Musicman20

[quote name='chris_b' post='1352155' date='Aug 26 2011, 10:54 AM']My experience is that the Staccato has a ton of "deep bottom". It's the only amp I've used in the last 20 years where I've had to wind the bass back, and the volume is on a par with a 500 watt amp. For years in the IT business we’ve seen aggressive marketing campaigns of this type. It’s called FUD, fear, uncertainty and doubt. You don’t concentrate your marketing on the positive aspects of your product you just try to undermine the competition by innuendo. The hysteria being whipped up certainly smacks of being a coordinated "attack" on TC. This makes me suspicious of the motives. A bunch of Americans with an agenda doesn't make TC amps bad. We should see this campaign for what it is.[/quote] Probably the most sensible post ive seen on this subject over the past week, plus one to that. The Staccato has masses of low end, I tested one out before the RH450. It definitely does not lack low end/clean power and its essentially the same amp. It does seem rather 'coordinated' with many saying 'id sell now if I were you'...ridiculous.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1352153' date='Aug 26 2011, 10:52 AM']Also, an amp that distorts will give the impression of being louder at lower wattage from the harmonics, but also, its wattage will show up low, because you call it maximum just before it distorts however much. It might be 236w at 0.01% distortion, but 500w at probably acceptable 5% (depending on the character of the distortion).[/quote] Is this, do you think, how TC rated it? I know many have said the modern AD200b's are not 200W clean tube power, but by heck, it is incredibly loud. Even if it wasn't id still keep it because the tone is great.

I can understand the reason, but I still think my 'careful' nature would never throw that many watts at a small cabinet, no matter what the spec./price. That, I guess, is just my lack of knowledge, but still, id rather have more speakers than cram it all through one.

In addition, and no disrespect to the Bass Gear magazine, but they had issues with Genz when they rated one of their amps at half the power! Apparently they then changed the system for measuring. If anyone needs 1000W of clean head room, and they use it, they must be playing some pretty large professional gigs against a loud band. The whole wattage chase gets a little silly. Again, I find after all these arguments, no one really complained (ok maybe a few on the sound) about absolute volume. 99% of the talkbass threads were saying the amp pushed more volume than the Shuttle 6.0/LM3/F500, regardless of tone. The 450 was marketed as a modern take on vintage tube tone, so its going to sound like a tube amp pushed, because its supposed to. Personally, im happy to use my 750, gig it, and ignore most of this because it will calm down, and those getting overly excited on other forums will get bored of arguing about something they dont own.

Wow, runs out of steam?! Seriously?! I can understand if you were in a really really loud heavy band against a few Marhshall stacks and you only had a 4x10, but then again, ive been there, and its super super loud. For everything else, its overkill. Even if it doesnt have a huge low end, and focusses more on a low mid kick with that 'pushed tube' compression, surely thats what it was meant to do? No one expected it to be super clean, crisp, with a huge low end. As some of the users of the LM3 vs F500 have said, the F500 doesnt go as deep/low and packs a bigger punch, which seems to make it seem 'louder' whereas the LM3 gets wider...the more you turn up. I think most were quite happy until the apparent wattage rating came out, and now everyone wants to jump on it. Sure, it isnt massively clean with a huge low end like the Streamliner, but for that tight low mid kick, that sits right in the mix and lets you cut if you want to, the 450 and then 750 is hard to beat, IMO and IME.

Apparently they wouldnt make him a signature model. I really dislike the Modulus designs...they sound 'ok' but a little brittle. Nowt like a Musicman Humbucker, no matter what the expense.

I think the Talkbass thread is ridiculous. Actually, I think some of the personal attacks on the staff at TC are quite excessive. I doubt TC will involve themselves at market level to the consumers again, which is a shame, because Ive had help/phonecalls/tested for Uffe and he's a genuine chap, and a bass player. I also think there is some sort of vendetta from the Jimmy M chap because they didnt want him on the test pilot program, Every thread he moans about TC, and now he is endorsed by Ampeg (who, lets face it, probably lost a lot of business to TC) I find it all ridiculous. It wouldnt happen on Basschat like that, and if it did, Id hope the mods would sort it out. I think there is more than meets the eye with the RH amps...its not just a case of 'oh its 240 ish watts', because they have build it a power management tool that essentially boosts that. Has anyone ever complained about the power? Not one. Most said 'this is the loudest micro on the market' (a year or so ago). It definitely outperforms the Markbass 500W amps and the Genz Shuttle 6.0 in terms of volume. I also don't trust any tests on wattage, because there are too many variables at stake. I am no audio engineer btw, I am always dubious about marketing but I am also dubious about isolated tests. It seems unless you have some sort of career/education in this field, your thoughts and opinions and batted off by the usual 'experts' which I find terribly boring and quite frankly, rude.

Just use a friggin Ray...

I cant wait to get it. I think aesthetically its going to be stunning! White/White Plate (spare HH Tort plate also)/Rosewood Board/Matching White Headstock/HH Pickups Apparently they are making it as light as they can for me!

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1345766' date='Aug 19 2011, 07:40 PM']Well it will definately do the Marvin Gay bass players sound. Re the Rancid sound - with newer strings, Ultra-Low and Ultra-Hi selected on the PF-500 I`m sure you`d be getting there, maybe drop the mids too - prob the 800 Hz setting. I think a tweeter would assist on that sound a great deal though. But with a Precision with new roundwounds, I`m sure you`d be very near. Interesting pointless anecdote, my last bands guitarist is American, and he was in a band that, through different incarnations, went on to become Rancid.[/quote] He wasnt in Operation Ivy by any chance was he?!??!?

£1600 has been my limit. It will probably stay that way until my career officially starts paying me proper money. I think in my head, £2500 would be my limit, but it would have to be absolutely mind blowing, otherwise, £1600 is the limit. The most ive spent was £1550 ish, on my 30th birthday bass, (very recently). I tend to spend a lot on gear anyway, but its coming to an end soon as I need to invest in golf equipment and a half decent Audi.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1350834' date='Aug 24 2011, 10:16 PM']I used to be a fan of Badass bridges but now I find their new HiMass to be pukka, proper pukka no need to spend the dough on a badarse.[/quote] +1

Thanks OBBM! I managed to get S&T on the phone whilst the phone wasnt busy at work...it seems they are awaiting a date now from EBMM USA so they can give me a firm date. Ive emailed them again directly in USA to get a more firm idea. Once I know, (it must be almost done!) ill be happy to wait again. Thanks

Can anyone please PM me with any contacts at Strings & Things UK, apart from the normal [email protected] ? I am getting a bit concerned about a Ray HH I ordered and paid for a long time ago, almost 6 months, and I cant seem to get hold of them, even when I ring. The phone line is always busy or passed to another department. Cheers

Sansamp BDDI Aguilar Tone Hammer 1 of these, job done!

You could always put them horizontal...on top of each other.

I am a collector, as well as a player, but I totally understand what you are saying Nigel, and agree. Ive gigged the now sold Sue Ryder P bass at large, very well PA'd and professional charity gigs. It sounded, well, great! I think I just like owning them, but Ive started to come out of this rut of selling...and I do buy but that will end soon as I want a nice Audi A4 and I want to take up golf more seriously. Less time to mess about, more time to enjoy. I do enjoy being a bass nerd though, just like my friends do with cars (and ultimately they spend/lose a LOT more).

Id stick with the DB212 (4 ohms) unless you need crazy volume. If you need more volume, id maybe add a DB410 to your collection for the louder shows (obviously can only use one at a time though).

GW - Great photography! How long did it take you to find a 'good un'? Im about to order a Jazz in 3TS/Rosewood from GAK...I have no way/no time to go round looking for the one, so Im going to have to try a few out...hopefully the first one will be good.

The MB500 is super when it comes to price! £450 ish I think on Thomann.

You have great taste Jim!