williebald

The Quantum Combos are voiced in a mid-deep featuring vintage way, think of TC RH450 (without their compromised dynamics and latency) or Mesaboogie Walkabout. I think they are not too well suited for bright and clear (modern) sounds. But they do very well that tubey & grindy sound. These seem to be reliable, no quality issues known. My own Quantum 310 (1x10" Speaker) is loud enough only if the Drummer uses brushes, not sticks. The 421 doesn't have that deficit. If I had an opportunity here in North Rhine - Westphalia, I would buy it.

I have a 25th 5 HH. Very beautiful. Very versatile. Sound: very cleaned up (?) fundamentals, though musicman-like roaring. On the fat side, sometimes (Neck Pickup active) much too fat, fatter than a P with Labellas. Heavy & quite thick body (no problem). You will know that already. The longer distance to the lower frets isn't that a problem. I would like the quilt maple top much more than the flamed one. [quote]Spoiler: horrible string retainer on headstock, making a work of art looking cheap [/quote] Yeah, bolt on with two spax-like screws. Reminds me of some "could be nice looking" cars, that got a spoiler (?) added after the wind channel tests, long after the design department had finished their work.

I've heard of amps that go to eleven: http://youtu.be/ll7rWiY5obI

The only MM that can do the jazz tone is the Big Al SSS (& maybe the Stingray HH with the 5way switch). The 25th/Reflex HH has a nice p bass tone, too (neck pickup in series mode). Still, even with only the two inner coils of the two humbuckers, nothing jazz bass like. And - of course - it has the stingray & the sterling tone, flavoured with a fat though elegant charakter and a long sustain a standard stingray does not have. (maybe a 30th anniv. mahagony ray sounds that kind , too?) There are occasions I want more kick than sustain and prefer the ray over the reflex.