kwmlondon

Woah woah woah…. This looks like it could be exactly what I want! I’ve seen these positive grid things before but this Positive Grid Spark Live really seems to tick all my boxes https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/positive-grid-spark-live-review

I was a stupid teenager who didn’t know what he had and traded my first amp, a Marshall 100w valve bass head for a Laney combo. Utter piece of farting crap. I still feel that awful sense of shame. The first time I heard the head through a proper cab was when I took it in for the trade and even then I had my doubts…

Nick came and bought my MarkBass CMD121p and it was all great - top communication and we had a lovely chat about bass stuff! Thank you for buying the amp it and I realy hope it fits in the car! All the best. Kim

Hi. I occasionally play a bit of guitar and have a nice little Laney LC15r valve combo but I use it very, very rarely - in the last year the guitarist in my band has used it way more than I have and I'd happily sell it to him for not much money as he'd get good use out of it. It's taking space up, and I think I'd get more value out of a Roland Street Cube EX as I could use it for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and low-volume bass practice and even take along to a jam if it's just competing with a cajon drum or something. I've seen them come up used for about £300 and I think that I'd get a lot more use out of it than the Laney, but ... is there anything on the market that'd be a better buy than the Roland? The thing that really appeals is the whole all-in-one thing for guitar as I honestly can't be bothered with pedals or anything which is why I'm not really interested in a powered PA speaker - I'd end up having to have more stuff to go with it. I'd appreciate any insights anyone has to offer

Well... good news and bad news. First, the good news - the bass is built! It's ready and all good to go... the bad news is they JUST missed their last consignment to Bass Direct so it will go in the next one and I can expect it in about four weeks. So. Not in time for Easter which is a great big BOO, but should be early May. So that's where we are right now. I have asked Ashley at Bass Direct to give me a free set of strings for all the anguish the wait has caused me, he's said he'll think about it! That's fair enough. Anyway. As soon as I know more I'll give an update.

These look so damn classy.

*mic drop*

I think the best advice anyone could really give is take yourself off to a nice store and try a load out. Even if you're not close, make a day of it - here in London you can go to GuitarGuitar where the staff are really lovely and they have pretty good range, just bear in mind it may be busy on a Saturday, and The Bass Gallery is just down the road. They will be more than happy to let you spend time trying out a variety of different 5ers. The Bass Gallery is a cave of terrible temptation though... You could go on to Denmark Street and check out what they have across the dwindling number of stores, but still quite a few. I'm not too familiar with other cities but that's what I'd suggest.

From my experience it’d be good to first know what feels right in your hand and works best with your picking technique. Do you want a 24 fret neck? The range can be useful but makes slapping odd. Do you want modern tones, vintage sounds - Yamaha have a fascinating BB/TRB split range. I’d definitely add tye BB435 to your shortlist. Do you want particularly long scale? I’m playing a lovely Yamaha that I think has 34” and it’s got a very nice deep B string. Do you have a preference for single click or split coil or humbucker? I’m not familiar with the Warwick you mentioned but from what I know and hear they can get sounds from single coils that are not typical. if it was me at that price range though and from what you say I’d be looking at a Sire if buying new. Used I’d just look in marketplace here and be very open minded because you can have a good conversation with the seller and they often have really good understanding of what may work for you. Good luck!

I don't see why the Chinese ones are worse though, I had a Chinese-made Dingwall and that was an epic bass.

I'd love to try a Japanese Sadowsky though. I'd love to try a USA one too. I'm very promiscuous when it comes to instruments!

I'm so sorry, I didn't look but it was a new bass and fairly recent so probably Chinese, but the Lakland was about the same price and made in Korea so I think it fair to compare them. I think sort of about the £1100 mark. Something like.

Could be, I was just passing some time in the store and tried a USA Pro II Jazz, Darryl Jones and Metro Express. The Fender was smooth and felt really premium - the neck was lovely, the sound very rich and balanced and the finish was top-notch. The Metro Express just felt underwhelming, but the Lakland was alive - I may be misremembering but I'm sure the neck had rolled edges, and the tone was more growly and barky, real personality. I was very taken, just not in the market for that kind of instrument.

You are asking for details I'm afraid my old, addled brain barely took in at the time and certainly doesn't have any more. Apologies. What I'm pretty sure of is that they were both new when I tried them in GuitarGuitar Camden, about 2022 but I'm guessing.

This is weird. I tried a Sadowsky Metroexpress and a Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones and I really much preferred the Lakland. I just really loved the feel and the tone, it had a growl and the neck felt so right in the hand. It's so personal isn't it?

Ooh, got a pic?

This is a very, very good point. There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a new or used car/bass. I think the key thing is to be honest with yourself about what you really need, what you would like/make you happy and what you can justify to yourself. I do like Martin Lewis' mantra: If you're broke... Do I need it? Can I afford it? If you're not... Is it worth it? Will I use it?

Weird. I have NO idea where I saw that it had been discontinued. I STAND corrected! See what I did...

I'm sorely tempted by the PMT stand thing. It looks very tidy. Thanks!

I mean, that's just £20 for goodness sake, I'd be hard pushed to buy some hinges and velcro for that...