discreet

You're a brave man taking that on the tube!

[quote name='CletePurcel' timestamp='1457001232' post='2994308'] I am going to try the 100 and 200 and if I like the sound (which I am sure I will) I think I will just order the 500. [/quote] Good call, makes sense to me. I've decided not to go with the 100 and carry on using my 500. It ain't broke, so I'm not going to fix it.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1456947121' post='2993943'] Long days, dress trousers, shiny shoes, Sex on Fire... it's not for me. [/quote] Did it for a couple of years. In the end, the compulsory audience participation and the false bonhomie routine got to me and I quit. However, [i]if[/i] you can hack it, it is a viable and relatively easy way to become a pro musician. If you're in a properly-managed and busy function outfit, the money can be very good indeed.

Woo! Liking the Casady. The other one, not so much. Never a fan of the Les Paul bass thing. I think the colour is great, very unusual...

[quote name='Christian Houmann' timestamp='1456952849' post='2994053'] Still digging my P's! Anyone else feel the love [/quote] Very much so! Those look great! My Dakota red P is my go-to bass at the moment. Loving it!

[quote name='CletePurcel' timestamp='1456957069' post='2994104'] Hmmm. The 500 is only £75 more than the 200. [/quote] And the 200 is the same size box and nearly as heavy... if you have the budget and you're happy with the size and weight of the 500 then you may as well go for it. You can use it for practice at home (simply turn it down) and you will also be able to play any room with it, because even at 350W it's LOUD. And if you start playing really big rooms or just want the headroom you can get an extension cab. I've not needed an ext cab yet, and I probably never will. The amp is a cracker just as it is. I'm only considering a Rumble 100 for my current band, which is not a rock band and is very quiet - as bands go. I'm interested in the smallest and lightest combo I can get away with that sounds good, and it's very affordable. But the 500 isn't exactly big or heavy - I'd use it for everything. This Rumble 100 purchase is by no means a done deal, I'm really happy with the 500.

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1456921946' post='2993521'] Class D amp, Barefaced One 10 and a reel of Gaffa Tape. Combo done! [/quote] A One10 and a GK MB200 is still a possibility. I think Velcro may be preferable to gaffa tape, though.

[quote name='CletePurcel' timestamp='1456921960' post='2993522'] They have a Rumble 200 in stock at the shop. [/quote] Bear in mind the 200 is the same size and weight as the 500... and the 500 is not wildly more expensive, either. There is a BassChat member who regularly gigs with a Rumble 100 and he says he hasn't run out of steam yet. By all accounts, unless you're in a very loud rock band with a shed-building drummer you may find the 100 will suit you. Like I said, the 500 is silly loud and has way more beans than you'd expect. Not forgetting that without an extension cab the 500 is actually putting out 350W into 8ohms maximum. The 100 has no facility for an extension cab, so is 100W, it is what it is. From my experience with the 500 and from what I've read online I get the distinct impression the Rumble 100 is a little beast.

As far as I can make out from the reviews a Rumble 100 Combo would be fine for home practice (it has a volume control!) and also good for rehearsals and small-to-medium gigs. I can certainly tell you that my Rumble 500 Combo is way louder than I ever need at gigs and the 100 is of the same series, so... the other consideration for rehearsals and gigs is weight. The Rumble 100 weighs in at less than 10kg, which for a bass combo is practically nothing. I have no real negativity regarding Ampeg combos, but they do seem to be relatively heavy and also relatively expensive. I'm going to buy a 100 for gigs as it has a similar preamp to the 500, which I like a lot. Also it's smaller and is about 7kg lighter than the 500 and is currently available for £221 - which is an absolute steal as far as I'm concerned. But it's a good thing you're going to try both - you may just fall in love with Ampeg (I have done so in the past) and the sound of an amp is very subjective and depends on your tone goals. good luck.

[quote name='bassix' timestamp='1456918997' post='2993470'] Now I just need some light cabs to complete the rig, any suggestions?! [/quote] Great amp. I'm going to suggest a Barefaced Super Compact. You'll only need one. http://barefacedbass.com/product-range/Super-Compact.htm

Looks like he's been rumbled, he's relisted the bass as... the bass.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1456831867' post='2992592'] It's ridiculous really isn't it... the bare truth of it is that a HB P and rumble combo would suffice for just about everything I do [/quote] Me too. I've had some wildly expensive kit over the years, and though I still own one or two exceptional basses, I'm currently using a Rumble Combo (which is great!) and fettling a Harley Benton P Bass (NBD pending). So there it is. I have spent way too much time window shopping on t'interwebz, but I do also spend a lot of time practising, and lately a lot more time rehearsing and gigging, which is always a good way to avoid GAS. If you don't have the time, you can't do the crime!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1456831175' post='2992582'] ... I'm beyond redemption. [/quote] Never! I can help you. Send my your Wals, your Glock and your Berg and in return I will show you how gear Nirvana can be achieved with only a Harley Benton P Bass and a Fender Rumble 100 Combo... the solution to your problem is within yourself!!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1456831033' post='2992578'] I only really have GAS for stuff I've already ordered... [/quote] I think you'll find that's part of it.

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1456828848' post='2992548'] ...The gear I have at home is already excellent, I need nothing else, except to learn how to play the bloody things. I believe this to be a symptom of materialism and consumerism generally, and have been trying to realign my thought process to avoid this mindset. GAS is a never ending road going between the thrill of the chase, the purchase, the honeymoon and then boredom (loop back to the start), I'm going to do my best to escape this and would encourage others to do so, the feeling that you don't need anything else is quite liberating. Now what to sell next... [/quote] Oh man, this is so true. Consumer capitalism stalks the globe like... er, a big stalking thing. 'Retail therapy' treats the symptoms and not the disease. GAS can be fun, but is addictive - like heroin, or constantly checking your emails. I'm in denial, I know it. I keep telling myself I'm near the end of my journey and that the gear I have is the culmination of years of careful choice and selective acquisition. Then I'll join a different band, or accept another project - and that's justification enough for everything to go right out the window. False promises, expectations, the thrill of spending and anticipation, satisfaction, slight anxiety, qualms, full anxiety, buyer's remorse, depression. We must try hard to pay attention to - LOOK AT THAT PRE-CBS P!! £3500?? I'M HAVING THAT!!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1456748722' post='2991850'] ...But i don't believe that a bass improves its sound with age (like an old wine), i would even say that a bass can sound worse with age as the electronics, contacts, solders, etc. loose quality and the hardware gets worn and becomes a bit loose... [/quote] It's rumoured that pickup magnets actually make pickups sound better as they weaken over time. Not sure if there's anything in it.

LIKE!!!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1445155956' post='2889083'] The position of the pups has a big impact. [/quote][quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1445156220' post='2889086'] This - they vary quite a lot on PJs. [/quote]

I don't agree, given the Tone Hammer's versatile Gain and Drive controls you can easily get that Ampeg-like harmonic grit playing a P Bass with rounds and a pick, and at high volume too. It's a great amp for practically any genre. IMHO.

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1456517822' post='2990037'] ...I wonder to what extent it is still true that musicians have a disproportionate number of semi-literate and/or dyslexic people in their numbers. [/quote] I CAN TYPING........ NEEEYAHHHHHHH!!!!!! THHHPP!!!