noelk27

I had one of these at one time. Trying to remember why I sold it. It's a lot of bass for the money.

The MB-1E pickup that features in the SB 1000 is a completely different design from the pickups that featured on the RSB series, from which the Laser series developed (the Laser inheriting a redesigned SB series neck - featuring a slightly wider and flatter profile). The MB-1E used ceramics, while the MB-III and MB-J1 in the Laser series used alnico magnets. As for repairs, I think that Wizard Pickups offer a repair service, and have recondition and built pickups for Aria Pro II bases in the past. [url="http://www.wizardpickups.co.uk/index.asp"]http://www.wizardpickups.co.uk/index.asp[/url]

Two is comapny. Three is a crowd. And a crowd by any other name is an audience. Looks like a PM to OBBM is required.

A weak link in the chain for me, as in all my years playing bass and guitar I've really not paid enough attention to the topic of cables. Many, many years ago I purchased some Sound City cables, which I've pretty much been using ever since, unless I've been supplied with superior alternatives by sound engineers, live are in the studio. I can recall using Monster Cables at one time, but the other brands are lost to time. I've been looking at some of the "premium" cabling options, produced by the likes of Elixir and Planet Waves, but I'm sure there are other "premium" marques out there, and would appreciate some input from fellow basschatters. My set up, which I'm currently organising, will consist of an SWR Baby Blue and late 70s and early 80s period Aria Pro II SB series basses, an Atlansia Stealth, late 70s and early 80s period Yamaha BB series basses (as well as an early 90s BB1500A) and a G&L El Toro. All basses (except fretless: D'Addario Chromes) are strung with either DR Low Riders or DR Sunbeams. I prefer to record direct, clean, using amplification to push some air adding a little presence, and add effect during production, but I do use a Sadowsky Outboard Bass preamp ('91 era), a (temperamental) Tech 21 SansAmp Bass DI ('93 era, which I'd like to replace with another unit of similar vintage, that works), and a Nathan East NE1. Perhaps information overload, but it might influence any advice rendered.

[quote name='markl' post='662500' date='Nov 23 2009, 11:14 AM']Studiomaster Gold Pro Line 16 4 8 mixing desk[/quote] What sort of figure did you have in mind for the Studiomaster? PM your reply if you'd prefer.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='662470' date='Nov 23 2009, 10:36 AM']I s'pose it was because Gibsons and other US instruments were so rare in the UK in the early 60's (due to eye-watering import tax), that few had ever seen an EB1.[/quote] Hofner basses cost around £20, while the likes of Gibson basses cost over £60. Nuff said, when you're a scouse scally looking for a guitar.

I mostly play Aria Pro II SB basses these days, after years playing G&L basses, and used to have a Hofner 500/1, which I sold about five years ago. Oddly, I've got a Hofner 500/1 itch again. I'll go with "cool".

[quote name='Platypus' post='661752' date='Nov 22 2009, 01:24 PM']Have you contacted them to check that its in stock?[/quote] Yes, called Thursday, just before I posted the thread.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='661542' date='Nov 22 2009, 03:56 AM']I had been thinking about the new stuff when Tinman put up his 1x15" V-type combo for sale. Your tastes change over the years but this is one of the best sounding amps I have ever owned.[/quote] Very true, how the ear changes over the years. The Trace V-Type series were exceptional amplification. It would probably be a good idea for me to keep my eye on the local music stores, and all the usual places, along the central belt of Scotland, for someone selling "vintage" Trace, to see if it has the soul I'm looking for.

[quote name='7string' post='661426' date='Nov 21 2009, 11:22 PM']I like the mystery over which bass it is.....[/quote] Hahaha, "Cross-Border Man Of Mystery". Something I'm most certainly not. To be honest, I thought the additional detail was simply unnecessary, in the event a fellow basschatter was going to be at the store. But, I'm happy to elaborate ... For years I've been on the lookout for a G&L El Toro fretless. (I have two El Toro bases, and love the mid-range punch of the "mini humbucker" pickups.) However, I've come to the conclusion that no such beast can exist, or, if it does, in such small quantities that I'll never get my hands on one. So, when seeing that The Gallery has a G&L Interceptor in stock at the moment, a bass design only an 80s hair metal bassist could love, and even taking into account that the Interceptor is an even more rare bass model than the El Toro (the two models share the same pickups and circuits), that I could look at acquiring the Interceptor as a project bass (one to have defretted and epoxied, or have its touchboard replaced with a slice of ebony). That's all ...

[quote name='neilb' post='661035' date='Nov 21 2009, 02:32 PM']The combo I use at practice is one of the old school types and sounds wonderful.[/quote] "Now, That's What I Call A Combo"

[quote name='Dubs' post='660668' date='Nov 20 2009, 11:56 PM']I take it that you're talking about one of the new model 715 combos?[/quote] Yes, fresh off the production line (at Guitar Guitar). Just thought I'd give a small Trace unit a work out, having had the use of a Trace rig at the rehearsal studios I frequented in the late 80s/early 90s. It was a highly impressive set up, although I've no idea what the rig comprised. It was a little pure/clean for my tastes back then, although it tracked well when pushed. But, when the time came, I headed of along the Peterson amplification route, before ending up with an SWR set up. Had good memories of Trace though, and had high expectations of the 715.

Had time to try out the Trace Elliot 715 Combo this afternoon. Been some time since I played a Trace of any description, and was somewhat under-whelmed by this unit. It seemed to lack the clarity, punch and definition of the Trace units I'd played through previously, from the 80s and 90s. Is that the case across the current Trace range, or just this particular unit?

No Aria Pro II or G&L? Man, you haven't lived!

Well, as you'd expect, major differences between the different generations of the pedal, between OC2 and OC3. But, when it comes to the specification of the OC2, very little about it changed in technical terms throughout its production. Initially it was badged Octaver, and was finished in a lighter shade of brown, before being badged Octave and changing to the more familiar dark brown. The one major changed in technical specification was the alteration to the circuitry to accommodate the PSA adaptor (circa '97). Having owned a few examples of the OC2, there was no identifiable performance difference to my ear - a Japanese black label sounds the same as a Taiwanese black label.

Anyone planning a trip to The Gallery in the near future? If so there's a bass I wouldn't mind getting some feedback on. PM if you'd have the time to do a bit of testing/research for me.

[quote name='chris_b' post='659150' date='Nov 19 2009, 12:58 PM']If you want light, compact, tone and volume at the best price? A Littlemark LM 2 and a Barefaced Compact will blow any gimmicky Ampeg out of the water![/quote] Markbass equipment has always sounded a bit "Fi" to my ear. The set up you suggest is more compact, but my intention is to downsize, in terms of size/weight as well as budget.

Expanding on my original post. Currently I'm using an SWR Redhead 2x10 combo (the original 240 watt version), which in the past has been partnered with a Triad (1x15, 1x10) extension cabinet. Both units weight 80 lbs. When I've gigged, it's unusual for me to turn up with a single bass; usually it would be three - an Aria SB900, a G&L L2000 and a G&L El Toro (these days I'd probably add a Yamaha BB1200 to that list). But as I'm not gigging these days, and most of my time is spent recording at home (for which I use a Line 6 Bass Pod XT Pro) or in the studio (where, if I want to move some air, I use the Redhead), I think my current set up is overkill. What I'm considering is moving on my SWR set up and replacing it with something more compact, much lighter, and less complicated. There's also the issue of expense, as I don't want such high-value equipment these days. I'd really appreciate thoughts on the topic, and on possible alternatives to what I'm currently using. Budget-wise, I'd say I want to tie no more than £500 up in any amp set up.

So glad everything that caught my eye was already sold!

Does anyone have any experience of this Micro-VR head and SVT-210AV cabinet set up? Basically it's just a compact solid state head and 2x10 speaker combination. What appeals to me is it's compact nature and, comparative, light weight (my current SWR combo is 80 lbs, not including the extension cabinet which is another 80 lbs). Experiences and thoughts appreciated.

There should be no issues with defretting a maple touchboard. Wear has more to do with your choice of string and weight of touch/playing style than anything else. Use flat wound or ground/half wound strings and you'll reduce your wear rate. The thing to bear in mind is a raw maple touchboard will not be as bright as a coated touchboard, but may lack the depth/warmth of an ebony board. But it's all down to personal preference.