Tubster

could you please review and give an update?

Al, ,we have also been using ALTO 3 series (312) as drummer’s personal monitor. The new 300 series stuff is very good. However, drumMer has now gone over to IEM with his other band so has now decided that is a better/lighter way to go. Still stand by the idea that you should give a whirl to a decent sub prior to anything else.

Notice a couple of cursory mentions of subwoofer. We bought an ALTO TS212S 12” sub and it totally transformed our pa. We had up until then been using QSC k8. Being able to decouple bass and bass guitar from your RCFs will free them to do what they do best. Rather than flipping a coin and buying blind into IEM, new Alto another RCF etc. , why not rent a decent sub (not saying ALTO necessarily) - RCF perhaps appropriate crossover that could be ideally matched to your 10”s? Guarantee it will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Oh yes, we make sure the drummer carries ours!!

Deep round tones would point more towards a 15” speaker. Al Krow suggested the Rumble 200. Secondhand is the way to go and if you can stretch your budget - 2 Markbass models would IMO (à mon avis) be great - 121p and the 102p. One thing I don’t think you mentioned is weight; is that important for you? If you are young and strong and don’t care about how heavy or big your combo is; you have many more choices. The Markbass models are both light. Of the ones on your list - the Fender and Eich are opposite ends of the tonal spectrum. Lots of Trace Elliot 15” combos on the used market. good luck

What had been missing until fairly recently was a decent sound. That is until the introduction of the Markbass pre which came in, I believe, with the 2018 C series and were fitted to more recent B’s too. This change to lighter weight and baked maple plus the Markbass pre and licensed Hipshots make for a very compelling package at this price point. Well done Cort!

The price/quality leader IMO is Markbass 121p. It’s loud enough for most gigs on its own and takes another cab. It’s the right size and weight. The Alain Caron etc are great but awkward. The 121 gets everything just right. i don’t have one - I have the AER AMP THREE. Highly recommended but crazily priced new. Managed to buy one here at sensible money a year or so back. If that had not come my way, I would have had the 121 for sure. I understand what members are saying about flexibility of head/cab et al but for me, the combo is just a ton more convenient. I know there is minimal extra effort in head + cabs, maybe it’s a mindset thing, but my combo gets the gigs. good luck

Ahh house band for jam.......that changes everything! Take beater bass (I take Yamaha 424x) that will stand up to a few knocks plus combo of similar ilk as per suggestions. Good luck!

Beg to differ re the effectiveness - did exactly what you describe with a 40w Rumble and the drummer was much happier-placebo effect perhaps?! dont think you have anything to lose by giving it a whirl while at the same time being very conservative and not as Dan Dare says, overloading the input. However - a ⚠️ - I am told that line out from Rumbles are variable level so as you turn up the Master of Amp 1, the output will increase and could lead to trouble. However, if you’re aware of this feature/flaw - no problem. Hope someone will chime in to comment on this Rumble thing.

Not sure if you are wanting to rent again or buy. You could use 2 x1x 15”s which would obviate the need for a sub. Look at: Alto ts 315 budget end or go up to Yamaha DXR/DSR 15. Yamahas top of the range DZR is a fine choice too but moving up into the ether price wise. if you want to stay with a sub: try 2x QSC K12.2 and their kw181 or their new cardioid 112 sub - QSC is great gear. In fact for a more compact system you could use 1x8” or 1x10”s with sub from QSC or Yamaha. Of course, RCF, JBL etc have great stuff too. Lots of great choices - just stay away from the cheapies! good luck

Greetings from sunny Spain. Yamaha BB 434, all the way from doc40hz in Scotland, just got dropped off by my delivery man from SEUR (DPD your end I think). Seems fairly unscathed despite its long trip. Needed a quick trussrod tweak and still got the original strings -d’addario? Have a 424x to compare it to and gave both a good workout through an AER AMP THREE. Very impressed with 434 indeed - great tones, excellent sustain and a better control layout than the 424x giving much greater tonal flexibility through different levels of neck and bridge pickups, plus a wickedly effective tone knob. Pretty amazed at the tonal palette for a passive: leaves the Lull PJ in the dust. The 424x has Thomastik flats so a different tone and feel but pretty close - less versatile, heavier but I still prefer the look. Dont think the 434 is a significant step up in construction or fixtures and fittings. Bridge is super basic but the knobs are smooth. Necks seem identical and fabulous - prefer fret markers on 424x. So all I all, the 424x at it’s bargain basement used price is the steal. However, one of them has to leave - shame really but it’s decision time. So I’ve got 2 Yamahas that together cost less than a used Mexican Fender and sound a whole lot better. Locally, no others about, an Argentine bass player friend uses an active 614 - his only complaint is the weight but they are SO cheap to buy here used in Spain. Have not laid eyes on any other BBs here a few RBX but it’s all Fenders and Ibanez.

Excellent transaction purchasing a Yamaha 434 all the way from Scotland to Spain. Great communication and total transparency and honesty. Great bass too!

Mine, thanks to bdgotoh (TB), has an El Toro pickup in the bridge position and wow....

Cables were Monster - jack to wots it called?! Tried connecting outputs to individual cabs and connecting one cab to other in parallel. I’m leaning towards amp as being culprit too. Gonna try and borrow a couple and see! Thanks for the suggestions

With a single speaker or the pair - same result. no pedals.

Have Aguilar th500 paired with 2x Bergantino CN112 speakers. Use a Lull Pj with Fralins or a Fender Jazz Roadworn. Can’t seem to get any oomph out of the setup. Tried extensive knob twiddling and stacking vertically and horizontally. All sounds a bit hollow to me with lots of middle but no bottom end. What I’ve had in the past that I liked: Eden 800, Markbass LM2, Sunn 300T. cabs: Eden 410 xlt, bag end 15”, Berg Ceramic 1x12s So decision time 1. change the cabs 2. change the amp 3. Do something different 4. Chuck it all and start again Love the lightness and form factor of all of it. Your suggestions on: strategies, settings, replacement gear et al. much appreciated. Thanks