Musicman20

To be honest, Im a sucker for anything Musicman/Fender sounding, so it would have happened one day anyway!

I've ticked the box of Big Al 5 SSS, already got one. I wanted a Bongo as soon as I started hearing quality demos of them. Odd, yes, distinctive, hell yes. From memory, I thought you praised the Bongo a lot when you had yours?! Anyway, it had to be something exciting and new. The price was too good to ignore as well, due to my waiting times etc. My band tend to like anything I do sound wise. It's nice to mellow out with a P bass, but its also nice to liven things up. I was going to get a 'superjazz', but to be honest, I wanted something more ballsy. My Fender Jazz does the superjazz as much as I need when I engage the Aguilar TH pedal, so that's another story haha. I looked into the Reflex, but it was a lot more money. I'd rather wait to see what happens with the Game Changer.

If you want an Ampeg 'stack' within a lowish budget, I would stick with the Portaflex cabinets. If you have a higher budget available, you have a lot more options!

Unfortunately for me, the (probably) longest thread I've started isn't very positive! Never mind ay! Anyway, update. I am not going for a Classic Stingray, mainly because the last one I tried wasn't exactly what Im looking for, and to be honest i'd rather have the 2EQ in a modern standard body (eg no mutes, with contours, less weight on average, etc). Plus, the Standard 2EQs are MUCH cheaper, and I know they work for me. The Classic's look great, don't get me wrong, and the sound is spot on, but as I'm after a rosewood board mainly (and a Classic with rosewood means less figuring) and I don't need the extras (the mutes are a cool feature, but I wouldn't use them much). So, I am actually taking a go at a....wait for it.....Bongo. They also have a few HH Rays with a normal headstock, so Im looking at a deal for both and taking the MHS price off the Bongo. So far, it looks like despite all these problems, I am getting these items at very very good prices.

i think the Streamliner has a totally different opposite feel when it comes to transient, agreed there. It does indeed have a low punch to the note, which Ive never heard on other Genz amps before. Whether that is suitable for everyone is obviously moot, but agreed that the OP needs to check these out properly and take everything into account.

It doesnt have that heft of the Streamliner 900, but I always dial the lows back on that anyway. The Streamliner does indeed kick like a mule, agreed. Funnily enough, the 450 I had was used mainly in extremely difficult situations for a bass player, eg cutting through 2 very high gain loving guitarists who had 100W tube amps and 4x12s. It did indeed cut through no sweat.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1318930067' post='1407748'] Ignore this ^^^ The RH450 is loud, but the way it deals with transients is worth investigating. [/quote] WOT - Wasnt referring to the transients/compression of the amp. The 450 is extremely loud, and ive really put it through its paces. I havent gigged the 750 much, but the 450 happily had enough volume (in fact appeared louder than a Markbass LM3 and Shuttle 6.0) in gig settings. Transients yes, if you want really fat lows, this amp isnt for you (althought the Staccato WILL), but the compression thing is emulating a tube amp being pushed a little, which is exactly why the older Ampeg crowd seem to like it. if you want a similar tone to a SVT w/sealed 810, eg low mid kicker, the Rh450 is it, albeit in my eyes with more to it and modern tone abilities. Re: absolute volume, I would not even begin to listen to the barrage of rubbish on talkbass about the actual volume. Most of them never owned or heard the amp and have an agenda. They are also probably home-based musicians who are far too interested in internet banter rather than gigging it. Another note - I wouldnt really take on the specs of any testing by a magazine, no matter how 'truthful' they aim to be. I have great faith in Bass Gear Magazing, its really good! There are too many variables, and its best left to the sound engineers and industry experts. Even the GBenz GB amp came in at a silly low wattage, apparently because it wasnt tested correctly. There are some interesting developments coming from TC in the near future re: actual wattage and efficient testing.

I was just going to say ask Clarky! Here he is

From my limited knowledge on the Tonehammer 500 (although I have the Tonehammer pedal) the amp itself is a slightly more vintage orientated Aguilar tone; less of a modern 'twang' to the high end compared to the AG500. I would like to try one but I have no need for one unfortunately. Aguilar gear is always solid, stylish, and has its own signature Aguilar tone. If this amp is like their cabs and pedals, it will be great. The TC amps on the other hand have always been a favourite of mine. I love the quality, tone, size, and weight of these amps, and the fact the features are actually USEFUL is another positive. The RH450 does have a more subdued high end, (eg it doesnt have Marcus Miller treble sizzle) but the RH750 does get you there for that if you want it. The RH450 is more of a low mid kicker of an amp. Great for picking your way through a mix but still supporting the band. Ignore all the comments on actual/perceived wattage. Both amps will be loud enough for most players on here.

I'd be interested to know exactly where the tone goals sit with these cabinets. My only gripe would be that in the near future Jim may well be able to go down the neo route again, and if he did, id probably one those! I'm eagerly awaiting the reviews for these.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1318855106' post='1406876'] I wonder if that's the sneaky real reason why they've done it. [/quote] More than likely! Eg, spend more if you want pickguardless Jazz.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1318853088' post='1406811'] I'm surprised fender don't class that as body chambering & charge another £300 for it. [/quote] Lol Yep, its normal. No one can do a Jaco unless you pay more money! Or, don't mind huge routing holes.

Oh no, totally agreed, its not 'unplayable', apart from the fact the nut doesn't appear to be cut deep enough and the E string saddle is right near the bottom, and the action is really high. Its playable, and as much as it may need a SLIGHT tweak on the truss rod, (obviously I wont do this as its packed to go back) i still don't think it will ever get a lowish action. Nothing like my H 2011 Ray which plays like a dream! The sound, from my brief test before I started investigating the issues, is great. So, thats not an issue. However, as seems to be the general consensus, when you get to certain price, the build quality has to be to a high level.

EBMM said they were looking into it with great immediacy! So far, it will have been 2 weeks by Weds.

It's me and Darren at BM doing the lot. Not heard a peep from elsewhere.

Nice setup!

Yeah, they are nice, but the differences for me are minimal...and I really like my mids. the 2EQ has a great warmth to it, which Id like, but im not sure Im after the Classic slab-body, extra weight, and metal battery compartment. I like the easier modern variations so it would have to be a new modern 2EQ for me.

[quote name='sshorepunk' timestamp='1318761278' post='1405785'] Just had a good read of this, all 12 pages! I've owned several 'rays, currently have two (been playing one all morning :-) Great basses, like has been said, when they are right, they are right! Hope this hets sorted, the classic ray seems like a good option if it comes off A few years back I got hold of a 5 string 'ray. White with matching headstock, maple neck, HH with white covers, looked very, white! I found out shortly after, that at the time, this bass shouldn't have existed! It was an order that was put together in the UK! I think EB frowned upon it at the time! Around the same time, a friend of mine in the music trade, told me that EB were a bit pissed with S&T's putting orders together from what they had in stock, i.e. necks, pickgaurds etc. They were insisiting that the correct spec' bass was ordered from them if they didn't have it in stock! Sounds like they are still doing that? Hope you get sorted! Tony [/quote] Tony, this is spot on....exactly what my thoughts are on it. Not to be so suspicious, but I think its an 'easy money' option for them, which is not appropriate, and not what I'd expect from a huge dealer. It very much reminds me of the English 'wheeler dealer' which isn't appropriate. We are in a recession so you would think they would be happy with how much money Ive spent (a lot of the past 18 months). I will add that in the past I have amazing service from S&T....but the last year, not so much. I think they forget that in the end, the customer is king. We can walk away and get our money back. In this scenario, I really like the HH, so Im negotiating with BM about the few that S&T currently have in stock, eg asking them to QA the one they send out 100%. Im not really bothered about the matching headstock so that chunk money can go towards a Bongo or 2EQ Ray. Im not sure I really NEED a 2EQ Ray. They are so close its not really that important, but id still like one!

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1318667798' post='1404876'] [u][b]BREAKING NEWS![/b][/u] I woke up on the sensible side of my bed and decided to cancel my order for the Sandberg 5 strings "aged" I simply don't need it. Besides I have another project in the "air" with Mr. Sheldon Dingwall, so... wait and see. Watch this space. p.s.: this is the first time I ever cancel an order, I am embarassed to admit, I've never backed out on a decision before but what's in the pipeline will be more interesting. [/quote] Ah, sometimes these things are not meant to be. I dont think it will hold against the Dingwall's anyway! Looking forward to seeing what Dingwall is coming!

Well, as much as I dont mind a small upcharge to get a Classic (which is a fair bit more in most shops I think so it was a good deal I was offered) I don't feel in the position to upgrade to a higher model without a full test before I buy it. So, as much as its calmed down, im re-negotiating my options. EBMM did email me, but as yet, no outcome.

750!

[quote name='daz' timestamp='1318609781' post='1404374'] Sounds to me pretty obvious that the original order was lost, and this was a rush job botch and they hoped you would not notice. PS if you ever buy another one, why not get a trusted friend to buy it for you, and try and trick your bad luck gremlin that way ? [/quote] Haha, quite possibly! That is a good idea re: asking a trusted friend to test. The saga continues at the moment.

I've no idea if the 2x12 vs 1x12 (x2) concept applies to ALL types of manufacturer, but I have seen others discuss this, and they noted due to the overall larger single size box, the 2x12 feels slightly 'bigger' in terms of sound. I've no idea if this is true, to be honest. One thing to consider is that the 2x12 may be voiced differently anyway (on purpose) to give a different tone, because of the idea that its a mid-sized cabinet. Eg the Berg AE112 x 2 are suposedly more aggressive compared to the AE212 which is apparently smoother, and sounds a little 'larger' in the lows.

Flats and drop the treble...a lot. It definitely works. Or, use old nickels. The 2EQ inherently sounds warmer/bigger in the lows and low mids, and the 3 is still 'big', but has more definition and a modern tone. All in all, its a Ray. I like both, hence Im after a 2EQ now as well.