Musicman20

I have never played in anything that is purely 'metal', as I always have and always will much prefer anything that is punk/hardcore orientated when it comes to more aggressive music. One of the things that I really dislike about most the metal bands I've heard is the guitar sound. QOTSA are by no means a metal band, at all, but a good idea of what I think a heavy guitar sound should be...eg not totally overdriven, warm, crunchy, and I guess more traditional. The poor reception bass players get in metal is probably why I much prefer modern punk, (see Rancid, A Wilhelm Scream, NOFX).

I feel quite lucky that I don't see any of that on mine. Mind you, the foam material is not an issue...

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384449294' post='2276879'] I want a single H now , in lieu of a Stingray Classic. If I could get a nice Stingray Classic that weighed 9 pounds or less then I would snap it up , but I think I am unlikely to be that lucky , so my next best choice would be a Bongo H . How long before you get the same urge, Gareth ? [/quote] HAHA! I know. I eventually got a Classic 5er H from Promenade Music....the neck is incredibly pretty. Very good price as well. The single H Bongo has me thinking. It's actually significantly cheaper than the HS and HH, and it is justified as the tone is different. They have all rosewood neck options at the moment for an extra £150 or so. Imagine a Bongo H in Tangerine Pearl with an all Rosewood Neck??!?!

No issues whatsoever with any Genz amps. I've had two for quite some time.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384445023' post='2276809'] I think the Bongo looks great, and they sound unique . Definitely my favourite EBMM bass, by far. [/quote] Agreed. I bought one, then bought another as I liked it so much. One of the most radical and interesting bass designs in the past 10 years or more. Funnily enough, it has been said that the Bongo wouldn't last. Funny that, but its eventually infiltrated the lives of most Musicman owners that I know. The build quality is absolute perfect on mine....nice weight, beautifully carved/machined body shape, perfect paintwork, and a killer sound. That is exactly what they wanted, a killer tone. They absolutely nailed it.

[quote name='jimbobothy' timestamp='1384435668' post='2276628'] Just a wonder, GAK replied saying all of the cabs they get through now are MIM. So are the ones from Bass Direct USA ones or have some random old stock USA ones been sent out from the dusty store cupboards lol? Also just wondering CamdenRob how do the MIM and USA built cabs compare in the finer details? Asking out of interest tbh, I'm sure they sound great whoever made them! Afaik the covers are made in Batley, West Yorkshire. [/quote] Mine was the very first one GAK got in from the shipment...about a week before the rest. It's extremely well made and finished very well. I need to double check the date but to be honest, it is flawless so I'm not bothered. The prices on these did drop from £750-760 to about £710 about 12 months ago. Might be a cheaper labour reflection?

As BF state about their cabs, same applies here. It might take time for to EQ the cab how you like it. Conan - Is your amp the Fender style EQ, eg mids are flat when mids boosted to max? I'd lower the bass to 12, (or lower...it doesn't make much difference but saves you wattage!), keep the mids flat (or boost if possible) and keep the treble fairly flat or boosted as the tweeter has a fair amount of high freq information!

[quote name='Adee' timestamp='1384430656' post='2276545'] I've been using the slightly older NeoX212t for two or three years now and love it and I paid £450 used for mine !!!! What I'm looking forward too is when these cabs all flood into the used market place and you kind people let them go for shall we say .... errrrrr £200 yeah that will do : ) [/quote] Haha! i think anyone wanting to sell soon would be best waiting to see what Fender make in its place. The next cab could be equal/re-branded or lesser, who knows! I really think Fender could miss a trick if they don't use the Genz engineers knowledge and previous products to make a monster lightweight Fender branded bass amp. I've waited for this type of cab for years, so mine will be kept for a very long time!

Yes, if you think about it, the cab handles don't actually (unless I'm mistaken) enter the area where the speakers are situated. If they did, they would have to redesign for the changes to sound/performance, etc. I used to have the TC RS212 (still have the RS210s) and I sold the RS212 to get the old NeoX212....but moving house etc got in the way and I never bothered. Now, I have the upgraded NX2 for less than what I originally sold the RS212 for! The RS212 was a really nice, full/fat/low mid kick type cabinet. It was however heavier than the NX212 and could not handle as much wattage. It was very awkward to lift with the handles being where they were.

This might be just me, but I HATE lifting cabs to the chest area. I think its a potentially dangerous way to carry them as you can't see for a start! I always lift, when possibly, with two people. I have a decent trolley I used when I moved house that can also double as a gear mover for getting to a car. At 47lbs or whatever it is, its ok to lift by yourself, but I think its much safer and easier to use the top handles and get two people on it. The Genz amps are put together in Taiwan - always have been. However, they are inspected and finished in the USA (might not be in a few months though!). The QC on my amps is very very good. Much better than the last Markbass amp I owned.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1384415868' post='2276315'] Same here. So it is a year old. No big deal really. Had Fender bought GB a year ago? I just kind of assumed that GB gear was US made. Again, not a dealbreaker, but it would have been nice if they'd advertised that fact. The "screws-protruding" thing is just odd. OK, you have to actually [i][b]look[/b][/i] to see it (i.e. shine a torch into the port), but it's a simple lazy error of using screws that are twice as long as the plywood is thick! Why would they do that? Anyway, I used it at rehearsal last night. It is certainly a solidly constructed box! Not the easiest to man-handle up a twisty set of stairs! I thought I would like the top-mounted handles, but I actually don't. Makes it impossible to hug the cab to my chest when carrying it up and down stairs. Not sure what the advantages are meant to be? I guess it is a bit easier to move short distances on the flat, but then again the wheels make that operation a doddle. Maybe the handles are positioned there to make use of the wheels easier? Sound-wise? Well, there is no shortage of volume! But you would expact that. Tone-wise I found it rather scooped - especially after my Compact which has a beautiful, full midrange. To be fair, using a J bass with both pickups full-on makes it's job more difficult - as does using the BDI21 pedal - but the Compact managed to still have a full midrange under these conditions. I had a play about with my graphic pedal, which helped, but this will take a bit more research... I did find that I kind of disappeared in the mix last night Again, I think it is just something that I am going to have to play around with until I get the tone I like, but it is something that I hadn't anticipated. Just shows that impulse buys aren't always sound investments!! Overall I am pleased with it. At £379. If I had paid nearly £800 for a Mexican-made cab with QC issues (admittedly minor) I think I would have been somewhat disgruntled! But it is my first brand new cab since 1986, so that in itself was fun! [/quote] What QC issues does your cab have? Or is your cab ok? I am definitely not hearing any scooped tone in the NX2...in fact I'd say there is a bump in the low mids which makes it punchier. You are also going to get a lot more high end and probably more volume with the NX2. The top handles are, IMO, better than side handles on a cabinet like this. Lifting it to your chest means bending your knees and lifting it high. I've tried these handles and it means two people can carry it, and then it really does feel light! The wheels I suspect aren't for rolling around on rough concrete but will work in venues for getting near where you are playing. The faital drivers in the cabinet are quite expensive! So yes, it is a bargain.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1384423834' post='2276445'] I can see your point. Yes, we got it for £380, but it is an £800 cab. And at that price point (as people regularly say about BareFaced cabs) you have a right to expect a top quality fit and finish. [/quote] Mine is exceptional. Maybe I got lucky? I do find it odd that there are now Mexican versions...it MUST be part of the change to Fender as they bought KMC (which included Genz Benz) quite some time back. Definitely WELL over a year ago. It would make sense, if Fender have now taken on the ex-Genz engineers, that some of the products will be made in Mexico along with a lot of the other Fender amps. It will still, I assume, be the same parts. Re: BF - I can't comment on the latest ones (as in seeing them in the flesh) but the NX2 I have is superb and looks and feels more solid than the Compact I tried out.

How bizarre! Great looking rig anyway! I still think it's a massive bargain no matter where it was made. I think mine says Dec 12 as date of manufacture.

I bet some of these are the last Genz-turning-into-Fender cabs. Mine doesn't have the Mexico sticker though.

[quote name='jimbobothy' timestamp='1384375399' post='2275987'] Yup, all factory sealed so thinking about it I guess it's from moving it about in the factory but I did notice the box had extra sets of old staple holes in the top of it. So either it's been taken out at some point after packaging for some reason or a return repackaged in it's original box. Who knows and even if I did send it back I wouldn't get another one as they're kinda out of stock now! I guess I'll never know, a bit odd though [/quote] That should be ok. Yeah mine was restapled. Guess they check them or repack. Mine is definitely brand new.

[quote name='jimbobothy' timestamp='1384373083' post='2275938'] Got it, now need a lead. I get what was mentioned above Re quality. The screws for the handles protrude through the inside of the ply and the foam inside the cab (acoustic stuff I guess) is a bit rough. However saying that I'm sure it'll sound great and hopefully worth the spends! mmm, also after looking at it with a beady eye the 2 of the corner protectors have a few slight scuffs etc on them. Hope it wasn't a repackaged return lol!! Also didn't realise they were made in Mexico, not that that matters anyhow I guess [/quote] The corner scuffs is odd. Did it come in a sealed box, in a big sealed bag with packaging around it? Does the serial on the box match the cabinet? My cab says Scottsdale, AZ, USA. Made by Genz Benz. Nothing about Mexico. The screws don't pertrude through. The foam is hidden. Are we sure some of these aren't now being made by Fender (Mexico)???? That would make sense as they are potentially rebranding everything! I'd be interested to see the Mexico sticker.

[quote name='shemeckfrac' timestamp='1384343791' post='2275434'] I realize it's part of the [b]design[/b] and I do agree the [b]design[/b] works great ! It's attention to detail in the build I am talking about. Yes, they are painted black so unless you look hard and won't stick your hand too far into the port on the opposite side of the handles you won't see anything and scratch your hand on the screw. I may stick some pics latter on. [/quote] Yeah sure thing, good idea. We can all take a look see if its similar to ours. I am an absolute pain when it comes to satisfying my need for perfect QC, so I'm intrigued about this.

[quote name='shemeckfrac' timestamp='1384341180' post='2275406'] I was referring to my impression of the quality of the build of [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]NX2-212[/size][/font][/color]. By no means the cab arrived defected, but how it's been put together by Benz Genz. My quality benchmark are the Markbass cabs where all littlest details are taken care of. Perhaps this just relates to the design; the NX2-212 has vertical gaps where one can see the "stuff" (foam, screws from handles) inside, whereas with other cab design the "stuff" is hidden inside. In any case I'm not discouraging anyone from getting NX2-212 ! [/quote] Those 'vertical gaps' are ports and are part of why the cab works so well. Even the speaker/cab gurus seem to think its a well designed cabinet. I must admit, looking into the ports I can't see a thing. They are painted black...

[quote name='shemeckfrac' timestamp='1384332831' post='2275256'] my NX2-212 arrived from BD yesterday too (along with the Shuttle 9.2). The combination of the two sounds truly great!!!, however ..... not impressed with the build quality of NX2-212 cab. It's a bit micky-mousey. The handles screwed into the cabinet come out on the other side and are clearly visible along with the chips of wood that naturally break out when you drive a screw into a board. Also the cheap lookign foam at the bottom stapled into the bass does not look slick and will be a bitch to dust off. The label at the bottom of the grill looks like its about to come off... all these little things add up [/quote] Oh no That is a big surprise...mine is flawless. That sounds to me like its either had damage in the post or been knocked about somewhere down the line. The handles on mine are very well fitted, no signs of screws. The badge is secure. What do you mean by the foam? Do you mean the material they use inside the cabinet? I cannot see it on mine, obviously I am viewing it without opening it up!

Check the above posts. 15% discount in total.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1384269869' post='2274671'] I'm sure you're right... but I just can't help wondering if a lot of that is due to the general quality of the fit and finish? A classy package that delivers a "classy" tone? In the same way that some people refer to a certain "rawness" in the tone of a lot of BareFaced cabs, maybe? [/quote] I think a lot of it comes down to Jim Bergantino's excellence when it comes to voicing bass guitar cabinets, (and indeed amps like the IP cabinets). He has a lot of experience in working with PA/Bass cabs, and worked on Sadowsky cabs before working on his own. According to those who seem to buy a lot of his product, a lot of it is in his crossovers. Eg, the transition between the driver high end and the horn. Yes, his fit and finish is immaculate, but it definitely SHOULD be at that price. It's expected.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1384263250' post='2274575'] Is that deliberate, or is the cab just less mid-scooped than other cabs (including other Bergs)? [/quote] Definitely deliberately voiced like that. To be honest, I think a lot of the modern compact cabinets are voiced in this way to enable maximum volume from the size they are. Bergs have a certain class about their tone though...

I personally couldn't 'just' play covers. I agree with the OP in a sense, and I'm a little older! I love doing it at home, but I found when I quit the last band that the following wound me up: 1. Not really earning very much for a considerable amount of work and messing about; 2. Learning awful music. Some of it was great, but 50% of it was awful; 3. In relation to 1, my career is much more important and will always pay much more than music ever will (unless we are talking extremely good career in music) so, instead of spending weeks learning covers, I may as well just concentrate on work, play to bands at home, and write with a band I can call my own; 4. Giving up from about 3/4pm on a Friday/Saturday only to arrive to find the bar doesn't care when we start, and that the guy who dealt with it isn't in anyway, so we can't setup until 7/8pm. Waste of time. I've given covers up, but I love learning it at home. IF a superb function band wanted me to play, I would no doubt join, but I don't want to play the same old rock covers in the local bars. I'd want to play corporate events and big parties. The North East is flooded with crap covers bands. As are most areas of the UK I imagine. We do however seem to be lacking something in terms of new undiscovered original bands up here. I haven't seen a fantastic young band playing their own music for a long time, (the last band I did see was called Let's Buy Happiness). I won't pursue music as a career. Kudos for you for following it, and good luck. I have however, started a band from scratch. We had nothing....just me and a friend whose guitar playing I liked. He understands the role of a good 'forward in the mix' sounding bassist, and always talks about Joy Division, The Smiths, etc, which is the route we are taking. We now have all the instrumentalists ready. We just need that key person - frontman/vocals. I have found someone suitable but it has taken months. Again, stick at it.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1384261169' post='2274530'] Having said that, my Berg CN212 has surprised me by being as loud as my other rig at about a third less volume.[/quote] Not only the sensitivity, but the voicing. The Berg CN is voiced with quite a forward mid tone, which does make everything seem louder.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1384260879' post='2274521'] Unfortunately I'll be at work tomorrow when it arrives... MrsCamdenRob will have to sign for it. Providing everything actually turns up, I'm going to book an hour at the studio opposite my house on Saturday to give it a full welly workout. [/quote] You basically have a super loud/light rig, for a lot less than normal!