Merton

The glorious fingerboard in all its, er, glory:

I love it! It’s great at home as you can get a lovely tone without being too loud but it’s also great (with efficient cabs and PA support) on a gig because you get a glorious broken up valve phatness on stage which just envelops everything (in a good way!) The EQ isn’t particularly versatile but I didn’t buy it for that, I have an ABM and Rootmaster of I need versatility

My rig from last night. ACG Finn with LaBella flats (what a revelation they are!) Ashdown Little Bastard 30W valve head Barefaced One10 and Super Compact. Astonishingly loud and full, a big fat creamy bass tone all night long.

Don’t be ridiculous, that would keep me awake all night long 🤓

This is very true, and one of the reasons behind my brain pursuing it as a genuinely sensible course of action....

Neither. For some reason I want an old heavy Ashdown ABM cab; they sound amazing but are hugely impractical for the music I’m playing. Honestly no idea what goes on in my brain half the time.

Ashdown and Barefaced are my go to noise making devices, yes

Yep, not a fan of MarkBass stuff I’m pleased to say

Ok not that massive. 4x10. And Andy, I no longer have the Elf, as it became an unviable option anyways 🤣

I’m still in. I have an odd hankering for a massive cab for my new rock band but since it’s not really that active it’s an entirely purposeless case of GAS. Apart from the three (ooops) basses commissioned last year which are still ongoing I really shouldn’t be needing anything this year at all and there’s no excuse for me falling off the wagon.

Oooh!

Glad I’m not the only one struggling 🤓 Almost enquired about Brother Jones’ ACG J Type, keep seeing bits of obscure Ashdown kit I want and there’s a Maruszczyk at Bass Direct which is singing its Siren song at me....

Looking great!

Well I hope the quality was up to scratch! Thanks for allowing me to pop in and play bass badly through your lovely ABM rig and cool new pedals (love the Triple Shot!)

I will find some fine quality biscuity products for your tastebuds!

Ah now. I’m popping in there tomorrow, what are the correct biscuits to purchase for them? Or is “any old shite” better than “none” in this case? 🤣

Yes you definitely need it!

I used to have the 2x12 version of that cab, kinda regret selling it as it would have been ace with the LB. That said the LB is glorious with my Barefaced cabs and they’re lighter 😜

I have no expertise at all, just severe GAS and an inability to practice properly 🤓 For home use it’s bloody wonderful, it can get plenty loud enough to be “too loud” still but as it’s lower powered it can sound gorgeous at sensible volumes too. I tend to use it through a Barefaced One10 at home but did experiment the other day with both that and my Super Compact and it was stupendous. Don’t expect huge tonal variation - the EQ stack is passive and quite limited, but the core tone is beautiful and the switches for mid shift, deep and bright all really add something when engaged. I find it perfectly versatile enough for my ham-fisted attempts at bass playing. If you have the opportunity I personally say go for it 😎

Don’t fret! More pictures. Of the frets mostly being installed. Poor pun I know.

Spot on! Gibson call it korina; this is black limba

Ashdown head plus lightweight cab (Barefaced, in my case) is a big win. You get the tone you want without the back breaking weight. The heads aren’t that heavy (unless you opt for a massive valve beast) - in fact go for one of the wonderful Rootmaster EVO series and you are laughing. For reference I have an ABM EVO (from about 1999/2000), an RM500 EVO ii and a wonderful all valve Little Bastard