alexa3020

I’m looking at buying a second hand stingray. It looks to be in great condition. However, I’m just wondering if anybody in the know can tell me what the deal with the finish on the neck. It almost looks like it’s made of 2 separate bits joined together. is it normal for them to be finished like this?

Rufusized, by Rufus & Chaka Khan. Heard Chaka Khan many times before, but wasn’t aware of Rufus at all. What a great band & the cover of stop on by is top.

Unfortunately the one I’m using doesn’t have any LEDs. I did have a play around with headphones & managed to get my head round what was going on. So I have a rough idea on what I want. I doubt I’d be able to hear what was going on if playing at band volume though

Tc vintage compressor fitted to pedal board. Let’s see how it goes

You probably have a point. Perhaps the only advantage will be that I can have it at the start of my signal chain. I probably wouldn't go out and buy a pedal, but given that I already have one, I think I'll have a little play and see how I get on. The TC vintage comp is a copy of the T rex Comp Nova all the vids I have found on youtube are with guitars - Hopefully that doesn't matter. I'm guessing there's no real difference between a compressor for guitars and bass

It’s just basic subtle compression I’m after. I didn’t realise I would find it that useful, until I used it. Now I’m thinking am I missing out on something. Glad I have found the Tc to play about with. The guide from @MuddBass is excellent too.

Thanks for the resource - I'll take a look. Since writing the post, I have remembered I bought a TC Electronic vintage compressor years ago - which I think I still have (will have to do some hunting). I don't know if its decent or not but at least I should be able to experiment with it

Little bit of advice required. I have an onboard compressor on my Ashdown ABM evo iv head which I have never used until last practice. On previous amps that I've used with onboard compressors, they didn't seem to make a huge amount of difference unless you really cranked them - and even then I never really liked the result. On the Ashdown, I added just a touch of Compression, and I found it to be really useful - reducing the dynamic range of the bass just a little and evening everything out a little. Now I'm wondering if I need a pedal, I'm led to believe the onboard compressors on the ABM's are not great. So I'm thinking would I benefit with a decent compressor pedal? The main issue is where should the compressor be in the signal chain? I've always thought rightly or wrongly that it should be at the start of your chain. I have found that if the compressor comes after the fuzz for example, you lose a bit of definition. Unless I use the effects loop, the onboard compressor will always be after the fuzz. It'd be great to get peoples take on this.

I've got a Barefaced 210s for sale in the marketplace 500w - its a 4ohm (or 12 as its switchable) so you'll get the full wattage from your amp. so plenty loud enough if you're interested. I've also got a TC BQ500 - which I intend to keep as a backup - but could be persuaded to sell. In all honesty I am not a fan of the TC & its put me off Class D heads as a result - it just didn't feel right at volume. I think headroom with Class D is really important, so the more powerful the better. Of all the Class D heads I tried the Aguilar TH was probably my favourite. Never tried the Original head - but the rootmasters are decent. I like Ashdown's a lot - particularly the ABM range - which is what I use now.

I tried both amps, the most noticeable difference is the drive. On the RM it is more of an overdrive/distortion sound. if I was gonna go for the RM I’d definitely go for 800w version. I think headroom is really important with class D. I went for the ABM, due to bad experience with class D. I’m very happy with it. there are some good deals in the classifieds at the moment with the ABM 600

I do wonder if the most accomplished musicians feel like giving up sometimes too - wherever you’re at with music, for most there is always a higher level to strive for and someone who is a level above you. whenever I feel like that, I remind myself some of the most brilliant music has been very simple

@BassAdder27 how do you find the pro neo cabinets? I’m considering getting 2x115 cabs

I switch it on (which is out on the amp) in my heavier band, seems to sit a bit nicer in the mix. I find you can crank the volume a bit higher so you feel the bass without it being too overpowering in the mix

It was when I tried both, I realised that I only needed one. it might be a nice to have an alternative sounding cab. Might be better suited to one of my bands too. There are a few lightweight cabs that have caught my eye including the ashdown pro neos & the Ampeg pro Neos. I haven’t been able to find a huge amount of info about the ashdowns though.

Barefaced 210 user. Great Cab, it’s plenty loud enough, fairly mid focused. I got a bit over excited over lockdown and bought 2. They look great stacked, but the reality is I’ll probably only ever use 1. So there’s every chance one of mine will be for sale soon - I’ve only used it for a single practice too, so it’s not even broken in yet. if I can get a decent amount for it, I might go for a more hifi cab, like a Bf big baby/twin or Aguilar sl range. Both of which are fairly light and I’ve heard nothing but good about both.

I’d be interested to hear what you think of them in the band situation, and how close they get to the old heavy ABM’s. There’s a 2x15 that I play through at my rehearsal room which I really like - mega heavy though. Just wondering if the neos would do a good job of replicating that sound.

Hi lozz, it’s been a few months since you got those cabs & I’m just wondering if you’re still liking them?

For future reference, what do they charge for a service?

My set up is p bass with barefaced 210. volume is set to max on the p bass & tone usually about 3/4. My input on the amp is set about 2pm & I find that it’s peaking in the red on the vu meter. I find that I need to boost the highs - I think perhaps because of no tweeter in the cab. Id be interested if other barefaced 10” users do this? I also take out some of the bass because it sounds a bit boomy in the practice room. try to keep most other settings flat, but sometimes need boost the low mids to cut through in the mix. love the valve drive & it is always on at about 2 o’clock. As lozz says, it just fattens the sound and adds harmonics. I’m also finding you need to be driving the input for the valve drive to have an effect. shape, compressor and sub octave usually off. My setup is fairly new to me at the moment, so I’m still figuring things out. I do seem to be getting it sound that bit better every time I play it in the band environment.