chris_b

In a 212 discussion, I'd question whether we need a 212 at all. Using the right cab might mean you only need a 112. With cabs I always used to over compensate. I prefer a clean sound so if 1 would be good enough I'd use 2. On very loud gigs I used to run a Berg CN212 and Berg AE112. Then I switched to a Barefaced Super Compact and Super Midget, and found that these cabs were louder than the 312 stack. I also screwed up once on our jam night. . . . I forgot to plug in the SC! I only discovered that at the end of the night, so the whole gig had been run using only the SM. We had some heavy handed players that night including a reggae player who doesn't take any prisoners and the SM was loud enough for all the guys who got up. Maybe Alex's claim that 1 BF 112 is as loud as other manufacturers 212's might be true. Since then I've used one Super Compact on several occasions when I would have previously used 2, and not found it wanting.

I was driving past last week and decided to visit Bass Direct. I haven't been there since the upstairs was opened up as their secondhand dept. I tried a couple of fantastic basses, had a long chat with Mark. As always, had a great time being surrounded by great gear. I also tried to visit Bass Brothers, who are only down the road. As they are appointment only I sent an email via their web site, giving them several days notice, but they didn't bother to answer. Thumbs down from me.

I've told keys players that there is only one bass in this band, and it isn't them. The baffled looks I get after that speech is dispiriting. I'm currently playing with a guy who puts the full Boogie Woogie piano part into every number. Apparently he can't play without having both hands on the go! I gave up and just try to keep out of his way.

One of the best 212 cabs I've heard/owned was a Bergantino CN212. A fantastic tone. I believe there's a Berg HD212, an evolution of the CN cabs, in the classifieds. IMO well worth checking out.

Basses weighing 1lb, made of Graphene.

Apart from Statins, these days I don't know anyone who takes drugs. That wasn't always the case. Rock was all about excess and if you did it properly it was fun, although many didn't know when enough was enough and some died as a result, the 27 Club for example. The sensible ones just got high and didn't overdo it. I only ever saw one guy on hard drugs, an American keys player in my first pro band. We arrived in Amsterdam and he managed to find someone selling coke before the rest of us had even got out of the van!! The secret was to have a good time on joints and beer.

With the advent of CNC machines, I don't think automation defines mass produced any more. There are low volume shops with all the machines. IMO mass produced just means high volume output, fewer choices and, in many cases, reduced QC. There are boutique shops which contract out cutting bodies and making necks. They are low volume and high quality, with many options, but they are probably not defined as hand made anymore.

Mass produced. . . someone calls the timber yard and orders 20 tons of wood to be delivered. Not mass produced. . . . the luthier goes to the timber yard and selects the wood he's going to make into basses.

Just picked up 2 Barefaced One10's. Oh well, there's always 2027!!

I'm ruining a clean sheet. . . picking up 2 cabs tomorrow. . . . and looking at a couple of basses next week!

Nothing for 2 years. Next year might be different.

Not my favourite sound. Has a very metallic sound to me. Does that bass have a metal fretboard? Alembic tried that for John McVie many years ago. Not sure that worked either.

2026 would be a good year if I got more gigs, got more deps and (I always say this) improved my networking.