machinehead

The VHT special 6 is a superb all valve amp. Switchable between 3/6 watts. They are a total bargain. Frank.

My method is soft attack with the right hand and muting with the left hand to kill the notes quickly. Roll the tone right off. This technique seems to work well with a P bass but I suppose most passive basses would work for this. Frank.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1355267114' post='1896264'] It was just a suggestion. Personally I'd prefer the Baer ML112 over your suggestions but only from a tone point of view, although the Vanderkley might tick the boxes. The Gallien Neo 112-II would be a good well priced solution. [/quote] That's interesting - what makes you prefer the Baer Ml112 over the Vanderkley? I really need to use lightweight gear but I haven't heard either. How does the Baer 112 sound? Frank.

You could do this with a jack plug PROVIDED you make sure it's insulated eg. put four condoms over it. Seriously, it is OK if it's insulated. Even a few turns of electricians insulating tape would be fine and prevent a short circuit. Frank.

I had a pair of Markbass 2 x 10 cabs. One alone sounded superb - good for rehearsals and smallish gigs. Using both together (stacked on their sides, 4 speakers high) was really excellent. A smaller car prompted me to sell these, no other reason. If I win the lottery, I will never sell any gear ever again. Frank.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1353526305' post='1875696'] It was an Epiphone Sheraton II in black with bound neck and body and abalone/pearl inlays [/quote] Those are great guitars and despite the fact that their price has been steadily increasing, they still are good value for the money. Enjoy it. Frank

Doesn't the EAD 2 x 12 and Bergantino 2 x 12 use the same drivers? Indeed, I think the Schroeder uses them as well. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this. I think only the Barefaced Super 12 uses the Kappalites which are a higher specification driver and more expensive to buy but give a higher output. It's something worth considering when deciding to shell out your hard-earned cash. frank.

[quote name='Dr M' timestamp='1353085384' post='1871534'] Looks to be going the same way Japan went with regards to musical instruments. I own 3 Korean-made guitars and a Korean-made bass. These cover a bit of a range of prices, but the quality across all of them is outstanding. This seems awfully familiar when you think about the reputation Japanese made budget instruments from the 70s and 80s now enjoy. So are we going to see a gradual rise in the prices of Korean made instruments? Some companies already seem to have shifted manufacture of budget lines from Korea to China (Epiphone springs to mind). And do you think the current Korean budget instruments are going to achieve the kind of reputation things like Japanese Squiers now have? [/quote] Laklands have been mentioned in this thread. The Lakland models built initially in the Korean and now the Indonesian factories seem to command a premium price equal to US made Fenders. So that's just down to marketing strategies surely? And then there's the Korean built G&L Tribute range which are excellent quality and build standard and about half the price of Korean/ Indonesian built Laklands. Is there enough difference between these two to justify the enormous difference in price? I don't think there is myself but I'm not knocking Lakland by saying that. I'm just commenting on the power of marketing. I'm in the camp that says that the country of origin has little or no bearing on the quality but is simply used as a marketing tool and a method of maximising profits. And profit is what business is all about isn't it? Frank.

What about keeping the Orange amp and buying a Barefaced Midget. Small size and low weight plus loud enough for small to medium gigs and not just a rehearsal rig. A real professional level rig. They can go deep too if you want - just use the EQ to taste. If size is less important then the Compact offers a more in volume and depth for a small increase in size and weight. Frank.

I have found them to last well enough and sound excellent. To me they sound smooth and thick - which is one of the sounds I quite like. Frank.

I gigged the Compact with my new Mesa Boogie Walkabout last weekend and I was blown away by the sound. The Walkabout seems to have a fantastic thickness and depth to the sound - I can't quite explain it but, even though the Walkabout delivers only 165 watts into the Compact, the combination is very loud and what a satisfying sound it is! I backed of at 30hz because of a wooden stage and I don't think I've ever heard myself so clearly. The drummer told me he was thinking he was too quiet during the gig and might need a new kit. So, expensive as the Walkabout definately is, a good used one is a fantastic investment, for me anyhow. (Although a used Walkabout can be had for the same money as a new micro-amp, so you pays yer money and makes yer choice) Out of interest, the reason I bought the Walkabout was because I wanted to get back to an amp with a transformer rather than a Switch Mode Power Supply. I have become suspicious that most SMPS can't deliver the required amps and maintain the voltage when pushed hard. I might be wrong although I'm very happy with the Walkabout. Frank. Frank.

Great music, and having seen basschats Pete Academy's Steely Dan tribute band (Nearly Dan) I can thoroughly recommend them too. Frank.

[quote name='helikacarvalho' timestamp='1350420374' post='1838716'] Please take his number ============= his name chris addres ========== number == never buy with him if someone can helpme and call him ad tell him its a fake i wiill apreciate [/quote] I really hope you getr your money back. Frank.

To be honest I was only half watching the programme while working on the laptop but your family came across really well and the house looks superb. Mystery solved! Frank.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1349267783' post='1823991'] Oh no I agree. Its unfair to judge passive Jazz to a Ray 5 HS when we are talking about sheer power etc, but I was referring more to the actual quality and richness of tone that the Ray prduces. I wouldn't mind a 70s position pup Jazz but I wouldn't want to pay the current prices for a 75 Fender J Reissue. A Sadowsky in that format would be nice, but again I don't think Sadowsky has the grunt and edge that the original Fender sound does. [/quote] Why not try the MIM classic series jazz? Almost as good as the US 75 reissue (I've got both) and 1/3 of the price plus you get the 70s PU spacing which 99% of the MIJ versions I've seen don't. I do find that the 70s PU spacing gives a little more range to the possible sounds but there's not a thing wrong with the 60s spacing either. It's hard to beat a jazz for all-round usefulness. Frank.

Isn't the Orange Terror bass well regarded with the Compact? And the price is good too. But from actual experience the LMII sounds fantastic with the Compact. In fact my cheap backup amp, an Ashdown Little Giant 1000 also sounds excellent and loud with the Compact. Frank.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1349216064' post='1823586'] I have been toying with the idea of purchasing an American Standard P bass, but I have not bought a brand new Fender for 16 years. I have spotted a reasonably priced Olympic white/Tort plate unused 2011 model. Are they as good as they used to be? I have read some reviews on newer Fenders, and some are not too clever. I have had a tinker with it in the shop and it feels well made, no crackles or hums and the neck is nice. Just thought I would get an opinion before the dusty old wallet comes out. [/quote] In my experience the latest Fenders are excellent. I have one and I love it. Here is a link to one I've seen and played. If it's cheaper than the one you've seen then I'd recommend it. The seller is a decent guy. I bought an amp from him recently, which is when I tried the precision. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/183545-2010-fender-precision-usa-standard-olympic-white/page__p__1765074__hl__fender%20precision__fromsearch__1#entry1765074 Frank.

Not sure if this is the right forum for this but......... I spotted a Barefaced cab on Sarah Beenies programme "Double your House for Half the Money" just now. I wonder is the owner a Basschatter as well as a TV star? 'Fess up if it's you. Frank.

I used the Compact tonight... I'd forgot how good it is. Loud, grindy, deep. It's all there if you take a little time to work out how to get the sound. The Midget is a great cab, a really great cab, but the Compact just has a little more to offer in growl and depth. Just thought I'd add this to the thread. Frank.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1348694794' post='1817156'] How much power are we talking? Would 250W be enough for an 8 ohm cab? [/quote] Well, I've always used Markbass LMII with both Barefaced cabs and that seems easily enough power. I recently bought a Mesa Walkabout amp which is supposed to be about 160 watts into 8 ohms and that also seems loud enough. So I think 200watts will be enough and 500 watts also enough. You might hear a little more volume with more watts. One thing's for sure, the Midget and Compact are loud with a few watts and seem to be able to take all you can give it without farting. Frank.

I'll add my tuppence worth from direct experience. I owned a Markbass 121p combo (basically the same as NY121) and the Midget would kill it totally in every way, if that helps. I own a Midget and a Compact. For a single cab for rock, I'd say the Compact is better. Reason - it's deeper and bigger sounding but that's just my preference. The Midget is a loud and barky cab too but needs lots of power to drive it. Frank.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1348529228' post='1814967'] What benefits are those? [/quote] Well, one of the benefits is that I get to feel smug......... One other benefit is having a cab with a better driver but that one's more obvious. Frank.

[quote name='Phil-osopher10' timestamp='1348437416' post='1813720'] This is great stuff! I love hearing others opinions on gear they've used. I can empathise with gaf over wanting to support a local-ish fella trying to make it. Someday I may get a super12 just to see, cause the midget was nice. I was comparing them with my mesa scout and even though I got the impression that the compact could handle more wattage the mesa just sounded nicer (fuller) [/quote] I do agree with that (the Mesa sound) and I think it's to do with the middy grind and boominess in the Mesa cab that you like. It does have an appeal to me too in certain circumstances. If you use the amp EQ you can make the Compact sound fuller as well. The problem that I've found is that that type of cab can sound a mess from the room if the volume is pushed and I'm not saying that's the case with the Mesa because I haven't heard it in that situation. I've often heard this thing where certain notes just boom around the room and I find it really annoying when I'm in the audience at a gig. On the other hand the Compact can handle mid boost without distortion and can go deep as well if you want. I suspect that most of the 12' cabs mentioned in this thread (Bergs, Aguilar, Vanderklay etc) use the same (or very similar to) Deltalite drivers from Eminence and, as far as I know, in the UK, only Barefaced use the more expensive Kappalite range. So, as an engineer I immediately see the benefits in this. My ears like it also. Having owned quite a few Markbass cabs I also recommend them although the speaker movement does look alarming at times. Frank. I know people say "I use my ears" and that's good, and right too. But engineering is important as well

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1348260207' post='1811675'] I can't help wondering if I should be looking to swap my Compact for a Midget..... [/quote] It was my Compact and Midget that Phil-ospher10 tried a few days ago. We were comparing them to his Mesa Walkabout 12 extension cab. Unfortunately it was in my front room (although at reasonable volume) and it would have been better with a band at a gig. Phil preferred the Midget and I think that was because of the mids and the more aggresive sound when compared to the Compact. I prefer the Compact for the better depth and bigger sound although I do gig the Midget on its own and have no problems with volume in small/medium pubs. Both are really great cabs but the Compact is, in my opinion, the better all-round cab if you can only have the one. But I could easily live with either. As a matter of interest, the Mesa stood up well but was noticibly more boomy and less clean in the mids and highs than either of the Barefaced cabs when pushed for volume. Personally, as a choice between 12' cabs, to me the Midget is the better sounding (and far louder!) cab. Not that the Mesa is bad, it's actually a lovely sounding cab, although I didn't like the boominess, but it ran out of steam way before the Midget. It sounds really beautiful at more moderate volumes though. Of the three cabs, I'd take the Compact first, Midget second and......... well, that's why we were trying the cabs Phil. Frank