JapanAxe

I have already posted regarding my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/218404-l400-no-bids-for-a-gb-streamliner-900"]eBay snip purchase[/url], and my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/219019-nad-genz-benz-streamliner-900"]NAD excitement[/url], so now here's a fuller review based on a jam and a gig. My points of reference are the Ashdown ABM rig that I used for about 10 years, and the TC Classic that I've been running through BF Compact and Midget for the last year or so. Bear in mind I bought this head used, about a year old, and all my basses are strung with flats. [b]FEATURES 8/10[/b] I much prefer the TC's 4-band EQ over the Ashdown's 7-band knob/graphic mix. The 900 has passive treble and bass plus active mids with 3 frequencies to choose from, which is just fine for me. The Gain/Volume/Master setup has me scratching my head a bit - once Gain is set to taste, does it matter whether I turn up Volume or Master to get the desired sound level? What's the difference? This is where the TC scores - you can just add in some dirt from the TubeTone(TM) control, without upsetting your overall volume level too much. I would miss the Mute switch if it wasn't there. Round the back there is all I will need and more. I don't use effects, but it's handy to be able to plug in an iPod and play along on headphones. If I am being fussy, an on-board tuner would be nice, but this amp isn't really about bells and whistles. [b]BUILD 9/10[/b] The build and finish seem classier than on the TC. The Gain and Mute switches have a positive chunky feel, and the input socket is secured to the front panel (unlike the TC's, which seems to be at the mercy of its PCB solder joints!) Inside, the valve pre-amp board uses mainly full-size components, which is good news for servicing, or even modding! Unfortunately, the fitted rubber feet do not clear the handle on the BF Midget, so I have had to fit some bigger ones (which are actually door-stops - I did the same with the TC). Also some 'rack handle' doodads, like those fitted to GK's MB series micro heads, would offer some protection to the front panel knobs. This would only be an issue if the amp were to be dropped onto its front panel. In practice I just cart it around in a lap-top bag. There is a bit of a crackle on the Volume pot. This disappeared after a blast of switch cleaner, but then came back. Changing a pot is no biggie if I have to do it, but sourcing a perfect fit in the right value can be hard work. I binned the second and third pre-amp valves (both Ruby Tubes) as they failed on my Orange Valve Tester. For the moment I have replaced them with some unbranded valves that I think came out of a Peavey Duel guitar amp I once owned, but I will have to get some quality replacements I think. I hope the pre-amp design isn't prematurely killing them, mind - I'll have to get my meter out and check some voltages on the board. [b]SOUND 9/10[/b] I was initially underwhelmed with the sound when playing my Sandberg VM4 into the Compact. It seemed a bit bland after the TC's mid-heaviness, and I had to engage the Gain switch and take the Gain up to at least 1- or 2-o'clock to get the kind of 'splat' that I was after. Things began to look up when I tried my G&L 5-er into the Midget. This bass has a humongous output, even in passive mode. I auditioned it through a Streamliner at the Bass Gallery prior to buying it, so no surprise really. For both these basses I ended up cutting bass; boosting mids @ 600Hz for the VM4, and... I can't now remember what I did with the mids on the G&L! The 900 seems much more flexible than the TC, in the sense that you get much more response to your bass's settings at the low and high ends of the range. Whereas the TC effectively has 4 mid controls with centre frequencies an octave apart, the 900 lets through treble and bass frequencies that the TC hides. (The TC has a HPF at 65Hz and a LPF at 5kHz I believe). On to the jam, where I took my Yamaha fretless. Unfortunately the battle for floor space meant I ended up standing behind my rig (just took the Midget), so I didn't quite realise what it was pushing out until andyonbass came over and politely suggested I might turn it down a bit. Towards the end of the session I was able to hear someone else playing my fretless through the rig, and it sounded pretty good from out front. In the evening my gig was with a trio covering punk, indie, and a bit of pop. I used the VM4 through the full stack, i.e. head+Midget+Compact. The venue was a pub, and only the vocals went through the PA. I used in-ear monitors with earphones giving quite a high level of isolation; this protects my over-sensitive right ear, but I often loosen or remove the left 'phone rather than just rely on spill into the mics. For the soundcheck I walked out front (I have a long lead!) and heard what I can only describe as righteous tone. I vary the bass's pickup blend and tone controls from song to song, for example P pickup with the treble up for pick playing on songs like [i]American Idiot[/i], pickup mix with a bit less treble for finger-style on [i]Under the Bridge[/i], P pickup with treble all off and slight bass boost for [i]Baggy Trousers [/i](fingers again). The 900 lets you hear even small differences in settings, which tend to get a bit lost through the TC. The musical highlight of the night was the final encore, where we go from [i]Cigarettes and Alcohol[/i] into [i]Good Times[/i] and [i]Get Lucky[/i], then back again to finish. With a 75%MM/25%P pickup mix and a slight treble boost, I got a great phat and funky tone that put a smile on my face! [b]VALUE FOR MONEY N/A[/b] Hard to comment on this as I bought used, but definitely worth what I paid! [b]OVERALL 9/10[/b] Well the TC has been relegated to a spare I think. It's great that these days you can carry a spare amp over your shoulder! I feel as though I have gone up a division with this head - it's one of those bits of kit that somehow allows you to play better by sounding better.

I had an Ashdown combo that was rated 575W into 4ohm, 350W into 8ohm, but the inbuilt speaker was rated at 300W RMS. Never had a problem. However, the PF500 has had some reliability problems. There are quite a few options in the micro head market.

Look carefully at the pics. Is it just me, or is the neck/body join a bit squiffy? I'm sure I can see misalignment and a biggish gap in the neck pocket.

Anyone want to join me in a bit of pointing and staring?

I'd say keep the Warwick unless you are desperate for the dosh i.e. eviction or mortgage foreclosure imminent! (1) Always good to have a spare. (2) The things you say about it show that it takes you to a different place musically, and it is therefore a worthwhile instrument to own.

Slightly OT but it seems to be a buyer's market for used amps at the moment - I am watching several in the Market Place!

I think that vid is aimed at people who want to believe it - they'll lap it up, and use it to provide affirmation for their buying decisions. Whereas I am a cynical old git.

[quote name='lee650' timestamp='1381532913' post='2240539'] my other two two cats Tinker and Belle are a lot better behaved and just attack furniture, er and loo rolls - lol [/quote] Do they think they are Andrex puppies?

I generally get the piece down on paper (well Sibelius actually), check what I have written corresponds to what I am hearing, then work out how I am going to play the line.

I played guitar in a church music group for a lot of years. Only do it if your motivation is primarily spiritual (whatever that means) rather than musical, or you will end up very conflicted.

I'm glad Marshall can't read this! I keep my music room door closed when I'm not in it. Marshall is allowed to claw 2 things in the house: the magazine basket (gets replaced annually) and an old pouffe in the conservatory (c'mon folks, you're better than that). His paws are like gorilla's hands, so if he claws something, it stays clawed! I just don't like to shout at him as he is a timid soul. [quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1381524812' post='2240422'] Marshall is quite a gorgeous puss cat though [/quote] This too

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1381505725' post='2240055'] Its worth noting that BF cabs fall into two camps tonally. The compact and midget are essentially small/light/efficient cabs that still fundamentally sound like a traditional "bass cab" i.e. some degree of coloration and upper mid emphasis. The big series OTOH are a very different proposition and are designed to act like PA cabs (i.e. minimal coloration and flat frequency response) with an extended low end. Its the same design philosophy as ACME accugroove et-al. If youve spend decades playing through traditional bass cabs, and setting your amp/bass to sound the way you like, then hearing the same bass/amp through such a clean flat cab is going to be either a revelation or a shock. As a previous poster said what you hear though this sort of cab is going to be much closer to what the audience hears out front when the bass is through the PA. [/quote] I can confirm this from my experience at the SE Bass Bash, where Captain Rumble tried his Eden through his S12T, Compact, my Midget, and then the last 2 together. I was stunned to hear how 'coloured' the Compact and Midget were compared to the S12T, even with the tweeter bypassed; all sounded great, but more different than I had expected.

The MB200 is about the only giggable bass amp that you can fit in your coat pocket!

Our cat Marshall - coincidentally as big, black and heavy as a Marshall cab - just wandered into my music room to inform me it was biscuit time, and started into my BF midget with his claws. Little git! Fortunately he went for the paint finish rather than the silver grille cloth, so no visible damage was done. I have warned him that I could do with a pair of furry slippers. Actually the best way to keep him away is to play bass - low frequencies send him running for cover behind the sofa. Here is a picture of him in a stupid-looking pose. He is dim but loveable - provided he keeps his claws off my kit! [attachment=145779:MadMarshall.jpg]

So, 4-string to 5... This is the reverse-MDP process, for people with tragically skinny fingers... or not. EDIT: subscribed!

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1381356079' post='2238153'] Sounds to me as though sir is coming to appreciate his new amp yes? [/quote] Yes indeed, but the proof of the pudding will be on Saturday - afternoon jam on fretless, evening gig on fretted 4!

Just tried my 5-er through it. This thing has much more range in both directions than the TC Classic. I got a nice tone with gain switch in, gain and volume at about noon, bass backed off slightly, mids boosted at 600Hz, treble flat. I say 'tone', I should say 'range of tones' - as I said in my first post, you get a very clear reflection of any changes in control settings on the bass itself. These settings gave a good string balance, which is always nice.

What about using it in a good mood at home!? EDIT: mine didn't really click for me till I started to play along with some tracks.

Lovely job!