Musicman20

Hi Chaps Thanks - will give more info if I get it. Had a small rehearsal tonight and I REALLY enjoyed it. Exceptionally good band and they really know their gear! One more tomorrow, then I get a decision I think. We all got along and I was happy with my playing. Not sang harmonies for a long time but its good to know I still can.

Bloody brilliant! Im bringing the Mrs to see you guys in Newcastle again.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='908493' date='Jul 28 2010, 05:59 PM']Ouch! Thakfully I bought all my Ampeg gear ages ago I've never bought from them but I always thought Guitar Guitar were pretty competitive though?[/quote] When Ive approached them they refused to price match a simple case, that was £10 cheaper at Soundslive round the corner! Ive had a few issues with their pricing, eg the Sadowsky and Fender prices. Dont get me wrong they didnt used to be like that, but now they have a large customer base they seem to charge top whack.

I knew these were due out, but I never expected these prices! Id quite like to hear just what these sound like. [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_detail.asp?stock=10030214363319"]http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_de...=10030214363319[/url] Mind you, GuitarGuitar are always top whack prices.

Ive got a 'practice/audition' with a band I caught play at the Narcfest here in Newcastle. They need a bass player/backing vocalist so I applied straight away. They were excellent live, and Im hoping I can be part of it and start gigging more regularly. My other band will continue but it is, as normal, taking time to get everything right. This band is a 4 piece (when they have a bassist) and they have excellent layered vocals, so Im hoping this works out! Its originals, but very slick and interesting modern indie/post punk. Ill let you all know how it goes. They seem to all be gear heads so thats a start...at least they will understand a need for new equipment. Its all come at once as Ive had 3 interviews in the past 10 days or so and I have more coming up!

[quote name='basshead56' post='907413' date='Jul 27 2010, 06:11 PM']Ampeg SVT Micro rig? Some great tonal possibilities, really does the SVT sound too and weighs nowt! 200watts using two cabs and has all the ins outs etc you mentioned (headphone out, aux in etc). No mute switch though. Definately the best small rig I have owned or used.[/quote] I thought about one of these a while back, but the Ampeg tone is very much a part of the RH450. Thanks anyway!

[quote name='Waldo' post='907180' date='Jul 27 2010, 03:05 PM']I've been out of the loop for a while....MM are really churning out the new models aren't they?[/quote] Definitely! Big Al, Big Al 5, Reflex, Reflex 5, and the Classic Stingray/Sterling 4 + 5s! IMO, despite the fact ive been 'safe' and gone for the obvious EBMMs, they are the best company when it comes to innovative yet effective basses. But, you cant beat a Stingray! I was looking into a Big Al again, but I think ill go for a Reflex 4 in white with black binding. Next year though.

[quote name='Clarky' post='907116' date='Jul 27 2010, 02:14 PM']Yes, the one time I used it before last night (through my BFD cab for 30 minutes) Managed to get a very Mesa-like tubey tone from it[/quote] Wicked. Its odd isnt it, as there are 0 tubes and its 100% digital, yet sounds more tube like with some amps that have a full tube pre! Ok its not the real deal, but its good! Youll find out once you start pushing it at higher volumes it 'gives' like a tube amp and just keeps pushing and pushing.

Thought it would get sorted Are you enjoying the tone of it? (Before it went wrong!)

[quote name='whynot' post='906442' date='Jul 26 2010, 10:55 PM']Have you tried a Little Mark Tube ? I have the 500w version and loving it at the moment. Does clean like a standard LM but dial in a little tube front end and it really starts to kick.[/quote] Hi Thanks, yep I tried one out. I do like them and the extras features but If I do sell the LM3 Id probably go for a different manufacturer. [quote name='dannybuoy' post='906637' date='Jul 27 2010, 07:39 AM']Try the GK MB2-500 out... But it does sound like you have GAS just for the sake of it since you can get bright/modern tones out of the TC and MB anyway. I know what it's like though, I think I'm finally learning how to resist the GAS. I change my mind every couple of days about what I want anyway so I may as well stick with what I've got and spend more time improving my playing instead of drooling over new gear![/quote] I need to resist GAS! This LM3 is absolutely brilliant. So I should probably settle. Ill use it on Weds n Thurs and see if I change my mind. I know its a fantastic amp and the main thing I want to keep it for is how amazing they sound with Musicman basses. I have two coming in and after previous experience Markbass and Musicman go hand in hand (and thats pretty obviously planned due to their history). [quote name='NJE' post='906676' date='Jul 27 2010, 08:49 AM']It might be worth having a look for a Eden WTX 260 or 500. I have the WTX260 and it is a fantastic amp, big sound plenty of volume for most band situations, plenty of tone shaping with a real clean modern tone to it. It also has L/R Aux in and phones out which is fantatsic for silent practicing, as well as tuner out and mute button. I love mine, it can do sparkling top end when I need it to or bid dub bass and most things in between and the best thing of all is that it weighs about 3lbs and goes in my gig bag. I love it and am actually thinking about going up to the 500w version if the 8 piece band i play with starts doing bigger gigs, they are so loud![/quote] Thanks! Ill look into it. [quote name='Bigwan' post='906741' date='Jul 27 2010, 10:08 AM']Going on description alone I think the GK MB500 (they've dropped the 2 from the name now) is probably a good starting point. The Ibanez Promethean is supposedly quite Markbass sounding so maybe too like what you've already tried. If you decide to sell off your LMIII give us a shout - I'm on the lookout for one myself.[/quote] Cheers, got the PM. Ill PM you back, but as youll probably read before this, Im still on the fence so to speak.

Id love to know what it compares like to the MB Walkabout....which Im sure you will no doubt be checking anyway. The fact they are solidly built is a major part of why they seem such a great deal.

[quote name='Schnozzalee' post='906932' date='Jul 27 2010, 12:15 PM']I would like one very much, could you tell me where you found that please? Or is it secret?? I'm looking to shift my Cirrus for one [/quote] PM'd.

[quote name='sshorepunk' post='906955' date='Jul 27 2010, 12:32 PM']I want a blue one, tort pick gaurd, RW fretboard, white p/up cover[/quote] IMO, with the figured maple, id get a maple board, otherwise you are covering the lovely grain. The extra price on these is mainly to do with the neck.

He's a very good player. I dont blame him using an old bass for busking! He seems to always draw a crowd.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='906972' date='Jul 27 2010, 12:45 PM']Cheers, folks! First thing.. it feels like a real pro bit of kit. It looks a bit flimsy in the photos (because of the red, maybe?) but it couldn't be further from the truth in the flesh. Also, it's reassuringly weighty, but not heavy. IYKWIM. Some Lindy Fralin split-coil Jazz pickups have just landed on my desk, too.. I'll pop them in when I get home. It's going to be a fun night...[/quote] Sounds good! Im looking forward to hearing what you think as we are very much both in the same ball park with what tone we like. If this combo works out I may even get one as they are REALLY good value for money. Some 1x12s cost more than that combo!

[quote name='escholl' post='906609' date='Jul 27 2010, 02:50 AM']The good news is, there is no way that the cable you used would have done this to the amp. You shouldn't use instrument cable, no, but in this instance it sounds like it is really just bad luck that it happened when it did. Even if briefly connected to a shorted load, most modern amps will have some sort of output protection and would not have suffered this fate, especially not when they'd just been turned on and weren't exactly delivering a high-power output at the time. Sounds to me like a faulty power supply, should be covered under the warranty. In fact, if its only a week old, the store should do a straight swap for you.[/quote] +1

I can understand why people might be put off by the price, but I have seen these for £1580 ish if that's any help!

Hi I already have the RH450 from TC and an Orange AD200b for large gigs. So I have a lot of gigs covered already. I also have a MB LM3, which is a great amp, but all my amps have a very similar warm/tube like more old school orientated tone. Now thats not a bad thing, as I like it, BUT, Im tempted to try something else and move on the LM3. I tried the MB F1/500 and I just didnt seem to get on with it like I did the LM3. My other options are to stray into higher power amps with other manufacturers, eg a GB Shuttle 9.0, but it would REALLY have to be able to do modern as well as a nice grindy rock tone (but be bright and aggressive). I had to send my last one back straight away due to a small problem but I went with the RH450 after this. Id like an aux in/headphones/mute and the ability to play the music through the speaker. The Orange and TC are going nowhere! Another option would be a GK or Ibanez Promethean. Ideas? They dont have to be the smallest/lightest amp in the world, just a great and different tone to what I have. In the end I bet ill end up realising the MB is doing a great job, but thats GAS.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='905008' date='Jul 25 2010, 06:08 PM']Well, after just one gig im convinced i made the right choice. Lots of tight low end but each note was as clear as a bell. This bass has a lot more tone than my old DJ5 and HW1 and i found i was using the bridge pup more than i ever have. I can certainly hear a huge difference between this and my CVJ, its like night and day. I also like the stock strings so might go with another set of these before putting my XL's on. I do have the Chromes ready but cant see me using flats just yet. I love the chunky tone im getting (that might be down to the Sadowsky pre though). Here's a pic i took earlier of it with a Black PG. Im not 100% on this look and i might go back to the tort. Plus the Tort fits a bit better. [/quote] Lovely grain! Nice bass Dave, I'm glad you like it

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='902573' date='Jul 22 2010, 11:43 PM']Cheers Gareth. yes, its a minor issue and while ill see if i can get something out of the retailer ill not be sending it back. The main reason i started this thread was to see how common it was. I almost got a Sandberg a few years ago but it had loads of frets with gaps. I was told the neck was a bit twisted. I was just worried that this might be the cause of my problem but the neck looks fine.[/quote] Ah yes, I agree, always best to check. Its definitely one of the minor gripes Ive seen.If you notice the length of the other frets, they are all even, and the slight 'filler' is not as packed on that fret.

Well chaps/ladies Ive had fun with this, and realised the RH450 is pretty much set up perfectly. The extra high end option (Tweetertone on the new cheaper combos) would be nice for those craving more treble bite, but for me the amp is really nice as it is. Ive been feeding back the information to TC and they are taking the results/opinions of the Team and hopefully using them in the next generation of TC amps. All the equipment is being picked up next week so thats me signing out of this one, and awaiting the next product they announce!

Dave Ive checked on this issue before, both rosewood AND maple boards. Ive seen it on Fenders of all ages, and as you can see on your bass, its actually just the filler at that end that isnt 'as full' as the other ones. As much as I moan about QC, Ive seen this on a hell of a lot of basses (even non-Fender) and I came to conclusion as long as the neck feels great and the frets are level and smooth, then Im ok with it. Its one thing I wont actually get too beat up about as its literally just a case of not as much filler at the bottom of the fret.