Musicman20

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398675612' post='2436327'] Have you A/B'd these two amps? The Fusion is capable of huge warmth and depth of tone - it's a beast. It's loud, too. Admittedly I only had a relatively short time with the amps at bertbass's place, but it was quite obvious that although there are certain variations in the way they do things, they have more similarities than differences. The Fusion will do 'the GK sound' for sure, but it does a [i]lot [/i]more besides. It shouldn't be confused with any other GK amp. IMHO. [/quote] Not side by side like that, no, unfortunately. I picked up on it, and noticed a few others pick up on it, but it could have been settings, etc. The Streamliner sounds like a very expensive all tube pre amp into a recording desk to my ears. Very smooth, musical, but with the ability to have that modern high end sheen. I really like the treble control as it doubles like a passive tone control for every bass you plug in. There is no lack of mids unless you let there be a lack of mids. Just bump up the mid control, same on the baked in GK tone, (although GK tend to have a high mid bump somewhere). I prefer the sound and form factor of the Streamliner, but I agree that the GK gear is great.

Not really. I like a Jazz tone, I like the aesthetics, but the P feels easier to play for me, and the J bass always seems to get lost if you have everything on full. However, a P or J ain't a Ray. Ray everytime for me.

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1398683247' post='2436449'] I watched Jools especially to see these (after many recommendations), and was disappointed...I think they're in danger of becoming seriously over-hyped, and potentially imploding before they've really done anything! I just feel that as soon as the novelty's worn off, they do just end up sounding like a poor man's Black Keys or White Stripes. Like some others mentioned, I feel like Death From Above already did the "lead bass" thing so much better, and they were a lot more exciting! Worryingly I thought the best performance of the show was Paulo Nuttini doing "Diana"! ... [/quote] DFA are exactly that, just really exciting, loud and brash. Royal Blood seem a little safe, not very exciting, and the hype machine could ruin them.

[quote name='Edenburgh' timestamp='1398633832' post='2436112'] Interesting how the tension in strings can vary so much. Used to have a MIM Roadworn Jazz and tried it with Rotosound '77 Flats, but they felt like they were going to rip the neck off when they were tuned up to pitch. Now my '77 P-Bass has Thomastik Infeld flats and they are just perfect (I know it's all subjective). If you can get a hold of TI flats, I cannot recommend them highly enough. Mine have been on for over a year, rehearsed & gigged regularly and still sound awesome...I reckon I've got a couple more years left in them which, in my mind, justifies the slightly pricey purchase price. [/quote] +1, the TI's are lovely and flexible. I have EB Group IIIs on my MIA P Bass and EBMM Ray....both feel lovely! Very smooth, little bit higher tension than TI's, but not difficult to play.

Well, the Fusion tubes don't really add much. They add some harmonic content, but not as much as some people would want. The Streamliner pre really does add a huge amount of warmth and thickness to the tone. It is very obvious especially if you've just played a solid state amp like the Shuttle before.

Wish they would stop messing about and offer all the main body shapes with whatever neck you want, whatever pickups (within reason eg you can have the traditional single coil P), blocks/binding, ashtrays, and DECENT COLOURS. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH COLOURS? It's 2014; just offer normal customers a bass in classic colours like sonic blue and surf green. The latest two colours in the American Standard range are absolutely awful. Cheap red and blue. Nice one.

I, in my school days, did Grade 3 and 5. I never bothered with anymore as I didn't ever use what I learnt and I was too busy sorting out A-Levels following those two grades. Then it was Uni and trying to work/be in a band, so I figured I'd just stick to bass and guitar as purely fun. Some of the Grade 5 songs were quite difficult. I think the speed of the scales, etc, were also fairly challenging. Most of it was much more difficult that the usual rock band stuff, but this is years ago and now I might find it much easier. You could dive in at Grade 5/6 and just take your time?

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1398632948' post='2436098'] I for one would like to see them return. Britain needs some rock stars to give it large, as they say. Example: Radiohead make an album and offer it for sale for what you think it`s worth. Noel says, I`m giving f**k all away for free. Do you have any idea how much Abbey road studio cost to hire for a day? Arrogant, loud mouthed and rip off merchants but honest with it. [/quote] For some reason the Gallagher attitude just cracks me up. Funny guys who just don't take any crap.

The Streamliner pre amp tubes have a much bigger influence on the tone VS the MB Fusion.

I'd LOVE to see Oasis. I'm a big fan of the band, especially the songwriting itself. We can all comment on the band members, but lets face it, Noel and Liam create one of the best song writing teams (mainly Noel but you needs Liam's voice with a lot of it) this country has ever produced. No, they aren't Lennon/McCartney, but for that era, these guys really did set a new level of amazing songs, album after album. FYI - The B sides Oasis write are some of the best I've ever heard. Round Are Way/Acquiesce/Let's All Make Believe. You just don't get decent B-sides from modern bands now...

I'm not sure on the shape of the neck....I have a Classic and all I can say is it sounds and plays better than many truly expensive high end gear (e.g. the £2500+ basses). Exceptional build quality, lovely birdseye maple neck and board, and the mutes...woah....I didn't expect them to sound so good!

I think by the time they hit here they will be more expensive than a Fender, and no doubt come in a flimsy gig bag which all these boutique builders are fond of (cheaper shipping probably).

[quote name='roonjuice' timestamp='1398521797' post='2434945'] I could build u one g;) [/quote] Mint !

I think we need a UK company to start building hand made, point to point amps, not just aimed at the big tube amps. It would be worth the premium. Totally OT there, sorry.

I think the Aggie covers are like £70+....for the small ones! They are very good, but it takes a set of DB112s to a silly price. The Berg covers are similar prices. Great products though. I have noticed Roqsolid prices creeping up.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398503156' post='2434693'] Not a sales plug as I'm not hugely bothered about selling it, but, regards GK. In my ad you will see the condition of my GK MB 500 after about 50 Dog and Duck and a couple of festival gigs. Mind you, it has always been protected in transit, in a laptop bag . The thought of the 800 version scares me silly, and that's against kick drum, toms, snare, two loud guitarists, ALL through PA at every gig. Me through the PA at two festivals . [/quote] The GK amps are incredibly loud, and the Fusion 500/800 might get close to the GB Streamliner as they are both a little (I mean a little) mid shy when the amps are set to 12 on the dials of the EQ, but for both amps, bump it up, and you have more 'flat' mids, or bump a lot for a more middy tone.

[quote name='cliffyspliff' timestamp='1398511765' post='2434820'] I use this setup too .... But I add a DI box in the mix too .... As I thought if you were putting the sonic port into the fx return on your amp ... Anything coming out of the DI of that amp to the PA would be just clean guitar signal .... Totally unaffected ... Is this correct? My set up is Guitar > sonic port > DI box > fx return > the DI in the middle of the chain also goes into the PA ... I use a aguilar tonehammer for the DI and a TC Classic 450 for the power amp [/quote] Not sure....never tested that. I know most amps have pre/post EQ settings you can send to the PA, but Im guessing this isn't available if you use the power section only...

Tecamp! Yes, another option. I have the Tonehammer pre, and that is more low mid orientated, with less ability to have a very very sweet or modern high end. The TH is great but it does subdue the highs a little....like the RH450.

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1398491922' post='2434601'] Once you get to the quality of the NX2 and the Berg cabs you don't really get "better" just "different". So the rather un-useful advice is to play both and see which you like best. [/quote] This. It's all flavours of 'excellent'.

Until some bright spark realises Genz were really onto a brilliant product....nothing. The GK amps are very loud but I don't personally think they are as well made. Carvin amps are an option but not the same size/tone.

It probably needs more input from those who specialise in bass. It's great that Chapman are branching out, and I realise these are at a set pricepoint, but it needs some work.

I doubt there would be as much attention if it was another guitar/drum band. Then again, that is the point of the forum. His sound is decent, but the tone isn't for me. They are doing more than me as a band, so thats great, but I can't match those vocals up to the sound of the band. He can sing, no doubt, it just doesn't work for me.