim or because. And for my guitars, ukulele and mandolins. And some spares.

I have more straps than basses...

I'm in ... glad I paid for a Brassmaster before Christmas! Three possible failures on the horizon: Would like to try a Spectracomp. Fancy making pedals... may need to buy some bits. Do fancy a new case for my Sire...

Probably!

Can you file flats and use pliers on it

Well done @neepheid! 2025 could be easier, as I may be skinter...

Yesterday got an email saying the Brassmaster will be delayed by at least a week 😞

Indeed. My comment was purely on the aesthetics (no-one would claim Alembics are anything other than excellent instruments to play), but aesthetics are very personal. In truth there are some many good basses out there of different shapes and styles, it should be possible for anyone to find one they like to play and see.

I was a Sea Scout so was taught to hank a rope properly. So now, when I coil a lead, every loop gets a little half-twist.

The best invention for musicians, ever!

Ah. That's 👍

What's up

I would but the tiny distance between inaudible and rehearsal volume on my amp makes it so hard to set a sensible volume.

I would but the tiny distance between inaudible and rehearsal volume on my amp makes it so hard to set a sensible volume.

You need to play to a standard to join a band. Generally, staying in a band is about building relationships and a team spirit. Bendricks Rock seems particularly healthy as we share a warped sense of humour (how many bands have a tagline like "Keep It Moist".

Rics, Alembic (with point on the end), Gus, some Vox models, G&L with a pip on the headstock, white bongo. Just personal prejudice and otherwise as meaningless as dismissing all Precisions.

At thevtime I felt that the new romantics had the best shirts.

Actually some good news ... the guitarist from the blues band has picked up a gig on the 23 Jan. Good news - 7pm to 9pm Bad news - Womanby Street Cardiff. Worst parking in the city.