Merton

Practice. And wear ear plugs. But mostly practice.

Pretty sure Nikki Sixx and Gene Simmons have also used fire breathing basses onstage. I’d quite like to try one and see if it gives my playing more spark.

Boobs I need a wee Boobs Christ I should have practiced this

I have a confession. I like Jazz basses. My very first bass guitar was (is, I still own it) a Vester Jazz. I had a wonderful Status Retroactive jazz for 10 years but sold it last year after realising I prefer a medium 32” scale. Alan Cringean built me a superb Finn 5 which I modelled on a Jazz but even that went when he built me an even more superb Skelf. So I am Jazzless at the moment, save for my Vester. I’ve spent all year playing around with ideas, considered Maruszczyk, ACG, Shuker, even contemplated trying to find a Fender MIJ medium scale jazz. I was going down the ACG route with another Finn but deep down I wanted a more traditional Fender-esque shape. Then I remembered Mike Walsh and Zoot. He’s been building stunning basses for a few years and his recent Funkmeister builds have been catching my eye. Several months of emails and playing with specs later, last Thursday I went over to see Mike and we thrashed out the final spec (probably). So this is very very early days but hopefully I won’t change my mind at all now “The specs?”, I hear you ask. Yes. My Vester has a very big ballsy Jazz sound thanks to its Schaller pickups; the Status was similar thanks to its humbucking J pickups and active circuit. So I wanted similar and spent a long time considering all the woods and pickups (you’ll see...): Zoot Funkmeister 4 string, 32” with slimmed down body to suit the shorter scale Idigbo body (similar to swamp ash but cheaper as less figured), gloss black finish with matching headstock BWB scratchplate, rear mounted V/V/T controls Maple neck, ebony board with MOP blocks and white binding, 40mm nut and 16” radius Nordstrand Big Split pickups Black hardware - Hipshot Kickass bridge and ultra lite tuners And that’s about it. It’s going to be amazing. Mike is a very infectiously enthusiastic bass builder and I hope he has as much fun seeing this develop as I will Pictures will appear when progress is made but this is such an early point in the process you’ll be waiting a while

As I’ve said already, the CTM100 is perfection (for me). Ashdown will still make the 300 if you ask nicely

Yep. At full tilt I have no doubt there would be far more significant sonic differences. And as you say, full tilt would probably destroy most of my house

I’ve A/Bd the Ashdown ABM500 with their BTA200. Identical preamp, the ABM has a solid state Class A/B power amp, whilst the BTA is a 200W KT88-driven valve power amp. They sound almost the same. Almost. There was “something” different about the valve power section in the room but I’m buggered if I can explain it. I recorded them both on my iPhone (the pinnacle of sound recording technology) and couldn’t tell them apart.

I should add: in a band situation I bet I’d struggle to tell the difference unless it was a class D running out of puff....

Dude! There are Class D heads out there which can sound amazing. The Ashdown RM series, for example, is one which I personally love. It’s a different flavour of awesome to their ABMs but I still like it. My all time favourite amp is their CTM100 though, a beautiful beast.

Dave is a superb chap to deal with and that is a steal of a price. I love these amps!

With the drive control you can make it sound quite Ampeg-like I think. With respect to making it sound like an ABM, I find the RM power stage has much more bite and transient stack, the ABM feels more “soft” lines valve amp, if that makes sense? The RM preamp easily has enough in it to make an ABM noise

I have one, I like it a lot. It isn’t an ABM but it does sound good to my ears

Great little amp. I sold mine because I was finding myself hitting the limiter too often but I was playing outdoor gigs with no PA support so it would! Form factor alone it’s such a good little thing to have as a backup

Is this the right one? https://www.amplifiercoversonline.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=538_493_18&products_id=1707

Agreed, especially regarding the early MAG cabs. Much preferred them over the ABMs.

If you measure it RoqSolid will make to your dimensions

RoqSolid would be a great place to start

Out of interest roughly how much was the tax? Looking at a set of Nordy Big Splits and the price from Best Bass Gear is about £55 less than Bass Direct, so assuming the tax will be less than £55!

Are we talking bass amps or partners now?

Can’t believe I’ve missed this! 2x ACGs (hopefully a third next year) 1x Vester Jazz 1x @Mikey R 5 string special 1x Harley Benton acoustic ... and about to start a conversation with Mike Walsh about a Funkmeister jazz 😃

Howlin’ Rain! Forgot how good these guys are, thanks

Edit - double post