Prime_BASS

You don't really need to know the differences to much, just find what works best for you. Valve power amps or 'All Valve' amps usually way a ton and the rest as they need a humungo transformer. Valve power amps usually start getting compressed in what can be described as more 'natural' and start adding to the overall overdrive sound. Solid state can still way a boat load but there a lot of light weight stuff that doesn't these days. Personally there isn't much difference in terms of sound that can be audible enough to hear in a mix with drums and guitar. Although due to the way valves work there is more harmonic distortion which in my opinion makes the bass more audible in general particularly around the midrange. That being said the Mark Bass little mark Tube has a mx knob between solid state and valve preamps and there is a volume difference between the two but adjusting that they both sound pretty darn similar, in a blind test I would only be able to tell due to the slight volume increase on the valve side. My preference is a valve preamp due to I feel they are more transparent but a very good solid state preamp can be just as transparent.

Regardless of everything most science says, I'be found that a lot of good quality 1x12s and 2x10s sound pretty similar. Although I would suggest a barefaced midget, as it's a class act of a small cab and the only one I would be confident buying. But I now use 2 very cheap 2x10s to get what I want from my rig on stage.

[quote name='stoker' timestamp='1354223091' post='1883927'] How do people rate Behringer gear? [/quote] I don't either. Anything by these guys except passive Di'shave all been pants. I wouldn't go any where with out a quality dependable tuner, and my compressor. Compression for me is a must, for a lot of reasons outside of personal ones it also helps protect my gear from retards during amp shares. I would suggest a preamp of choice that has a quality DI on it too. The pre-amp sound I like is on my head though, along with the quality DI so I always have my head with me, since it doesn't weigh a tonne. I personally do not rate a lot of the pedal- esque pre-amps, just because a lot of what I have tried have sounded half arsed or cheap. Some good stuff for the monies but i'd rather invest in either an amp I like the sound of or a quality stand alone pre-amp.

Sure you can? Will it make a difference? No idea, you'd gain about 20 centimetres in height, and if that makes the difference of the drivers being closer to your ear then by all means do it. You cn always try it first? you won't break anything anyway by doing it. I always stack my 2x10 vertically as it's a massive height difference. The ampegs I have now are made to stand vertically with feet on the actual bottoms. I was using Markbass TRV210p's and they are designed to stand horizontally, but the plastic corners act as feet so I could of stacked them however I pleased and they still stood up right ok.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354206026' post='1883619'] This is what I requested , but apparently alder light enough for my requirements is relatively scarce , although not unheard of . The builder recommends swamp ash , but I have got a nagging preference for alder as my gut instrinct . It all depends on if I am prepared to gamble on the weight . [/quote] Wood choice is down to personal preference. Nearly all the basses I've liked have had swamp ash bodies, and the one I've kept is swamp ash too. A lot of what I've got rid of was alder. I have had a jazz setup on an alder and Ash, and definably preferred the Ash.

I started on guitar, but then changed to bass of free will. I don't know if that classes me as relegated? if so I'm offended.

Used my tube version with a boat load of stuff. Sounded best through the barefaced stuff. (wasn't overly keen on the S12T though) And if I can an Ampeg classic 8x10. it just sounds sounds awesome. The MB's flat responsiveness makes the cab really clear punchy and tight. Started using 2 MArkbass traveller 2x10's but couldn't get on with the rear ports outside of big gig situations. Although on gigs it worked really really well, it was like having an 8x10 behind me only it not being so ridiculously heavy and massive. Big sound but very clear around the mids. Swapped those to the Ampeg SVT210 AV's and I'm just as happy, only I don't have the horrible low/low-mid bass rumble from having ports, plus they aren't heavy, but not as loud but plenty loud enough. One could happily do a gig, but sounds better with MOAR!! The Barefaced stuff is really good though, suits any music in a lot of situations. I'm tempted to drop Alex an email about his 69'er.

Here is me and the band playing in some dive in Mansfield, later a fight broke to which my bass was knocked over and lots of angry rascist remarks were made to the heavely drunk ginger culprit. This is the last in the set and a crowd pleaser [media]http://youtu.be/bVssp9UXZ9w[/media] Here you'll hear the singers jealously bubble into hatred for myself [media]http://youtu.be/dNC0xI8tAbs[/media]

[quote name='BassPimp66' timestamp='1350504977' post='1839894'] I was very lucky to attend a clinic with TM Stevens at London Bass Day. I had a chat with him about "his sound". I commented that for big slap guy I very was surprised not to see a compressor on his pedal board. TM Stevens replied "I AM THE COMPRESSOR, my hand controls the attack". He also showed me his hand, with a big stare. This left me thinking that my search for effects was possibly due to my inability to produce nice sounds with my hands. I've recently sold most of my effects on this forum. Today, I only allow myself two pedals (1) a compressor for slap (please don't tell TM Stevens!) and (2) an autowah. I spend a lot of my time experimenting with my right hand technique to find different sounds. I find this hugely rewarding, the same sort of fun I got from tweaking pedal knobs. We all play bass to make sounds. The sounds we have in our heads can be the result of x and y effects, hand technique, or both. I am following a more organic approach these days, using my hands and I love it. And, yes, I will buy some pedals in the future... but not now. [/quote] Each side of the argument has it's own points which seem very valid but one person saying to another person what [i]they[/i] do is just that. What someone does is what they do because they like it for themselves. I can control my attack to a degree with my hands so that the peaks and troffs of lines aren't so drastic and so fourth, but the compressor allows me another thing I don't have to worry about. It's fair to say the compressor on my board is the most important part as it's never off and it's used to just bring alive everything in line with loud low end. I can do it without, I just don't want to and overall the feeling and sound is generally better, although the average punter doesn't realise, I just tell them jokingly that the more lights you have the better you sound. At the same time I don't have anything unnecessary on my board, and I just need to do some tests with the new rig and my PA sub to see if I really need the thumpinator, but it has a cool blue light

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1353951267' post='1880166'] Do you need the money? If you do then sell, otherwise keep it and make yourself improve your playing to its level. [/quote] [quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1353944995' post='1880042'] A quality instrument will always help your playing more than cheaper ones. I remember a story of a young musician many years ago who entered a very prestigious music competition. He was very much able to win this competition, without being arrogant about it. He was quite surprised to find that he didn't win despite putting in a very good performance. The Judges called him aside after the end. They informed him that they were well aware he had the capability to win but his instrument let him down. As a special award they gave him £2000 towards the cost of a new instrument. That was in the 80s. The same again would have been added to that for the purchase. That person has had a very successful career as a musician ever since. I'll let you take from that what you will. [/quote] [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1353943650' post='1880017'] keeping the p bass although its much much better than I am. [/quote] All these comments are a bit backwards? You are all quantifying 'talent' or 'skill' by how expensive someone's equipment is. I had o value for fender's, at all. I've had some and they have all been fine instruments, although none really spoke to me on a personal level that made me want to play them, more or even forever. And by that all those people that stand by they're fender, weather it MIA or MIA, even the famous musos have no talent or sjill rather. Your instrument should be a personal thing to you, can you see yourself paying it in a year's time? 3 year's time? 5 years time? Does it make you want to play it, even when you don't have time or should be doing something a bit more productive, like ironing, or feeding the kids? If the answer is no then move it on, bear the brunt of what money you may loose and maybe get something you feel a bit more positive about. That's just me really. Everyone can give you a different answer of what you can do, but only you can know. You may feel like holding onto it until the market gets better, but what if it doesn't? Put it on at a price you feel comfortable with and be patient. It took me a year nearly to sell a Jaguar Bass.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1354119174' post='1882311'] Wow, the two best looking Sandberg's on BC belong to the same person. How lucky are you :-) [/quote] I resent that. Sandberg are making some quality stuff. and a lot of the custom options possible don't really cost the earth either.

[sub]More speakers are going to give you more. No doubt.[/sub] [sub]A lot about being 'heard' isn't just volume, it's dispersion and EQ too. IMO atleast.[/sub] [sub]I too believe a midget will be more than enough for most of your situations, plus it is tiny, but I would more than suggest a stand and wedge to angle towards your head a bit, as it's ridiculously tiny, and light. I used to carry it and my amp to band practice. Also used it at a number of different events that didn't include PA support. Which when choosing something that small is what you need to think about aswell. Again IMO. [/sub] [sub]If you have PA support then you don't need a humungo cab with a billion watts going into it for the back to hear you, the cab is just there for your ears and maybe those around you. If most of your gigs have PA support and the others don't (probably because you won't needing to go stupid loud) then something small like the midget or a compact will be plenty. [/sub] [sub]Most of my gigs have PA support for the bass but I have trouble with being heard on stage against monitors and drums and being tall and too loud guitar plus I love having a tall thing behind me as it looks cool, wants and needs really, I could totally do all the shows with one cab but it's not as badass. I also gas for having a sealed 8x10 and what I have is the best compromise, in regards to everything that effects me on a gig, including transport.[/sub] [sub]ON topic - a Single Midget is more than plenty, I've had 'compliments' of the bass being too loud t some events with that thing and at a bass bash long ago everyone felt that another wasn't needed or a tweeter wouldn't be necessary. [/sub] [sub]Wants vs Needs with a lot of realism. if you get a single 8 ohm cab that is plenty loud for most stuff at least you have the option of adding another. [/sub] [sub]By the way how does the SWR headlite sound?[/sub]

If you are only using a certain speaker cabinet, it will only ever get so loud regardless of wattafe you pump into it. The facts are that the 800's power amp is barely 800 watts at burst and is only about 600 and something at continuious. The 500 is around that at continuois and the difference between the two is negligable. Agin you may have more headroom with the 800 but the cab is only going to ever get so loud. I'd stick with the 500 as the power amp is a lot more efficient and overall better, and saving you money. It's not the amount of watts it's how those watts are put down.

Nottingham based Bass player available for a easy going experimental type band. I'm free most nights but my main band is 9/10 times rehearsing on Friday Nights. Ideally rehearshals would be on Saturday or Sunday Daytime. Looking for something more groove based than average pop-punk band, main influences are Rage Against the Machine, Mad Capsule Markets, Supreme Beings of Leisure. I'd liek it to be very hip-hop orientated, old school sort of vibe, with a live band. not necerassary crazy sounds, but a soldi backing track for an MC/artist to do his thing over the top of. Obviously with a rock sort of edge. Easy going as in I don't want to be rehearsing every week and then gigging straight away. I totally down for a bi-weekly get up, with lots of song work done before any shows/gigs are booked, I don't want to rush anything and have sloppy songs going out. I'm very punctual, and have a healthy attitude towards rehearsing and gigs, my practice time is my own, and rehearsals are for song building and rehearsing material. Good work ethic, along with no slip ups in my gear department. I don't drive(although looking to change that). not the most 'I'll do anything' sort of ad, but I want to start doing something I want to continue with for a while, and put a lot of man hours into. you can see some of my work through th elinks in the sig' or google search 'Cut the Heroics', bare in mind these are all quiet old vids. contact me here or email [email protected]

Cut and change and find what's best for you. Personally, I don't like the way octaves sound at all, but when I do need any high frequency drive, I have a seperate channel for that, usinga split/mix box. The drive channel has little to zero bass, and it's mixed back in with a full range clean bass sound. Very effective, bass end still sounds full and untouched and the drive sound very guitar-y.

Do it! Build quality is excellent, and sound is awesome, and they feel real nice too. What more do you want. I'm looking to get a custom 'Berg too, can I get a discount

For those that don't know, I recently had my amp cooked during rehearsals. Since I've had [url="http://www.realelectronics.co.uk/"]http://www.realelectronics.co.uk/[/url] have it and to fix it up. A strange event, where by no pops or bangs were heard, or smoke to be seen. Simply turned itself off and wouldn't power back up. I was infuriated, as this is the second amp I've managed to cook. The other being a Genz Streamliner 900. Plus I'm not in the financial position to go and get a another amp in the meantime as I had been last year. I was worried I'd be ampless for months and it costing me a fortune. The Genz was serviced by Fender GBI, and while they did a stellar job and the service overall was very good, it cost about half the price of the amp to fix and took about 5-6 months. I expressed these fears to a lady called Cat who was very quick to respond to emails, and very helpful. She assured me the job wouldn't take months but I should allow at least 5 days to for the unit to 'get to bench' and then maybe another week or so depending on weather or not parts need to be ordered, she also stated they wouldn't simply do a 'board swap' unless necessary and they repair down to component level. Excellent I thought. I packaged her up and sent her out Wednesday, expecting at least a week to get a quote for the repairs. I had a call Friday while work, that they had done the investigation and several parts needed replacing with a quote of £104, not too bad but still big. However, awesome I thought I may get it back a bit earlier than expected. Friday night I had call saying work was completed and that I just need to pay. That is astonishingly quick, for anyone. They said I'd missed that days pick up but it would be sent Monday, and I should receive it Tuesday. That is not even a weeks wait. I am really surprised, there are still good guys out there doing awesome work, and I recommend them to anyone with amp issues, as they'll attempt any job, from any brand. Cat and her team have done a sterling job by me. I just thought I'd share these very pleasant experience with all you boys and girls. Stephen