Musicman20

[quote name='Lozz196' post='971479' date='Sep 29 2010, 10:26 AM']I fell slightly cheated [/quote] I think if they sound great, I wouldnt worry. They are very sneaky on their specs. Big boo to Fender thought.

15s have moved on, without a doubt. Have you seen the Schroeder 15+? That is TINY and apparently, not that ive heard it, sound great for its size/weight.

Classic: Middle Pickup: Vintage Precision Bass® Split Single-Coil Pickup Roadworn: Middle Pickup: Vintage Precision Bass® Split Single-Coil Pickup American Standard: Middle Pickup: American Standard Precision Bass® Alnico V Split Single-Coil Pickup

[quote name='Lozz196' post='971358' date='Sep 29 2010, 07:46 AM']That is a surprise, as on a different thread on here, there was an e-mail from a guy from Fender stating they were the US Pickups.[/quote] Thats what I thought. I showed the guys the thread in the email I sent, and they said there had been a mistake. God knows how they made that mistake, but there we go! I even double checked with the USA Fender rep, and yet again he said 'they are MIM'. Dont let that detract anyone from buying one, because the Classic prices arent bad. However, I would have thought they would have stuck USA pups in the Roadworn.

Didnt even see this thread! Well done chaps, nice work.

What volume do you need? Seriously, it took me a while to dare take the plunge, but once the usual talkbass experts gig their hands on them, and gave very positive reviews, I took the plunge. Lightest ceramic cabinets I've used, punchy, smooth, no ganky fake treble, and good form factor.

That video shows the difference I hear yet again. The BF is my least favourite sound. Not bothered what the weight is. But some will like it and that's totally fine!

Flats on Rays are literally awesome. You still get the Ray sizzle but it is tamed, with more thump! Lovely. Ive been trying the EB Flats (Group 3s) and they are fantastic. I cant believe how cheap they are. Nice medium tension, smooth thumpy sound. I need to bed them in a little still, but loving them!

Oh heck, is Tino about? Seriously I like the roasted maple look, on the Sads and EBMMs. Nice touch

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='970845' date='Sep 28 2010, 04:31 PM']You don't believe in using the tone controls on your amp to control your tone?[/quote] They are usually all flat. I might fiddle on the RH450 but thats just because there are so many options to play with

Im not having it sorry! I can be baffled with the specs, but you are NEVER going to have that 4x10 + horn (at least semi decent) punch with a 1x15. Not saying the 1x15/2x15 cant be rock and roll and throw out serious low end and a bit of clarity, it just wont sound the same. Changing amps to suit cabs is something I dont agree on. Maybe the band I was in was too loud...that could be the problem. Expecting a 1x15 to attempt to keep up with two 4x12 guitarists might be a bit much. Ive attempted to use a practice rooms Trace Boxer 65 (1x10?) against a 4x12 and somehow, somehow, you could hear it. Lots of midsssss. No ideal but thats what they had for that room and we were told we didnt need amps.

[quote name='owen' post='970778' date='Sep 28 2010, 03:30 PM']Hands up who would not charge 400% more for their time if they could? End of. And frankly, good luck to them as well.[/quote] Plus one. Have to agree, even though the prices irritate me.

[quote name='gafbass02' post='970730' date='Sep 28 2010, 02:46 PM']aarararararaghghghghg!!!!! Ive got the 9.0 and its great but i cant help thinking id be better off with the F1?? Id like to boost the low mid and cut the top, and the VPF is just so easy, compared to the shuttle. Im not sure the shuttle will be any louder either tbh. stuck now!!, Mark has kindly said he'll exchange but im so not sure and no band rehearsals for a fortnight so im doing all my figuring out off running it backline only at an open mic gig with the midget T (and at home in the half hour before the nipper gets in!) what to do!!!!! Grrrr!!!![/quote] Hmm Ive been in the scenario before, albeit with the LM3 and Shuttle 9.0 Personally, I never tried to Shuttle 9.0 at high volumes, but it never seemed to be that much louder than the LM3. In the end, I kept the LM3 and went with the RH450, which is probably the loudest and most versatile small amp Ive used. I think if you are a die hard Markbass fan, those filters are amazing, and you will always crave the simplicity. Upto you. The F1/500 is super punchy, clean and tight. I like the additional features the 9.0 has, like headphone in etc, but for sheer tone and simplicity, the LM3 won out. Personally, I nearly bought another 9.0, but I realised what Ive got is : A) enough and B ) versatile. Hope this helps.

[quote name='Conan' post='970715' date='Sep 28 2010, 02:32 PM']So sorry, but in MY experience, I just don't get this "fifteens are flappy and slow" stuff.[/quote] I agree, you can get some excellent 1x15 cabs with plenty of presence. I bought the Orange OBC115, not just because I liked it, but because I read the shootout Tom Bowlus did on Talkbass. It has enough clarity and quite a lot of definition for what is essentially a big old 1x15 with a port. But, I wouldnt say it could punch or provide a very aggressive rock sound all by itself. We are talking the kind of tone that cuts through like a knife. Im no Marcus Miller tone fan, but I dont know any 115s that can manage that high end and sheer trebly slap tone. Saying that, personally, I like my Orange, especially with the P bass.

[quote name='Conan' post='970697' date='Sep 28 2010, 02:15 PM']Don't they all! I'd be interested to know what you mean by "fragile" though, in reference to the Compact. You mean build quality or sound? [/quote] The actual covering/corners etc, which I think has been discussed before in the reviews bit. I no doubt imagine he is working on ways around it. My cabs have to be pleasing to my eyes if im spending a fair whack. Im a picky customer though.

I was expecting this to turn into another spec vs ears thread. Ive tried the Compact, and ill say it again: Light, fairly loud, fragile, lots of lows. Why didnt I like it? Not enough punch, not enough clarity. I used the same amp, same settings, same gig, with a normal 4x10, and masses of difference. Confused.

[quote name='sk8' post='970608' date='Sep 28 2010, 01:08 PM']4x12 is also great for rock! [/quote] +1 If I had the transport, a 4x12 would be on the cards.

[quote name='PaulWarning' post='970636' date='Sep 28 2010, 01:30 PM']sorry lads, sold my Ray and bought a P never looked back, mind you I do play in a Punk band[/quote] Plenty of Rays in punk!

[quote name='Lozz196' post='970560' date='Sep 28 2010, 12:28 PM']Can`t compare the 51 in terms of sound, as its a single coil pickup, but the Classic and MIAs are very alike, prob due to them having the same model of pickup - yes, Classics get MIA pickups.[/quote] Hi Not doubting they both sound similar, but I checked into the pickups on the Classics and Roadworn (same basses basically, but the RW is nitro and has more attention during manufacture) and they are indeed MIM pickups. I double checked with Fender UK and USA, and they said there had been confusion, but they are not the American pickups, they are MIM.

[quote name='Merton' post='970592' date='Sep 28 2010, 12:59 PM']Not really. You can get pretty much anything you want from my Vintage. I want rock tho [/quote] 15s are quite nice for rock. I still havent found a 15 that sounds like a 10 though. So if you want punch and more sweet high end, 10s or 12s with a horn. 2x15 is great for rock no doubt.

[quote name='tauzero' post='970496' date='Sep 28 2010, 11:25 AM']What astonishes me is that at £175 an hour, they're spending time on Basschat...[/quote] Hahha, good point. Well, im now just waiting for my Training Contract to kick in so I dont feel that guilty yet!

I never realised there were as many legal orientated basschatters on here! I no longer feel odd.

[quote name='molan' post='970458' date='Sep 28 2010, 10:44 AM']Funnily enough I'd do the exact opposite, lol. If I had a fixed budget then I'd go for the very best single bass I could afford. I'm not exactly one to talk about this as I haven't been following this maxim. However my final plan is to work out exactly which of my basses are the ones I like the most & then I'll sell all the rest. Currently my Fodera stands head and shoulders above the others. My principal exception to this broad theory is that I'd like to own a pair of them. Ideally one high end custom build that I'd mostly use at home and another more 'workmanlike' one for gigging and rehearsals. Currently I believe I own the latter so have my eyes (and wallet) firmly targeted towards the former [/quote] Haha, I am odd, I realise that. I had a budget of about 2.5k-3k for my 30th bass. I decide to research, see whats around, etc. I ended up spec'ing very normal options to luthiers, which in end was like just buying a very good example of a Fender, and I know id be a person to worry about resale values. Now, Im just ordering a Musicman Big Al 5, which is still quite odd, but I know they will get it right. I do think if you are confident enough it will be perfection, then go for it That applies to anyone spending a lot on one bass. Personally, Im all about having a variety of instruments that all sound how I want them to, and more importantly perhaps, feel good. Luckily ive been bowled over by Musicmans, so I dont have to spend too much.

I cant see why youd want a pickguard on it! If the wood is that expensive, show it. Not my cup of tea, but there we go. I dont even think as I get older, and progress in law, that ill be attracted to the uber boutique instruments. But, we all have our tastes. If I had 5-8K to spend on basses, Id just buy 3-5 fairly high end yet normal bass guitars.