mcnach

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1390037799' post='2340690'] A venue where I gig regularly has the bass amp going through a really nice Ampeg Classic Series SVT 410he. They started off pairing it with an Ampeg PF- 500, which broke, the replacement was an Ashdown Mag 300 which also broke, and now they've hired an ancient Peavey firebass 700 with a broken input (you have to use the effects return thereby bypassing the preamp completely). The amazing thing is, whatever amp they use, the sound out of that cab is always great! The 410he cabs are not cheap.They typically sell for around £700. Which leads me to the conclusion that you're much better off spending your cash on the best cab you can afford and economising on the amplifier rather than the other way around. I wonder if there's any other Basschattters out there who have had a similar experience of playing a cheap and cheerful amp through a high end cab and getting a great sound? [/quote] I know the venue well (says while whistling ) The first time I played there they actually had the Ashdown Mag300. Then that one disappeared and the Ampeg came in. Then the Ashdown came back again... but it did not work when I got there. Playing without a monitor was not fun... I was told it was fixed the week after when I played there again, but during the first set it cut out a few times (out on the FOH it was ok)... so during the break I got my RH450 out of my car and used that ever since (well, since last summer I tend to bring my Markbass combo). I saw the Peavey when I last played there, on Thursday, but I did not use it. And you're right, I could always get a cool sound out of that cab. I use my combo now merely because placing it on top it's closer to my ears and it allows me to play at lower volumes, which seems to help our onstage sound. Our guitarists are also more sound conscious than they were even a year ago, and they themselves turn down onstage too, which is helping all of us hear ourselves better (we're a 7-piece, so if we don't restrain ourselves a bit it can get pretty chaotic). The amp onstage, on most of the gigs I play, is merely used as a monitor... from that point of view as long as I can hear myself, the sound is not so important to me if I get a decent sound out there (I mean, I love to have a nice sound, but in some kind of gigs, you just know onstage sound is going to be suboptimal, and I don't worry anymore). A nice amp is useful there. The thing is that it does not need to be a hugely expensive one to have a good DI sound (I normally DI in those situations)... and then I'm in the hands of the sound engineer and what he's able to concoct within the limitations of the equipment and the room's acoustics. When the amp is there to provide all bass, without PA support, then a good sounding rig is important... and like you, I think that speakers are the top priority. I think a decent amp through great cabs will sound great, but a great amp through merely decent speakers, will just sound decent.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1390058589' post='2341016'] The East pre amp is interesting - apparently (so I've heard) based on his 76 Ray. The interesting thing here is that the 2 band EQ was developed and there were several upgrades (using software terminology) over the years until 1979 - the 1979 version has been used to date. But based on what I've heard, what people are buying is the early version of the Ray pre amp with a mid sweep control. You pays your money and takes your choice I guess!! [/quote] I have a 2002 Stingray that was 2EQ. I ended up getting the 3-band John East one. The 2EQ section of it is *very* similar to the original on my bass (presumably based on a 79 design?), but I felt the John East was less brittle on the highs, and the bottom end a bit more... "focused", I'd say. Either way, I liked it better. Now, I am not sure whether this is the true difference between the 76 and 79 designs, or just John East's take on it... but whatever it is, I like it better.

Ah, so I wasn't blind Thank you for the replies, folks! I've seen that 1212, but it's a bit larger than what I was aiming for. Pity, for the price is good too!

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1389964373' post='2340022'] IME the Wal sound is mainly from the pickups. I've played passive Wals that still sound like Wals; listen to Leigh Gorman. His Wal Pro is passive. [/quote] and the same thing goes for Stingrays. The preamp allows you to get a variety of tones... the sound of a passive Stingray (as in simply bypassing the preamp) is still unmistakeably Stingray, and is just one of the many tones you can get from the preamp.

[quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1389914681' post='2339619'] Passive vs active isn't black and white. It's a voltage signal. It's amplified somewhere. Onboard or outboard the signal ceases to be passive at some point. [/quote] indeed, it makes me chuckle sometimes when I hear these "organic bassy goodness vs active modern" arguments, as the passive fundamentalists appear to speak as though they did not use any other electronics in their signal path, not even an amplifier!

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1389990739' post='2340422'] Why not just get one of these? but if you have to change basses, put all the Jazz numbers together and the Precision numbers together. [/quote] Not always practical, if -say- a guitarist needs also two different guitars and the setlist has to take to into account. Sometimes certain songs are split to allow the singer to rest after a particular taxing one on his voice, etc.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1389945442' post='2339727'] OK I'm a lucky guy with the luxury of choice. I have two 'good' basses that I'm really comfortable with. A Highway 1 Jazz and an American Deluxe Precision. I had no intention of being a Fender man, if you'd asked me three years ago I'd have said you get better quality £ for £ almost anywhere else, but these two came up cheap, I couldn't resist and they both play and sound great. I'm happy with the basses but my question is what to do live? There's little doubt in my mind that the P-bass sits better in the mix for most of our songs (Indie covers mainly) For a few songs the depth of the Jazz works better. At home the Jazz sounds so much better, to my taste anyway. I take both to gigs, just in case. I take spares of everything critical, even PA speakers. So, should I start swapping basses? I hate it when the guitards swap instruments, particularly when one puts down the acoustic to pick up an electric whilst the the other swaps to pick up their acoustic. How important is having the right tone compared with continuity? [/quote] If you swap, have the other bass on a stand and tuned. It takes under a minute to step on the tuner (mute), unplug, swap, plug again... make sure that your band knows at what point you'll swap, so that it is teh moment the singer speaks about something, and/or the band does something other than stand there quietly watching you. Essentially, do the same as when a guitarist breaks a string Providing you're not swappint for EVERY song, it should not be a problem. If you're not able to do it fast and/or it seems to break the flow too much, then don't do it. But it can be done. Practice it during rehearsals.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1390056782' post='2340983'] wow, where did you get the J&D from? surf green and maple fingerboard? I do not need another Jazz but that combination is HOT!!!!!!!!!!! [/quote] nevermind... dv247... I just went and ordered one! I have no cure!

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1390052598' post='2340905'] Cant go wrong with a vmj.....lovely thin necks too with narrow rear to back dimension as well..i prefer my vmj to my cmj. as an aside ive just bought a surf green j&d 1975 vintage jazz new for £119 delivered....very impressed thus far....nice build with very hot pups indeed. [/quote] wow, where did you get the J&D from? surf green and maple fingerboard? I do not need another Jazz but that combination is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw a link to a beautiful surf green Jazz with maple fingerboard and blocks for £119... that I don't really need but that's a combination that sends tingles down my spine and I... cannot... resist... However, searching for those, I came across another J&D bass that looks pretty cool and is designed for a Stingray vibe, soundwise... I thought some of you might enjoy looking at this too: [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/jandd-yc-200-4-string-bass-guitar-black--200785"]http://www.dv247.com...r-black--200785[/url] very pleased the don't do this with maple fingerboard are these J&D any good? How do they compare, say, against a Squier VM Jazz?

[quote name='Absolute Beginner' timestamp='1390028950' post='2340619'] Hi all. Your thoughts on the above as a bass for a relative novice.....? I've seen one at my local music store recently and fallen in love with it. I really look the like of the Natural finish in particular (The store didn't have this finish available though). It seems very reasonably priced at £250. Have any of you got one and can recommend it....? Thanks very much. [/quote] It's a pretty good bass. I had one for a while that I simply let go because I had three other Jazz basses: a Fender 75RI that was very very sweet and a bass I was after for a while, a Squier that was red and therefore had to stay , and a black one by Vintage that was my first real bass and I already sold only to buy a couple of years later due to sentimental value to me... A drummer friend of mine wanted to get into bass asd asked me whether I'd sell one of mine, and the VM Jazz seemed idea. She loved it at first sight, and it sounds great. I still play it from time to time when I go to see her and we end up jamming (she has an electronic kit in the house, so it's easy), and I just love the bass. Mine was one of the first ones with "Duncan Designed" pickups. I hear they have changed but I have no idea whether the new ones are better, worse or the same. I'd probably go for a used one, partly because you save money and if you later found that you prefer something else (when I started I went through many basses until I figured out what I really liked) you can sell it without loss... and partly to be able to buy one of the ones I owned, as I knew those were pretty good. Having said that, it's probably just me being a bit paranoid, I bet the newer ones are still great, or better. Great basses.

I can't find a supplier... is it really not available here?

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1389983777' post='2340309'] Here? [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Vanderkley_Amplification.html"]http://www.bassdirec...lification.html[/url] I'm running a Genz Benz 3.0 through the GB10 with a Vanderkley 12 - lovely warm full sound - no complaints here. [/quote] No, I meant the Schroeder 1210L, the Bass Direct page for Vanderkley cabs is already bookmarked

[quote name='Steff' timestamp='1389959271' post='2339931'] I wouldn't write off Schroeder cabs mate (Yeah I'm biased, I know ). 1210L or 1212L. Light, compact, loud, full range and low-mid rich cabs. Fat. Never tried the Vanderkleys tho. [/quote] When a guy with a lovely SR5 tone like yours speaks, I have to listen Hmmm, the 1210L looks like a pretty interesting option (not as pretty, but I can live with that since neither am I )... the reviews make it look like the kind of thing I'm after indeed... but where in the UK can one buy these cabs? I can't find a store that stocks them

[quote name='paulie' timestamp='1389903350' post='2339449'] I used to own the 112 MNT and it was the best 12 Ive ever heard. Really smooth sound, really well made and light Ive heard the 210 version is also amazing Id go for it [/quote] Thanks... you haven't disuaded me Anyone else?

it was a pleasure to meet bassist_lewis last night He now has the Baton and will use it on Saturday... I'll post a picture later of the handover...

Yes, a case, and it comes with... a whole bunch of things, I'll show you later... now I must run or I'll be late!

I'm looking around for a cab to complement my rig, and this one has caught my attention. Does anyone have experience with it? I am one of those "I like light and portable" guys, unless you want to be my roadie and be paid in crisps (as many as you can eat), so I understand that there are compromises to be made... but so far I'm happy with those. I generally use a Markbass CMD121P combo, featuring a single 12". It's pretty loud for its size, and although it does not have earth-shattering lows, it sounds pretty good, it's compact, and it's a great stage monitor, which is what I need in 80% of the gigs I play. When I want more, I stack the combo on top of a Barefaced Compact, which provides oomph and that small rig sounds reasonable and loud enough for most situations where I play without PA support. I'm selling some gear, and the incoming cash is making me think I could reshuffle my rig. I'm probably going to end up with a Markbass LMIII (same head as in my combo), because I prefer the head+cab configuration afterall, and I'm thinking about a cab to use together with the BF Compact. I want something that is not mids-shy, but as "full" as possible. As the BF is not very rich in highs, a "full range" cab would be nice, although not absolutely necessary, as I don't use a very bright tone anyway. I want it to stack nicely on the BF, and be light, and sound good. And 8ohm. Because of that, I came across the Vanderkley 210MNT. It measures 50x50x41cm, so it would stack nicely over the BF, and is a little deeper. It weighs only 17Kg. It also looks pretty The problem is that they're rare, and I would probably have to buy untested. It's not a small amount of money, so I'd like to research a bit before I pull the trigger... I'm too far from Bass Direct to go down and check them out. So, has anybody used one of these things?

[quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1389861954' post='2338679'] Ok, so I'm a relative newcomer to the world of bass as a long time guitarist and am no fan-boy of either model, but I struggle with this whole "P bass is better" argument. Just how can a single p/u bass with a basic tone/volume circuit be more versatile than a splitable p/u with a 3 band active EQ...and that's without including the HH/HS options? If I was to make a guitar-based comparison, it's akin to someone swearing their single P90 shod Gibson Les Paul Jnr is more versatile than a PRS Custom 24 with multiple coil taped p/us. Whilst I agree that a lot of great P players have produced a wide range of sounds, and the same be said for my guitar-based comparison, just how much of that variation comes from technique and amplification rather than the instrument itself? Preference is one thing i.e. you may prefer one over another, but does that make it more versatile? Just my thoughts on the argument. [/quote] The versatility idea is often misguided, I feel. I went through a phase, using a stratocaster, of "let's get all possible sounds out of this guitar" with complex wiring and switches. IN the end I got a guitar that had a miriad tones, most quite similar to others, and where the nuances would get lost the minute you're not playing the guitar by itself in a quiet environment... which ended up with my admitting that -in my opinion- it was a futile quest, having found only one extra interesting tone (neck and bridge pickups together in parallel). Let's move to bass now. Splittable humbucker? Cool, and yes there is a difference. But it's hardly day and night and whilst I have a preference, it tends to be that I prefer one of the sound possibilities and stick with it, getting whatever tonal variations I need from amp or preamp controls. The Stingray is more versatile to me, because of the preamp. No doubt. But I normally don't change tones too much... I may go "deeper" or "crispier", but that's about it, and a lot of people manage that with a Precision just fine. Ultimately, I prefer the sound of the Stingray, as it sits right in the mix (the way I want it) easily and it sounds mighty. So I use a Stingray live nearly always. Others get the same feeling I do, but using a Precision. I don't think it's about the range of tones so much as about getting a sound that works well and is easy to achieve. I think that's what P-bass fans talk about when they say that a P bass works with everything.