Fionn

I've read so many times, statements alluding to tone being "[i]all in the fingers[/i]".

Eh? ... Do folk really believe that?

Sure, "[i]the fingers[/i]", those endlessly minute intricacies and subtleties in touch and technique are huge in the equation ... but they aren't the whole. How could they possibly be?

It seems a bit flippant, to dismiss the role of technology and equipment in how we shape our sound. In choosing gear we are presented with an infinitely diverse range of variables with which to craft tone. Whether these variables are understood and worked with, or not, we've all got equipment which has it's own characteristics and limitations, and which greatly influences how we sound.

I've read the argument that (e.g.), "[i]Zender sounds like Zender whether he is playing a Warwick Streamer or a Fender P-bass[/i]". True, but that's the player. The "[i]fingers[/i]" element of the tone is recognisible and present, but on the whole the tone is very different. Zender didn't sound the same on stage with Ronson as he did with Jamiroquai, did he? ... or have my ears become bunged with wax in the time between?

Maybe it's just the cool thing, to don the omnipotent muso posture, [i]"I just plug in and play and get the tone I want".[/i] Great. Well, that's subjective to the individual and says nothing about the science of sound.

Aye, I'm very happy with my tone, although I wasn't for many many years. It took me a lot of research, experimentation with different equipment, and honing of technique, but I'm there. In terms of sound gripes, it's other things which cause me to be unsettled these days (like finding the right octaver, grrrrrr). There's always something.

$hit, what a luxury it is to be able to indulge this stuff, when you think that folk are machete-hacking each others heads off for peanuts in some parts of the world ... eek!

[quote name='Joeyfivebags' timestamp='1394094353' post='2387774']
That is a lot of instrument for the price, cant believe it's still here.
[/quote]

Yup ... Fantastic bass. What a bargain!

Thumbs up from me too.

I've had one of these for a couple of weeks now, and it's the BOMB.

Very good combo

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1393550944' post='2381896']
One of two Markbass combos I am looking at, glad to here you like it!
[/quote]

I can't recommend it enough, Kev ... and I haven't even added the extension cab yet.

It seems a very tidy solution for folk who like compact gear with a genuinely big sound.

I recently aquired a Markbass CMD 121P, played it in the house a bit. It's quite unlike what I'm used to, and it took me a fair bit of tweeking (to previously unfamiliar parameters) to find sounds that I'm happy with. All good though. It's a very sweet spot when it's found.

However, what has really amazed me is how this tiny unassuming box sounds in a full band situation. A couple more wee tweeks, and ooof! ... it properly delivers. I've heard folk banging on about how good this combo is, but I didn't actually fancy it to be quite so freakin solid. I'm blown away by how loud, tight, present, and clean-sounding it is. Totally beyond my expectations. I'm delighted.

There's a great old Trace rig which is available to me for gigging, so I had bought the combo just to have something small and light, but relatively gutsy, for practice and jams, but after the experience of my last two band practices I've decided to make this my go-to amp for everything. I'll get myself the NY121 extension cab for when a little extra is required.

It is a seriously tidy bit of kit.

BTW, I've experienced none of the tweeter hiss that I've read some folk complain about. All is good in this Markbasshood

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1393373895' post='2379615']
Any other suggestions please feel free to help me! Budget is the £300-£400 mark.
[/quote]

You'll get a 2nd hand GK MB150 for that ... and you can't have forgotten how great they are.

100W @ 8ohms, tiny, light, solid, practical, sounds fantastic ... I can't think of anything better in that category, and for that money.

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1393375701' post='2379626']

True but I still think I'd get a decent idea of how it sounds with my (god awful) playing at least
[/quote]

I think he was alluding to how you'd get on with the fanned fretboard, rather than the sound.

[quote name='Link' timestamp='1393319457' post='2378535']
Ah ok that probable explains it, but i still think it looks better with the W
[/quote]

It sounds, plays, and feels better with the "W" too

Aaaargh! ... the beauty and the beast! I wouldn't expose my Dolphin to that for the risk of infection.

Look at Lemmy, ferchristsakes!!!

I'm sceptical of Fender basses, but when I saw and played one of these I was amazed by how good an instrument it was. It sounded fantastic, and with lots of tonal variety too. The quality of finish was as good as I've seen on any Fender bass, despite the price-tag, and the fact that it's MIC. It's kinda like Fenders own take on a super-Jazz ... but cheap.

Great bass.

That's a classy bass, very nice.

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1392986382' post='2374936']
I've never used the volume control on a bass as anything other than an on/off switch.
[/quote]

What he said.

My volume is set to full on the bass. On occasions when a bit of a boost is required I stomp a box for it.

I just bought a rather nice combo from Cameron.

Excellent communication, fast shipping, and bomb-proof packaging. No mucking around, what so ever. He even absorbed the unexpected extra postage costs.

Top guy really. Couldn't possibly ask from more from a seller

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[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]It's in excellent condition / perfect working order. Fully expanded 32mb memory.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Product info ...[/font][/color]

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Sell the Dirty Blonde, and buy a Thumb NT5?

I've never played nor heard one, although on paper it looks to be a superb instrument for the money. One thing is for certain ... you know what you're getting with a Yamaha. In terms of quality relative to price they have an excellent reputation.

Nick Fyffe.

Of the Jamiroquai bassists, Stuart Zender gets the lions share of the plaudits, and Paul Turner gets his quota too ... but surprisingly little is spoken of Nick Fyffe. He's a great player who's contribution to the bands sound was huge. I love his style, always so neat and appropriate. Definitley worthy of some extra kudos!

[quote name='Jimmyfingers' timestamp='1392853472' post='2373656']
Why is that when people go on about older guitars sounding better they are only ever talking about Fenders?

Back in the 80's you'd get people crowing on about 62 Precision or whatever, and I suppose they were pretty much the only brand that could have much of a vintage being the first production basses. So somehow a 20 year old Fender sounded better than a new one.

But now, you can get Warwick's or Status that are 20+ years of, and yet I've never heard anybody making claims for them sounding better.

Weird.

My first post, and I'm chuffed because I've just bought a 9 year old Warwick. My first bass since stopping playing about 10 years ago.
[/quote]

Welcome to hell ... erm, I mean Basschat. Congratulations also on your 9 year old Warwick. Mine sounds better than yours though, because it's 26 years old.

Only joking Every Warwick that I've played sounds as good as the next, just different. I think that a lot of the time folk get carried away with romantic ideas about a certain era of music, and bingo that 1969 Precision just oozes mojo. Maybe Fenders were actually better back in the day? I don't know though. I thought they had always been pigs

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1392851971' post='2373634']
Guess he's not too popular in Scotland right now though.
[/quote]

Total sphincter.

It's not from a shop, but have you seen this? ... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/222757-trace-elliot-gp12smx300-head/page__p__2354286__hl__trace%20elliot__fromsearch__1#entry2354286

Jimmy just bought a cab from me in what was a quick and tidy transaction. No problems whatsoever. Deal with confidence.

Enjoy the cab man!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1392799341' post='2372778']
I think it is very good that a very good name manufacturer comes on here and spends time answering questions but I feel BC tends to milk this
and wants to poke its nose into manufacturing and commercial decisions that frankly aren't its business and the maker might not want to disclose either
[/quote]

It's commendable and impressive, that the head of Markbass has taken the time to talk on a players forum. Respect, for sure.

Isn't it right though, that the folk who specifically represent the (actual and potential) market for these products should be able to ask questions if the opportunity arises? Nobody is milking anything. We spend our hard-earned money on this stuff, we are genuinely interested. Folk make decisions (rightly or wrongly) based upon the things that have been discussed in this thread. Ultimately, it's up to Marco how much information he imparts, how he chooses to do so, and whether or not he answers questions.

It's interesting to put yourself into other folks scenarios. Oh, what to do?

If I wasn't going to be playing in bands anymore , but potentially still jamming around with folk, a bit of recording, etc, then I'd keep a single electric bass. I wouldn't consider a new custom build, prefering the idea of a bass which I loved and was familiar with (like an old friend). I'd use a little of the cash generated by selling everything else to get myself a nice, simple, light, compact (yet powerful enough) combo. You know, just to keep a toe in the door.

If I wasn't going to be playing in bands anymore, not jamming, not recording, just noodling at home, then I'd sell everything and get myself a really nice acoustic fretless bass.

Of course, if I was simply sick of it all ... Then I'd occupy a small unpopulated Hebridean island, grow a massive beard, collect loads of guns, start a cult, and father a tribe a mini messiah me's ... yeahhh!

[quote name='Marco Markbass' timestamp='1392675619' post='2371586']
Therei is not any factor! All rest of the Amps is the same on mini cmd 121.
[/quote]

So you're saying that there have been no changes to the CMD121P other than lighter "higher quality" plywood. You're still using poplar-ply, so the material hasn't changed. Fair enough. Then surely the plywood would have to be substantially thinner in order to account for a weight reduction as great as 3.6kg in such a very small box, no? If so, wouldn't that suggest a notable structural difference between the Italian and Indonesian models which would have a bearing on tonal character? If I'm missing something here, or if I'm completely off-track with my basic logic, then please correct me. I don't pretend to be an expert on the subject.

There is some practical basis to this. I've just bought an older (Italian) CMD121P. I'm wondering, if I was to add a new (Indonesian) NY121 extension cab, would that cab sound the same as the older Italian version which was constructed in the same fashion and using the same materials as my combo, and which fits it like a glove? It's a fair enough consideration, I reckon.