Kev

Interesting combination of realisations, efficient 112 cabs and underpowered head I would have though inefficient cabs would have highlighted this, or visa versa. I sincerely recommend you look at Class D amplifiers. GK MB Fusion series are a really good starting point, none of the Class D stereotypes and the 500w version I had was plenty loud enough with 112 cabs.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1486936345' post='3235762'] Don't forget that fearless and barefaced share quite a lot of "design DNA" as Alex will happily confirm.. [/quote] I imagine the 3-way the Big Baby I shares an awful lot in common with an F112. The BB2 less so?

[quote name='funkle' timestamp='1486933226' post='3235719'] Fair comment. But the Fearless stuff is very expensive...and there is nowhere to hear it first. At least with most other brands, I could go to Bass Direct or something...or a mate's gig, or whatever. [/quote] Also a fair comment

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1486929671' post='3235679'] You are gigging right? He he! So many venues have monitors that just aren't up to the job of handling bass guitar, especially for those bassists who tune anything below Eb lol. So, for me, being able to bring along a 'monitor' that can more than handle the job [i]and[/i] that i have some control over takes the pressure off the rattley vocal monitors held together with gaffer tape! I think it's easy to get 'crystal clear' confused with 'toppy'. The BF BB cabinets (for example) only reproduce what you put in to them, like a top quality PA. (Quite the opposite from coloured bass cabinets I suppose, not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that, if that is what is wanted I hasten to add.) So if it sounds toppy, it's not the fault of the cabinet, it's what is being put in to it [/quote] I am, perhaps I am just lucky with venues But then again, I am not one of those bassist that does rely on monitors, so perhaps I would notice if I went ampless If you play a distorted tone, you don't really want or need cabs that are crystal clear, toppy or however else you want to refer to it With the Barefaced, I used a cab simulator to 'colour' up the sound somewhat and smoothen things out. I haven't gigged the Bergantino that replaced it yet and wont for a few weeks, from rehearsals I am undecided if I will still use the cab sim or go without. The cab sim will still be used to send signal to FOH though.

[quote name='funkle' timestamp='1486925908' post='3235615'] Fearless cabs have to be ordered from Guy at Tricky Audio. No returns.... At least with BF you can order and return within a month if you don't like it. It's why I never ordered new with Fearless stuff...couldn't quite stomach the risk. [/quote] Bit harsh on Fearless to single them out as having the same Policy as pretty much all cab builders out there, with exception to BF Id love to try one, but all this talk of them being crystal clear puts me off. If players want a PA monitor sound, why bother with a power amp and cab at all? I guess many don't these days, AxeFX etc. The BF cabs I had were very clear as well, particularly the 2nd Gen Midget T. The SC seem to have a bit more character to it, although perhaps that was the lack of tweeter/high end.

[quote name='Prince_phil' timestamp='1486910255' post='3235417'] Hi Pete- I hope your well! Are the fearless cabs quite hard to get here in the UK? I quite like that barefaced are based in the UK and that the support seems to be pretty good. [/quote] Not at all, there is a dedicated UK builder http://trickyaudio.wixsite.com/trickyaudio/products

We got rid of our original drummer for very similar reasons, also his refusal to play to a click. A shame, but no choice really. You simply can't play live with a drummer that can't keep time.

[quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1486859574' post='3235157'] The older class D amps were souped up mono hi-fi amplifiers. Never liked any of them. This one is rather interesting. My 500w Tech21 doesn't go loud enough with a Barefaced bigtwin II. I just wonder if 900w will be enough to keep up with my 250w all valve head, which can get insanely loud. [/quote] Don't read too much into wattage I don't pretend to understand the physics with this kind of stuff, but my Aguilar 500w head was not as loud or powerful sounding as a GK MB 500w head. In a similar sense, my tecamp 900w head was not as loud or powerful as this Darkglass head. Again, lots more goes into how a head sounds and how much it puts out of the speaker than just the power module itself, Class a/b and Class d alike. Look at Trace Elliot, I don't think anyone would suggest that any modern class a/b or d amp could match it watt for watt.

Is that a new Rickenbacker model?

Don't feed the troll! Some people think that the sound and 'heft' of a 'Class D' amp head is down to the power module alone. Those people are wrong, but as owners of amps such as the M900, we can smile and move on Jon, how did the gig go? Sorry again I couldn't make it!

[quote name='Defo' timestamp='1486814381' post='3234715'] My Combustion (not NG2) certainly feels thinner than my ABZ, thinnest of all my basses in fact [/quote] How old is your ABZ? The NG2 neck is not thinner than any AB or ABZ built since the NG2 came out. I believe they have the same profile.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1486592367' post='3233174'] The Jazz basses he used didn't work live at all imo, the Fenderay does do what he needs it too, I've seen him live with various basses other than a pukka Ray and I'm not really a fan of his live sound whatever he uses but I find that with most bass sounds that use FX tbh. [/quote] Entirely disagree, but thats what opinions are for! The Fender just sounds like a weak stingray or a weak modulus, literally cannot hear anything better about it. He very rarely uses effects, by the way. Occasional clean boost, very occasional filter and very very occasional overdrive/fuzz.

[quote name='longtimefred' timestamp='1486590856' post='3233152'] Come down Kev, be cool to meet ya. There are some amazing bands away from the main stage later night larger bands if they ain't your bag. Anyway back on topic... I really wanna hear this amp in person up close and personal. I'd love to a b it against my svt. [/quote] I probably wont be able to make it bud Ill be using mine in the M2TM semi's at Arches Coventry and an all dayer at the Roadhouse in April

Funny, I fancy HRH, but only for the first half or so of the bands. Bigger they get, less interesting they seem to be for me! Really need to get down and watch both of you guys at some point!

From the live videos I have seen/heard, Flea has his worst tone in years using this bass, in my opinion. Zero GAS for this. The Mexican made sig thats available now is far more interesting to me as its modelled after his old Jazz bass he used before this custom Fender, which is an awesome bass.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1486556966' post='3232713'] In my experience with cabs having owned quite a few different configurations that there is nothing special or magic about having multiple drivers, multiple cabs or even both. Conversely there is nothing intrinsically limiting about having "only a 112" - if its loud enough to do the job then you not missing out on any magic by not using more speakers/cabs. [/quote] Absolutely, if its loud enough as it is then why increase drivers?! I was just making the point that in my experience an SC alone can't compete for volume or low end with a Berg 2x12 setup and I have not found a 1x12 that can. I guess the BBII wont be that significant a step-up from an SC in that regard. The SC though was very loud and louder than any other 112 I have owned

No experience with the BBII. I have recently moved from a Super Compact and Midget setup and they were very good cabs. They are not magic, though, and a BBII or a SC alone will not replace a 2 x 112 setup. The cab I replaced my 2 with (Berg CN212) seems to be around the same kind of volume (perhaps a little louder, actually), but I would say the Berg 112 I had before the Barefaced setup was not quite as 'big' sounding as the SC. The build quality of the bergs feels somewhat better, for sure, if that kind of thing bothers you. I wouldn't say there are any 2 way 1x12 cabs on the market that would be louder and deeper than a BBII on my experience with the SC, but again don't expect it to compete with a good 2x12 setup.

Its funny, the fall in the pound has everything to do with and absolutely NOTHING to do with Brexit at the same time. A conversation for another forum, perhaps. What I do wish to know is what will happen with the pound when Article 50 is triggered, as that will be around the time these will start shipping. Preorder at this price to avoid risk of £=Euro, or hang on for a better currency rate once the uncertainty is over? I certainly want it, but the price is truly painful. Arghhhhhhhhhh

[quote name='Jorduan' timestamp='1486069336' post='3229065'] Thanks for all the feedback - its much appreciated! My band is in a metal competition, with the winners getting a place at the Bloodstock festival. I think this justifies spending the money!!! [/quote] I am using a Microtubes M900 head in my own local M2TM competition, and we are through to the semi's. Make of that what you will!

Lowering the pickups didn't work for me, the strings always had this chorusy ring to them, particularly the bottom strings. Hope you get them to sound good!