Cuzzie

Sid - astute as ever, and Dannybuoy, i couldn't agree more. Different bass i know but whenever i use my jazzes - one a Sandberg MarloweDK the other a MIM Fender with Nordy fat stacks and a J East Marcus Miller Retro preamp - i always have a slight bias to the bridge pup dialled in unless i am going very reggae dub. Al you will find a dial in point for your ears, combining that lovely Two notes LeBass with it

Great review Al, really thorough (think Dood's job may he on the line....) Welcome to the P bass world, and it almost sounds like you are setting up for more acquisitions....

Sid definitely speaks a lot of sense

If vou like a sandberg try the VM, it may get you want you want

Sorry to derail further but I for one was very grateful you changed Krispn

Mr Tiger I told you about tempting me, stop it now please!

Don't make a hole, accept a P for what it is, accept a PJ for what it is, accept a J bass for what it is and pick your fave, or have all of them

So people of Basschat land, today is a new amp day, can i present the Form Factor Audio Bi1000. 1000w RMS of clean transparent power amplification. I took a complete punt on this amp. They have a good rep in PA speakers in the states and this is their first toe into the amp world. It's been around for 1-2 years and has a few artists like Taylor Swift's and Mylie Cyrus' bassist that use them. Also Steve Aurajo at the bass hang has given it great reviews and speaking to him on email he also gave it a massive thumbs up. I also spoke heavily to a guy on talkbass who seems pretty high in the world of bass, he has played with George Lynch and other rock gigs, and he also rated it highly. Previously I had a Hartke LH1000, then moved to Darkglass M900, but I have been using less and less dirt and craved more the simplicity of the Hartke in a lighter weight package. In addition I am pretty happy with my tone via my board so I wanted something just to pump out what I give it. Never played it first, and I saw a great deal and managed to get hold of this amp brand spanking new The specs are as follows SPECIFICATION: Model: Bi 1000 Configuration: 1 x 1000 Watts | Class D Amplifier Power Rating: Power 1000 Watts RMS @ 4Ω | 600 Watts RMS @ 8Ω IN/OUT: Active| Passive | Tuner | Send | Return | Amp Direct | Direct Out | Speaker Out Connectors: 2 x NL4 Speakon™ | 1 x Powercon™ | 6 x Neutrik 1/4" | 1 x Balanced XLR Finish Options: Powder Coated Steel Finish Color: Black Controls: Gain | Limiter | Master | Mute Tone Controls: Bass | Mid | Mid Frequency Selector Selector | Treble Weight: 10Lb | 4.5 Kg This was copied from the web site (they also do a 400w version). First impressions. Well made, rugged chassis, with a slightly rough finish, but nice rough. It's solid and feels it's weight, which is fairly light, not the lightest. The power supply is not a normal kettle lead, it's a speakon type connection which I like, and they gave me 2 leads with European plug ends. The voltage has to be set in the factory, there is no switch. Dials are really simple, straight up is flat, then it's boost or cut, you select your mid frequency you want to affect with the central dial. Knobs feel nice, sturdy and tactile. The mute button is big and glows bright Luke sky walker light sabre green when engaged. No pops turning on and off or plugging and unplugging instruments. There is no fan so it is deathly quiet, small white noise from the solid state pre amp when on, but obviously disappears when muted, this is certainly not very noticeable unless you are not playing and sat right next to it in a silent room. On to the sound - only played at bedroom volume (next step is mrs out the house volume) very articulate, transparent clear and reactive. You pluck it transmits your bass sound, you play hard/soft etc it reproduces it. Loads of bass on tap on the dial, the mid selector works very well and you can tweak away as you need. I have not put my pedals through it yet, but I do not see why it would not be good. One bad point is the DI is affected by vol and gain, you turn up on stage, the DI to FOh goes up too. So far so good, I really like it, it's a powerful articulate with a great tone that lets your bass shine through. I will update as it goes along, and I think I may just have the first one in the UK!!!

Don't forget your fave settings Bas now you have a toy, we are really twinning up now!

Seems like people are agreeing with me!

I was a little underwhelmed by large portions of the list, you put a musicvox 12 but not a Hamer 12 string in there? No vintage Jazz? No JV Squier No Sandberg No Tacoma Thunderchief No BC Rich It's a difficult job I know, but some big omissions

Verellen Meatsmoke and Tyrant Tone Cabs

Good luck fella If you like it half as much as I like mine you are in love and in for a treat

Yeah leave it or get a custom pickguard with a picture of a forest or something cool on it to go with the colour. Can't remember who but there is guy on here who can put pictures on them

Thanks for that Max Looks the beans and it must feel great when you have that bass that sings to you and for you, big congrats. I do rather like slightly off the beaten track things, in some ways makes you feel a bit special, probably one of many reasons why I like a Sandberg. Big enough that there are a few about to get a good price on and not loses too much money, but not as out there as Fender. Well done again, I think it looks lush

How much are they? They look lovely Why do they slay a Sandberg I have 2 and love them

DR are good strings Tecamp Puma is a good amp, but I always feel it's a little too 'polite' in that it will never push itself forward in the mix, but you have great basses, and a great cab. Either a Preamp pedal or pick ups of your choice just may be your thing

Never had a valve amp, but I may do in the future. Sounds like you love valves, treat yourself

Forgot to mention about change of strings can make a huge and inexpensive difference, do you play just finger style, maybe using a pick will give you a bit more edge

It's all down to your lug-a-bility If you don't mind valves then go hard for something like a Mesa 8:88 or a Verellen Meatsmoke maybe a wizard amp. They will blow your socks off If I was going all out for class D I would go for a Tech 21 dUg Ultrabass every day

Hi, Interesting you say that as I have a VS4 passive and really dig the sound of the propietary Sandberg's compared to the more hifi Delano's. This post is a massive can of worms as no matter what anyone else says its what you ears want. I could say to you how about Lindy Fralins, or the New Nordstrand blade split coil pick ups they have released. If you want really hifi go for Joe Barden JBE pick ups. You can use a pre amp pedal, or pop in a preamp into the bass like a J East, or Aguilar. But on this, I think you have to just research what is out there and go and listen and see what your ears tell you. Otherwise VS4 is a lovely bass

As far as I know great basses, never played one so cannot give you the ins and outs but all the sound clips I have heard have been great. John Taylor of Duran Duran as far as I know is a user and fan, and he has some serious chops

I had an LH1000 - great amp heavy as hell remember though that 'flat' is 3 - 10 - 3on the dials