Musicman20

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1392196458' post='2365734'] He didn't say specifically, I can only assume that when he says 'same specification' that they'd still be neodymium drivers. Then again, if they weren't the cabs would certainly be even heavier! [/quote] Thanks. It all seems very odd to me. Markbass build up a fantastic brand and image, and now they have, in my eyes, completely changed it. This whole 'we test it in Italy' doesn't really make any sense to me. It is surely pretty normal to test them. Genz Benz always stated their amps were made in a high tech factory in Taiwan then shipped to be checked over at their headquarters. Thing is, they were upfront about that, and their amps were a good price IMO.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1392145609' post='2365337'] Marco has just revealed that they no longer use B&C drivers. He said that they're custom Markbass speakers that he designed personally, to the same specification. [/quote] Are they neo?

Yeah, that doesn't sell it for me. Lakland manufacturer their Skyline series then re-test and finish them in Chicago. Why are some of the cabinets now heavier then?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1391978428' post='2363259'] Indeed. I'm glad you are enjoying it, sir. [/quote] Thanks

Finally got this out! Super super impressed. Updated it in seconds. Excellent build quality, fairly easy to use, and the actual effects and amp tones etc and fantastic. This is a far cry from the zoom pedals of the 90s!

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1391807854' post='2361658'] I am in the minority, I am not keen on Lakland. They are solid basses but with the exception of a Duck Dunn model, I have only ever been underwhelmed by Lakland Skyline's. They are well built, but for what they go for new I would buy something else personally. My best friend uses a 5502 Deluxe with USA Bart electronics for a lot of high profile recording jobs and has constantly struggled to get a decent tone out of it and now bypasses the electronics for recording. I leant him my old £260 Squier CV precision and he instantly found it easier to play and got a better sound out of it for recording. Its all preference though, we all have different ideas of the perfect tone. [/quote] Ay, I've been underwhelmed. Nice designs just not my thing for the price bracket.

One thing I do like about Ashdown is they are almost (well the heads/cabs/combos I've tried) indestructable. They seem to be in many rehearsal rooms in the North East and take a lot of hammering and don't give up! Even if the users of the amps have knack'd all the knobs on the front. I also like that they are easy to access for UK repairs. If I had a need for an amp I'd like one of their full tube amps!

These are very good prices...I'm quite impressed.

You will still get the same warranty from Fender UK for the Genz amps.

The top end will open up massively with a new cab. Genz amps tend to be quite bright and modern up top. It will sizzle with a Ray if you want it to

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1391597592' post='2358901'] I have a TH500 and love the full, warm, clear and punchy tone through my Bergantino cabs. I hardly have to EQ the amp to get a great sound out of it. I'm looking to buy another as a backup. I knoiw there's a lot of love for the Streamliner amps but even though I haven't heard one I know, from the reviews, that I wouldn't like the big, pillowy low end. [/quote] I wouldn't describe is as pillowy, or overly scooped. This has been discussed on Talkbass, and there are plenty of amps that have the slight mid scoop (Orange Bass Terror, Fender amps, GK amps, etc etc). It's a famous 'sound'... There is a scoop. Controls at 11, 1.30 ish, and 12 tends to mean it is then NOT scooped, so then you have the rest of the mid knob to dial in more mids. The bass is not pillowy, especially with the right cab. At 12 o'clock, the bass is quite 'big'....forceful would be a word I would use. I imagine a lot of users are using it with a J bass with both pups on full! If you have the mids on the lowest setting and boost, and drop the bass a touch, the low mid kick is fantastic.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1391559432' post='2358705'] I think some people are more suited to windows and android based things, and others are more in tune with Apple based things. I can never work windows PC's, or android phones, they just don't seem 'right' to my mind. Apple stuff though just seems intuitive to me. [/quote] Completely agree. I used PC's for years. I still do at work. I wish I could use Mac's and Apple products all the time. It just 'works'. For example, I HATE that PC's need to mess about with drivers for every single small product you plug into it. With a Mac, plug it in, its recognised. No messing about. Smooth. iTunes can be a pain but I like the new version and its bound to work better with Macs anyway.

I think the RH450 will shine at that. Very nice mid control!

The TH500 is more mid forward when set to 12, with slightly shy treble. The Streamliner is big down low, hi bass/really low mid kick, dip in the mids somewhere, then much cleaner and brighter up top.

The Shuttle is the SAFE option. Clean, balanced, take pedals well, etc. A neutral (ish) platform. The LF Extension button is better on the .2 models so that will fatten it up. The Streamliner is perhaps the fun option. If you like the tone of a very powerful clean tube amp (it really does sound like a tube amp) this amp will do it for you. Please beware that these amps do have a lot of power under the hood and you can overwhelm a lot of cabs without realising it...especially with the bass boosted. Just be careful Both will soon be no more...but I think they are future classics.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1391439566' post='2357148'] Do you find the Streamliner has more going on on the top end? The RH450 is never really bright. I have to say that from the demo of the Streamliner, I thought the treble control was really good, I was impressed, not brittle at all... [/quote] Yes, the Streamliner has a VERY nice treble control. The slap on a Ray sounds brilliant. Very 'piano' like and clear. Roll it back and its like a passive tone control on a Fender.

The MB LMIII was clean, smooth, and warm to me. Very precise. Nice amp. I wouldn't go down the MB route nowadays as I personally think they've lost their way a little. We just want a LMIV with more power, semi para mids, aux in/headphones, and the same tone. The RH450 is still a favourite of mine. I love that baked in tone. The 750 will give you the treble snap. The RH450 amp is more in the Aguilar TH500 territory. Eg, lots of punch! The Shuttle is closer to the Markbass F1/500. Eg, very precise, very quick! This is more apparent with the Max 9.2 and the FET channel. The normal 9.2 will have the warmth of the tube...but it is still tight and bright, but it will give you plenty of low end. The Streamliner has a small mid scoop with controls at 12. This is the same as many famous amps! E.g. Orange TB500, GK amps and Fender amps. It can be controlled, easily. The knobs are there to turn! The bass on the Streamliner is huge. I love it. It can be tamed...easily. With a Stingray...tough choice...they both sound fantastic. I am a huge Musicman fan and both the Streamliner and Shuttlemax sound great...excellent features, superb DI and headphone out, etc.

Not sure, but some 'muso's' don't understand that many of us can't faff about playing music all night, as much as we want to! Oh to have the time to have 2 rehearsals a week! I struggle to fit in 1!

[quote name='Iana' timestamp='1391367663' post='2356339'] Shuttle is tight and bright streamliner is big fat old school tube tone with a very sweet treble. Both great but depends on the cab you pair it with.... Streamliner can be fussy on cab matches. [/quote] This! Best option would be both...haha! The Streamliner treble is BEAUTIFUL...really nice modern yet not overly clack treble.

Thanks all. I'm still deciding haha!!!

Nice design and great tone. I think the demo is brilliant....no faffing about.

I would never offer to own the PA!

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1391093949' post='2353193'] By "horrible cut out" do you mean the bottom cutaway being deeper than the top one?? The JC has that. [/quote] That's the one. For some reason I don't mind it on the JC. I think because it wasn't there before on the Midtown, I prefer it without!

I have however been offered a gold Epiphone JC or Gibson Midtown in sunburst (2013 without the horrible cut out!) at very reasonable prices....hmm!