Mr.T

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='590420' date='Sep 5 2009, 09:49 AM']Could I give you the number of my guitarist? Been trying to explain that for the last two years![/quote] ..... and my drummer!

I think I read somewhere that the LM2 is fairly 'flat'. Although, I do find mine to be very low mid heavy.... which I quite like.

[quote name='Oscar South' post='584028' date='Aug 28 2009, 09:05 PM']You can hear our own live take of it on here if you're interrested: [url="http://www.myspace.com/oscarsouthmusic"]http://www.myspace.com/oscarsouthmusic[/url][/quote] Nice!!!!!

On a slight tangent.... I once saw a Stanley Clarke gig on TV and he had a 'proper' bass player standing next to him!

Cool.

+1 to the above. Although a difficult to play guitar could put someone off learning how to play? It might also be worth looking at the nut.

Hi Clarky, I had a similar situation and was pointed in the direction of Newtone strings.... fitted a set of light guage (9 or 10) and job done. The Newtones seems very flexy compared with regular accoustic strings, but make sure you get the 10's or lighter. If this is definately a string issue, not a set-up issue.... the Newtones will resolve it. Edit: Just checked, and they are called Newtone Master Class.

Just to add weight to two points that have already been made..... 1). EQ. The EQ on the ABM500 seems very versatile and can offer a wide variation of sounds. This means that if set-up 'badly' or inappropriately you will get a 'bad' sound. There is lots of love for old Trace gear (me included), but who ever runs a Trace flat? It is Ok to use EQ! 2). Woolly sound. I have owned quite a few (too many) amps this year, and in no way would describe my ABM as woolly. It actually sounds very similar to my MarkBass LM2... which is a highly regarded amp. The ABM does have lots of low end on tap, so could easily make a not-so-good cab sound woolly... or fart out. It is about getting the right Bass/Amp/Cab for the job... if it works, it works. Can 'we' please stop knocking things just because 'we' don't like them? (Or don't know how to use them).

[quote name='Roob' post='578190' date='Aug 23 2009, 01:58 PM']......Girlfriend was complaining her desk was shaking upstairs [/quote] Never heard it called a desk before.....

Sold Shaun some strings. Absolutely top bloke to deal with!!!

[quote name='JBassist' post='576181' date='Aug 20 2009, 10:49 PM']im thinking getting a fretless when im old enough to gig lol[/quote] My son is only 11 and is getting more gigs than me at the moment!!!!!

[quote name='Merton' post='576353' date='Aug 21 2009, 08:36 AM']...... found myself getting frustrated with the graphic EQ, much prefer the passive 3-band tone stack on the V-Types and Hartke LH series [/quote] As we all know from my ramblings, I loved the Trace 12-band EQ. (I'm hoping the 7-band of the ABM500 will be a worthy replacement).

[quote name='charic' post='576020' date='Aug 20 2009, 08:13 PM']can i claim compensation? An amp would be ample, gk 700rbII will suffice.[/quote] What are you gass-ing for? I doubt you can claim compensation from me.... All I have done is moan about my problems!

[quote name='charic' post='575867' date='Aug 20 2009, 05:52 PM']Do you have any idea how much gas youve caused in the course of this thread?![/quote]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement guys! It's been appreciated.

The proof of the pudding will be when I gig it..... LOUD. I feel pretty confident!

.... There I go, being a perfectionist again...

For those of you who haven't fallen asleep, or simply lost the will to live, after reading about all my 'post Trace' sound problems..... Here is an update. My (live) sound problems seem to have been caused by one or more of the following: 1). Amp too clean. Some frequencies getting lost in the mix. Probably not helped by using a Status bass? 2). Mixing drivers. It is possible that the inconsistancy with my sound was caused by using two VERY sonically different cabs, the Aggie 1x12 and the Ashdown 2x10. Both cabs together in my frontroom sound amazing, but maybe unpredictable in different venues. The best 'live' sound I had with this pairing was actually an outdoor gig! 3). Not having a speaker at 'ear level'. I tend to play standing really close to my rig. Ok, here's where I am at.... 1). I have bought an Ashdown ABM500 (Thanks Protium). The sound of the ABM is in the same area as the LM2, although it can also be made to sound anywhere from clean to filthy and the EQ section is very versatile. I was also introduced to a Sansamp BDDI (Thanks Buff). I have bought the Sansamp VT (Thanks Theo) which can make both my ABM500 and my LM2 sound quite Trace-like and also does a good Ampeg tube sound. 2). I have decided to keep the BigOne (Thanks Alex). After further exploration with this cab, it really does seem to be able to cope with any type of sound from 'dub' to 'clank'... without complaining. The thing that really swung it for me was when I played my electro-accoustic guitar through the ABM into the BigOne. With the amp set flat, it sounded... well... like an accoustic guitar actually. This proved to me how uncoloured and clean this cab is. My other cabs make it sound like an electric guitar! I plan on making a cross-country kit for the Barefaced cab, so it can be hauled around rocky Cornish carparks. (They are not too big on paving in this neck of the woods!). I also think (rightly or wrongly) that the kind of sound I want/need requires a big cabinet. 3). Alex assures me that the horn in the BigOne will resovle this issue. So the plan is... Status > Sansamp VT > ABM500/LM2 > BigOne Clean amp and clean cab, with the aggression being added by the Sansamp VT as required. So there it is, a rig assembled from BC advice.... and sourced through this forum. I think this is going to work. (Have I said that before... ). Any thoughts?

[quote name='retroman' post='575056' date='Aug 20 2009, 08:09 AM'].......several light coats of Halfords aerosol clear lacquer. It looks ace, but doesn't stand up to very close inspection, as you can see the outline of the transfer. But only if you look very closely![/quote] More lacquer, then a quick flat with P600 followed by a polish will soon sort that out.....

[quote name='Roob' post='573527' date='Aug 18 2009, 09:48 PM']Good policy there. Budget is about £400 atm to get myself sorted. Hence Little Giant at £300ish was a tempting idea. Could always save a bit more tho. What would be your suggestion? [/quote] Although it depends what sound you are after.... There is an Ashdown ABM 500w 4x10 combo in the for sale section @ £350 that might be worth a look.

[quote name='Raving_camel' post='573736' date='Aug 19 2009, 02:00 AM']Hey, how did it finish? I'm still not convinced by my linseed finish at all.[/quote] But it was you that suggested linseed oil????? I have given it two coats, rubbed in well. It looks exactly how I wanted it to. What are you not convinced about?

You could do worse than speak to Andy @ Wizard.