Pete Academy

Around two and a half grand. Worth it, though. Yes, it's the new rig.

I tried the new Ashdown BTA400 head and matching 8 x 10" cab today - one of only four available in the UK as yet. Big, fat, and bone-crunching. I connected another Ashdown 8 x 10" to the set-up. My ears have only just stopped bleeding. Serious piece of kit.

[quote name='MythSte' post='755915' date='Feb 24 2010, 10:57 AM']Quick question for you, In the Chorus Section of 'Peg' by steely dan, Is it double thumbed or just a very fast "normal" slap technique on the doubles?[/quote] I would think Rainey played it straight, as double-thumbing wasn't around then (I think). If you watch the 'Making Of Aja' DVD, Rainey has an unusual slap style which is hard to replicate. I just play it my own way. Seems to work OK.

[quote name='4 Strings' post='755878' date='Feb 24 2010, 10:22 AM']I think MK is great, of course there's always an argument of the musical value of being machine gunned (similarly to shredding Les Pauls). But I regard him like an F1 racing car, lots of extreme technology etc some of which filters down to benefit 'normal' cars. Regardless of how talented Pop Powell is, it was MK who inspired me and kept the bar high. MK did plenty of other, more worthy stuff and loved the whole bass thing. (Despite seeing L42 plenty of times in the 80s the most memorable was a latter day version in a small club in Essex (with Gary Husband - worth the ticket price alone) where things were less serious and more up close. The guy is amazing![/quote] Their very first album with Mr Pink on it is a classic. Love Games is also one of my favourite tracks and bass part ever.

When I first heard slapping back in the 70s, I wasn't sure what was being done and how. I saw the Crusaders on the OGWT and Robert 'Pops' Popwell (great name!) was slapping. To me it looked like he was pinging the strings with his finger ends. Cue a few weeks of sore finger ends and crap sound until I discovered what he was really doing. I'm a big fan of MK but have never achieved the machine-gun slap properly. I've always preferred and played more like Marcus, something more melodic and groovy.

I spent £850 on a car. It gets me from A to B. I spent £2300 on a bass. It's part of my livelihood...and I love it.

A couple of weeks ago my LMK head stopped working during a gig. I faffed about and eventually plugged straight into the head, bypassing my Boss TU-2. I switched the amp off, then back on, and it worked perfectly for the rest of the second set. I used it at the last gig without the tuner and it worked perfectly. I think there may be a fault with the tuner or mains supply to it, causing some kind of spike. The operating manual doesn't mention anything about the amp's protection system, nor does it have a troubleshooting guide. I contacted Peter Murray from Markbass, who sent this reply: "Our amps have shutdown circuits that shut down the amp in cases of incorrect impedance (below 4 ohms), overheating, excessive input or short circuit (for example, bad wiring in a speaker cable). The amp shuts itself down to protect it from damage. That's why you're able to turn it back on. So it's possible that one of these things are issues... is the impedance of your cabinet/s below 4 ohms? Is your amp properly ventilated and is the fan working? Are you putting unreasonable input into the amp? Is your speaker cable good?" Just thought I'd mention this in case anyone else has a problem.

Roland Cube RX bass.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='753141' date='Feb 21 2010, 07:38 PM']its all done with smoke and mirrors In my opinion Rickenbackers are overpriced - terrible bridges that are fiddly at best to adjust, bridge surrounds that lacerate your fingers, 2 truss rods that work differently to nearly every other bass in existence and that most people are scared to touch, uncomfortable slab body, the midnight blue ones a couple of years ago had a finish that ran underneath the top varnish onto the binding. That and they sound nothing like they do on the records. The price has increased by about 50% in the past couple of years and you have to wait however long now to get one. Doesn't stop me wanting a C64, V63 or the daddy - the CS, though [/quote] Two year waiting, last I heard. What are the workers doing?

[quote name='ped' post='753113' date='Feb 21 2010, 07:04 PM']I have had the same set of Elixirs on for over a year and they still sound new, and the coasting hasn't come off at all (but I never use a pick and play lightly) - I would give the EB strings a try for fun but they don't seem to make a .040 set? ped[/quote] BTW, you say the coasting hasn't come off. What about the coating? I'm intrigued.

[quote name='ped' post='753113' date='Feb 21 2010, 07:04 PM']I have had the same set of Elixirs on for over a year and they still sound new, and the coasting hasn't come off at all (but I never use a pick and play lightly) - I would give the EB strings a try for fun but they don't seem to make a .040 set? ped[/quote] Unfortunately they don't, Ped. I was a 40s man but have now strayed back to 45s. They sound better, anyway.

Is a Dumble amp worth £20,000?

[quote name='acidbass' post='753075' date='Feb 21 2010, 06:21 PM']How do they compare to other coated strings, ie Elixirs (if you can comment?) I've been using Elixirs now for just under a year pretty much exclusively, but would certainly be interested to know if the EBs are in any way comparable in terms of quality/tone.[/quote] The coating on Elixirs wears off, but the EBs seem not to. I think strings are personal to each player. These just seem to work well for me. If you're used to shelling out for Elixirs, I would defo give them a try.

IMO it wouldn't be worth it, especially by the time you've shelled out for those expensive upgrades, especially on a Squier. I would spend the money on a better bass. These days, a lot of Chinese/Korean basses have those upgrades as standard. However, if it's something like the newer Classic Vibe Squiers, then you might consider upgrading.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='752911' date='Feb 21 2010, 04:04 PM']When you want to sell something how do you go about pricing it? The way i see it it can be priced based on the original purchase price or based on the current price. Ive only sold a handful of gear its all been priced probably less than i would have liked to get back. Im just asking and not questioning you.[/quote] Sorry, should have made it more clear. I work for a retail store and I was talking about being seriously undercut by another retailer.

Two years ago I decided to treat myself to a new bass, and Roscoe seemed a good choice. Having researched them on the net, I contacted Mark for more advice. He was extremely patient and helpful during those numerous emails and phone calls, and it was this that was a major factor in me buying. I ended up going to his house to collect the bass, as his shop wasn't open yet. I was his first Roscoe customer. I'm planning to visit his shop at some point. The sheer amount of quality stock is mighty impressive.

There are certain retailing issues I wholeheartedly agree with on this thread. Having to endure bad service seems to be number one on most people's list. The show-off salesperson is certainly another major annoyance. If someone can already play, I will show them what the controls do on the bass/amp, which usually only entails playing one note. If someone cannot play and wants to hear what a certain bass sounds like, I will demonstrate different styles to show the instrument's versatility. But even then, I try to keep it fairly simple. However, when it comes to pricing, that can be a difficult one. To maintain overheads and staff, a store will need to run at a certain margin, depending on its size and the amount of staff. Without doing this, it just cannot survive. During economic climate of the past year, prices of used gear have plummeted. I can't believe some of the bargains I see on this forum and also on Ebay and Gumtree. This sets a benchmark that shops are unable to compete with. I personally have lost a few Markbass sales because a certain 'retailer' near us has sold the gear for a very small profit in order to get the sale, and in his own words 'put a drink in his back pocket'. He's not even a bona fide shop, but a PA hire company. It's just about shifting boxes and making a quick buck. Sometimes you have to just give up.

[quote name='iconic' post='752642' date='Feb 21 2010, 11:22 AM']are they the group III's?[/quote] ?

There was an earlier thread about one of these. Nice but not valuable.

I got a bit less than I anticipated, but Mark knows the market, and gave me an honest opinion that I had to agree with. I was more than happy with the result. The money was in my account the next day. His service is always top notch.

It's nice to know your bass will be in good hands.

Great basses, solid Japanese build. Can't fault them...sold loads of them at our shop back in the day.

Having failed miserably to sell my Tobias Classic 5 on here and ebay, I agreed with Mark at Bass Direct for him to sell it on commission. I shipped it, and as soon as he received it, there it was on his website with some great photos. The next day I got a call saying he'd sold it! I strongly urge anyone to consider this service when trying to sell a bass. Mark really knows his stuff with regards to how much your bass is worth and will give you an honest recommendation on price. And he sold me a great Roscoe SKB 5 to boot.

[quote name='Doddy' post='751867' date='Feb 20 2010, 03:49 PM']I use both techniques depending on what I'm after. I tend to bounce for more aggressive, triplet type things-where I do to thumps and a pluck. I also think that each note has more definition and consistency when you bounce. I go 'through' the string if I need more speed as it facilitates double thumbing,and I find the motion more relaxing. Usually I use kind of a hybrid of the two.[/quote] Slappers? You should know...

I think they are nickel, which I never usually use. They sound very punchy...lots of midrange, but nice and bright, too. They have lasted longer than other makes (for me, anyway), but I hate strings when they go even a bit dull. My bass is a Roscoe SKB 5.