Musicman20

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1473613181' post='3131659'] Oh no... another manufacturer that obsesses with marketing to math-metal bassists like Dingwall and Warwick... [/quote] I have to admit, I was shocked to see the development of modern metal bands flying the Dingwall flag. I know they don't just aim for that, but for me, I tend to see them as verging off that way now....and modern math metal is just plain dull. How many notes can you play? A lot....great.

[quote name='Opticaleye' timestamp='1473679942' post='3132147'] The Quilter has arrived I will post later in another thread but early impressions are that it has massive punch. I'm going back to try it some more !! [/quote] Great!!!

In terms of punch and heft of different types of amplifier, I have owned all types, in that I've owned: - Trace GP12SMX400 - Orange AD 200b Mk3 - LMIII - Shuttle 9.0 - TC RH450 - TC RH750 (still own) - Shuttlemax 9.2 (still own) - Streamliner 900 (still own) The Trace was loud, no doubt, as we all know. The Orange would 'seem' much louder than the Trace, so if we are discussing solid state (non-class D) vs tube, the tube would 'appear' much louder and richer. All of the micros have been, for me, very loud. Yes, even the RH450/750. Punch for me is the low mid / high bass kick.....Jazz Basses don't exhibit that naturally as well as a Stingray or P Bass if both pickups are on. IME etc. I sold the Trace after walking from my car to my parents house some time ago. I almost caused my hand an injury trying to get the amp out of the boot into the house. Amp nearly fell to the ground, I managed to stop it, injured hand...could have been worse. Sold it after this.... The Genz Shuttlemax does everything the Trace did and it actually better. It punches with a SUPERB clean channel. I love it. The Streamliner has a lovely finesse over the tone, like a tube studio pre-amp. Smooth and warm, but will grunt if you need it to. The RH750 is like a flexible Ampeg. I think tubes are LESS of a necessity for bass playing. A good quality solid state amp is actually often more favourable in tone. I do like a nice tube tone, but it's easier on bass to get it sounding good. Guitar is another thing...the overdrive is a MUCH more complex subject. My take? That TH500 should punch like crazy....the poweramp in that is actually in the GK MB800 I believe?!?! The Markbass cabinets are voiced a little odd, or so I'm told. I do also think there is a tendency to get a micro amp and a micro cab. Try that TH500 into a high quality 2x12 and it will sound huge...

[quote name='Opticaleye' timestamp='1473674223' post='3132072'] I regularly play through a TH500 through SL112's and I find the sound lacks authority. Nice tone but very wishy washy in a band mix. I don't know how much this has to do with the cabs though. I've tried a few ICE powered heads and none sound good to me. My Markbass TTE however is much better and has all the h*ft that I could want and excellent vintage tone. I'm expecting a delivery today of my new Quilter Bass Block 800 (which also doesn't have the Ice module) which I've heard great things about. [/quote] Interested to know about the Quilter. I'm surprised their guitar line isn't more present on the UK market. I'm in the USA soon so I may get one to stash in hand luggage.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1473417766' post='3129996'] I love it - I'd happily gig one of those! I've always found the NG series a bit expensive for a made in China instrument though. [/quote] Is that where they are made?!?!?!? China make fantastic instruments, in fact they make a lot of fantastic products, but something doesn't sit right with those prices.

Still using mine from time to time. Sold the B3 but have another one coming as I miss it.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1473369383' post='3129624'] Watch more of NG , his playing can get very technical and is so much more than fast playing! Being primarily a guitarist he plays his bass more that way perhaps, but very talented indeed. These basses are certainly love/hate but superb basses for the money. [/quote] Oh he is talented, but as soon as I saw him play I knew he was a guitarist playing bass like a guitar...which is something I don't really gel with. I play bass mainly, but when I play guitar I play it totally differently. Problem is as soon as you add intense grind and distortion to these basses, (any bass almost) they almost all sound the same! I just don't dig the modern super heavy shred stuff. Of course loads of people do! Super fast players? Much prefer A Wilhelm Scream's Brian Robinson.

I'm hopefully going to get an hour or so on mine this weekend. Not touched a guitar or bass in weeks, which unfortunately for me isn't unusual. I seem to spend most of my life working, preparing for work or sorting things out in the house!

I just do not seem to like Dingwall's approach to style or tone. Now it seems they are venturing further into the really heavy spectrum of metal...I've seen a few videos of NG and whilst he can play quickly, it just does nothing for me. A very brave colour! ...and people said the Bongo was odd looking!

I've just got to the point where I don't even consider buying from another country unless I'm there at the time, and even then I worry about VAT etc. Ridiculous state of the world in 2016.

£2! Jees....less than the price of half a decent beer. That is impressive.

Zoom B3 - has lots of other uses. I sold mine but I'm going to get another.

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1472891069' post='3125041'] People forget just how massively labour costs figure into the price of workshop instrument vs mass-produced factory instruments. Had a long chat with Sheldon Dingwall and confirmed with him that while most people think his basses are expensive (and they're not cheap), he pays his workers a fair wage in a country where the cost of living is very high. We're spoilt by the mass-produced machine-made instruments we get from China (getting more expensive as the cost of living there increases), Korea, Indonesia etc. Many of us wouldn't be happy with the per-hour income that high-end luthiers and workshops make. [/quote] It's great to see a fair wage, but I know of a few employers who work a similar model of a great wage, yet their prices aren't high at all. In fact, the prices are fair. This isn't a guitar manufacturer I agree, but still. Well, in terms of what someone wants to do for a career, that in the end is their choice. I think that can happen in a lot of artistic careers, unfortunately. Some may do it purely because they love designing and making instruments. The other basses alluded to in this thread, Maruszczyk for example, show that it is possible. It can be a bizarre market.

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1473002759' post='3125925'] Oh to have a well paid job!! This would do nicely! http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/160608298360007 [/quote] Yeah, they are quite special! This would, as the name suggests, be a much more mellow tone than a normal Ray, but I've heard a few demos and I love it.

[quote name='tonyf' timestamp='1473094891' post='3126893'] Sorry, only just back from holibobs in Florida so have been catching up on BC posting I've missed since I've been away. Coincidently, went to Bass Central in Orlando and got to play both back to back. The Flea absolutely knocked me out. The Flea with the 64s is definitely louder and more aggressive. That "angry" tone. Loved it. The RW was a little more old skool and reserved. Guess it comes down to what rings your bell. Personally, I really liked the Flea, just felt better, played better and was more upfront. [/quote] Exactly what I thought!

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1472658516' post='3123017'] and a decent headstock. [/quote] It is awful. Like a boat paddle?!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1472675848' post='3123259'] I still want a 55-94 or a super rare 55-76 , if we slag them off enough I might be able to aford one sooner! [/quote] hahahahahahaha

Well that was unexpected. A very friendly and honest chap came along after seeing it on Gumtree of all places and had a test, and paid exactly what I wanted for it! I did think I might get a few low ball offers from others before hand, but nope. Oh well. The last moments of carrying it down a few flights of stairs with him is definitely helping me think I made the right decision.

I now have interest in it locally and I'm sat here thinking 'will I miss it?' To be honest...I have too many bass amps...and I don't use it due to the size/weight. But, it is a fantastic amp. If it does go I think I'll use the money for guitar related gear and effects...I really do need to work on having less bass related amps and cabs.

I must admit I was quite interested in the D Lakin basses, but they do not seem to have taken off...even in the USA. Who knows why. There was an issue on Talkbass about essentially getting discount/commission (or similar?!)....and then I barely saw a post about them.

Digitech Dirty Robot? Lots of flexibility!

[quote name='Misdee' timestamp='1472497512' post='3121615'] It would be no problem to get a US Lakland in any of the colours you fancy, but you are looking at spending closer to four grand than the 2,300 quid you are currently balking at. Don't just blame Lakland though, blame Boris, Nigel et al. Regarding the colour choices, you may be averse to black, but all bass makers will tell you that it is a perennially popularchoice. [/quote] I agree 100% that Brexit will continue to affect instruments such as this. I also agree that black is no doubt THE most popular guitar and bass colour, it is just not for me. It isn't just the colour though, they just look extremely plain. I would be interested to know exactly what the differences are to a Skyline, that make it's more than double (I think?) the price. Electronics? Frets? Figured woods on the neck? Maybe it is just poor marketing. Do you get a good quality Lakland hardcase? It looks like you get the same pickups on the passive models....

[quote name='Misdee' timestamp='1472324697' post='3120400'] If I might say, my friend, you seem preoccupied with largely irrelevant and superfluous details. Flamboyant colours and nitro finishes are not what separates a run of the mill instrument from a superior quality one. Besides which one man's "boring" is another man's "elegantly understated". [/quote] In your opinion. Personally, I love interesting pastel colours such as surf green and sonic blue. Black? Nope. Let's be honest, you should be looking at details in a bass, especially £2300. It's all in the details.