discreet

Or 'snurglebass.co.uk'. Or 'moomphbass.com'... and so on....

I'd buy a YOB bass if I could afford it. I'd expect it to play well enough and sound good, however it's only wood and wire like any other bass. But I'd enjoy the history, the backstory, the 'mojo' and... the smell.

These opinions are generally held by punters and non-players, or at least non-giggers. I've gigged a Harley Benton and I've gigged a Sue Ryder P at a NYE gig at the Grosvenor in Park Lane... no appreciable difference compared with my USA 76 P. But recording is another matter...

Some pros use Squier, it makes sense. If something catastrophic happens you can get one in practically any town or city likely to be on any tour and it's not going to affect your bottom line too much. Touring can have very narrow margins financially to say the least.

Yeah, do that! I'm going to gig with an old Trace combo and a Shergold Marathon, so why not?

Going back to the OP's question, I'm not entirely sure there's a whole lot of difference in the fundamental tone of those three basses. They sound a lot like basses to me... But the question of the P bass being the benchmark due to history? I don't know. If Jesus had originally appeared in 20th century Alabama, would the iconic symbol of Christianity be the electric chair instead of the cross..?

Typical collector.

This is the crux of the matter. I suspect some people buy gear in an effort to 'sound better' when what they should be doing is concentrating on their playing. IMHO, etc.

I know what you're saying, but my point is, £200 is WAY too expensive for a Harley Benton bass. I've had several and would defy anyone to identify it in a blind test. But if I could afford it, would I buy a pre-CBS Fender? I think I probably would.

£200 for a Harley Benton? You was robbed!

So only younger bass players are busy? I didn't know that.

The difference being that most bass players own, have owned or at least have played a P Bass but most car drivers haven't. Ha, Ha, Ha!

That's what happens when you play like the wind.

Yeah, when I turn up it's pretty much all over...

I remember when it was all just Hydrogen and Methane.

I don't much care for it either, but after bursting my guts I feel I deserve the big, chunky live sound that I enjoy and just cant seem to get with featherweight gear. One's mileage varies, horses for courses and so on.

The logical conclusion of this is an amp that hovers like a balloon and holds you upright when you can't stand up any more. It could then float you directly into the crematorium when you die, or ascend you directly up to Heaven - dependent on your beliefs. You heard it here first!

Ridiculous! Everyone knows you need a single 15!

Yep - just bought another Trace combo, at the risk of another hernia. For the power and the glory. And the headroom. Amen.

Absolutely. I want to get a Shergold Marathon as well for the full-on UK experience.

It is - are those tweeters, or ports, or both?

Works for me. I would also have accepted 'portable'...

Yes, you can see how its mass is warping the space/time continuum.

Didn't think you were. All experiences welcome. As are off-colour jokes, rambling diversions and blatant derailment. I'd say buy a decent, complete and unmolested Trace amp or combo for peanuts and give it a go. If you don't like it, use it as furniture for 10 years or so. I'm convinced that once the penny finally drops, Trace gear will become highly sought-after and prices will go through the roof, as they have done with just about any old manky valve amp.

Shh! That's my retirement plan.