machinehead

After years of rejecting Fenders I'm now happy with my two Fender Jazz basses. A US 75 reissue (Ash/ rosewood) and a classic 70s. (Sunburst/ rosewood) Any one of them would be wonderful. I'm just being greedy. (I blew a small lottery win) But I'm even more happy with my rig.: Markbass LMII into either a Barefaced Midget or Barefaced Compact. For bigger gigs where a MASSIVE sound is required, both cabs together. In practice, that's three rigs to choose from. Each one is brilliant - light, loud, deep, accurate,aggresive. Take your pick,it's all there in this rig. Couldn't be happier. Frank EDIT for spelling

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='901550' date='Jul 22 2010, 03:04 AM']It can't. The same argument was proffered when AlNiCo replaced field coils, and then when ceramic replaced AlNiCo. And it's just as fallacious now. Flux is flux.[/quote] Thanks for the reply Bill. I fluxing knew it. Frank

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='901468' date='Jul 21 2010, 11:40 PM']The magnet change means other things could be improved (from an engineering perspective) in speaker construction, so the may well be a tone difference associated, down to other changes, but usually they will be beneficial although you have to adjust enclosures to match.[/quote] Yes, but you're clouding the issue. Can people tell the magnet material by listening to the sound of the cabinet, all other things being the same? If they can, I'll be amazed. I'm an electrical engineer of 3o+ years experience and I've learned to be cynical about anything that can't be proved by the science. Feelings rarely cut it in my experience. But again, I stand to be proved wrong - and I mean it. Show me how the magnet material can be heard differently from another magnet material. Frank

I can't imagine how anyone could hear the difference in sound due solely to the material used in a magnet of a speaker? I'd like to be educated if indeed it is possible though. Frank

[quote name='jonthebass' post='898953' date='Jul 19 2010, 02:03 PM']My 2p worth would suggest a Barefaced Compact & Midget T stack. Modular, Light and powerful with a great frequency response...[/quote] I would agree. But I'm afraid of becoming the BBBBB; Basschat Barefaced Bass Boring B****rd. Frank

I must admit I know nothing about Marshall bass cabs, but the only time I heard one it was a 4 x 10 or 4 x 12 maybe, powered by a Harkte 3500. The bass player was superb. After an hour or so listening, the sound was getting to me and was so bad that I was saying to people that I'll be glad to get out of here. It was F***ing dreadful. The playing was great. On a similar theme (although going off-thread just a bit) last week I was in a pub listening to a really brilliant band. The bass player was excellent. He was using all Ashdown gear with a 4 x 10? cab. The sound was really grating on me. All muffled and distortion. Not a sound I like at all. I know that not everyone will agree with me. Each to their own. I like clear, undistorted, deep bass sound. "Old school" is not for me at all. To me, it's bad sound and I much prefer to use modern amps and new speaker technology. Maybe the subject of a new thread? Frank

I think you've done the right thing sending it back Dave. It's always best to go with your gut feelings and perhaps you'd never have been 100% happy with the classic 70s jazz. Better to spend as much money as you need to. It's never a waste if you get what you want and you're happy, but money spend on a bass you're not sure about is bound to be a waste. I can't see any way on this earth how you won't like the MIA jazz you've ordered. I hope you enjoy it. Frank.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='895961' date='Jul 15 2010, 08:44 PM']Thanks Frank. I am really trying to like this neck. I have requested a RMA number but as it wont go back until after the weekend im going to play it a lot at home and see how i get on. Im also finding it painful resting my hand on the bridge as the screws are quite high and scratching my hand when i play with a pick. I think a HW-one might be better for me. I definitely want a 70's style bass but maybe one with a flatter neck.[/quote] Mine has a badass bridge fitted which not only looks better but solves the problem of sharp bits sticking out. I've no idea if badass bridges change the sound very much, especially in a gigging situation where it's hard enough to hear anything. The answer to your problem is a US 75 RI jazz. Mine has possibly the nicest neck of any bass I've ever played. You'd just have to dig quite a lot deeper into the wallet. Frank

I'm tempted by the RV4. Looks great with the MM pickups. Frank

All I would say to the OP is stick with either all Barefaced or all TC. And preferably identical cabs unless they are designed specifically to use together. Although I'd be surprised if your 2 x12 wouldn't be more than enough on its own? Frank.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='895799' date='Jul 15 2010, 05:21 PM']Well my Bass just turned up and i must admit the neck is a bit of a shock. I wasn't expecting it to be so chunky. Not sure ill get on with it. The build quality looks fine but the setup need a good tweak as there is quite a bit of excess relief in the neck. Not a problem though. Soooooo, not 100% with the neck but ill work at it. Ive got 7 days to return it so plenty of time.[/quote] After 10 minutes I didn't really notice much difference in the neck compared to the US 75 RI. It is a little more chunky, but in a good way. Long periods of playing are very comfortable. My thoughts are don't judge the neck too quickly and play the bass for several hours before passing judgement. I do hope you enjoy it. Frank

I'm sure you'll love it Dave. The neck is deeper than my '75RI but very, very comfortable to play. I had a good hour noodling last night on my classic 70s. Great playing and sounding bass. And the looks.................. Frank.

Very nice but way above my comfort zone for bass spending. Frank

[quote name='blackmn90' post='888972' date='Jul 7 2010, 09:32 PM']Best non vintage or custom shop fender jazz IMO, id have it over US 75 RI ...... jus need to get one before they ruin it![/quote] I'm in the very privileged position of having both. I've had the US 75 (natural ash, and the more rare, rosewood fretboard) for about a year and just got the classic 70s a couple of weeks ago. My first impressions are that the classic is very well built and seems the equal of the US jazz. Before passing judgement I intend to get to know the classic better. Sound-wise, the US is smoother and has more balls. The classic is more middy and biting. I like both sounds. Actually, the classic sounds very close to my SX 70s style jazz which is ash bodied and has a maple fretboard. For the money, I'd go for the classic because there is just not 3 times the value when you consider the US costs almost 3 times the classic. I'll update my opinions in a few weeks though. Frank.

I bought a Washburn D28 6 string acoustic guitar back in 1978 for, I think, almost £300. Even then it was a lot of money to me. The Washburn case was £50. Shocking price!!! In the same year I bought a semi-detached house for £15,000. I've still got it though. It sits beside my red Rapier 33 Strat copy. I couldn't sell these guitars now no matter how skint I am. My loft has quite a few old guitars and basses lying about. Must have a look some time. Gear is so cheap now by comparison. Frank.

With two identical cabs you KNOW the pair are an improvement over a single cab. With two different cabs you might get an improvement and you might not. Why risk it? (That is, unless tha manufacturer has designed them to be matched). As far as matching the same manufacturers amps and cabs. I've never really thought about it before. Initially, I think the speakers are powered by a voltage. I'm not sure if the source of that voltage is all that critical in terms of who made the amp. I might be wrong so I'd be interested to hear from an expert - I'm happy to be proved wrong. Frank.

[quote name='fatback' post='886855' date='Jul 5 2010, 11:31 PM']You could sell me your midget then [/quote] I would answer this only I haven't read the thread. Frank

[quote name='JTUK' post='888461' date='Jul 7 2010, 02:13 PM']I am a firm believer in matching up amps and cabs. I would think that generally a TC amp and cabs would be better than a TC amp and cab and AN OTHER.[/quote] Agreed. But if it were me, I would buy another identical cab - the RS212. That's got to be better than mixing it with an RS210? Also, aren't the cabs the same size as well? Frank.

A crew of 58? My god. Are they pedalling it? Frank

I'm going to stop reading threads about the Super Twelve because it would eventually cost me money

[quote name='JTUK' post='886015' date='Jul 5 2010, 07:36 AM']Would you buy them on technical spec..?? what would you look for ..?[/quote] Yes, I would choose between various cabs based on their specs. I have bought literally hundreds of speakers in my job this way for 20 years or more and quite a few PA systems. I'm not saying you shouldn't listen to a cab if you can, but judging by basschat, most players can't do this so a basic knowledge of speaker technology can, at the very least, help you weed out the poor performers. I know and understand that everyone has different preferences in how a cab sounds but that's a different matter. What to look for? There's lots of information online and on basschat regarding loudspeaker specs. I'm not expert enough to begin to explain it though so best to just google. Although I do sense that it was a rhetorical question. Forgive me if I'm wrong. benthos The Aguilar cabs seem an excellent choice. Lots of people love them. I've only heard a single 1 x 12 for a short blast. Sounded great. Frank.

Maybe just slightly off-topic but does anyone know the technical specs for the Aguilar GS112 and Berg AE112 cabs? I tried to find them but failed. Jeez, the Bergs better be good at that price !! Frank

Please don't ignore the advice you're getting about the Barefaced cabs. I own Markbass gear, Ive owned quite a few different of their cabs and both LM I and LM II amps and it's great gear. The Barefaced cabs are lighter, cheaper, louder and better sounding than the Markbass. They are very clear and undistorted though. I like that but obviously it won't be to everyones taste. Frank

[url="http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua=en"]http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua=en[/url] Check the link for info on Markbass models. I don't think there ever was a Markbass combo with two 12" speakers. As far as the combos are concerned, yes, they are the dogs danglies. Even my CMD121P, a 1 x 12, is loud. I agree 100% with Gareth on these little amps. Frank