Musicman20

[quote name='Toasted' post='826732' date='May 3 2010, 07:01 PM']Harvest Leather. Don't look anywhere else. I have their straps and gigbag and they're brilliant.[/quote] Who distributes their straps?

Tough call. It depends if you like a more modern Fender tone. The Stingray will no doubt, IMO, be more consistent from bass to bass. But if you don't like the core tone, perhaps move it on for sonething else? What about a USA Fender 75 reissue Jazz?

I never realised Markbass didn't have a control for the high end on the piezo? Is this true on all of their combos?!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='828003' date='May 4 2010, 10:58 PM']Oh Gareth, diamonds in the rough as per usual. I found one as well... So there I was quite happy with the sound of my AV-Series Precision, nicely filling in the vintage gap in my collection & I got the chance to play one of these new Deluxe models (the Precision) with the new N3 Jazz pickup & the new preamp through a new TV series BassMan amp. Oh dear. It was utterly fantastic. Possibly the best wooden bass I've played this year. The new preamp is massive sounding with loads of punch, the playability of the new deluxe is excellent & the passive tone control is a nice bonus as well. I actually sat playing the thing for nearly an hour. Good job I was actually in the place doing some consultancy work for the dealer today! I suppose the thing that impressed me the most was the new preamp. The old one was very harsh sounding & they seem to have got the frequencies right this time. The new one sounds amazing with the treble and bass max'd with the mids flat. A Precision that slaps just as well as a Jazz. Pity it was the white one. If it was the natural one I'd have happily gone into debt for it! So, yes - As per usual if you find a nice one, you're set. These are lovely basses. So do I sell the AV62 or save my pennies? Hmmmm... [/quote] Oh don't sell the 62! Too nice I've been playing my Fenders at home recently and decided these are definitely spot on, to the point where I don't need any more. I'm not even thinking vintage Fenders...happy with what I've got. Tis a great feeling. I've strayed back into EB, and the Big Al 5 is exactly the kind if bass I want next...eg unique, awesome tone, and EB quality.

OK chaps, I approached a few of the leather strap makers, and their stock sizes are pretty damn 'low slung' for what Im after. All of my straps I use now go pretty low, but im looking for something for more precise playing....so fairly high up! Im still a bit unsure if leather is what Im after. I tried one a few years back and found it rather odd compared to the normal Fender straps I use. So I need to check this out. Warwickhunt, I may take you up on that offer to try the Mono seen as though you are fairly close. Id only need it a few days just to test it at home and id know straight away if its right for me. Thanks for all the info guys.

Yep, I think this helps with the nice tone of the RW series, and I should hope so at the price! Pics up when you get it, I do like how theyve done these basses.

[quote name='Tone Ranger' post='827570' date='May 4 2010, 03:39 PM']Hi to everybody here, i've trawled these pages over the last few years as a guest but have finally got off my a*se and registered. My situation is as follows: I'm 48, I live on the second floor of a block of flats (no lift) and I play in a garage punk band. My current backline is an old Trace GP7 300w 1x15" combo running it with the compression on, the eq flat with a Sansamp Bass Driver and another Trace 1x15" if I need the extra grunt. This is slowly killing me, driving back from a gig, still sweaty, full of the evenings memories and generally feeling good about the world when suddenly the thought of lugging the combo up those 32 stairs just kills my high!! The 1x15 isn't too bad but the combo? damn that thing!! What to do? Go lightweight but I still want to keep that 2x15" sound. This will save my back but i need to keep my marriage so there is a budget. I've probably got £900 to play with if I sell my Trace and a few toys so what do i look at? I've recently been rehearsing at Rooz Studios in Old Street, they're kitted out with Orange valve gear (there's nothing else in any of the rooms) and I admit that the 200w bass head is rather nice but obviously too heavy (and expensive). Should I consider a Bass Terror with on of those 2x12 cabs? Until I started reading these pages I thought that the only choice was Mark Bass, fine for nice gently jazzy sounding gigs, but not for me doing my Jean-Jacques Burnell impersonation. I now realise that the choice is much, much bigger but I'm looking for something with a rocky vibe to it not a smooth gentle jazz tone to it. Any thoughts, boys and girls, would fall on very grateful ears Cheers Tone[/quote] For that tone, Orange Bass Terror all the way. Damn loud and brilliant amps. Will dirt up nicely as well. Cabs, hmmm. The SP212 they do is great and tiny, but also fairly expensive. Im not sure what they are like to gig but I tested one in a room at Orange HQ...fairly high volume, and it sounded massive. One chap on here pairs the BT with a TC RS212 cab. That amp will do 500w into a 8 or 4 ohm load which is good news. The TC RS212 is fairly compact, loud and can do a smooth tone all the way to old school grind. Nice tweeter too.

[quote name='~tl' post='824718' date='May 1 2010, 11:59 AM']That would be mine! I'm needing to shift it in order to fund a move to France. I had a very hard time deciding on how to price this, as I did get it for considerably less than it's market value. In the end, I've put it at a price I feel is fair based on the current retail pricing (i.e. £1150 at the Bass Merchant). If anyone is interested, then I'm sure a bit of Basschat discount could be applied! They are awesome amps, just a shame I've never had a chance to use it in earnest![/quote] I can fully understand that price, and the fact they were a little crazily priced should not have an affect on the second hand value. Its like someone who manages to score an absolute bargain of a car then realises its actually worth more. Tecamp gear is fantastic, and I hope the sale goes ahead ok!

[quote name='Shire' post='827420' date='May 4 2010, 01:39 PM']I just got back from the post office after sending a bass to Denmark for a member on here. I hope it gets there ok... On my receipt, it says [b]suitcases and musical instrument cases are excluded from compensation[/b] so you might have got lucky [/quote] Seriously?! How can they exclude that? I best check every single part of small print next time. Im sure Interparcel cover those things.

To conclude this review, I had to sell the DBs as I wasnt getting the use out of the two cabinets, BUT, I was that impressed with them ive gone for yet another DB212 in 4 ohm, (change of colour....this time Classic Black). Once it arrives, and If I get chance, ill post some pictures. Very nice cabinets.

About 10 years back, I REALLY wanted a full SWR rig. I still havent played through one but the tone I heard from various live bassists was excellent.

[quote name='flyfisher' post='827344' date='May 4 2010, 12:42 PM']Sadly, I suspect that "no" is the stock response to most complaints and requests for compensation these days and I can imagine it works for a high proportion of customers (victims?) who just give up right away. There was a prog on R4 recently about banks and they had someone admitting that the 'policy' was to give people the runaround regarding any complaints until they just give up in desperation. All officially denied of course. I've had a few run-ins over the years, including a successful parking ticket cancellation after a tribunal appeal and a threatened small claims court action to sort out some building work. The one company I can be totally confident about no-quibble service is John Lewis. Twice I've taken items back for repair after being out of warranty only for THEM to tell ME that "this fault is not really acceptable" and they pursued claims on my behalf with the manufacturers with the result that both items were repaired (microwave oven) or replaced (DVD player) for no charge. Now [u]that's[/u] customer service! Well done to Silddx to not letting the bar-stewards grind him down![/quote] John Lewis sound good in that respect! Excellent. I always find, off topic, Argos to be great. Ive had lots of printers/small elec good go wrong and they just refunded me.

I must say it looks more professionally 'finished', which is a good thing. Very similar to the Genz Neo 212, except one side of ports. Cant go wrong with a 2x12, IMO.

Great review Gareth, and great name also I wouldnt mind having a tinker on one of these when I have more gear money.

Ive used Interparcel twice recently, and they were fantastic. Expensive insurance, yes, but worth it. So I recommend them fully. Im glad you resolved this Nigel. This this was my old Fender + case, and the case as Nigel mentioned was pretty much unused. Im shocked at their service and im glad it has been resolved. Good idea for a thread, and useful for any future problems we may have.

Last time I took a walk down that street I realised how over priced some shops can be. I did pop into this particular store but only to browse. I've had some awful cust service over my time, and frankly the staff who gave it should have been disciplined...it's their job to give you a good service. I won't mention stores but one chap in a store about an hour from my home town said 'are you going to buy one or just waste time' after I asked to try a LM2 out. I'd spent a lot with them in the past. Too bad, he lost that sale and my custom for future sales. Idiot.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='826770' date='May 3 2010, 07:36 PM']Unfortunately it seems they are neither flawless nor consistent. My Decade which came directly from Lakland is flawless but Musicman20 (Gareth) has seen a series of not up to standard Laklands in UK shops. He refers to it here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=86456"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=86456[/url]; and elsewhere. He may be along in a minute to tell us more.[/quote] Unfortunately, it's true. I was trying to find that one that ticked all the boxes, and sure they all had great style, consistent tone, and brilliant necks. BUT, I could not find one out of around 5/6 (I forget how many as I was getting annoyed by this point) that didn't have a major QC issue. Yep, some of the new and old Fenders are the same, but I was frankly shocked to find a more expensive instrument had such obvious problems. Eg, frets sprouting in the binding, pickguard not fitted straight, pickup pieces not in line with strings, paint defects, one of them had a Lakland logo that was on a big slant (so the painted inside part was well out of the lines). The last one I tried had two of the rings on the back of the body (string through area) hanging about 4mm out so not flush with the body. This meant they scraped against you whilst you played it! Worst problem was weight...half of them must have been around 12-14lbs. Don't get me wrong, if I found one without problems I'd buy it, and I told Dan about it. He was shocked and annoyed at his factory and offered to help, then they changed hands 2 months later. If they were cheaper, I could understand, but two of them I tried retailed for £1200!!!

Bloomin heck, under the cover of darkness. It will suddenly appear in Clarky's sig hahah.

[quote name='tredders' post='826382' date='May 3 2010, 12:41 PM']Musicman20, did you get sorted in the end? Reason I ask is that I have a spare Comfort Strapppppppppp that you could have a try of. If you like it, we can sort a price out. If not, just send it back, but at least you'll have an idea as to what they're like. I personally love 'em![/quote] Hi! Wow thanks, ill be in touch....im half inbetween looking at what to get. Ill get back to you on that! Many thanks

Good review! Very thorough. I must admit I only had a brief go on the LMTube. I emailed Peter Murray and he said it's not for any tube dirt, just a warmth which is apparent at louder volumes, plus you get a nice colour and other features. That combo looks cool. I think if I go Markbass cabs, I'll get a couple of 2x10s or their new NY122 which is 4 ohms. Actually, yep, I'd personally go for the 212 just so I've got all power into one cab. I was tempted by a 4x10 but they are pretty large.

[quote name='guybrush threepwood' post='826176' date='May 3 2010, 08:29 AM']I don't think it's that old school; yes it's a 15 with no tweeter, but warm isn't a term I'd use to describe it. It's certainly got a great deal of low end, but it's not wooly, just incredibly clear and pure. As for the whole setup, it really sounds great - loads of depth and bass, with so much punch. I used to use a 4x10 and I hated 15s, thought they were dull and toneless, but markbass converted me![/quote] Sounds perfect! I must admit I have heard it briefly and it sounded great. I was never a massive 15s fan but the Orange converted me so I'd definitely consider the Jeff Berlin at some point.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='825800' date='May 2 2010, 07:21 PM']Sorry to derail the thread into another major one, but I hope it will help your request. [/quote] No thats a good idea, thanks. I must admit, I was taught the basics by a bass tutor. This was a long time ago though. I used to be better at 15/16. I just need to sit and copy/play along....that how I enjoy and pick things up. Then Ill try and read a few things as well.