Beedster

Folks As any of you who've been looking at the 'Items Wanted' or 'For Sale' sections will be aware, I'm doing some too-ing and fro-ing re DB/EUB etc at present. My transport problems are about to be solved with a new and larger car - long overdue - for both my instruments and my family, and I won't therefore be needing an EUB/travel DB. I had a budget for that of around £3k (with Clarky's Kolstein the front runner had I got my crap together). I recently sold my lovely old German flatback, partly because I wasn't gigging, but as much because I was worried that £4k's worth of beautiful late C19 German craftsmanship would one day become a few pounds of firewood if it wasn't played and maintained properly (my first daughter's physical affection for it was also worrying!!). Anyway, to cut to the chase. Whilst I love old instruments, I found owning a 100 year old DB too anxiety inducing, and I didn't dare gig it more than a handful of times. However, my current Rumanian squeeze is tonally, shall we say, agricultural, and whilst reliable, it's reliably pretty crap (great for root/fifth blugrass though). What does £3k get me in new or used but recently built instruments? Any recommendations? Like the car, I'm [u]NOT[/u] looking for an investment, I'm looking for a decent, reliable and robust instrument. Cheers Chris

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1379245211' post='2210168'] That's not very British is it now...randomly going up to a stranger and talking to them? Just not the done thing [/quote] It can get a little dull though can't it, the amount of times I've just wanted to get to the bar only to be caught by a guy wanting to inspect every control on my amp or discuss flats versus rounds.... Of course, if they bring me a pint I'm happy to discuss

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1379245006' post='2210162'] It might seem a daft question , but if you were there ,why did you not go and talk to the guy ? [/quote] Normally do of course, but had the kids we me and we had to leave mid set. I doubt he'd have appreciated a conversation at that point

If so, really liked your tone and playing (black Jag into TE 4x10). Sound was reminiscent of early RCHP, which was a pleasure and something of a surprise given we'd been told it was going to be C&W C

Sold Brian a Walkabout and an SWR head, both deals made more complex by long distances, family changes, house moves, inept couriers and the intervention of several intelligence agencies (I may have made the last bit up). We did it though, everything went to where it was supposed to go (despite initial bad signs when courier tracking suggested a package destined for Scotland was en-route to the midlands and vice-versa), and Brian walked the tightrope of patience and frustration with good grace and the constant sense of humour often required with couriers Top guy to deal with in every respect Chris

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1378594256' post='2202336'] I'm trying to imagine what use anyone would have for a 400W valve amp. I may be mistaken but I'm guessing that will be a tad loud? [/quote] +1

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1378621799' post='2202405'] Can't believe noone's mentioned Mesa Boogie Bass 400+! [/quote][quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1378548730' post='2201669'] Still some obvious names missing [/quote] [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1378552781' post='2201731'] Let me guess - Mesa 400+? ;-) [/quote] [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1378555783' post='2201769'] I thought this was about the definitive tube amp though? The Mesa is up there with the contenders, so are a few Ampegs. Don't discount the obvious choices (and re price, I've seen 400+s go for under £500). [/quote] Bit late where you are Kiwi? I was kinda mentioning it without mentioning it all long really anyway

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1378558157' post='2201800'] Great post Jack, being committed to your gear is important. Bit like a relationship, you get more out of it when you're not always looking elsewhere for something more. [/quote] And I'm not unaware of how hypocritical that sounded

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1378557578' post='2201795'] This is mine: [url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Equipment%20and%20stuff%20CURRENT/Matamp_zps76e8c9ce.jpg.html"][/url] I've had a variety of tube, S/S and hybrid amps over the years but I can honestly say that (1) I've never heard anything as lush as this Matamp, and (2) I've never had so many unsolicited compliments about my tone from fellow band members, from other musicians, and from punters. I play simple 70s type rock & pop & blues in London pubs and I'm barely scraping the surface of what it can do in terms of volume and/or breaking up. Even at my low-ish volumes the bass feels like bathing in chocolate. I play exclusively through Barefaced cabs, which are seriously loud. I'm currently using a Compact and Midget stack which is totally uncoloured, but I'm collecting my 69er next week. It took a fair bit of negotiation but they finally agreed to build me an example of a GR120 which weighs just 18Kg. That's the good news. The bad news is that Matamp are lovely people and exceptionally fine valve-amp makers, but they are utterly crap at selling / marketing / dealing with new customers / meeting deadlines / keeping customers informed. They are NOT alone in that by any manner of means, and it didn't stop me from buying from them (I had help), but you should factor that into your thinking. Buying a Mesa means making a phone call and having your credit card to hand. Simples. Buying a Matamp means engaging with the company (once a week ideally!), getting to know the people (a bit, anyway), contributing to the design (all Matamps are at least slightly customised as far as I can see), negotiating over weight and finish (Jeff really likes to ensure that you get exactly what you want) ... in short, becoming part of the process rather than just being "a guy with some money". Quite apart from the glorious sound, I now feel far more "committed" to my amp. It really is [i][b]mine[/b][/i], rather than something I bought one day and will sell one day. [/quote] Damn, I want a Matamp now Great post Jack, being committed to your gear is important. Bit like a relationship, you get more out of it when you're not always looking elsewhere for something more.

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1378553949' post='2201744'] Never tried one, heard a lot of good things about it BUT one in good conditions isn't much cheaper than a GT200 [/quote] I thought this was about the definitive tube amp though? The Mesa is up there with the contenders, so are a few Ampegs. Don't discount the obvious choices (and re price, I've seen 400+s go for under £500).

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1378548579' post='2201666'] But I was looking for something a bit less transparent and moore "tubey" [/quote] Still some obvious names missing

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1378548145' post='2201653'] LOL. Well, I owned a Little Bastard and it seemed pretty well made... of course I don't think it's in the same league of Matamp but could be good. [/quote] OK, but 'pretty well made' and 'definitive' are some distance apart

If 12th fret is OK most likely the string needs replacing

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1378547265' post='2201633'] I'm trying to get more informations about the 427 and CTM300... Ashdown site doesn't really carry a lot of informations [/quote] 'Ashdown' and 'definitive tube amp'? To my mind there's a few names conspicuous by their absence in this thread