M@23

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1421770876' post='2664799'] And the TH paired with S112's will not be lacking definition in the mids and clarity and cut in the highs. In this regard the amp shaded the PF500 which is another decent lightweight amp which works with the S112's, IMO. [/quote] Thanks for that. I did consider the Ampeg but the reliability queries put me off. Might try get one second hand as come March, the gigs I'm doing will require a decent backup. I ordered a TH500 today :-) got a few gigs this weekend so will give it a really good test. Very much looking forward to its arrival!

Fantastic!

Wow, awesome. Could Hugh offer a date of manufacture? Where did you find it?

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1421603337' post='2663168'] The TH500 was just a bit too "vintagey" for me. Not enough top end when I wanted it, which is not all the time, but sometimes I do. Great chewy thick tones but not hugely versatile IMO. But then the Puma won't do tonehammer tones will it. Do you use pedals or do you want everything from your amp. Puma plus pedals would be a good options IMO For me, the GK RB series are some of the most versatile amps out there. Maybe the Markbass TTE 500/800 ? I'm really wanting to try the new Fender Rumble 500. The Rumble range have sounded good and been really reliable for many years and I also have a real soft spot for Fender Solid state overdrive. [/quote] Great shout on the TTE500. Hadn't considered that, but they do look good. With the Little Mark I used a Boss SD1 set as a clean boost which warmed the sound up and added that bit of hair to the mids. I'd likely do something similar with the Puma if the taste pot didn't do it for me. I always dialled the highs back on the Little Mark too and don't use tweeters in ceramic cabs. So I'm not after zingy highs at all. Which us what nade me think thay the Tone Hammer would be best. I wonder if the TTE series are still Italian made, prices haven't dropped any.

[quote name='zero9' timestamp='1421589773' post='2662949'] Just be sensible when you take them out and don't leave them on the train (like a former Stradivarius owner did IIRC). [/quote] I'd forgotten about that - the owner had leant it to a friend too, and it was the friend that left it on the train. Outrageous! There's another one for the 'do you lend your gear' argument!!.

I did try the GK once, it was really nice. But I think out of the box, maybe a bit aggressive in the upper mids for what I'm after. Don't get me wrong, it would definitely do the job. But, got a feeling it might not be the best man for the job. My Markbass is on the way to it's new owner, so I'd better put an order in really. I'll be begging and borrowing for the next few gigs anyway!

Given that it'd probably made of sone fancy exotic wood, I don't think it would suit the road worn look like a Jazz or Precision. But, instruments are meant to be played, so, to summarise... I don't know.

[quote name='timmyo' timestamp='1421523461' post='2662313'] Actually I think that's spot on - good option :-) [/quote] :-) cool. Might be a decent stop gap until you've found a cab you like.

I don't know if this is possible, but aren't the MB combos usally just the amp stuck to a standard cab? Is this a LM250 mounted to a Balckline 1x15? If so, can you just disconnect the head and plug the Tone Hammer in?

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1421418558' post='2660987'] The next single looks killer too - [/quote] That is pretty cool. They're up there with the very best live shows I've seen.

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1421412848' post='2660880'] If [email="M@23"]M@23[/email] is in the north east then i'd reccomend trying the bass base in pelaw for the amp as they have them in stock and the prices are pretty good, that's certainly where i will be buying mine! Matt [/quote] Argh, i'm right down South unfortunately. Cheers though.

[quote name='dieseldalziel' timestamp='1421350438' post='2660307'] Streamers..two 4-strings & a 5 in this vid.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SELnJ3nMS5k [/quote] Cool, thanks. Hadn't seen that.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421335269' post='2660046'] fair play I say. [/quote] Me too.

[quote name='dieseldalziel' timestamp='1421345891' post='2660237'] He's got himself a Warwick..as seen in this The Voice USA clip.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2c5h2D9IQI ..pause on 0.30 for a good view of it [/quote] He has a few Warwick Custom Shop basses, I think. There was a pic on Instagram of a red fretless Corvette type thing too.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1421341293' post='2660156'] It does do clean fairly well - if you take the drive all the way off, you can then mess around with the gain just to get the cleaner sounds. Gain is a bit of a strange one on these amps, with the gain on full I found there to be a slight breakup using my Precision, but nothing like distortion or overdrive, and the sound was much more modern that way, rather than with putting the drive on full and backing off of the gain. [/quote] Cheers Lozz. I read the gain reacted to the drive and that the pre amp being overloaded can be usable - which is different to every other amp I've owned.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1421333794' post='2660019'] The Tonehammer does have a good resale value. That might be worth bearing in mind? [/quote] Yeah, that is a good point. I'm pretty sure I'd love it though. Does it do a cleaner tone too? I spent most of my time playing with the drive control. The clean tone was still nice and warm and round with great lows, but it's hard to tell properly at low volume.

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1421328601' post='2659889'] Sounds like the classic pull the trigger on one, regret not buying the other quandry - suspect either would be fantastic. [/quote] Yes! It's a win-win/lose-lose scenario!

Thanks very much for the offer, i'm on the Isle of Wight though. I tried the TH500 and thought it was great, vintage meets modern, but unfortunately not used it with my cabs. But, people do say they pair up well. The Puma does look nice and also not too difficult to get useable tones from - a spanner in the works, as i was/am pretty much decided on the TH!

Moving on from my Little Mark, as I've had it 3 years or so and just fancy a change, even though i do like it very much. I got two TKS112 recently and now seems like a good time to try a new amp. Given my location, taking my gear to a shop to test a few amps would prove quite a task, and fairly expensive. I've tried a Tone Hammer 500 and really liked it, but have just seen the Tecamp Puma 500 on Thomann, and they look pretty smart and like the TH, offer good clean and slightly warmer softer tones. My main gig is a functions band, and the TH500 and Puma both seem like they might be good options. Anyone got experience of both? Any opinions of which would be best as a jack of all trades for a pop cover/functions band. Cheers dudes.

[quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1421267614' post='2659245'] My. BH500 is back but I've got man flu and gavebt been up to testing it. [/quote] Not even the energy to play bass?! Does sound like Man Flu.

It's a shame these have had their issues. I used one when trying a new bass once and was really impressed. Hope you get it sorted.

It's a 5 no doubt. We do 3 Bruno tracks and I use a 4 string. Don't think I'd do anything differently if I was playing a fiver. Maybe the odd big low note and some big slides...

Thanks for the feedback Lozz. I'm pretty much decided that I'll be ordering one of these on Saturday now thay my LM3 has found a new home. The prices are a bit crazy, lots of variation between different shops.