gadget

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1482224389' post='3198520']
A few years ago I saw a great sounding bass player using an LM3 with 2 102HF cabs. I've never been a fan of Markbass cabs but he lent me his back line on the gig and I liked it. . . a lot.
[/quote]

I actually think the 102HF is the jewel in Markbass' crown! Its been a fantastic cab in my experience.

Regards
G!

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1482223493' post='3198510']
My one question would be, do you DI to FOH?
[/quote]

Really depends on the situation and size of the gig? When I do DI out, its generally before the amp anyhow (most engineers here are very inflexible like that - even when insisting otherwise), but often I will play with just the amp to carry the tone (I prefer it that way were it can work).

Regards
G!

Thanks for the views so far, all helpful. I also usually wouldn't consider stepping away from what I know and love, but as mentioned, I'm currently at a crossroads, and the endorsement thing is kinda in limbo (long story - and in no way Markbass's fault) and with spending so much money, I wand to make an informed decision. The reserved bassist in me wants to stick with what I know and love, but as I say, so much good stuff has been reported on the Berg cabs, that I simply cannot ignore them, and obviously PJB's marketing division speaks for itself (I'd like to cut through the marketing and get actual hands on opinions)!

So that's kind of where I am coming from with at least sticking with an MB head, and considering another cab. I just wish I could try them all side by side first! Most likely I'll bottle out and go with what I know, but I have to explore.

Regards
G!

Hey guys,

So firstly, sorry if you feel this has been done to death, but searching has not provided the answers I am requiring, and I need your vital and valuable life experience.....

I'm currently looking at buying a new rig. I have played Markbass for the past 10 years, and been an endorser for the past 5. I absolutely love the tone of the LM3 with the 102HF cab, but I'm currently at a crossroads......

I'm almost certain I'm going with an LM Tube 800 head (though am also looking at a PJB BG-400), but can't decide on a cab....

As mentioned, I love the STD 102HF, and may just add a second one to the stack, but the other options I've been looking at are the Bergantino HD-210 or the PJB Compact 8. Being in Cape Town, I can't try either of these out as they are simply not imported here (too specialised for this market).....

The Bergantino may be a little too costly with shipping and VAT etc, but I've read so much good about this cab I cannot ignore it? Is it worth an extra 25% to 40% more over the others mentioned here?

The PJB gear has always piqued my interest, and I love the idea, but having no tweeter, I am a bit concerned about being able to control the sound as much as I'd like to? I tend to play with the 102's attenuator at around 10 o'clock. I'm also a bit put off by the fact that it is 4 Ohm, so limits me to this one cab (I like to mix and match as needed with cabs).

Barefaced and Vanderkley were also being considered, but are just too expensive for me to be able to afford the shipping and VAT on top.

Any decent advice on which way to go?
Regards
G!

I'd have loved to take the 6 Pac but the shipping to Cape town would be somewhat silly. What is its actual weight?

Regards
G!

So does this mean its sold?

Cheers
G!

I'd snap this up in about 5 seconds flat if I had the cash! Good luck with the sale bud!

Regards
G!

[quote name='gsgbass' timestamp='1374337117' post='2147786']
I'm seriously contemplating adding the Traveler 151P to the 102P I have. Your set up is fantastic Sir. Local players are giving me the pros, and no cons of the setup.
[/quote]

I've never been a fan of 15's, as I always find them flabby and boomy, but I will say that this 15 is the best sounding 15 I've ever used. To be honest though, I'm looking to swap out the STD151HR for another STD102HF. That little 2x10 is just sublime, and amazing! I've played to a crowd of 400 strong with no PA support, using only that 102HF, and it handled it beautifully! I can only imagine a pair of them would be phenomenal!

Haha! I like the 'surprised rig' comment! Took me a while to get it, but the coffee's kicking in now! Nice one!

Regards
G!

So I thought I'd already shared my rig pic here, but I can't seem to see it in this thread, although I have just shared the same pic over in the epic monster Shuker thread, but its probably more appropriate here I guess? So here it is......

[URL=http://s13.photobucket.com/user/gazzgadget/media/Studio%20Gear/BigG-MarkbassRig1-resize.jpg.html][IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/gazzgadget/Studio%20Gear/BigG-MarkbassRig1-resize.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

See my signiture below to see what it all is. Such a lovely warm sounding, yet clear and articulate rig.... Its almost a modern day paradox! Love it!

Regards
G!

So its been a good while since I last posted anything here, so I thought I'd share some updated pics of my beloved in action.....

Recording in the home studio...
[URL=http://s13.photobucket.com/user/gazzgadget/media/Studio%20Gear/BigGBassmanB2_zpsdfccc216.jpg.html][IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/gazzgadget/Studio%20Gear/BigGBassmanB2_zpsdfccc216.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Playing Live opening for some of the biggest name in South African music....
[URL=http://s13.photobucket.com/user/gazzgadget/media/Studio%20Gear/BigGFancourtcopy_zpsb643a887.jpg.html][IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/gazzgadget/Studio%20Gear/BigGFancourtcopy_zpsb643a887.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

And a Promo shot for Markbass....
[URL=http://s13.photobucket.com/user/gazzgadget/media/Studio%20Gear/BigG-MarkbassRig1-resize.jpg.html][IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/gazzgadget/Studio%20Gear/BigG-MarkbassRig1-resize.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Love this bass soooooo much! If I was able to have it rebuilt, the only changes I'd make to it would be Delano pups instead of the Bartolini's, and to have blue LED's down the neck instead of red ones. As it is though, its just too good to part with. Love it.

Regards
G!

Hey! This is my old bass! Although it still just about had the 'R' of 'SDGR' on it then. The previous owner before me had tried to do a repair job on it, but the R just wouldn't stick.

Anyways, if anyone is looking for a versatile and easy to play fretless, this is great choice. The range of tones available with the EQ is huge!

Hope you get a sale soon bud!

Regards
G!

If neither of the two before me take it, let me know? I'd definitely be interested in this if I can just raise the cash and organise a family member to come pick it up (unless you are going to travel to Liverpool anytime soon?)....

Anyhow, I'll worry about all that once you know if its still availble or not?

Cheers
G!

Is there really no one with an opinion on either of these two basses? That actually surprises me a lot.

Anyone?
G!

Haha! Nice Try.

Not a Fender fan, and I'm based in Cape Town, so getting it here would work out rediculous, even if it arrived in one piece!

Regards
G!

Hi Folks,

I'm looking to buy an acoustic bass, and wanted to know your opininions on the Ibanez EWB30 and the Takamine Jasmine ES100-M?

Anyone played either? Both??

They are both available at the same price 'used', but I can't try them against each other, so I wanted to know what you guys think of them?

I used to own a Takamine Jasmine Acoustic 6 string, and it was great. Well built and great tone, but as with most cheaper makes, they can be inconsisitant.

My ultimate acoustic bass would be a 5 string Tacoma Thunderchief, but they are significantly more expensive! So whilst I do not expect these to reach that level, I do still hope for the best?

Which would you choose and why??

Thanks in advance.

Regards
G!

Hmm. Interesting that that never showed up when i did a search on the forum? Oh well, thanks for the link! Good to see some pics again!

Cheers
G!

Oopsie! Typoo! Hehe!

Yer, he was a Dental technician, and I remember chatting with him at one of the bass shows years ago, before I moved out here.

Just wondered what had happened, as the net doesn't even deliver a picture on any searches.

I'll go take a look at that link now.

Anyone else got some info/pics? I know there were a number of threads about them on Bassworld, before we changed over to Basschat, but nothing appears here either.

Cheers
G!

I've been following this thread, and found quite a number of interesting perspectives, so thought that I'd add mine.....

Over the years I've owned somthing like 19 basses. Everything from cheap Hohners and Corts, to Stingrays, to Overwaters, Pedullas, Goodfellows (GB) and many others. The one that I've settled with is a Shuker. Its the third or forth Shuker I've owned, and the only thing I would consider changing it for would be a Jerzy Drozd Legend.

To pick up on some comments here... Does my Shuker make me a better player? Absolutely! It makes playing a lot easier, and feels perfect to me, which frees my hand to flow better. I had my concerns about having a bass custom made for me, as I tend to also fall into the camp of 'try before you buy' players. But as mentioned, I had owned a few Shukers already, and knew that they all felt great, and played incredibly comfy. When getting this bass made, I requested that Jon make the neck as much like a Stingray 5 as possible, whilst maybe making it a tad slimmer. I asked this as I have always found the Stingray necks to be incredibly well suited to me. He couldn't have done this better. I can go into any shop, and pick up a Stingray, and I'm instantly at home, and familiar with its feel. So why did I bother with a custom bass if a Stingray suited me so well? Well, theres a couple of factors here. Firstly, comfort aspects... I wanted a hollow body to increase sustain, and reduce weight for my poorly back. Secondly, I wanted specific woods to help with tonal characteristics. I'm a big fan of maple, and love the sustain and tone it provides. For those who don't believe in woods affecting the tone, it makes a potentially large difference, and certain woods used in certain combinations can really emphasize specific tonal qualities. Thirdly, I also wanted a bass that was unique to me. There is no quantification on how much a bass that is specifically unique to you can lift your 'game' so to speak, and in my case, this bass certainly lifted it significantly. I find myself doing riffs on this bass, without even thinking about it, that I otherwise wouldn't even attempt on another bass. So, yes, for me at least, owning a custom high end bass has made me a better player.

To get more specific to the OT, if I understand correctly, you are asking whether a High end bass of the calibre of Fodera, Ritter, and even Smith is worth the extra money compared to 'cheaper' custom high ends like Shuker or Sei (never thought I'd consider Sei cheaper)?

If thats the case, then its a difficult one to answer? Technically, that Ritter for example would not play THAT much better than the Shuker, but small differences can make a world of playing as I can contest to. Really, a bass manufacturer like Ritter (specifically its more pricey basses) are aimed at collectors, who will most likely stick the bass into a glass case on the wall, and maybe even never get it out to play it? They do have lower end basses that are still pricey, even compared to Shukers and Sei's, and still look like furniture, and will be played generally in studios or special occasions. In essence, the additional price tag hte likes of Ritters brings is purely the labour of love that is put into these basses. This is not to say that Shukers do not have as much love 'laboured' on them, but I would guess that when Jon set up shop, at least until he gets a big name for himself, he has priced his basses to sell, whilst making just enough profit to survive, and develop the company. This is a good business model for a reletively unknown luthier. Ritter on the other hand have specifically gone the opposite way, and aimed their basses at collectors and enthuasiasts with lots of Moola, whilst still having some basses in almost reachable price ranges.

So, if you want a practicle tool of the trade, the Shuker is more likely a better solution, but if you want a work of art that will hold its value, or possibly increase, especially if you never intend to play it, then the Ritter becomes a viable solution. Personally, I see little point in owning a bass that you never play, or are afraid to get out its case, incase a dust particle settles onto its finish. But as many have mentioned, if you've got the money to buy one, and it works for you as a player, then theres no reason why you shouldn't spend the extra cash at all. It won't be THAT much better than an equivalent Shuker that the price justifies it, but if it encourages the player to pick the bass up and play more/better than the Shuker does (which being a shuker player would find hard to believe), then its worth every penny.

Just a comment about Sadowsky's.... Lots of people here love them, and wish they could own one, but for me, they do absolutely nothing for me. They just look like an over rated Fender copy. No I've never played one, but not being a fan of Fenders to begin with, it would be pointless, as the aesthetics of the bass do not inspire me to pick it up, even if it plays great. Aesthetics are also a large aspect of playability for me, so Fender copy is not gonna cut it for me. Having said that, I'd love to get another Shuker Jazz bass. I find these to be a great 'copy'. Surely that makes no sense I hear you ask? Well, the Shuker Jazz basses have a smaller more comfortable body than the originals, and as stated, I like the feel of the Shuker necks, which brings this bass back into contention. I feel the same way about the Lakland 55-06 Jazz copy, where the neck works for me, and the body is suitably different to not be too much of an original Fender Jazz. Each to their own. Just to quantify, before any one gets offended, I am not dissing Fenders, although I've had plenty of reason to over the years, but am rather just stating that for me personally, they don't work. If they work for you, thats great. For me I just can't get on with them, and find them overpriced for what they are.

Regards
G!

Hi Folks,

I was reminded earlier of these rather bizarre, if not very innovative, hand made basses that seemed to be pretty popular around a decade(ish) ago, and I was wondering if anyone remembered them?

Are they still around? Anyone own/owned one?

Anyone able to dig up any pics? The web really doesn't turn up much info, as when you search for Bass Surgery, you seem to get lots of Plastic Surgeons pooping up!

I'd love to see some pics again, so hope this develops into an interesting thread!

I remember the designs were rather pointed, and somewhat resembled a lethal weapon of some description? I also remeber they had an incredibly hefty price tag too!

Hope someones able to dig up some info?

Regards
G!

Just to add a bit of info here... I used to have an original Saber A 5 string, but regrettably sold it! An action thats bitten me in the bum on more than one occasion!

With regards to the 'action'. When you lower or raise the action of the string, there is an adjuster in the bridge that raises and lowers the optical pickup as well. You adjust this until the sound is its strongest. There is info on this on the lightwave website if I recall?

As for the sound, you will get some 'fretbuzz' from the system, but its not as aggressive as on other basses. Adding in the Piezo will obviously add to this 'fretbuzz', and can give you as much buzz as you'd expect from any bass with a piezo built in. The lightwave tone is quite stunning. It gives avery strong fundamental note, and is very clear, even when set to more bassy tones, with the top end rolled back. Its a very natural sounding tone, but can have a good bit of bite in there if you want it to. Laid back is NOT a term I would use to describe, but there ius a good deal of warmth to the sound, even when made to sound more aggerssive.

I have not played the newer models, so I cannot comment on how the VL5 compares, but in essence, it appears to be the same kind of design, with a few minor changes. I alos cannot comment as to whether (or how) any improvements or revisions to the pickups or electronics have changed things? I can only imagine they have gotten better, but it was already good to start with, so alls good!

Hope that helps? I seem to be struggling for words today.

Regards
G!

Very much kinda gutted, but very happy for you both! Enjoy!

G!

Too true! For 675 quid, this is a rediculously good price for one of the best built basses from the UK!

I've owned 3 Shukers, and loved everyone of them! Regret selling the two of them, and the third I would not part with in any hurry at all! I was considering buying this and then having it fretted, but costs are prohibiting this, especially since I can't get my money back to the UK easily at present! Gutted to let this one slip, along with one or two other recent basses, but guess thats how the cookie crumbles?

I'm sure some one will eventually snap this up? What happened to all those people looking for 6 string fretless Tanglewaters? This would be a higher end alternative for the same price (no offence to tanglewater)!

Regards
G!

Yet another stunning dream bass! So wish I could take it off your hands!

Hope you get a quick sale!

Regards
G!

Ok, thanks man... But I'm afraid I'm out.... Hope you get a buyer soon!

G!

No one tried one?? Seriously?

G!