Merton

Yep. Was perfectly happy with my MIM Jazz V, Trace/Ashdown hybrid rig. 3 years later I've not got any of that rig anymore, or any of the basses I had then save for the first one I ever got (sentimental old fool I am!). So, in short and in no particular order: IN: Status Groove 5 Status Retroactive J Trace Elliot 2103H Trace Elliot V-Type 1x15 combo (soon to go??) Trace Elliot V-Type 4x8 combo Trace Elliot 4x8 cab (soon to go??) Eden Nemesis NA320 Hartke LH500 OUT: Fender Jazz MIM V Dean Edge Pro 4 Status Groove 5 Ashdown MAG410T Trace Elliot AH300-12 Trace Elliot 2103H Trace Elliot 1153 Trace Elliot V-Type 4x8 combo Eden Nemesis NA320

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='367373' date='Dec 31 2008, 07:23 PM']Hartke (esp. the LH500 valve head) a snip at about £225 for 500W of valve power.[/quote] I hate to nitpick but it's not 500W of valve power, it's 500W of solid state power with a valve preamp! Lovely things, a damn fine bargain they are. Shameless plug time: I am selling a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34809"]Trace Elliot V-Type combo[/url] on here, it's a great little combo and plenty capable of all sized gigs it's done - from tiny to pretty huge. Would sound awesome for your punk stuff

OUT: Eden Nemesis NA320 Trace Elliot 2103H Trace Elliot 1153 Trace Elliot V-Type 4x8 combo Status Groove 5 string IN: Trace Elliot V-Type 4x8 combo (er, it only lasted 6 months, OK?!!) Trace Elliot V-Type 4x8 cab Hartke LH500 Ibanez SB7 synth pedal 2009 should bring about the other V-Type combo going, the 4x8 cab going, and a couple of new 1x15s coming in (eventually to be replaced by 2 that I'm going to build... it's been over 6 months since I cooked that plan up)

[quote name='johnnylager' post='364418' date='Dec 27 2008, 07:46 PM']Fairly heavy though - I'll whip the top off when Merton's Ruby valve arrives and have a look, but I suspect there may be a 2nd transformer lurking in there - there looks like there is room for one.[/quote] Will post this comingweek, totally failed at work! Hopefully gonna swap my Sovtek for a Raytehon sometime this week too, whoop! Glad you like it BTW

I'm a member over there, post occasionally but generally keep tabs on the build diaries as they're quite interesting and lots of home-builders. Plus there's the thread about the prototype of my multiscale singlecut

The LH500 is not your typical Hartke amp, it will definitely give you the sound you want Equally, so will the Trace V-Type combo I'm selling... But that's a combo. And tho it says Trace, it's not a typical Trace muchlike the LH500 isn't a typical Hartke...

My Xmas pressie to myself was an LH500. Also got a Chick Corea CD with John Pattitcci on bass, so does that count?

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='361861' date='Dec 23 2008, 12:13 PM']Hotwires are 25 Euro (+postage) a pop, I realise that isn't 'too' expensive but it is on a par with the prices I've found on-line for DRs and Thomastiks... or are they available cheaper elsewhere. Sorry, I realise the OP has no limits on cost etc but I'm as tight as a gnat's chuff! [/quote] Haven't bought any for a while so haven't noticed a price increase, ah well! [quote name='ARGH' post='361995' date='Dec 23 2008, 02:08 PM']anyone use anything a bit different? like Tomastik or Pyramid[/quote] I used TI's once, they were sh*t. IMO.

[quote name='ARGH' post='361848' date='Dec 23 2008, 11:58 AM']Im happy to announce that I dont have that problem/design fault ON TOPIC: So has anyone tried DR's?[/quote] DRs are good. Status Hotwires remind me of DRs but are cheaper and British

Never heard of 'em, just Goggled it and the first two hits have got you in them - a review for a 1153 cab and a thread on TB... Haha! Would be v interested in finding out more tho...

The N8 is a great practice amp, but that is all. Not enough power for gigs IME. Shameless plug, I'm selling my Trace Elliot V-Type Combo. 1x15, plenty loud enough on its own to compete with 2 Marhsall 4x12s and when hooked up to a second cab it will destroy walls. Great sound for blues/rock/funk/punk... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34809"]have a look here[/url]

More pics, shamelessly nicked from Mikey's TB thread on the prototype build! (These pics are of the prototype, not mine)... [attachment=17690:volute.jpg] [attachment=17687:fretting.jpg] [attachment=17686:frets_trussrod.jpg] [attachment=17689:proto_headstock.jpg] [attachment=17688:proto_fretted.jpg] Whooop!

[quote name='johnnylager' post='361728' date='Dec 23 2008, 09:43 AM']Buy Mertons Trace. There you go.[/quote] Cheque's in the post with the valve

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='361719' date='Dec 23 2008, 09:34 AM']It all comes down to this: [b]You might not like the sound we like[/b]. OK. So whats the point in recommending something we like the sound of ? I for one will not, and never have, tell anyone in your position what to buy. You have to put in some effort.[/quote] Nail -> head, esp the bit in bold. I could sing the praises of Trace Elliot all day, or the new Hartke LH500; I could tell you the Hartke VX cabs are sh*t (which, IMO and IME they are), I could say "steer clear of Ashdown MAG stuff coz I don't like it". It's all my opinion though. It doesn't actually help you in choosing the right rig for you. Al Heeley's list is a very good [b]starting point[/b], but you do have to go and try this stuff out and use your ears to decide. Good luck, and let us know how you get on

Bryce used to have a great thread on valves, think it resides over at finnbass now. Not sure there are soundclips but it's a good starting point