mcnach

I want to get a second cab to complement my Barefaced Compact (2nd gen). It will have to be 8ohm. When using both cabs, I'll most likely be using a Markbass LMIII. The Compact is nice, but a little on the dark side. I'm looking for something that has enough "oomph" and is a bit more "clear" and prominent on the midrange. Oh, and I want to keep it reasonably small (up to BF compact size or so) and *light*. Yes, I care about it being light. Bite me. I'm looking at 3 posibilities, but I'm open to others... I wonder what the collective wisdom and experience here says. The three options I have here are all in the same price range, roughly. 1) Barefaced Big Baby 2 1x12" 56 x 45 x 37cm H,W,D (stacks nicely on the Compact) 13Kg (light!) not the nicest handles, but at 13Kg not an issue. 97db 30Hz - 20KHz timescale: 3-months wait or so? returns: 30-day trial, easy. 2) Schroeder 1210 1x12" + 1x10" 60 x 48 x 41cm (stacks perfectly on the compact) 17Kg (reasonable) handles are not very comfortable 102db 40Hz - 18KHz timescale: 2-weeks + shipping from USA (air freight) returns: not practical, too expensive (USA) 3) Vanderkley 210MNT 2x10" 50 x 50 x 41 (stacks nicely, just 2cm wider than the Compact) 17Kg (reasonable) great comfy handles 100db 45Hz - 16KHz timescale: in stock, UK (Bass Direct) returns: at least 7 days, I have not checked further. I have not tried any of them and I'm not likely to be able to try before I buy... I like my mids... think "fingerstyle funk" with a Stingray or Jazz on bridge pickup alone (in the latter case, with a J-Retro preamp fattening up the bottom end a bit). The lazy guy in me wants to go BF, but what I hear about the Schroeder and VdK cabs makes me think they're probably a very good option... and 4 more Kg won't kill me, especially with a nice handle. The grip on the VdK has a cylindrical cross-section and I find those nice when carrying weight. The ones on the Schroeder these days look a lot like the ones on the TCE RS210, flattened, and they dig in my hand after a bit (I have soft hands, ok? ) decisions, decisions...

Mine will be delivered today, the tracking says "out for delivery" but it looks like I will not be in on time... Sometimes my neighbour picks parcels for me, if she's in... here's hoping. If not I'll just ask them to leave it at the depot for me to collect, which will mean Friday. tom1946 will beat me then

My green J&D will be delivered tomorrow...

I know these guys: [url="http://www.musicforscotland.co.uk/artistDetail.aspx?artistID=133"]http://www.musicforscotland.co.uk/artistDetail.aspx?artistID=133[/url] the guitarist, drummer and singer play with me in the Richt Hoat Chillis. This is their wedding band, with another bass player, and they are very good and entertaining... I may be a little biased because I know them... but I can't really think of a better "wedding band", not just because of their musicianship, but because of their personalities. Great fun, but they know how to behave.

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1390290242' post='2343527'] I also know the venue you are referring to. I hate that cab, all I ever get is rumble and clack from the tweeter. I could never get it loud enough to hear myself without over powering everything else on stage I just bring my 15" cab and amp and sit them on top of their cab so that mine is at ear level. In fact we'll be there on Thursday for the 9.30 slot. [/quote] The problem with that cab is that because of the depth of the stage (or lack thereof) you end up with the speaker right by your arse, which can emit sounds but is pretty crap at hearing. That's why I now love putting my 12" combo on top as well. Lower sound onstage and everything is clearer.

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1390035203' post='2340654'] Despite what is evidently a lot of variation in the efficiency of amps and cabs, I think a bit of common sense has to be used with wattage ratings. Whilst in [i]some [/i]situations and [i]some [/i]styles of music 30w might be enough, you only have to look at what most players are using in most situations to know that it [i]probably[/i] won't be. I'm not for one second suggesting that the folks who have gigged with 30w are not getting great tone and volume for their needs, and I'm sure that they, their bands and their punters are very happy with that tone and volume, simply that the folks who can gig successfully with 30w are in the minority in terms of the types of music and venues they're playing. [/quote] I once played an outdoor gig with a 30W Gorilla bass amp. I was DI'd, of course, and I could not really hear myself on stage It was an interesting gig... which turned annoying when the police arrived and the "organisers" asked [b]me[/b] to turn down my amp because I was too loud True story!!!

I just hope they don't come out with one in shell pink too

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1390203288' post='2342466'] I ordered one on saturday after reading about them, can't go wrong for that money. [/quote] ah, we're sooo bad! mine has already been shipped

[quote name='thebassman' timestamp='1390241544' post='2343061'] Yeah, sorry to go OT. [/quote] Hey! get your own thread!!! (nah, it's ok really). It's interesting how many more people own the 112MNT or 112EXT and 212MNT compared to the 210MNT! It turns out I may be getting a Schroeder 1210L after all... hmmm. Decisions decisions.

[quote name='funky8884' timestamp='1390226164' post='2342777'] Hi Mcnach, regarding the Shroeder Cab you can contact Jorg directly via email and he will reply ultra promptly ! My Schroeder arrived today and I can't wait to give it a go. [/quote] Thanks! I already emailed him

[quote name='Absolute Beginner' timestamp='1390151978' post='2341991'] I have to say though, I do really like the look of the Natural finish (On the VM) with the black inlays on the neck, or am I concerning myself more with the look of the bass rather than it's playability.....?! [/quote] well, looks etc are also important factors, we're only human! Look, I just bought a J&D Jazz bass (as mentioned above) that I don't need, and although I don't doubt it'll be useable, I don't expect it to be a terribly wonderful bass (come on, £119 delivered, new )... but I bought it because of the colour (I have been wanting a surf green Jazz for ages) and that it had a maple fingerboard (which I prefer, especially on darker stages)... so, that was purely looks The CV series Jazz is a noticeably better instrument. It just feels... it's hard to explain, it feels "quality". It may "only be a Squier", but if it had a Fender label you would not be surprised... it's a serious instrument. The VM series is great fun and it's well made, but by comparison it does feel a bit "cheap". However, like I said, it's a very nice bass... so if that's the look you want, why not? The best would be that you go to a shop where they have both, and see what you feel about them, in person.

[quote name='PTB' timestamp='1390119410' post='2341537'] Great stuff, really enjoyable. I hope 2014 is even better for you & the band. [/quote] Thank you! 2014 is starting well, gig calendar filling up nicely... we'll be recording our second album too, which I'm really looking forward to!

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1390140438' post='2341809'] I got mine last friday....i'll post a review soon...in the meantime....yes its very pretty bass indeed and plays great....hot and bright pups...very piano like but good range of tones [/quote] go on go on go on go on go on... review! clips! pictures! (nah, I'm not excited one bit ) I have a gig on Friday, and I might just take it with me (should be with me by Wednesday or so, I suppose) if I like it enough and I find someone who would take pictures (because it's soooo pretty )

[quote name='Absolute Beginner' timestamp='1390149753' post='2341958'] Thanks. Are the Classic Vibe range bass guitars lighter than the Vintage Modified range does anyone know ? [/quote] They're all variable, but in general I'd say yes, although not by much.

[quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1390130666' post='2341693'] Sigh…word of warning, folks. I am in the middle of a MASSIVE HASSLE to fix someone else's mistake. The Ebay Customs thing is what is turning this from a simple thing to solve to a major problem. I bought a pair of jeans from the US and paid for customs and duties through Ebay. This means that the seller is given an address in the US to which to send stuff and this central place takes care of relabelling and shipping. I then receive an email from the seller stating that she has accidentally sent me a vase. How one would muddle up the two boxes is beyond me, but there you go. I call Ebay to see what to do. If I collect the vase, how will I get the customs fees refunded to me, how will I get the return postage refunded etc etc. Ebay initially tried to tell me that they will not "shoulder the costs of the import fees" and tried to fob me off. It looks like I am going to be screwed here. They expect me to pick up this vase, relabel it and send it back. Upon receipt, I will then be refunded at least what the seller took off me. Whether I will get the customs charges refunded is a mystery. I would try and choose standard p&p and take care of the import fees yourselves if I were you, at least until Ebay trains its staff to deal with problems arising from this new thing! [/quote] expect the worst. my recent experiences showed me that eBay will do their utmost to discourage you and waste your time, in the hope that you give up and go away (without your money). In my case it worked, I could not be bothered pursuing it and chose to move on, £17 poorer.

How about the Classic Vibe series of Squier? The CV series. They are nicer than the VM series, they feel like quality instruments those. A CV series Jazz, which comes in white with tortoiseshell style pickguard, is a seriously good bass. It's a bit more than your budget, new, at about £365. But it's a good step upwards from the VM series, and if you want to buy used it'll be well within your budget. This would be my choice: retro sound, quality and price.

... and here is yours truly handing over the baton to bassist lewis on Thursday 16th

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1390074155' post='2341234'] Oosh. That looks ace. Still toying with the idea of getting the Surf Green Jazz. [/quote] I got the surf green Jazz (edit: I mean I ordered one, this very afternoon) That's how I found the one above. Surf green and maple fingerboard. £119 delivered. If it's a dog I'll just hang it on the wall and look at it

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1390065971' post='2341130'] i sympathise GAS was the reason for mine...nut height spot on at .5mm at 1st fret, saddles good too but trussrod wound out for transport...i set mine last night and still ok. one thing the pups are very hot and for slap i removed most of the spring foam under the neck pup....and found the routing is as it should be so you could use without pick guard....whats not to like?!? [/quote] clean routing on the neck pickup too??????? I would ask you to post pictures, but we're probably hijacking the original thread too much already Thanks for posting about the J&D 'though!

Signed too. What a ridiculous situation. I hope the council realises their error are remove the notice. If not, I'm moving next to Heathrow and demand they divert the planes elsewhere because they're too noisy

[quote name='obbm' timestamp='1390059537' post='2341037'] 1210L and 1212L are the same size. [/quote] eh? really? ooh, must look at this more closely then, thanks!

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1390037799' post='2340690'] A venue where I gig regularly has the bass amp going through a really nice Ampeg Classic Series SVT 410he. They started off pairing it with an Ampeg PF- 500, which broke, the replacement was an Ashdown Mag 300 which also broke, and now they've hired an ancient Peavey firebass 700 with a broken input (you have to use the effects return thereby bypassing the preamp completely). The amazing thing is, whatever amp they use, the sound out of that cab is always great! The 410he cabs are not cheap.They typically sell for around £700. Which leads me to the conclusion that you're much better off spending your cash on the best cab you can afford and economising on the amplifier rather than the other way around. I wonder if there's any other Basschattters out there who have had a similar experience of playing a cheap and cheerful amp through a high end cab and getting a great sound? [/quote] I know the venue well (says while whistling ) The first time I played there they actually had the Ashdown Mag300. Then that one disappeared and the Ampeg came in. Then the Ashdown came back again... but it did not work when I got there. Playing without a monitor was not fun... I was told it was fixed the week after when I played there again, but during the first set it cut out a few times (out on the FOH it was ok)... so during the break I got my RH450 out of my car and used that ever since (well, since last summer I tend to bring my Markbass combo). I saw the Peavey when I last played there, on Thursday, but I did not use it. And you're right, I could always get a cool sound out of that cab. I use my combo now merely because placing it on top it's closer to my ears and it allows me to play at lower volumes, which seems to help our onstage sound. Our guitarists are also more sound conscious than they were even a year ago, and they themselves turn down onstage too, which is helping all of us hear ourselves better (we're a 7-piece, so if we don't restrain ourselves a bit it can get pretty chaotic). The amp onstage, on most of the gigs I play, is merely used as a monitor... from that point of view as long as I can hear myself, the sound is not so important to me if I get a decent sound out there (I mean, I love to have a nice sound, but in some kind of gigs, you just know onstage sound is going to be suboptimal, and I don't worry anymore). A nice amp is useful there. The thing is that it does not need to be a hugely expensive one to have a good DI sound (I normally DI in those situations)... and then I'm in the hands of the sound engineer and what he's able to concoct within the limitations of the equipment and the room's acoustics. When the amp is there to provide all bass, without PA support, then a good sounding rig is important... and like you, I think that speakers are the top priority. I think a decent amp through great cabs will sound great, but a great amp through merely decent speakers, will just sound decent.