Conan

[quote name='inate_hex' timestamp='1424830345' post='2700996'] The pickguard looks a bit dodgy because of the big gap where it is meant to meet the control plate. [/quote] Pickguards on old Fenders [i][b]do[/b][/i] shrink... but that looks to be a pretty extreme example! Still, it's a lovely looking thing and definitely worth £300 or so

After a frustrating four months, we finally replaced our departed drummer. Fortunately, our new drummer does [b][i]not[/i][/b] play things the same way that the first one did - which is just as well as the main reason we parted company with him is that his style was not compatible with our (mostly original) material. I think drummers are probably the hardest band members to recruit - particularly for us bass players. Our guitarists and singer have already said words to the effect of "he's fitting in well, let's get some gigs booked" despite my warnings that things will get worse before they get better! That's not me being a doom-monger, it's just that following his audition, our new drummer obviously learned the songs as we had recorded them with the old drummer. If we want him to play them in his own style (which we do) then that is going to take time and the rest of the band will then have to reconstruct the songs from the bottom up. This affects the bass player first of course... Still, hopefully it will all be worth it come the summer when we are once again a unit and ready to gig!

I'm rather disappointed by his taste in dogs...

He was a BIT unpredictable... but to call him a GIT is rather unfair...

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1424683934' post='2699011'] Ever started a thread and then thought, 'oops, that didn't work out very well, I'll leave them to it'..?? [/quote] Several times...

[quote name='zero9' timestamp='1424697682' post='2699217'] Would look great in a Daft Punk video, but is not really a practical proposition IMO. [/quote] This, I'm afraid. A niche market within a niche market... Looks cool though!

[quote name='blamelouis' timestamp='1424694959' post='2699167'] I have the Squeir vintage modified Jazz and was wondering if the difference was that great. [/quote] On paper there [b][i]should[/i][/b] be a noticeable difference.... but in reality some Squiers are better than some Fenders. Judge the individual basses (by playing them) rather than by the range they come from. Just another consequence of Fender's confusing product range and inconsistent QC!

If you like seventies style Fenders, but with the addition of a 'reasonable' pre-amp - then yes they are decent basses. I've not played one of the newer MIM versions, but the previous CIJ model was very good. They can be heavy. Maybe have a look at one of the new Sire Marcus Miller basses? Much cheaper... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/252854-new-cheap-marcus-miller-endorsed-range-of-basses-sire/page__hl__sire"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/252854-new-cheap-marcus-miller-endorsed-range-of-basses-sire/page__hl__sire[/url]

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1424622811' post='2698385']For me, that gives perspective to the rampant GAS fascination so often seen around these parts...the name on the headstock is of no relevance, it's the name playing it that counts. [/quote] Indeed. But who wants to hear that?

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1424681994' post='2698984'] Thanks for all the comments - i reckon I'll be ordering the neck pickup sometime soon & wait til the bridge one is back in stock [/quote] Could be a while... I e-mailed them a couple of weeks ago as I wanted a set of J pickups and they haven't even scheduled a date to [i][b]make[/b][/i] the bridge pickups yet - never mind get them out into the marketplace As I'm impatient I might have to go for a set of the non-Nd models Edit: Bugger - just checked and the JBX bridge versions are also out of stock!

Having just bought an amp with a built-in compressor (TC RH750) I look forward to experimenting with it. I have never used compression before (except for about 30 years ago on an old Peavey mk 3 - but I'm not sure that really counts...)

Well in the end I was offered a deal on an amp that was just too good to miss... So I am now the proud owner of a (slightly) used TC RH750! The amp is at home but unfortunately my cab is down at the rehearsal room - so wednesday's band practice will be the first opportunity I get to try the beast out. Should be fun! Thanks to everyone who contributed and gave advice. Much appreciated

Just bought a Fender gigbag from Cliff. Utterly painless and smooth deal with quick and clear communications. Bag arrived exactly as described, brilliantly packaged and very quickly! Highly recommended!

[quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1424106558' post='2692690'] It was SO gonna buy one of these. But bottled it at the last minute and bought a J&D Jazz instead to make myself feel better [/quote] Which are also great basses at a silly price! You just can't go wrong with some of these...

A great opportunity for EBS freak, Stevie, Toasted and JTUK!

Like most of us, I could come up with dozens... but I've been listening to a lot of Thin Lizzy recently and rediscovering just how good some/most of their material was/is. Narrowing it down to one is just about impossible though - so I will suggest two from (IMO) their best period: Jailbreak and Johnny the Fox As well as the well-known rockier tracks there are some heart-achingly beautiful mid-tempo and slower songs on there too. Even from a bass-playing point of view (and Lynott is a far better player than he ever gets credit for) there are some great lines - often harder to play than you think!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1423747608' post='2688543'] I have an SWR SM400 which is over 20 years old. If the model is pre Fender/SWR sell-off, then it will be a top quality unit, IMO. Bombproof and stellar is my opinion.. [/quote] Cool! Thanks for that!

Just to further complicate matters, I may have the opportunity to purchase a used TC Electronics RH750 for the same budget!! I've added this option to the original poll. Should make things interesting...

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1423744597' post='2688481'] I'm a fan of the Streamliner [/quote] Really? It doesn't come through in your post...

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1423701784' post='2688202'] GB Streamliner!!! [/quote] OK. Er... why? Actually it's funny. The last time there was a thread like this, the opinions were very much in favour of the GK. Now not so much... I wonder why? Did a few people get GK amps and feel underwhelmed by them? I might just keep an eye on the for sale section and see what comes up in my price range!

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1423657902' post='2687482'] i'm assuming that it's the SM-500 that you're looking at ... i'm guessing that you're not too worried about how much the amp weighs then?[/quote] It was indeed the SM500. Apologies for not making that clear in the link... [b]SM-500[/b] [b][/b] The direct descendant of the legendary SM-400, the SM-500 was a mainstay of stages and studios for over a decade. The SM-500 featured the original SWR tube preamp and a four-band graphic/semi-parametric EQ, plus a side-chain effects loop, stereo master volume control and Transparency control for crystalline highs. [b]Production Period:[/b] 1999 to 2010 [b]Final Retail Price:[/b] $1949.99 Heavy then are they? Weight isn't a huge deal-breaker - but a nice light amp that fits in my leads box would be nice! [quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1423658172' post='2687487'] i've just been looking at the mids mod on the bdi21 and it seems to be within my technical ability, i might pick one up and mod it myself, if it goes well i'd be happy to mod one for you as well. [/quote] That would be fantastic! You are indeed a fine fellow Matt!