Paul S

[quote name='Hamster' post='1184799' date='Apr 1 2011, 02:38 PM']I've finally arrived at 2 x Barefaced 1x15 Compacts and a Markbass LittleMark 800 tube rig. Face-meltingly good for classic rock, weighs about the same as a hummingbird and fits in the boot of my car [/quote] Interesting - I haven't read about this - does the LM tube do something similar to the Trace Elliot 'Valve Drive' thingy where you can overdrive it? Thanks Clarky. I've pm'd Alex so let's see what he says.

Ta. Was that about 6 weeks ago?

Some good advice here - cheers. I think separates rather than a combo, too. I can see a shape forming out of the mist.... nothing like sitting down with some rational input to help focus what I want to do If I am going to get some lightweight gear I may as well go the whole hog - the Eden Nemesis probably doesn't weigh much less than the Trace Elliot 1x15 so I wouldn't be gaining much. The Barefaced Compact does seem like a good solution for a cab. Much of a waiting list, Clarky? For the head, well, I'll aim for a lightweight one for everyday use. Orange Terror or TC, probably. Liking what I read of the TC Electronic Classic 450 - it doesn't seem very complicated, which is appealing to a simple chap like me. I'll probably keep the Trace Elliot AH250 for old times sake - I'll get next to nothing for it anyway and it is *so* nice.

Move on... yes, I know. It is such a shame, though. Finding the sound that 'works' is an expensive and time consuming business and I am fairly daunted by the prospect of having to start again. Colchester is only an hour up the road and a day spent at Bass Merchant might be a plan. Then again I've never got a decent feel for sound when playing in shops - is the Bass Merchant much different? - but for sure I'd get and idea hands on for the portability. But knowing where to start! Barefaced cabs - I am on the list for the roadshow but I suspect that will be too late. Probably need to ditch a couple of heavier basses, too.

So, having had a serious chat with my physiotherapist, my wife (wh0 helps me in and out of the car with the gear) and with a smaller car on the way, I am reluctantly going to have to trade in my beloved Trace Elliot gear for something lightweight and more compact. My ideal bass Nirvana is currently from the AH250 GP11 mk V played through an 18" cab with a 2x10 when the mood takes me. Not the lightest of rigs I play in classic rock bands x2, both with loud drummers and 2 x guitarists, and I usually have the volume set just over half on the Trace head. Is there anything out there that is likely to sound similar? I am guessing TC Electronics - either the classic 450 or RH 450? - or Orange Terror Bass for the amp, but what cabs? I wouldn't begin to know. Or would a Promethean cut the mustard?

it's amazing what a little squirt can do....

For me it helps to have a bit more flex for faster picking, so I have Jim Dunlop 1mm black nylon for general use, switching to .73mm grey nylon for faster playing when I need to. Which is only a couple of tracks (Lights Out, UFO and Ace of Spades).

I was in the Sue Ryder shop in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, today and they have a pale blue one in stock - just thought it might be worth mentioning?

Nice one. My experience of the Portuguese is that they are an extremely friendly nation. A tip - when filling your hire car at a petrol station where you've just encountered the one person in the whole country who doesn't speak English, 'Gasoleo' in Portuguese means 'diesel', not 'Gasoline'. Seems perfectly logical now - gas oil, gas-oleo...

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Yamaki-Performer-Pro-Bass-Guitar-rare-early-70s-/250787357885?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a641764bd"]Yamaki Performer Pro Bass[/url] on aBay. Looks like an interesting p-bass copy - by Yamaki, so one of the better makers?

I'm 53 and was going to say something poignant but now can't remember.

Would you need to be flush to afford one?

Indeed - no frills but hugely enjoyable fun to play - I guess the majority of Basschatters are doing something similar. That is the first time I have ever recorded anything like that using proper kit and I was impressed at how it came out. The guy who did it has actually remixed it as he wasn't pleased with the first version, so I think I will upload the newer version once I get hold f a copy. Edit - re-mixed version now on the [url="http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_7787733"] site here.[/url]

The heavier classic rock band I play in, Xerocks, finally got around to getting 5 tracks recorded. Submitted here to satiate curiosity and I'd also welcome comments. Here is [url="http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_7707531"]Rockin' in the Free World[/url] - the others are linked over to the right of the page. We did this 'as live' with any BVs done afterwards and re-starts as necessary for cockups - not too many, as it happens. I think it turned out pretty well if a little heavy on the bass, maybe the vocal is out front a bit too much. Still, as it is only intended to dish out to pub landlords who will, at most, listen to the first 20 seconds of each track, I don't suppose it matters too greatly. Disclaimer - I don't play anything flashy, just what is required. Or slightly less, if I can get away with it... Please be gentle...

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1159218' date='Mar 12 2011, 12:45 PM']Just so's y'all know, I'll be bidding on this one.[/quote] So - who won?

There you go - that'll teach me to make assumptions. I always thought Ibanez and Yamaha were MIJ. So SGC Nanyo Bass Collection seem to be ahead on points?

I recently got hold of an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB-310 and I have to say I am getting quite fond if it. I notice that the Ibanez SR500 has a lot of fans here - superficially it seems to do much the same kind of thing. Also the Yamaha RBX374 seems similar. All are MIJ, lightweight, skinny neck, double pick up and active. Pretty well the same shape, too. Are they all much the same? Or does one stand out in terms of build quality or in any particular department. Or are there similar but better models to be had? (I know of the SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB-320, for example) Do any hold their value better than the others? I know the Bass Collection stuff doesn't seem to and hence are bargains!

I'm watching this one, too. Looks like an absolute beauty - top end of the range, or nearly. Since getting mine a month back I am almost evangelical about these!

+1 for OBBM. I wouldn't go anywhere else now - top value for money and superb service.

I had one for a while as a part of my steep learning curve/total immersion into bass playing. Probably the most useful thing I did, once I got used to the initial fretting bit, was take it along to band rehearsal and use it for everything. Not just play along at home to famous fretless tracks. Treat it like a normal bass, in other words. After a few tracks I almost forgot I was using a fretless and it seemed to come more naturally. I decided, in haste, that I would never actually use one in the context of my two rock bands so sold it on - and regretted it enough to consider getting another one.

What can I say? I put out a plea for a low B string and Gary came to my rescue - unsolicited, he sent me 2(!) strings and declined anything in return. A true gent and the kind of person that makes Basschat the special community that it is.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1152283' date='Mar 7 2011, 10:28 AM']I struggle to get past the idea that playing other people's stuff the way they played it is just pretending - one step up from a tennis racquet in front of the mirror. Tribute bands are just like taking the tennis racquet out in public - [/quote] Am I mistaken here Bilbo - I thought you played some kind of Latin American music covers?

Pics are obligatory at this point

[quote name='Norm' post='1151390' date='Mar 6 2011, 12:40 PM']James Gang with a pre-eagles Joe Walsh on guitar, ace![/quote] Turn to Stone with that hyperdirty bass? Great treack.

Yes, what a great way of filling time. I do the same on Spotify - listen to a track, click on the band name that then brings up the top 5 tracks and a (fairly) comprehensive discography. It also suggests similar bands in the top corner - I click on those if I am unfamiliar with them.