silverfoxnik

Hi Dave I gigged the Big Block 750/Berg AE212 rig last night and it was great! First impressions are that it has much more punchy and mids driven tone than my Ampeg V4BH head, with some lovely - almost aggressive - valve distortion to it as well that works really well in the band as we do a lot of rock tunes (think Foos, Zep, U2, Muse).. It also has more than enough power for me, and what's more, there was a real authority to it that's hard to describe in words, but I definitely felt it. Overall, I really liked and enjoyed using it and the band certainly did too, but I need to gig it a couple more times to get a better idea of it's capabilities, i think. Cheers Nik

+1 That's the same for me too.

Cheers Chris! I've said the same of you many times btw.. Looking forward to the next one as I said. ☺ Nik

Lots of people write original songs, but some have more talent at it and reach a wider audience with their songs than others as a result.. IMO, the same is true of sampling; lots of people do it as a way to create music, but some do it with far more invention, imagination and skill than others and consequently, reach a wider audience. On a personal note, I think sampling is a totally valid artistic method for creating a new piece of work and is often used in different art forms as a creative tool.. Someone referred to collage for example and the Sgt. Pepper's album sleeve by Peter Blake, which is a great example. On a musical front, Massive Attack's 'Mezzanine' album from the late 90s has samples on it but is, in my opinion, a stunningly original piece of music. Just my 2p worth...

Late last year, Chris bought some acoustic panels from me for his studio and we finally met up last night at Clackett Lane services on the M25 to conclude the deal. We first did a Basschat deal together back in 2007 when we traded basses, and since then I think I've dealt with Chris half a dozen times.. On each occasion, it's been an absolute pleasure because Chris is just a great Basschatter and a completely cool person to deal with and to know! Highly, highly recommended! Thanks Chris, and here's to the next one mate... 😀

+1 Chris This is the reason I take notice of sustain when playing a bass I'm interested in buying; I want to know about it's inherent quality as an acoustic instrument before you even get to what the pick ups do.. I don't there's ever been a situation that I can recall in over 40 years of playing when using any bass I've owned (and there have been many) where I've suddenly thought in a gigging situation: 'Oh s##t, I've just run out of sustain!' Well, maybe the Kay bass that mum & dad bought me from Woolworths when I was 14 years old.. ☺

Will do! I'm excited to see what possibilities it has, but the Ampeg rig has been absolutely fantastic for me, so the new rig has a lot to live up to.

An Ampeg V4BH head with Ampeg 210 + 115 cabs. Main basses used have been a BC Rich Eagle, Squier P with flats and a Gibson Thunderbird.. Will let you know ☺

I've just bought a Big Block 750 and a Berg AE212 and so far, it seems to be a great combination. Haven't gigged it yet, but will be doing that at the weekend, so then I'll have a better idea of it as a gigging rig. Initial impressions so far A/B-ing at home against my all valve Ampeg rig, are very positive.

Cheers Mick!

Just bought Markbass LM3 head from Mick, which is in excellent condition and which works and sounds great.. It's the second time I've dealt with Mick and this has been just the same as the first time; good communications, good gear and a great person to deal with! Highly recommended. Thanks Mick ☺

Interesting... I've just bought a Big Block 750 and it sounds fantastic to my ears when paired with a Berg 212 AE; and that's when using it with range of different basses, 4 and 5 strings, active, passive etc.. It's loud but with plenty of headroom, has very good mids and loads of low end. More importantly, it has that 'authority' and 'heft' (or should that be 'weight') that I would normally associate with an all valve amp. I say that because I've A/B'd it against my Ampeg V4BH - which has a lovely warm and sweet tone to it - and it compares really well and, whilst it's not quite as warm sounding, it's got more detail in the mid range and more power, as well as a fantastic overdrive sound to it. Overall, I'm very impressed with the Big Block and as my introduction to Mesa's bass gear, it's created a very good first impression.

Great thread this ☺ And with some very well-constructed, well-reasoned points about 'vintage' versus 'modern' instruments that have really got me thinking. Having thought about it, my 2p worth is this.. I'm kind of with Shaggy on this (as in his original post) in that I just enjoy the whole aesthetic of older, over-engineered instruments that look like they've been used a lot over time to make music with... So, 'Bass Nirvana' for me is when I find an instrument that fits with how I like it to look, but also so that it fits with how I like it to feel and sound when I'm using it. All three of those determining factors are completely subjective to me and are undermined by my poor hearing and tinnitus in my right ear, my lack of good (or proper) playing technique and my own quirky sense of what looks good and what doesn't. Having said all that, one of my favourite basses that I really enjoy playing is a 5 year old Schecter Diamond P5 that doesn't look at all like my other basses, is way too big for me and will never gain any kind of classic status I expect. But I just love the way it plays in my hands and the sound I make when using it. What's it worth? Probably about £300. Yet it's outlasted some much more expensive basses that I've had over the last 5 years. I remember having a '66 Fender Jazz in the early nineties that I never really bonded with, much preferring an '80s Tokai Jazz Sound that I had for three years, which I then rather foolishly traded for a Music Man 5 string with a John East preamp that I never liked at all and which I sold on quite quickly... Hence my conclusion is that I have no set perspective on this topic that I could reasonably offer to anyone that will be of any objective value, and that in the end, my preference for any particular bass I buy will be based on my mood and my finances at the time I'm buying it. I doubt that all this will help move the debate along much though, but I'm looking forward to reading more comments as the debate continues. ☺

Just bought a Gibson EB-5 from Colin, who, apart from being a great Basschat friend, is always a pleasure to spend time with! It was good to see you and the family, albeit briefly.. Before I forget, got to say that your BF cab is absolutely brilliant.. serious amounts of low end. 😀 Thanks for the bass Col, and the very. Cool matching Gibson strap.. Really appreciate it and looking forward to using them both... ☺ Anyway, just to say Folks that the bottom line is, deal with Colin in absolute confidence! Nik

Thanks Jack! ☺ Happy Christmas and Happy New Year btw... Nik

Cheers Colin, Can't find your feedback thread to return the compliment - do you have one? Nik

Met with Dave, aka Dvisions, yesterday and bought a very cool Boogie & Berg rig from him.. Everything went really well, very good comms throughout and Dave's an easy guy to deal with, so I'm more than happy to recommend him to one and all here on Basschat! Thanks very much Dave ☺