Musicman20

I've booked tickets to go see them yet again, because every time I see them they are great. It was only £25 I think...as I picked them up at the venue. Thing is, bands have to charge a lot as no-one buys their albums, they get them for free haha. MF is a total bass legend. He would wipe the smile off many a jazz player with his crazy fast picking. One thing I learnt when I was starting to get into modern punk/hardcore/ska is that its all in the pick. Get that pick technique nailed with the right speed and the rest comes quite quickly. This is why, IMO, its much better to be a bassist in a punk band compared to most metal where the bass is usually too slow, dull, and boring. There are expections, obviously, but if you love bass, punk (especially modern punk like NOFX, Lagwagon, A Wilhelm Scream) is the way to go.

To be honest, P's sound pretty similar to me no matter what. The only major differences I hear are in the ultra modern higher gain Seymour Duncans which aren't my thing. If you are playing fingerstyle, with flats, with the tone rolled off a fair bit, a cheap copy can almost get close to a high end boutique P bass, tone wise anyway. The rest is aesthetics, quality of parts (frets, wood, tuners, bridge) and the neck profile. Oh, and the fact most cheapie basses won't allow low action that easily without a few problems, (IME). Never played a NASH, but I'd like to. I'd rather get a real American Standard Fender with that money though, or a Roadworn Fender.

I absolutely WANT to like the RIC neck. I've been lusting after one for years, but never taken the plunge. I tried one in Soundslive and it sounded totally dead...no twang....could have been old strings. This was a few years back as well. I also disliked the ergonomics. Part of me thinks I can just push through all of that and get used to it, just because they look so frickin' cool. Looking cool is more important than most things.

Plus, it will IMO retain more value as it is. Modern American Standards need ZERO mods to make them better. Good bridge, good tuners, good pups, good coloured guards, etc.

The older you get the more you realise the P is already almost the king of tone, (Ray just knocks it off ) The J pup will, IMO, not blend that well with the P. I'd save up, and look into adding a J bass to your collection when you have enough.

It isn't highly scooped at all, in fact the GK amps have more of a scoop than the Streamliner, it's just in a different place in the mid freq. The Streamliner can be tamed easily with bass at 11 and mids at 1, which is then almost flat. Not really a big deal to move the knobs ever do slightly...still plenty to play with.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1342758497' post='1740480'] That'd be like everything else then [/quote] True!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1342725671' post='1740126'] I have said it before but I really don't think 2 1x12s are as good as 1 2x12, more versatile but something changes when they are not in one box. Try a Genz Neox 2x12T with any of the heads you are interested in and see what you think for yourself although that won't really be a gig volume. Mark is doing good deals on full Genz rigs if you go for a 2x12T too, good choice of Genz heads that will all sound awesome [/quote] Plus one. We all have different views, but I find the larger 'one cab' solution of the DB212 gives it a slightly larger 'feel' to the tone, but that could be just me. It was cheaper and easier for me to get the DB212 as its one 69lb lift with casters (included, and they come out if you need them to), and one cover. I absolutely love the Aguilar DB112/212 cabinets, and the Genz Neox 212T will also cover a LOT of ground. There is no real point in a 1x12 apart from low volume rehearsals, so if Im using 2, may as well use a 2x12.

The TC RS210 is a brilliant, lightweight, portable and nicely voiced cabinet. There are some guys who really know their gear on Talkbass and they rate the in the same tonal universe as some high end gear, and half the price! They are punchy, with tight bass, a low mid kick, and a very nice high end/tweeter IMO. The best 1x12s/2x12 I've heard, still, is by Aguilar. DB112 or DB212. I've tried the Bergs (although not the new line) and still the Aguilar to me sounds 'right' for me. The Genz Neox 212T is also rated as one of the best one cab solutions for a commerical 2x12 and its a fairly low-ish price, and low weight. It will punch almost like a 4x10!

I reckon you can get a 4 HH Reflex for £2k if you shop about...which considering what they are, isn't toooo bad.

[quote name='sime17' timestamp='1342727788' post='1740186'] I dunno if it's a 4 or 5 you're after - I recall a good review of the Jabba 5 in that bass mag the other year, the 5s are 34 (and a bit) scale too which should be comfortable enough after EBMMs, albeit at 19mm spacing (is that right? 45mm nut according to specs). If your SRs are anything like mine you might not mind weight either! Quite like those ACG Jazzes Eude- quite a cool angular take on the classic, if a bit skjoldesque. Some nice J5s on the website. Anyone know the scale? Or the price? Would he whip the skinny tuners off and bung some more trad looking cloverleaf ultralights on it I wonder? I can feel GAS coming on. [/quote] Yeah the style and scale suits me, but im now used to 17.5mm spacing...ill have to give it some thought.

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1342691924' post='1739290'] If you're keen on a 24 fret active jazz, how about an ACG J-Type? Scoop's one is an absolute peach! >> [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Gallery/308/"]http://www.acguitars...uk/Gallery/308/[/url] There's a rather tasty one in stock too >> [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/18/"]http://www.acguitars...k/Available/18/[/url] I can certainly vouch for ACGs, although I've not played a J-Type yet, I should hopefully get a noodle on one this weekend, can let you know me thoughts if you want. Cheers, Eude [/quote] Quite nice...ill take a look, thanks.

Want, can't afford...

I'm still loving the TC amps...2-3 years down the line. But its a matter of taste I think....you like them or you don't.

If you want real valve warmth and breakup, (from a small amount to pure grind) then the LM3 and the VT Bass Pedal are a very good option. The VT Pedal is, IMO, another groundbreaking pedal from Tech 21.

Bump...still considering one....

[quote name='sime17' timestamp='1342646563' post='1738782'] Ok dude you've convinced me... looks are irrelevent on an instrument. I'm gonna trade in all my gorgeous basses for some super-light and ultra-compact square headless Steinberger thingies. Mmmmm. Function over form! Anyway, gotta go, my mrs needs a lift to millets to buy some new shoes. Fire up the Reliant! [/quote] Haha! For me, if it isn't a design I find grabs me, I won't buy it, no matter what it plays like. There are plenty of basses that look great and sound great.

Really? Today I was thinking about testing a few out. I'm very picky about QC so maybe I should give it a miss?!

The Markbass NY122 is £680 ish on Thomann. Light, small, very flat response. Great cab.

[quote name='GetYourFunkOut93' timestamp='1342623783' post='1738087'] Not sure about 500w, Think I need abit more tbh Im not looking for massivly tubey anyways, So might go for the LM800 [/quote] Don't immediately jump for the highest wattage. Bass Gear Mag tested the amp frames for the Momark amps, and the lower wattage (500) seemed to hit or exceed their wattages, whereas the higher rated ones didn't get close. I've not heard the LM800, but out of your options, if you want higher wattage, I'd go for that.

Can someone please build me one of these cabinets?!?! There seems to be a lack of builders of these cabs in the UK.

I'd opt for the LM3 or the F1/500, or even the TTE500 if you are going Markbass. Reason? The 500W powered heads sound much warmer and more musical. The Tube versions aren't, IMO, tubey in the slightest. However, the TTE500 IS very warm and tubey, but also VERY clear and precise. Cabs? Tough one. Check Thomann for the Markbass cabs as they are fantastic prices at the moment.

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1342610196' post='1737760'] If you heard one and liked it, but had a concern about the looks, If you asked Alex he'd likely give you a recommendation on how to mod it's looks without affecting it's performance eg. using alternate finishes / coverings, a different style of grille (obviously covering the ports and changing rigidity would be the biggest concerns. I guess looks aren't as big a deal for me [/quote] That is more cost though. I think the UK would benefit from some fearful builders or custom cab builders like LDS. That way you get it right first time. It is only a cab, but most products can be designed with aesthetics in mind. Look at Aguilar.

[quote name='Eljay' timestamp='1342560162' post='1737206'] Here's mine. Mahogany with a BE Maple neck, one of 2 built (The other is an H-S and belongs to Dave LaRue) They soon will be shipping the Sunburst 'Hog Bongos as a PDN offering from MM. How, you ask, does an HH Mahogany Bongo sound? Haha. Very nice, thangu.! [/quote] I really wanted the burst Bongo but the UK doesn't seem to get involved with the Ltd instruments quite so much.