mcnach

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1363954459' post='2020047'] There is some Behringer gear that is truly crap. Anyone remember the tube rack processor, where the tube didn't actually do anything and was illuminated by an LED behind it? [/quote] I still have a guitar amp, a Behringer AC112... pretty sweet amp, actually. The overdrive is not very good, and the effects are best forgotten (they work, but nothing great, I only use a bit of reverb)... but it has a pretty nice clean voice. I have had quite a lot of compliments with it. It has a 12AX7 valve... and a small grill where you can see it glow. Well, only it does not glow at all... there is a led under it. Why??? The amp sounds good without that BS!

[quote name='Ziphoblat' timestamp='1363876411' post='2018766'] I'll never forget a gig I did when I was playing an EBMM Stingray and some fairly seasoned bassist (to put it politely) from one of the other bands wandered up and questioned what on earth that was in a sort of "you kids and your crazy modern things" way (not as if they'd been around for 35 years at this point) as if it was some crazy cheap physically challenged copy of a Fender. [/quote] Ha! I had a not too dissimilar situation with my Stingray too. I played a gig, opening for another band, and after we did our thing I was at the bar, and this older guy tells me "nice little bass you played, sounded good". That sounded like a compliment. But he followed it with how he used to play bass years before, but he played Fenders, you know? The way he said it clearly showed me that he intended to impress me, and that to him Fenders were to top. I heard his stories, nodded, laughed with him. Then I told him a bit more about my bass, how it was designed by Leo Fender himself after he quit Fender and started a new company called MusicMan... I felt a bit silly trying to big up my bass who somebody who did not matter, but I just could not resist it.

It's obvious that corners have been cut on cheaper stuff, like Behringer. My OP was not really about Behringer, 'though. It was about being biased by names, and about building a shrine to big names and condemning to hell other names (supported by many people who have no first hand experience of the gear), and how that gets taken out of context and proportion. I could have spoken about Squier. On TalkBass I remember years ago Squier being often beaten to the ground as utter crap, and gave you the impression that a Squier bass would pretty much disintegrate in your hands as you play it over the following year or so. And that's not true. Some may have been a bit naff, and used plywood bodies... but they are not going to just break down, normally. I found it sad to read from teenagers who have no money talking dismissively about their "crap Squier" (that they saved up for, or their parents bought them), just to fit in with the group... It's even sadder that some might feel... I don't know, embarrased even about using a Squier and a Behringer. That is sad. I wish I could have played something like an Affinity series Squier and a Behringer amp back in the day!!! Of course, if I have the money, I am happy to pay more for something I believe to be better build and offers me a sense of security. It has to sound good, first of all. That's why I bought a TC RH450, after owning a Behringer BX3000 head (which sounded fine). Funny how on my second or third gig with the TC RH450, as I turned it on for soundcheck, it emitted a pop, followed by a small cloud of smoke... and the amp was dead. I did not have my Behringer with me that night but there was a Peavey head as back up and used that My Behringer practice amp sounds better than any other similarly sized practice amps I've tried... and I don't really want to spend £300 on something I will only use in my room if I like the sound that something that cost £107 new, even if it says Behringer on it. Some would not even try it because of the label. To each his own.

I have used the Line6 G30 for 3 years or so now... it's brilliant. No compression or delay... just make sure you get a decent pouch for it as the built-in clip on the transmitter is prone to breaking.

So I'm doing some work at home, and I take a break. It's sunny. The living room feels warm (the heating has been off since 8.30am despite being just above freezing temperature outside)... and I feel the basses were looking at me... I recognise that look. Go on then... picked up the Jazz, plugged it in for a bit. I really like the sound of this amp. It's only a small practice amp. Single 10" speaker, 40W or so. Nice tilt-back design. Compact. I have had this amp since 2007. It's nearly 6 years old. It's a Behringer BXL450A, and I think it's very nice for home practice. It does not have huge lows (tiny cab) but it's got depth. I barely touch the built-in graphic EQ and don't mess about with the dual channel thingy or contour knobs... just a simple basic good tone, and I'll let the bass do its thing. If it dies tomorrow... I'd like to find another, only, of course, they're no longer made. I know it's not the best amp around. But it does its job really really well. It has travelled a lot with me, seen a lot of action over the years. Still holding on just fine. It's not the only Behringer item I own that I could speak similarly about. I have had a small mixer for years, seeing daily action. It works well, no problems. I no longer use the V-Amp2, as I barely use my guitar and never record... but it was the better sounding of the available units at the time (to my ears... and I bought several of them to try side by side before I decide to keep the V-Amp2 and sell the Roland, J-Station, Vox Tonelab...). Even the pedals... Ok, I did not keep any of them, I did not find one that I really liked... but I see many of them being used regularly, for years now, and they have not disintegrated as many anticipated. It's so pathetic when we see someone roll their eyes when they see your Behringer whatever, or a nod of approval when you take the bass out and they see a famous logo like Fender (who has build many fantastic instruments, and some dogs too)... I played a few gigs a while ago using a Jazz bass clone made by Westfield. In a small bar setting (these were "acoustic" sessions), you notice people looking at the headstock and trying to read what it says. Often. I'd like to think some did it because the bass sounded nice and they thought "hmmm, I want to remember that brand, in case I come across one of those in the future", but I don't think that happened much. It did sound good, although going straight to a small PA via a MXR Bass DI+ was not the best way to get the best tone out of it. Today I mostly play my Jazz clone made by Vintage. Now, this one sounds really good. Admittedly, it has the Fender US pickups that were on my 75RI as well as the control plate & electronics of the 75RI too... and that helps a lot. The VIntage is just a very nice feeling bass... and it was my first bass, so I have a sentimental attachment to it... so I made it sound great. Still, I sometimes notice that "oh, a cheap bass" kind of attitude (sometimes, I even hear things) from the gear nerds. Funny, I never get them telling me later "your bass sounded awful, get rid off that piece of sh*t". But maybe that's because I play bass, and nobody remembers the bass player (kidding )

[quote name='jessicaRabbit' timestamp='1363766285' post='2017096'] Part of the reason why I stopped playing bass years ago was that the bass I played was far too heavy for my stature. I'm a slender, 5'6 (okay, 5'5 1/2) woman and I'm looking to make an investment in a solid, lightweight model. I really don't know where to start looking although my mind jumped to a Squire Vintage Jaguar? I faintly remember this model being mentioned by a friend of mine for its lightweight-ness. My budget is up to 400 pounds, preferably around 200 but I'm willing to stretch it to get a decent model that will last me a good while. Any ideas? Also sorry if this is a redundant topic, I blame my noob status on here preemptively. [/quote] if lightweight is important, see if you find a Cort GB74. The pickups are a bit polite, but the bass overall is pretty good, it's not expensive, and it's extremely light yet well balanced. It has a thin Jazz-like neck. I got one used a while ago... pretty cool bass

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363777903' post='2017335'] I'm interested in why so many players on here seem to be in covers bands. Is it because you enjoy it more than originals? Can find a good enough originals band? Doing it for the money? The challenge of having to be so versatile? You are in both originals and covers - why? The crowds are better than originals? Not meant in any way to be inflammatory, but I can't ever imagine wanting to be in a covers band. We do a few covers in a couple of bands, but they are vastly different to the originals, apart from Walking on the Moon which we did for fun once, and it wasn't that much fun anyway Another thing I find hard to understand is covers bands who chuck in a few originals into the set. What does that achieve? [/quote] I'm in both, although my covers are "specialised", as in only songs by RHCP or only songs by RATM. Those are fun and easy, that's part of the appeal. Some may not have been technically easy for me, as the RHCP started out when I could barely slap,, and I saw it as a challenge to help me learn... but they were easy in the sense that well, you just play what it's on the song, and that's it. I do add my thing here and there, but I don't have to think of a good bassline for a song. It's also fun in that people are familiar with the songs, and if they are fans, the reception is awesome (and if they're not fans, why did they come to see you? ) The originals, on the other hand... it requires more work. I'm never satisfied with my basslines, they seem uninspired to me... and sometimes I try to compensate by making them busier than they have to... until I hear a great simple bassline and go back to square one. But it's a good challenge, it's dynamic, songs change, evolve... and it feels good to create something from scratch that people who never heard it before go "hey, I like that!"... But it's harder to find good gigs for originals bands. At least good gigs. We have played lots of sh*tty gigs, and I am sure we are not done yet. After three years, we have progressed and play mostly better gigs, the band makes a bit of money that pays for promotion, recording, etc... but we played lots of sh*tty gigs for no money, or a beer... all for 30min of "glory" hoping there will be one person in the crowd that might go home and decide to check us out online and come to our next gig and bring friends... I like to have both the covers and the originals, as both have different pros and cons.

Cool speech, liked it!

You will want to be friendly with the midrange, and you will love something that allows you to adjust easily the midrange, to best fit in with the other instruments and find your sonic space

I had a few, including the OC-3 and the MXR... I kept the OC-2.

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1363534441' post='2013728'] The standout bit for me is quoted below. Even if this weren't a grey import JH seems to be saying there is no manufacturers warranty for anyone outside North America. There are other laws in the UK which should allow for some redress should things go wrong of course, but interesting that RIC wash their hands (presumably in non-biological soap) of responsibility for the rest of the world. [/quote] eh? I don't like the guy, but... his point 1) rather than the 2) you quoted covered that... no? [quote] [size=2]1. If it was new and legally imported into the U.K. (It isn't)[/size][/quote] [quote] [size=2]2. If it was new, the guitar was registered, and you were [b]resident in North America[/b] (It isn't and you aren't)[/size] [/quote]

It's... dare I say it? Entertainment.

Ha! I think he is awesome! He is always pulling faces etc... I like it

I had come across both of these guys separately... and like both, for different reasons. And now I find they did a video in collaboration. I really enjoyed it, so I thought I'd share. Have fun! [url="http://youtu.be/-HgJ2uHd2Zo"]http://youtu.be/-HgJ2uHd2Zo[/url]

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1363377470' post='2012176'] www.rothkoandfrost.co.uk [/quote] thanks!

No, not worth the hassle for stringthrough. I bought a Westfield Jazz for £40 a few years ago, fully intending to replace at least the pickups... but it was nice enough as it was. The body was solid wood, not sure what, regardless... it was good. I gigged with it a few times and it even features on a DVD If it feels nice and you like the sound... that's all you need. I personally detest locking jack sockets, 'though. If the original is not making good contact or feels a bit loose... I'd replace it, but for a smiliar one, just of good quality. BUt that's me.

are all bassists in a band? No. Some are in more than one band

Very nice! Now that's a cool decal. Where did you get it made?

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1363303625' post='2011469'] There's a simple answer, if you don't like them, buy something different. Like DIngus, I've had (and do have) several Stingrays and don't have this issue in a live or recorded situation. The problem with all basses is if you overscoop the mid range, the upper notes sound less powerful (when stood right in front of your rig) than the lower ones when you're playing with a band. The Stingray has a naturally scooped sound (as does a Fender Jazz and various other basses) - if you overdo the bass EQ and cut the mids (on a 2 band Ray this happens automatically if you put the treble and bass control on full), the lower strings will appear to sound louder than the upper ones - however they actually don't out in the room, although you might not be as present in the mix as you would want if you have the mids scooped too much - the way to get the sound back is to avoid excessive EQ adjustment. This phenomena can be achieved on many basses, but particularly a Fender Jazz with both pick ups on full (scooped sound again). I believe it's an EQ setting issue. I have a Markbass LM3 and if I put the VPF on full (scooped sound) I can create the 'weak G string' sound - well certainly in terms of the sound in front of the rig. Stingrays also respond to having the pick up level adjusted correctly (as per Musicman FAQ info). [/quote] I have a Stingray and a 2003 SUB. Neither of them seemed weak on the G to me. I find what you said about the EQ interesting, as I like midrange and I never boost bass and treble much. I seem to have the bass control at about a quarter to a third of its travel, and the treble maybe a tiny bit more, and that has a lot more bite than boosting both to max, which many people seem to do. The pickup on my Stingray is quite angled too, much closer on the treblier strings. Now, another curious thing. My SUB was great. Very punchy D and G strings. Then my G string broke and... it was the string set the bass came with when I bought it. I have no clue what the strings are. This happened at a gig, I quickly put another G string on, from a D'Addario XL170 set... and my G string was gone. Much much quieter. Ok, I thought it was probably not well matched to the others... so I set out to find out what the strings were. I never did find out... I was in between Ernie Ball and DR Fat beams. I tried the Fat Beams... Nice strings, same gauge as I had... but the G string was... weak. Oh no! Now the pickup on this bass was not nearly as angled as the Stingray's, and it sounded balanced. So I angled it more, so that the treble is closer to the strings, and then lowered the pickup a bit, equally. It seemed much more balanced. I used the bass tonight at a gig, and the G string sounded every bit as good as the others. The conclusion for me is that I remain sceptical about the idea of a "weak G string"... Yes, it can happen, but it's something that can be contributed to by a number of parameters that we have control over: strings, pickup set up and EQ. My guess is that the people who complain about a weak G do not use/want a tone similar to the tone I want... in that case, maybe it's not the best bass for them?

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1363273496' post='2010835'] because the stock Fender bridge is a piece of garbage. [/quote] however, it works for me... go figure.