Sparky Mark

As well as the Sansamp BDDI, you should also consider the Tech 21 VT Bass pedal. It's great for classic Ampeg blues and rock tones.

+1 for the Ashdown EB 180W 12" combo. It's compact, sounds great and you can add an extension cab when needed.

Just bought Mick's MusicMan Bass case. Case was completely as described and came with free coffee. My 'ray now has a proper case thanks to Mick, who's a nice guy too. Bassists are the best!

[quote name='Thurbs' post='1183278' date='Mar 31 2011, 01:27 PM']I also upgraded from MAG to ABM and the head is definitely worth the extra money. Night and day really. The MAG 115 wasn't that meaty in terms of wattage so I also have a ABM 115 but still use the MAG 410.[/quote] How long did you play the MAG for, and why are you selling the ABM after such a short time?

[quote name='Moos3h' post='1217700' date='May 2 2011, 04:18 PM']The EB if you must, but I'd go for a second hand MAG 300 - more power and sounds better, easily had for c£200[/quote] Hey Cyrene, what did you get? I've got the EB 180 EvoII 12", MAG300H and MAG600H Evo II, all sound very similar ( same pre amp) and good. The 12" combo with an extension cab is a great pub gig set up. BTW this was the combo that turned me to 12's, I've now got a couple of Bergs and a couple of DIY neo 12 cabs, they're the future!!! (for me).

The most practical cab for the 3500 is the 410XL IMO. The Transporters ARE your weakest point. I still have my old 3500 but part ex'd my 410 XL and 115XL and still miss them. I often just gigged with the 115XL because it was lighter than the 410, but if your strong enough the 410XL is better and plenty powerful for most situations IMO. The Hydrive 410 is great, but as it is a sealed cabinet is a bit more power hungry to get the deep lows.

[quote name='chrismuzz' post='1212255' date='Apr 27 2011, 02:06 AM']If you want mids, i'd go for a Markbass head. They sound brilliant through absolutely any cab. You get a transparent sound and the mids are very pronounced. The filters are fun too! the VLE really does emulate vintage loudpseakers! Now that my bass has good pickups in it, I'm currently running mine with a totally flat EQ! I needn't even mention how stupidly loud they are. And the supposed gimmick of lightweight is just a nice bonus! MB heads always sell on here for between £200 and £500 depending on what you go for. If you can't find a solution with your Hartke i seriously doubt you'd regret getting a tiny yellow and black head for your collection [/quote] +1. Exactly what I did, sold my LH1000 and put the money towards a Little Mark III.

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1209914' date='Apr 24 2011, 11:41 AM']TC state that their amps are compatible with three of their "8 ohm" cabs, but if using any other makes, to only use two 8 ohm cabs. Talk about making this ohmage thing even more complicated![/quote] So is this a marketing ploy, make an amp that's 3 ohm capable, but tell everyone it's 4 ohm that can magically work with 3 of their 8 ohm cabs?

I thought the Klystron was just the UK built version of the ABM in a slightly sexier (if that's your bag) case?

I struggled with the mids on my LH for some time before giving up and selling it. The minimalist EQ is fine if you like the head's basic tone, but if not your stuffed, and left searching for a pedal to help out.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1209889' date='Apr 24 2011, 11:07 AM']Virtually all cabs have various inputs, well if they don't they should have![/quote] +1 I havent seen a new cab that doesn't have parallel inputs for daisy chaining. Just don't buy cabs with one input. Noticed something strange on the TC website....they show the BH500 linked up to 3 cabs in the suggested rigs section? Assuming they are all 8 ohm cabs and the BH500 minimum is 4 ohms this will overlaod the BH500. Or are the 210s 16 ohms?

[quote name='4-string-thing' post='1209013' date='Apr 23 2011, 10:49 AM']I'd be tempted to try your head with better cabs, loads of people seem to think that there isn't much between the Mag and ABM heads so maybe upgrading the cabs would be a better idea? The Mag stuff is budget, but I've had good comments at gigs about my sound (70's P through a mag head into an old Acoustic 2x15 cab) I'd at least look at swapping one of your cabs for a 15" which IMO would give you a better bottom end. Some may disagree but I've always thought that an average amp through good speakers will always sound better than a good amp through bad speakers![/quote] +1 about better cabs. I'm a recent convert to 12s. I realise cone size isn't supposed to be an indication of tone, but the 12's I've tried all seem to have a level of warmth that in my experience a lot of 10's don't. A good 2 x12 cab ( or 2 x 112) would be my choice unless the greater sound volume of a 410 is essential. I think the MAG series achieve their budget price level by:- 1) using established technology and components which may be cheaper? (But maybe not for long due to thru hole parts becoming obsolete). 2) Chinese manufacturing. 3) keeping it simple (although the octaver and compression are frills not all budget amps offer)