SteveXFR

The farting isn't due to volume. It's only if I try turning up the gain. Doesn't matter whether the output is on 3 or 9 it still farts at high gain settings. The cabs probably are inefficient but they do sound good.

I won't miss out on the Terror, I've got one. It's a great amp but cranked loud the Trace just sounds better. I love the Terror at home with my little 2x12 cab but with a 4x10 and 1x15 it just doesn't sound as good. I certainly wouldn't be against a bigger Trace head. I'd be open to full valve but I think in my price range, valve pre amp and mosfet power is probably the best I'll get I've got to get past two guitarists with big bi amp setups and a loud drummer which I think is why I end up so loud.

Sorry, valve amps

I've just listened to the new song and it's a good song but considering it's from the same band who did Number Of The Beast and Hallowed Be Thy Name it's just not anywhere near their best work.

As much as I love the sound of my Trace Elliot GP12SMX head I really need something with some more head room and some more gain. It's only 280W and it sounds amazing clean but just farts when you push the gain up. I'm running two cabs, a 4x10 and 1x15, both 8 ohm and both 320 watt. I'm looking for suggestions for a head which will give me a bit more gain and more power but with a decent built in EQ. I'd prefer a MOSFET to class D power section just because it's proper components that can be repaired if it dies. Does such a thing exist for £300 - £500? Maybe an old Peavey or Ashdown or a bigger Trace?

That was cheap. I'll keep checking the classifieds

I've tried looking for a used one and only found one advertised and with postage, it's more expensive than a new one!

@Cuzzie Thanks dude. To be honest, the size isn't an issue. I bought loads of pedals and now realise that they're fun for playing around at home but useless with my band so they're mostly going to leave plenty of pedal board space for just a preamp and tuner. It sounds like the Le Bass could be what I want. I'm just looking for something fairly subtle to push the sound that last bit.

It'll come. Maybe next year.

I love a bit of Maiden (who doesn't) so listened to this documentary while working. I now realise that everyone I ever met in a pub who said "I used to play for Iron Maiden you know" was probably telling the truth. I like how Steve Harris says about all the guitarists "yeah, he was a great guitarist"

There's a lot of suggestions that Led Zeppelin were one of the originators of heavy metal but no mention of The Who. I would see The Who as having heavier music than Zeppelin especially with Bonhams drums and Entwistles bass.

Today was a tattoo day. We usually have a bit of hardcore punk playing but today we started with Sepultura. Since the new Gojira album has more than a hint of Sepultura's Roots album and the tattooist said she'd not heard them I suggested she put some on. It went down well and the ink was flowing in to my arm quickly. The drumming on this is pretty special.

It's a great song and it's probably influenced some metal bands but it's not metal. Listen to this and then listen to Iron Man by Black Sabbath and I think there's no doubt. Smoke on the water just doesn't rattle your guts in the same way.

I'm looking for a tube preamp to put in front of my Orange Terror to give me some extra tone shaping and a bit of tube dirt. The Two Notes Le Bass looks ideal but every review video I've seen is using it as a DI rather than in to an amp. Will it do what I want?

Zen Fascists will control you

Today has been a punk rock kind of day with Dead Kennedys blasting out in the car

Does anyone know of a good 4x12 or 4x10 cab sim cheap or free?

That has to be the greatest album cover of all time. Perfect for the album. I'd love to go to the museum and see the bass, it's the punk rock holy grail.

I was more worried about neck strength but as you mentioned, there's a lot of wood in there

That's not westcountry. The correct phrase is "Alright moy loverrr" or the more formal version "Ow be yon moy babber"

I tried Scott's bass lessons and got really bored really quickly. There's loads and loads of lessons and lots of pieces to play as exercises but there's no variety in the style of music. There's also a LOT of boring chat in the videos Scott presents himself. If you want a good drinking game watch any of his videos about bands and bassists and take a shot every time he says "holding down the low end". You'll be in hospital within 15 minutes. I found Mark at Talking Bass much better. More variety, straight to the point without waffling about his day, nice clear instruction and good presentation.

I'm using a bit of an odd tuning on my 5 string, drop A# so I'm tuning down the B string a semitone and tuning the other strings up a semitone. I'm using a fairly standard 5 string set with .45 to .130 gauges. Would I be better off dropping to a lighter gauge on all but the B (A#) string?

Back before the world ended there used to be regular steam punk events in town. It got to the point where you'd see them so often it just became a normal sight. I guess there must be quite a steam punk scene in town because they'd be wandering around town when there weren't events on. I guess it made a nice change from the hipsters in their vintage flying jackets and the estate agents in pink shirts with massive watches and orange skin. I've always wondered, is it healthier to steam your punk? Does it keep in the goodness?

Hi. Yep, really like the SUB. I've fitted a Darkglass preamp which has changed the eq to three band and allowed me to boost the mids. I'm using the 5 string for band stuff so I could really use a second one.

I did wonder whether that might be the case. I'll have a look at used Ray35's