Musicman20

[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.

[quote name='bobpalt' post='901700' date='Jul 22 2010, 10:26 AM']An update from last night. Our sound guy, who is also a friend, came to my house last night, and we set up a test rig, using my RH450 into the TC212 cab, RH450 Classic into TC210, an Ashdown combo and Orange Bass Terror into TC112 cab. We swapped and changed the leads over so we tried every combination, and used a selection of basses (Yamaha BB2024x, Roscoe Century, Fender Jazz), and the results were very interesting. We went into the 450s parametric eq and tried everything we could, but at the end of the day, using the Yamaha, and to a much lesser extent the Roscoe, there was certainly a low mid boost, where the volume seemed to jump quite dramatically when you hit a note in the region of D. Sliding from C to D on the A string was like turning the volume control up. This was the note that the sound guy said was drowning out the others at last weeks gig, and spoiling my tone. It was still there using the Roscoe but much lessened, and absent with the Jazz, where all levels seemed ok. Changing to the Orange amp using the TC cabs didnt make things any better, but there was no problem whatsoever with the Ashdown combo, so the conclusion he drew was that the TC cabs have a low-mid emphasis that is exaggerated by the powerful pickups on the new Yamaha. I have bought a new 15" cab from a different maker which is being delivered tomorrow, to test the theory, so I will update as soon as I can, but at the moment, I cant use the Yamaha with my current rig as it really is loud on the A string. I will try changing the pick up hights, but doubt if that will help, and have a couple of different string sets to try out to see if there maight be a problem there.[/quote] Hi Strange that the Roscoe and more so the Yamaha is causing the problems. They might need a tweak or two? Obviously very high end gear so Id ask the store to check it out as I use just normal Rays/Ps/Js and so far, as much as I realise there is a lot of low mid in the TC rig, its never been a problem. Hopefully you are close to getting it how you wanted

Id like a Metro thats under £1800!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='901522' date='Jul 22 2010, 01:00 AM']All things aren't the same though, so a neo speaker will sound different. Speakers with neo magnets have various other parameters that are different due to the designs having advanced to use the new technology. They can disperse heat more readily for example, as that is always a benefit and the small magnet lends itself to more effective heatinking, with corresponding less power compression. I'm not sure of the mechanics of it, but they also seem to lend themselves to greater xmax, guessing due to magnet field strength but its not really in my understanding, so less distortion at high power levels. It might not be the magnet type itself affecting the sound, but the magnet choice is affecting factors which affect the sound, all part of the speaker, giving a neo speaker a different sound. If you mean all things the same with the box they are mounted in, then at least one of them will be in the wrong box. That is probably another thing you'll hear wrong with neo magnets, they don't suit box designs that are being held over from ceramic drivers. Box is designed around the driver, just like the driver is designed around the magnet. Design the box right and you'll probably have more lows and less speaker breakup, plus the speaker breakup will probably sound different due to the construction changes, so again, it will sound different. You might be wrong to blame the neo bit, but that doesn't mean a difference isn't there.[/quote] This I agree with, and this seems to make perfect sense. I can definitely hear a difference. Ive tried countless neo and ceramic cabs, and yes they are all different apart from one set which yes, they were the same size but tuned different, but the neo DEFINITELY 100% sounded different. Even when I emailed Bergantino he said the ceramic will always have a certain characteristic that players like, despite the fact you can get very close. I imagine the next generation will convince me a little more to get a lighter cabinet.

Personally if you are going for old school punch like this, id get the traditional Orange OBC410 unless you want it lightweight. Its a more traditional setup for a cabinet and its very loud. The Ampeg 4x10 is pretty good as well, if memory serves, Im just not a massive fan of Ampeg. I must admit they are punchy buggers but they are sealed if you get the SVT410....so it sounds great to my ears but has a tad less low end than a ported (apparently). They also have the 410HLF (?!) thats 4 ohms and has MUCH more low end. You could also look at their new Neo 410. If weight really isnt an issue and you want a monster of a 4 ohm 4x10, get an Aguilar GS410 or DB410.

I think the most adventurous ill go is the Big Al when I re-order again at some point, and even that is pushing it a LOT. Ive always been into the older style basses and guitars. I tried a few modern approaches when I was younger and I just looked like an idiot. Eg. smaller bodied basses and 'metal' looking basses.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='899312' date='Jul 19 2010, 07:34 PM']MM, out of interest what problems did you have? i must have had a good one..[/quote] [quote name='Jigster' post='899318' date='Jul 19 2010, 07:37 PM']yep would be interested to know Gareth[/quote] The main issues were: JO4 with a MASSIVE neck pocket and strings not lining up with pup pole pieces. I think the neck was out of line. JO5 that was massively heavy and the string rings on the through body were not fitted correctly or in line. DJ5 with poor binding...the frets were sprouting through it. It also looked second hand so this may have been the shops fault but apparently it was new. Another DJ5 - This time a better finish, good binding, but the logo was out of line with the actual colouring on the head stock, so it looked like the logo was in 3D. In addition, there was paint missing near the nut due to the nut being cut far too low. IMO, I think they designed great basses, but I havent found one im 100% happy with, especially considering the price. I think QC has probably slipped to low levels due to the amount they are making. The Lakland lovers on talkbass are not willing to accept it when I mentioned it and told me it was to be 'expected'! Another thing, they NEED to start including a least a high quality padded gig bag with their basses, especially as the Fender-clones are more expensive than a Fender in some stores. Apologies for the rant, but I spent ages trying to find one because they play and sound great, but the problems Ive seen are just not on. Im probably just unlucky or far too picky.

The only thing I would beware of is the QC on the basses. Talkbass wont have anything said against Lakland, but Ive had 4 bad basses and they had worse problems that virtually any 'bad' Fender ive laid my hands on. I LOVE their 5 string neck though....although I think I wouldnt enjoy anything but fingerstyle on it. Very deep tone due to the scale. You might be happy with it stock but a fair few players change the electrics, and im not one to mod so its probably not for me. If you get a good one, they are great basses.

[quote name='51m0n' post='899206' date='Jul 19 2010, 06:12 PM']Sorry that thing is SO ugly I couldnt ever own one, I hate all the straight edged basses and guitars though, they just dont do it for me at all....[/quote] Ouch!