bass_ferret

It should be OK to use the Hartke with the Trace. If it starts farting turn it down.

It is about keeping in time. Ive seen a few bands with bass players that have got all the chops but cos they dont play in time with the drums it sounds sh*t.

Why? You have got a pukka bass so why string it with sh*t?

[quote name='pete.young' post='130909' date='Jan 30 2008, 07:57 PM']Because for every one OldGit or Perry who really does appreciate the service, there are 1000 other customers who are only interested in the cheapest deal and will even attempt to lowball that. Internet sales have taken the pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap concept to the limit and it's getting harder and harder for the decent shops to stay in business.[/quote] Thats why we get basschatters desperate to find £3 sets of strings to put on £1000 basses. But that said - if the buying experience is a pleasure many are prepared to pay the premium. It is quite obvious from the comments that doing business with the Bass Centre was not a pleasure.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='130927' date='Jan 30 2008, 08:18 PM']My Warwick thumb is neck thru, my jazz is bolt on, my Alembic is neck thru, the Alembic is hugely more resonant than both the other two but I love the sound of all three for individual reasons.[/quote] Thats cos it is one of the best basses you can buy - f*** all to do with the neck joint.

Have a word with Robbie at RM

If you look in forum news I think there are some instructions there. You have to upload the pictures as attachments or use web hosting like photobucket and use the IMG tags.

Mark at BassDirect kindly laid on a 1x12 cab shoot out with his Bergatino and Genz Benz taking on my EBS. There were a few of us there completing various deals Birdy, Funkymonkey and Richardd all had a go. We also got a bit distracted with each others porn and some of Marks stock as well. We started off with an HD350/Neo 110/Neo 112 vs GBE750/Neo 112T/Neo 112T vs Markbass LM11/Bergatino HT112/EX112. With all the amps flat the EBS needed a little tone dialled in which was a surprise - perhaps its room but more of that later. There was not a lot of difference between the EBS and GB cabs, probably cos whilst they claim to use custom components they are all based on the same drivers. The GB was a bit fuller with more bottom as expected from a bigger cab. The Bergy had a different sound, with a smoother upper mid and top. This is probably cos its not Neo. We found the tweeters a bit splashy on the EBS and GB and turned them down, but the Bergy was as smooth as (insert rude smooth analogy here) and could be turned up all the way. Weight wise the Bergy cabs were a bit on the lardy side and are not really a one hand carry. Although the Bergatino and GB websites say the cabs weigh the same either one or both are wrong cos the GB was much, much lighter, on a par with the EBS. We also tried the Bergy cabs with the GB and EBS heads and they all sounded great - but different. Funny how they all claim to be transparent yet sound different. All the rigs let the sound of the bass through though - and we tried a lot of basses. We also tried the IP112 with the EX112 to make a 1000watt rig. We used a variety of pre-amps but the Summit sounded great and my EBS Microbass II was nearly as good. This was left flat and sounded great (see comment above regarding the HD350?). We also tried the new Markbass F1 with the Bergatino cabs - what a sound from such tiny little boxes but the weight of the Bergy cabs stops it from being a cab in one hand, gig bag in the other with the F1 in the pocket job. We ran out of time to try the F1 into the other cabs. I was gonna take some pics of the rigs but we spent so much time mucking about there was no time.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='129768' date='Jan 29 2008, 08:42 AM']Bolt neck, with threaded inserts and machine screws, gotta be the way, can do them up as tight as you like without stripping, anf you can adjust the action and everything.[/quote] Thats how my GB necks bolt on, and probably Shuker/Sei/RM/AC etc. Probably not Fender.

I hope they have not got anyone's gear on a commission sale basis. I know Kiwi used to try and sell stuff there.

Problem is Pete, your experience is in the minority.

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='129483' date='Jan 28 2008, 06:38 PM']What he said was that they were getting people going in and trying stuff then buying from the internet.[/quote] Thats where actually offering a service comes in.

When I was having my first GB made I asked Bernie about neck thru vs bolt on (he does offer the Spitfire in both) and he said about £500. Thats the only difference. Its not quite true and we both knew that. Neck thru gives you better access to the dusty end but as for sound other aspects of construction (like the nature of the bolt on) and choice of woods make far more difference. Its funny that people are now making the same claims for singlecuts as used to be made for thru necks.

The thing is you need to make having a shop work, make it an experience that you wont get shopping over the internet, and that means treating the customers like VIP's not irritations. If you want to try an F1 give BassDirect a call. Dont think you are that far from Kenilworth. A lot closer than I am anyway. I tried one yesterday and it is amazing that it is a 500w amp not much bigger than my Microbass II pre-amp.

It is not heavy but yes it is done for looks. Thats why the cabs are tolex and cloth rather than carpet and steel. Its called classic line to look like classic old gear. Same as the Aguilar DB cabs.

Thanks Steve, I've just got in. May have to do it all again when the Bergy Neo's come in.

What is the point of all this mucking around with cheap basses. I'm sure you end up spending more than if you just bought proper basses like your Jap Fender.

Its all been done before. Spider web inlays on a bass - now where have I seen that?

Nice, keep the porn well stocked!