Advantages: Wide Tonal Range, Quality Construction, Price
Disadvantages: No Reverb

...Features ------------ The Laney Hardcore MAX HCM15B contains a wide range of features which makes it an excellent combo practice amp or an amp for a small performance. The amp features a 15watt custom 8” driver which is more than adequate for its application and can get to amazing volumes with no distortion, onboard headphone controller and compressor. The amp also features a CD/Line input jack and Bass/ Swept Middle/Treble/Master knobs. The only feature I would have like to see featured in this amp is Reverb although this is available with many other models. Expandability ------------------- The Laney Hardcore MAX HCM15B Bass Practice Amplifier is very expandable as it enables the connection of an additional bass cab utilising the existing inputs although for the price of the additional cab you would probably be best... Read review

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Advantages: Simple Operation. Ease of set up. Fantastic value for money. Great sound.
Disadvantages: None

...records to try with the amp and had the amp hooked up to a project turtable. The first was beethoven. As i setteled back in on the sofa with control in hand I was amazed at the sheer clarity the amplifier was giving to the music. I turned the amp up a little higher and was amazed at how the sound did not clip or distort but only became more rich the louder the music became. So far so good. Next for a track from AC/DC (downpayment blues) Now the amp seemed to perform in a new way. The subltle sounds of the Beethoven were replaced by a controlled yet driving bass line and a hot vocal range. The amp was obviously well capable of crossing that great divide between the two types of music ie Rock and Classical. I did not try the next album I wanted to pay for the amp. That was how quickly the sound grabbed me. It all so true folks. Now for those... Read review

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Advantages: A nice little practice amp
Disadvantages: gets a bit fuzzy when you turn up the gain too much

...As you may of guessed, i am a bassist. ive been playing about two years now, and ive never changed my amp! i bought my peavey microbass the day i bought my bass, there like brothers now, a peavey amp and a peavey bass, beautiful *whipes away tear* Anyway, the amp itself is approx 24cm in height, approx 30 cm wide, and approx 22 cm deep. Id say it weights about 20 lbs too. so if you measure it up, its pretty small. Its only a 20W amp, but dont let the size fool you, this baby can get pretty loud with the bass volume and amp gain at full, infact, ive never had it at full volume. a small amount of volume is just fine for me, its only a practise amp after all, it doesnt need to reach 300 decibels, just needs to be loud enough to get the nice bass sound out of it. The speaker on the bass is about 8 inches and is protected by a black... Read review

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Advantages: Great Looking, Smooth Neck, Good Sound.
Disadvantages: No Active Pickups

...I bought this electric bass about a year ago, along with a Fender Rumble amp, as my first proper instrument, and let me say this - I couldn't have been happier with it. First, lets go through some specs. My model is an older style that the one Ibanez now advertise and sell, so mine doesnt have the Phat II EQ Bass Boost control that newer models now come eqipt with. The body is Agathis, which is not a great wood for guitar bodies, but ibanez use it well to get the best out of it. All basses/guitars in this price range use it, as it is the cheapest musical wood. This wood is a relative of true mahogany and gives nearly the same tonal characterists. Warm lows with a fairly strong sustain. The neck is made out of maple, and the finish is just perfect for my tastes. It is very thinly varnished, so you don't get the stickiness... Read review

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Advantages: Price, High Quality, Rigorous Checks at Ibanez
Disadvantages: Let down by pickups (although they can be replaced).

...Bassist ------------------------------------------------ I believe that this bass is an excellent grounding for anyone who wants to get into playing the bass, or has played the bass before and would like to move up to 5-string. Almost every aspect of the guitar lends itself to being suitable for beginner players ranging from its durability, ease of playing, modifications, and probably the most important, its competitive pricing. Pricing & Availability ---------------------------- I bought my GSR205 in J.G.Windows (a shop in Newcastle Upon Tyne) with a Laney Hardcore practice amp last Christmas for around £300. I was lucky because J.G.Windows are excellent for providing packages of guitars and amps and they can always be beaten down to ask you for about £50 less than their initial offer. I have seen my bass alon