Paul S

Worth a look at Trace Elliot gear as well. You could get a 300W combo that would serve for any gig you are likely to want to do and have serious change out of your budget or a fridge-freezer sized stack of separates. As long as you don't mind the weight, anyway. Edit - decent bass case = Hiscox.

They pretty much are - also could be considered variants of the B2 series. B bass bridge is different, pickups vary according to the model but, essentially, they are same meat different gravy. That is what interests me!

Early days, plus both my bands seem to have gone into hibernation since I bought it, but so far, so good. At home it sounds really nice - slightly different to the class Ds I have tried before (which is a lot!). I gigged it once with my rock covers band and it coasted along. As well as sounding great it is also extremely small and extremely loud - ticks all my boxes for a rehearsal/gig back up head, I think. But I need to live with it for a while longer to be sure.

I have two Trace Elliot AH-300-SMX heads - one spare in the event that #1 has to go into hospital. I have a Quilter Bass Block that I intend to use for rehearsals and to gigs as a back up. It is the best small amp I have tried. I have an ancient dusty old Peavey TKO-80 in my 'office' that I use for home practice and that my cats use as a scratching post. Not turned up very loud. Two Barefaced Supercompacts One Barefaced 110 for quieter rehearsals and possibly smaller gigs. What I don't have any more is GAS for anything else, remarkably.

[quote name='SICbass' timestamp='1483271134' post='3205734'] This can only mean one thing. The plans for your bumping-off are all in place and she now feels released from all need to care what happens to you. Either that or she's just really nice. Well, what do you think? [/quote] I think she is just really nice. Lucky me for the last 32 years!

My wife doesn't care if I buy a new bass, to the point that if I say I am selling one shes always asks 'Are you sure? You know you will regret it'.

I have done this the other way around - put a Precision pickup into a MM Sterling. I reversed the two halves of the pickup, shoving the treble side forwards, so I now have both pups (well, bass side of P pup) in their respective sweet spots. I say 'I' but I got Andyjr1515 to do it! For me it was worth doing - the bass suits me in every other way. Sounds like you might want to consider doing this?

Calling all owners of Hohner B Bass 5 string and Hohner The Jack 5 strings - so probably not that many - could you please do me a huge favour and a/ weigh your bass b/ measure the width of the nut c/ bridge string spacing Muchas gracias.

That is gorgeous. And clever. Got me thinking now!

I don't know about 'greatest ever' but I prefer these covers over the originals: [media]http://youtu.be/AL8chWFuM-s[/media] [media]http://youtu.be/FxwWAJEempQ[/media] [media]http://youtu.be/TpCqRTG7ckg[/media] [media]http://youtu.be/vPzDTfIb0DU[/media]

Paul bought my Markbass combo in the most straightforward of transactions. Great comms throughout, nice friendly chap Brought his laptop along and did a bank transfer on the spot!

I moved on from a G1 Compact plus a G1 Midget to a G3 Supercompact and I believe it will do exactly what you want it to do. The Supercompact is tighter and punchier - exactly like a Compact plus a Midget together. I bought a second, just, well, because, really. Edit - if you fancy a trip out east you are welcome to have a listen to mine - I am near to Southend.

I bought some black strings for my Stag - can't remember what make they are, gold silks, look really cool! - but they were too short. I decided to move the tail piece up a bit - did no long term harm other than reduce the break angle a little. You can see where it used to be. Also my 'stand' mod [attachment=234664:stagnewbridge.jpg] [attachment=234665:stagnewbridge2.jpg] Edit - found the box - Innovation rock-a-billy set 140RB

I had to buy a 5er for a new project about 7 or so months ago - a Bon Jovi tribute band where some of the bass lines need the extra low notes. At first I thought I could cover most of it with a drop D but, it seemed, not everything. I decided to stop using 4 strings to make myself get used to the 5s and have played 5 strings exclusively since. Seven months on, to my surprise, I find I actually prefer using the 5er to the point of selling my 'non-keeper' 4 strings. As has been said, I can play everything I used to play on a 4 on the 5 but often with greater ease and I am enjoying this period of 'discovery' as to the best way to approach using the 5 strings. For some tunes, playing notes that used to be covered by the E string on the low B gives a more appropriate, darker 'timbre' - not always, but sometimes. Some tunes I am still in the process of 're-learning' to play in the middle of the 5er, some I kept as I used to play on 4 strings and not used the B string. I can see there are some tunes that I have played in the past that would need a drop D that can't be played easily on a 5er ('Slither' by Velvet Revolver springs to mind) but at the moment I don't play any of those. So, what worked for me was to abandon 4 string basses and use 5 strings. Be interesting to see what happens if and when I no longer 'need' 5.

.... and?....

If it all works it isn't a bad price but not an absolute steal. I have one. I find these cricket bats very useful for all kinds of reasons.

I've been watching L42 for as long as they have been playing and I reckon the band is better now than ever. The drummer is amazing and MKs bass playing has a maturity about it - no more slap fest at the front of the stage. To watch him play some of those complex finger style lines while singing is a joy. He even plays some with a pick! All imo etc.

I have a Hohner B2V which has very tight string spacing at the bridge of 16mm, nut is 43mm. I had a Peavey Foundation 5er and that was 43mm at the nut and 15mm spacing at the bridge.

Another GAS free person here. It is a strange feeling. I don't scrutinise the classifieds anymore - just a cursory glance. Maybe, in the new year, I won't even look! All I want to do at the moment is 'tinker' with the basses I have.

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1482492933' post='3200992'] The issue of weight applies on both sides... Many people are obsessed with the weight of gear (basses in particular). If we all obsessed over our own weight, and did some regular excersize, maybe the weight of gear wouldn't be such as issue. I'm now in the "over 35" age bracket, and to be honest, was starting to let myself get a little "cuddly" for want of a better word. I have also spent years playing sport/weight lifting and have more injuries than I care to remember (particularly at this time of year). Last January my wife and I decided to make changes and joined slimming world, started running, bought a road bike and got out there. So, the obvious thing was the waist size of my jeans when down by about 3", and naturally felt better, but the one thing I wasn't expecting... nearly all those "niggles" went away. Playing/carrying gear is really no issue (I use a stingray 5)... fact is, we could probably all do with moving a little more. It's. I wonder we complain about "heavy basses" when we stand up and play for 4 hours over a night, particularly if like me, you sit at a desk for a large portion of your work day. Obviously, if you have an injury, that needs to be respected, and there is a lot to be said for correct lifting technique, so look after yourselves. But get moving, and equally get stretching!!! [/quote] if your niggles have gone away then you are a lucky fella! I was 59 this year and decided that I wanted to be 60 and fit, not 60 and fat. Back in the spring I changed my diet, changed my gym regime (under pretty careful instruction) and have since lost 4" off my waist whilst pretty much maintaining my weight. Subcutaneous fat and visceral fat levels have gone way down, muscle mass increased etc etc. I am much stronger and fitter - probably as strong and fit as I have been for a long while. But my back problem is still there. I still know about it if I use a bass over 9lbs, still have the weakness. I suppose what I am saying is that everyone is different - hitting the gym I am sure helps but it isn't always a cure-all.

I have bought 2 basses from a Japanese eBay seller. He used DHL to ship, who were initially a little more expensive. But it took 2 days door to door from Tokyo to Benfleet, I was able to pay the duty online (which somehow ended up being less than I had calculated), no £8 handling fee, no waiting at Coventry for a week for someone to rubber stamp the paperwork. So if you do take the plunge it is worth asking about this route. This was for two basses I was unable to get in the UK and when I finally moved them on I was able to do so at the same price it cost me without them hanging around for months.

Heard this last night. I think it is the best thing I have heard for yonks. Maybe it should go in the 'fewer notes' thread? http://youtu.be/iu0pewX67mE

I used to have a big and heavy Trace Elliot stack. Total weight was around 100kg! Then I hurt my back badly and went down the lightweight gear route, choosing Barefaced for my cabs. Initially a G1 Compact, then I added a G1 Midget, then I cashed them in for a G3 Supercompact and then I added another. I couldn't be happier with those, so that is my cab/s sorted. Together with a BF 110 I now have complete flexibility depending upon my needs. Amps are another thing. I was always a fan of the Trace Elliot pre-shape 1 button. I tried lots and lots of class D amps but nothing has ever satisifed my quest for replicating that tone. I've had TC Electronic, Genz Benz, Eden, MarkBass, Fender Rumble, forget what else. Loads. Always found something lacking. Then I bought on here a Trace Elliot AH-300 that had been rack-mounted into a 2U ABS case rather than the wooden box - now just 12kg. Perfect. A balanced carry in with the cab in the other hand. I subsequently got another that was 'out of the box' as well. I would say - give it a try!