dave_bass5

In my case a BDDI cured my amp GAS. I wouldn’t dream of using the F1 without it (or more lately my DG VMT). I find the GK MB800 on its own is just as satisfying though.

Yeah, the F500 was always the one i wanted, especially after getting rid of my old MB SA450 with its sweepable EQ, but I couldn’t find one at a decent price.

Yeah, i agree with that.

I had my MarkBass F1 when i first got the BB2, so for me it wasn’t JUST the GK that was the problem. I play with a pick most of the time and i do find that can sound a bit thin compared to finger style.

And i think Gary gets an excellent tone with my old BB2, so even more confusing 🙂

I wanted to point out it was more a lack of mids how i prefer to hear them rather than just not there. Just so we are clear at least on my post in case war breaks out 🙂

Yes, ours are called DB Technologies OPERA 715 DX 15" Active PA Speaker. This is the older version, more rounded than the current version. They are also very light. I carry both at the same time. We use a Behringer desk (cost about £160). This is the 1x10 version http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-sound/db-technologies-opera-710-dx-10-active-pa-speaker--103440 I cant really answer what the differences would be, if all things being equal other than size. What i have foun dis when we used our old guitarists 1x10 RCF's we struggled to get a solid, clean tone. Playing the same venues with our 1x15's we had no issues. Volume wise we would have been pretty much the same. His were rated lower than ours, so i can understand the difference in clean output, but the overall tone was much more solid and tight from the DB's.

I'm Not sure what the going rate for those is now, you are right about that model being out of production, but we got them from Digital village for just under £650 for the pair. This was much cheaper than the equivalent RCF's at the time.

[quote name='Gottastopbuyinggear' timestamp='1501140135' post='3342717'] Didn't see your comments on mixers, Phil, as our posts crossed. [/quote] Did you look at my thread? The db's are made by a company who are owned by RCF so good quality.

Have a read through this thread i started last year. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/293613-thomanns-the-box-pa-502-a-anyone-using-these-for-live-work/page__fromsearch__1 Im very, very happy with the outcome. i just wish i had got these a few years earlier.

Enough is enough IMO. Playing less doesn't always do the job well enough, same as playing more than is needed. This is another one of those silly phrases like 'the audience wont notice/care' Are we to assume there is a set number of notes in a piece of music that works and over that it does? Who sets this number in the first place?

Yeah, thats what im using. its a nice sturdy PSU, with an above average thickness for the wire. This is the one im having issues with when i run my Zoom B2n and G6 off it.

No problem. Amp wise i was using a MarkBass F1 (had it for a god few years) and more recently a GK MB800. It wasn't an EQ issue as such, but i did find I couldn't adjust enough to get the character i wasnted. I felt by backing the low end off things got too thin. That's probably not what was really happening, but that's what it felt like. with the Vanderkley i had the tone i wanted i with the EQ pretty much flat. I too have to confess i thought the BB2 was a bit too small and boring to look at, like one of those cheap PA cabs in the window of Marlins. It's amazingly light, but i felt it was a bit too small to keep reaching down to adjust amp settings etc. Not a negative as such, but i like the idea of something with a bit more visual presence on stage, while still being small and light. The BB2 can easily be lifted with two fingers of one hand, its that light. The Vanderkley is definitely heavier but still carryable with one hand. I do wish i had tried one of the Vanderkley 212 cabs as well, i think that would have been even better, but I'm happy with the 1x15 and it will last me for a long time.

It's hard to say what I didn't like about the BB2, but if i have to say something then it was the strong low end and neutral minds. Probably not the best way to describe it though. Actiually, I'd say the BB2 was like a neck pup on a Jazz, and the Vanderkley more like a P bass. I should also add that i had spent the previous 6-7 years using a Schroeder 1212L, so was used to hearing mids. The BB2 had a very powerful low end, but i missed hearing the mids as i wanted to hear them. Yes, a bit sterile I suppose. I wanted a cab that would colour my tone in a way that i wanted it to. When i first got the BB2 i was amazed with it. Clean, loud and very light. It could have covered every gig i had, and was working fine for a while, but i just missed something. On wooden stages (even with a Gramma pad) the very low end was quite powerful, but could be overbearing if the stage wasn't up to low end. These were gigs i had done before with other rigs so i was used to the room etc. Even at rehearsals i found i was starting to use the studios old cabs more, as they too produced a tone i liked more. One thing i will say, in no way does a BB2 come anywhere near an old Peavy 410 cab, even though its advertised as matching some of the best 410's out there. The Vanderkley was a gamble as I didn't know anyone else's with one, and brought it un tried from Bass Direct.. From the off it was just what i wanted. Not quite as deep as the BB2, but the mids were clearer and a bit more prominent at gig levels. The top end is a bit lacking if you like sparkle, the BB2 has an amazingly clear top end. The tweeter on the Vanderkley is a bit useless really, but I wasn't getting it for a piano tone. ITs ok if you slap but all i really hear is a boost in the very high end, so not quite a treble boost, more an emphasis on the click acspect of pick playing if that makes sense. It's not a problem though as the 15" driver is very clear and solid sounding. Actually, forget all that, it was the red trim that made me change cabs lol.

Same here. I found i wanted character, not just a clear tone.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1497516815' post='3318744'] You can run a ton of effects daisy chained without trouble. But then you get effects that are digital clocked DSP units that create a ton of power supply noise, daisy chain to those and you will get high pitched buzzing or whining noise, whether they are in the signal path or not, as they put noise down the power supply. My first one of these was the Fishman powerchord FX, but then also the Zoom B3. If you have one of those, your options are an isolated power supply or a separate power supply for them. If you don't have one of those, you won't have that issue, and you don't need to think about an isolated power supply. If you do have one of those, you don't really have an option! [/quote] interesting as ive just experienced this for the first time with ym new B3n and a 1 Spot PSU. All i was doing was powering this and my Line 6 reviver, hardly taxing the PSU, but yes, i had a high pitched noise that would only go when i used the B3n PSU as well. Im glad i found this thread (and your post). Guess ill need to look for a cheap replacement for the 1 Spot now.

my thoughts. At this price level i dont think its a case of whats better, but what sounds better to your ears. As some know ive had two BF cabs, a Retro 210 and BB2. Both very good cabs, but once the novelty wore off i found neither worked for me. I read all the tech stuff on the BF website, and was convinced i had found my last ever cab in the BB2. As it turns out i found it lacking a lot of what i was expecting, although at no point did it ever sound bad or lacking enough to do the job. It just didnt offer the tone i wanted. Since i got rid of it and got a Vanderkely 1x15 ive never had cause to complain. As others have said, you really need to try both and not rely on specs or blurb, as you can end up with not getting the tone you want, no matter how much money you throw at it.

[quote name='jimfist' timestamp='1499737795' post='3333253'] good stuff from Choptones: [color=#EEEEEE][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][url="http://shop.choptones.net/zoom-b3n-bass-essentials-vol1"]http://shop.choptone...essentials-vol1[/url][/font][/color] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ1jfey-M5o"]https://www.youtube....h?v=PJ1jfey-M5o[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfAS_RJ1icE"]https://www.youtube....h?v=QfAS_RJ1icE[/url] [/quote] Do people buy this sort of thing? Its the first time ive seen something like this for sale. Just wondering who buys it when there are other places that have free patches.

No problem. I have the active output set slightly lower than the passive, as i tend to boost the lows a bit in active. This does seem to help keep a more consistent output level between the two modes, and also gives me a quick way to change the overall tone of the bass with the flick of a switch. In a way I think i prefer the passive tone anyway, but it seems a shame to not use the wonderful Heratige 3 pre amp.

[quote name='lukeward2004' timestamp='1499772982' post='3333472'] Nice work, I'm sure you will love it - I'm contemplating changing the knobs on mine tbf, they don't look that good BUT they are solid, I haven't noticed any functional issue with mine. I did have to look up the controls bit I'm used to it now. [/quote] Im sure you know but there is also a trim pot inside the control cavity that allows you to control the output levle of the pre amp. Handy if you switch back and forth between the two modes.

Wow, that's the first time Ive read 'light weight' when talking about a Sire. Do you have an actual weight for this? I'd be interested to compare with mine. I think mine is 10.2lbs, and while that's manageable I'd like something a bit lighter.

I forgot to report back after my first rehearsal with my B3n. It worked really well, much better than my old B3. I loved the BK7 sim, so beefy and full. Makes me want to buy one now lol. The only issue i had was i couldn't use my 1 spot PSU with it, at least not with the B3n AND my Line 6 G30 receiver. They worked, but i got a high pitched whine which was very anoying between songs. As i only need power for these two boxes its not worth me buying something more expensive, but its a shame im having to use two wall plugs for two boxes.

[quote name='coffee_king' timestamp='1373636333' post='2139972'] Sorry but I couldnt find a relevant forum section to put this under, so please move it if necessary. I've been offered some work on a cruise ship, but the T&Cs state NO ALCOHOL WHAT SO EVER. And it is stated many many times. I cannot either bring it on board or buy it from the ships many bars. Now, I'm no alcoholic and never drink before or during a gig, but who doesnt like a nice cold beer after a long hot sweaty performance? I'm just wondering if anyone else whose done cruise ships can advise if this is the norm or not? Its just sounds so.....Nazi to me. Its a 2 week back to back job and I guess I could live without alcohol for this time, but its not going to make my stay anymore enjoyable. Yes, I know its WORK by the way. Anyone? [/quote] So nothing in the contract about drugs or jazz then :-) Personally i could live without a drink for a couple of weeks if i wanted that gig, but i would find it very, very hard to do as i expect everyone else would be in a holiday mood and the temptation would be enormous.

I find it strange that a musician buys a bog standard instrument, takes a few things off and then the original manufacturer puts a copy of it out at much more than the original version cost. Im sure thats not always the case but it seem like it to me.

Thanks but Ive figured out i can do it all from one patch, and changing patches is what I'm trying to get away from. As you can have up to 7 slots, but only 3 controlled any foot switches at any one time Ive got the BDDI on slot one, always on, and slots 2-4 active with the foot switches. Its a lot more gig friendly than the old B3. I can see me using it a lot more. In fact Ive got my first outing with it tomorrow. I also just tried my One Spot PSU and that works as well, so all in all very pleased with this new box.