machinehead

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1475654621' post='3147611'] I'm in the market for a £200 Barefaced Compact.. As the Ashdown is only £275 new, that would seem to be the new market price [/quote]

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1475616793' post='3147486'] Excellent to hear that the Ashdown more than competes with the expensive Barefaced counterpart, particularly given how Barefaced advertise they should compete to other 1x12 cabs. Look forward to hearing further comparisons from you in the real world gigging environment! [/quote] I agree Kev. I'll be selling my Barefaced cabs and buying these less expensive Ashdowns myself if they are as "good" in a gigging environment. I can't believe I'm thinking about moving away from Barefaced after 7 years with them but there you go...and I said above that I wouldn't, but I have to be open-minded to advances in technology. Frank.

I learned 6 string guitar first from the age of 11/12 with proper lessons including sight-reading and theory. I agree with JTUK above that playing with other musicians is essential to really learning to play and perform to an audience. Around 1984 the singer in a band I was playing in at the time, asked me to do one gig on bass as the bass player suddenly left. I enjoyed it so much I stayed on bass guitar. I've never played 6 string guitar on stage since. I still had to learn to play bass guitar because, as we all know well, it's not the same as guitar in so many ways. I've never had a bass lesson though. And of course, I'm still learning to play bass over 30 years later and will still be learning until I pop my clogs... Frank.

Total bargain and a beast of a rig. Frank.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1475605160' post='3147360'] I'm guessing the Ashdown will be down a couple of db and probably doesn't go as low in the frequency range. But I don't see why it can't sound just as good although response will be different. Some people may not need the extra efficiency etc. And some may even prefer the ashdown's tone. [u][b]But I see some barefaced owners seem to be getting a little defensive maybe[/b][/u]? [/quote] Haha. You can only really mean me and you won't find anywhere that I've got into a slanging match over Barefaced gear and I doubt you ever will. Everyone chooses gear that suits them best and I'm not disputing that. If the Ashdown suits better than Barefaced, then that's that. No one will die. Frank.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1475592364' post='3147188'] Cool - I look forward a flood of cheap compacts on the for sale forum ..:-) More seriously, given that [b][u]Ashdown publish no useful specs about the performance of the cab[/u][/b] (although ears are useful) you should wait until you've tried them both out in more situations.. [/quote] Exactly. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. There is no way I'd swap a Super Compact for an Ashdown RM-112T. Frank.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1475593217' post='3147197'] That's quite a leap. . . . given you've only read one person's opinion. [/quote] Note the in my post. Frank.

Without even looking at the Ashdown specs and just comparing the retail prices, I'm pleasantly surprised that Ashdown can build a cab selling at £275 that performs as well as a Barefaced Super Compact. Even more amazing when you consider the retail cost, minus the retailers mark-up. Frank.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1475517958' post='3146572'] I had used them lots and even recommended them to people they were fine until they smashed my gear up then they did not want to know so obviously I do not use them or recommend any more I now use parcel force 48 they are probably no better if something happens but at least they are a few quid cheaper [/quote] Be careful. Parcelforce 48 exclude musical instruments from their insurance. I found this out after I paid for the insurance at my local post office. They didn't offer me a refund either, but said that the person who sold me the useless insurance would be retrained!! Frank.

Fender American Standard. Accept no imitations. Frank.

[quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1473338856' post='3129267'] My first thought was GK MB500 too, as recommended twice above. Super clean amp. [/quote] I'd agree with this too. I'll also throw the EBS Reidmar 750 into the mix. It's also very powerful and versatile. Not too expensive either. Frank.

[quote name='Bero' timestamp='1475519368' post='3146601'] Thanks frank, what cabs are u using with it [/quote] Usually a Barefaced BB2 or Super Midget depending on space at the gig. I used both cabs on Saturday night with the Reidmar and it was only ticking over really. For at least 90% of my gigs the BB2 alone is enough and sounds beautiful. Full range and very sweet. The Super Midget is also superb but not as deep as the BB2 although probably similar in volume. Both cabs sound great with the Reidmar. I can't really fault it. I've read that the 250 watt version is loud too, but I decided to play safe and buy the 750 watt version for the headroom. I haven't heard the 250 w myself though. Frank.

It means they can put out 475 watts for a very short burst. I don't know about the 250 watt but I have the 750 watt version and it's very loud indeed, if that's what you need. They sound superb too and the 750 has the compressor and drive knobs. The drive warms the sound up a little. Frank.

On my father's side, (where the music comes from) there have been several full-time professional musicians, including one who played in a large London orchestra, a cousin who played in a jazz orchestra, music teachers and loads of amateur musicians. My own children (not really children now, all in their 30s ) play in bands and one sings in a choir. I was sent to music lessons on guitar where I learned to read. The theory has been very useful (I don't know how people get by without knowing some theory) but I haven't read the dots for years. Frank.

[quote name='IainS' timestamp='1475092496' post='3143064'] I kept meaning to try out one of the Steinberger cricket bats to see if it will help my knackered spine, so I'd be interested to hear about any mods that make it more playable. That is surprisingly heavy for its size and shape though, isn't it? I play a Precision Lyte now, which if I remember correctly is 7.4lbs, so about the same as the Steinberger, but it would be good to try something a little different. [/quote] I just weighed the Steinberger again on my fishing scales - it's a smidgen under 7lbs. When I fit the strap extension I'll post some pics. Frank.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1475067137' post='3142752'] I firstly want to say I've had a 4ohm Two10, and loved it. No problems there at all!! Great sounding cab. Not trying to troll here, but genuinely interested what spec you've read or know of (i know you said you were an engineer later down the thread) that qualifies this? I have 2 X S112s . To me, it felt they were louder. Maybe to do with the amps they were paired with? [/quote] I'm just home and I've just read your post. Beer of the Bass has explained it quite well below so I won't go farther. Just to clarify though, I'm not saying the one10 or two10 is lacking in highs as such, just that I've been using the BB2 for quite a while so my ears need to adjust to the one10 which is a different sounding cab - but I do love how it sounds. My ears will adjust soon enough. Just about to go to a rehearsal where the one10 will get another outing. Frank.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1475003996' post='3142270'] You'd have to demo that because I use 2xs112's and I pound them with an 800w top. I can't see it myself and I note the previous comment about lack of top and clarity, which is what I'd expect. You need to reasonable with the expectations. [/quote] I'm an engineer. I read the specifications. Whether you can "see it" or not is irrelevant. I'm sure you know by now that the 800w "top" is no reliable measure of the resulting volume. It's far more complex than that. Look into the specifications. I know we've had a similar discussion before so I don't expect us to agree. No harm in having the discussion again though? I didn't say there was a "lack of top end and clarity" in the one10. That is misquoting me. I said I missed the top end and clarity of the BB2 and SM, both of which have different design goals from the one10, so no surprise there. It wasn't a criticism of the one10 as such, just a comparison. The one10 is a superb cab in my opinion, quite amazing low end, volume and fullness. In a way it reminds me of how an AER amp one combo sounds, but I think it might be slightly better. EDIT: None of the above is a criticism of the TKS S112. I haven't heard them, although I've owned cabs that had the same drivers and they [i]are[/i] excellent drivers so I assume the S112s are a good cab too. Frank.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1474994697' post='3142162'] Ok, so it happened... single Two10 ordered. [/quote] Good man. I'm tempted to order a second one10. I'm so impressed with the single one10 I have. It easily handled a small pub gig last Saturday with a drummer, guitarist, singer and me on bass, using a one10 and GK MB200. I'll be honest, I did at times miss the top end and clarity of the BB2 and/or SM. The one10 is a different character altogether but brilliant in its own right. Frank.

At that price, it's only for the terminally gullible. In my opinion of course. Frank.

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1474906205' post='3141427'] I bashed my shoulder in quite badly earlier this year, and tho it's slowly getting better, the osteopath i've been seeing reckons there's also cumulative problems from 30 years of having heavy basses resting on it. So I few buys and sells later, I find myself with a Lull PJ4 (3.6kg and nicely balanced) an Epi Jack Casady (also 3.6kg, but with a tendency to neck dive) and my long-serving old precision bass, (3.8kg). The the shoulder will get better, i don't want to go back to the old days of heavy basses. I remember i had a Tokai Thunderbird briefly which looked incredible, but i honestly couldn't play it for an entire gig. [/quote] I have a lifelong back/shoulder problem so I've sold all my heavy basses and kept my US Jazz and US Jaguar, 8.5lbs and 9lbs respectively which are fine - just. Strangely though, I've also kept my US SUB (Stingray). It weighs about 10lbs but is well balanced and doesn't cause me any problems. I don't know what to make of that? Earlier this year I bought a Steinberger Sprit XT-2, I think it weighs about 7.5lbs [u][i][b]EDIT it's a smidgin under 7lbs[/b][/i][/u] (lightweight, but heavy for its size!). This was bought to take away in my campervan because a full size bass wouldn't fit in. However, I like it so much that I'm making a folding extension arm from carbon fibre to move the strap button to the 12th fret to make it sit the same as a Jazz or other Fender style bass. If this is successful, I intend to gig it to see how the lighter weight treats my back. I'll report back here on the results for those interested. If it's a success, I could be tempted by those Status Streamlines. Frank.

It's hard to go wrong these days as there's a lot of good amps out there. When I was in your position I decided on an EBS Reidmar 750 at around £500 which seemed very good value compared to the competition. I like it very much and it has loads of headroom and good features like compression (although I don't use it myself) and the "drive" knob adds a bit of warmth. But you'd be best to be sure you like the basic sound of an amp before buying, although if you buy online you can always return if it doesn't suit. EDIT Here's some reviews. [url="http://ebssweden.com/server/and-the-verdict-on-the-ebs-reidmar-750-is/"]http://ebssweden.com...reidmar-750-is/[/url] Frank.

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1474489354' post='3138416'] Status is a local booking agent, AGC make cookers or some other white goods, Iceni sounds like the name of a celtic tribe, Warwick's in the midlands, and Yamaha make motorbikes. Can't see the connection with bass guitars. I'll continue to play basses made by the company known for producing car bumpers in America. [/quote] Hahaha. Brilliant. Frank.

Not just when selling musical equipment, but when selling anything, the question I hate the most is "What's the least you'll take for it?" Why would a seller answer that question? If you want to buy it, make an offer. If your offer is acceptable, you've got a deal. If it's too low, the seller will tell you that, and he/she might tell you what he'd accept. And the negotiation can continue from there. When someone asks me "What's the least you'll take for it?" I know they're not a serious buyer - just a tyre kicker. Maybe it's just me though? Anyone else get pissed off by this question? Frank.