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#1964653 - 06/30/08 03:34 PM

I love spending other people's money

Tom Capasso
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Registered: 04/30/01
Posts: 7683
Loc: east meadow,NY,UNITED STATES

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I've mentioned before that I loan equipment to the bass player across the street. Two times back, he said he wanted to buy his own rig. I'm sure I offered to help. Of course he didn't, which is why we had another loan. This time he said that he'd buy his own rig, and I told him that he can't do that without letting me help. I told him it's just too much fun to join in the excitement of some new gear. So we began getting to more details. His name is Rob.

Rob plays a franken-p bass (neck feels great). He is usually playing rock trio (drums/guitar/bass), but sometimes they add keys or another guitar. It's always small bars or backyard stuff. He's old-school (in his early 50s) and likes a more old school sound. When Rob uses my rig - iAmp 500 / two Berg 12 cabs (one with, one without horn) he leaves it pretty flat with one contour button pushed (slight scoop, nothing much) and says he likes it. His most often-stated feature of my rig that he likes is the head and cab size/weight. $\:\)$

Rob doesn't want to spend much money, and I told him to figure on $350 for a head and $350 for a cab - both used. I figure he can manage with a 2x10 and a reasonable head. He doesn't have budget for anything fancy, and that's fine because he's not a "fancy" guy. $\:\)$ I was hoping to find him something used, but new if possible. I've been scanning some classified boards at times, though I've avoided ebay. My own feeling was that a recognized gear mover (or gear slut) on Talkbass would be less of a risk than someone on ebay.

Last Wednesday I had some time and was looking for some accessories, and stopped at a store I'd never visited (All Music, Plainview NY). They had some interesting basses (Zon double-cut Elite 4 that was very nice), but what caught my attention was an Acme Low B1. I played it and I'm not sure it's loud enough on it's own for Rob, but what a great sounding cab. I asked what they wanted, and they told me they are $700 new, so they want $350.

I knew that was wrong, but it wasn't until I was home that I saw the B1 is $400 on Andy's site. I haven't been back yet, but I'd offer 200 and take it for 250. I put that aside in my mind for Rob - it's the right size cab. If it's not loud enough, he can borrow one of my Bergs to go along with it.

Two days later, I found some more time in between two appointments. Went to Guitar Center in Commack just to walk around for a while. They had some used GK heads, and I thought right away that a GK would work well for Rob (I think a Hartke 3500 would be good as well). They had an 800 that seemed overpriced, and a 700 that seemed overpriced. Then I saw another 700 in a wooden/carpeted rack case. It was scratched up, but it was $279.

I got a sales-kid to set me up with a $199 GK 2x10 to see how it sounded. It sounded excellent. $\:D$ I called Rob, but he didn't answer. I called 57pbass to make sure I wasn't hallucinating about this being a good deal. The sales-kid told me that for about $20 they'd do a 12-month performance guarantee (warranty), and that I could return the thing for 30 days no question/full refund. The more I thought about it, if Rob didn't want it, it would work as a backup for me.

So I bought it.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) it is on "police hold" until July 4. This is done when GC buys used equip (presumably when the seller doesn't have original documentation) to wait a period of time in case it was stolen.

Last night I sat with Rob and explained that he bought an amp. Turns out that after our last conversation, his Minister Of Finance told him he should go out and buy what he needs (within reason). We both agreed that $300 isn't an amount that causes any notice, but if he has it for 10 years he'll feel like it was a fantastic deal. So he's in. $\:\)$

We talked cabs, and I couldn't find the GK 2x10 on-line that I had played. I think we'll go together next Monday to pick up the head and try some cabs (they had a Peavey 2x10 for $249). Then I'll drag his ass to hear the B1.

We also spent some time in my basement listening to my cabs. Rob asked what difference a cab makes, and so we played bass-taster with my two Bergs and my Kustom 2x12. He came to understand how cabs have different sounds. He also loved the Kustom more than the Bergs, but he understands that the Berg's better "definition" will help in a room with a band, and that the Kustom can get woofy in a big room (trust me on this). I love when I plug everything in (Kustom + 2 Bergs) - lots of volume (2 ohm load!) and cool sounds - at least in my basement.

We'll see how this progresses....

Tom

Edited by Tom Capasso (06/30/08 03:39 PM)

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Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt