Musicman20

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1383235981' post='2261964'] I think it looks ridiculous myself. Cant see why they are liked so much, maybe I'm not of that "age" [/quote] Age?!! Haha. It has nothing to do with age, but the trend is indie bands at the moment...hipsters everywhere. I really like it.

I've been practicing on 5ers for some time but not gigged with them. I finally rehearsed with some guys I've been getting together and I took the Big Al 5. The string spacing is exactly the same as a Stingray 5/Sterling 5. I've got used to it. The thing is, playing with one guitarist who is very much a Johnny Marr type player, and uses a Roadworn Strat from time to time, the lower notes really thickened things up. He chimes away quite far up the neck and the bass really needs to fill that gap, and a 5er did it very well, plus it actually allowed me to make up more interesting bass lines. I now think any type of band can benefit from a 5 string...even original indie/mod stuff that doesn't usually have it.

Have you seen the Shuttle 2x10 cabs for sale? They are on offer at the moment, (the series two versions). If you want a well rounded, warm, clear and punchy cab, and you don't want to spend £600 on one cab, the TC RS210 is a great compact cabinet.

I think going from a pretty well regarded 2x12 which is fairly clear, although still voiced for bass guitar, to Ashdown, or indeed Vanderkley to Ashdown, you might lose some definition and clarity. The hi mid tone will just be Vanderkley's voicing of their cabs. A lot of hi mid can in a sense make a cab seems very clear/unforgiving as the detail comes through.

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1383209019' post='2261461'] What will happen to the Genz Benz 3 year warrenties, and who do you contact? [/quote] Fender UK or indeed PM the guys on Talkbass who are/were Genz.

I'd check the other prices GAK have on the blow out GB gear (hint...a few deals coming up).

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1383049414' post='2259471'] hmmm [url="http://www.rareelectricguitar.com/Fodera-Victor-Wooten-Yin-Yang-Standard-4-String-sale_893.html"]http://www.rareelect...g-sale_893.html[/url] [/quote] I would LOVE to compare this to the real thing. Wouldn't it be amusing if there was barely any difference...I doubt that...but...

Class!

The only problem with this route is that its going to end up being very expensive! You may as well stick to the rig you like and DI, then let PA deal with that for you, and have it coming through PA monitors to provide both tones! The reason the Genz is rolling off the deep lows (high pass filter), is that you really don't need that huge low end on stage...plus it also protects your speakers from huge sub bass coming through. Genz voicing on the GBE/Shuttles etc is more of tight, punchy defined low end. Much easier to use on stage IMO.

Purple is a great colour.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1382712310' post='2255809'] G&L JB-2 Sorted. [/quote] Yeah they are nice. Not enough around.

Had it on a new bass before. I thought it might be the bass/nut, changed the strings about a year later (it didn't really bother me) and it had gone.

I used Rotosound Swing Bass Roundwounds for YEARS. I then realised I didn't really like them as they went dull very quickly and seemed to be quite harsh on frets. I'm currently using EB nickel roundwounds/EB flats, TI flats, and I have some DR's as well. I keep going back to EB strings, and the flats are really nice. When the new Fender AS's came out in 2008, the strings were great! Now, they are awful. They have changed the strings and packaging and they feel very cheap.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1382697067' post='2255507'] the volume knob works both ways [/quote] Yes, as I pointed out. But that is apparently a cab for pretty big gigs...pubs don't tend to like extremely loud bands.

There is little point worrying about 'saving' the stores. No one owes anyone a living in this world, especially in our current climate. If someone decides music retail is a career for them, then good luck! Stores like BD will continue, as they have good websites, lots of updates, and do both online/in store. It is the way of the world I am afraid. It will continue down this path, and the stores will have to have an excellent online presence. I also think customers have stronger 'rights' with regards to returns often leads to people just using online stores. Why? Because if you find fault/don't like it, you have a legal right to have a refund. If you buy in store, it is less clear, and you have had chance to inspect it.

I think what the OP is saying is that he may have TOO much rig for the gig. A Streamliner 900 and a high end 2x12 is a LOT of rig for small pubs. Depends on what you want. I could get away with a decent 1x12, and a nice sounding amp (doesn't have to be high wattage, just get what sounds nice!). Or sell the cab and buy something smaller, and be careful with the master volume on your current amp. You could always pickup a combo, like a TC BG250 (they've recently expanded this line) or a Markbass. The Markbass combo's are still, IMO, too expensive and in this market, they need to either make some improvements or drop the price.

With regards to Fodera, they are like a very expensive watch. You probably won't lose money. You will however pay a lot for the bass as it is, I guess, their business model to take no compromise. This includes having a place in New York which must be very expensive. I guess this attracts custom, not just from people in the area and people gigging, but its a hot spot for tourists who want to take a detour. Same with Sadowsky, although the USA Sadowsky basses seem quite value for money when you compare! Unless I was incredibly well off, I would not risk £10k on one bass. I would rather have 6-7 high end basses. That is because I wouldn't dare touch it! You often hear of these session musicians buying these, so the whole 'woe is me I am a musician and I don't earn very much' doesn't wash with me Plus they never really have a true 'working' week of 50 hours in a very busy office, with incredibly early mornings! PS - I would never turn down testing or potentially buying a Fodera if I was in the right circs!

[quote name='Ziphoblat' timestamp='1382330838' post='2250632'] So how about a Lakland? Mass produced in Asia instead of the USA, shoved in a sh*t gig-bag with nothing in it, same price. But I suppose it isn't as cool to bash a bass that isn't made by Fender. Not to single Lakland out, there are plenty of other companies that are the same, the mind just boggles at how regularly Fender get singled out for their prices when you look at the number of companies selling Asian made products in crap cases for the same price, if not more at times. [/quote] I do agree, and this 'cheap bag' also applies to high end basses and guitars as well. I agree with Dingus though that the earlier Skyline basses made Fender 'up' their QC (and recently I've seen that it is back down again!). I've played one of the new MP Made in China Fender Starcasters and the QC was perfect....mental. I personally think the latest Warwick's (German manufactured) are overpriced. They were £1500 or so a year or two back, now they are about £1000-1500 more!

It would be fantastic if they released a non-plate Jazz, with an option of the control plate, in some awesome colours, and not charge custom prices. Mind you, we all wanted a USA P/J, and they have answered this, in a very expensive way!

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1382544520' post='2253487'] Oops. Wrong small company. [/quote] HAHAH! To be fair, Mesa have always been super expensive...but they are a pretty major player in terms of guitar tube amps now. It's great that they still build their amps and haven't outsourced, but their UK pricing needs to be sorted out....they would sell more if they were a little cheaper!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1382470486' post='2252625'] I was looking at their website yesterday... bit of a lack of info for me to make a plunge... -10dB at 33Hz - I would be interested how quickly that rolled off... but converting the price into GBP and it's pretty much the same price as a barefaced BB2 which is lighter. Having done a tiny bit of PA stuff... [/quote] I wasn't sure how I would like the 12/6, but its fantastic. Not only that, but the build quality and finish is on par with Bergantino and Aguilar. I'd like to see the new BF range in the flesh but purely on a aesthetical design point of view I prefer the TKS cabs. That is without seeing the BF Gen 3 in the flesh. I just don't like the coating idea very much...unless its like the Berg AE range, Silly, but you pay the price so may as well have something that looks good at the same time, (to whoever is buying it). I've only briefly looked into PA desks....they bore me to tears to be honest. I love playing with bass/guitar amps, but PA's seem rather boring to me. I'd always leave it to the soundman, who probably hasn't got clue and has no real qualifications in most situations. Pre/post? A P bass plugged straight into the DI box to the PA sounds pretty limp...I've tried it many times. A Stingray...not so much, the active EQ gives more control. Still, a decent pre-amp like a Tech 21 or Aguilar pedal and you are again colouring the tone. But colour can be great. Nothing wrong with having a defined and coloured sound. Most the players I like have a coloured tone.

Surely any decent soundman can use post EQ as its the sound you desire, and he can tweak to the room?

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1382443806' post='2252150'] Thanks for all that, much appreciated... A Ray I heard someone playing the other day was a 3EQ model, is the sound of the 2EQ radically different? Think I'm going to get one, there is a nice looking black one on the marketplace for what looks like a fair price... Rob [/quote] Not massively different. The low and highs are less 'extreme' on the 3EQ...I think the bass is set at a lower frequency on the 2 EQ, and the 2 EQ's just seem to sizzle more, but also have this organic inherent fatness that is just brilliant to hear. The 3EQ is the same tone; only Ray enthusiasts could tell the difference! What I like on the 3EQ is obviously the mids, which with say a dual pickup bass like a HH or HS, leads to many many different tones as well as the classic Ray tone. As we all know, every bass will sound different due to wood/strings/pickup winding etc...none are identical. The last HH I sold (to get a 5HH) had such a wonderful bridge humbucker....it was one of those moments when I first heard it of 'that's THE tone'....plus it had 4 other pickup positions! If you opt for a 3EQ, try a dual pup bass as well! Then try a Bongo...totally odd instrument but boutique quality and stunning electronics/ergonomics. I sound like a fanboy, and I guess I am, and I have not always had 100% smooth runnings with EBMM's (probably because I have had a LOT) but it never ever stops me realising they are my favourite bass guitars... The last two I bought were just absolutely perfect. In fact, this makes me want a single H Bongo now....ARGHHHH!