P-T-P

[quote name='NJE' post='630084' date='Oct 19 2009, 09:36 AM']Fundamentally they are good basses, well put together good electonics but I couldn't get on with the neck at all, I much prefered the Joe Osbourne (probably has the same neck ha ha) it felt better to me and more comfortable, but that is just personal preference.[/quote] They are the same neck, though the overall design means that they will sit on your strap/thigh differently and it's all about comfort at the end of the day. I'm in the opposite group to you as I prefer the 55's and the necks do feel very different, even though they're not.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the 55-01 basses. I think they are possibly the best value for money basses out there, especially on the second hand market. I've owned several in the past few years as my gig back-up bass and I don't think you can go wrong with them really. I only end up selling when I'm tempted by more exotic fruits and need to raise some cash. I actually prefer the 55-01 to the 55-02 as I find the bridge p-up on the -02 to be neither great jazz or great mman, though having said that, I'm basing my opinion on the older Bartolini equipped ones, maybe the newer Lakland p-ups have resolved that issue. I think the 55 series basses are a great 4-to-5 transition instrument too as you have the wide spacing at the bridge which will feel familiar and a neck which isn't dauntingly wide at the nut and the design of the bass is such that you don't really notice the 35" scale length. Go play one (or lots if you have the opportunity) and if it feels good to you, go for it as they're a quality bit of kit.

Think Whitney may have had a little Colombian marching powder before her performance. Last week Robbie Williams looked like he was on speed. Say what you like about the X-Factor, but the riders are clearly top notch lol

Close to Me - The Cure

I've come to the conclusion that GAS should really be used as an excuse for bass purchases and bought myself a Warwick Corvette ProLine V lol I now have oodles of snappy tone, just have to change basses to get it! Would still love to go for some sexy Aguilar DB112 cabs in white, but the reality is, the more practical solution would be to go with the MB 1x12 combo and NYC cab. Chaning amps is a pain though compared to buying/selling your bass.

Love in-ears but still rely on having an amp present for the physical feeling of the sound of a bass, if that makes sense. If you're concerned about not being loud enough and don't have a soundman, simple answer is to err on the loud side and your bandmates will soon let you know. I tend to play the first tune or two without in-ears so I know levels are working as they should and then pop them in for the rest of the set. If it's a two set (or more) night, I usually take them out either for or during the last number so I have an idea of whether any level adjustment needs to be made before the next set (usually because of excited guitarists).

I've got two of the cross bar sections from lighting stand set like this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3m-Goalpost-DJ-Lighting-Stand-Disco-STANDS-NEW-Light_W0QQitemZ370214083073QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ConsumerElectronics_EquipmentStands_SM?hash=item56327a9a01&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3m-Goalpost-DJ-Light...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url] They fit onto a pair of standard 38mm light stands. Free to a good home. Collection from Chepstow/Newport.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='612858' date='Sep 30 2009, 11:43 AM']Hi Pete, MB heads do sound great with Aggie GSs or DBs. I can also recommend the Genz Benz 212 neo cab - 600 watts, 4 ohms , very light and has castors but it's quite big and bulky. Lovely sound. I'm really chuffed with my current rig - Aguilar AG500 + 2 GS112's. Just a tad mid scooped but an easy tweak on the EQ. Having 2 channels - one with valve like distortion is a bonus.[/quote] Interesting, not least because you were using Bergantino cabs at one point weren't you? Those are the elephant in the room I'm trying not to think about as I know they're gonna sound great but they are well pricey.

[quote name='chris_b' post='612839' date='Sep 30 2009, 11:17 AM']Out of your list the only choice I rate is the 2 x Aguilar DB112's with an LMII. If you're coming from an MB combo this has got to tick all the boxes.[/quote] That's definitely the way I'm leaning, though there's appeal to simply adding another cab rather than go for wholesale change and also appeal in the 1x12 combo and cab option from a portability point of view. But the Aguilars tick all the boxes tonally and look amazing too.

Currently using a MarkBass CMD102P 2x10" Combo. Been using it for about 18 months or so now. When I got it the intention was to add a traveler 1x15 (the new shape) but having gigged it, never really felt the need, especially with PA support on tap. Still wanted a kinda mini-stack job all this time though, just for cool factor. Fast forward to now, really have bad GAS/stack envy and have about £800 or so cash plus the value of my MB combo (£700ish) I could spend but don't really want to spend more than about £500 cash if I can 'cause I know it's all down to GAS rather than need. I play in a function/wedding band. MB combo does most of what we do well, but perhaps lacks a little bit of attack/focus for one or two of the funkier numbers. I don't want to lose the low end oomph and warmth as that sits really well in the mix but would like to hear a more pronounced snappy tone when I move over the bridge pick-up. All that being said, not really been concerned by it at all for most of the past 18 months (or 3 years which is when I first started with MarkBass) and may just be trying to justify GAS. Anyway, where I'm at is I'm liking the idea of... 2 x Aguilar DB112 cabs but no idea what head to go for, will an LMII do the job here? or 2 x Markbass 121H cabs or NY121 cabs and MB head or 1 x MB CMD121P Combo + 1 x NY121 Cab or 2 x TC Electronic Cabs but not sure I can afford the head to go with them or 1 x MB Traveler 151 cab (or other cab from MB) that stacks with my existing combo and be done with it Open to other options such as 2x12 cabs etc. but like the size and weight (sub 20kg) of my combo so would prefer to keep close to that unless there are wheels involved as I have two geriatrics in my band which means me and singer get to carry/load pretty much everything.

How many ohms?

Clwb Ifor?

I had one of these a few years back for a particular project which fell through and I sold it without ever playing it through my actual gig set-up until the evening the new owner was coming to collect. Gutted when I heard it only to see it leave a few minutes later. Really full, beefy sound with rounded (but not as blunt as you might think) top end. Fit and finish on mine was excellent and while I didn't spend a whole lot of time setting it up, the action etc. was as good as the initial condition of most of the other basses that have arrived on my doorstep over the past few years (Fenders, Warwicks, Laklands, Yamahas). I'm still on the look-out for a second hand one at the right price. Can buy for £350ish new. Mine sold for £220 after a relatively long time on the market.

Personally, I love, love, love my DJ5. Never though I would find a bass that would stick and in the time I've owned it (3 years or so) I have also had more than a few other basses to accompany it but every time I go back to the DJ5 and have concluded it's going to be with me for a very long time. One of the other basses I owned was another DJ5 (rosewood, passive) which I didn't feel anything like the connection with as I do mine (maple, bartolini NTBT pre-amp). It sounded decent and for a passive bass it had loads of tone variation, but lacked a certain something that mine has in the comfort department and, more importantly in the sound. In the end I think it may have been the pick-ups as mine has Aeros in but some DJs shipped with Fralins and nowadays they all come with Lakland pick-ups. Personally, I think it would be worth trying to find a second hand DJ5 with Aero pick-ups in it. Oh yeah, comparisons. JO5 has a slightly sweeter tone to it, breathy, 60's-ish and does it really well. DJ5 is much more immediate and attention grabbing and does everything from heavy thump to zingy (without ever being thin). Does the Marcus Miller tone better than the Fender Marcus Millers too, if that's your bag. DJ5 is much more versatile and really knock-out live as it cuts and drives way better than pretty much every other bass I've owned (which is a lot, look through the For Sale forum lol). You're welcome to come try mine out if you can make it down to sunny Chepstow, it is an epic bass.