dave_bass5

[quote name='algmusic' post='1245520' date='May 26 2011, 12:57 PM']That was my reason for not getting them.. very loud, but not quite the sound I go for[/quote] Yeah, they are an acquired taste, no doubt about that. After 5 years of using a 12xx cab im used to the tone, and it certainly gets the job done. I never need PA support, can drown my drummer out if needed and can always be heard clearly out in the audience. The low end is there, its just not wall shaking but i have had cabs in the past that sounded much nicer, cost more or less but never quite cut through the mix when used as a one cab rig at a loud gig. I do now use the BDDI partly to tame the low mids and this seems like a match made in heaven, so far.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='1245491' date='May 26 2011, 12:44 PM']I tried my LMII with my old 410XL and whilst it sounded really good it didn't get to the same volume levels as my Schroeder, however that cab does seem to make any amp sound loud as hell.[/quote] Oh yeah, definitely. I got rid fo a Epifani UL212 because it was nowhere near as loud as my 1201R, but almost twice as large. Then again, the Schroeder's, especially the smaller ones, do have a certain tone that not everyone likes, and if im honest it wouldn't be my fist choice if i could use bigger cabs.

Sparky. Thomanns have a fantastic returns policy. Ive had to send gear back to them in the past and its definitely no questions asked, and they email you the labels etc, you just arrange a pickup using their account and thats it really. No extra cost to you. The BDI21 will give you some extra tone options, more low end and sparkle, with some grit if needed. It does have a mid scoop though but as long as you keep the blend knob low it can work wonders for giving a SS head a warmer tone. Its certainly woken my MB head up and i couldn't imagine not using it these days (although i use the BDDI rather thna the BDI21). As far as your cabs go, 2 x Hartke 210XL's rated 200w 8ohms will allow you to use a head that puts out 500watts at 4 ohms and should be a good match. If you are interested in the SA450 your welcome to borrow it for a week or so, no pressure to buy it. It should give you some idea of the volume its capable of.

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1245363' date='May 26 2011, 11:10 AM']Ideally, you should go & try all the amps out (thru your own cab if poss) & then get what you find suits you. I'd also look at a 2nd hand LMII or Dave's SA450 for that extra £50, they're definitely worth it.[/quote] I agree, ive recently found out that the cab can make or break the tone, regardless of head used. I thought my new Streamliner would be a fantastic head, based on all the reviews, but due to me using quite a mid voiced cab its really working for me. Funny enough it sounds great when i use it with ym MAG combos's 1x15 but not my gigging cab. Sparky, your welcome to come over to central London and try my SA450 out with your cab at my work place, even if you aren't interested in buying it. This would at least give you an idea of how the LM250 will sound. You could also try out the BDI21 to get an idea of how it can help get closer to the Ampeg tone. And im always happy to negotiate on price to help someone out ;-)

I'd say a MB head will work wonders as they do have a bit of vintage vibe going on, but still clean and solid, but im not sure the LM250 (in fact most of the listed heads) will be powerful enough, based on the "loud drummer" bit, although i guess with PA support and a efficient cab things might sound ok. As lemmywinks suggested, maybe save up just that little bit more and get a 500watt head. There is a MB SA450 going for £350 but im sure the seller would cut you a deal ;-). This isnt quite as small as the micro heads but still very light and very powerful. You might also consider a Behrigner BDI21 (Sansamp BDDI copy) for around £25. This will give you more of an Ampeg tone to any head. Many of us use this DI box and they are quite well thought of. Considering the real thing cost almost 6 times the price you cant go wrong. Ive actually got both and happy to use either if needed, although i do use the BDDI on all the time these days.

I found my Ashdown ABM to sound a bit woolly and under powered, even compared to the MAG 307 it was replacing. I sold the head and got a Markbass SA450 and until very recently never looked back ( other than a failed brief spell with a GK head). IME you can get a really nice, warm rock tone or a nice bright clanky tone, the options are there. There are some sound clips in my sig if your interested, especially the Wellah link. Oh yeah, my SA450 is up for sale on here ;-)

Yeah, good luck. I would jump at the chance to do this if you were in London as i was doing something similar a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it.

[quote name='Stewart' post='1241719' date='May 23 2011, 03:18 PM']Small Clone is a pretty nice chorus for bass, I reckon Allegedly, the nano version sounds identical - if so, it's a more friendly shape and size...[/quote] Not quite. The NEO version is but the NANO version is rubbish.

[quote name='waltsdog' post='1241183' date='May 23 2011, 08:46 AM']Quick update, I used the Lm3 with just the midget on a mid sized pub gig on saturday and it was plenty loud enough now I know what I'm ding with the gain. Thanks again for the help.[/quote] Nice one. These heads are very loud but i do think the right cab also helps to get the best out of them. The first time i ever played a LMII was when the Bass Gallery leant me one as my SA450 hadn't arrived (yes, really, it didn't arrive on the day they said it would lol). I had never played a MB head at a gig, as i had been using a Ashdown ABM 300 up to that point :-( so it was pick the head up and go directly to the gig, no sound check either. We were doing a smallish pub, playing Paul Weller covers. I kid you not, with the LMII on around 3 on the master (using flat EQ through my 1210R) i could see the beer in the glasses on the front tables vibrating, just like the glass scene in Jurassic Park. Some of that gig recording is in the Wellah link in my sig if anyone is interested. @Gareth and Chris. the wheels are in motion regarding the F1 :-)

what do you mean by "poor mute"? The worst ive seen was on my Ashdown ABM, that didn't mute at all but was more a pad. Do you mean the fact that you have to pull the knob out? if so i agree, pretty silly idea. Having owned a LMII and SA450 i can see the benefit of the Para mids and the line level/pre post XLR but i also know i normally run my MB heads pretty flat, and use the filters to shape the tone so im not sure i really need the F500. I still dont see the Streamliner/LMII/III as micro amps. They are small but the F series is really small and would fit in a gig bag front pocket. This makes a huge difference if your using public transport with a bass and suit carrier etc. The other heads are nice and small but still require a separate bag/case. I can understand why the F series, along with the SD series cost more than their analogue powerstage equivalents, but i agree, they are a bit overpriced compared to the competition, especially the F500. I cant see why thats almost £300 more than the F1. Its not like the power stage is any different. The Genz Shuttle 9.0 does look good but im not sure its in my price range, im probably looking at second hand now anyway. There is a F1 for sale on here for £380, to me thats worth a shot. After trying the SL600 out in a few different venues now im thinking maybe i do want to keep with the MB tone, although i do still want something a bit different, i guess a F series might give me that. Since i posted the above i did have it pointed out to me that as i still have my SA450 why bother with another MB head. This makes sense so im going to give the SL one more chance with two gigs next weekend and then ill decide what goes. I do miss the MB filters. Im also goin to give the Jazz a go, maybe its the P/SL600 combo thats not working for me.

Just a quick update. I thin im going to get rid of my Streamliner and get a F series head. I heard a F500 yesterday at a lunchtime gig in a local pub and it sounded very nice. Ive not been 100% with the SL and last night was when i realised i dont think i ever will be. Hopefully i can sell it and put the money towards a F500, or probably more likely a F1 as that closer to the cost of the SL.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1237931' date='May 20 2011, 11:12 AM']I believe the F1 and F500 have digital power amps and the SA450 and LM3 have an analog power amp. I have owned an LM2 and an F1 and their sound was like chalk and cheese to me. I preferred the LM2.[/quote] I meant as far as controls/EQ knobs go rather than tone. Ive had a few chats with KJung in the past about the actual tonal differences.

I had a VT Bass for a short while last year but never really got on with it. It seemed to change my tone in the wrong way, i also didn't want or need any distortion so I sold it and got the BDDI.

[quote name='fatboyslimfast' post='1237799' date='May 20 2011, 09:52 AM']Oooh, camera GAS. That's far more wallet-denting...[/quote] Funny thing is i dont tend to change my camera gear as frequently as i do with my basses so its not so bad. This year is the first time in about 4 years ive brought any new gear, and i sold off some old gear to help pay for it. Saying that, my CV Jazz is a year old next month so im doing well.

Thats the thing with GAS, you get it when you least expect it. Who's to say when it will next hit. Luckily (lol) all my money has recently gone on camera gear so now im skint. No way GAS can attack me at he moment.

[quote name='bassfunk' post='1237452' date='May 19 2011, 09:28 PM']Yet more good advice, thanks guys I really appreciate you all taking the time out to reply to this thread. I'm gonna try Alive and Function Central agencies. Get some videos made perhaps, and contact local bars/pubs about doing gigs and treat it like free advertising, as long as we cover costs we're not losing anything. Thanks Pete[/quote] Another very good agency is Function Junction. The other band i sometimes play with are on there and they get a lot of work, in fact most of their gigs are through FJ ad they are all good payers. Not quite as easy to get on though as FJ are quite small compared to Alive.

Ive had a BDI21 for about 4 years. Admittedly its not been used every week throughout that time so i cant say how it would up to regular gigging. I tended to just have it sitting on the top of my amp, on all the time so i think it would last quite a while. As it happens i do now have a BDDI and tone wise the two are very close, if anything i prefer the BDI21 for at home but the BDDI seems a bit more meatier at gigs.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1222576' date='May 6 2011, 08:46 PM']im thinking i wont even notice the difference between maybe alder or ash..[/quote] Ive also got a CV Jazz and P and while i haven't compared the P to a different P i have noticed my CV Jazz sounds quite warm and not at all like my old HW0one Jazz, even though both have had the same pups in them. In fact i felt the CV Jazz was warmer than 3 MIA's i had last year. No idea if tis the wood or finish though. Im quite happy to use a Basswodd bass though, i had a Lakland DJ5 a year or so ago, i cant remember what thats made of but it sounded horrible to my ears, even with a complete pup change.

My band is on the Alive network and we get quite a few gigs from them. Once we submitted a demo and some photos they then get us gigs. It doesn't cost anything but yes, we do pay commission. Seeing as my band are to tight and lazy to do any self promotion or pay to get our name around it works for us. We do have a website and do get work from it but we dont really push the band. In fact i would say 95%of our gigs come in through just a couple of agents (one doesn't even have a website) We dont do it full time as such, although we are out almost every weekend but i guess most of those doing it for a living wouldn't be this laid back about it. As Bottom E said, depending on the line up and how many members you can get away with charging less, and i know some people will be putting a contract out on me for saying this but it does open doors that a large unit wouldn't get through. The amount of weddings that only have a DJ shows (IMO) that a lot of people still cant afford £2000+ for a band, and we are happy to step in to the gap between DJ and full on Function unit. £200 minimum each per night is a nice figure for us, more would be nicer of course and does happen.