Vin Venal Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 On 13/12/2023 at 19:38, SteveXFR said: Best by miles is my Ashdown ABM600 head. An enormous upgrade from my old Orange Terror. I'm still working out settings but already sounding great. The Ibanez SRMS805 is very good but the pickups and preamp are a bit weak. It plays great though and was a bargain, like new for half the price of a new one. I play through one of these at a loose jam I go to regularly, it's like the house amp, and I just can't get a decent sound out of the thing. It's just always muddy and scoopy and disappears in the mix. Is there some kind of knack to it I'm missing? I always try pushing the mids, but they don't sound pleasing at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 11 minutes ago, Vin Venal said: I play through one of these at a loose jam I go to regularly, it's like the house amp, and I just can't get a decent sound out of the thing. It's just always muddy and scoopy and disappears in the mix. Is there some kind of knack to it I'm missing? I always try pushing the mids, but they don't sound pleasing at all. Try the shape button, it makes a huge difference to the mids. Is it an ABM600? The older ABM500 and other earlier models are quite different. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 Yes bizarrely the Shape function, which scoops the mids is engaged when in the Out position. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 5 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: Yes bizarrely the Shape function, which scoops the mids is engaged when in the Out position. It confused me for a while. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 I've only tried the older models and found the same thing with the woolly tone but wasn't aware the button was different from other amps. I also didn't have enough time to fiddle about with it. Lot of great players use them and have a fantastic tone. I considered the new version 600 before buying the Handbox WB-100 but its wider than my cabs and that put me off. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 3 hours ago, Paul S said: I didn't try, Lozz - I didn't have a lot of empty house time at my disposal. I seem to remember an online review saying it stayed the same but that might be a false memory. Seem to get a lot of those these days! Anyway, I'll give it some wellie when Mrs S is next at work, which will be Saturday. I just watched a very good review of this by our very own @Dood, and yes fortunately adding drive or blend doesn’t add volume. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 5 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: I just watched a very good review of this by our very own @Dood, and yes fortunately adding drive or blend doesn’t add volume. Thank you - that was exactly where I remembered hearing it! Nice review, isn't it! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 3 hours ago, Vin Venal said: I play through one of these at a loose jam I go to regularly, it's like the house amp, and I just can't get a decent sound out of the thing. It's just always muddy and scoopy and disappears in the mix. Is there some kind of knack to it I'm missing? I always try pushing the mids, but they don't sound pleasing at all. Make sure the subharmonic muddifier is not engaged. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 I already shared my best purchase. How about a couple of 'honorable mentions': Harley Benton Marquess-5 Blue Stain (B-Stock but immaculate) - for the price it's an insane thing to have, yes I've gigged it. Shame it doesn't fit the blues band image but looking forward to playing Gasoline on it with the other bunch :-) Two 5m leads, Sommer cable, Neutrik connectors (90 degree switched at one end). Worth it for peace of mind. Lekato (or similar) rechargeable clip tuners, just so good - bright, fast and huge display. And not really a purchase but a Christmas prezzy: https://blackstaramps.com/amplug-2-fly/ It's really good, and now I can practice after 10pm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Venal Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 4 hours ago, SteveXFR said: Try the shape button, it makes a huge difference to the mids. Is it an ABM600? The older ABM500 and other earlier models are quite different. Not sure now that you mention it, I'll have a look next time I'm there. Also will check the shape switch position and make sure the subharmonics thingy isn't turned up next time I'm playing through it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 19 minutes ago, Vin Venal said: make sure the subharmonics thingy isn't turned up next time I'm playing through it. +1 GOK why they have those swirly mud generators! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 41 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: +1 GOK why they have those swirly mud generators! The sub harmonic is good as long as you keep it around 3 o clock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 5 hours ago, Vin Venal said: I play through one of these at a loose jam I go to regularly, it's like the house amp, and I just can't get a decent sound out of the thing. It's just always muddy and scoopy and disappears in the mix. Is there some kind of knack to it I'm missing? I always try pushing the mids, but they don't sound pleasing at all. If it's an ABM600 push the shape button in (to turn it off weirdly!), turn the compressor off, don't use the sub octave thingy. Then eq it with your ears and not your eyes. You can seriously whack up some of the frequencies to get the sound going. They're amazingly flexible amps in my opinion - one of the few I would have back in a heartbeat. If it's an ABM500 throw it in the bin...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkydoug Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 My favourite buy of the year is an old ABM and I’m really happy with it. I’ve had a 600 previously for comparison and personally think that the ‘older ABMs are terrible’ nonsense is exactly that, nonsense. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASW Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 Best is a MusicMan Stingray 5. I haven't had a 5 string for years (and the last one was a relatively cheap Washburn 2502) and joined a couple of bands this year that were playing songs that benefited from the lower notes. Worst was a Sandberg California TM5 purchased from a bass retailer online and within minutes of it being delivered, I initiated a return. I was after something a bit lighter than the Stingray and saw the Sandberg advertised online with a weight of 7lb 10oz. When it arrived though, I unpacked it and was shocked at how heavy it was. It was heavier than the Stingray! It transpires that there had been an error and it should have been advertised at 10lb 7oz. 2 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 Best was without doubt my Sire P8 5 string with natural finish ash body and a roasted maple neck: Everything I have always wanted in a P5: sounds fabulous, 9lbs, perfect balance, and looks beautiful. Worst was probably the EHB 6 string. A lovely bass, but I just need to accept that six strings is one too many for me! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted December 28, 2023 Author Share Posted December 28, 2023 1 hour ago, franzbassist said: Best was without doubt my Sire P8 5 string with natural finish ash body and a roasted maple neck: Everything I have always wanted in a P5: sounds fabulous, 9lbs, perfect balance, and looks beautiful. Worst was probably the EHB 6 string. A lovely bass, but I just need to accept that six strings is one too many for me! Oooh pics please! Very tempted to get another active PJ 5er at some point and I could never quite bond with my Yamaha BB735A. Guess I need to check out what the key differences between the Sire P5, P8 and P10 models are - have to fess I was totally unaware of the 8 series! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Venal Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 My best acquisition this year was definitely a set of cobalt flats for my precision. Totally changed the sound (in an excellent way), and playing experience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javi_bassist Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 (edited) My best purchase was my Fender American Ultra Jazz bass V. My worst purchase might be the TC Bodyrez. Edited December 28, 2023 by javi_bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 Best two purchases for me, my GK Fusion 550 and my Spector Euro 4 LX. Both have been on my bucket list for a long time. Glad to finally tick them off. Also honourable mention for the NUX mighty plug pro, fantastic little gadget for rehearsing at home. Worst purchase has to go to some DR Hi beam strings. Purchased two packs and on both sets, the E string was totally dead after one rehearsal and one gig. I did contact DR to make them aware, and they said they send me a couple of 105 E strings, but nothing came of it. Maybe I’ll chase them up about that 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbunney Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 My best purchases have been: Darkglass AO500 head Lekato XLR set to turn my IEM setup wireless Worst Orange Little Bass Thing head, I just didn't get on with it 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 14 minutes ago, ern500evo said: Best two purchases for me, my GK Fusion 550 and my Spector Euro 4 LX. Both have been on my bucket list for a long time. Glad to finally tick them off. Also honourable mention for the NUX mighty plug pro, fantastic little gadget for rehearsing at home. Worst purchase has to go to some DR Hi beam strings. Purchased two packs and on both sets, the E string was totally dead after one rehearsal and one gig. I did contact DR to make them aware, and they said they send me a couple of 105 E strings, but nothing came of it. Maybe I’ll chase them up about that I would LOVE to hear that! Spector and Gallien Krueger are made for each other. Sadly after going through about 10 of them over the years I've realised that I really don't get on with the Spector Euro necks. Still one of my favourite sounding basses though. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDinsdale Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 Best of 2023: Jad Freer Capo - Just an incredible versatile preamp. EAE Halberd - Built for guitar but works great on bass, fairly transparent but you can really push it hard into think chewy fuzz territory. Handbox WB100 - Didn’t think anything would dethrone the 40kg VBA400 but this did a great job and only weighs about 15kg. Yamaha BB734 - Traded for it with the intention of modding it with Wal style pickups and onboard preamp but absolutely love the sound so it’s staying as is! Notable mentions: EAE Dagger v2 - Great little distortion but didn’t stand out as much as the Halberd to my surprise. Schecter J4 - Great bass, fun to play and sounded great, the BB734 is just a little better for the sounds I’m after. MOD Dwarf - Not the easiest to get to grips with but so interesting and capable of so much. No bad purchases, the Lusithand GnP wasn’t for me but it’s a great pedal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Cosmo Valdemar said: I would LOVE to hear that! Spector and Gallien Krueger are made for each other. Sadly after going through about 10 of them over the years I've realised that I really don't get on with the Spector Euro necks. Still one of my favourite sounding basses though. I can confirm that it’s a wonderful combination! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBass Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 46 minutes ago, ern500evo said: I can confirm that it’s a wonderful combination! I concur. Gallien Krueger and Spector are a sonic match made in heaven. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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