Musicman20

After emails with Shaun @ SHX and Jorg, I am now certain on a 1212BMF. So, I might be the first user on Basschat!

[quote name='Kongo' post='500467' date='May 29 2009, 12:18 AM']+1

TBH, volume is not all Watts.
From an old forum I was told once that doubling your watts from 300 to 600 only increases volume by 3db...That's nothing!
There's so much more than watts to volume...Tonight I was using an Ampeg SVT-3...not my choice...and it was quieter than my Laney home head!!!
Had to push it so damn hard to get any level...and I tried everything I'd normally do.

Same goes with Peavey...I'm not a great fan but they have some serious volume!!![/quote]

+1 on the SVT-3....could not get it to sound like it was cutting through without the vol being really high.

Orange amps 'sounds' so loud. It must be just in the design...the cabs and the voicing perhaps? i did a lot of research on the RV heads, and the 100watt version is just insanely loud!

Agreed, but the Orange idea of watts always 'seems' MUCH louder than you think.

I love all the Orange gear, whether it be Bass or Guitar. Mostly made in UK, nearly all tube gear, awesome colour and style.

Some prefer the active elecs and additions of the deluxe. I myself like the USA Standard....I love passive P and J bass tone.

All down to taste

Le bump!

Yeah Ive just checked with him

Im just wondering if they cut through like the old ones. Really need to test them but no chance of that.

I had a fiddle on the Momark at Bass Merchant. Very clever bit of kit. Im going to see how this gear goes...if they keep adding more and more I might be tempted in a year or so.

Ah understood, thanks Alex.

Obviously I have no doubt the Tube 800 is perfect for people who want ultra quick digital response and that extra headroom. The LM3 is great though, for the normal sized gigs.

Bass Merchant have all this gear in, and at very good prices!

Right, as promised, a report.

I tried some of the Momark stuff, the LM3 and the LMTube 800.

Quick reviews:

Momark - very cleverly put together. The testing tower is a brilliant idea. I didnt opt for this as I wanted my MB to be just standard. It is damn cool though. Have a try! Loads of options. You can have exactly what you want.

LMTube800 - This was weird. It sounded awesome, but, I think I prefer the 500W analog MB gear. The tube was a little like my old Trace rig, as in it added some warmth and changed the sound a bit, but not as much as I thought it it would. Thats probably because when I think tube I think my Orange AD200b killer cranked sound. The extra wattage was not audible when I a/b'd it with the LM3 and an 8ohm cab. Very well constructed, the mute seemed a little weird being on a pull switch, and lots of extra features, however none that I really needed. No doubt at 4ohm it would sound very very loud.

LM3 - Absolutely awesome. I love this amp. So, Ive got one on its way. The store are getting me a new one in all boxed etc cos I like my gear like that. The 500W is more than enough. I tried two Aggie DB1x12 and it was stunningly loud and perfect. I love this amp. Basically, a LM2 with good extras. Ok, no mute, but hey, still brilliant.

So....hope that helps. I think I was taken with the LM3 straight away, and I didnt need the extras of the Tube800. I wanted solid state, as Ive already got full tube. I suggest you all try them and see what you think, but the Tube feature is more about extra warmth. The 500W Analog of the LM3 is brilliant, purely brilliant!

PS - The Aggie DB1x12s are AMAZING!

[quote name='Finbar' post='497691' date='May 26 2009, 12:19 AM']FWIW, we (Mae's Lost Empire) played with your band a while back at the Matrix in Grimsby, and I was using my 1212L there. I was barely pushing it. So if you remember that at all, then you'll know how much of a brute it can be. When it was working of ocurse - one of my patch leads kept cutting out If not, then never mind ;p[/quote]

Hey

I remember your band! I cannot remember the cab setup...Ive no idea why not! I always check out the gear at gigs. Thanks for the advice.

I decided today to go for a Mark Bass Little Mark 3. Tried all of them (see thread) and thought 500W at 4ohm is more than I will ever need. Also sounded awesome. So now, I might end up with a 1212L or BMF, purely cos Ill not be able to push a 1200W 410 properly....and I dont need to!

I also tried two Aguilar DB1x12 together....and they were really loud. And amazing. 2x12 nowadays can do what a normal 4x10 can do no trouble.

Will keep you all posted.

[quote name='Rik (ESA)' post='497344' date='May 25 2009, 03:59 PM']Had the first practice with it last night, and it showed tonnes of potential! Obviously it's going to take a while to get used to it, but i like what i've heard so far! Not the most 'metal suited' head ever, but i'm sure it wasn't designed to be! Very versatile though, love the VLE & VLF filters!

I was playing it through some 15's last night to compare, and i think for me it sounds massively better with 10s!

Only took me 18 months to decide on an amp, god knows how long it'll take to pick a cab! MythSte's given some good pointers though![/quote]

Yeah, Im off for the Markbass amp....not sure which yet. They might be totally different compared to normal rock/punk/metal amps, but Im hoping that will make me stand out a little from the crowd.

Have a look at the Schroeder cabs...really good for Markbass. Im thinking of one of those.

I could never decide if what I heard was true about the 2 Humbucker models. They say you cant get the exact old Stingray tone with it...but that might be nonsense. Something about positioning of the pups.

I am currently thinking of saving this autumn/winter for a new 5 String, and Im going for a 'Ray without a doubt. They look awesome.

Think thats done it!

Done

[quote name='martthebass' post='496684' date='May 24 2009, 05:02 PM']I've currently got US S1 P Bass and Ray4 3EQ. The P bass is better for certain things (like R&B, 60's 'pop') and the Ray to me works better on stage because it is easier to get it cutting through the mix. The P bass is a bit lighter and is more comfortable on a long gig. The MM feels better made, and has a faster neck (unfinished - waxed/oiled).

If I could only keep one................don't make me choose. [/quote]

I agree with this!

Ok...new cab series completely!

BMF Front fired...even lighter!

[url="http://www.schroedercabinets.com/bass.htm"]http://www.schroedercabinets.com/bass.htm[/url]

Now that even adds more choices...but the lighter weight attracts me.

[quote name='stevieb85' post='496548' date='May 24 2009, 12:06 PM']ok ok when i said they demanded i got a stingray i was saying it jokeingly it was nothin more than a simple suguestion.

have any of you guys gone from fender to musicman? it has been fender i have always used, currently using my fender usa 1 pbass, and just sold my jazz to get money for a new toy. is there a lot of playing and sound diffrence?[/quote]

Fender and Ernie Ball are my favourite manufacturers, purely because I like the look and sound. Ernie Ball tends to be more expensive, and thus the bass is usually a little better in the finish department. The gloss they use is very nice. Try a few out. Most shops have at least one.

Differences...well...be prepared for how powerful that humbucker really is. I love passive basses, but that humbucker growls like mad. It has all you could want...if you want to be heard, get one. It has quite a distinct tone like a Jazz (not the same though) but adds that extra oomph. Im not a mad fan of active instruments...but the MM/Sterling is a classic.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='496598' date='May 24 2009, 01:56 PM']Hi Frank!

I think what happens is that your ears (or in my case, ear!) gets used to hearing a certain sound - I call it the `trace syndrome'. Reason is, you get accustomed to what appears to be a regular, `normal' bass amp sound; then something new comes onto the market (back in 86 it was a Trace rig for me) which suddenly `ups' the standard - it makes everything else sound dull or whatever. I got used to the Trace sound, then a mate of mine bought an SWR which then made the Trace sound dull! Went SWR!!! Subsequently, I heard an EBS rig which made the SWR sound old hat, (went EBS!) then Markbass came along which has, for me (note that!) given me the closest thing in terms of the sound I'd always searched for. I've tried other high end gear which is comparable in tone terms but there's something about the Mark stuff which just does it for me.

Having suffered a major ear op this year, it does make you realise how delicate your hearing is and that everyone's hearing will be different - the clean, pure sound of the Mark gear does help me now that I'm much more aware of the effects of volume can have on one's hearing (even though my ear problem was nothing to do with high pressure levels, so my consultant says) - I find the onstage volume can be much lower without any compromise on clarity.[/quote]

That makes me even happier that Im picking up a new Markbass soon. Really looking forward to my guitarists looking amazed at its size!

And thus now my options are even wider!

Too many decisions!

I think Ill end up with just the normal head...I think If I had options Id fiddle too much.

I LOVE stingrays.

Hence my signature.

Yes...its a certain tone...but wow, I love that tone. Its one of the three classic tones I always wanted. EG Passive Fender P bass, Passsive Fender J bass, EB MM Stingray.

Cuts through so well...and brilliant for punk/rock/metal/hardcore/funk etc.

I love them....they are fairly heavy...but comfortable. I love the way they look as well.

[quote name='Monz' post='496019' date='May 23 2009, 01:25 PM']You is obviously consinderably richer than me [/quote]

I wish haha!

Just spending all available money on bass gear before I move/buy a house.

I was going to settle for just one good tube amp...but the Markbass stuff lured me in! Now ive got to choose which one!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='495995' date='May 23 2009, 12:56 PM']I've had a similar thing with hybrid heads in the past. My SVT Pro3 had a blend knob, and it made no discernable difference.

That's part of the reason I moved to Mesa stuff... the Simulstate design really does introduce tubiness to the tone, like the DB750 and the Warwick Tubepath.[/quote]

Completely agree on this about the Pro 3. I had people trying to sell me it in shops instead of a full tube amp. The SVT 3 Pro is a good head, but sometimes lacks the volume and the tubes seem to do very little.

Best bet is to have a lightweight SS amp.....and a normal weight full tube amp Best of both worlds!

Ive been a roto stainless user for years. Now im trying some EB Nickel...just for a change. Im even considering flats on my P bass or one of my MM when they next need a change.

Now I appreciate the bass guitar in more styles of music, I want to try different tones.

I think unless you go full on all tube there isnt a massive difference. It can add some grit and usually warmth to have that tube pre-amp. This is my experience anyway. My old Trace had a similar setup...and I just had the tube setting on full...not sure if its exactly the same kinda thing...but it wasnt a huge difference in tone.

Then I tried a full on tube amp...and all was different!