Musicman20

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1389746880' post='2337594'] I don't see the problem myself. Markbass aren't claiming their kit is made in Italy any more and their amps (along with everyone elses) have been full of Far Eastern components for decades. [/quote] Well, Indonesian construction of the amps/cabs may have been on the cards for some time. However, it is odd that they introduced a budget line (Black Line 250 I think) that was much cheaper, and made in Indonesia, and now it 'appears' their normal line of amps/cabs are going that way. A weight increase is also not acceptable without a full explanation in my opinion. Why is it heavier? Are we paying the same/a little less for cheaper wood/cheaper construction? I used to love my Little Mark III, but now this is happening, I would steer clear.

[quote name='EddyGlee' timestamp='1389714777' post='2337148'] Looking at the Markbass product pages.. I can't see anything about it been made in Italy!? But at the bottom of the product specs it does say.. "[color=#020202][font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana][size=3]Product specifications are subject to change without notice" [/size][/font][/color] [/quote] ....perhaps now omitted? I don't really care that much as I don't own any MB now, but 4-5 years ago these guys were one of the best. I'm not bothered about a companies profit margins or accounts. I'm interested in it from a customers point of view.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1389701288' post='2336968'] I don't know the size of the MB set up in Italy but is it possible that they've outgrown their capacity and needed to go elsewhere - in which case Far East manufacturing probably makes sense. As for dropping their prices, that's a marketing decision. Price is only elastically related to cost. Apple stuff is not exactly renowned for being cheap because it is manufactured in the far east. [/quote] Quite possibly, and as I said, I have no issues with outsourced manufacturing as long as its as good or better than the previous versions. See many issues with Ampeg's Vietnamese products and the recent move by GK back to the USA because of lack of control of quality. Genz GET IT RIGHT (well they did) with regards to their micro bass amps. If the Markbass amps are the same price (or a little less) but weigh more, what is the point? The average bass player won't realise, but it may end up costing the brand in the long run. I personally used to see Markbass as top of the game, very light, very well made, with excellent quality control. The fact it was made in Italy was a nice finishing touch. They have always (previously) talked about being proudly made in Italy. A cheaper line made overseas is fine, but the whole lot???

I seem to spend too long organising people and trying to find quality players who I get on with. That is the hardest part of being in a band. I've not done a gig for about half a year now and its starting to feel like its irritating me. I find that most people my age (32) have had a long blast of enthusiasm at bands, then had a few hurdles, then realised they are incredibly busy with life and get tired of dealing with the same old bands who are going nowhere. I'd rather spend 4-5 hours practicing, learning and developing my playing at home rather than lugging gear around to a band rehearsal for a band who will never gig or record. Yeah, I'm picky. I then formed my own band with great musicians. We all worked the opposite times, and one lad had stress on with buying his first house. We had to call it a day. It had potential but I could not handle dealing with the other people we were auditioning (vocalists who let us down EVERYTIME). I was the guy doing everything and I have the busiest/most intense career, so I said we will put it on hold. I've made contact with another band who have written 4-5 quite decent tracks, and they have a great drummer/sense of melody, and they are organising things, so I'm going to try that out In the modern world, there are thousands of awful bands, thousands of people who just rehearse at home, and nowadays, bassists are everywhere. Back when I started bass was a good way into a band. It isn't now.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1389653218' post='2336697'] I don't mind paying a premium for western made goods...as long as they deserve that mark-up but production in the far east is only because the labour is cheaper, imo. That saving should be passed on to the buyer, and if it goes straight to the shareholders, then the brand deserves no loyalty. Cheap tacky trick... on the face of it, and has demeaned the brand. IMO. [/quote] Yep. Agreed. Aguilar are still going strong. Let's hope ther stick to it.

I'd send it back and not buy another MB product if that is their approach. Genz is no more, Fender is rebranding Genz, and now the original forerunners of lightweight gear starts to make products outside of Italy and increase the weight? That puts me off the brand completely. Offshore manufacturing is fine and some companies get it right, but MB have always been proud to be made in their Italian factory. Hmmmm

A nice design similar to the very small/light Genz Shuttle cabinets...the 8" cab was apparently wonderful for how tiny it was.

Controversial - please don't use the BF style textured paint.

[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1389451011' post='2334294'] The marketed is blanketed with super loud cabs and super full range cabs. Carve a niche by offering 'old-cab' sound in a tiny, lightweight package. Something midget-sized but 810e/nv610/k140 sounding please. [/quote] Ay this could be good!

Excellent idea. My favorite cab ' tone' comes from the Aguilar DB212/DB112. If you can get close to that tone in a lighter smaller box it would be amazing!

I personally think they are in a good place for a two person lift.

Funnily enough, further to the above, the worst failure rate Class D amp seems to be the Ampeg PF500!

To be fair, most amp techs dislike Class D micros. I've heard barely any problems with the TC amps when it comes to the performance and sound issues.

The other tweak of course was to the high end the amp could provide. It no longer had the low pass filter which stopped some of the more modern sparkly tones getting through. This was also made variable. I'm not sure what I paid for my RH450 but I didn't pay much more for a new 750...they are of course now more expensive down the line.

If you want a more tube like tone, go for the TTE.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1389171716' post='2330763'] Apparantly it is louder, but uses the same power section. [/quote] Not the same power section, but it is 'limited' and 'tested by the Bass Gear Mag' at 236w. Testing wattages in these types of magazines can lead to all sorts of issues being brought up.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1389107759' post='2330069'] To answer the question in this thread, well you need to try both and decide for yourself. as you can see people have different opinion on both basses. Stingrays are nice and poppy, if you like scooped slap / pull type of sounds but if you want a soid presence in the audible mix of a band, the precision is the only winner, after all the proof is in the number of competitors bass manufacturers which fit P style split pickups to their basses as opposed to those who fit those large soapbar humbucker common with the Stingrays brigade. [/quote] I've never quite understood this 'Stingrays are scooped'. I'd say a Jazz bass with both pups on is very scooped, whereas a Ray has peaks and scoops in the mids, but the mid frequences affected are different. Eg, most the Ray tones I like are very low mid aggressive, but of course you can roll up the bass and treble and make it scooped and modern which a lot of the slap bassists prefer. A Stingray tends to kick like a mule...a very immediate feel to the pickup response, which is partly due to that low mid/high bass kick, and there must also be a peak in the high mids for the detail. I think P basses, whilst ALWAYS popular, are VERY much in fashion at the moment. I remember back in the mid 90s when people thought I was weird buying a MIJ Precision. This was also when Orange were big with Oasis using their amps, way before they revved up and became super popular like they are now. Times change a lot. Thing is, boutique manufacturers are bound to make P bass copies, because they are selling! The Super Jazz is still a big seller, but the P is everywhere now. To be honest, I think charging £2.5k for a P bass which isn't a vintage Fender is crazy. It is a VERY simple design. To me, the P is great, but I'd choose a Fender American Standard everytime over a boutique P copy. People don't copy the Ray so much because they can't. Aguilar however are now starting to make a MM style pickup.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1389046187' post='2329380'] I've had a good look around google the past few days and I'm fairly convinced the stewmac truss repair kit would be the place to start with trying to fix it. This is the kit- http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Truss_rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html Does anybody know a UK luthier that has this kit?? [/quote] Ouch...how much ?! I hope you get it sorted.

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1389018435' post='2328814'] Thanks. I am a pretty quiet player, more likely to be told to turn volume up rather than down. Most gigs I use only one cab running at 8 ohms. No effects or eq boost except what is on my onboard active preamp and am more likely to cut frequencies than boost. The 9.2 is looking good. [/quote] As much as the 9.0 and 9.2 amps from Genz have always had a pretty solid low end, they are still cleverly tight in the low end. It will basically cut a lot of unwanted flappy boomy bass when the amp is flat. You can adjust this and allow more low end through (the high pass filter) with the filters on the amp, (more so with the Max 9.2). You will be fine.

A decent mic (oh, you have that already!). Ermm, a mic stand, a good quality one! I suggest one of the Hercules stands. If you don't need a stand, you are set. You might want your own XLR cable, but you probably already have that. Ahh, the world of the vocalist. I sometimes wish I could turn up with a mic, party, sing, then go home!

Call Mark at Bass Direct. They have Shuttle 6.2 and 9.2 amps on offer. I'd pick up the 9.2 and be done! Or, if you want to go the extra mile, get the Max 12.2 or Max 9.2.

[quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1388743495' post='2325407'] Thanks TraceAmp. Naughty Ashdown - their site advertises the CTM15 as 'all tube', with an 'ECC83 driven preamp' and 'Dual EL84 power tubes'. Quite misleading of them, considering their reply to you. [/quote] Ay. A little disappointing.

I've heard that Ashdown have quite a lot coming out for NAMM this year...who knows! I do quite like the fact they are releasing a lot of valve amps!

[quote name='Arabesque-bass' timestamp='1388667920' post='2324522'] Thanks!! I had the chance A/B-ing the NV610 and 2 DB212's once. Unfortunately the room was quite small. The 2 DB's blasted like a hurricane!! Unfortunately the Berg's cannot be tested here in Holland... A 15" is not a welcome speaker in most of the clubs and bars. But I cannot judge on the NV115 as it is not available Holland..... [/quote] I wouldn't worry so much about size (although I realise lot of brands tend to voice their 10" loaded cabs as tight and punchy, and 15" loaded cabs as more bass and low mid orientated) but look more at the voicing of the cabinet as a whole. The Aguilar DB12s are voiced to blend and be heard in the mix, so lots of mid-mid push, with plenty of sparkle up top. For a comparison, the Aguilar GS112s are the same speaker, but the cab sounds totally different, (very low end extended, a mid scoop). The Berg NV115 will be super tight and punchy as its a sealed cab, and no doubt Jim Bergantino voiced it to give it a more classic vibe (eg less low end flub). The mids should be great as it has a mid driver. I used to own two DB212s, but I sold them to get one 4 ohm DB212. I wish I had kept the two 8 ohm cabs now! But, I've never needed more than one.