gingerfish

Not really my area of expertise but could you try and find a broken version of your keyboard on eBay or just a cheap one and play around with options? To get plastic to take a decent change of colour, thinking the back keys more than white you would likely have to put a decent base coat on them. I imagine this isn't done on a major scale as there must be thousands of keyboards out there that all have keys that are different in some way or other, If you need 9 unique keys per keyboard then that's a lot of spares to hang onto if you have each one in 20 colours. Also as an electrical item no manufacturer is going to want the average Joe taking it apart and tinkering with it.

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1441826290' post='2862155'] That's a lovely set up. What's the abm rig? [/quote] ABM500RC EVO III + 2xABM210. Lovely amp and good solid cabs, done me proud for a number of years but I have just moved into a practice room up 4 flights of stairs and although I'm not old yet I am not going to be getting any younger. The TKS cab is a thing of beauty and easy to carry. Guys at bassgear are also great to deal with. Very happy with the purchase.

Only had 1 band practice with the 2126 and a little noodle about. Really liking it. Good full range, went from using a 610 to 2 x 210s and it lacked a little punch. This really does not lack any punch and feels a lot more solid across the range of frequencies. Need to stick some effects through it and see how it goes but my high expectations are being met so far.

[attachment=200334:2015-08-26 11.05.43.jpg] So technically I have had these for a few weeks but I havent really shared them on here yet so here goes. Tech21 VT500 bass amp + TKS 2126. Cab was in stock at bass gear and at a very reasonable price. Think it needs back corners but that might just be me, will see if it bugs me. Also waiting on some rack ears to land so I can get this thing gig ready. Also anyone want an ABM rig? Will be in the classified very soon.

Sorry, been waiting on a delivery from bassgear to accompany this amp so will try and get some more info soon as it arrived this morning.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1439846027' post='2846261'] Hee, hee. Don't worry about the video, but some sound clips would be good, if possible. What I really want to know is... does it sound like a VT Bass on the front of a power amp, or an amp that's set flat? In other words, is the Preamp and EQ of this amp in any way similar to the VT Bass pedal? Good review, thanks very much for posting. [/quote] Having never had the pedal I cannot comment I am afraid. I will see if I can get some sound clips later in the week.

Soooo.... I make no claim to be good at reviews and will maybe try and get some video at the weekend if I can. First practice with the amp and I'm really loving it, good warmth from the drive. The character control really allows you to get some tone through or completely shut it off if you want a more dub/reggae tone. It has a"pad" button which works as an active bass switch. Didn't realise this at first but resorted to flicking through the manual and saw it, make a lot of difference as my bass was being a bit boomy beforehand. The EQ is very usable and a little nudge can do quite a lot. I didn't really play around with the Mid shift function as much as I would have liked as I was trying to not bug all of the other band members but tried it a couple of times with some interesting results, sure I will get the hand of it later on but I had far too many other knobs and buttons to check out. Was playing with the bass boosted and little and the highs cut a little. Normal smiley face if you will. The bite function is like the bright button on my ABM. nice bit of extra high end. Not really my type of sound so it went on and straight back off again. I was running it with my two ABM210 and had it up to about 3 o'clock. From there though a little nudge again resulted in a large volume gain, whether this is a ramp up for the last portion of the power or just how it came through the mix I didn't feel like the amp was near the end of its volume range and easily as loud as my ABM500. Only bass I used was my Dingwall but might take the Warwicks down later in the week and have a mess around. So what have I missed. Ah yes, the blend and drive. The drive didn't quite break up in the same way as on the ABM, it has a much softer lead up but can do very nasty if cranked. I had it set between 12-1 and it was giving a nice edge to the sound but not going full distortion. The blend was I think around the same position but I would have to check. So yeah, overall first impression are good. All the knobs and chasis feel sturdy, tempted to stick it in a rack case just so it is a little more protected. I am very happy with it. Need to spend some more time playing around with the EQ but am going to be in no rush to sell it on. Might be and ABM for sale soon though.

Its here, have practice tonight so will report back tomorrow.

So looks like these are finally in stock at Thomann and really hoping mine ships ASAP.Will report back as soon as I have it.

Cheers for all of the input guys. Sound will very much out weight my view on the looks of the cab. Keeping a healthy back is more of a goal of this move than having the coolest/poshest looking cabs. As I said, I was looking to see if anyone had back to backed TKS or bergs or barefaced. I get the feeling I will have to wait and see what funds I can raise and then see what is on the market or what is in stock with Bass Gear and Bass Direct and such and make some travel plans.

Have had an ABM500 III for about 5-6 years now and its a great amp. Lovely amount of warmth and power. Little bit of grit from the valve. Never really used the compressor or the sub harmonica though. I have finally decided to try these new fangled light weight amps and have a Tech 21 VT500 on order and it seems to fit the bill the best. Looking like end of the month now though before it will arrive.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1438940410' post='2838781'] I havent said anything as im selling two TKS, but if you are ever down South Wales, you are welcome to try them, with no obligations. They are great cabs. But as has been said, you really are spoilt for choice. Just need to decide what suits you best [/quote] I have spotted them don't you worry. Might be visiting family in Swindon in September so if they are lingering I might make a visit across. Need to sell a couple of bits to make some funds first though.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1438935440' post='2838718'] I've got lots of experience of the TKS S112's and S212's. Great cabs, extremely high quality, light, and (a bonus for me) ceramic. They're far more to my taste than the Berg HS210s and EX12's I ran beforehand. They sound more natural, with clearer mids. IMO, you can't go wrong with them. I've also used a few Barefaced cabs before, and quite liked them. You're spoiled for choice, really. [/quote] I have been admiring your set up on the TKS thread and they are the ones that have tempted me so far. How do you find the S212 + S112 set up compares to a 2 x S112? I am thinking due to the staircases to our practice room and the fact I only have access to a small car that two small cabs might make more sense than one 212. Might have to make a trip to bass direct and bass gear and try some stuff out once the new amp arrives.

So I've been playing with 2 Ashdown ABM210T for a couple of years, briefly have had a 610 but for the size of gig we do its overkill, not gigging much lately but we currently have a practice room that is up 3 flights of stairs and I want to go for something a lot lighter. Currently using an ABM500 but have a Tech 21 VT500 on order... looks like its end of the month before it arrives. So, I am either looking for 1 off 4 ohm 500w cab or 2 off 8 ohm cabs. From reading and checking around I get the feeling that 2 off TKS S112 would fit the bill nicely. Price is not the cheapest but might be worth it. What would be the barefaced equivalent? Is there anything else that can match these for sound and portability? Is there a better one cab solution? Play 5 string with low Bb in a metal band so need some decent volume to get over the loud as hell drummer. Cheers for your suggestions.

Dan sold me an amp and cab last week. Very easy transaction. Met in the middle so not too far to travel. All in all an easy transaction.

So. Initial impressions of these are the same as others. Compared to Warwick EMPs which have been my string of choice for he last 2-3 years the texture is something is very different straight from the off. Much smoother texture and much quicker to play as your fingers aren't grating on the strings. This is not to say that other strings are bad in this way. Just to say that these feel easier to play fast on. The sound is great and bright. I do not have a set of fresh EMPs to do a direct comparison but they are definitely on par. So, with only a couple of sessions at home under my belt I can say I am very impressed with these. They are a good tension, nice and bright and easier to play. Will take me a few months to see what the drop off in sound is like and to see who they hold up to getting a little dusty and sweaty over time. For reference they are fitted to my Warwick Corvette FNA Jazzman 5 string. This bridge has already been filed down a little so these fit okay. I think on a brand new bridge these might have taken some fettling to fit.

Price has is not much more from effectpowersupplies. Might be tempted to take a plunge and get one of these on order. Hmmm.

Never had any problems with EMP coated ones. They fit perfect. Cost a little extra up front but last for ages. can easy get 6-12 months out of a set depending on use.