Paul S

It was my pleasure to bankrupt James this morning, who bought my Fender Jaguar AND Trace Elliot rig. Nice fella to do business with - enjoy the gear!

I played guitar in my mid-teens 'til I left university (early to late '70s), followed by a musical vacuum. Then mid-life crisis thingy came along 25years later and I took up bass, having changed the way I listen to and appreciate music in the meanwhile. Still have a couple of guitars and, if I were to put in the equivalent practice that I do on my bass, would be a better guitarist than both guitarists in one band. Which is rather worrying. Though nothing like as good as either guitarist in the other band - a much better situation. But doesn't it all seem a bit Liliputian? That's my biggest problem now when picking up a guitar - stumbling over such a tiny neck with all those strings on it. But I do quite fancy playing rhythm guitar in a band at some point. I never have and I think it could be fun.

Another vote for SGC Nanyo Bass Collection. I bought one recently and reckon they represent the best value for money out there. Light as a feather, active, 2 pups and, as mentioned, they do an unlined fretless version. There are two (fretted) SB-320s on eBay at the moment - one is BIN £250, the other bids starting at £250. This model was the top end at the time (late 80s/90s) and expensive (£800?) yet they don't hold their value second hand. God knows why. Edit - just had a look and they are both 0 bids, starting at £250, no BIN. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200591898408&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]here's one[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140531993157&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]here's the second[/url] which looks a really tidy guitar.

I am just about to put my Westone Thunder 1A up for sale. Very good nick for it's age, even has an original (but tatty) Westone fitted hard case. Monster sounding bass and REALLY well made. More solidly built than your Epi.... (I had one not long ago). Too heavy for me now. I'd be looking for £120 plus postage. If it is remotely of interest I'll send pics etc but I only really decided yesterday.

I know nothing about it but would recommend a chat with [url="http://www.electronicmusicservices.co.uk/traceelliot/"]these guys[/url] who are a Trace Elliot recommended service centre. They have my MkV AH250 at the moment and would appear to know exactly what they are doing.

[quote name='gub' post='1190501' date='Apr 6 2011, 02:06 PM']HA ha did you sell the jag btw ? after i saw yours for sale i started looking into them a bit more and now want one ! not as i have the money to buy atm though but all the same love it ![/quote] Someone coming to have a look tomorrow. If it doesn't work out I'll get in yer face Edit - Friday, not tomorrow.

I am always overwhelmed by this place - generosity in every form is abundant. I've had strings sent to me for no cost, same with a re-stringing key thingy, unsolicited messages of support for various things and advice by the shedload. I have been on (and run) discussion forums on the internet for years and this has by far the best sense of community. Being a serious GAS victim, I find the classifieds a particularly safe and comfortable environment in which to shop. Now - who is going to buy my Trace rig.....

I bought the active version upgraded with Seymour Duncans a few months back for slightly less than that - £390 plus postage - but I think I got it cheap tbh. Given that yours is largely untouched I would say £450 +/-. This is my 'go to' bass - I've bonded with it big time. If build quality and general ooofness were the only criteria it would be worth more, especially when you think that MIJ Squires of a similar age can fetch ludicrous amounts, but I don't think the market will take more.

Over the last couple of days I did a play off on amps in this price range and my strongest advice is 'go and try them' as it is only when you hear them, fiddle with them and play with the settings that you will get a feel for what they will do. People will vary as to their requirements - what suits some disappoints others. I tried Orange Terror Bass, TC Electronic Classic 450, Promethean, Genz Benz Shuttle 6, an Ampeg lightweight, Markbass Little Mark Rocker. Finalists were Genz Benz, against expectation and Classic 450, which is the one I ended up getting. Not exactly after the toss of a coin but it was a hard choice to make. The point being that the Genz Benz wouldn't even have been a contender had I not tried it as I didn't think it would be 'right' but, once played, it was right up there. But you might well plug in the Promethean and find it is exactly what you want!

I going to Cornwall at the end of this month with a largely empty car as it happens.... something to think about?

A shameless plug here - I am selling a complete, ready to gig, top quality Trace Elliot rig and have just dropped by price almost suicidally - details: AH300-12, with cover and kettle lead - [s]£250[/s] [color="#FF0000"]£200[/color] 1153T, with cover and cable - [s]£150[/s] [color="#FF0000"]£120[/color] 2013H, with cover and cable - [s]£150[/s] [color="#FF0000"]£120[/color] 1818 - [s]£120[/s] [color="#FF0000"]£100[/color] Footswitch - [s]£50[/s] [color="#FF0000"]£40[/color] Head + 1153 +2013 +footswitch + cables etc [s]£550[/s] [color="#FF0000"]£450[/color] Head + (1153 or 2013) + 1818 + cables etc + footswitch [s]£520[/s] [color="#FF0000"]£420[/color] Remove footswitch less £40. Whole lot [s]£600. [/s] [color="#FF0000"]£500[/color] AND I'll deliver it ALL to Swindon for the cost of the fuel...

Things move fast around here. I took my Fender Power Jazz Special along to Bass Merchant in Colchester this afternoon and tried a few things - Promethean, Little Mark Rocker, Genz Benz Shuttle 6 and TC Electronics Classic 450. Promethean didn't do it for me and fell by the wayside immediately. Little Mark Rocker was nice but a bit too expensive and IMO not worth the extra - the extra overdrive wasn't really that useable as far as I could see. TC Classic 450 was great - if I had heard that yesterday I would probably have bought it straight away as it made a sound I aspire to, plus a lot more. Then I tried the Genz Benz and surprised myself by really liking it - I wasn't expecting to - and could barely decide which to choose between that and the TC head. I switched from one to the other several times but came home with the Classic 450. There was a warmth to the sound that just took the edge for what I play, rather than the more transparent brittleness (heard that somewhere and it fit's perfectly) of the Genz Benz. Ideally I could have had both! I must say I was totally blown away by this lightweight stuff. Far from the compromise I had envisaged I actually feel really inspired by this kit. The tone and power is just awesome. I can't wait to get gigging with it. It will certainly be surreal next rehearsal as I will be playing this new head through my Trace 18" cab. Sublime to the ridiculous. Anyway, thanks to everyone for their input on this - it is really appreciated.

That might have worked, Ben. A few hundred miles round trip, but an interesting drive nevertheless. As it happens I have now stuck a deposit on one of Alex's finest, so sorted for a cab. And I think I might be after one of the tube pre-amps. Incidentally - a while back you posted a link to a YouTube of your band playing 'The Chain' - I showed it to one of my bands and on the strength of how good it sounded and how ell it worked with a small band we are going to give it a go. Thought I'd mention it.