sPiKi

Little update. I played a wedding at the weekend with the New Bee foam tips and all is good. No inflammation etc as I had experienced with the silicones.

Thanks MoJoKe. I have the New Bee foams but haven't used them up to now as I didn't find them particularly comfortable but needs must, so I will try them in a few weeks at a gig.

Thanks for the replies. I noticed on a Samsung forum that some users were describing similar symptoms to me and one described it as almost like a burn which is pretty accurate. I'll give my ears some time to heal and then try the foam tips I have. Really hoping that does the trick. This is an unexpected and unwelcome occupational hazard! As if chasing the perfect tone wasn't bad enough!

Has anyone experienced an allergic reaction to silicone tips? I have been using the CCA C12s recently and while I am happy with the quality of sound, the tips they were fitted with have been causing me considerable discomfort (redness, soreness, slight swelling) recently. Without being too specific, my ear hygiene and cleaning of the tips. is very good, but from reading on other audio forums, there does seem to be a problem for some people like me unfortunately. If you have experienced this, would you mind explaining how you coped with the situation and any workarounds. I really don't want to start lugging a powered speaker on stage as my monitor and the other three guys are using IEMs. I have memory foam tips here but will have to leave trying them for a few days until the pain & discomfort subsides. Thanks for any advice everyone.

Thanks

Can you post the link? Cheers.

If you check out the Reverend FB page and their videos Ken Haas explains the pickups and demos the bass. I think that went out Friday week ago.

Old news! Loads of new Reverend models released on 2 January (although the consensus seems to be that it is a cracking guitar). I've just placed an order for one of Reverend's new short scales, the Sentinel:

CCA C12s arrived today. Two weeks to arrive from Ali Express. Went for the upgraded CCA cable too. Total price for both items was around £36 First impressions are very positive. Smaller than my C10s and not as harsh in the top end which is what I spent most time EQing when out gigging. Looking forward to using them this weekend. My test songs are Find My Way and Satellite by Nine Inch Nails and Wake Up by RATM.

Fugly

This just arrived today. Our singer and guitarist already use one each and seem to be impressed. Bundled ear buds not so good. The P2 has been OK for me up to now although it does feel like I have the baby reins on at times and have limited ability to move on stage (we like to go out into the crowd every night at various points). I would have to agree too with EBS about the batteries. I just placed a small piece of Gorilla tape over them to keep them secure. The belt attachment is also easily bent if you snag it at all. Going to use the new system tomorrow at a wedding. I have also ordered CCA C12s from Ali Express so will report back on what they sound like and how they compare to the C10s I am currently using.

Having done a bit more research they do seem to be v similar although may be tuned a little differently. Currently looking at the CCA C12s. I see Ali Express are doing a discount event on 11 Nov is that is useful for anyone here.

Thanks EBS. I appreciate the advice. I'll check out the ZS10 and compare to the C10. Is a replacement cable advisable and if so, any you would recommend? I may eventually go custom but I'm still at the experimental stage and getting used to playing 2 hours+ gigs with the in-ears. I have found small tweaks on the desk and app can produce dramatic results. Be interested to hear your thoughts too on the Behringer P2, which I am also using, and to what degree it influences the sound quality.

Thanks for confirming that, which I thought I had read correctly. Any thoughts on the ZS10 or 10 Pro treble ?

Anyone tried the Blon BL03 IEMs? I'm currently using the CCA C10s and while they do a pretty good job as my first step into IEMs, after using them for a few months now, I am finding the treble a bit harsh, even after EQing with my tone control, amp and the A&H SQ5 app. Are there any other makes and models worth considering at the budget end with a smoother sound for us bassists? Also, can anyone advise on a decent reasonably priced replacement cable? Thanks.

Rolling the blend forward on both basses gets you into P bass territory with the split brick pick up on the Mercalli and the P blade on the Decision. Roll it back towards the bridge and you have a more mid forward tone. I tend to have the blend set just slightly towards the neck and get a lovely full P tone just with more bite. In reply to the OP this will definitely suit your alt rock sound. I have DR Fat Beams 50-100 on the Mercalli and the SITs on the Decision that it shipped with. Both are SS rounds and they cut through effortlessly. Have a brand new set of Chromes that I may throw on either bass just out of interest. The roasted maple neck on both looks and feels great. Satin finish, no sharp fret edges etc. While these are made in S. Korea they are individually set up on the states by the small Reverend team. Having played Fenders for over twenty years inc. a number of US models the quality control and attention to detail puts them to shame. No rattles, buzzing or humming. BTW I don't have anything to do with the Reverend company I'm just a happy customer. On the look out for Rev #3, with new colours and I believe a couple of new models coming next year.

I have a Mercalli 4 in metallic copper fire which I bought in January of this year. I bought it unseen and unheard (!) and after a tense six month wait, it finally arrived. I liked it so much I bought a Decision P two months later. These are fantastic basses and live up to the hype. There are exceptionally good value for money, are finished really well, light weight and sound amazing. The blend knob is so simple but effective. It really does give a good tonal sweep. I suppose I tend to favour the Merc over the Decision as those pups are very powerful and can need a bit of taming when using IEMs but it is an absolute beast of a guitar and great fun to crank up at rock gigs. Best money I've spent in over 25 years of playing bass, after my my Mesa Subway rig.

I received my new bass from Andertons after a six month wait. It too arrived with some dings and it wasn't a road worn. I raised it with a customer service manager, argued my case and received a 10% refund and triple loyalty points. I didn't send mine back as it was a special order from the States and didn't want another lengthy wait but I would if it was the JMJ as those appear to be readily available.

That's the plan. Heading to soundcheck now at another function, so hopefully no problems tonight.

I used mine last night at a wedding gig. Fine for the first 45 minutes and then the unit suddenly cut out. At the break I opened it to find one of the batteries had moved slightly and was not making a good connection. After reseating it the same thing happened later in the second half. Disappointing but hopefully a small piece of gorilla tape will hold it in place. I tend to move quite a bit on stage but not Iggy Pop type moves. It seems as if the battery housing is just a little neat. Sounds wise the unit was good. Very clear and clean sounding and easy to access the volume knob. This was also the longest period I've used the C10s. They are pretty comfortable and sound impressive. I was able to dial in a good mix with vocals perfectly clear. I was however disappointed in my bass tone. Even though I could EQ it from the SQ4you app we use I need to spend a bit of time with our sound guy getting it right. The low E was farting out a bit and the sound was lacking body. I dont really think it's the C10s as everything else sounded spot on.

I ordered mine from Thomann but that was maybe late April. It was £38 plus delivery. Considerably cheaper than the last one i saw on Amazon at £67...the joys of the free market! I've only used it once so far but it was easy to adjust mid song. The simplicity of one knob makes it (no Finbar Saunders jokes you lot!). I've two weddings this weekend so it's coming out with me. Happy to further share my experiences.

Thanks EBS. I bought the C10s and although I have yet to use them in the wild, they did sound impressive when I met up with one of the others guys and experimented with my bass sound through the desk.

Does anyone have any experience with the CCA C10s? I've done a bit of research online and there seems to be quite a few bass players who prefer these over the KZ range (although I understand both companies are connected). This is my first step into IEM. I have already ordered the Behringer P2. Two of the other guys in the band have Lugs and wireless units, with only the drummer using these on a regular basis so far, but unfortunately my funds don't enable me to splash several hundred pounds on these just now. We have a new A&H SQ 5 desk and are all moving to IEs very soon. Like others have posted here, I'm trying to put together the best budget set up I can. Thanks for any advice.