Machines

The standard Dingwall strings are excellent and well priced, give them a shot first before deciding (the bass comes with them).

Autism. EDIT: My spreadsheet now has over 100 basses recorded.

I tried to listen with enthusiasm, but it just isn't Linkin Park to me (I grew up with Hybrid Theory). Some things should stay in the past.

I had a G104 for a little while I got very cheap as NOS. It was very well made, but really couldn't get anything but a super clean sound from it. Didn't work for my band (rock) so it was moved on, but other than that it was good.

BassBros is run by one person with one other member of staff (not sure if they're full time). Whenever I call I would say most of the time my call is answered immediately, otherwise I probably get a call back that day. I have found this works best for me and email is far less personal. It is less of a browsing shop than BassDirect as most stock is on not display - this is why appointments are best made telling them what you want to check out. I tend to phone them up on the day I go to BassDirect to to check someone is about, and make it a little round trip of the two. Only positive experiences when dealing with them for me.

Excellent news ! It's actually in Solihull not Birmingham, but I am trying to be slightly less pedantic in my 40s. I am very pleased it is here though, as this is my home town (even though I now live 30 mins away). The car park fills very quickly with degenerate guitarists, so if you don't get there early you will have to find parking elsewhere down the road (and there's lots of yellow lines about). I expect BassDirect to be a significant stand holder there based on discussions with them in the past, but this is unconfirmed for now.

Looks like it, but wasn't the case all the time:

I'm dealing with Dave at Ashdown at the moment regarding an odd undocumented feature with the new Evo III amps. When I contacted Ashdown to query he was keen to phone me directly to discuss. Once we've got to the bottom of it I will be happy to reveal.

Your bank just saved you £750.

I currently have an ABM500, RM800 EVO III and RM500 EVO II (for sale due to getting the EVO III). They are all pretty basically the same sound, but I find the RM drive is definitely a bit grittier than ABM. You could increase the drive on the ABM by changing to a different 12AX7 in the preamp (not a difficult task to carry out). That said the ABM seems to have more heft/volume 'earlier on' in the output knob than the RMs. But overall - they will give me the same when pushed. My summary would be go for the RM if you want a lighter solution that you may have to set the output higher on to get the same sounds as the ABM, also remember the ABM is generally noisier due to the larger fans running (RM is practically silent). In terms of RM500 vs 800 - very little difference, I just went for the 800 as the price difference wasn't too significant. Unless you have some really high powered cabs, the 800w may be wasted. *Disclaimer - I am an Ashdown affiliated artist.