Tired of my MarkBass F1. Need sugestions.

[dave_bass5]

Well, im not sure that worked. I had a feeling that buying something like the Darkglass might not be what i was looking for.

Although it sounded ok i spent a bit of time trying to get it to sound like my BDDI, which sort of defeats the object of spending this sort of cash to replicate what i already have.

Only had one gig with it so far, and not giving up on it for a gig or two more, but im now back to wondering what else to try.

VT Bass DI is now looking interesting, but i have a feeling im just not getting on with the basic tone, and adding a bit of warmth/dirt etc is not the answer.

[LukeFRC]

I've got a feeling you would do well to go to a bass bash, or visit bass direct or somewhere and try lots of things.
Part of me would start to think that if the amp and lots of different pedals/preamps in front of it aren't scratching where you're itching maybe it's the cab that you're not liking

[dave_bass5]

I have a feeling you are on the right track, but I really don't want to get rid of my cab if I can help it. And I don't drive so getting around with things is tricky.

I really think I just need a temporary change, after all I've used the same rig for a few years and never had any complaints. I'd hate to move the cab on and then find out I'm still not happy so I want to try other avenues first.

I'm still thinking about the GK Fusion but want to try out one or two more pre amps first. There is just something about a certain freq range In the mids that's bugging me. If I can figure out what it is and how to control it I think I will settle down again.
I thought a Paradriver would fix things but I could never settle with that, always tweaking things. I'm going to borrow Fran's VTBass for a gig, and see how that goes again, and if I like what I hear I'll get a VTBass DI and try that.
The thing with the Darkglass is it's a lot of money for what is really only a subtle effect (in my case).

[Musicman20]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1404752848' post='2495428']
The thing with the Darkglass is it's a lot of money for what is really only a subtle effect (in my case).
[/quote]

Aye, the Sansamp gear isn't cheap but the fact Darkglass is quite boutique (for now) means they are quite expensive. Obviously I imagine the quality of the components is very high...but it depends if it 'wows' you or not. If not, perhaps it isn't for you.

[dave_bass5]

Definitely no wow factor for me, but Ive only got the one gig under my belt so far.
I don't think I'd loose too much if I sold it, but if I find it does work out then I don't mind that it cost that much.

[aldude]

Try Carvin amps....

I recently got a B1000 and now I probably won't be buying another amp ever again - unless it packs up

Very small and light (though not F1 small!). Unbelievable amounts of clean headroom, tube preamp (bypassable) which sounds really rather good, a powerful yet simple EQ... and goes down to 2ohms if you like that sort of thing. All for a shocking price really considering the price I've paid for other amps over the years.

[dave_bass5]

Oooooh, now that looks nice. Good price as well.

Cheers for that. Ill do some researching over the next few days. I know their power amps are very well respected but ive not read much about their bass heads.

[discreet]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1404823005' post='2496018']
I know their power amps are very well respected but ive not read much about their bass heads.
[/quote]

FWIW I had a B2000 for a while and it was a beast. Sold it to go all-valve, then ironically went part-valve, too... on it goes.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204685-new-amp-day-carvin-b2000/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204685-new-amp-day-carvin-b2000/[/url]

[Musicman20]

Good suggestion re: Carvin! The B series is apparently warmer, whereas the BX are known for being, similar to Markbass, quite clean and flat.

Great prices from Bassgear. You cab would really like the extra grunt from the higher powered Carvins.

Another option, albeit bigger, but a great price/tone, is the Orange Bass Terror 500. Simply plug and play tube tone.

[aldude]

Seriously, the Carvin continues to astonish me.

A couple of weeks ago we arrived for an outdoor rugby club gig - only to find that the "PA" was a crappy rig for pumping out disco tunes at parties but was unsuitable for an outdoor gig. We put the vocals through that (still distorted mind!) and ran instruments from only the backline.

I had to whack the bass & sub bass up to about 7/10, and the volume to 5/10 and through my Barefaced 1x15 and 2x12 that was more than enough to fill an entire field with lovely bass and I detected not an ounce of distortion whatsoever - lovely and clean. Had to crank up the treble a bit too compared to normal.

My only complaint was that it didn't quite have enough rumbly "sub-bass" though this could probably have been fixed with better EQing - we didn't have a lot of time for a sound check - perhaps knocking the bass & sub bass controls a bit further or turning up the volume & down the mids would have fixed it. Perhaps also the speaker area was small compared to an outdoor PA so more speakers would probably have helped (can go down to 2 ohm so I could even add another Barefaced Compact!! ) - would have given even more power too. But all that from a head that costs less than £500? Just mental.

[dave_bass5]

Thanks again guys.

Having looked at both the B1000 and BX700 i must admit the BX seems to be more up my street. It seems to be a lot more versatile and having the compressor would save me keep buying one every couple of years and then realsing i dont need one lol.

Oh, and the lights!!!!!

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1404752848' post='2495428']
I have a feeling you are on the right track, but I really don't want to get rid of my cab if I can help it. And I don't drive so getting around with things is tricky.

I really think I just need a temporary change, after all I've used the same rig for a few years and never had any complaints. I'd hate to move the cab on and then find out I'm still not happy so I want to try other avenues first.

I'm still thinking about the GK Fusion but want to try out one or two more pre amps first. [size=5][b]There is just something about a certain freq range In the mids that's bugging me.[/b][/size] If I can figure out what it is and how to control it I think I will settle down again.
I thought a Paradriver would fix things but I could never settle with that, always tweaking things. I'm going to borrow Fran's VTBass for a gig, and see how that goes again, and if I like what I hear I'll get a VTBass DI and try that.
The thing with the Darkglass is it's a lot of money for what is really only a subtle effect (in my case).
[/quote] .... doesn't your cab have a very characterful midrange designed in? Still think it's the cab

[Lozz196]

Schroeders do have a definite mid-hump to them.

[dave_bass5]

Yep, the cab is definitely coloured in the mid range. Changing it is an option but I'd rather try and tame it if I can. I also think I would miss it too much if I got rid of it.

Something like the Carvin BX700 seems to have all I need built in, and that's very tempting.

Edited July 8, 2014 by dave_bass5

[discreet]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1404858157' post='2496525']
Schroeders do have a definite mid-hump to them.
[/quote]

Tru dat, but it's a [i]good [/i]hump.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1404860550' post='2496551']
I would miss it too much if I got rid of it.
[/quote]

You surely would, like I'm missing mine!

[dave_bass5]

Yep, I've had 3 Schroeders over the past 10 years and each time I've got something else I've ended up going back.
I think the cab would be the hardest to replace so that will be last on the list.
I was looking in to a Barefaced cab a while ago but that would mean having to sell the 1212L to get it, so no going back.

[discreet]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1404887971' post='2496637']
I was looking in to a Barefaced cab a while ago but that would mean having to sell the 1212L to get it, so no going back.
[/quote]

Nothing makes up for the loss of a Schroeder cab like a Barefaced cab, but I take your point. Ideally one would have both...

[Musicman20]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1404860550' post='2496551']
Yep, the cab is definitely coloured in the mid range. Changing it is an option but I'd rather try and tame it if I can. I also think I would miss it too much if I got rid of it.

Something like the Carvin BX700 seems to have all I need built in, and that's very tempting.
[/quote]

I'd stick with the cab...you are definitely used to it and know that the mid hump is there. Certain drive pedals can bring out high mids and harmonics/clangyness that some users might not like...

Actually, I'd go against the grain and say most cabs with a normal 2 way speaker and tweeter can sound pretty similar...the bass/strings/pedals and amp make the biggest difference. No tweeter then makes a huge difference (for me).

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404891196' post='2496652']
Nothing makes up for the loss of a Schroeder cab like a Barefaced cab, but I take your point. Ideally one would have both...
[/quote]

or 2 of both ;-)

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1404895056' post='2496684']

Actually, I'd go against the grain and say most cabs with a normal 2 way speaker and tweeter can sound pretty similar...the bass/strings/pedals and amp make the biggest difference. No tweeter then makes a huge difference (for me).
[/quote]

i dont have a lot of experience with 2x12 cabs, but my 1212L sounds nothing like my old Epifani UL-212. That cab was full and deep sounding compared to the 1212L (both have tweeters), but didnt have the punch of the 1212L, nor the volume at the exact same setting on the amp.

What i love about the 1212L is that although the tone isnt always 100% to my liking (partly due to the limited Eq on my F1 at some venues) i have never had any issue with not being heard. I just dont to risk giving that up at the moment.

I have another gig this Sat (another marque unfortunately), and ill be taking the Darkglass and maybe a VTBass, and if nothing clicks ill try and order a Carvin before the following weekends gig (this will also save me having to get my amp PAT tested as well).

[chrismuzz]

If its the cab.... After a lot of experimenting I'm back with a markbass cab, maybe that's what's missing??

[dave_bass5]

A cab change could well be on the cards later, maybe next year, but i doubt it would be a MB cab.
Based on nothing other than one really bad experience with a MB I doubt I'll ever own another, but there other other makes I'd like to try at some point.

As it's Thursday my latest plan is to use the Darkglass and F1 this weekend, then quite possibly get a GK Fusion 500 (and sell the DG). As much as the Carvin BX700 does appeal to me I like the idea of smaller and 3 tubes. From what I've read just having the one standard tube is not much more than a gimmick.

Let's see what Fridays plan will be ;-)

[dave_bass5]

Had a really good gig on Sat. We played outdoors at a small pool party and I had the best tones I've had a for a long while.
I think the issue might be the BDDI. Using the Darkglass instead gave me a very clear, articulate tone that filled the mix a lot better than the BDDI does.
I even used a very dirty tone a few times and everything fell in to place.
The EQ is voiced just perfectly for me, and there was no mud or lack of definition in the low end.

I doubt I'll keep my BDDI now, but I expect I'll also get rid of the DG as well, although I do,want to try it with the new head. The DG is a lot more versatile than I first thought, and the way they have implemented the leave knob almost gives a two channel amp set up.

Although I came away very happy I have gone ahead and ordered a GK MBF800. I think my heart was set on this a while ago so I feel I have to give it a go. The added output should mean I can run it cleaner than the last GK head I had, and hopefully mean I can stop using any other effects.
We are playing a faily large room on Sat so hopefully I'll know straight away if the new head will work.

[Musicman20]

Exciting! When does it arrive??!?!

[discreet]

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1405320935' post='2500626']
...I have gone ahead and ordered a GK MBF800. I think my heart was set on this a while ago so I feel I have to give it a go. The added output should mean I can run it cleaner than the last GK head I had, and hopefully mean I can stop using any other effects.
[/quote]

The GK Fusion is a [i]very[/i] different animal compared with the GK1001. It may as well be an entirely different brand - the variations between the two are huge, so I wouldn't worry about that at all - rate the Fusion on its own merits.

If the 800F is anything like the 500F it'll be plug and play, so no issues with not using effects. Sounds great as-is.

Edited July 14, 2014 by discreet

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1405330296' post='2500738']
Exciting! When does it arrive??!?!
[/quote]

Ordered from Thomanns last night so hopefully before the weekend.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405330711' post='2500749']

The GK Fusion is a [i]very[/i] different animal compared with the GK1001. It may as well be an entirely different brand - the variations between the two are huge, so I wouldn't worry about that at all - rate the Fusion on its own merits.

If the 800F is anything like the 500F it'll be plug and play, so no issues with not using effects. Sounds great as-is.
[/quote]


Cheers Mark. I wouldnt say i hated the 1001, just that i preferred the SA450. Ill reply to your PM later but point taken about the outdoors gig. The only thing i will add is that ive done a few over the past year and this one was a lot easier to get the tone i was after, and without the usual fussing about i normally have to do. Im putting it down to not using the BDDI more than anything else. Maybe the different trees made a difference :-)