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fretmeister

⭐Supporting Member⭐
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Posts posted by fretmeister

  1. On 27/02/2024 at 00:25, BlackCrow said:

    Thank you Gentlemen for the replies. More info: Mesa d800+ head 400w @8ohms into GK 212neo 500watts RMS@8ohms.. Bass: EMG DCX@ Neck. EMG CSX@ bridge. EMG BTS active e.q..

     

    Daddario NYC Nickel Rounds light guage...(Have tried Flats as well)..

     

    Pedals: TC Polytune Mini into Keeley Bassist compressor into DarkGlass Vintage Microtubes (set mostly clean)..

     

    Band: Drummer with an A.S. degree in music with a jazz background with good dynamic control...

    2 guitarists with Epi les pauls on a Peavey 50watt 2x12 and a Fender 25watt, both with various Boss Delay, Reverb pedals.

     

    Gigs: Decent P.A. support with some mixes better than other depending on the sound guy...

     

    Rehearsal: No p.a. support. We try and get a mix as best we can.. Rehearsal Space: Large enough that we can spread out into a "stage type configuration and spread"...

     

    Music Played: Original "Alternative Metal" in Drop-D tuning with one guitarist focusing on harmonic riffs, 2nd guitar focusing on complimentary rythm, bass and guitar driving the band on an equal footing, but since he is a good drummer and i am no slouch on bass, we have our moments to shine within certain songs. Mesa head and GK cab have sufficient db for rehearsal. But there is a baked in "clank and grind" to the GK cab that i have not managed to e.q. out with the bass controls or the e.q. on the Mesa head or the e.q. on the Darkglass pedal. 

     

    This tone does not sit well in the mix with this band...Thus the interest in Barefaced cabs. Have tried an Ampeg PF500 through the GK cab. Same "clank and grind" no matter e.q.... Tried another bass, ESP Vintage214 P/J with EMG GB passive pickups with passive e.q through both heads....same GK tone. Pretty sure its the GK cab with the tone that isnt working.. Thus the question regarding Barefaced cabs and regarding the db capacity of the BF210ST 8ohm that if it could fairly equal the db through the GK212 that i already have regardless of manufacturer posted specs of cab db.

     

    Was looking for real time opinions of if BF210 is loud enough all other things being equal vs reviews and opinions of other 210 cabs which i have read on multiple other forums as not being loud enough, realizing that "Loud Enough" is a relative term. Thank you all and goodnight.

     

    On 27/02/2024 at 04:20, BlackCrow said:

    And if that is not enough information, I only use Duracell batteries to power the active EMG pre-amp and active pickups running to a Mogami Gold 6ft cable  with one straight 1/4 inch end into the pedal chain and a 90 degree 1/4" end into the bass.

     

    The Voodoo Labs pedalboard which powers all my pedals ( no 9v batts in pedals) which are all all connected by Mogami Gold 3" patch cables.

     

    The Mesa amp power cable is stock. I run all this through a Furman RMI/EFI/Surge protected power conditioner.

     

    I keep my bass in a Gator hardshell case. I use a Franklin black leather strap about 4 inches wide with some nice padding over my left shoulder with some nice brass conchos in the empty adjustment slots that hang on my right side behind my ass.

     

    Play mostly two-finger style, but can make do with a plectrum if a song requires more "bite".

     

    Usually wear jeans and boots and a t-shirt to rehearsal and gigs. I have more hair on my face than I do on my head, and usually wear a cap, but how all this info will help me determine if a particular Barefaced cab will work for me is beyond my comprehension...just trying to supply all the info I can...

     

     

    You forgot that your return and space keys were broken so I thought I'd fix that for you.

     

    You also forgot your favourite type of post gig food. Is it a big old kebab with lots of chilli sauce? :D 

    • Haha 1
  2. I find it easier to hide wrong notes on a five string as well. The low notes are not quite as distinct as higher ones and I can get away with murder! 😂

  3. I was exclusively 5 string for a long time - at least 10 years. Playing jazz and with transposing instruments that B string was really useful.

     

    Then I tore a tendon and found a 4 more comfortable during my long recovery and I'm pretty happy with that. Mind you I find my way to the right notes a lot easier when moving downwards rather than up! 

     

    I only have one 5 string now and I play it at home a bit, but generally a 4 string and a good octave pedal and I'm sorted!

     

    If I win the Lottery though, then I'll be making a trip to Bavaria for a chat with Gerald Marleaux to make something special.

  4. I never said cost is the most important criteria. But value for that cost is. A 20K item can have excellent value for money, and a £1 item may not.

     

    That's the thing - I am your target demographic. I'm an over 50 professional.

     

    I have been a keen purchaser of Mesa products in the past. I'm a sucker for various models of the Rectifier guitar amps. I've had 4 or 5 of them over the years.

    But they are no longer acceptable value.

     

    I got my most recent Dual Rec Reborn Multiwatt used for £1000 when they were in the shops at £3000.

     

    Somebody took a £2000 depreciation beating there. They aren't thinking it was good value for money either, no matter how much of a well built luxury product it is.

     

     

  5. £900 can buy a single underpowered head, that then requires spending out another £500 for a cab to go with it, or it can buy a 500W to 700W head AND a suitable cab to get out gigging straight away.

     

    Maybe, just maybe, the Mesa 350W will last twice as long as the other options… but who is going to find out? All options will be well out of warranty by that point and then we’ll have Mesa spare part prices to look forward to. Unless Mesa have had another sabbatical from the UK and EU market again and we just can’t get them anyway.

  6. I realise you are trying to avoid the issue, old equine chap, but £900 for a 350W  Class D amp is taking the piss no matter taxes and exchange rate are. I’m also aware you have no say in pricing, so this isn’t personal.

     

     Nobody gives a proverbial about anything other than how much folding has to be handed over to be able to take one home.  
     

    It’s too expensive here, and in the EU, and in the USA. Geography and taxation are not the issues. 
     

    Rightly or wrongly power is high on many buyers feature comparison lists. Combine that with Mesa’s absence from the market in EU and UK means your 350W is not looked at as a luxury product, it’s going to be looked at next to the lower powered Mark Bass, Ampeg, and Ashdown Class D stuff, and some of those are under £450!

     

    Ampeg Venture V3 is £436. 

     

    Yes, of course I know they are not assembled in the USA. But what American companies are seemingly unable to comprehend is that non Americans simply do not care about that.  Most of us won’t even notice country of assembly until we plug it in for the first time after we’ve bought it and taken it home.

     

  7. Again, still nothing to do with Gibson upping prices across the board.

     

    They’ve clearly decided that their market is the well off 50 year old or over with little or no interest in anyone else.

    Now that Epiphone are regularly over £1000 as well, there is nothing to encourage youngsters to want to try the brand.

     

    I know that long term Mesa employees don’t want to hear it, but your new overlords belong in the same category as Darth Bezos.

     

    £900 for a 350W amp is taking the piss, no matter what country it is in.

    • Like 3
  8. I didn’t say gone up compared to the USA. 

    Gibson do have form for massive price rises across their brands with no perceived increase in quality or features.

    Their “entry level” Les Paul (Studio) hit £1500 before it was discontinued this week.

     

    I went to try a few about a year ago, and actually bought a LTD EC-256 for £400 instead as it was better in every way. 

  9. 19 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

    All the LaBella flats I have tried (except the nylon covered) have had a weird stickiness about them. I don’t know whether it is a reaction to my skin, or a generic problem. I’ve tried cleaning them with lighter fluid, rubbing alcohol, string lube, etc to no avail. I always end up taking them off (with the exception of the Hofner Violin bass I had) and regretting the considerable sunk cost. Perhaps the low tensions are different.

     

    I have been using Maruszczyk flats on my Mezzo and find them to have a really good smooth feel to them. They are also about 2/3 the price of LaBellas. However, they only just fit. They are designated short/medium and the G only just makes it over the nut before the silk starts, so they might not fit some basses.


    I have the same issue with La Bella flats, especially when my hands are sweaty. The low tensions were worse!

     

    On the Deep Talking Flats I have solved it… before I install them I give them an extensive rub down with Wet & Dry paper to rough them up. It makes a big difference. I wouldn’t have bothered if I didn’t like their tone so much.

     

    Dunlop make some good medium scale flats. They fit fine on a Mezzo. Eye wateringly expensive though.

    • Like 1
  10. 19 hours ago, TheRev said:

    I'm technically still in a band I joined in 1997. Had a couple of rehearsals, then the guitarist said he was away with work for a couple of weeks and he'd arrange rehearsals when he got back. Never heard from him again.  

    That reminds me of Mika Hakkinen a bit.

     

    Technically he’s still on sabbatical from Formula One but hasn’t heard when he’s coming back! 

    • Haha 1
  11. 1 hour ago, martthebass said:

    I’ve always used a heavier gauge set on my shorties than the longies. Don’t know where I got the advice from; all mine are 50-105. I find I can easily pull the G off the fretboard on my G&L if I don’t do this…..crack handed, that’s me.

     

    Me too. I'm a 40-100 on a long scale, but 45-105 at least on a shortie.

    • Like 1
  12. Wampler pedals.

     

    Once upon a time they put out a book about effects. The book contained cut & pasted copy from a much smaller pedal maker to which Wampler had no involvement. They didn't even give credit to the original author, let alone pay them any money. No hint was given that the prose didn't belong to Wampler. The original prose was very specific to the original author.

     

    Other pedal makers such as the genuine legend Analogue Mike from Analogman quoted some of the original work and gave proper credit.

     

    Wampler can f*ck off into the sea.

     

     

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
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