asingardenof

If you're not looking to use it to practice with others then it's not strictly necessary to have a decent sounding one, although I concede that it makes the whole practising experience a lot nicer. I've moved pretty much exclusively to practising through headphones these days, but I occasionally get my little (but very heavy) Trace Elliot combo out to annoy the neighbours. Honestly, any of the other major manufacturers (Ampeg, Ashdown, Hartke, GK, etc.) will give you something different to play with, so if you can get to a reasonably large shop you could take three or four in and try them out.

I would second Ashdown. They weren't really on my radar either until I borrowed a ABM EVO from @Merton and I was blown away, especially through the Barefaced Two10S cab I bought from @thebrig. I'm now on a EVO-IV purchased from @walshy and am looking forward to trying it out with the Barefaced at band practice in a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on the for sale section on this site as Barefaced cabs and good heads (stop sniggering at the back there) become available quite regularly.

While I could do with losing some weight I don't think that would be a sustainable option.

And they won't stop playing it either.

Are you including the Jeff Buckley version in your assessment here? Because I'd have to strongly disagree with you if you are.

I'm finally in the club proper! After my borrowed ABM-500-EVO went poof mid-gig I've managed to secure an ABM-600-EVO-IV to replace it. Not had a chance to do anything more than DI it through my Focusrite Scarlett and headphones yet but that makes me excited to play with it properly at band practice next weekend 😁

It's my wife's and yes I am

Fortunately being absolutely skint is also a good remedy for GAS 🤣

Inspired by, and not wanting to hijack, @Smanth's similar thread, I've finally reached a point with my rig where I can take a breather before I allow myself to succumb to GAS again. It's come somewhat earlier than planned thanks to an amp failure at the weekend, but behold (and please ignore the mess in the room)! At some point I might want to add another Two10S as a backup for the current one, or to supplement it if we start playing larger gigs, and I will be looking for something like a Trace Elliot Elf as a backup for the ABM, but I think I'm happy with my amp, cab, pedal and instrument menagerie for now (the Sire also does the job but it's still in its case downstairs at the moment). It's a nice feeling that any future purchases will be just for fun rather than necessity, e.g. do I need a 5-string/fretless/etc., how many other pedals can I experiment with, and so on. (No, the amp and cab aren't plugged in as my practice setup is through the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 you might be able to make out in the heap on the desk and out through headphones.)

Sweet!

Yeah, we pay £33 for three hours when we rehearse, and the place has nine rehearsal rooms. I don't think there's ever been more than three or four bands in there at a time when we have been there, so I dread to think how long they might be open for. I know another band who pay for their own rehearsal space, but they have to practice a lot to make it cost effective.

Yes, absolutely. I was reading an interview with Kirk Hammett the other day where he said he hates having to play the same stuff all the time (not that he doesn't like the songs, just that fans expect them to be played more or less as they sound on the record). He said he deliberately went into the recording of the latest album with several options of what to play on the songs so he can mix things up a bit. I imagine that that sort of thinking may play into what you're describing here, although it sounds like ego is the biggest factor.

Definitely still a thing, I don't think my band would cope if someone suggested we do a rehearsal over Zoom.

Does your backup have to be a Fender? Have you considered a Squire, Sire, etc.?

Bought my Ashdown ABM head from @walshy. The transaction couldn't have gone smoother, and it was nice to meet in person to collect it, albeit in the less than salubrious surroundings of the Scotch Corner services car park in the rain (my suggestion though, I hasten to add, apart from the rain bit which neither of us could help). The amp sounds loooooovely DI'd through my Focusrite, and I can't wait to hook it up to my Barefaced Two10S at the earliest opportunity! In short, a pleasure from start to finish!

I can heartily recommend this as a low-budget option, I love mine: https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/181102334391008--landlord-fx-a-cheeky-pint-optical-compressor-mini-pedal

For anyone down Cornwall way, I can heartily recommend Chris at Tube n Truss, based in St Dennis if you have a vintage amp. Chris did an amazing job on my old Marshall Super Bass (https://fb.watch/jJq8aOm8ei/), which I'd still be using if a Covid-induced funds deficit hadn't necessitated selling it. https://www.facebook.com/tubentruss

Sitting down pushes the fat outwards, so resting the bass on your leg means either it'll slip out and you'll be playing at a weird angle and putting pressure on your wrist, or you'll have to stretch over the top of an upright bass and, again, put pressure on your wrist. I have to set the strap much shorter when I'm sitting than when I'm standing which is why I have one for each. I'm around 300lb, so rotund is an understatement.

I stand corrected!

This sounds great in theory but falls down if you're somewhat rotund.

I only use one to check my neck relief. Other than that I haven't had the need to, but I'm not against the idea.

It is a first gen ABM so it is a *wee* bit out of warranty 😁

Fortunately the fates have allowed me to buy a replacement ABM from @walshy (with more than a little help from @merton who is proving himself to be a saint) so hopefully all is well.

I also love it. It's very easy to play, and running in passive it sounds amazing. Haven't had much need to play with the preamp but it seems decent.

Yep, Sire V7