Skybone

Asking for someone I know... I was asked for a bit of advice the other day about setting up a SansAmp BDDI to get a bit more "growl" from it, but without it getting too distorted. As I've never used one, I'm not too sure where to start. They use a Geddy Jazz into the SansAmp. Thanks

I used one for a while, mainly for band rehearsals & practicing at home. At rehearsals, I mainly plugged it into the PA, but also plugged it into the bass rig at the rehearsal room (bypassing the amps pre-amp section). I sold my PODxt Live last year and replaced it with the HD500x. Very happy with that, the sims and effects sound great, even though there's less choice of sims & cabs (see the POD HD500x thread).

When I was using my old PODxt bean, before I added the Bass Expansion Pack, my favourite model was the DR103 & matching 4x12. I bought the xt Live, and added the Bass Expansion Pack and discovered the SVT model that was great, but I wasn't happy with the effects. The HD was the ideal replacement, the amp models, although not as many as the XT, they are far better quality, and just sound so much better. The effects bundled with the HD's are similarly great. I'm very happy with the HD, it sounds so much better, a great improvement on the XT's.

Sonic, at the moment, I'm plugging the HD into the "Power Amp In" socket on the rehearsal room's Peavey rig, so you're bypassing the amp's pre-amp. You could try going into the "Effects Return" socket. You have the pre-amp modelling from the HD, and the "oomph" from the amp. You could always just plug it into the PA. At home, it's either headphones or into the computer. No.8, I was in a similar quandary, whether to upgrade from the PODxt Live to the HD. I added the Bass Pack to the xt, and used the SVT model, which sounded great. I added the HD Bass Pack to the HD, and the SVT model is definitely my favourite. The upgrade to the HD was well worth it, as it sounds loads better than the PODxt IMO. I must admit that I haven't tried the HD HiWatt model with the bass, but I would expect it to sound pretty good.

Those old Aria pedals were great, had quite a few in the early 90's. Might even have an old Compressor pedal kicking about somewhere.

My Jetglo 4003, and possibly a blond '89 Stingray.

I'm tempted

It's been the domain of Traders & chancers for too long, it's the real reason why people are more "savvy" as to what they have, and for those that don't do their research to either have too high hopes for their item. Then there's the utter chancers that give way too low offers on items, and complain when their offer is declined.

Has anyone heard any other Rag'n'Bone Man songs other than "Human"?

Probably most critically acclaimed albums. Especially anything by Coldplay.

Still GAS-ing for a 4003 or 4004, but seriously considering a custom jobbie too. Can't afford any of them, but I can dream.

I wasn't knocking your Westfield in any way, shape or form. In fact it's probably a far better instrument than quite a few of us started out with. Whatever it is, use it, enjoy it, learn to play it and have fun doing so.

I loved mine while I had it, great sound, but it weighed a ton and was a bit weird on the strap. Would have loved a Thunder II or III.

As I am sure most of us do, I have been perusing the various music shop websites for basses again (and again, and again! ). One bass that has caught my eye is the ESP / LTD Stream. It's kind of a modern take on Thunderbird inspired design, but not too OTT / spikey if you know what I mean. [url="http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/image/MMGS7/LTD-Stream-204-Electric-Bass-Snow-White/J08273000001000-00-500x500.jpg"]http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/image/MMGS7/LTD-Stream-204-Electric-Bass-Snow-White/J08273000001000-00-500x500.jpg[/url] Anyone tried one out?

First off, welcome. A Westfield isn't the most "high end" instrument out there (not disparaging your new bass in any way! ), so as a first guess, it would be basswood with a maple neck. Thankfully, the days of cheap "plywood" bodies would seem to be long gone. What strings? What can you afford? If you can afford high end strings, go for them. If you can't then there's absolutely nothing wrong with lower end strings, you may not get the life of the high end strings, or the high end "zing", but you'll have strings that you can afford. I use "cheap" Fender strings. They're affordable enough so I can have a few spare sets in, they're bright enough for me and they last a good while. More importantly, I like them. Rotosound are a good "middle ground", and used by a lot of name players.

It's a real shame that they couldn't have sorted out their contractual issues with Bill Ward. Saw the original lineup on the "Reunion" shows at the NEC (the day they recorded it and released as the "Reunion" Live album). I'd waited 20-odd years to see them all together, and they didn't disappoint. Saying that, I wish I'd seen them with RJD as well. Geezer's still one of my bass playing "hero's".

The HD doesn't have as many amp or cab sims on it certainly, but the overall quality of the amp & cab sims far outweighs the PODxt. TBH, I was really concerned about the apparent "lack" of different amp & cab sims on the HD, I stuck with my old PODxt Live for a good while when I was researching a potential replacement. I figured that buying a second hand HD would be best, as if I didn't get on with it, I could turn it around and not be out of pocket. Anyway, I'm glad I went with the HD, it far outweighs the old XT by a long shot. I'm amazed that they've kept the old v2.0 (and it's various offspring - Pocket POD etc.) running as long as they have, instead of running with the XT, which was better than the v2.0. It would appear that the HD, the Firehawk and the Amplifi TT all sit in the same bracket, and the new "do it all" device is the Helix. Maybe Line6 should rethink their product range a bit more than they do. I have heard rumblings that the HD line is no longer being developed further (real shame).

Don't Carl Martin make something like that? There's also the SansAmp multi pedal. You mention you're not interested in a multi FX, but have you looked at the Zoom B3 or the Line6 M5/M9? The B3 is good, dead easy to use, and can be used like 3 individual pedals. The M5/M9 is AFAIK a bit more complex, but has a good reputation.

[quote name='Tripehound' timestamp='1485549355' post='3224931'] Thanks for the replies folks. Sounds like any will do a decent job and Sansamp appears to be a bit of an industry standard. I dabble on guitar and wondered about the Line 6 HD500X which models a few bass rigs - I wonder if this is an alternative? [/quote] On reading the first post, I thought about suggesting the HD500x. I bought one second hand last year, added the HD Bass pack, and never looked back, The amp sims are superb (good job, as there's only 4 or 5 bass specific sims), the effects sound great, and it's a good price (especially now that a lot of folk are selling up to upgrade to the Helix). It not only has standard output jack sockets, but XLR output sockets. I upgraded from a PODxt Live, the sims were good, but I found the effects to be a bit disappointing. Had a Zoom B3 before that. The HD sounds far better than either of them.

Fair enough, sounds like I'll be leaving it alone. The amp is a Hartke HA4000 (400w@ 4ohm), and the cab is a Gear4Music "RedSub" 2x10 (250w @ 4ohm). I'll not be using the pre-amp, as I'm running a HD500x, so I'll be using the "Return Post" socket on the rear panel & using the volume on the HD.

Something of a (very) minor quandary here... I bought a 2nd hand unmatched amp & cab a while ago, because they sounded superb together IMO. However, the amp's rated at 400w, and the cab at 250w (both at 4 ohms). It still sounds great, but, I'm a bit concerned about the speakers when the volume gets turned up, so I've been looking into alternative speakers at around 200w each, but not wanting to spend too much on them either. The Celestion BL10-200x is the most likely candidate. Anyone ever used them?

Good old 45-105 7350M Fender Stainless for me. Reasonably priced, hard wearing and sound good. Used Warwick Red Label's for a while (45-105 Stainless), they were about £10 from Thomann (plus £10 postage). Buy 4 packs and they were still cheaper than anything you could get in the UK. They were a bit rough though. Bought a batch of the Fender's from Thomann, until I found somewhere in the UK that did them at a better price & free postage. Result.

I'm in a similar situation to AdamWoodBass, as in I'm seriously considering a custom built bass by a UK luthier. I've even been in contact with my preferred maker, to mention specs etc. I'm kind of torn between getting a production bass from a low output producer (either new or second hand). I know they work, they work for me, and I like the sounds. Thing is though, for very similar money, I could own a one-off bass, with some gorgeous figured timbers, built to my specs etc. Either option would be superb, but can't decide between one or the orther. Good job I'm skint really.