Barefaced dilemma - Retro vs Compact UPDATED

[alexclaber]

[quote name='Jenny_Innie' timestamp='1435229147' post='2806684']I'll get out the notebook, put a pencil behind my ear and get to work.[/quote]

Not quite as punk as this:



And definitely not as punk as this:



But seriously, don't underestimate the ability of your hands to control your sound by how you play your bass - if it isn't growling enough dig in more or pluck/pick closer to the bridge. If you use a pick all the time, try fingers or vice versa. Don't forget you have a thumb too - and fingernails. Power to the hands!!!

[JamesBass]

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1435241026' post='2806887']
Not quite as punk as this:



And definitely not as punk as this:



But seriously, don't underestimate the ability of your hands to control your sound by how you play your bass - if it isn't growling enough dig in more or pluck/pick closer to the bridge. If you use a pick all the time, try fingers or vice versa. Don't forget you have a thumb too - and fingernails. Power to the hands!!!
[/quote]
Alex is wealth of knowledge!

Only thing I'd add is cut, don't add to your EQ.

[bartelby]

Few people are as punk as Mr Watt!

[Conan]

[quote name='Jenny_Innie' timestamp='1435229147' post='2806684']
Would it be fair to say that .......

I'm at the start of my learning curve of playing bass. I need to do lots of homework.
[/quote]

Excellent attitude! You'll go far

[Jenny_Innie]

I have reached an answer of sorts. Some very good help here BTW in getting where I need to be.

There are two main things that I have concluded.

1. I need to find "my sound" in an ideal environment using all of my cab and amp combinations, note the settings, and make sure that I use that as a starting point when I get to a gig. [i][u]Like most conclusions, this part is not rocket science is it?[/u] Just basic common sense! [/i]However, I've taken the extra step of writing all of that down and keeping a copy in my amp case (plus on my phone of course) just in case I forget. If I need to tweak for the environment, I can at least start from a stable and consistent base.

2. It's about cab choice for the gig. I'll use one of the Retro Two10s or the Compact alone for smaller gigs, and either both of the Retro Two10s or The Retro Two10 / Compact combination for larger gigs. [u][i]I know, by now you're thinking my specialist subject on Mastermind should be "The bleeding obvious". [/i][/u]I have the advantage of being able to use a van for most gigs - so I can have the space to take two cabs and decide on one, the other or both when I get there.

I think the problem I had with being asked to turn down that other time was 'a cab thing'. When I drive the cabs hard, the mojo appears. When I hardly bother them, it's not so good. So it may look good having a stack of mean cabs - but if I must have the stack, then I'll only plug in the ones that I need.

All of the above worked 100% over the weekend in two separate rehearsal studios and in our basement at the weekend.

PS: I discovered that I can use all three of my Barefaced cabs at the same time. A serial cable connecting the 2 x 4 Ohm Retro Two10s (giving 8 ohms), with another cable leading to the 8 Ohm Compact is like having two 8 Ohm cabs in parallel (giving 4 Ohms). That's what my dad's bass player told me anyway and he set it up in the basement for me like that. OMG - the sound from all of that at full chat using an RH750 at full on was terrifying and bliss at the same time. Can't imagine a situation where it could be used though.

[Lozz196]

"Can't imagine a situation where it could be used though" - I have the same issue with my two Super 12Ts, sound awesome but unless playing Wembley Stadium they`re a bit overkill