Al Krow

Ibby GVB36 new from Muziker in Germany earlier this year. All good (kinda had to be - as production of this model had ceased and it was the last one available in Europe!) But maybe you're only asking about used basses from fellow BCers in the FS?

Seems to be quite a lot of love for Nordy P5 pups on this thread. Unfortunately the P fitting on the 2 series Yammy BBs is a non standard size. The newer 3 series BBs have changed to a standard size.

I stand corrected; my point was that they're not a P though.

I do hear the point that the choice of pups is going to make a big difference here. I'm struggling to see how EQ is going to make much of a difference in that this is low end territory and it's about the low B string notes cutting through. So gonna primarily be about 80Hz to 100Hz bass frequencies and the last thing I want to be doing is overly boosting the bass EQ.

Yup, indeed, but it's a JJ config not a P.

We recently added a few songs to our set that make use of the low D and C on the low B string e.g. Uptown Funk Immediately obvious to me that neither the P nor P+J settings on my Yammy BB1025 bass cut through the mix at all, whereas the solo'd J bridge pup produced a meaty crunch for the really low notes, eliciting comments from bandmates of "sounded great, what pedal was I using to deliver that change?". No pedals involved at all - simply switching to the J pup. The PJ setting had until then been my default so I'd tried various ruses including raising the height of the low string P pup but to no real avail. Got me thinking that when Leo was sorting out the P bass configuration, 5 string basses were not even a twinkle in his creative eye. Also got me thinking that the reverse-P set up, which several brands have as standard, would get part of the way there by having the low B and E pole closer to the bridge to produce a tighter sound, but that if I really wanted a meaty / crunchy low B that didn't get lost in the mix then actually J pups on my 5ers were going to be essential part of the armoury. Probably been the single biggest bass learning point for me in 2019, so I'm sharing in case it's of use to others. But my experience is derived from one bass (albeit a very well regarded one) and one set of pups - so in good BC fashion, please feel to disagree. Happy Xmas!

Ah that is generally a very fair comment. However Harry knows exactly what my herd comprises having popped round to buy a bass off me, and I'll have to fess to being a big fan of his bass playing! With something like an F bass, you kinda have to go with the steer of your trusted basschat mates as, unlike more mainstream basses, they're generally not something you can try out at your local PMT store.

Ahh you know my weak spots! Anything that's too 'nice' or too hi-fi tonally is not getting past 'go' in Krow herd...particularly at £3k+ entry fee!

Yup! This one in Bass Gallery - which is just a GAS inducing drool in every other way - is the weight of a neutron star...

Why would you buy a head you couldn't use at home as well?

Ah I wonder if that is what has been improved on from Mk1 --> Mk2? That's a really useful tip-off btw thanks!

In terms of spec the Mk2 looks identical to me. No doubt I've missed something but if it is the same, I'd much rather pay £175 for a Mk1 than £400 for an identical Mk2.

If you liked the Boss OC2 then the Valeton OC-10 will deliver that tone in a compact package for a very good price. Review with sound samples in the gear review section. I'd personally avoid the Boss OC3 (it was very meh). The MXR 288 BOD is good but often has a very noisy circuit. A used COG T16 can also be picked up within your budget - I really liked it set with clean blend for fattening up my sound. I've actually managed to replace them all with the octaver effects patch on my Helix HX Effects, which would make sense if you're wanting to do a lot more than just octave, although it does do octave down very well.

There's a BN5 in the FS right now! But translucent red is not really my thing. Hmmm, wonder how easy it would be to get it refinished?

Amen to that. And don't even think about getting me started on the subtleties of compressors 😂 Can you hold down a groove and play with a bit of flair? If you can cut through the mix, whilst you're doing that You'll be 90% of the way there. The punters will love you, and your band mates... Well - they will keep out of your hair.

500W at 4 ohms, so going to be around 300W at 8 ohms. I do have a slight hesitation on the EQ centre points, but I reckon these could be finessed with a bit of care: Initial reaction was that bass centre point was just too low at 50Hz and that would be a deal breaker for me, but I think the way I would work it is by cutting a touch at 50 Hz and engaging the PUNCH switch which boosts by 6dB at 100Hz; Semi para mids with a choice of 250Hz (which would be my default) or 600Hz via the MID SHIFT, gets am unqualified tick from me; Treble centre frequency is 8KHz (which is very high) but compensated for by the BRIGHT SWITCH which provides a 10 dB boost to frequencies above 1KHz. Like the fact it has aux in, head phone out AND a tuner on the amp (yeah!). And DI gives pre/post EQ options. Currently £239 elsewhere. But at around £175 posted (allowing for forex costs) from Thomann - this does look like great value. And as a back-up amp (or indeed a main amp) should give the Bugera heads a run for their money.

Neat!

If you want outstanding tracking then the polyphonic Boss SY-1 easily outperforms here, and doesn't require you to change your playing style to something less natural. It doesn't have the programmability of the FI or C4, however, although it does have 121 accessible settings.

Rounding the year off with a very esoteric bitcrusher pedal trade and have just lined up a cab trade to potentially get my old Fearless F112 back in exchange for a rather glorious Berg CN212 which is itching to be gigged. That cab trade may not actually clear until early new year, but looking at Sibob's small print from last year's thread: as the deal was done and dusted in 2019 it shouldn't count as a 2020 acquisition methinks. And then I should be set fair for the whole of 2020. Oh how the Krow household laughed.

@leschirons great mini review, thanks! I had to smile when you said pointless having stuff that only gets played at home. I'd have to shift a whole bunch of my gear if I followed that rule! Do you recall, what was the weight of your BN5?

Forget 200Wm this literally goes to 11 (and way beyond). How many amps go to 11?? This thing is going to be LOUD 😁

He's been using his BN4 a lot in his videos and raving about them. For the money, are they as good as he says? Who's got one and loves it (pics please!) or, just as interesting from my point of view, decided it wasn't for them and if so why?

Not surprised to hear that:"early Thumbs with EMGs" aka Spector basses 😉

I would look away right now Mr D. Bass5 - the Ibbys are coming in thick and fast...😁 Both those Ibbys really are very tasty, doc - you've clearly got an eye for a bargain!

Seriously, buddy, you could far far worse than an Ibby SR! Used prices are very good value, too. I'm with Woody in being a fan of the SR Premium range in particular.