RandomBass

I've recently picked up one of these in a trade with a fellow BCer. I'd only heard one before, and never played through one. Great sound indeed. Laughably simple to use but still took me a while to get used to the limited passive tone stack. Using it with my Fender Jazz and Vintage V4 (a great P clone) and getting some lovely tones out of it. And volume - good grief it sounds almighty good through my BF Compact. Mine came with lower gain valves but I put the originals back in to compare - tbh I think I prefer them. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1329687390' post='1546046'] I'm now at peace with the weight for weight philosophy. [/quote] Ditto to that.

[quote name='JAUQO III-X' timestamp='1329679377' post='1545830'] Check out the ABM 1000. Lighter than the ABM 500 and headroom for days. [/quote] Yes I'd seen that - less than 10kg, which is ok. Initial prices I've seen are on the high side for me at the moment. Maybe in time... Cheers Geoff

Well it appears the weight thing has been the deciding factor for me - and I don't mean how heavy it isn't! A few posts previously the comment was made that the sound doesn't have the 'weight' behind it, something I'd been trying to put my finger on. On Friday evening I gigged it at a local pub, on top of my Barefaced Compact. Yes it was loud enough, but something wasn't there that I'm used to with my ABM (and my Klystron which I have recently moved on). However it was lovely to not have the weight of the ABM - I turned up with cab, bass and a laptop bag loaded with amp, pedal and all my cables. Nice. After much consideration, I decided the MiBass is going back and I will continue with the ABM (and also a Terror Bass I've recently acquired). There's just something very special about the ABM that I can't let it go - it has weight on both counts, one positive and one negative, which must cancel each other out lol. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1329595405' post='1544768'] I played 17 once, on the G string, apparently it's a C note, but I didn't like it. Not been back since, I let the guitarist play up there. [/quote] Total class. Love it. Cheers Geoff

Ok, just grabbed the manual from the box, which says the 'post' switch setting is post EQ and Post effects loop. Hope this helps. Cheers Geoff

I have an ABM500 and can echo the comments above. Great range of sounds available using the eq, a bit of grit with the valve, and I also find the compressor quite usable too. Cheers Geoff

Sorry I didn't read the post properly. Shoot me now. Sorry. No idea. Will try it out and get back to you. Geoff

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1329484071' post='1543141'] anyone know whether the DI out on the back is before or after the fx loop? (I really hope it's after, lol). [/quote] The mibass has a pre-post switch so it can do either. Cheers Geoff

I've owned both of these. The PF500 is a great 5kg package. I understand some users have had cutting out issues, but mine never missed a beat into either a single or pair of 8ohm speakers. Plenty of useful facilities and the compressor actually did the job quite nicely. Not really my tone in the end, so off she went. The Micro VR is more basic, but so classic to look at and brilliantly simple to use. I preferred it's tone to the PF500 to be honest. It's rated at 200w into 4 ohms, and that was quite usable through a pair of 15" speakers to get the air moving - but not much headroom above that. I've heard the output is nearer 260W, according to the Bass Gear Magazine test. Either way, I no longer own either of these (the PF500 went first, I struggled to part with the Micro VR but in the end I needed to free up some cash). I'm not helping much - but if I was doing it again, I'd check the PF350 out - allegedly the same preamp as the Micro VR, but with a 350W class D output stage. Cheers Geoff

Traded my Ashdown Klystron 500 for Karl's TB500. Easy transaction, great communication and great guy to deal with. Looking forward to giving the TB a blast through my Compacts at Friday night's gig. Hope the rest of the band are understanding Cheers Geoff

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1329222695' post='1538961'] I can't claim to have used all Class D heads, but the Streamliner is the first one I've tried that can mix it with the heavyweights when it comes to sheer 'weight' behind the notes. [/quote] And I think it is that 'weight' that I am trying to describe as the difference between the ABM and the mibass. Possibly. Cheers Geoff

Hi I'd be interested to hear about those other amps if you give them a try. My ABM is the 500 evo 3. Cheers Geoff

Thanks Valhalalf, interesting thoughts there. I made a comment elsewhere that I didn't feel the MiBass had the same 'clout' that my ABM has sound wise, and I still stand by that. I also find it difficult to put my finger on it, and perhaps it is similar to the solid state vs valve debate, only this time it's one type of solid state topology vs another one. I really don't know. I thought my ABM would be up for sale by now - but I'm going to give the MiBass a few more gigs before I do. I'd love to be able to afford to have both, unfortunately I can't, and I'd really like to go lightweight... maybe I'm not ready for it just yet. Or it's not ready for me? Just to add more confusion I've got a Terror Bass on it's way from another BC'er - it's something I've wanted to try out for ages, if only because it uses the same control knobs as my bass lol. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1328884606' post='1534350'] Woo hoo my Mibass 550 has just arrived, sadly I'm at work so can't use it till the gig tonight. First impressions though nice and light, but not too light that it'll get knocked of a cab easily and the knobs and sliders feel very nice. Very impressed. Can't wait to hear it. [/quote] So, how did it perform? I'm keen to hear your thoughts. Cheers Geoff

Ohm My God. Sorry, couldn't resist it

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1328884606' post='1534350'] Woo hoo my Mibass 550 has just arrived, sadly I'm at work so can't use it till the gig tonight. First impressions though nice and light, but not too light that it'll get knocked of a cab easily and the knobs and sliders feel very nice. Very impressed. Can't wait to hear it. [/quote] And I'm looking forward to your thoughts about it. Cheers Geoff

I'm like peety, just got a MiBass 550 and am very impressed with it. I think my ABM possibly has more 'clout' (technical term, no idea what it means or describes) sound wise - but it's marginal. And tonally they are very alike. The only downsides are lack of mute, and valve and compressor can be done with my pedal. The upsides more than outweigh (pun intended) though! Cheers Geoff