Ander87

“Soon as I thought I was in, they pulled me back out…” 😂 first foray into all of this really, teenage dreams! Making me feel like I can play, if only they knew…

that's so odd! they replied to me in 2hrs, and then within 20 mins after I replied! I was pleasantly surprised

Totally my approach - I guess my initial reaction was 'I don't want to lose my luscious Darkglass ADAM tones, or spend too much dough on amps (since I don't have any right now, ramping up from bedroom player phase)'. Luckily, there's solutions for both - either 'just' get the powered 250ACT speaker to use with the Darkglass, or get a full whack amp (500w combo, or Unity Elite 700 + 2x10 cab). And yeah, I do not think I'd need the 2nd cab now, so purely for visuals and that reassurance that I can cover anything, but once I cool down, admittedly zero need for the extension cab yet. I'm looking forward to Monday, meeting Blackstar HQ! They replied super quick and offered to show me around and let me try some stuff; I've also learnt from one of their videos that they actually based the distortion channel on the Darkglass B7K, which sounded very familiar! We shall see... Ander.

Oh thanks for this! I actually read up your thread/review when you got it when I first started learning the band's songs 😝 Interestingly, I popped an email to Blackstar (we're same postcode, NN3 represent!) and they said they'd love to show me around and let me play some stuff. I am always biased by stage presence and with that chunky 40%, the U500 combo and 1x15 cab would be £600 tops ish, over my initial budget but so tempting. I do think in hindsight my ambitions for a powered speaker are out of budget it seems! I kinda want to take advantage of the endorsement and will study the 250ACT with my darkglass stuff or effects loop on the combo. Both with/without extension cabinet considered 😀 I'll report back sometime next week on this, but literally the below seems such a solid summary...

Oh this is interesting! I don't know how I missed that but that could well work - I've never tried 15" so I hope it's clear enough? Maybe that's another topic. The modularity of it also helps, and can get one, see how it goes, add another one if need be. Also makes it very easy for sharing backline if I have to with other bands (this band often headlines). On a side note how are you finding the U500? I just don't think it can replace the ADAM although I may stand corrected in which case I'd only need the U500 combo...! Ah, noted with thanks! I hear that sentiment across however I think it may be unrealistic of me to want a top end powered speaker for under £400... However will keep eyes open! Ander.

Hey gang, This has been asked before but I'd say inconclusive just yet. I am joining a new band sponsored by Blackstar - I don't feel too precious about them nor against, but worth pointing out I can get 40% discount on them - I was thinking on a Unity 500 combo. At the same time, I get all my tones and stuff with the Darkglass ADAM (and awfully proud of the presets I've worked on for the band's set) and want to keep using those without extra colouring. Hence, I was thinking of getting one of these Headrush MK2 12" or a similar budget (£350) powered speaker that will do bass justice... I've heard mixed reviews about the Headrush too in terms of stage dispersion and punch (ie. those 2500w are not same as 250w from an actual bass amp). Aaaalso at the same time, buying a traditional amp makes a redundancy on preamp/distortion/compressor/other bits that I do not need as I have them on the ADAM already... For that budget of £350 and considering that's about what the Unity 2x10 500w combo would cost me, is there any other powered speaker option I should consider? Thanks!

Argh! Sorry @feech thats annoying! I am disappointed with a brand as big as Anderson’s really, these could’ve been checked. im very happy with mine but seems theyre worth a close inspection… and good thing is sire will probs sort next run too either way as it often happens…

Oh I thought this was interesting. Exactly same issue as my first unit (corroded rusty battery compartment). I wonder (speculation but how many basses out of a stock of 9 have this issue?) if this was the same unit. If 2/9, awful Sire quality. Not my experience with Sire basses… I’m inclined to think it’s the same unit from this poor fella that was sent over to me. anyway, it’s NBD day with a V5 and I’m proper happy with this hanger update for the autumn season 😂 Ander.

Awfully accurate perception from mine

Thank you! I think I’ll wait for now as the singles are out of stock too - and the chrome ones I got on the way (by sure) should do for now.

Haha jealous! I was thinking maybe I get them black but of course out of stock too 🤓

yeah, I agree - the only thing I’d change in mine tbh. And I’ve got Sire replacements from a P7 on the way… hopefully those work! I wanted John East but out of stock for now…

Haha cheers! Fingers crossed for your bass too🤞 jesus I can't believe DHL sometimes! Also, NBD tomoz from Thomann on the V5 champagne... My Z7 needed a flatwound passive partner no?... no? 😁 Ander.

Haha! I showed interest last out of 10 but seems I’m taking the role home 🤓🤓 I’m studying the set for a rehearsal in a couple weeks to assess if I’m good for the 6 November dates. They do have a temporary cover but it’d be nice to do those before end of the year and their 2025 plans with new album etc! thanks for asking buddy 😊

I hope you like it and that they send you a solid unit mate! Very nice bass indeed. I’ll keep it on rounds, will use flats on the V5 champagne gold I’ve got coming 🤓 I do like the tuners a lot, super smooth for that budget - also the preamp is very responsive and the jazz pickup adds a very nice depth to it, so far I’ve kept the blend in the middle, or 60/40 neck/bridge and loving it with a bit of treble/low-mids/bass boost Ander.

Oh I missed this! yep, 2x 9v batteries for the basses.

Okay, now YES. The bass should have been exchanged on Friday but of course it didn't happen - delay on DPD or Andertons, I don't know anymore. Either way, I've just taken delivery of the new unit and swap. HAPPY. This bass is what it's meant to be, and coming in at 4.15kg. Well adjusted right out of the box and loving it. Will still swap the knobs mind you (that shaft cover in plastic where the aluminium knob seats is a kinda whacky design I feel). Interestingly, this box did come with a stamp and a card for the checks done - kinda generic but all works: I'm removing the cling film protectors, I'm keeping this! Ander.

I haven’t had a chance to try it out on a real bass amp and good volumes, but the neck is so lush that I’d upgrade the electronics if I had to, in due course. So far I do feel like it’ll definitely do the job 95% of the times and maybe upgrading for that extra 5% is silly but aren’t we all 🤣 Ander.

oh absolutely! They’re immense. The neck is glorious and they sound very good etc. smooth tuners which seems to be a concern for some Sires etc I genuinely love the bass…! My only issue after the faulty battery thing is the knobs. With that internal plastic cap, if you don’t align them properly or if they’re not set flat how they should they have this ‘screw’ effect that wobbles as you rotate and really annoys me lol will report on the fresh unit this morning when I do the swap… Edit. Definitely spoke too early… again 🙄

So the caps are metallic but the stacked ones seat on a piece of plastic around the shaft that easily makes mine wobble…

Hey @Jonesy, thanks! Defo noted if ever happens to me... Agree, me neither! I moaned to Andertons and punched a new order - in fairness to them, they emailed me quickly and told me they're ready to do an exchange 'on the fly' tomorrow, with me handing to the courier the faulty bass, and receiving a fresh one at the same time. This means I'm not out of pocket as they processed this as an exchange rather than two orders with one return. They have assured me that they'll have a look on the new unit and will send me the lightest Z7 mint they've got. Crossed fingers I will have a good update tomorrow. So @Minininjarob, I'm happy to buy and keep but keep an eye on QC - everything else was perfect on mine, apart from such battery thing, and the knobs. Now, I do not think those knobs will improve in future iterations... Ander.

In fairness to Sire, the misaligned knob was fixed just taking it out and back in (still plasticky, will replace by John East ones probs) And in fairness to Sire, the bass is well adjusted and plays very nicely indeed! The tuners are super smooth and progress nicely, the action and truss rod are in place... The neck finish is just epic, different type of satin from other Sires I've had, I guess more in line with Stingrays Just received and answer from Andertons with a very meh 'you can return it/exchange it/send replacement after inspection'... ... I've just bought another one and will sort return for this one soon, at least I won't be without a bass as I do need it - hopefully I can take my pick tomorrow when the new one arrives 🙄

I was so genuinely interested in doing this… I still might order a couple more and take my pick really.