mcnach

Leaning heavily towards a Markbass CMD121, will get to try one this weekend... and I'm thinking a Barefaced Midget or Compact to give him company if I like it, as I am not 100% satisfied with my existing rig anyway (cabs, the RH450 head I like). We'll see. Maybe I will try the CMD121 and hate it, who knows?

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1367345282' post='2064522'] To get you back on topic, I have been using a TecAmp Puma 110 as a personal monitor, with DI to the PA, for about 6 months now and it works very well. I put it on a combo stand to get it a bit closer to the ear, but it can also be angled back using the rod support that comes with it for that purpose. It is smaller, lighter, easier to carry and very very much louder than the A100 that it replaced. It will also drive another 8 Ohm cab for a bit more volume. [/quote] oooh, and this one has a blue light! I love blue lights! seriously, thanks for the suggestion, I was not aware of this one either, so many to choose from!

You are right. The problem is that the more I look, the more I find things I'd love to try!!! I'm thinking the Barefaced Compact and Midget cabs looks very promising in specs and reviews, and I would love to try one of those with my RH450 and the RS210... and could be an amazing "go louder" partner for a Markbass CMD121 too... see? I only wanted a small light combo that would work as a personal monitor and maybe a bit more... and before I realised I have a whole list of shiny thunder making boxes in my list! Internet is a double edged sword for sure!

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1367268082' post='2063562'] Looks like a bargain has been had! [/quote] unfortunately not by me, I was not fast enough!

[quote name='richardcoughlan' timestamp='1367238732' post='2062939'] I have a Markbass Mini 121P combo for sale £350 here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/206416-fs-markbass-mini-cmd-121p-combo-l350/"]http://basschat.co.u...21p-combo-l350/[/url] Best, Rich [/quote] oooh, must check that out

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1367239827' post='2062963'] What about an Ashdown MiBass[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] 550 and Mi12 cab. Very light and Doddy uses his for every gig he does. I really like the head (I have one) and the Mi12 looks light and is loud too according to doddy.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]There's a thread on the here [/font][/color][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/185964-nad-ashdown-mi12/page__hl__mibass"]http://basschat.co.u...age__hl__mibass[/url] [/quote] That looks like an interesting rig I must say. But it's not much lighter than my RH450 and a RS210 cab... I think so far the AER Amp One and the MarkBass CMD121 are the ones that really tempt me, for size/weight reasons. I might not go for it as being my only amp, but as a second amp I think I really want to try something noticeable smaller than my normal set up. But thanks, I was not aware of these... and they look quite interesting. They do a 15" one too!

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1366887409' post='2058498'] Remember guys, come back at 6pm on saturday 27th April to find out what is going on! [/quote] but... I may be busy tomorrow evening!!! Noooo!!!

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1367007482' post='2060311'] I'VE BUILT A HOUSE! Lol, no, not really. [/quote] Yeah, but you are God... not that impressive, is it? [url="http://youtu.be/CfcVTuhk5jI"]http://youtu.be/CfcVTuhk5jI[/url]

Phew! All sorted, CDs arrived yesterday... and album launch is tomorrow... tight! BUt they look good

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1367009594' post='2060330'] Good luck on the album launch, we had ours last weekend, was a long day but very worthwhile. Re the Markbass amps - I bought my first MB set-up as whenever I saw a band play in a pub/club etc and liked the bassists sound, invariably they were using Markbass. So I got a Little Mark Tube and 410HR. Fantastic - but my back is at the point where even a Markbass 410 is too much. So I read up on the 121P, and thought I`d give it a go, and probably have to settle for a set-up I wasn`t overkeen on, but that I could lift, my back being more important than my ears. But I was wrong, I`ve not compromised on sound at all. For the gigs I do - pubs, or clubs where I go through the PA - the 121P on its own, is plenty. For my punk covers band I drag out the ext spkr, but in reality I don`t need it. Until I tried it, I really thought the reviews were another Emperors New Clothes, but I was wrong. The only set-up I`d buy now would be exactly the same if I were playing bigger stages, and just have two of them. [/quote] Very encouraging, and as it's the only one I have found near me, all the better. Album launch... I was getting sick of it recently, to be honest. All the preparations, the stress... we only got the CDs yesterday!!! But now that it's all pretty much done, and all we have left is... to show up and play, I'm getting excited again. I was a bit worried we would not sell many tickets, but sales look good, so it should be a good crowd.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1367009568' post='2060328'] The CMD102 (the 2x10 combo) isn't the smallest of things, it's about the same size as a standard 2x10 cab with front ports. But it doesn't weigh much (can be carried with one hand), has a tilt back option if you use it horizontally & has plenty of loudness (& sounds quality too). So it might be bigger than one of your current 2x10 cabs. I think something like the 121 that Lozz has may suit you better though. [/quote] Yes, that's exactly the one I had in mind. The 2x10 I'm sure it's a great amp, but not too different in size from what I already have.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1366974269' post='2059650'] You have answered your own question... imho. [/quote] It's obvious I already like that idea, on paper, eh? You see, I bought my TC rig without trying Markbass, but I meant to and I had done a bit of research... I went with TC because a friend of mine was able to give me a pretty good deal on the TC at a shop which did not stock Markbass... and it was just too good to pass it. They let me take it to rehearsal and I liked it enough, so I bought it. Never been in love full with it though... but I do like the head (RH450), the built-in tuner, the compressor... the presets (which I use for different basses, and come very handy when I shared the amp with another band) Yes, MB is something I *have* to try. And on paper it looks pretty good.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1366985741' post='2059919'] The Markbass Mini CMD121P - very light and portable, and is plenty powerful enough for me in an 8-piece punky type band comprising drums, 2 basses, keys, and 3 gtrs. I never get the volume on more than 3 or 4. Adding in an extra cab - I have the matching NY121 - just makes the sound a lot bigger without necessarily being louder. Plus, in my opinion, the Markbass sound sits just in the right place in the mix, rather like Ampeg, so is easy to eq to get a good sound. [/quote] This is the amp that is looking the best option for me so far, and the only one I have found locally. This weekend I am just too busy (album launch party gig tomorrow! yay!!! ) but next weekend I will be trying one. The shop also offers 0% finance over 12 months which would make the buy absolutely painless... but I'd really like to be able to test it in something resembling a live situation, which I will not be able to do in the shop... so we'll see. I'll probably take the Hartke for comparison, as it's the one it has to beat significantly when it comes to sound and volume (in size it already wins). They also have TC Electronic RS and BC cabs so I may be able to try the Markbass in combination, just to see how the go together... I just wish I could try other things too. I don't want to make a decision after trying only one... unless I fall in love instantly, which rarely happens.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1366986119' post='2059931'] How about your amp and your 212? It's a good, compact rig and your least expensive option. [/quote] it is a reasonable thought, but it's not really small enough. I have used that, or more often the single RS210 on its own with the RH450, which sounds better... but it's not ideal. It has not the benefits of a bigger rig, nor the comfort benefits of a small one... it's somewhere in between where it doesn't excel at anything. To be honest, in those situations I'd probably just use the Hartke A100. Still a compromise. If I am going to compromise, which I'll have to if I want something louder and smaller, it's got to be significantly smaller for me to consider it. There are a couple of interesting Markbass amps, and the AER Amp One looks intriguing too...

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1366991688' post='2060068'] Your amp plus a different, smaller cab. [/quote] definitely a possibility!!! I need to investigate more. The thing is the cabs that look like will definitely be great make me think that I might as well get something like the Markbass small combo, because then I have two amps, and two is better than one (thinking of having a reasonable backup etc)

[quote name='rubis' timestamp='1366992714' post='2060083'] Or swap your BC212 for an RS112 maybe..................or one of the new 'budget' Markbass combo's, I think they're based on the LM250 head and look fab [/quote] The BC212 is not the best cab out there, I admit it. But it's much easier to carry than even my RS210: not just weight, but the handles don't dig in my hands, and it just balances better so it's easy to carry it with one hand. It works well with the RS210, but not amazing by itself. An RS212 will likely sound better, but it's bulkier and heavier.

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1366993755' post='2060102'] Oh you so need an AER Amp One. Perfect for that tight situation you describe - there is even an optional tilt-back wedge thing for it. Nothing is even in the same sound quality universe AND it is loud enough. Save, sell things that you cherish and buy one. [/quote] I have just been reading about it. It is hard to find someone who does not like it... oh, wait, all the good reviews were yours (joking) The price is high, but not enough to turn me off. However, finding one locally to try is going to be the hard part. The Markbass is not a problem... I may have to take advantage of the distance sales regs to get to try an amp, as I just don't find enough interesting ones around. The Amp One has got me intrigued, thanks!

Is there much of a difference between the RH450 and the RH750 apart from the "tweetertone" control?

So, here is the thing... I already have a reasonable compromise between loudness and bulk with my TC Electronics rig (RH450 head, plus BC212 and RS210 cabs, vertically stacked). It does what I need it to do and I have never found it lacking yet. But sometimes it would be great to have a more compact rig that can work as a great stage monitor, mostly. Last week we played a couple of gigs in a location ideal for such compact rig: the stage was on a balcony that had to be accessed through a narrow and steep spiral staircase. I did not know it was going to be like that, but I was lucky I had chosen to take my Hartke A100, 100W 15" speaker tilt-back combo. The Hartke did the job, but I was really pushing it hard and I could have used maybe 25% more volume. The Hartke is great because it can do the job and it's an amp I'm not too precious about, so if I have to lend someone an amp, this is the one. However, I'm thinking I'd really love a more compact rig (than the TC). Essentially, if I could have something the size of the Hartke A100 or smaller, and louder, and good sounding... I'd want one. Ideally with tilt-back capability, but not necessary absolutely, as that can be arranged... and ideally with controls near the front so that they can be easily accessed when tilted back. But again, I can compromise there. As it would not likely to be my main rig... I'll be choosy in two regards: size and weight. If it's really small, I can tolerate higher weight. If it's not so small, it's got to be light. But it MUST be good sounding and noticeably LOUDER than a Hartke A100. Price? Irrelevant. If I find something that is really good, I will save so that I can buy it. Can you recommend something? The Ibanez Promethean looked very promising and got good reviews, at a good price... but then also lots of concerns about reliability, so not so keen. The RedSub and Harley Benton Promethean style amps get good reviews regarding sound too, but lots of reliability issues, and I am not keen to enter a lottery. Gallien Krueger MB series gets good reviews too, and seems like they could work. The Markbass CMD121 looks almost too good to be true... very light, very compact, and people say it's reasonably loud and good sounding. I like the idea of being able to use this on top of the BC212 cab when wanting a louder rig. Although I really like by RH450 head, this would essentially give me two giggable rigs, and I like having a suitable backup, when it's as small as the Markbass... Not cheap, but if it does what I want it to do (and people say they do), it's money well spent. So far I'm leaning towards this and I'm trying to locate one to try. Any other suggestions? Another thing I could consider is a light reasonably compact but efficient cab to match to my RH450. The drawback is it would not provide me with a backup for my RH450... and something like a Barefaced is not too far off the price of the Markbass... but again I hear wonderful things about their sound, efficiency and loudness... and they seem to be really well design speakers that could cope with a larger head easily, so it could be a good investment thinking about future changes... but again, I don't know anyone with those cabs around here to try. It's all too much money to buy without testing. So much out there!!! Your comments will probably confuse me even more by adding more alternatives (love Basschat! ) but ultimately it will all prove useful for me... so any comments welcome!

[quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1366755191' post='2057065'] i use Dimarzio DP123 jazz pickup. They already a bassy pickup. I may want to change it to something else. I use to like bassy tone but now i like more mid tone ...... [/quote] I like a lot the pickups that come on some CIJ Fender Jazzes (many 75RI models, for instance), made in USA ones. I forget the model number. They have a nice midrange content. I recently bought a second pair for £60 I think. Worth keeping an eye out for them, in my opinion.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1366643230' post='2055342'] The valve pedal is mains powered, so no worries there. It occurs me that if I was going to abandon pedal tuners entirely and have the fuzz as the only 9v powered box, I'd almost be as well sticking with ye olde PP3s for the fuzz... [/quote] The problem with using batteries in a pedal board is you have to remember to unplug them all when not in use. The tuner should last a long time on a battery, I'd imagine. I have a Korg DT-10 in my gig bag for I don't know how long on the same battery... I imagine it will still draw current when plugged in, but as you'd normally use a tuner first in the chain, you'd probably not forget to unplug your guitar cable from it. At least if, like me, you have the habit of always unplugging the instrument cable at both ends... hmmm.

[quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1366654827' post='2055585'] My Fender Classic 60 jazz had a J-Retro installed very long time ago before John East stuff became very expensive. I liked it very much when i first had it installed. I haven't play my Jazz for absolute ages because i'm so use to my Precision bass (passive) sound and my AGC 5 string P/J. I decide to play my Jazz bass in today and set everything flat on both the amp and the j-retro i find it the default tone is very bassy (in a good way) but i just couldn't get use to it, i even have to pull the bass down and boost the mid instead. Anyone find it the J-Retro to be a very bassy preamp by default? or I just got use to boost the mid and like the mid now? [/quote] I think the "flat" setting on the J Retro is slightly mid scooped. It can feel bass heavy I suppose depending on the pickups. I tend to use mostly only the bridge pickup, which is fine, but if you use the neck or both pickups on especially, I'd also want to add mids.

I apologise for my non helpful post, but I had to add that I am not a fan of Rics... but that bass looks AMAZING. wow.