Musicman20

Super good prices as well. If you think about it, most people want a combo for small gigs or for at home, so probably not much point spending a massive amound unless you are into the whole jazz/blues thing and never need a louder rig. The Markbass 121P is about £800, the PF 115 + PF500 is about £650...and will be louder and probably have a nicer high end as it hasnt got that horrible piezo.

I've just been checking one of these (unfortunately unplugged as the storm meant Soundslive had to shut). I must say, these looking VERY well built. Everyone knows I am a stickler for QC and aesthetics, and these cabs look stunning. Fantastic covering, big chrome Ampeg badge, excellent grille cloth. Apparently they aren't that heavy. If the PF500 was more reliable, id pick up a nice combo like this.

Exactly, you don't want complete sub bass anyway.

The Gold speaker GK cabs are notoriously bad. The rest get good reviews.

Their website needs updating. I don't think you buy directly from them anyway....they supplier to your store.

Will a quality 2x12 outpace or almost outpace a decent 4x10? I'm also thinking of getting another 2x12...vertical alignment, (the Neo X212T) but I'm also consdering high end 4x10s.

Can I just say how much I LOVE Strats, and I'm quite upset that I've never been in a band with a guitarist using a decent Strat. What a fantastic tone. Exactly what a guitar should be...not going into the bass territory and sticking with nice spikey mids and springy highs.

Ok, so I contacted Polar Audio, and they got back to me VERY quickly, and with some good information. Nice to see a good distributor! Here goes, hope they don't mind me typing what they told me. GK (USA) told them this: [color=#1F497D]“As of January 2012, all models have been assembled in the U.S. However, there is some existing inventory still carrying a China designation. Primarily this is the MB212, 212MBE and 410MBE. We will be sold out of all China made inventory soon, at which point all products will carry a Made in U.S. designation”[/color] [color=#1F497D] [/color] [size=2]Polar Audio - They said they have checked a couple of the MB800’s they [/size][size=2]have in stock and none of them carry a ‘Made in China’ designation. The USA NEO cabs should be available towards then end of August.[/size] I then got another response, even though I didn't ask anything else stating: [size=2]"We can confirm that all the MB800s available from POLARaudio are USA made[/size]". Good news all round. I don't in any way need another amp, but the MB800 seems a right little beast.

I'd love to try the new 1U Puma 500 or 900 with the M212. Why don't Tecamp have distributors in the UK?

Like these! Great job.

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1340727610' post='1708716'] iPod's an interesting example though because its design aesthetic contributes to clear functional limitations but people like the aesthetic enough to work within them even to the point that they don't really notice the limitations. Sounds rather familiar to the world of bass cabs... [/quote] It is limited, but the one thing I like with Apple and the iPod and iPhone is just how SLICK it all works. Despite the fact there are more powerful mp3 players and phones out there, Apple just works right for me. The user friendliness is right. Yes, some of the more 'aesthetically pleasing' cabinets/amps WILL no doubt fall flat against a well engineered version, BUT, there is no problem in having good engineering and good aesthetics. Aguilar, again, is one of them. I have yet to find a 2x12/1x12 I like as much as the DB112/212. I've tried as much as possible, but nope, the DB cabs win so far.

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1340697226' post='1708114'] A total aside here, but everyone seems to be blind to what influenced the iPod, and many other "unique" Apple products, and it bugs me a lot, having studied product design for my undergraduate degree. If you flick through Braun's 60's product catalogues, you'll see that not all of Ive's designs are original, but very clever reinterpretations of, or at least homages to a lot of Braun's work. I wouldn't believe for a second that Ive would have gone out to copy anything, but clearly he studied a lot of Braun's work and it reads as the main if not the only influence in his design >> [url="http://gizmodo.com/343641/1960s-braun-products-hold-the-secrets-to-apples-future"]http://gizmodo.com/3...o-apples-future[/url] </aside> Back on track though, Gareth is spot on about the need for some more proper thought and marketing behind the look of these cabs and the company identity, Aguilar is a very good example too - high quality products, at sensible prices with very strong branding. Those weird little PA style Thunderchild cabs could be the best thing in the world, but without considering how they look, they'll always be a geeky choice and never make it onto any big stages. I work in design and advertising these days and it's not rocket science or expensive. It doesn't take much to have someone come up with a nice logo for starters, a nice, clean, professional looking website, again, it won't break the bank either. I guess some of these products might have been a bit of an accidental success, and the brains behind them perhaps weren't prepared for it?... Eude [/quote] Thanks Eude! I knew someone would understand where I am coming from eventually. I have no dopubt Apple borrowed heavily from a fair few previous ideas haha! The other thing I like about Aguilar is the minimalism. Small classic fonts, nothing 'in your face', just classic yet modern approaches. I even think their pedals look fantastic, and its a pedal!!!

PS - The low notes on Rihanna sound great! That's what I meant about more meaty, and that does it The JT song sounds great. Wish I could hear the drums kick in at the beginning...but its of the middle part. I know you need ultra professionalism in this game, but maybe a few more shots of you guys/girl really 'getting into it'. There is nothing better than seeing a band really enjoying it.

First of all, you will no doubt out play me by a mile. I wish I had the time to play more often but my career couldn't be more opposite from music haha! Slick presentation. Good bass playing. My criticism would be the mix. The guitar tone is 'not for me' at all, but thats just personal opinion. I'm not 100% keen on the bass tone (needs a bit more ommph and low mid) but your playing is brilliant! Vocals seem pretty damn good, but sometimes too low in the mix (the guitar grit seems to get in the way).

Fantastic quality!

[quote name='TheDaivisch' timestamp='1340703835' post='1708217'] Is there something wrong with the Chinese ones? Dave [/quote] Nah doubt it, but the patient side of me knows the USA assembled versions will hold their value for longer.

Ah well I'll have to wait it out then. It is confirmed that they HAVE moved back to USA for their construction though...as there are pictures of the new MB amps with the USA stamp on them over on Talkbass.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1340691119' post='1708060'] IMO, you get the balance right. So, when do we get to see this product around here..? [/quote] Plus one. Just right. They look very professional and I've heard they sound fantastic

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1340663629' post='1707938'] Gettting it right? Or getting it familiar? Just because bass cabs have looked pretty much the same since 1960 doesn't mean that's how they s[i]hould[/i] look, at least not if their main purpose is to be listened to. Not that they need be ugly, like these close relatives of Daleks: Those who can afford the hundred thousand quid a pair go for must not be bothered by their look any more than the likely Picasso on a nearby wall. [/quote] Not familiar, just 'right'. I personally know I have a good eye for aesthetics and what looks almost like art. I'm personally one for making things look right. A coat keeps you warm, but isn't it better if it's a coat that suits you and looks great?! I like to think I pay attention to the way I look and I enjoy getting new clothes, shoes, etc. All products can look good if it's thought about. I don't mean 'this cab needs to look like an Ampeg 810E', it isn't that, it's making a logo that shows the product in the right light, and doesn't look like the 80s Peavey logo, it's making the right choice on the fit and finish and colour, and making those finishing touches. Look at Aguilar. Great product. Great sound! But, there is something else, a kinda 'New York' vibe meets Apple sheen to their website and their logo, to me, matches their individuality and personality. I look into this deep, I admit, but getting a bit of art/marketing advice is very easy and cheap for any business. Heck, even I could do it. Off the musical topic, look at the iPod and how it influenced companies like Nintendo to make a minimalist white console (Wii). The Wii has been a massive massive hit. Part of it is the modern marketing and the fact it isn't an ugly massive box.

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1340328933' post='1702998'] They are the same speakers in both ranges of cabs, as far as I understand it. the difference is in the size, quality and construction of the cabs. There are multiple stories around of MBE cabs suffering awful boom problems and also bits of hardware breaking or falling off them. Also cab buzzes and rattles in the MBE cabs seem to be too common also. The neo range also have much nicer, higher cost, tweeters and also adjustable tweeter control. My experience with my Neo 212 has been all good and I have heard/read very few (if any) horror stories about them. THe cabinet is just as (if not even more) important than the speakers in a bass cab. The MBE range are OK, but are very much built down to a price. THey are what they are. If you played them side by side (which I haven't) I would suspect that you would instantly choose the Neo range. [/quote] How you finding the 2x12?

[quote name='TheDaivisch' timestamp='1340661519' post='1707875'] Would this be a chinese one, then? http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Gallien-Krueger-MB800-Bass-Amplifier-Head~ID~17422.asp [/quote] Not sure but I want one haha!

I think ALL engineers, no matter how difficult they find it, should find time to get the aesthetics right. Heck, they are probably missing a huge chunk of the market. The Baer's look great though