dave_bass5

Agreed, i cant use anything else these days. I was a bit worried about a .107 E but after a few mins playing it seems logical.

Oh, the offers have been very appreciated, thanks for taking the time to make them.

Thanks for the invite (again). Actually I'm out for now. I've decided to sell my Darkglass and have brought a compressor, and im going to give my old BDI-21 another shot. For now a new amp isn't going to happen, although I'll be interested in how the day goes.

It's more than just one freq though. To my ears the cab seems to have an almost sledgehammer tone. It punches through anything but I've always wanted a more traditional sounding cab. It's not a bad tone, it's worked for well over 200 gigs, but I've always been looking for something different. I've tried many things, and found the best I got was with my BDDI, this seemed to take out quite a bit of the mid range punch, but the cab was still lacking in true low end thump. It will take me a while to get used to the Retro, especially if I'm dumping the VMTD as well, but for the first time in over 20 years I can actually take my own rig to rehearsals, so I'll get used to it very quickly.

I caved in too quickly and just ordered a Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor. I like the idea of the blend knob and how it works with the filter switch. I'm still interested in seeing what the DG can do but I felt it's a bit too much money for me, even after selling my VMTD.

Agreed. I was keen to get this, as I liked the VTDI without speaker sim on. Now I've fouud out its going to sound closer to the VTBass which I wasn't as keen on, I'm stating my dissapointmet. Nothing wrong with that. It's not negativity for the the sake of it,

Damn, I hadn't tried that ;-). Actually that's high mid and no, that's not the solution.

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1440192416' post='2849064'] Yeah they're all the same but different power amps. They were originally brought in as the new MAG line/replacement but I wonder if the MAG moniker will be dropped in favour of the RM... Or they will keep the two lower powered units MAG Rootmasters. Who knows [/quote] Thanks. Just been reading your wonderful review of this head in the reviews section. Im pretty much set on getting one (RM800), just need to make sure i have gigs coming in to warrant it.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1439674561' post='2844950'] I'v preordered the Darkglass Super Symmetry from Thomann so hopefully in a few weeks I can have a shootout with the original Cali76. The Super Symmetry will go back if it can't compete, if it can... [/quote] Im also looking forward to hearing your views on this. Im thinking of ditching my VMTD and just getting a compressor, and i do like the look of the DG.

Yeah, very pleased. Thanks for the push in the right direction. One of the reasons ive been trying to get away from my 1212L is the low mid bump that cab has. I can appreciate this as being the main reason this cab is so loud, but its not a tone i really like. The BF seems smoother down that end, and i want to keep it that way. Id rather not have to change the tone just to get heard. Saying that, i dont think ill need to on the whole. My guitarist only uses a 18watt tube combo (loud, but not wall of sound loud), so there is enough sonic space to get heard. Its more the larger venues where we will have to turn up a bit. I suppose at the end of the day i know how loud my drummer can get and the F1/BF can keep up with him so i dont really need to worry. I had a couple of bad experiences a few years ago with my rig (not the 1212L, it was a Epi UL212 and a MB Traveler115) being pushed to the max and still not getting across loud enough, that ive been a bit paranoid about taking anything other than my 1212L to gigs. I dont really have any concerns at the moment though, and am very happy with what im hearing back from the rehearsal recording. Now then, on to the amp. Looking at the Ashdown RM800 as a replacement for my F1. Something a bit more vintage sounding, should work well with the retro sounding cab.

I agree, its just another part of the tone. My earlier comment was based on not liking the VTBass as much as I did the VTDI with speaker emulation turned off. I just found the tone to be a bit nicer to my ears. I do find it strange that the option isn't on the head, this feature has been quite a talking point over on TB since these pedals came out.

Just a quick update. Had a 4 hour rehearsal yesterday. Most of the room is more or less a stage area, so things can be very boomy, although as long as I stand off the stage most of the low end boom is well controlled Ill reserve full judgement until the end of this month when i have my next gig, but here are a few thoughts. I only used my Squer CVP bass, with balanced tension XL's. Its definitely seems like its going to be loud enough, we seem rehearse at almost gig levels as the drummer only has one setting :-(. I normally use my MB F1 head almost flat, and this was the case yesterday, although i did turn the treble up just a bit to get a bit more clarity. Im not sure this was because the strings are now a bt dull, but it worked. First time ive used the knob. I normally use a Darkglass VMTD but it seems the BF sounded good without it. Its definitely got that "retro" vibe to it already so i doubt ill need the VMTD much longer. I evne found i had a pick tone that was what ive bene looking for for a good few years. This issue was one reason ive been trying to give up using a pick. Now im not so sure i want to as the tone was spot on. I did miss the more open tone my 1212L has, but loved the new found bottom end. It was clear and defined (room allowing), and what ive always missed from the 1212L. I thought the BF was a lot more traditional sounding compared to the 1212L, and thats the whole reason for getting it. I did have my 1212L there and managed to compare the two cabs for a few numbers. The 1212L sounded bigger but muddier. It normally does in this room though, and i keep forgetting to bring the Gramma pad. Overall i doubt ill miss the 1212L but i think il keep it for a while longer in case we have a few of our old bigger regular gigs come in that i know will need a bit more mid punch to get me heard. Not saying the BF wont cut it, but ive had bad experiences with out cabs at these venues so better to be safe than not heard. Hopefully ill have a few more rehearsals in different room over the next month, so that will really show what this cab can do. Im looking forward to using it in a normal room, where i can dial in the tone i want and not have to compromise because of the surface its on. More to follow soon........

I would definitely go for the 800. I also think it looks much nicer than the other two. I notice the two lower powered heads are called MAG's, whereas the 800 isn't. I assume the 800 is the same but louder?

I tried a VTDI and did prefer it over the mk1 VTBasss I had. I can see that if it's part of the overal effect then it should be there, but as my cab doesn't have a tweeter and is voiced for a more vintage tone anyway I think I will pass for now. Back to looking at the Ashdown RM800.....for now.

Oh well, i think thats me out. I dont know why i would want a speaker sim when im using a speaker. Maybe this was why i never got on with the VTBass v1 i had for a few weeks a few years ago.

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1440079772' post='2848106'] Why not, out of interest? [/quote] It arrived at work, but when i took it out of the box i felt the workmanship on the front was terrible. I immediately got in touch with Thomanns and they said send it back and i would get a replacement. This is did without ever actually plugging it in. Two days later i got an email from them telling me it was out of stock, with no idea when they would have more. So, i never got to play through one. This is what it looked like. Maybe i was a bit fussy but at £500+ i would expect a bit better.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1440077399' post='2848076'] I ended up with the G-K MB500 Fusion, same reason. And tried a Streamliner for a while. Now I've got an ABM EVO II and enjoying that. [/quote] Shame i never even got to plug my GK MB800 Fusion in :-(

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1440075424' post='2848059'] Now this, pretty much word for word, is why I set off looking for a head which could do the 'BDDI and LMIII' thing in one unit. After a lot of faffing about that was also a lot of fun, I ended up with the Streamliner. I have a cunning plan in the offing which involves my secondary MB 2 x 15" stack and swapping the LM out for the VT500 in the combo...bwahahahaaaaaakoffkoffkoffff... [/quote] Funnily enough on my quest to do the same i too got a Streamliner. at the time i had a SA450 and BDDI but wanted to.....Streamline things ( :-) sorry). I must admit i wasnt knocked out by it, but i had sold the SA450 by then. I put it up for sale and was offered the F1 as a straight swap. I even got to use both for two gigs over a weekend. One head per set, so i had a really good test. I actually couldn't decide and ended up buying the F1 lol. To my ears the STL500 was very close to the SA450 with BDDI/BDI21 although the output clipping light kept flashing on the STL After a few more gigs i did sell the Streamliner. Part of me didnt want the risk of a tube going (i know they dont in general) and the other was i felt it wasnt as clean loud as i could get with the MB heads. It was the 500watt version though and i had felt i should have gone for the 900watt version.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1439998977' post='2847446'] The budget 5er that I'd start looking at is the Sire V7. Quickly followed by a Lakland 55-01. [/quote] Yep, pretty much what i was going to say (and based on personal experience). I'd also add in the Squier VM 5 string Jazz, but IMO the Sire V7 beats it hands down. The OB EQ alone will probably cure any need for "juicing" the tone up. It did for me. [quote name='ForestPoetry' timestamp='1440010026' post='2847584'] I forgot to mention I had also looked at the Yamaha TRBX305. What are people's thoughts on that? I find Yammy's kindof ugly looking but in terms of functionality they seem quite capable. [/quote] I had the TRBX505 up until a few weeks ago. The TRBX basses are really nice, but i never liked the B string. Compared to the Lakland and Sire the B string sounded very soft and non distinct.

Cool, i hope that 55-01 is still going strong. Although i live in central London i dont drive or have a lot of free time, so i tend to shop online most of the time as well. So like you i have a few reference members i can turn to. Ive made a few big mistakes in the past though so im more cautious now. Saying that the Sire seemed like a no brainer. I had just gone back to playing 5 string (going from a 4 string Jazz that i had just fallen in love with) but couldnt afford a decent jazz 5, so got a TRBX505. It was ok but i missed the Jazz tone. My only one real option seemed to be the Squier VM, but i wasnt too keen on the neck. When i saw Thomanns had the Sire, and had the 30 day money back guarantee i felt it was worth a go. The icing on the cake was the vintage style frets. One thnig i loved about Lakland necks. I cant say i feel any need to upgrade any of the parts, i haven't even shimmed the neck like i do on all my basses (i just like to see the string parallel to the upper frets) Ive gone off 5 string again (hence not wanting ot buy a higher end bass as i knew this would happen), but would love a 4 string V7 if and when i go back to playing Jazz bass. I'd also like to try the M3 bass as i did like the humbucker tone my TRBX505 had. Owning one of each may well be on the cards next year. I dont like having basses lying around un used but that these prices i dont mind one of each. Saves paying out again when the next GAS attack happens.

My BDI21 has seen more use than the two BDDI's ive had over the years. Partly as its older and also at least two members on here have borrowed it for long periods of time. It still looks in great shape and the knobs all work perfectly. I haven't dropped it though, although if i did and it broke i could just get another....and another... I do appreciate the quality a of the BDDI, and haven't really begrudged the cost of them, but for something that been out for so long its a shame the cost is still rising. Its getting in to boutique territory now. Saying that i do think its much better value for money than my Darkglass VMTD, although i appreciate thats more handmade.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1440064506' post='2847935'] Not really a fair comparison though - it's not like Behringer do any of their own R&D! [/quote] I'd have thought that Tech21 would have recouped all the R&D cost on the BDDI, yet the price still seems to be creeping up each time ive gone to buy one. Not singeing them out, its just something i have noticed.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1440056499' post='2847835'] I used to use Markbass with the VT DI, but since I went over to Aguilar I sold the VT and used their Tonehammer. Very good indeed, but from recall I prefer the VT DI, hence ordering the amp (and a new VT DI to match). I did used to "go in the front end" so to speak, but as I use an SVT type sound I scooped the mids a fair bit using the Character control, so probably removed the Markbass low-mids. [/quote] I could never use a MB head without another preamp in front of it. Not now. I used to and always felt it lacked something. Then i got a BDDI (well, started with a BDI21) and never looked back. I find something like these just brings the head to life. I keep most of the EQ pretty flat but being able ot add a bit of warmth and depth really helps with the MB heads (IME & IMO). I always just go Bass- wireless- BDDI/Darkglass etc - amp. Never had an issue with the input stage, and ive never used the FX loop. Being able to cut out a few leads and the pedal really appeals to me.