machinehead

[quote name='EmaTheMirror' timestamp='1470946898' post='3109591'] Me too. Not to mention that on the bass you also have an active circuit. As much as I've fallen out of love with active circuitry inside basses over the years, it's not bad to have something that you flick and as far as I've heard in demos gives you a tone sort of in the MusicMan (-ish) ballpark. [/quote] I have the active circuit set to give a boost to the highs and a tiny bit more bass. That way if I need a little more umfff I just flick the switch. Having said that, the passive series setting is f***ing massive sounding. It's the best of all worlds really. A fantastic gigging bass. You know you want one. Frank.

[quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1470955821' post='3109678'] BA55 DMC here - just purchased! Oh the vanity. [/quote] Haha. Very cool. More so because I know your name. Frank.

[quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1470902508' post='3109193'] For me Mark King's the mutts nuts basswise. Adam Clayton's no worse than a million other root note merchants like the blokes in The Cult, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Status Quo, Manics, Saxon, Coldplay etc. The problem for them is to come up with interesting lines when the music they play is undemanding. And as for AC' s band mates none of them are any great shakes. [/quote] Ah but.. the Edge came up with a playing style that no one else was doing or had done before. Back in the 80s most guitarists were imitating him and his style is instantly recognisable. How many players can claim that? Very few, I'd suggest. Frank.

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1470768535' post='3108327'] May we infer from the above that the G2 Midget and G3 Super Midget play nicely together? I've only ever paired them with the CTM 15W, so they were never worked to any great excursion. [/quote] I had that combination (G2+G3 Midgets) before selling the G2 Midgets (I had a pair of G2 for a while.) It seemed fine to me at decent gig volume but still, I bow to Alex's vastly superior knowledge. Frank.

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1470850762' post='3108966'] Tried out a Fender Jaguar USA about 7 months ago, I very nearly left the shop with it. Very versatile bass. They should sell like hot cakes but most people wouldn't even try them. [/quote] I do wonder why that is myself? Maybe they look too different to the usual P and J shapes. They aren't over-priced compared to the American Standard P and J as you get more for the same money in the active option and additional cosmetic features. It must take longer to assemble as well. I actually think they would sell more if they came in seafoam green and/or daphne blue but maybe that's me being shallow. Frank.

Anyone responding to that one will start to feel two asses ears pushing up through their scalp. Frank.

That looks superb! Lovely colour. Frank.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1470638995' post='3107190'] Apologies accepted [/quote]

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1470613747' post='3107166'] You must be mistaking me for somebody else: I'm not questioning 'performance' or 'physics'. I'm saying that I *like* the tone of the S112 best, and that they *work* well for my requirements so far. I'm not interesting in arguing which is *best*, in fact I suggested that best is relative, because it depends on the situation. I have two cabs of each, so it's not like I'm a 'hater' exactly. I think I start to see what some people are facing when they don't claim inconditional love for BF cabs... and I do like them! [/quote] No mcnach I wasn't referring to anyone in particular in my post. No offence intended. But I didn't mention tone or which cab is the "best". I'm certainly not arguing in favour of Barefaced either or berating anyone who doesn't like Barefaced. I'm certain you'll not find that I've ever done that and I've been a Barefaced user since Alex built them in his garage. I posted originally in response to, I think it was JTUK, who mentioned his TKS cabs performance at an outdoor gig and I was simply pointing out that the abilities of those TKS cabs is detailed very honestly in the manufacturer's specification. So you can tell quite a lot on the cabs abilities and performance from those specifications. What is also useful is that you can compare TKS cabs performance and abilities to any other manufacturers who publish equally open and honest specifications. And tone can be changed to a significant extent by the EQ on the amp [i]provided[/i] that the cab can handle the EQ demanded and at the required loudness. Sometimes a cab can be too loud at the required tone. The fact that people prefer one cab to another is only to be expected and outtright physical ability isn't necessarily the main reason for this. And rightly so. Frank.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1470611110' post='3107152'] Laws of Physics? He is saying he prefers the tone of his TKS cabs, he isn't disputing Barefaced's claim on volume? Perhaps 12 inch speakers or that number of speakers are the issue here, maybe try different speaker sizes or 212's? I'm not so familiar with the TKS range to suggest any other cabs they do. Probably steer clear of Barefaced if the tone isn't doing it for you. [/quote] Fair enough. But I didn't mention either tone or volume in my post. [i]EDIT, I'M referring above to volume as in loudness. But reading back, I haven't argued about mcnach's preferred tone neither have I accused anyone of disputing Barefaced's claims? I simply pointed out that the drivers used in TKS 112 cabs cannot compete with [/i][i]Eminence Kappalite 3012 or Barefaced 12" drivers.[/i] [i]Surely that's helpful information?[/i] Frank.

Kev, Please try reading my post in more detail before posting a reply that gives the impression that you haven't been concentrating. Apologies if I'm misunderstanding. Or I'm drunk. Frank

[quote name='EmaTheMirror' timestamp='1470609735' post='3107136'] I've seen photos of Sergio Vega (Deftones, Quicksand...) putting some tapes on the lower plate to keep them in place and prevent that while playing. A built-in switch lock device would be great... But wait... That means yet another switch/button on that bass! Lol Olympic White/tortoise is my favourite match too, though of course tone has priority when picking the right one. Have you by chance tried a bunch before picking yours? Are they rather consistent in terms of quality? [/quote] The switching thing off isn't a problem for me. Only a couple of guys who played mine have hit this problem. I have only played my own one and liked it right away so I can't comment on the quality of the range in general. Mine is pretty decent quality. Frank.

Look, I've no doubt that the TKS 112 are great cabs. They use the same drivers as some cabs I've owned so I know from my own experience that they must be decent cabs. But I haven't heard them, so I can't comment based on personal experience. However, compared to the Barefaced BB2, ( also the other 12" driver cabs that use, for example, the Eminence Kappalite 3012 drivers) they just cannot compete on performance. In the words of Bill Fitzmaurice: "The laws of physics aren't swayed by opinion." Frank.

I've owned my American Standard Jaguar for almost a year now and it has been my gigging bass since I got it. The P tone is good, it sounds like my P, the J bridge tone is excellent although I only use it for a few songs. Both PUs parallel is a decent meaty tone and both PUs series would knock walls down. It's a great ballsy sound. I really like the US Jaguar. It covers a lot of ground sonically, has quality PUs and hardware and the fit and finish is top notch. It feel good on the strap and is lightweight and well balanced. The downsides? You can hit the PU selector switches accidently and end up in bass silence. Not a good arrangement. To me, Fender should not have wired the PU selectors with ANY possible combination switching off everything. It doesn't happen to me in practice but the possibility is there. And if it can happen, it will eventually happen. Overall, the features of the US Jaguar made it a fine choice for me. A precision PU with jazz neck. PU switching rather than blending, active preamp and not least - the looks. It looks cool. Especially in olympic white. And the same price as an American Standard J or P but is passive/active and a block marked fretboard. Frank.

[quote name='dustandbarley' timestamp='1469974245' post='3102385'] Frank bought a cab through the classifieds. Great comms and quick and easy transaction. Thanks fella [/quote] Thanks for the feedback. It's much appreciated. It was a very smooth transaction and a you're gentleman to deal with. Frank.

I bought Justin's other Barefaced one10 cab. Everything went smoothly with great communications from Justin. And I must mention the packing - just the best I've seen. I thought I was careful and packed well but Justin is in another league. Deal with confidence folks. Justin is a top class basschatter. Frank.

In the tradition of suggesting a combo you own yourself, I'll suggest an Eden EC28. It's a 2 x 8, 180 watt combo. The thing about this amp is that the full 180 watts are used internally, not only when using an extension cab. So it's a loud and deep sounding little beast and keeps its tone right up to max volume - no distortion or farting! GAK have them on sale at the moment for £249. They have been retailing at £439 since they were introduced. The EC28 can match the Markbass 2 x 8 which costs more than twice as much. They are also light to carry and seem very robust. Frank.

A single BB2 will move at least the same volume of air as a pair of TKS 112 so it's not surprising that the TKS struggle with loudness and lows. Frank

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1470314782' post='3105032'] I would say it is pretty essential otherwise your band sounds weak. It is no use having bass that is just heard as being 'there'.. Too many bass players do this with a middy sound and they do this to 'cut thru the mix', IMO. This can miss the point of bass in the band. No band will get good reviews sounding weak, IME. [/quote] I disagree with this. My pair of 12" cabs covers the lows well and sound very full. Even one single 12" cab sounds thick and full and I usually only use one cab. Not all cabs are equal of course. There's no use in being too loud on stage or volume wars start, and that is detrimental to the playing of the whole band. The PA is there to amplify the whole band, including the bass. I played at a festival last weekend. The PA company provided an Ampeg 4 x 10 and Ampeg amp. This was in a marque. The PA did the work. I doubt the audience were hearing much from the cab but all the bass players sounded fantastic. Not at all weak. Frank.

You really only "need" to be as loud as your drummer if neither of you are through the PA. The same applies to guitarists although I've never had to ask a guitarist to turn UP. So any decent 2 x 12 cab and even some 1 x 12 cabs will do this. Some players prefer the feeling of fullness of sound given by a multiple-speaker rig. That's nice but not essential. Frank.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1470307499' post='3104909'] Probably around Easter next year, I guess? [/quote] Haha... I saw a sign on a telegraph pole on a road in the Republic of Ireland last year - it was on good Friday. The sign was a picture of Jesus and the caption was "Back on Sunday". Clever! Frank.

I noticed the Fender prices increasing in the last few weeks. A US Precision 3TSB now seems to be £1343 in GAK and the other bigger shops. I almost sold my immaculate 2008 Precision last week but I'm very glad I didn't now, when I see the cost of replacing it. Frank.

From the Aguilar website "It also features four [b][i]custom-voiced[/i][/b] woofers with Neodymium magnets" Anyone know what they mean by "custom-voiced"? Frank.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1470008131' post='3102690'] The drivers are totally different. Gen 3 speakers are designed by Alex and Gen 2 speakers are off the shelf items. They might sound OK together but I'd still email Alex and ask. [/quote] I agree - speak to Alex. I think it's an exageration to say the drivers are [i]totally[/i] different. A PJB driver is [i]totally[/i] different compared to a G3 Barefaced driver. I've mixed G2 and G3 BF cabs in th past and they've been OK. Frank.

I don't think the drivers will be THAT different so it would be worth a try at least. To be honest though, for me, it would be overkill and if I wanted more than a single BB2 can provide, I'd just go for another BB2. I have a BB2 and a Super Midget. These seem to pair well. I prefer the BB2 (but also love the SM) but use the SM in venues where space is tight. Have you considered the impedence for your amp when using a 8 ohm cab with a 4 ohm cab? Make sure your amp can handle that. Frank.