Conan

I've never heard of any BF cab struggling to keep up with any amp! Is the cab still quite new? Maybe the speaker needs to "relax" a bit more... As the Compact is rated at 8 ohms, one advantage would be that you would get the full output from your amp. Not that that will make a massive difference to volume though. And you say that the cab is "struggling" as it is?! Maybe there is a fault somewhere? Two compacts is a pretty awesome setup, and probably logical if you already have one. Another option would be to sell yours and get a bigger BF cab with more speakers in it!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1341907608' post='1725799'] I tried their Stingray style pickups a couple of years ago, and I was not very impressed by that, so I haven't gone back to GFS. [/quote] Really? Interesting.... in what way were you underwhelmed?

I haven't tried their J pickups, but if they are as good as their Ps you might want to have a look here... [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-JB-Pro-Jazz-Bass-Style-Alnico-Pickups_p_318.html"]http://www.guitarfet...kups_p_318.html[/url]

[quote name='WACOJACO' timestamp='1341906094' post='1725771'] P bass is like salt - savoury. J bass is like vinegar - tangy. P deluxe ....? You work it out! [/quote] Cheese 'n' onion?

There are many old threads on this subject, and many answers! It all depends upon which features your bassist values most. Many people on here will simply recommend what they personally use - which is no real surprise as they probably ended up using that gear after trying lots of other stuff and finding that they disliked something about it.... (or getting fished in by the latest hype or Emperor's New Clothes Syndrome!!). What material do you play? How loud? What is the band line-up? Will she be carrying her gear herself or do you all muck in or have roadies? How big/strong are you? Does she like old-school or modern tones?? Personally, I'd go with a Hartke LH500 and a big BareFaced cab...

Just to lower the intellectual tone for a moment (I'm good at that!)... What exactly does BBOT stand for and who coined that particular phrase? I'm guessing it is "Bent Bit Of Tin", but that would be a guess indeed. My GL jazz features a Badass II. Why would Fender fit them as standard if they added nothing to the sound? Or is it simply because Geddy's original '72 J has one on? In which case, I wonder why he fitted one if it makes little difference other than to make a J sound even more scooped... I need a cup of tea.

My cheap J copy sounds great with Hammers in. Crisp and crunchy, but still sounding full and rich. Tone is very subjective and difficult to describe in words, but I'm happy! The original pickups certainly weren't short on output - in fact they were very hot indeed and rather microphonic! I didn't replace them to get a boost in signal, but just to make things more balanced and "musical". I bought the Hammers second-hand on here for £60 - which is a good price - but even brand new they are reasonably priced. To the OP: Next time I'm up in Edinburgh (about three weeks time) I'll bring the bass and you can have a try.

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1338908354' post='1680890'] The danger with the markbass stuff is IMO misunderstanding the VLE/VLF controls - [/quote] Not to mention the VPL...

Bingo!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1341584769' post='1721411']However the main issue with your bass is the fact the strings are not aligned correctly, you have the classic Fender three bolt crap neck pocket where the neck is slightly angled to one side so the G is almost hanging off the neck and the E is half an inch in. I think I'd get that sorted before anything else. [/quote] I see what you mean... but is that not just the angle that the pic is taken from?

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1341584769' post='1721411'] Well, firstly, Fender instruments are almost made to be customised so do what you like with it. Also, I use the stick on vinyl blocks and they have fooled everyone I've shown them too, including some eminent BCers, so don't diss them before you've seen them.[/quote] This. That is all. They really do look good and I defy anyone to tell the difference without an in-depth examination (as long as you put them on straight What is there to lose? If you don't like them, just take 'em off again!

Not sure exactly what YOU mean by "lightweight", but at your budget you'd be limiting yourself by insisting on the low mass option... If it has to be a combo (and I'm not sure it does), then you can't go far wrong with Trace Elliot. They get a hard time on here for reasons that I don't fully comprehend - but they are a lot of amp for the money. Take this one for example... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/180526-trace-elliot-715-combo/"]http://basschat.co.u...liot-715-combo/[/url] No? Then there are loads of other classy options here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/forum/20-for-sale-amps-and-cabs/"]http://basschat.co.uk/forum/20-for-sale-amps-and-cabs/[/url]

[quote name='daz' timestamp='1341582978' post='1721349'] My Hartke [b]LH500[/b] is the bees knees, and louder than an earthquake. [/quote] Another plus vote for the LH500 here! Loud as a bugger but lovely and clean (which is what I like). Could possibly be a bit stronger in the mid-range, but it is a lovely simple amp to use and you will struggle to get an unusable tone from it IMO. If you want grit/dirt/overdrive - get a cheap Behringer Samsamp rip-off. I tend to leave that distorted stuff to the guitars.

[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1341576808' post='1721168'] Starting to wonder if I should have gone S12 now. This wait time is the worst...[/quote] If you need a BF fix you could pop round and try my Vintage!

I have seven of the thirteen - which surprises me slightly. A pretty eclectic selection there, allowing for some rather obvious choices! Shame the recent Rush offerings (i.e. after 1993!!) can't replicate some of the masterful songwriting exhibited on some of those thirteen albums...

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1290878383' post='1039007']DRs.[/quote] How long are they? I know they have no silks, but at what point does the string get thinner (particularly important on the B and E strings)?

If your drummer changed to a different brand of cymbals, drum heads or sticks and didn't tell you - would you notice? Really?? But if he noticed, and it improved his playing pleasure, it would benefit the whole band. If you like the upgrade, it is 100% worthwhile!

You could just buy this... [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dio-Years-Black-Sabbath/dp/B000NA77YO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1341490038&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dio-Years-Black-Sabbath/dp/B000NA77YO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1341490038&sr=1-1[/url]

[quote name='fumps' timestamp='1341319860' post='1716908']I will never fully understand the beauty of the instrument I love so much & I feel like I have abused for so long, by not understanding the capabilities of the Bass I am letting myself down & will never be able to play in the way i want. I think it's time to really do the right thing by the instrument that has been amazingly kind to me.[/quote] A bass guitar is a musical instrument. It is a tool. It has no inherent worth without somebody to play it and release the music. That's where you come in! You don't owe the bass anything man! [quote name='fumps' timestamp='1341320793' post='1716937'] I like different things for different moods. it all depends with me. i have become a lover of all kinds of music so the idea of staying with one style makes me feel like I'm trapped......if that makes sense ?!?![/quote] It's called maturity. Maybe other band members feel the same? In which case you can re-invent yourselves in the light of your new-found grown-upness. The band could be even better!

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1341305863' post='1716550'] If you're going to play a slap bassline I'd suggest trying to be as melodic as you would be with any other technique, then add a few slappy tricks on top for effect. [/quote] A melodic slap line can sound amazing - [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZ87M4PloM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZ87M4PloM[/url] but I always view slap as a very percussive technique. Because of that you have to listen carefully to what the drummer is playing and sit in tight with him. I still don't understand the problem that some people on here have with slap playing though. Yes, if it is done badly it is horrible - but so is badly played pick or finger style! I suspect that there is a bit of jealousy among those who can't do it very well! Oh, and those who eschew Clutterbuckery

I use a damp e-cloth. Seems to do the trick and certainly removes a lot of crud. I've never found it necessary to treat the board with any type of oil...

Sorry, but that's just taking the piss. Unless the ticket price includes a three course dinner - cooked by Copeland and Clarke themselves.

Another lovely piece of tasteful twanging... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX8jGx3gAnc&feature=fvwrel[/media] And here from 3:20... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATsBY5MQvRQ&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATsBY5MQvRQ&feature=related[/url]