mcnach

apart from the 'sander relic', I like it! I like the double J pickups at the bridge especially. It looks like a big burly biker of a bass

Youtube only gives you a very very very rough idea of the sound a bass can make. It's unfortunate, as sometimes you just can't get to hear a given instrument in person... There are lots of terrible reviews on youtube.

While that's true to some extent, Cort makes instruments at all quality levels: they're able to make fantastic instruments, or very basic entry ones, essentially they build to order whatever a company asks for and with a budget in mind. Just because two basses look similar and were both made by Cort it doesn't mean they're similar. Having said that, Cort doesn't really make bad instruments, just like Yamaha. They're pretty safe. Although Cort's choice of electronics can be a big let down on the lower range of instruments.

The Affinity can be ok, but I find the electronics lacking in general, while every VM series I've played was a bass that I'd be happy to play *as is*. I'd go with the VM, especially if you buy online as you stand a better chance to get a decent instrument, in my opinion. Don't dismiss the amp as just a box to make the bass loud: a meh amp will make your bass terribly uninspiring. The good news is that you don't need to spend much to get a small amp that sounds good... but I'd definitely go around trying amps until I find one that I really like.

Judging amps/cabs at rehearsal studios may not give you an accurate idea of what they're like. At least where I am, most amps are pretty much battered to within an inch of their death and they rarely sound great. I got my "ugh Trace Elliot" face from those experiences, but then I tried Trace Elliot rigs owned by people who looked after their gear and I've liked a lot of them...

I was a bit of an OLP MM2 fanboi not that long ago... I bought one as I wanted something looking like a Stingray but wasn't prepared to pay for a MusicMan (I thought these basses were hideous :lol:) and loved it. Ended up putting a Seymour Dundan pickup on it and a 3-band preamp and it became my main bass for a while. At one point I think I owned up to 5 of the things! I made one fretless... Some of those OLPs were dogs, but most were at least decent and a proportion of them were very very nice. I regret selling my black/maple one. The seller wanted £120 and I was ready to pay him when he said "well, the strings are pretty old and action high so just give me £100"... who was I to argue? 30 minutes later I was at home, put a new set of strings, tweaked the truss rod and saddles a bit... and it was a beast.

Indeed... it got me very confused on my first one, someone less cautious than me might have created some damage!

Nice watch, thanks for the heads up. A little too focused on a specific handful of guys/girls that I didn't relate much to particularly (except one or two), but it was still a very interesting and entertaining documentary.

They were initially branded as "Retro series", but that was dropped quickly. Because of that "Retro" name, I stayed away from them and tried other cabs, and spent quite a bit on other brands (I already had a couple of BF BB2 cabs that I was looking to replace). Eventually I tried a Two10, and I realised that the Retro name was doing the cabs a disservice. It is true that they don't have the very bright high treble some other cabs may have (usually with tweeters/horns). However, they cover a very wide range, in practice. They're able to reproduce a bright clanky Precision + pick type of sound, a great Jazz slap tone, or a fat and big classic 70s rock tone if your amp produces those tones... and many other sounds. The difference I found with the BB2, for example, was that with the BB2 I was playing with my EQ a lot more to get the sound I wanted, and I would have to be careful to avoid harsh treble, or overpowering nasal mids, or boomy low end: those things are beasts, and in the hands of someone with the time and inclination they can sound superbly. Me? I want to get a good sound quickly. I often don't have time for extended soundchecks and I need to work fast. I play various things in various bands, funk, ska/reggae and I'm even in a Rage Against The Machine tribute band with a lot of effects and overdrive etc [1]... and despite the variety of sounds required, I always get something very good very quickly, whether I use a Stingray or a Precision (or rarely a Jazz). Obviously, this is in great part because the sound I'm after is a sound these speakers can do very well, so your personal taste may differ... but the sounds in my head are pretty standard classic bass sounds, and with either a Mesa D800+ or a MarkBass LM3 (quite different heads) I get the right sound easily. [1] TimC appears to be using 10-series BF cabs these days, but I didn't choose mine based on that. It was just an interesting case of convergent evolution

It was the same for me regarding the 12" and their 'retro' 10" series. I actually owned a 2nd gen Compact first (15") and then two BB2. I liked them but I was never really crazy about them. They were great in that they were light, compact, and loud, and they sounded ok... but sound was where I didn't love them. I tried a Two10 and that changed everything. I now have two Two10, and a Mesa D800+ (I tried a D800 for a bit but the 'bright' switch on the D800+ and the HPF especially were worth the upgrade for me). The 'baked in' tone of the Two10 cabs (and I assume the OneTen and the others) is very nice to my ears. There's tons of treble if you want it, but it is hard to get it to sound brittle and ugly, and the bottom end is big and strong but tight and it doesn't get boomy easily. They're great for lazy people like me who wants to find a good sound quickly without much fuss. I've used the Mesa + Two10 combination (one or two cabs, depending) quite a bit by now, and they've never made me doubt my choice.

That's dirty? I won't show you mine then

I've used the Elacin ones, another similar ones by a brand I forget, I've got custom moulded ACS ones... but the ones I use 99% of the times are the Flare Isolates. On paper they were not convincing to me but my guitarist liked them and decided to have a go. They work best for me, especially in very loud environments.

I'm confused... my comments were based on my experience of a D800 I borrowed and a D800+ that I own: I already own a D800+! edit: I see, the comment wasn't for me! As you were...

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1510252774' post='3405102'] True, but luckily his money was safe in a tax haven, so he can raise awareness so that poorer people can pay for schools and hospitals [/quote] That's a bit like complaining that in a charity gig the band gets paid and they have the audacity to mention the charity and encouraging people to donate...

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1510218032' post='3404653'] Having to play some dreary blues in our set, are you *sure* he overrun and it didn't just feel like it? [/quote] !!!!!!!!

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1510190628' post='3404598'] The EQ on the D800+ does look amazing and it's clearly a step up from the D800 (which is reflected in the D800 being 20% cheaper). But does the D800 series come anywhere close to capturing the gorgeous Mesa 'sound' epitomised by their MX-Carbine series? If it does, then this model (together with the Trickfish Bulhead 1K and Genzler Magellan 800) definitely needs to be added to a 'best of' shortlist. [/quote] I'm not familiar with the Carbine amps, but over at TalkBass some seem to think it gets close enough. The D800 is a little 'dark' by default. The D800+ has a bright switch that I always have engaged. I find it sounds nicer if I end up cutting some high end either at my bass or amp's EQ than trying to boost things using the D800. I've had many positive comments from sound people while using the D800+, both DI'd and when using the Barefaced Two10 cabs. Our trombone player loves bass and the first time I showed up with the D800+ plus Two10s he kept looking back at the amp and at one point he was playing with his back to the audience right in front of my amp, immersed in bass and looking happy He was later asking me what I did different to other times because he was absolutely loving the bass (He's very experienced, been around in many bands since the early 80s. He was in the Dexys Midnight Runners back in the day and has stayed playing live since... so he's heard his share of bass amps)

[quote name='CameronJ' timestamp='1509789271' post='3401610'] And the Maruszczyks are (IMO) much better looking and potentially better made! That Warwick bag is comedy pricing at its finest. [/quote] Agreed. When it comes to gig bags, I prefer something like the Fusion F1 or Urban. All the comfort of a good rucksack, but with tons of protection for your instrument and pockets for cables, accessories etc. They're something like £130-40 but well worth it in my opinion. Very well made.

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1509788879' post='3401599'] A recently engaged friend has asked me to recommend a band for their wedding. He says that the ones they have checked out online are quite cheesy, citing Bruno Mars as the apparent benchmark for cheese. The couple are more into the indie band thing (he's also partial to a bit of reggae/ska), but still want the place to feel like a party. Nottingham area DJ already booked Not sure whether PA is provided, but I'm assuming not Any guidance/suggestions please? [/quote] There must be quite a few bands in the area that meet the criteria. I'd also choose a 'normal' band over a 'wedding band' at my wedding as I'd like it to be more a party than a night down at the pub... Both my main bands (one originals ska/funk/somethingoranother, and another 50/50 originals/covers ska/reggae) have played similar wedding parties and a few stag/hen parties too. I'd volunteer as we're no strangers to travelling but I am sure you will find other bands closer to you that you can check out live well in advance to make sure they're a good fit. It depends a lot on what kind of party they want. If it's mostly family with no particular interest in live music, then a classic wedding band would be more fun FOR THEM but if you have a good amount of friends with whom I presume you do share a love for parties and live music, then a party band sounds like a great idea

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1509784088' post='3401555'] But with due respect to Alex, he's unlikely to be recommending a Berg, TKS or Vanderkley I suspect I'm sure you'll have already seen the [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/308403-vanderkley-are-better-than-barefaced-cabs-right/"]BF vs VK thread[/url] and some very useful comments in that also. [/quote] That was an interesting read, but there was no comparison to the BF "Ten" series which I think should not be ignored. I personally prefer the BF Two10 (or a pair of them) to the 12" speaker based offerings (owned a pair of BB2 at one point, plus tried the supermidget and owned a Compact too for a couple of years) or the VdK 210s or the TKS 1226 cabs I also used to own. I like their sound first, and size/weight are just a bonus.

a pair of BF Two10... Very easy to carry, loud and great sound.

Yes: my 2002 MM Stingray.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1509630547' post='3400434'] Yes - they went to Paul at the Custom IEM Company - he deals with it all and they get reshelled in good ole Florida at Inearz. They have done a great job and the whole process was hassle free. [/quote] Very tempted to get mine done. I find getting the right tips for fit and isolation is crucial, and can't get better fit than going for a reshell I guess.

Best: Mesa D800+ with a pair of Barefaced Two10 cabs. I love that amplifier. I love those cabs. Together they're fantastic. Worse: Boss CEB-3 chorus It just sounds so weak and meh...

Play the harmonic, then press string down and slide. On fretless the harmonic 'character' is preserved very well, on a fretted bass you lose most of it but can still hear it... however it's nothing as clear as the way it sounds on a fretless.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1509126285' post='3396890'] [attachment=256364:SetListOct17.png] ...in no particular order. [/quote] You've got "I wish", "Sir Duke", "Roxanne" and "Dancing in the moonlight" (Thin Lizzy's I hope?)... I'm happy.