Musicman20

This doesn't apply to our specialists, such as Bass Gear/Bass Direct, as they know their equipment etc. But, one thing that REALLY winds me up is the whole 'laid back semi-amateur musician' image that even some high end guitar/drum/bass shops demonstrate. It's one thing being in a band, thinking you are going to make it, its another working at a music store, being arrogant and NOT knowing your product, (which happens too often for my liking). The whole laid back/scruffy in your jeans and band tshirt does not wash me with; I'm expected to be on my game, 100% professional, and exceptionally well mannered at work. If I go into a shop, I expect the staff to do the same.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1375182897' post='2157652'] Modern Fenders are being produced in such large numbers they will never be an appreciating asset. If you want to get the best out of your outlay, get a good instrument and play it for the next 30 years. [/quote] Probably very wise!!

I think the new Vintage re-issues really look great, and have a good set of features, but I wasn't impressed when I saw one close up...(the Jazz with the MHS).

I've played a fair few modern ish Fender's and a few older ones. I've also played some from the late 90s/early 2000s. The worst Fender I ever played (and owned very briefly) was a 2000 - ish Natural American Jazz. Absolutely awful bass. Thin tone, poor fretwork, poor finish, and just plain uncomfortable. I own the two (IMO) of the best Fender's I've personally played. I sold or sent back the rest, or just didn't bother even buying them. One is an American Standard Jazz and one is an American Standard Precision. Both are from 2009-, although are not the latest versions with custom shop pickups. Both are lightweight, VERY well made, beautifully finished, and have perfect tone. They cost less than the current higher prices, (one by a considerable margin of £350 and I bought it new!). If you want an investment, you might be waiting a while, but the prices are creeping up so you might get it to hold its value. If you want the great modern refinements, including the superb and superior bridge, get a modern Fender, (2008 onwards). I don't have a lot of interest in vintage basses. Maybe this will change later down the line.

I have a feeling the MiBass hasn't been a massive hit. I've no idea why they stripped down for version 2.0.

Never had to do it, in over 16 years. I've made minor adjustments myself.

I MUCH prefer the Roscoe in terms of spec and aesthetics.

My god a Bongo with a graphite neck would sound so modern and aggressive it would be unreal!!!

Bongo

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1374427938' post='2148613'] To my taste , Gareth , the Bongo is pretty close to being perfect . I would love to try a single H and compare it to a 'Ray . I wonder what their reason was for making the single H Bongo a three band EQ ? [/quote] Me too. Not sure in the EQ...maybe to make it more Ray like? I'd like one at some point.

Agreed that the Bongo EQ is perfect.

My 2010/11 whatever it is Musicman HH Stingray has the best 'single H' Musicman bass tone I've ever heard. It is EVERYTHING I craved with a Musicman, and more. 3EQ as well. Pete - I'm shocked you've had to go for a different pre.... My Musicman 5 HS has such a good tight low B its unreal...and for the price I paid a few years back I'm very happy. You could go all out and get a Bongo. It will blow your mind.

If you crave the very modern and quite bright Trace tone, I would opt for a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2/9.2 or Max 9.2 I have a Max 9.2 and it can get that Trace tone and many more. It can do a very tight, bright, aggressive tone, to a more subdued, fat, warm but clear tone with grit. I used to own a Trace GP12400SMX and the Shuttlemax is incredibly light, well designed, fairly small, and very very flexible.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1374417507' post='2148477'] Well to my ears the compact has the same "clarity and bite" as my epifany UL310 with tweeter disabled. IMO if you need more top than a compac provides then you need a horn/tweeter of some sort. [/quote] It will have upper mids...and bite. I doubt Alex would engineer it and use a speaker that doesn't do that, but if you want the snap...trebly string winding type, then you need more.

Really good. Not listened to Zep for a while but I have HUGE respect for them...brilliant band.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1374336995' post='2147784'] Don't know why people go for this... Who would want a sound that didn't sound good out on its own..? If there is a quiet passage in the song that is where you want the bass sounding great, IMO.. [/quote] I agree. It's not hard to have a good tone that you like whilst setting up at home which can then be tweaked a little for each gig. The LM2/3 with a P Bass is pretty good for just slotting in to anything anyway. If you want more ping and treble it'll be the lack of tweeter (although a good midrange speaker will get you there as well eg the Baer cabs).

I agree that a Compact with a quality tweeter would probably sell quite well.

If you are buying new, just choose a store that allows you to return it (as they all no doubt will) should you buy it and not like it.

Have a good un!

You need a cab that allows more treble sparkle through eg a tweeter.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1374243202' post='2146830'] The Big Bang is a cracking little head. Vaguely sits in between the LM3 and F500 but I prefer it to both. Even has better options for MP3 input and headphone listening than the RH450 [/quote] I think its a good idea, but Markbass just need to make a new improved LM4...with the same tone, a better limiter, slightly more power, semi para mids, and an mp3/headphone input. Oh, and a better DI.

I would personally opt for a Precision, Jazz or Stingray. Custom build at this point is probably a bit mind boggling. Plus they lose a lot of value unfortunately.

Depends on your tastes. The RH450 has a tone that is similar to a 'tube amp through a sealed 8x10'...eg not huge thundering lows, more of a kick in the low mids. It won't have the really sparkly highs, but if you want that, the RH750 will give you that. To this day, I've tried all sorts of micro's, and I still like the RH450/750. The DI is absolutely superb. The tube tone is good, but very good at low levels. Depends what grind you like. The presets work well, the tuner is fantastic, and despite them limiting the watttage on the power module, (remember that there is no proof that its a low powered power module in there...more than meets the eye) you can crank it all the way and it won't flinch....at all. I compared the 450 to a few 500W amps at the time and it WAS a louder amp. However they achieve that, it works. Markbass amps tend to clip quite horribly when they hit their limits. They sound good, but they've lost their way since the LM3 and F500....no idea why they have so many different amps that aren't really as good as the LM3/F500.

Are you possibly pushing it too hard? As with a lot of amps, the master at 12-2 o'clock might be the amp hitting its limit. It's a cool little amp but will only push so much.

[quote name='shippo' timestamp='1373885685' post='2142558'] Just to reitterate here, the question is whether this is the norm, not if I can/cannot live without alcohol. [/quote] Exactly. I'd say there is an expectation not to be drunk or drinkig heavily during the gig, (and perhaps watching behviour when onboard) but that is pretty common sense which most of us would adhere to anyway. Total ban? No need.