Al Krow

Yup: more bass player's grin, less space at home for 95% of the time and smaller bank balance. But also less grumble from your back

But you were seriously thinking of a whole day trip up to London over the weekend, so I don't entirely buy that 😂

Well let me start by actually using a synth pedal live (which I'm much more likely to do with the SY-1) and I can always 'graduate' to the C4 when these start coming up in the FS in six months time, if the consensus by then is that it really is that much better. I've decided to nail my colours to the SY-1 mast and I'm sticking with that for a while And although you say there is no 'hurdle' to using the C4, there's a reason why @GisserD hasn't given it a spin despite having had it for a few weeks; it's not that he's not tech savvy, he is (and a lot more than me)! Bet you if he'd got the the SY-1 it would be out and being used from day 1. Mine certainly will be.

Agreed. Ok in which case, the more expensive and potentially more capable C4 and FI win out for home noodling then 😉

+1^^ That's exactly the conclusion I came to i.e. BF SC + (in my case 450W at 8 ohm) D class amp = great combination of power & portability

And FOUR times the ease of use of its current leading competitors. I'd rather have something that is allegedly only half as good as e.g. the C4 or FI but that I actually end up using as it doesn't require a PhD in PC editing / oscillator theory to make sense of! Does depend on your key priorities e.g. ease of workflow vs sonic perfection. The former will appeal to many gigging bassists who only need to find a couple of usable synth sounds for live use but who absolutely require great tracking; the latter likely to be more a priority for recording (but then you're in competition with much better quality keyboard synths). Horses for courses.

That is an interesting take. I've only played the Mesa D800 briefly and wasn't particularly blown away and a fair number of folk have commented that it is quite 'dark'; there seems to be a lot more love for the D800+. The LM3 is undoubtedly a good amp (I had a sibling for 4 years in my AC Lite combo), but with some significant EQ centre point short comings. These EQ shortcomings seem to have been fully addressed in the new Marcus Limited range and then some! In the non D class range I have no hesitation in saying that the Mesa M6 is a truly outstanding amp.

Finally(!) some bass samples being uploaded. Tracking seems fine from this clip although it will be good to see it played with faster riffs. Nice demonstration of polyphonic capability. Looking forward even more to mine arriving in due course now!

Not particularly come across Jackson basses as being 'big' on BC. But this recently released SIGNATURE DAVID ELLEFSON CONCERT BASS CBX-M V has got my attention! 5 string PJ & blend knob reverse P EMGs 3 band EQ 35" scale graphite reinforced neck £659 GAK in the UK (vs $750 in the US?) Downsides seems to be purely active; no passive 'fall back' 21 frets rather than 24 frets heavy??

3. Helix Stomp vs Future Impact (Synth) 1-0 to FI

Bite the bullet, you know you want to. https://kytary.co.uk/digitech-mosaic/HN153214/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIraeav-bu4wIVDbTtCh3ZtQnGEAQYASABEgIy9PD_BwE Don't bite the bullet you know you don't want to.

Never played an M3 (or an M9!). @agedhorsewill will be able to answer your query next time he's on this forum. But in the meantime, I'm guessing the mid point 3 / flat setting of the 5 point selector dial.

Not something to worry your pretty little head over, then is it? 😋 Agreed - that's likely be a better use of both our time 😎 In the meantime, I'm going to spend some quality time practising my one hand clap technique...

Haha - same to you @Osiris with regard to the Stomp compression vs dedicated compressors. I'll happily add a couple more when folk have contributed their tuppence two-comparisons worth... The synths on the Stomp are not in the same league as a Future Impact. Sadly I can no longer compare 'cos my FI has now departed pending the imminent arrival of its successor, but I'm sure Mr @HazBeen will be able to confirm. It's like comparing a Non League club to the Premier League. @LukeFRC - obviously this thread is gonna bore you senseless, so no need to lurk...😂

First off, the M9 isn't 900W. It's 600W at 4 ohms or 320W at 8 ohms i.e. the same as the M6. The main differences between the M9 and M6 are (i) the 9 band EQ and (ii) built in compressor neither of which are available on the M6. The M3 has a cut down version of the power module i.e. 300W at 4 ohms / 160W at 8 ohms and doesn't have the active 5 voice mid-voice switch which is available on both the M6 and M9. This provides quite a nice additional 'instant' piece of tone shaping. The EQ centre points on the amps should otherwise be the same (will be clear from the manuals - I've only really delved into the M6 manual as that's the one I have, but a quick look at the manual of the other two seems to confirm this).

Exactly! In fact compulsory on every poll

Unlikely: carrots are massive on TB.

Sounds great!

John - you are, as ever. too kind. But... 😄 Hopefully the wider BC community of Stomp owners will step up - if we each contributed two comparative reviews we would probably have 50 or so! Oh, it looks like I've done my two 🤗

Yup their RM series seems to have been very well liked by our fellow BC'ers!

Nah, they wouldn't give a stuff about what we think tbf "Is Glasgow / York / Bristol etc** in London? I love London"...🤣 ** delete as applicable

I'm also a big fan of portability! Personally I'd want a minimum of 250W for a pub gig, as I am not putting the bass through our RCF 310A PA speakers. So I'd be looking at the Fender Rumble 500 rather than the 100, which puts out 350W without an extension cab. I played for four years with my MB combo - the only 'flaw' in the old LM3 heads was the EQ centre points and EQ 'black hole' between high mid and treble, but that's been addressed in the newer range. Otherwise I was very happy with it. However in terms of portability and comparable quality I'm not sure there is a combo out there that matches my BF SC (21 lbs) and D class head (another 6 lbs or so)? The BF, whilst really good, isn't the absolute best sounding cab I have played through**, although it's undoubtedly a step-up from my MB cab. But it's easily the most convenient and is a keeper because of its overall very good sound and weight. But when you're including price into the mix (even buying used) combos can definitely steal a march. [** I would rate a VK 210 MNT / LNT, Fearless F112 and Berg 212 all ahead of it].

Don't think the price was ever above (the already high) £1,299 over here.