thodrik

It is RSD, as in Roger Sadowsky Design. They should probably have had RSDWE on the headstock, as in ‘Roger Sadowsky Design, Warwick Execution.’

Me too!

The manuals for both heads are very impressive. In general I think that the Mesa manuals are really good. (I own a Walkabout, Big Block and Rectoverb 50 combo). However, I think that the manuals for the WD-800 and TT-800 have set a new standard for how I would like instruction manuals to be written for amps.

Realistically possible: 1. a four ohm 4x10 (preferably EBS or Mesa - used rather than new); and 2. a Darkglass B7K ultra (probably used) Not realistic: 1. A Spector Euro 6 string - black matt finish ; or 2. brand new Mesa Subway 4x10; or 3. Warwick 6 string thumb (used or a new GPS model). Into the realms of fantasy: 1. A Wal Mk 2 five string 2. Matamp GT200 with matching 4x10

Latest variation. The B3K is probably next on the chopping block as I am eyeing up something with a bit more EQ flexibility.

Glad you got it sorted. The wiring there looks pretty messy. For comparison here is my old (2009) Metro: Here is my NYC, which is actually a bit messier than the Metro. It also has a date mark and name of the person who did the wiring. Really Warwick should have nailed the electronics from the outset. Hopefully these issues are sorted out as the licensing agreement operates in the future.

As an update, I received a third identical black Levy strap as a Christmas present. Just one more to go and I will have an identical strap for every instrument I own. It has been a thrilling year of gear acquisition for me.

Those amps look class! If I had two I would buy a second cabinet and run one amp on the Subway channel and one on the Boogie channel and then blend the two signals together at FOH. Complete overkill but it would be lots of fun. As it is I stupidly sold off/gave away my other cabs this year but kept my amps. I now only have the Walkabout 1x15 and the 6x10 as cabs. The 6x10 is overkill for most gigs (well, all gigs) and the Walkabout combo can struggle when playing in a loud two guitar band. I am currently saving up for a Subway 4x10. However there is no urgency as I haven’t had a rehearsal or gig since March. I love the look of the WD 800 and the TT800 though. I would need to try them together though to see which one I prefer.

One of the few Youbtuber bassists I really like. A really fluid player and can play in a number of different styles.

I think I will still be going for a B7K/AO Ultra ahead of this (or maybe just the 500 watt AO amp). This new pedal looks really good but I just don't need that amount of options! I have the Duality, B3K and AO (original) already. The Duality is actually my favourite out of the three because it is a straight ahead filthy fuzz so it is utterly useless for the traditional Darkglass 'advert tone' of clanky, modern, metal. The B3K is to me 'decent to good' at low gain but I don't like the high gain settings. B3K stacked into the AO is glorious though. .

Just booked my tickets for the Glasgow show.

I would review the BC marketplace, failing that ebay, to see what is available in your area. Once you have found something, have a quick google review. It it is new-ish amp (say launched within the last ten years) there is usually a decent Youtube demo or two to give you an idea of what the amp can do. For example, there is a couple of nice Hartke LH1000 and matching 4x10 set ups on ebay at the moment for about £500. That would be a dream rig for somebody, but it would be a nightmare rig for somebody who is looking for a lightweight set up with a really flexible EQ, onboard compression and overdrive and who absolutely hates Hartke aluminium cabs.

I would almost say that the launch has had 'Gibson-esque' qualities. All we need is some automatic tuners and a 'RSD - Play Authentic' social media campaign complete with some lawsuit threats. Seriously though, I feel that Warwick are not taking any real ownership over QC issues. It has been left to Roger Sadowsky to try and sort out the QC issues and I have no doubts that he will do his best to do that given his general background in having strict standards of quality control. Realistically though that should be Warwick's job as part of the licensing agreement, which was theoretically signed to give Roger Sadowsky more time to dedicate to building instruments in his NYC shop and not sorting out QC issues in Warwick's factory. 2020 has been a crap year for launching products, but even with that in mind this launch has been pretty disappointing.

That is definitely my preferred route and essentially for those reasons. In addition to that I can't afford a new amp.

They might not be joins, they might be subtle 'go faster' racing stripes.

Sounds interesting! All I need to do now is remember where the hell I last left my English Muff'n! I changed the stock tubes to 12AX7s as I found they had better headroom than the stock 12AY7s or whatever were originally in them. Cracking pedal.

The EBS Valvedrive DI has simple passive EQ tonestack. Pretty costly but if you want the feeling of a valve amp in pedal format it is a good bit of kit. I used to use an EHX English Muff'n for the same thing, but it is really a guitar pedal though works great as a bass overdrive.

I will be going to Glasgow show I think. Pending the obvious... Hopefully they have a new album out by then. It has been about 7 years since the last one.

At least it has been sorted out. I think I would been sending the bass back with that kind of noise and hiss.

I would agree. Honestly, though, that bass should not pass QC with noise levels like that. Hopefully it is an isolated incident. However, if the Metro Express basses are generally noisy, then that is a real shame as 'noisy electronics' really are the antithesis of what Roger Sadowsky built his reputation on. Also, I think I will have to check out the Lobster guy's other reviews. It is actually nice to hear an actual review rather than a glorified sponsored advert.

Hmm, I usually have at least one drive pedal on with a very low gain setting to give a bit of slight drive to any 'rock' set. From the age of 13 my 'magic' pedal has evolved from a Boss ODB-3, then a Sansamp Bass Driver, then the Sansamp plus an EHX English Muff'n (which I used very much in a similar way to how the OP used the Black Finger). After that was a EBS Valve Drive, then it was an Aguilar Agro for 7-8 years through my early to late twenties, for the last 4 years or so it has been a Darkglass B3K. Ones that I tried and went 'not for me' include a EBS Metal Drive and EBS Billy Sheehan (the original permanently 'out of phase unless you use a buffer pedal' one). The Keeley Bassist though has been a constant presence over the last 3-5 years. Though it is a very transparent compressor so it doesn't really affect the tone very much, so I don't think it is magic so much as I think it is effective.

I use a B3K on very low gain settings and stack that into an Alpha Omega, which is also on very low gain settings. This delivers a highly aggressive signal that is actually not that overdriven or distorted. That signal then runs into a compressor. I tried the B3k and AO stacked the other way but didn't like it as much. For the record, I am not a massive fan of the B3K on higher gain settings (a bit fizzy and synthetic for me). On lower gain settings though it is great. To be fair though I used to get pretty much the sound I liked by using an Aguilar Agro by itself, but the lack of blend or EQ options on the pedal (and the fact I was fed up of using the same pedal for 6-7 years) led me to the B3K.

Very interesting thread. One of the reasons I don't sell on Ebay is the automatic assumption that I am a fraudster because of being located in the Highlands (I don't use it often enough to really build up much feedback). I generally just stick to the BC marketplace. Interestingly enough, when I was on Ebay more regularly, it was sometimes fun to interact with the obvious hoaxes: 'Me: Oh, I love that Wal, and I see that the item is located in Orkney. Is that correct?' 'Seller: Yes. 'Me: Great, I am heading up there in a couple of days, I would be happy to meet and purchase the instrument after trying it out; 'Seller: Sorry, the item is not located in Orkney, the item is located in Guernsey.' 'Me: So you managed to move the bass over 860 miles in 30 minutes?'

Honestly one of the best sounds I have ever got was using one of these amps through an EBS Proline 8x10. I have recommended it to my nephew for a first 'proper' bass amp.

I had one and I’m pretty sure the RMS rating on the amp sleeve was 280 watts at 4 ohms with the peak being about 580 watts. At 8 ohms you are probably looking at 150-170 watts or something. Of course, a bench test rating could result in a different measurement. It certainly felt like an amp in the 300 watt region rather than 150 watts though even the 150 watt Trace Elliots are generally pretty damn loud. It should be a perfectly giggable amp. Also, it is worth remembering that the SM series of amps are now well over 20 years old, so the units around the marketplace could be subject to any number of aftermarket repairs or mods, or simply might not be working properly anymore.