silverfoxnik

Interesting... I've just bought a Big Block 750 and it sounds fantastic to my ears when paired with a Berg 212 AE; and that's when using it with range of different basses, 4 and 5 strings, active, passive etc.. It's loud but with plenty of headroom, has very good mids and loads of low end. More importantly, it has that 'authority' and 'heft' (or should that be 'weight') that I would normally associate with an all valve amp. I say that because I've A/B'd it against my Ampeg V4BH - which has a lovely warm and sweet tone to it - and it compares really well and, whilst it's not quite as warm sounding, it's got more detail in the mid range and more power, as well as a fantastic overdrive sound to it. Overall, I'm very impressed with the Big Block and as my introduction to Mesa's bass gear, it's created a very good first impression.

Great thread this ☺ And with some very well-constructed, well-reasoned points about 'vintage' versus 'modern' instruments that have really got me thinking. Having thought about it, my 2p worth is this.. I'm kind of with Shaggy on this (as in his original post) in that I just enjoy the whole aesthetic of older, over-engineered instruments that look like they've been used a lot over time to make music with... So, 'Bass Nirvana' for me is when I find an instrument that fits with how I like it to look, but also so that it fits with how I like it to feel and sound when I'm using it. All three of those determining factors are completely subjective to me and are undermined by my poor hearing and tinnitus in my right ear, my lack of good (or proper) playing technique and my own quirky sense of what looks good and what doesn't. Having said all that, one of my favourite basses that I really enjoy playing is a 5 year old Schecter Diamond P5 that doesn't look at all like my other basses, is way too big for me and will never gain any kind of classic status I expect. But I just love the way it plays in my hands and the sound I make when using it. What's it worth? Probably about £300. Yet it's outlasted some much more expensive basses that I've had over the last 5 years. I remember having a '66 Fender Jazz in the early nineties that I never really bonded with, much preferring an '80s Tokai Jazz Sound that I had for three years, which I then rather foolishly traded for a Music Man 5 string with a John East preamp that I never liked at all and which I sold on quite quickly... Hence my conclusion is that I have no set perspective on this topic that I could reasonably offer to anyone that will be of any objective value, and that in the end, my preference for any particular bass I buy will be based on my mood and my finances at the time I'm buying it. I doubt that all this will help move the debate along much though, but I'm looking forward to reading more comments as the debate continues. ☺

Just bought a Gibson EB-5 from Colin, who, apart from being a great Basschat friend, is always a pleasure to spend time with! It was good to see you and the family, albeit briefly.. Before I forget, got to say that your BF cab is absolutely brilliant.. serious amounts of low end. 😀 Thanks for the bass Col, and the very. Cool matching Gibson strap.. Really appreciate it and looking forward to using them both... ☺ Anyway, just to say Folks that the bottom line is, deal with Colin in absolute confidence! Nik

Thanks Jack! ☺ Happy Christmas and Happy New Year btw... Nik

Cheers Colin, Can't find your feedback thread to return the compliment - do you have one? Nik

Met with Dave, aka Dvisions, yesterday and bought a very cool Boogie & Berg rig from him.. Everything went really well, very good comms throughout and Dave's an easy guy to deal with, so I'm more than happy to recommend him to one and all here on Basschat! Thanks very much Dave ☺

+1 So much faster! Thanks Basschat Team ☺

One of my big bug bears over the years is the sometimes lazy, very generic treatment of the bass by soundmen at gigs that I've played at - or been to as a punter -and often, the biggest sin is that they compress the life out of the bass in the overall mix. That's not to say that I haven't hear great bass sounds in live & studio settings, or used compression myself and liked it -I have! But sometimes I think compression is used as a rather blunt tool by engineers who, if I didn't know better, I would swear were guitarists in disguise...?

Great work again, Silvia! Thanks for all your hard work on this, yet again.. ☺

Hi Folks My best mate, who's also a very fine drummer, is looking for a bass player to start up an alternative rock covers band in the North London area (he's based in N21). There's already a singer and guitarist in place, plus a rehearsal space for low volume practicing, so the addition of an experienced (and not too young) bass player is all that's required to get this project going. Musical influences include amongst others Bowie, Roxy Music, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters and other edgy post-punk, new wave artists.. Initially, it's just about getting together for the sheer love of playing and making a noise but some gigs in the future are definitely possible depending on how things go... For more info, please PM me or send an email to Louis: [email protected]. Thanks for reading.. Nik