Conan

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1430919164' post='2765933'] Do you mean you're better at politely explaining your position than I am..? Yes, I'd agree with that. [/quote] Not sure I'd include myself in that category either!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1430917879' post='2765909'] +1 ...and there are certainly some tools posting in this thread. [/quote] Possibly a bit harsh. But it is certainly true that some people are better at explaining their position politely than others! Still, being impolite or otherwise doesn't necessarily make them incorrect when referring to their own experiences. Back to the ears thing again...

[quote name='vailbass' timestamp='1430833599' post='2764994'] ....all the modern 10" cabs I've tried have a hollow, scooped mid, indistinct response. In contrast, the jbl and EV 15's have wonderful, punchy and clear all- around bass guitar response. [/quote] Not doubting your experiences for a second - but just out of interest, which "modern 10" cabs" have you tried? I'm guessing that TKS (Swedish) and Barefaced (British) were not on that list? I think you might be pleasantly surprised if you tried some of their offerings (and others, of course). That said, the old JBLs and EVs are awesome Especially if you have roadies to cart them about for you!

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1430915629' post='2765859'] The people who have actually made a difference to the gear we are using are the ones who design and make the modern drive units and power amps. The names you have quoted are all niche market box stuffers using web forums to flog their wares. They are doing exactly what the major players are doing - only on a much smaller scale. [/quote] Agreed about the manufacturers of drivers and amps, but I still think that some of the smaller "boutique" cabinet makers ( I think "box stuffers" might be a bit harsh! ) have caused many of us to rethink our concept of cabinet size, weight and design. That, in turn, has created a demand that some of the larger manufacturers have tried to exploit. None of this is a bad thing IMO.

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1430912691' post='2765814']What the likes of TKS, Barefaced, Roger Baer, Bill Fiztmaurice and Greenboy, to name a few, have done in the past few years is to make it more difficult for the major players to do what they did for a long time and just stick a driver in a cabinet and say x,y and z all based on spurious nonsense. [/quote] Exactly. They have also raised awareness among bass players (or at least the ones who use online forums) that we don't have to simply put up with what the big amplification companies have been foisting on us for decades. I think that's a good thing - but some people don't like to have their preconceptions challenged...

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1430909463' post='2765749'] Hartke LH500 head.....hmmmm.......not bad at all. [/quote] Good amps! Good basic core tone, with plenty of clarity at volume. Cheap as chips too! The only reason I sold mine is that it wasn't producing as much in the midrange as I would like. But then again I like a lot of mids and use basses that don't exactly excel at that!

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1430900443' post='2765631']So, when a pro bass player comes along and offers an opinion that is not necessarily mainstream (although perfectly valid IMO), arguing with him on the basis of 'transient response' and 'high Le drivers' is slightly missing the point. [/quote]Agreed. There is a place for both (real) science and real world experience. It is a shame that each side seems so scathing about and intolerant of the other though...

[quote name='tbonepete' timestamp='1430849280' post='2765221'] After seeing the thread concerning your Aguilar head I'll keep my reasons off here, but when I get a chance I'll PM you if you really want to know �� [/quote] Please do. I'm genuinely interested

Generally CIJ/MIJ Fenders have excellent build quality, but many people regard the pickups as being the weak link. The fact that these have been replaced (whether "upgraded" or not depends on your own personal preference for pickup manufacturers...) should mean that you have a great bass with great pickups. Price-wise, I'm not sure the J would be worth quite as much as your 'Ray though

[quote name='tbonepete' timestamp='1430516141' post='2762323'] Oh bugger!, that's another one off the list. [/quote]Why?

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1430731345' post='2764005'] Do you guys (& girls) play in bands? I'm all for lightweight but if something's too heavy get someone to help, easy. If someone else from the band won't help, then you're in the wrong band! [/quote] Not all bands are the same (and nor should they be!). Just because [b][i]your[/i][/b] band enjoy lifting heavy things that belong to someone else, don't assume that all bandmates do! I would hate to be hanging around at the end of a gig waiting for someone to give me a hand carrying my gear - I've always seen it as my responsibility. Also, unless you all get home in a shared van, they won't be there when you unload at home. What do you do then - wake the neighbours? Different when you have roadies, of course... but those days are long passed for me If using lightweight gear involved a big sacrifice in terms of tone or volume, I would go straight back (see what I did there?) to heavy lumps. But it doesn't (IMO) so I see no reason to struggle just for the hell of it.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1430473185' post='2761705'] My kind of logic. That's exactly what I should do. Simple. Instead of going in thinking I should have this make or that, try everything and let the ears judge.[/quote] Bear in mind, though, that what sounds good in a shop may not sound do good in a loud band rehearsal/gig context. Horses for courses and all that...

Assuming they use the same drivers, my guess is that the 410 will be louder as it has more speakers! It may not get the "full power" from the amp, but volume is not measured in watts! It will also be heavier though... but you knew that of course!

Purple! Not only is it the best colour, but it goes great with yellow

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1430471686' post='2761677'] IMO a 2x10 should be enough, but it really depends on the band - if it's not enough your stage volume is probably too high, which probably means your guitarists have massively too-big amps and/or the drummer can't control their volume. [/quote]This (IMO).

Well, the TH500 is gone now in a trade - and last night I used my new (to me) GK MB800. Sounding nice and clear (in that it seems free from the distortion I got with the Aggie) but it will need a bit more fiddling to get a tone that I am fully happy with. Didn't have much time last night, but I feel pretty sure that a great tone is in there!

In real terms, gear is very cheap these days. Just think how much a fairly modest family holiday (or car) would cost, and then look at how much bass gear you could get for that price! Most of it is pretty decent too. It's not like it was back in the eighties (or even nineties) when you could shell out a lot of cash on something that just wasn't fit for purpose... These two points make our lives both easier and harder at the same time. In many ways you just can't go far wrong, but in other ways there is so much choice that making a decision can become a nightmare! There is a lot to be said for trawling through the for sale section on here and just looking for the best prices on amps and cabs. Buy them. Try them. If you like them - sorted! If not, as someone has already said, you can usually move them on for a similar price to what you paid. It can be a great way of getting to try gear that may not otherwise be available to you, for reasons of geography or budget. £700 is a decent budget if you look at second-hand gear. For example, there is a great Markbass Jeff Berlin combo available at the moment [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/256297-markbass-jeff-berlin-price-drop/page__p__2759553__hl__markbass__fromsearch__1#entry2759553"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2759553[/url] Or if you go down the separate amp and cab route, your budget would just about stretch to... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/260846-little-mark-tube-800-scratched-hence-only-l350/ and http://basschat.co.uk/topic/260714-barefaced-g1-compact-l400-posted-midget-sold/ . Now that's one heck of a rig! Remember that a powerful amp will turn down low, but a weedy amp will not go loud with any clarity (if at all). Visiting music shops and trying stuff can be productive, but can also be a chore depending on the shops and how much time you have. Predictably, most people on here will recommend what they own themselves - which may not be particularly helpful to you, as their ideal tone and portability solutions may be very different to yours. For example, how old are you? Are you physically fit and strong? If so, there are real bargains to be had in the "heavyweight" line. If you want lightweight, the expense (and choice) becomes more limited. Enjoy your search!

[quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1430305283' post='2760000'] BC's very own Bass Doc is the first place i'd go to. [/quote] Not any more...

Drop [url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/7835-kiogon/"]KiOgon[/url] a PM explaining your predicament. He will give you advice and suggest what kind of wiring loom will help. His prices are very reasonable too

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1430243309' post='2759450'] The TH500 works brilliantly with all current Barefaced cabs - in fact the only one I know it doesn't work well with is the long discontinued Big One and possibly the Gen 2 Big Baby and Big Twin. It's great with all the Gen 3 cabs, both 12XN and 10CR. [/quote] That's cool, and why I suggested that the OP "be careful". If he looks to buy on the used market and one of those "problem" cabs comes up, he will know what to expect if he has a TH500. BTW, I use a (long discontinued) Big One!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1430212923' post='2758900']For me finding a rig with the right kind of coloration of sound is far more desirable than being totally transparent. [/quote] A conclusion that I am slowly coming to as well...

Be careful with the TH500/Barefaced combination.... That amp seems to be much more compatible with TKS.

[quote name='Noisyjon' timestamp='1430218685' post='2759016'] Nice and aggresive there. [/quote]No smileys in your post so I can't tell if you are being ironic.... I really hope you are?

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1430215790' post='2758956'] I have [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301555127285?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2661&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"]these[/url] in a couple of my basses. [/quote] Cool! And what are the advantages?