Paul S

As a relative newcomer to the exciting world of bass guitars, the advice that was given to me was 'play the guitars and let your hands, ears and heart make the decision' Forget everything else. Is it worth the money? If, for you, it feels like everything you wanted in a bass, then - yes it is. Every single penny. Nothing else is really important. It is only money, after all, and you will easily get more of that eventually. Pass on the old Ray and you'll always dwell on it as a lost opportunity. If eventually it doesn't work out then, well, at least you had a go. Sell it, save up some more dosh, then get another one. But it may just be your life partner here! If you don't get it you will never know! There's nothing worse than regret over a missed chance 'cos there's no-one to blame but yourself!

I am learning the bassline in Narada Michael Walden's 'I Shoulda Loved Ya'. Just because I like it.

So it is. Oops. Ta.

Roger Glover has to be up there for me - he has such a marvellously intellectual side to his playing as well as the 'direct for the bollocks' stuff. Uriah Heep's original, the late Gary Thain, also?

Thanks everyone - the usual sound advice. Literally, it seems. I'll pester those good folk in PMT in the new year and come back with my thoughts. If not a new cab. I also emailed Ashdown and I'll see what their reply is regarding the 'official' position of mixing the ranges. In my ignorance my main concern was that the amp wouldn't be powerful enough to drive the bigger ABM cab but it seems this isn't an issue. Chris b you make a very good point I hadn't considered at all but, yes, it would be a first step towards and upgrade, if ever the day came for one of those! Thanks all. Great here, innit!

I have an Ashdown MAG 210T 300 EVO II combo and, at some point, would like to add an extension cab. As I am not much of a risk taker it seems sensible to me to get an Ashdown cab to ensure compatability - I intend to get myself down to PMT in Southend to try the MAG 115 and MAG 210 and see which I prefer. As someone pointed out in one of my previous, seemingly endless posts about cabs, it is most likely I would prefer the sound of the 210 cab as I chose that in the first place but, I guess, my ears will judge it. However, to finally get the the point, occasionally - and currently in the for sale forum - the ABM series cabs turn up secondhand for about the same cash, maybe a little more, than a new MAG cab would be. These are rated at 350W, I think, which is a good deal higher than I need - would my combo drive it sufficiently? Are there any other differences - better build quality etc? Are there any advantages/disadvantages in getting an ABM cab as opposed to a MAG cab? There is a value for money/peice of mind pay off perhaps. Any thoughts and wisdom gratefully accepted!

Ah, I see - thanks. Basschat Wiki - didn't know that existed - looks like something to lose an hour or so browsing through. Can't see a link to it anywhere, or am I going blind?

My daily idiot question - can someone please explain what this 'biamp' thing is, please? In words of one syllable or less, and from the beginning. Ta.

You know I am deeply suspicious of all this. AM1 claims to have been playing bass for just a few weeks. And claims, in other threads (remember - all doctors are c*nts!) that practising for more than just a little while causes wrist pain. Yet here we have someone also claiming to be attending a rehearsal for which they are attempting to learn a whole list of tunes by pracitising many hours a day. Wish I could have been that proficient after just a few weeks! So AM1 claims they have had a bass for just a few weeks but already asking advice about the choice between a Warwick and a Fender? How does anyone know they will get on with playing the bass after such a short time, let alone start splashing out on some top end prices? There's an awful lot of contradictions going on. Also - I have been a member of all sorts of forums on a wide range of subjects for a number of years and have never encountered anyone who has caused so much irritation within just a few days of joining just by their bad attitude. Frankly I don't believe anything he/she writes is the truth and that AM1 has no other agenda here than to cause trouble. I reckon the best thing to do is completely ignore AM1 and eventually they will go and bother another forum somewhere else.

Thanks Steve. Played on it's own it sounds even more wrong than mine but you are absolutely spot on. Got to be the whole essence of disco in one tune.

Hi All This is doing my head in. I have played it and played it until even my cat can play it. But not me. I've got all the rest down ok - the verses, chorus, bridge - but that *&*%ing intro always sounds wrong to me. My best so far is DD CC A#A# GG FF DD C#C# B... and into the verseC Is that right? Sounds awful. Especially the last bit. Is this nature's way of telling me I need to learn to read music/tabs? Why the hell couldn't they run down from C?! Ta

I love music, always have. When I was a teenager, back in the early 70s, I bought a series of electric/acoustic 6 sting guitars and messed about for a few years, but never seriously. Then life moved on, all the guitars went. About 5 years ago reached my mid-40s and got that yearning to do something (you all know how it is, guys). Decided it would be cool to pick up the pieces of the old days again and re-learn an instrument - this time bass. So I bought a cheap Peavey kit, played it every day for a month then it gathered dust in the corner. About a year ago I decided to get a bit more serious, practiced like mad, bought a better bass and amp, practised some more, auditioned for a few bands, got involved with current lot and have started gigging for the first time in my life at 51. Now got even better kit and practise even more. Have to say it feels like the small piece of my soul that has been missing all these years has finally dropped into place. I love every second of being involved in making music and playing the bass and would say it is one of the most satisfying things I have ever done.

I know nothing about bass guitars and recently wanted to get a new one - I had no preconceptions, no budget except that I wanted to pay as little as possible. The Squier range seemed, in theory, to be exactly what I was looking for - I really didn't give a toss about what was on the headstock - and that blonde Squier 70s re-issue looked sexy as hell sitting on the rack. I spent hours and hours playing everything on the wall in PMT music in Southend, which is quite a lot. Various Squier/Fender Pand Jazz - MIM, MIJ, MIA and Jaguar - loads, really. Maybe I have expensive fingers but the only (Fender-type) guitars that 'felt' right - good tight build quality, heavy duty bling, good tone, playable necks, tone et al, were from mid range Fender upwards. None of the MIM felt good. Some of the MIJ stuff was good. Heck, I bought a MIJ Jaguar. The one that felt most comfortable, but not for me just yet, was the MIA Jazz. Not one of the Squiers cut it, frankly, and I was really disappointed after everything I had read. Maybe I was just unlucky and they only had 'Friday Afternoon At The End of a sh*tty Week' basses there. But I tried.

Talking about the overdubs etc on Live and Dangerous - I was listening to Scott thingy being interviewed fairly recently (Planet Rock one night?) and he said that 'Southbound' wasn't actually ever part of the live set - they recorded it 'as live' at the venue as a sound check and included it in the album. Didn't know that before, either.

Speaking of which - it might be old hat, in which case I apologise, but just in case there is anyone who doesn't know of this version of 'Don't Believe a Word'? Completely blew me away when I first watched it. [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=COTb93qoeTc"]Don't know how to embed the Youtube thingy so heres a link[/url]

Ok, stand by for the stupidest question anyone ever asked, ever. Standing 2 x 10 on their side. Ok - I have my Ashdown MAG210 combo... what harm, if any, can it do to stand this on it's side? I mean - is there any reason it was made with 'this side up' type features or is it a case of Ashdown having to arbitrarily opt for making it to stand a certain way and that's it? There, told you it was stupid.

+1 Saw them at Wembly in 1978 during the tour (but not the actual nights ) when they recorded 'Live and Dangerous'. Lynott was just about the most charismatic frontman I have ever seen live.

[quote name='Apex' post='360064' date='Dec 21 2008, 09:05 AM']Just come across this very informative thread. Your opening post sets out my own situation almost exactly - I have been running a 50W Torque through the PA and am looking to upgrade, but with a bad back weight is a major issue. The Ashdown clearly did the job, but how was it for transport? Gordon[/quote] Hi Gordon Well, being honest the Ashdown isn't [i]that[/i] lightweight at just under 30kgs but it has good solid handles on each side making it easy to pick up and carry if you get into a sensible position - you know, the old squat down with your knees bent, back straight sort of stuff. If you suffer from back problems you'll know what I mean. My old Peavey was much the same weight but only had one handle on the top and that was REALLY bad to carry - puts your body in all sorts of stressful lopsided positions. Plus I use a wheeled dolley thing to move it along the flat which helps. But I am sure there are lighter units around if it is a problem.

Small private birthday party in a small community hall. Everyone seemed to have a great time, especially us, despite making loads of cock ups. We were called back for a second encore, only planned for one. My second ever gig - I want more!

[quote name='Absolute-beginner' post='354891' date='Dec 15 2008, 11:38 AM']Hi Paul. Thanks for that, can you let me know how it goes? Matt[/quote] Well, the morning after the night before. The Ashdown was great. Great in rehearsal - cut through the noise (rest of the band) really well and gave a great sound. It only seemed to go a little louder but filled the room more, if that makes sense. For the gig last night the guy sorting out the mixer decided to keep the bass volume low through the PA so the main bass volume came from the combo itself - and it totally held it's own with a small crowd (100+/-) in a small-ish community hall that doubles as a badminton court with extra bits. Had the gain at about 12 o'clock and the output at around 1 o'clock so there was a little bit to go - but I will definately get the extension cab for future gigs. The sound was great, too - my litmus test is when we murder 'All Right Now' - during the guitar solo the bass part was ringing out beautifully on the high notes and low notes. I should say I don't have experience of playing all sorts of different gear in all sorts of different places and so this endorsement isn't a particularly informed one, but it gave me the sound I wanted at the volume I wanted in the size of venue that I am going to be haunting, so I guess I can't ask any more.

Ok, thanks for that. I bought it new and am due a 'set up' as part of the service - they can deal with it. Not dangerous, I imagine? (...hope...)

Result!! Not only do they have a new perspex bit, they have a whole new bridge assembly - saves me a HUGE headache as there was a number of grub screws missing on the adjusters. Thanks for the suggestion Beer of the Bass. I'll buy you a pint if we ever meet.

Hi All My Fender Jag makes a quiet but noticeable humming noise when I engage the active circuit - this disappears as soon as I touch a metal part of the bass. Is this to be expected or should I be alarmed? Ta.

What the heck - here is one of our band from a month ago - my first ever public performance! [attachment=17408:1stgig.jpg] A study in concentration... but with a smile. One question - should I join in the lb/inch debate?

Hi Tom Just for an example with pics - when I bought my old Peavey TKO 80 it came with this dolly that the previous owner had knocked up: [attachment=17405:dolly1.jpg] [attachment=17406:dolly2.jpg] The cab sat inside the rebate, making it pretty secure when trundling it along. My new combo sits on top, rather than in, the rebates so I secure it with a luggage strap and that does the biz. nicely. I may fiddle with it to make it fit exactly but in all probablility won't bother - if I were making one from scratch that might be worth doing. [attachment=17407:dolly3.jpg] It is actually extremely handy as I have a small cupbaord under my stairs and this means the amp slides gently and easily in and out of a tricky-to-get-to space with no back related issues. Or wife related issues - it stows out of sight rather than in the dining room.