Musicman20

[quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='951705' date='Sep 10 2010, 12:09 PM']Ibanez really? Obviously I'm not an experienced bassist (as I said), but in the world of guitar amps Ibanez are terrible! Will try and find one out.[/quote] Ive not played one, but the reviews are great. I know what you mean, they have a bad rep with amps, but I assume they have done their homework with this one

[quote name='Rich' post='951684' date='Sep 10 2010, 11:46 AM']- Big AL - Bongo[/quote] I was waiting for someone to mention these two! Personally, when I first saw the Bongo pictures when it was released, I thought 'what is going on?!'. Now, Ive warmed to it. Purely because its very well designed. The Big Al....well Im weird because I instantly took a liking to it, and thats weird for a tradtionalist like me.

For that price, the Ibanez Promethean. Ive not played one, but Thomann are doing them on a deal at £499 ish including the bag. 1x10 Combo, plus removable 500W amp head.

Peavey does the job but its only let down is the weight. Even though the Hartke LH500 isnt lightweight, Id take that over a Peavey. It has had fantastic reviews.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='951666' date='Sep 10 2010, 11:35 AM']I've had the Big Al 5 SSS now for 2 months and I can guarantee you all I've not had a dull day so far with that monster. The things that bass can do sonically are beyond belief. Vintage passive tones to give you goosebumps and powerful active driving tones to boot, I think this is a bass which you will find hard to put down, Ed Friedland review is great but it's only limited to his playing style: it's not all snap, crackle and pop, rest assured, this can be as deep as you want it to be, or as bluesy / jazzy / punk / new age / grunge / as you need. All in one single bass. Also do not understimate the "funny looks" because regardless of the fact that it looks pointy and "Jetson's" like, the ergonomic has been designed in a very crafty way you see? The body it's actually quite small and comfortable, it sits tightly in your graps allowing your arm to reach the neck up and down with extreme ease, which I think once you play it, you will recognize that as a great advantage and that alone is a great selling point for this clever bass. Enough said.[/quote] Great report GW. Im pretty certain im going to order one for my 30th and literally 'forget about' the possible delivery date so I dont mess about and cancel it. I know for a fact it will be fantastic, and something totally different to what I own (which is what I am after).

[quote name='bassix' post='951574' date='Sep 10 2010, 10:15 AM']I've heard good things about the Bass Terror, it certainly fits the size category I just wonder if it'd do the punk job well?[/quote] 100% punk grindy tone if you want it. Will also do smooth and clean. For the price, its fantastic. VERY loud! So, you dont even need a pedal as it will get dirty if you want it to. Another option is a Markbass LM2 or 3 with a pedal. Light, great tone, very loud. Universally known as excellent amps.

[quote name='munkonthehill' post='951549' date='Sep 10 2010, 09:54 AM']yeah I started looking up the big al basses. what kind of tones are coming out of the single coils???? I cant help but think its going to be more trebly orientated.[/quote] Search for Big Al on youtube, there are a few reviews. Id say they are more 'warm' and vintage sounding than the Bongo...the pickups are neo and it has the 4 band EQ. The thing that really attracts me is the passive option and tone control.

Headless/Status mainly. Some of the weirder Warwick designs.

Hartke LH500 + Tech 21 BDDI or VT Bass. Personally, for modern punk, the BDDI. Or, you could try the Orange Bass Terror.

I think despite the fact its a very 'marmite' look, the Bongo (and the Big Al) will always be around due to the fact they are incredibly powerful basses. I personally like the style of both of them, but im leaning towards the Big Al again as I want 3 single coils.

[quote name='Legion' post='950090' date='Sep 8 2010, 11:28 PM']If you are going to aim for 2 cabs eventually then you have all the options available. Personally though I think you should consider RS210+RS212 or RS210+RS210. I'm leaving the RS112 out as although it's very nice I really like that vertical stack thing and the RS112 is not really high enough to get you there. The new finish is better as you say, but I'd still strongly recommend a cover.[/quote] +1 I would check all preset volumes and gain before worrying about the volume of this amp. It is monsterously loud.

IMO, the LM3 is the best, unless you really like the Rocker 'drive' sound. You can get the same effect or better with a dedicated and small pedal (which may even be used as a high quality DI). The LMT has nice features, but the tube only adds a very very subtle difference at higher volumes.

Mic the cab....much better! Although some DIs are excellent on amps. Ive not tried the MB one, but the RH450 DI is staggering!

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='948975' date='Sep 7 2010, 11:19 PM']I have a limit (3), but what I don't get (not just you) is why lots of similar basses? How many stingrays/precisions does one man need? (ok apart from John Entwhistle...) If I had a limit of 6 there would be 6 random different basses there.[/quote] I tried other basses/manufacturers, and didnt like them as much as the core three. I vene tried uber high end stuff. I get your point though, Im crazy. All my Rays are different models though.

As long as you play the one you want, and it really does literally sing to you, then go for it! I personally had a limit of 6 basses. I wont play them all equally, but I want them! Ive now got a collection of 'my' favourite basses. As yet, the uber high end bass GAS hasnt really hit me, and I dont think it will for a long time. Personally Im happy with a brand new Ray and another new amp, and keep the change That's me though. Just dont sell anything youll regret. I admit as well, sometimes things are so hyped, im let down. Although this only applied to the Metros I played in GuitarGuitar.

[quote name='51m0n' post='948386' date='Sep 7 2010, 03:23 PM']Surely the people in these 'very loud doom bands' are using a chuffing ENORMOUS PA to create the 'volume singularity'(tm)* fix they need? In which case huge stage volume is utter pants anyway.... * 'volume singularity'(tm) = A noise so immensely loud that you are unable to perceive anything else around you - it 'sucks in' all other sound[/quote] Yep, their onstage volume is immense. Most decent 2x12s are more than enough. I dont know how they deal with those insane volumes! A DOOM expert will be along shortly to describe how DOOM volumes operate (eg two 4x12s).

RH450 plus a 2x10 or 2x12. Outstanding amp, IMO. Just get separate cabinets.

[quote name='51m0n' post='948354' date='Sep 7 2010, 03:03 PM']LH500 For the beer tokens its the beans. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=99358&hl=ae410"]I have compared a Super12T pushed by an LH500 against a MBsa450 pushing a Berg ae410. [/url] Both VERY loud. Didnt have a dB meter and the object was not to see which was the out and out loudest rig, both crushed a loud drummer and guitarist though. If you need more volume you need to get involved in drag racing....[/quote] Agreed, most decent 2x12 should be more than ANYONE really needs. But some people need insane amounts of volume, low end, and punch, and that would require a really quality 4x10, or even 6x10. I use different 2x12s, and I agree, they are very loud. Even the TC RS212 is VERY loud, and at the old prices an absolute bargain. Its more, as I understand from other reviews, to do with 'pushing your cab to its limits' and the sound compressing. Pushing a 2x12 every gig at its limits is not ideal. A 2x12 will only do so much. If you play a 5 string bass in a very heavy doom band, I would want more than a 2x12. I dont, so im alright

[quote name='Clarky' post='946398' date='Sep 5 2010, 05:31 PM']Or, in a distinctly rockier vein (and what attracted me to Alembics), try Metallica's Black Album, eg, Enter Sandman, Holier than Thou or My God of Misery. Quite an aggressive crunchy tone when played by Jason Newsted (or before him, Cliff Burton, who also used an Aria and a Rick)[/quote] I love Metallica, but what the hell is with the low volumes of bass on the albums?! It seems to have got worse, but AJFA was just plain daft!

[quote name='ajerthebadger' post='948319' date='Sep 7 2010, 02:15 PM']I think you need to have a read of the Barefaced website. They say that at higher volumes (plus 250watts) the Super Twelve will be louder than a 4x10. Obviously I havent heard it myself but quite a few people that own them say they are deafeningly loud. The RH450 was good but I was trying to make sure the beer fund was replenished before uni starts and I didnt need all that amp. I was looking at the LH500, many a good thing been said about them and they go for stupid money too. Thanks for the recommendations. AJ[/quote] Ive read the site, and yes some 2x12s ARE louder than 4x10s, but it depends what 4x10 If we are talking highend 2x12s VS highend 4x10s, the 4x10 will win. It will not have as compressed a sound when you dig in or slap at high volumes. If we are talking a highend 2x12 vs a cheaper 4x10, the 2x12 might be louder. There are tons of thread on Talkbass about this, with people who play a lot of gigs and are much older than myself. One chap who has both the Berg AE212 and AE410 said he reached the limit of his 2x12 at a gig, but it still sounded great, whereas the 4x10 would still have room and volume. If the RH450 was too much of an investment, I can see your point, and the LH500 is a good solid simple amp. Not amazing, but damn good for the money. Ive borrowed one on tour and its loud.

That amp head is SUPER loud. Seriously, Ive tried a lot. The TC amp is more like 600-700 'Markbass watts'. It will push and push. If you want something still vintage and ultra loud, you are probably in the right ball park with a LH500, but it will not be louder than the RH450. The very thing stopping you getting a lot of volume is speakers. Ive tried the RH450 into a 4x10 (8 ohm) a few times and it is very loud. If you want serious volume then you need a lot of speakers! That BF cab will be loud, but 2x12s can only do so much. If you need a lot more volume than a 2x12, you need a large high end 4x10 or 6x10.....even a 4x12. I play in a hardcore punk band btw, so I know what you mean by loud

I think it depends on the amp and the volume you want. If its a fairly big cabinet that can take the power (high end 4x10) then by all means if you dont need anymore speakers, get the 4ohm version. 4 ohm mid sized cabs sell better second hand it seems. Smaller cabinets? Always go for 8 ohm IMO (eg 2x10). Otherwise, you amp can hit it with a lot of power! I think its more the modern amps that work much more efficiently and sound 'bigger' into one 4 ohm cabinet than one 8 ohm cabinet, and Im talking 2x12-4x10 upwards. It depends on the amp. My TC RH450 is loud no matter what, and at 8 ohms works perfectly. Markbass amps, apparently, work much stronger at 4 ohms. Your ears wont be able to tell much difference between a 4 or 8 ohm cabinet in reality, but your amp might sound 'fuller' working at 4 ohms.