Musicman20

I've lost interest in these types of event...seems a bit like those video game shows/car shows. Just seems like too much effort to try something out for five minutes. I'm not really one for watching master classes or bass soloing. Also seems like the guys who go crazy slapping are trying to heighten their ego. I think going to a good store would be more interesting.

Guitar...most of what you know (eg how to use your hands on a bass) can be transposed to a guitar in some form. The necks feel tiny though!!! I'm doing the very same thing simply because I enjoy it, and most guitarist I know don't have much creatively...so ill do it.

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1362137024' post='1996203'] I play mostly funk and disco so they suit quite well but with the GK you can get a good rock tone also... I just really love Aguilar cabs. Not had a chance to use them in angst yet but just playing around yesterday I think they are gonna keep me happy for a very long time. Kool.... they are still in virtually new condition ;o) [/quote] Ay! I totally babied them! I think the current Aggie UK cab prices are insane...used to be able to get a DB212 for about £600...now? Probably £850.

How much is a GT200 nowadays?

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1362084822' post='1995654'] As of today I'm now 2x 2x12 [/quote] Those are my old cabs! They are stunning. I only sold them to get one 4 ohm DB212. Sometimes wish I had these back. Enjoy...they are one of my favourite cabs...period.

I saw a Spector Euro LX4 today....think it was a poplar natural burl? There was a black one as well but black doesn't interest me. All I can say is WOW. They look superb. I was never a Spector fan but their attention to detail is drawing me in. The through-neck quality is just amazing. I didn't get chance to play it....it has two EMG humbuckers...if was a PJ I would have tried it out. How much do these cost new nowadays?

Nice gear, very very pricey but I bet the tone is great.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1361978371' post='1993954'] ....anyway - how do these cabs sound in real life? Anyone? [/quote] Bingo! Anyone? I for one am very happy this isn't me involved in an online dispute. From my rock n roll perspective, I just hope it sounds good and performs well, that is all I care about.

That P bass does sound awful! The Jazz/Ray/Bongo sound lovely. Cool vid.

I realise this is getting quite heated haha! For me, it could quite possibly be a mis-aligned bridge. I've seen it a few times, and it also means the string don't align over the pups properly. Fender aren't known for taking a lot of attention to detail. These problems do happen. Unless its glaringly obvious that it is merely down to setup, I wouldn't waste time/money get it set up. I've never once took a bass to get it setup. I barely tweak my basses, but luckily most are EBMM's with the superior truss rod wheel adjustor. This sounds like more than a setup problem.

Sounds great Lozz! I have been very careful with buying recently, and despite looking, I still haven't found the 'right' American Standard 2012 Precision. I am definitely going to go with Olympic White though, despite some of the other colours being cheaper at some stages of the year. I tried a Charcoal Frost 2012 and it played and sounded awful. I don't think it had been looked after though. As soon as there is some kind of offer or rebate, I'll be picking up a 2012/13 P bass. I'm still unsure whether to stick with rosewood or get a maple to have a slightly different feel.

Hmm. I'm not sure this is the best route for MB. They seemed to target the mid-high end audience, and I think personally having a budget line just weakens the brand a little. Probably good for their business, but IMO, they should stick with making what they do, and keep it all in Italy.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1361788797' post='1990686'] If you're not happy now, any niggle will only get worse as time passes and you'll wish you had done something about it. [/quote] Agreed. I am annoyingly aware of errors with instruments, so I woulde exchange it. I have seen plenty of Fender's with the string alignment out, and Laklands, but there are plenty that are right as well. For £650+, you have a right to have an instrument that is spot on. If a CV Squier can get it right, so should this.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1361732460' post='1990063'] Fender guitars seem to work very well with Orange amps - the sharpness of the Fender tamed by the warmth of the Orange. Gibsons can work well, but they need a bit more working on, as it can sludge a bit. [/quote] Yeah, I took some advice on the gear matching. Everyone seemed to agree that the Orange tone works very well with a Tele. If I were to get another guitar, it would be a USA Strat. I'd love an SG but the Fender single coil tone works well for me.

Words cannot describe how good this combination sounds. After spending years 'following' the ideas of guitarists in bands, I've decided enough is enough, the music I want to play is in my head, so I need to get better on six string. All I really want to do is right songs, record the ideas, and then perhaps take up rhythm in a band later down the line. I'm alright, but I want to get better. So, although my heart lies with bass playing, I've been spending time with my guitar setup. Why does it seem like guitarists have it 'easy' in a sense? Quality guitar, few nice pedals, decent tube amp, done. Maybe I hit it off right with the guitar gear I have, but its the tone I've wanted from a guitar for a long time. Plus, the TC Electronics Nova Reverb sounds SUPERB. I love how the Orange amp reacts to ever so slight differences in how hard you play the guitar. It goes from shimmery cleans (although not Fender clean, less sterile) to a great rock warmth, and all in between. One tone knob for each channel!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1361730204' post='1990005'] Gareth, just been looking at the spec/prices for the MB200. All looks good and at £195 even more affordable. Only has one speakon socket but I'm guessing I could daisy chain my two MB 2 x 10"s. Well I now have three amps to think about [/quote] Ay! Agreed...its a great time to be on the hunt for gear. Plenty of great amps.

[quote name='Phil-osopher10' timestamp='1361706915' post='1989450'] Hey musicman20, What makes you think that it is a beginners amp in comparison to the other two? [/quote] From the marketing it seems they are aiming these at beginners, as Markbass didn't previously have a low price option. Now it appears they have.

I think your best bet for a backup would be a GK MB200 or TC BH250. This Markbass amp seems like a real beginners amp to me.

[quote name='danhkr' timestamp='1361623044' post='1988396'] Hey if it aint broke... [/quote] The LM3 could have many improvements made, not sound wise, but the limiter needs improving, the low mid needs lowering, etc etc.

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1361535132' post='1987069'] So, TNT were woefully bad, but once they finally collected it on Friday, it was with Orange on Monday, fixed Tuesday and with me on Wednesday. He put a new PSU unit in there, a new bulb and new screws as they had been chewed up. All free, it wasn't even discussed. [/quote] That is stunning service. Half the reason I went with Orange is because they are easy to deal with and respond/sort out repairs quickly. You wouldn't get that with other manufacturers, apart from perhaps Genz...but as they are through Fender UK, I doubt they would repair out of warranty gear for free.

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1361473067' post='1986337'] Guessing you haven't tried a BFM cab then... [/quote] No...and to be honest from the descriptions I don't think they would suit my goals unfortunately.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1361463243' post='1986087'] Nearly, but not quite! It's Class T, so it has some of the Class D benefits, but it also has an all-important (IMO) toroidal transformer supplying the power... and no fancy-pants power management circuit. [/quote] Ah makes sense!

I didn't know this until yesterday, but apparently even the AG500 has a Class D poweramp...!

My viewing of a few recenty shows the differences in every level of Fender: MIM 70s Jazz - Beautiful finish, good matching of grain between the pieces of body wood, excellent binding and blocks, flawless neck pocket, superb fit and finish throughout. MIA RI 60s Jazz - This bass looked cobbled together, patchy paintwork, rough neck joint, one pickup looked like it was a few mm out of line, generally disappointing. Didn't feel great when I played it. About £1000 more than the above. MIM RW Nate Mendal P Bass - As with the MIM 70s Jazz, superb build, and lightweight. Again, £1000 cheap than the RI 60s Jazz. Weird.

It's a tough one. Huge mass production, so there are some 'bad' ones around that looked cobbled together. For the recent MIA prices, I would expect a lot. I have two very good MIA Fenders, (2009, 2011), but I've played many bad Fenders. It doesn't put me off, it just makes it hard to buy one. If you can, try before you buy.