leroydiamond

If Markbass cabs are going to be considerably heavier from now on then a big thumbs down from me.

What happens now that the Genz Benz line has been discontinued?. Just wondering are their amps prudent purchases given that Fender has swallowed up the company

Use a laptob bag and it hold's 2 microamps

[quote name='dmckee' timestamp='1389373838' post='2333568'] Thanks guys. All helpful. I had a guy somewhere else saying he just disconnected the light altogether. :-) Everyone, including Aguilar, seem to say to just ignore it. Why bother putting it there then, eh? [/quote] I tried out the Th500 and the clip light continuously flashing put me right off. Indeed what its doing there at all seems to be a bit of a mystery, and arguably poor design if it has no function. Regardless I found the Th500 was not as loud as the Markbass F500 when matched with Markbass cabs. Pity because the tone on offer was a nice alternative to the F500 but in the end I stuck with the F500. Recently I moved to the Tecamp puma 900 which is a really powerful beast with plenty of welly on tap.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1389358597' post='2333239'] +1 But stick with the hearing protection. From what they tell us, that "isolation" is what you will experience 24hrs a day if you have seriously damaged your hearing playing or listening to loud music. [/quote] Tell me all about it. My high frequencies are screwed. Tinnitus a plenty as well, which can really mess with your head . However my ACS 20's allow me to rock out at the weekend, whilst providing the best protection for what's left of my hearing. The secret is to get your ear protection sorted before you develop hearing loss/tinnitus. However the Audiologist I attended says this is rarely the case, with the majority of musicians looking for plugs after the damage is done. Sadly this was the case with me as well. You never miss the water till the well runs dry So well done to the OP getting his moulded plugs. Stick with them and never take them out during a gig.

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1389267594' post='2332045'] After getting a woefully wrong eye test from Spoecsavers I wouldn't trust them to fit me for socks never mind hearing protection! [/quote] +1.

Good cabs by all account though I have never used them. You have a difficult decision with the variety of amps available. I opted for the Puma 900 and am a happy bunny, but as always its different horses for different courses.

[quote name='0175westwood29' timestamp='1389136561' post='2330641'] oh no im talking about the trees! my in ear moulds dnt budge there awesome! andy [/quote] Not surprised. To be honest the xmas trees are a bit of a Joke IMO. To think that these cheap and cheerful products might offer proper protection for all ear canals regardless of shape ( remember no two ear canals are identical) just does not figure.

What cabs are you using?.

[quote name='0175westwood29' timestamp='1389133148' post='2330557'] my problem was that they always fell out! a right pain if only one goes! [/quote] If the mould is an accurate impression of the ear canal it should fit nice and tight. If they are falling out its my guess that something may have possibly gone wrong when the impression was being made. A properly moulded plug should not be prone to falling out IMO.

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1389102275' post='2329898'] I'm like that now with my xmas trees [/quote] but the custom fit moulds offer a much safer option when it comes to protection IMO and IME. I had been using the xmas trees for a couple of years thinking that I was protecting my hearing. However subsequent to developing tinnitus and a visit to an audiologist, who had a good giggle when I produced my xmas trees, i had no hesitation in opting for moulded plugs. The difference is night and day.

And if you can push a bit farther financially, the Puma 900 comes in at £720 from Thomann. This is what I am currently using and its a powerful little beast. Here is a link to a recent review in Bass Gear Magazine [url="http://btpub.boyd-printing.com/publication/?i=187956"]http://btpub.boyd-printing.com/publication/?i=187956[/url]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1388881678' post='2327372'] Proper hearing protection...... good move. [/quote] +1. When you get them, it will take a handful of gigs for you to become accustomed to them. However after a few weeks you will wonder how you ever managed without them

Tecamp puma 500 at £600 from Thomann with a 3 year warranty is a worthy contender here. I recently acquired the puma 900 and its a fantastic piece of kit. best amp i have had the pleasure of playing through.

Up until recently I had a Fender Custom shop custom classic jazz bass (Now discontinued) and it was a top class instrument, right up there with my Sadowsky NYC. Sold it on simply because it was too heavy for my screwed up shoulder. However i have come across other models of custom shop jazz basses and did not think they were particularly special. As for master built custom shop basses, I feel the price they command is an issue, as for similar money it is possible to pick up a vintage pre cbs Fender. As with everything right now, the used market is well worth investigating.

[quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1388967340' post='2328356'] Blimey - if you've got your own mic and stand your way ahead of most of the vocalists I've worked with! In my experience, they turn up two minutes before the soundcheck, then after the gig flirt with the punters while we pack up the kit [/quote] +1.

ACS custom moulds are fantastic. Wish I got them before I developed hearing issues and tinnitus. I have been using 20's for several years and regular visits to the audiologists indicate that they provide superb protection. Some basschatters might have issues with spending £150 on ear protection, but for me they are the best value piece of kit on the market. The cheap and cheerful generic alternatives are a risky option IMO.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1387637683' post='2314051'] Birdie Song [/quote]

[quote name='spinynorman' timestamp='1387554062' post='2313330'] If it's any consolation, I had a similar experience with a large UK online retailer, though in that case the amp eventually ended up back at the manufacturer with a completely wrong description of the problem. Contrast service from Thomann under their universal 3 year warranty, amp picked up by courier, repaired and returned in 2 weeks, at no cost to me. [/quote] Thomann are really setting the benchmark for service. I have had a number of dealings with them and they are +1. However if we all go down the on line route, local stores will just fold (a good many here have already). Not a nice thought.

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1387543611' post='2313148'] I've set up my B3 for Hysteria using the OverDrive. Settings are gain 45, tone 48, level 70, bal 20. I have a touch of comp after that. Played on a P bass with half wounds, and through my Streamliner. Sounds ok. The same settings should work fine on an MS60B too. [/quote] Yea thats great. thanks