discreet

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1439453499' post='2842909'] Maybe try spending money on trying out different strings? It's amazing how much the strings contribute to the tone and playability. [/quote] This is very true. If you're not happy with a bass it's definitely the first thing you should try, it could save you a fortune.

I've had both a B3 and an MS-60B. I'm currently using a B1on and it's great. You can have up to 5 of 100 effects happening simultaneously in one patch (in any order you like - each effect separately tweakable) and up to 100 patches. It has a 30-second looper, 68 rhythm patterns and an on-board tuner. There's an aux in and headphone jack for silent practise. It's a really flexible multi-effects unit, but I've been using mine as an always-on preamp. The noise gate, compressors and amp sims are excellent and can be configured however you like. At forty quid brand new it's a real no-brainer. You could buy one, try it, and if you really didn't like it flip it on here for a very small loss. I have no connection with or affiliation to, Zoom! Edit: Yes, it's a plastic case but the chassis is aluminium. I've not had any issues with its robustness or lack thereof.

Two clicks: One on the Brand New Artist website, the second on 'PayPal' whereupon you get the opportunity to send them your £20 joining fee. I didn't bother finding out how they more usually get you from one to the other...

[quote name='gingerfish' timestamp='1439414215' post='2842749'] Will report back as soon as I have it. [/quote] We await your review with bated trousers.

Spent five years on the carousel, which has been interesting, expensive and fun, but 'the one' for me turned out to be the bass I already had in the first place. D'oh! Generally I think people spend far too much time thinking about basses and not nearly enough time thinking about their playing. I am guilty too.

Mmm, looks delicious! All you need are a few rolls...

I don't want to spoil the Hiscox love (I love Hiscox cases too, and have one), but they're not fitted internally to P-Bass (or any other) shape. However there are pads in the lid which hold the bass in place when shut, with a little niche for the bottom strap button to avoid stress. And you're not going to get better protection than Hiscox's double-skin ABS system... oh what the hell, buy one.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1439391954' post='2842430'] They're basically an upmarket version of the more traditional hair scrunchy, for bassists without ponytails. [/quote] You mean there are bassists [i]with [/i]ponytails..? Eurggh!

I have a VHS copy of 'A Grand Day Out' (featuring Wallace and Gromit) which I got signed by Neil Armstrong when I bumped into him at the Whitgift Centre in Croydon in 1994. I'd be happy to let it go for five rings of Wensleydale. And a Fabergé Egg.

The Gruvgear Fretwrap is to stop open strings ringing too much and it damps overtones, etc. I had one for a while but find it pretty useless as a mute because it only works on open strings. Once you've fretted a note it's out of the picture, obviously. You might suppose it would be useful for ERBs (as said above) as string muting is more difficult with these basses, but I'd say that development of the floating thumb method would be far preferable as it's effective on [i]all [/i]notes, fretted and otherwise. Pretty much a chocolate teapot as far as four-string basses are concerned. You could always use the tried and tested 'stick a bit of foam under the strings at the bridge', but you're committed to having the strings muted all the time unless you want to faff about in and out with the foam while you're playing. I'd say floating thumb if you're serious about your string damping and muting. But I prefer palm muting myself. Gruvgear also do a thing like a rubber flap which goes over and behind the strings at the bridge [i]à la[/i] foam rubber, but I've not heard anything good about it. As always, your mileage may vary.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1439372903' post='2842185'] Warning boring technical content. From memory (not too good nowadays) the ABM and MAG range use Class AB output stages using power FETs similar to the old Trace designs (can't remember whether they are VFets or Mosfets. Advantages over bipolar transistor output stages are that the the transfer charateristic is closer to valve than transistor so clipping is less harsh, and they do not suffer from thermal runaway (if the heatsink is too small or ambient temerature is too high). Disadvantages are that they give out less power (fewer watts) for a given power supply voltage so transformers are bigger (hence heavier). Incidentally it is a lovely looking amp. Looks like it means business. [/quote] Not boring at all, good to have that confirmed, thanks. Having missed the slam of a valve power stage I've been looking at second-hand valve amps, but have to be honest with myself and admit that I'd probably never use one live purely because of the weight. And hybrid amps with a Class D power stage can be very good indeed, but just aren't the same. IMHO, of course. It's nice to know how the ABM does its thing, and while it's not as hefty soundwise as an all-valve amp (again IMHO), it's certainly close enough and a totally workable and practical compromise between weight, tone and performance. To the extent that I've cancelled my eBay searches for valve amps. The fact that the ABM is still currently available and the company very much alive and kicking is a bonus, too. Aesthetically it's got an atomic-era retro vibe about it, what with the blue powder-coated steel front plate, plethora of push-buttons, rotary and slider controls, front-mounted DI-out XLR socket and backlit VU meter... and a leather carry handle! Cool! I'm just slightly mortified that the amp which turns out to be ideal for my purposes has been right under my nose all this time... so to speak.

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1439320263' post='2841931'] Any bass that isn't a Precision... [/quote] Hee, hee. Succinct and to the point.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1439316981' post='2841879'] ...is anyone using the Demeter Minnie? [/quote] I believe Billy Apple has recently acquired one.

I don't mind myself, as long as it's GOOD. Too many 'DJs' have no idea about pacing, building a set and working a crowd. I don't either, but then I'm not a DJ.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1439309164' post='2841781'] I always take a Precision with me when I go camping. [/quote] Me too - they're good for getting boy scouts out of old ladies' beds.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1439304637' post='2841706'] Our guitarist is 1/3 of Above and Beyond. [/quote] I find that most bizarre and at the same time, very cool indeed. As well as being the Rock God everyone knows and loves on here, I'm also a secret trance fan and A&B are HUGE!!

Welcome, from hot and humid south London.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1439297768' post='2841627'] And who on earth needs tuning heads the size of a wind-turbine? [/quote] Huh! You'll be the first to complain when the lights go out.

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1439291691' post='2841544'] Wasn't that an episode of The Simpsons ? [/quote] Yeah, that was in the USA with a big catfish. Ours was in the Lake District with a banjo. Completely different.

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1439290310' post='2841531'] The book is used. The amazon book is new. The book also is not rare. If this type of selling is allowed to go unchallenged then it is the not-so-thin end of a wedge that will lead to all sorts of nonsense. [/quote] Too late, all sorts of nonsense has already happened and has been happening since the invention of commerce. There's nothing to stop this guy selling a book at whatever price he wants to. Whether he'll get that or not remains to be seen. It's a non-issue. When I was an eBay trader back in the day I'd often get idiots sending me messages to the effect of, 'I can buy your product X two quid cheaper at Y'. To which my response was, 'Then why are you bothering me? Go and buy it at Y'. While it's true that describing the book as 'rare' is stretching the truth somewhat, one needs to look at things listed on eBay (or anywhere else) very closely before one commits to buying.

Headless. I can see the advantages, but I'd be afeared of falling off the end, so to speak. And small basses. And dark-coloured basses. I need all the help I can get to divert attention away from me and focus it on the bass... And ^ active or other basses with multiple controls ^ . I've tried 'em and don't like 'em. Love the simplicity of one pickup, one volume, one tone. Anything else promotes a lot of time-wasting fiddling with your knobs. Either that or setting and forgetting... then what's the point? Fretboard blocks. Went through a period of liking them, but prefer dots by far. Natural finishes. And yes, single cuts. Ones that look like a cross between a beluga whale and Pac Man. The G&L ASAT is OK, though.

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1439227299' post='2841053'] euw - no! [/quote] Oh - yes! That's actually Firemist Gold. To the OP - LPB is good, but don't make the mistake of having a tort guard with it... Parchment or cream.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1439227449' post='2841057'] I guess the tiger is in fact an Asian tiger of one type or another... [/quote] Correct, there are NO wild tigers in Africa.