dave_bass5

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1403375385' post='2482257'] But... if you don't like the 'T' in the LMT you won't be able to chop and change like you could with a pedal... just sayin'. [/quote] Indeed, and it's a consideration. Although it's not a really accurate test I do have the MB studio 1 amp sim and that has the LMT in it. It allows you to play around. With the settings just like the real thing. To my ears there is no difference with or without the tube engaged, but as Lozz said, it's more a subtle thickening and I'd expect it to be different with a real cab.

[quote name='Mr.T' timestamp='1403345936' post='2481976'] It sounds like you are pretty much where I was at a few months ago..... I was happy with my LM2 + VT pedal, but wanted to simplify my gear. I was only using the pedal to shape my tone, not to add distortion (as such). I also am a 'set it and forget it' kind of player! The RH certainly does what I need, all in one box. .......but as I said .......It did take about a dozen gigs to get the sound where I wanted it. [/quote] Looking at the spec of the RH450 it seems to tick every box i can think of (other than a false output spec IIR). Ill have another look at these if i do go the new head route. [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1403346016' post='2481979'] Maybe one of the Little Mark Tube amps Dave? I had the LMT 500 and whilst I couldn`t really define exactly what the "tube" bit did - as it didn`t seem to do much - all I know was that I much preferred it on than off. I suppose it just blurred the edges a bit. Maybe like shutting a tweeter off, generated a bit more of an old-school vibe. I went to a shop intending on trying the LMT, LMIII and TC RH450, heard the LMT with tube on, didn`t bother with the others. Have been thinking of putting an LMT into my Markbass CMD121 in fact, get a bit more from it. [/quote] Yes, the LMT does look like another option but i think it might still be too close to what ive had in the past to warrant buying. As i want to keep my F1, having another MB head might not make sense, but on the other hand its almost like having a normal MB head with a BDDI inside, so maybe i will look in to selling the F1 to get that.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look in to them over the weekend. When I tried the TC450 I felt it sounded a bit thin (as did a shuttle tried at the same time). To be honest any head will work for me, but I want one that I feel comfortable with, and I guess I'm so used to the MB tone that maybe I'll never get away from it. I've probably done about 400 gigs with Markbass heads, I guess maybe that's an indication that it is working and that I'm just having a GAS period again. Part of this change was I wanted to get rid of the BDDI, as I would prefer to just go bass - amp - cab. I'm not a lover of extra boxes to plug in. I did use my B3 a couple of times as an amp, straight in to the FX return of my F1, and while it worked ok I felt it was complicating things as far as too many levels/gain/knobs go. I'm sure amp sims can work but why have two boxes simulating one box? I very rarely touch any controls during gigs, so whatever the rig is set to at the start it stays that way, I wouldn't go switching different amps on and off, but I found having my B3 or 60B at gigs caused a distraction as I did start fiddling. Saying that, maybe a tube preamp or something better than the BDDI might be the way to go. Fran suggested a tube pre amp, and maybe this is what I should look at. When I had my Streamliner I never needed the BDDI, so I know I can get by without it, but I find it just livens up the F1 and gives it a bit or depth. As I've said I don't want distortion but I could use a bit more warmth. Im not looking for an Amgeg tone either. I looked at the MXR bass pre but thought it wasn't really what I was looking for (plus I have the simulation of that in my 60D so have tried it out). The new MXR pre amp looks much more suitable but doesn't have a real tube in it. I might as well keep the BDDI unless I do get a tube pre. Any suggestions there? I think this thread as made me realise I should stick with the F1 for now (I was never going to sell it, just use it as a back up) and put something nicer in front of it. EDIT: Or maybe get a F500. Always wanted one of those and i could then sell the F1.

Thanks for all the replies so far. Just to be clear, its a GAS thing more than anything else. Having used MB for so long i just feel like im missing out a bit and fancy a change. I agree about the SA450/LMII having more clout, and its possible that getting rid of these was not a good move. Saying that, i have been getting some really good tones with the F1/BDDI combo but its this tone that im getting bored with, as well as just the head on its own. I dont like using the Zoom live, its a bit too cold compared to the BDDI. Ive had this set up long enough that its outlasted different basses/strings/ FX etc. All have made a difference but having used my Zoom at home (PC-Headphones) with the different amp sims i really feel its the amp that going to make a difference, and one avenue ive still to explore fully. The other heads ive had have definitely had a different tonal character, and id like to sample more of this. In a way the Streamliner was the best head ive ever owned, but i felt it was too much of a different tone to what i was used to, and maybe didnt give it long enough. I could certainly go back to that tone, although id rather not re visit anything ive already owned. I suppose the head doesn't have to be a class D, im not adverse to a slightly larger head, id just prefer to sample some of the newer technology. Something like a Ampeg SVT is definitely not my tone, nor size. Mark. Thanks for the offer, ill keep it in mind. I must admit the Fusion is looking like a front runner.

Ive been using MB heads since they became available over here. My current (of about 3 years) is my F1 head and ive never really had any negative thoughts about it....until recently. During the past 9 years with my covers bands ive had MB heads, but have also dabbled with a few others. I had a GK1001RB-II which although was nice i found i didnt like the idea of having to have a slightly dirty tone to get the volumes my MB SA450 could reach cleanly. I had a GB Streamliner which again, was really nice but i felt was again a bit under powered for getting a loud clean tone. Maybe the 900 would have been better. Also had a Ashdown AMB 300. Wont talk about that one. These were all put through a Schroeder 1210 or 1212L, so the playing field was pretty even and all heads were used on repeat gigs (GK and SA450 on the same gig once). Ive also tried a few different cabs along the way but always came back to the Schroeders. Anyway, over the past few years ive found i cant gig without my BDDI, just to liven things up a bit. Drive knob at "0" though. To me i have a nice tone, but its a bit bland. When i use my Zoom 60B at home i can cycle through different heads, and the MB head really stands out as being just that, bland and dull. I know this is not a true indication but i now want to try something new. Ive seen quite a few mentions of the GK 500 Fusion head, and it does seem to tick all the right boxes, but as ive not brought a new head for a few years ive not kept up with whats available, so i need some other suggestions for something in the same area before i decided. Small and light (laptop bag sized if possible), at least 500watts in to 4 ohms, not more than £600 and, well thats it really. Im not too keen on tubes, as i would worry about them failing, but im not against them, and do appreciate what they bring to the tone, so this isnt a stumbling block. What im not interested in is a Shuttle, or TC450, as i looked in to them before and wasn't too keen. Thanks for any advice and tips etc, and sorry this is so long winded. I wanted to paint a picture of what ive already gone through over the past few years.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1403212450' post='2480906'] The GK MB500 Fusion with a Schroeder 1212L is just a killer rig. I'm beginning to regret selling my 1212L. [/quote] And im regretting reading your posts recently. Talk about GAS inducing :-(. Going to start a new thread explain this.

Dont forget you dont even have to come on here to read PMS, so there is no easy way to tell if someone has read the message or not. If you get email alerts its all in those so some people might forget or not bother reading them again on here.

Had a strange one last night. I decided I needed a change so I took my jazz (haven't used a jazz for a few years), with flats (not really keen on them, although it have used them before) and my old Ashdown MAG 300 1x15 combo (not used that for about 7 years), plus no Gramma pad (not gigged without it since getting it a good few years ago). Sound check was not a good experience, it was a bit too muffled and lacked the punch I was used to. Funny thing is though I enjoyed the experience much more than any recent gig. The tone seemed to be a lot closer to what I've been looking for all these years, and although I won't keep the flats on long even they sounded the best they ever have for me. Only issue I had was the neck felt very sticky, and I got major cramp in my fretting hand during Valerie. Luckily I could just play the open strings. Back to the main rig for the next gig but it's given me something to think about. Oh, and the gig. It was a social club, and they asked us to start early so we could finish before the football. This was fine for us but it was a bit off putting not seeing a lot of people dancing. The manager told us at the end that a lot of people wouldn't get up for fear of them loosing their chairs, as they were showing the match right after we finish.

No it doesn't. Now I'm really intrigued.

Wow, seeing that rig in a band context really does show how small it is.

Definitely. I'd need to sell it raise the money. No idea when thought, it wont be any time soon. There is one up for sale on here at the moment though.

Thanks again guys. This weekend im gigging my old Ashdown MAG combo. This will be the first gig in years that ive not used my 1212L.If this works ok ill gwet a better idea if i can get by without the 1212L, and then seriously look around. Merton. Thanks very much for the kind offer. Ill hold off for now, as i dont want to get GAS too soon, but will keep it in mind.

Hmmm, thanks guys. I was worried this might be the case. I'm stuck with using only one cab, and can't afford one of the bigger cabs. We don't do loud gigs, and I'm normally the loudest anyway, and no where near pushing my rig, but I have had other, larger cabs that couldn't beat the 1212L, so maybe I'm hoping for too much expecting a single driver cab to replace this. I'll keep investigating though.

Can anyone comment on how this cabs compares to a Schroeder 1212L? Ive had my 1212 for a few years but want something a bit more traditional sounding, without loosing too much in the way of volume/presence. To me the 1212 is like a sledge hammer, it just punches through everything, but i dont find the tone quite as faithful as id like. If i was to replace it this BF seems like the perfect choice. I play in a 4 piece covers band, doing social clubs and small scale wedding venues. I have never needed to turn my Markbass head up past 11 o'clock, and quite often not past 9-10 o clock. I dont have PA support, but dont need it. I did look in to a BF a couple of years ago but the buld wait time put me off. This time i can wait if i have to. Appreciate any replies.

Just found a thread on Talkbass http://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-mxr-preamp.1029475/

I must admit i was very underwhelmed with the Sadowsky DI when i had it. I felt it was nothing more than a subtle tone boost. I know others rate it but i wouldn't put it in the same list as the others. IMO of course.

They are very easy to fit, so if you get a new pick guard you can install most of it without disturbing the old wiring. Very easy to go back to the old set up then.

Placed a wanted add for a tone knob and Gerry was right in there offering me one for free. Turned up today and my bass in now complete, all because of the generosity of this lovely man.. Cheers Gerry.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1401883712' post='2467790'] I keep trying P basses off and on, but always come back to a Jazz. [/quote] Tone wise I prefer a Jazz bass, but find a P works better in my band. whatever i play it has my Squier CV Jazz neck or Lakland JO neck on it. Cant get on with medium jumbo frets or P necks these days.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1401879342' post='2467715'] Well, I care. I've spend £££££ and hours and hours for many many years honing things and it isn't really much of a concern if most people have cloth ears.. If I feel I am sounding good and the band can feed off that, then that takes us up a level. Sounding and feeling great on stage is what I want to do it for... [/quote] This is the most important thing to me. No matter how i sound out front if im not enjoying my tone then i wont play as well. My rig has two tones. Close up on stage its quite poky and i never have any issues with hearing myself (nor do the band). Out front, say 20ft and further the lows seems to bloom, or the mids die off, and its a fuller, warmer tone. Since this thread started ive gone from a long time P bass user to Jazz bass. Haha, there is no hope for some of us. for me there is no "my tone", its what i want at the time and how i feel. By the end of the year ill be back to P.