mcnach

I just bought Tedmanzie's MarkBass LMIII amplifier. Very pleasant communication during the transaction, and he posted it quickly and superbly packaged. A real pleasure. Thank you, Ted! Loving the amp!

The J Retro (and DJ Retro) is an awesome preamp, and really easy to install... no soldering needed either. A 5 minute job.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1394026612' post='2387048'] Certainly could be a workable solution to the problem, but as I say it wouldn't be a solution for me as I don't like to modify a brand new amp. Amongst other things I am sure the warranty will be thrown out the window... [/quote] that for sure! just putting it out there for the more adventurous who really like the amp. I have just got the head alone (LM III) so that I can pair it with any cab. It's a bit redundant, having the combo as well, but I really like that amp.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1394023873' post='2386998'] It was a brief affair, but I am afraid I am returning the amp to the shop today. From all I have read, the tweeter sound I am experiencing is normal and expected of these amplifiers, which regretfully makes the amp completely unsuitable for me. Primarily was to be used as a home practice amp and a studio recording amp, and with the hiss of that non-adjustable tweeter it would be no good for either of these uses. Would be no problem at all if it was to be used as a gigging amp. I know the issue could easily be helped by sticking a bit of foam or felt over the tweeter to block out the white noise, however whilst I may be happy to do this with a second hand amplifier, I don't feel like I should have to do this with an Amp I have just bought brand new. If it's not perfect for me, it needs to go back. I have requested that the shop look into the return as a fault as well as being not fit for purpose, as I really don't think a tweeter should be that loud. Perhaps at 25 my hearing is still better than others and it's just more audible to me, who knows. Otherwise, the amp sounded good and I am sure it performs well for 99% of the bassists out there Lesson learned: listen harder when trying amplifiers out before you buy. (needless to say I did not try this exact amp before buying it, perils of online purchasing..) Anyway, apologies for the thread hijack! [/quote] there were some reports of people replacing the tweeter with another that was something like £15, which allegedly worked well and no hiss... but I have not tried that

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1393948083' post='2386146'] So it turned up today and sounds great. However, very notable issue from the off; the piezo tweeter has a pretty loud hiss going on. A hiss that is still there even with the master volume all the way off and no bass plugged in. Is this typical of piezo tweeters or is something wrong with it? Didn't notice this in the shop but then I guess at home its a different environment. The tweeter does not get louder as you turn the volume up and eventually hiss from the 12" takes over it anyway, so I imagine this is normal but its seems loud at home practice volume, and of course there is no volume control or way of turning it off. [/quote] It's normal. At higher volume you will not notice. Some people did not hear the hiss on mine when I could clearly... it turned out that they could not hear very high frequencies too well (or at all) through years of rehearsals and gigs without earplugs (there's a lesson: if it's loud, plugs) One thing I don't like about the piezo tweeter is its inherent sound. I don't use very trebly sounds, but when I do, and with certain distortion pedals, it just sounds a bit harsh. Not a deal breaker, but I wish it could be attenuated, or that they used a different tweeter. It's a great combo, regardless. edit: I feel I have to make clear that the hiss is not at all intrusive. It's audible at home at very low volume, but that's it. The piezo tweeter sound is another matter. It's not "bad", I just don't love it

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1393849071' post='2384919'] Drats!! I had a word and they don't use it any more I'm sure I found out and told you but cant find it in any of our correspondence so unless you can find it amongst our emails it looks like it will for ever more be referred to 'apa sticky tape' which I wont be too disappointed in A [/quote] I know I asked you... but I don't think I got an answer Ah well... I'm sure there are other products that will work perfectly, it's just that this particular tape was known to work really well. Thank you!

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1393752542' post='2383907'] The master volume on the amp is completely independant of the DI output. Just turn it down to 0. [/quote] That's the beauty about most if not all the amps mentioned in this thread: you can use them without a speaker (if in head form) and DI and speaker outputs are independent: you can use one on your desktop as a DI to feed your mixer. I bought a small Behringer mixer many years ago, a Eurorack UB1002. To be honest, I could have been happy with even a smaller one and this one cost me new less than £50. I put the computer output through it, mp3 players, and can put microphones, a guitar V-Amp, anything. The output of the mixer is fed to a pair of desk monitors and it also has headphones output... One of the most useful bits of gear I ever bought.

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1393697442' post='2383516'] Carpet tape - its double sided and very strong. Although I did give Mcnach some specialist tape from a contractor we use. Its VERY strong. A [/quote] Indeed! By the way, does the one you gave me have a commercial name? It's great and one day I'll want to buy some... and I can imagine the face of the guy at the shop when I ask for "Apa sticky tape"

Thumbs up

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1393540737' post='2381817'] This is clearly to save setup time. If every band's bass player insisted on using their own rig, that would somewhat eat into the evening! If you did take your own rig you might have to let all the other herberts use it [/quote] here's where a nice small rig is nice. A MarkBass CMD121P combo is often enough, and with a single extension cab it's still small, portable... and sounds great (and loud). You can carry it in and set it while your drummer sets his cymbals, and take it away with you when you're done.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1393510299' post='2381198'] If it was me, I'd take my rig anyway. it's not going to kill them to have you move a combo off the stage for half an hour! [/quote] this

Joyo Ultimate Drive. Pretty cool pedal, much nicer sounding than the Boss, and unlike the Muff, it can do nice low gain sounds too.

[quote name='Scott S' timestamp='1393204125' post='2377415'] shame that I can't extend to trace elliot money; come to think of it i can't extend to Stingray money at the moment, lol [/quote] Try a USA EBMM SUB. They're essentially uglier Stingrays (although not so ugly, I own two, a white and a wine red one... after replacing the metallic pickguard, they look really nice, I think). Cost? about £350-400 (used, they were only made between 2003-2006, but they are not too hard to find)

[quote name='Cairobill' timestamp='1393196994' post='2377342'] Stingray classic (2 band) with dead nickel round wounds or flats. Thump city... [/quote] This. Flats are a bit too... "flat". Dead rounds have a bit more of the right personality, to my ears. You can get away with pretty dead rounds on a Stingray and still have a reasonable amount of treble when you want it (that preamp can boost effectively the minute amounts of original treble present), and sound thumpy by turning down the treble to mid-way or lower.

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1393421952' post='2380005'] I've noticed that some members list themselves as being in more than one band in their sig. If you are the primary bassist for two or three bands, how do you prioritise gigs / rehearsals? [/quote] For rehearsals, we assign a particular day of the week. That may change after a while, and not every week has to have a rehearsal, but having a set day for a particular band helps. Of course, in my case it helps that several of the bands share a few members. There is a main band, in my case... and this band is also the priority of every member. But this "priority" status rarely has to be invoked. The gigs are booked on a first come first serve basis. I guess it helps that only the "main" band is very active... Of course, everyone is transparent about other projects they may have. In fact, it's been quite useful having band members involved in other things: we have expanded our "circle of influence" and in some cases it's turned out to be a good move technique-wise for some members. Not sure how common my situation is... but here it is: I'm in 4 bands currently. However, before you scream it's crazy... two of them are straight tribute bands. We have had a period of learning the tunes and rehearsing regularly. Now in one of them we rehearse maybe once a month, with the other we never do. We play typically one gig a month with each. Sometimes two, a few times none. The other two bands are originals. My main band is comprised of 8 people: 1) vocalist/guitar - he also plays in two other bands. We share one band. 2) rhythm guitar 3) lead guitar/vocals - he is in another band with me, where he plays drums 4) drummer - he plays in two other bands, one of which we share 5) trumpet - he plays in an orchestra sometimes 6) trumpet 7) sax 8) oh, that's me! Next week we have a gig with one of the tribute bands, but our drummer hurt his foot badly... so the main band's drummer is stepping in. It's like we have a large collective of subs if we need them . Last week I had to leave town due to a family problem, a day before a gig... But one of our other band's bass players has depped for me in the past and was able to take my place. I don't like using deps in originals' bands as a regular thing, but they can be a very useful thing when used sparingly. Of course, all this only works because we are largely reliable, we communicate, and use online calendars... those are a godsend.

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1393450443' post='2380570'] I had the exact same experience today! [/quote]

[quote name='Me And My Bass' timestamp='1393435652' post='2380328'] Its my trusty old MM Sabre . . . beat up, but sounds amazing. [/quote] aaah! The lack of pickguard threw me off. Nice!

[quote name='paulie' timestamp='1389221955' post='2331692'] My local repair tech is extremely experienced and has seen every brand of amp on his bench at some stage. He even manufactures his own valve amps. He is very complimentary of other brands particularly Ampeg and Trace from a repair point of view and Genz Benz for using good power modules. However he advised me to steer clear of TC Electronic amps, so thats one brand I wouldnt go for. [/quote] did he say why? without a reason, it's not more meaningful than a car repair guy telling you to stay away from white cars...

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1389183418' post='2330948'] I find it a prime example as to how much watts relate to volume - very little. It wouldn't stop me buying a TC head. THey certainly look cool. [/quote] indeed. I only sold my RH450 because I found after 5 years I wanted a different sound... It was definitely loud, when paired to the appropriate cabs. Any issues with lack of volume must lie with the speakers. Issues with the tone/sound... well, each amp has its own. We don't all want the same tone.