discreet

Very interesting! What I really want is a pedal that can recreate the slam of an SVT valve power stage. But I think I have a long wait ahead...

[quote name='Bridgehouse' timestamp='1484852155' post='3219149'] (if anyone says tort I will take me toys away) [/quote] No! Has to be a black/white/black guard. It's the law. Nice bass.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1484823630' post='3218730'] I could arrange for a small team of trolls to leap out and mug you every time you cross the bridge into GASeous territory. [/quote] Could be tricky given the current mrs discreet's flatulence problem, but thanks for the thought.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1484822547' post='3218709'] Denial [/quote] Oh God, you're right. I want a second BF Two10 and an Ampeg VB4. I need help.

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1484772174' post='3218375'] The holy grail!! What is your magic recipe? [/quote] Realising that a good P bass is all I need and finding the right amp/cab combination. Still not 100% sure about the amp, but I have a strict one-in-one-out policy, which helps. But at least I'm not currently suffering from bass GAS.

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1484749014' post='3218059'] One strategy is to stay away from the internet and Basschat for sale forums.. [/quote] One reason why I haven't been on here quite so much over the last few months... very difficult to resist 'just looking', though... which of course all too often results in 'just buying'...

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1484740847' post='3217929'] Past a certain point no one can tell any differences in your sound. Buying gear beyond that point is just faffing about. I reached that point when I bought my Precision and my Marshall stack over 40 years ago. [/quote] This is so true. My point arrived quite a while ago with a 76 Precision, a USA Ampeg SVT CL and 8 X 10. That remains the best sound I've ever had. But it's just too impractical a rig for 'normal' use. I'm trying to stay with what I've got, but there's always that little voice in your head which says, 'If you just get this [i]next [/i]bit of gear you'll be sorted and you won't need anything else...' And round and round we go. Currently I'm fighting the urge to buy an Ampeg PF50-T...

[quote name='Burrito' timestamp='1484736779' post='3217868'] My poor work computer won't let me quote Discreet but in answer to your question, easily! [/quote] Thanks! Maybe I'll take the plunge and get one from Thomann... in which case I can return it if necessary.

[quote name='Burrito' timestamp='1484680413' post='3217468'] I had the 115 version of your rig and simply swapped out the [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] Ampeg Portafex PF-500 for the 50T...[/font][/color] [/quote] Slightly OT here, apologies - quick question - I know that valve watts are subjectively 'louder' than SS watts, but did you find the PF50T quieter overall than the PF500? Were you able to play the same gigs with the 50T that you did with the PF500?

New set of strings and a BF Two10.(4ohm).

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1484595958' post='3216705'] because you want it or is it making you feel ill? [/quote] The latter. It's like I took some acid, feel sick and now my Jazz bass is turning into a pair of buttocks.

Really wish I hadn't seen that...

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1484593273' post='3216661'] You can't buy anything unless you get rid of something. [/quote] It helps if you can't afford anything without selling something first. For one thing it makes you a bit more careful about what you're buying and selling. In theory, anyway. I'm sure we've all been caught out - going by the amount of sellers' remorse on this forum. [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1484594133' post='3216672'] ...who dies with the most boxes wins. [/quote] Saw a similar sentiment on a sticker in the back window of a Roller. The registration number was R1 VAL. [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1484594796' post='3216678'] I've already found that the Fender Precision is the bass for me. [/quote] I've already found that, too - it only took forty years.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1484575880' post='3216425'] Who are you, and what have you done with the real Discreet? [/quote] Hehe. It's me, Jack. I may just have spread myself a bit too thin on the playing front. A sentence with the words 'myself' and 'thin' in it. Ha, ha!

Nothing wrong with nice things when you can afford them... and sometimes when you can't... It's just that GAS can lead to a mountain of time being spent on browsing, selecting and acquiring gear... and then possibly moving it on. Leaving less time for actual playing. But if playing isn't a priority, or you simply just like gear, then it doesn't matter much. Yes... I'm aware I should really be playing bass instead of posting here...

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1484572643' post='3216383'] Is that the strings sounding good or just you? [/quote] Touché!

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1484571809' post='3216374'] One of the best things you can do is change your strings, amazing the difference a new set of strings makes [/quote] Generally that is very true, but my 4-year-old La Bella flats have been on 3 basses and are just beginning to sound good...

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1484570559' post='3216356'] ...there is a diminishing return after a relatively low price point. [/quote] Quite. Look at the number of flashy high-end cars available for people who can't drive, expensive leather-bound, gold-tooled books for people who can't read and fabulous hi-tech big-budget kitchens for people who can't cook...

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1484559685' post='3216242'] ...I need to stop spending on gear and concentrate on... ...my playing for upcoming gigs... [/quote] Came to exactly the same conclusion only quite recently. The idea of acquiring gear is to improve your sound, it's a constant process of upgrading and refinement, right? Only it's not, because your playing suffers as a result. The best way to improve your sound is to improve your playing. After a certain level (and it's a surprisingly basic level) better gear makes not an awful lot of difference. After decades of playing, decades of GAS and many thousands of pounds spent, I'm finally down to one bass, one amp and one cab. I do everything I need to do with those - and the time I previously spent trawling the internet for (gear) porn is now spent playing instead. Having said that, I still appreciate pics of nice gear - I just don't feel the urge to press the BUY button. And I'm not having a go at the GAS community - the heart wants what it wants - and if your bank balance can stand it, it's OK with me.

Here's another view: There are more important things to get worked up about. I don't condone what this guy seems to be doing, but our entire system is based on the premise of buying something and selling it at a profit. The market will decide if it succeeds or not. [i]Caveat Emptor[/i]. [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1484159271' post='3213182'] Buyers need to do their own market research. [/quote]

Sold my MXR M81 to young James, he is a fast payer and an excellent communicator. Recommended.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1483655426' post='3209136'] Yep, great to see you back on The Chat, Mark [/quote] Thanks Lozz... didn't go anywhere really, just haven't been posting much.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1483387824' post='3206788'] Nice to see you back, Happy New Year! [/quote][quote name='Painy' timestamp='1483400460' post='3206926'] Again good to see you back. [/quote] Thanks folks, Happy New Year to you, too.