dave_bass5

Yeah, that knob can bring down walls. Ive lowered the overall output of the pre amp to allow the switch between passive and slightly boosted active. Before that i felt the overall level was booted a bit too much to go between the two modes.

Surprised you couldn't find anything on the Sire webiste. Im confused about the mid range figures posted above. On the SIre website it states the mid freq is between 200hz and 1Khz. Not sure which is correct.

Over a months wait for a shaver adaptor, my god why not just send it back and shop elsewhere if you aren't going to spend less than £2 to get you up and running?

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1447521852' post='2908322'] Anyone know if Sire are going to do a Fretless? A Fretless is on my GAS list now... [/quote] Have you looked on their website ;-)

I don't have any regrets, although I hardly ever use mine as I prefer 4 string, and P basses at the moment. I don't really fancy one of their 4 strings at the moment though as I'm covered for that and the spec is a bit different to what I'd prefer. Not a great lover of active basses, so I tend to run my V7 in passive mode most of the time, but it's the best active bass I've owned and nice to have all that control onboard. If there is one thing I'm not 100% on is the weight. It's not a big deal, but it's the heaviest bass I've owned and although wearing it isn't an issue carrying across London is a bit of a chore compared to my other basses. What I love about this bass is its so cheap there is no pressure to sell it on if I'm not using it. It's also the first non Lakland bass I've owned in the past 12 years that I haven't felt any need to upgrade a single thing. So yeah, it's a keeper, and when I get the urge to play a 5 string I have this rather than have to buy a new bass and then sell it on again. Can't wait for the 5 string P bass that's supposed to be coming out at some point. Maybe that will get me back to 5 string again. EDIT: I'm not sure I get the comment about the tuners and the bridge needing upgrading. It's certainly not a general consensus as far as I can see, and Ive not read many complaints. Some people like to tinker with things, but I've not had any intonation/set up issues and have never gone out of tune. What other reasons would there be other than just changing things for the sake of it?

I don't think any shops in the uk will have them, at least not new.

Over the years I've used a MB15P traveler, Epifani UL115 and UL212, Schroeder 1210R and 1212L, Ashdown 1x15. The UL212 and Schroeders were 4 ohms cabs, the others 8ohms, and only one cab at a time. Whenever I've gone over noon on the master I've just found the tone to start sounding compressed and they dynamics seem to get lost. Could be I was pushing the cabs too much, although the Schroeders are rated quite high. I''ve never had much luck getting louder than whatever is at noon, maybe 1 o'clock, and I haven't been using any effects of active basses (on the whole). There is of course technical reasons for all this, and on the whole I've never been under powered for nany gigs, but the fact is ive found I can runout of headroom when pushing the head too hard.

Thanks Phil. I did think that was the answer but wasn’t too sure, it did make sense though (so thanks Chienmortb), but your explanation adds to the clarity of the info. Originally the idea was to get an 800watt head so i would have 500watts at 8ohms, i dont think my F1 likes being pushed over half way, and this would take me back to what i had before getting my BB2. By the time i realised i didn’t really need it i had GAS for a new head, so started to look at the 500watt class D heads, specifically what they give out at 8ohms. I just wondered why some were less powerful than others. As xgsjx said above, i too always just thought 8 ohms was 2/3 of the full output, but obviously thats not the case.

Yep, fantastric basses. Ive got the 5 string V7 and really cant see anything else that could replace it without me spending a lot more money, and why would i need to do that when i have such a good bass already. Agree about the knobs but so far ive not had any issues with mine. Cant wait for them to release a P bass.

Thanks for the replies. I dont think my post was worded right. I was just asking why the differences in the 8 ohms output from different 500watt heads. I think i have enough volume at the momnet (yes, 300watts and not 350watts as i first thought), and yes, i was origionaly looking for a 800watt head for the extra headroom. It was just that during my research i noticed slghitly different 8ohms figures and was wondering why this is. I might still get an 800watt head if i find im pushing my F1 too hard, but i know what gigs ive got coming up and i have done them all with an old Ashdown MAG300 C-115 so i know ive got enough power for those.

In my quest for a new head I've been looking at 500watt class D heads to replace my Matkbass F1 head. I've just got a Barfaced BB2 which is 8ohms, and MB quote 350watts at 8 ohms. I've seen a few others also stating this, or close to this, but some only 300-250watts. I'm not asking about real loudness, or specific heads, just trying to understand the big difference between some manufacturers and if it's just good marketing or not all output stages are the same when plugged in to an 8 ohms cab.

Yep, agree with that. In this case I did get it before the VTBass, and as I was starting to play finger style more I wanted it to help keep things a bit even. After last nights gig maybe my technique has stablasied and it's now not needed. I certainly don't need it for anything else. Got a rehearsal tomorrow and I'll try it on and off and see if it's really needed before placing an ad, but as I love the VTBass so much I think it's going to go. For recording I'd expect a studio to have the necessary gear anyway, and I have software comps for home use.

Well after all I said above I'm going to sell my compressor. It's been sitting in the chain for about a month or so, and working really well. Last night it sounded even better.....except that it wasn't on. I had forgotten to switch it on. Now. I understand that for some a compressor shouldn't be noticed, and sound like it's not there etc, but I felt maybe it's not been doing as much as I thought. I could start tweeking it but as the tone I liked didn't rely on it after all, it's time to move it on. If it was a cheap one I'd keep it, but I'd rather not use this sort of money just sitting around unused. I really should stop buying these things as its obvious I dont actually need it. I think getting the VTBass DI has over shadowed it, and maybe adding a bit of compression itself.

Yes, and I'm expecting it back soon ;-).

Fran (Grand wazoo on here) has both a RS 2 and MIA P, might be worth asking him. For what it's worth I've had his Roadstar II PJ for a few weeks and it packs a real punch. A bit more growl than my P bass, and the neck is very, very comfortable. one of the nicest basses I've played in a long time. EDIT: Sorry, just re read the first post. Fran has a modern MIA, not one from that eara. Still, he knows his stuff so might still be worth getting him on board with this topic.

I must admit my lack of (as many) gigs has helped me with GAS over the past couple of years. I really shouldn't be spending money on new gear with just a handful of conirmed gigs, but for the first time in a good few years I'm actually enjoying playing bass again. Plus as I've almost cracked the finger style hurdle I've had for years I'm quite enthusiastic about it all. Couldnt do it without a gig to look forward to though.

I know we all know what it looks like, but thought id take a few pics anyway. Still loving it......a lot :-) [url="https://flic.kr/p/Agfqch"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/Agfqch"]Barefaced Big Baby 2[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/"]Dave Pearce[/url], on Flickr [url="https://flic.kr/p/AxRDFk"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/AxRDFk"]Barefaced Big Baby 2[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/"]Dave Pearce[/url], on Flickr [url="https://flic.kr/p/AwE7Vh"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/AwE7Vh"]Barefaced Big Baby 2[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/"]Dave Pearce[/url], on Flickr

It should be me thanking you Dood. It really helped clear things up. I also got my BF Retro two 10 based partly on your review, although unfortunaly that didn't quite work out. You win one you lose one lol. Compressors are some thing I buy when I have GAS but not sure for what. Over the years Ive never found one that was worth keeping. Guess that means I have never needed one. With this one it's different as I can actually hear a change in my sound, for the good. I got it as I was starting to play finger style (after so many years of using a pick), so it seemed like a good idea. It works for that but this one see se to do more. It does seem to change my tone for the good, due to the blend knob. For me it's set and forget, I don't find I fiddle with it at all, and I guess that's a good thing. Saying that, Im going through a lot of tonal changes at the moment, and I can see the comp will not be here this time next year.

My totally outrageous thoughts are these. Get the bass working as you want it. forget the resell value and just enjoy what you have. If everything ticks the right boxes just sort out what doesn't. The JV range are lovely basses and designed to be played, not sold at a later date. If you are worried about that pack it away and just use the MIM. I got one when they were first released, and sold it about 10 years ago. There wasnt a single original part left on it other than the neck (with new tuners) and body. I was told by Chris at the Bass Centre that its the neck that sells this bass, the rest are just bits that come with it. Of course buyers like the complete package, but IMO thats just par for the course with buyers. I bet none of you hate your JV basses with different bits on them, its just a money thing. IMO they are also very overpriced these days. Back in the day they were outstanding value, but these days there are many, many basses that can out preform them at the secondhand price point. They have a stigma attached to them that commands a high price, but IME its too much.

Ah yes, the slappers delight button lol.

[quote name='Musashimonkey' timestamp='1445806912' post='2894428'] Really glad you like the BB2, I had a similar experience. I'm still in love with mine and its here to stay! Hope some gigs come your way soon. [/quote] It was a gamble, still can't get my head around a 1x12 replacing my 2x12, but I do now at least know where my tone issues have been these past few years. Can't believe I waited so long to get this. [quote name='Merton' timestamp='1445808587' post='2894443'] In my opinion you won't go far wrong with one, it's a versatile little beast but I've not had huge experience with Mark Bass stuff so not sure how it would compare. [/quote] I mainly use the MB flat, so it might as well be a power amp sitting there. I do have a MAG combo and although I don't use it much I've always liked the tone. Having a much higher powered head version can't be a bad thing. I do need a good reason to get it though, so I'll wait until I see if I'm pushing the MB a bit too hard, and decided then. At least I could cut down on clutter as the RM800 has a comp built in, so that's one less box to wire up at gigs (even if it's not going to be in the same league).

Cheers. Hopefully the gigs will pick up. It's a new band, and we kept the agents that booked the old band, but so far they aren't exactly rolling in. Got a few though so it makes getting the cab worthwhile. Going to look in to a louder head at some point. Maybe the Ashdown RM800.

Right then. Just back from researsala and all I can say is WOW, that's THE tone I've been looking for. Can't think of one negative thing to say about the tone I had today, and this was in a room that's been causing me grief for a as long as I've been rehearing in it. The tone was very clear, and punchy. The room is mostly stage, so I've always had issues with boom and low end. Not so today, right down to low E I could hear every note clearly. I've been worried that the BB2 has been described as like a full range monitor. Not something I was really looking for, and expected to keep the tweeter off most of the time. Today it was on for the full 4 hours and never did I feel the tone was harsh or clanky like I've got from my 1212L. I could even hear the effect my compressor was making, and that's not something I've noticed before with the 1212L. To sum it up, everyting seems to have fallen in to place today, and it's a huge relief. If there is a negative it would had to be this has come along at a time when I'm not gigimg much, and don't expect to (at least not every week like I have been over the past 12 years). Shame.

It was your video review that sold me on it :-). Until I watched it I couldn't understand why the blend control was there, but you explained it perfectly and I ordered it as soon as I had finished watching it.

Ok, here we go with round two. The BB2 has just arrived (big thanks to Alex and the team for getting this to me waaaay before the estimated delivery date), and its lovely. I wont be able to plug it in until tomorrow though. it feels more substantial than the RT10. Its seems bigger and heavier than i thought it would, and thats a good thing. Also nice to see the grill has had a nice polish ;-) Pics and more thoughts tomorrow. Got a full 4 hours rehearsal on sunday so plenty of time to get used to it before the gig on 6th Nov. Good times ahead....hopefully.