ThomBassmonkey

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1327262243' post='1508580'] New product video. The new looks is much more in line with the styles that are popular today. MB800 and MB800 Fusion both there, but no demo. [/quote] Ah, they're the MBEs. They're probably trying to make them obviously different to the NEOs since they look very similar at the moment. Phew, at least that won't affect me. I wonder if the new MB heads are going to be the same as the smaller heads with more power or if they'll have extra features.

[quote name='Gunsfreddy2003' timestamp='1327253399' post='1508394'] Is it feasible to use the extra channel for a slap only sound and then switch between the two as and when you need it? I have never owned a two channel amp you see! [/quote] It depends on the amp and what you want to be different between the two channels. Technically the MB500 and Fusion probably don't really cound as 2 channel amps, they just have two gain structures whilst keeping the same EQ, contour etc. If you just want to nudge the volume one way or the other for slap, they'll be fine. If you want a different EQ then they won't be able to do it. I find GK's stuff is great for slap anyway, I play it a bit and I've never had to change anything for those sections.

That's probably what I don't like about them hehe. The RBH cabs are big black monstrosities with metal grilles and they look like they mean business. I'm not as keen on the silver grilles on the NEOs but at least they're fairly unique and you can tell from a distance just by looking at them what they are. The black box with a little logo and cloth has been done a million times before and I just don't find it interesting. I'm sure they'll still be amazing cabs, I'd guess by the sizes they're the NEO range, hopefully the RBHs will stay the monsters they are currently.

[quote name='nottswarwick' timestamp='1327147880' post='1506941'] what are the neo cabs like, in comp with the RBH cabs? I might just take you up on that Thom [/quote] The NEOs are brighter, the RBHs are thicker sounding. I've not had a problem getting any sound I want from either, both cabs can do deep and rumbly or bright and spanky. It's been a while since I compared them directly though, I always use the RBHs with the 2001 and the NEOs with the MB Fusion and the heads sound quite different too, hmm, I might try the 2001 into the NEOs tonight for a change...been meaning to try it at a gig for a while. Throw me a message if you fancy popping over. I'm in Long Eaton. Edit: If that's what GK are gonna look like in the future, I might have to buy spares now. Jeez they're ugly.

The MB500 is basically the same amp as the MB200 but with some extra switches to play with and of course the extra channel. The MB Fusion has a valve pre and a few more controls. I can't remember what's added/removed on each off the top of my head but it'll be up on GK's website. I'm REALLY tempted to get an MB200, they're so small it'd be easy to put it in a gig bag and forget about it, then if anything ever does happen, there's a head sat there waiting to be used. Notts, I have a fair old pile of GK gear (as per sig), if you ever want to play with a fusion and have a comparison, you're welcome to pop round sometime and have a twiddle.

Annoying. I've been taught by a guitarist that thought he could play bass before, I ran rings around him for a couple of weeks before deciding to take a few guitar lessons. Then I realised he was just a crap teacher as well as a bassist. You should name and shame, otherwise there's a chance someone else might go to him and waste their money too. It's not worth the hassle to let these people get away with scam after scam (and it is a scam, if they don't put in the effort to learn something, how they think they can charge for teaching it is beyond me).

My first gigging amp was a Carlsbro Bassline 150, I used that for getting on for 10 years before replacing it with a GK700RB-II into two 210RBH cabs. That got sold and replaced with a 2001RB-II into two 410RBHs when I got my endorsement, I still have that but mainly use my MB Fusion into two NEO212 cabs.

I have the rigs as below in my sig and I've tried the 2001RB into a NEO212, it sounds great and you won't have any trouble hearing it either because of volume or dispersion.

Shouldn't have done. Even if the lead did go, it'd just cut the signal to the cab rather than surging. I should've said, I'm not an expert on this really, I've always played it safe with speakons, but that's what I've heard. If you're using a SS amp (that shouldn't be damaged if the lead goes because they can usually handle any resistance above (or below numerically ), please don't take my word for it and plug in again using an instrument lead.

That's one of the few GK bits I actually haven't used. From what people have said on here about the other cabs in the MBE range and what I know, I doubt you'd be disappointed and you'd have a brilliant rig that weighs nothing. If you do take the plunge, I'd be interested to know how you get on with it. I can't see any reason that it wouldn't do the trick though.

The risk of using an instrument cable as a speaker lead is they're thinner and not as durable. Leads heat up when you push current through them and you risk melting the lead and once the head is trying to push power into a circuit that is broken, it can blow the head (mainly on valve amps). If you'd blown the amp, you'd know about it so don't worry.

It never made it into production. The 550 is a briliant amp though, personally I wouldn't buy it just for the valve pre-amp, I'd rather go for the 2001RB (I think the 2001RB has a good warm tone and even break up without sounding harsh, they also sound very similar), but if you want the memory banks between the different patches then it does the trick and sounds stunning.

If you like GKs you could do a lot worse than a 700RB and a NEO410 for £1000. I can't imagine you ever struggling for volume with that rig, the cab is light (relative to other 410s) and supports GK's biamping.

If the only thing you like about it is the weight, keep it stock and sell it on. Any modifications will cost more than you'll get for them and you'll be able to sell a SR5 fairly easily I'd imagine and get something you do like.

[quote name='Panamonte' timestamp='1326556879' post='1498826'] Just wanted to point out that it's an Ashdown MAG 210 [u]cab[/u] for sale there, not a [u]combo[/u] - no use to you unless you buy a head to go with it. [/quote] Ah quite right, sorry, I thought it seemed cheap. An OLP Ray and Ashdowm MAG210 combo would be within the OP's budget though and be a good starting set up.

Seems fishy to me too. The fact he hasn't actually mentioned what it is that you want (and I'd guess the title of the PM was the same or similar to your thread title) makes it odd. I've had them before, best just to report to a mod and move on.

Being in a band is without a doubt one of the best ways to learn an instrument. It's jamming and having to think quickly that'll improve you the most in the shortest period of time. Obviously you have to be at a certain stage before you can join a band, but that's fairly easy to get to on bass (plonking away at root notes doesn't take long to learn). I think spending your £400 budget on [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/154702-olp-mm2-stingray-copy/page__hl__olp+ray__fromsearch__1"] an OLP ray[/url] and an [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/164731-ashdown-mag-210t/"]Ashdown 210 combo[/url] would sort you out with a decent bass and usable amp (I'm not a fan of Ashdown personally, but they do the trick to get started with and you'll be able to do practices and gigs with it) to start out gigging with and if you got them for the prices in those threads (I've just used those threads as an example), you'd be well under budget (£250 for those two) to buy leads and the like and still have money left over that you could put towards lessons to help get you started.

Cheers guys. Yea MM20, Joe is a brilliant singer. He's a great guitarist, pianist, sound engineer and other stuff. A right bugger of a bloke. Just because I should, this song (and the rest of the album) were recorded at his studio in Belper, Derbyshire. It's called Sound Hub and he's a brilliant guy to work with with top notch quality, very fairly priced too. Check them out [url=http://www.sound-hub.com/fr_welcome.cfm]here[/url] Jigster, the pair of Sandbergs I had were amazing basses, I'd have loved to have kept them (especially the JJ5, I still hanker after a jazz again sometimes and that was an amazing instrument) but I really wanted to try a Musicman and then fell in love with my ray (I avoided a ray for so long because I didn't want to look like I was trying to be Flea with my GK amps but I caved and I'm happy I did) so got a bongo to go with it. Apart from a jazz again (which I'd never give up my MMs for) I'm totally GAS free now! Something I've not been able to say in a long time.

I mainly use my ray live and my bongo in the studio. Similar sounding basses but with the extra pickup and power in the bongo's pre-amp, it has more control tonally. The ray cuts through a little better live I find too and it's had a hard life so I'm not afraid of bashing it about a bit.

IMO you need a practical application of theory, but you don't need to know the theory it's self if that makes sense. I've always said that I learned theory then forgot it, which is true to an extent. My fingers probably know more theory than my brain does, it feels natural to play around scales and intervals, but I couldn't always explain why what I'm playing works. Learning the basics of things like scales, arpeggios and intervals is important though, just so you know where you're going instead of blindly following someone.

The question is are you looking to get into a band and gig quickly (something I'd recommend once you have the basics sorted)? If so, it'd be better to get a slightly cheaper bass and pick up an amp too. If you like the feel and sound of a 'ray, a SUB would be a good choice. You should look at OLPs too though, they did a stingray style bass that's very good for the money and can be picked up cheap as chips if you can find one, that'll leave you money over for a decent sized starter amp to get you into the practice room and gigging.

Very rarely, a 'ray into a GK has plenty of cutting power to get through the mix. Unless I sound boomy (which is only really hollow wooden stages) then I usually don't touch anything.

Newer strings would be my first call if they're 10 years old. I know that people get away with leaving strings on for decades, but I find too much bass on the EQ with old strings makes them sound muddy. New strings should let you turn up the bass some whilst still maintaining clarity if that's what you're struggling with. I'm no expert on fretlesses though, by a long way. Edit: Also, to my preferences, there's a bit too much low mid in there, it's making it a little honky. That's just my preference though.

Thanks, Rich! [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1326466864' post='1497622'] she wears jeans in bed? [/quote] I think she was out last night and just fell into bed, as you do. Thanks very much for the votes, Myke!

The GK MBE cabs are very good for the money I've heard (I've only used an MB210 combo, never used the seperate cabs), they are very little money though. But I'm surprised you've had problems with the build quality, the odd duffer will get through anywhere but to be wonky and have a problem with the wiring is strange, usually they're solidly built. £500 for two 2x10s is a rediculous price for cabs that are so good. There's not a lot that can compete IMO. Quite a few of GK's line can be hard to come by in the UK. When I ordered my big rig one of the cabs had to be ordered in from the US for me and that's as an endorsee directly in contact with Polar Audio. Sadly there's not a huge demand for them as they're expensive and not very well known compared to say Markbass or Ashdown. My second rig uses two Neo212s and I can honestly say that they're brilliant cabs. They weigh very little and I've never had a problem with volume with both of them. At festivals and big venues I'd be hesitant to use just one but I have done before and it took it in it's stride. GKs are mighty beasts when it comes to volume, I've used an RB700 and one 210RBH in a large church hall before without PA support and it coped. My 2001RB and 2x210RBH rig is a beast and I can't ever imagine playing a gig that it won't cope with.