javi_bassist

Yes! One of the coolest venues in Madrid! Hahaha. It is, but it belonged to the previous band. I agree. I also have a BB735 and, even though I love both finishes, I missed the old ones. Even the 23Xs have much more finishes.

First time using my BB414

I am very obsessed with my tone (pretty sure, more than I thought). I have played with new different bands in the last couple of months and I was always told that I had a really good tone. But I keep on experimenting. Besides, I am also a little bit obsessed with compressors and yesterday I spent a lot of time with them. First of all, I have been thinking about getting an external compressor. Nothing wrong with the ones in the HX, but none of them convince me 100%. I have the EBS Multicomp (the latest model with 3 knobs) which I use in rehearsals that I am provided amp and I only need a clean tone. I'm pretty happy with it. So, yesterday I put it before the HX Stomp and... I hated it. In the chain, there were a compressor (changing among the ones in the HX and the EBS), an ampeg SVT4 sim and an IR. The amp and IR didn't change during the test. Results: the Tubesim mode in the EBS acted weird, more like an overdrive (more aggressive than usual). The MB sounded lifeless and lacking mids. Surprisingly, the normal mode was fine. However, the compressors in the HX sounded fuller and much much better. Fuller I think it's the perfect term. I liked especially the Rochester and the LA Comp. The Rochester is the one I use in most of my presets, but I wanted to test it. I still think about getting the Darkglass Hyper Lumial, but I'm not sure. Why was I testing my EBS? Well, in one of the projects I'm in, I have to use a lot of synth sounds. There are 3 songs of the set that require a preset full of blocks, and I can't have my amp sim. I know I could play those songs without the amp sim, but in those songs there are some clean parts and I want to be consistent with my tone (obsessed...). My plan was removing the compressor block so I can have the amp sim and the IR, but that didn't work. So I removed the amp sim from all of my presets and I use a Markbass Vintage Pre after the HX. I liked the tone and I started comparing amp sims with the external preamp. In this case, none of the simulations sounded as good as the external preamp. I haven't given up in getting a better tone with just the HX, but yesterday, Markbass beat the amp sims.

I've never used the VPF because I hate the smile EQ. I just don't get it. I'm not a slapper so maybe that's the reason. On the other hand, I love the VLE. I use just a touch (at 8-9) it makes the sound from the DI better IMO. If I mic the cab and I'm not getting the DI signal from the head, I just don't use it. But if the sound is coming from the DI of my Little Mark Tube, adding a little bit of VLE makes the sound better. I have to admit that I also have the Vintage Pre, and I hate the "Old School" filter. It's supposed to be a fixed VLE, but it's too much for my taste.

My BB414 is starting to be my main 4 string bass. It is replacing my Fender jazz, that cost me more than twice the price of the BB. But it feels so so good and sounds glorious. A little bit heavier than I'd like though

Agree. I read an interview that Matt Reilly (I think it was him anyway) that was hired to play with Avril Lavigne, but he had to play a Fender Precision. So he went to buy one right away. Good gigs. That would be different if a band asks you play X bass and they will pay you like 100 bucks and you have 2 gigs a month...

Yes, I will always bring my Markbass preamp just in case. However, we even try to go straight to my passive DI without the HX.

Hi guys! I just wanted to share with you something that happened to me last weekend. I have been playing some wedding gigs (which I actually enjoy) with some great musicians. There are a lot of good and very talented people there. I am subbing (I think that's how it's written) for a friend who is really busy gigging with a top artist. Anyway, I had played with them 8 gigs. I always play my Yamaha BB735. However, I have been playing my Yamaha BB605 in other projects I have so I took this bass to the last wedding gig (besides, my 735 needed some adjustment and I didn't have the time). It was a disaster. I don't think it was because of my bass, but since it was the only different aspect, the BL thought it was. So, we don't use amps. We all have our own tiny monitor and everything comes out from the PA. I use my Line 6 HX Stomp and my passive Radial DI. Same preset as always. But the BL started saying that my signal was extremely weak. I thought that was strange since the 605 has more signal than my 735. But ok. I tried to push the HX. Then, he realised that there was a 20db pad activated in my channel, but he claimed that it is always on in every gig. He then set 0db and it was better. But again, the other musicians couldn't hear me in their monitors. The boss looked at me a said "please, don't bring that bass again". I just said "ok". I always take care of my equipment and I take time to prepare and set everything, so I don't think it had to do anything with the bass. What is more, I used that exact bass the night before in other project and it worked perfectly. After the gig, the drummer complained that he couldn't hear neither the bass nor the guitar. I think that made the boss realised that it was not my fault (he didn't say anything) but that there was something about the sound. After the gig, everyone complained about the sound and no one said anything about my bass. Anyway, my 735 is ready again to hit the road.

My BB605 in action. Man, I love this bass.

Thanks! I used to use them, but then I tried IRs and I totally forgot. I will go back to the EQ block

Hello guys I wanted to share my experience with the HX Stomp. I've been using this pedal for a year and a half and I love it. I sold most of my pedals and my sound and pedalboard is really HX oriented. However, I am not 100% satisfied with the tone of my amp sim. It might be something I'm doing wrong or maybe this is how it is. The thing is that I have been comparing the following: -Ampeg SVT4 with IR Ampeg 810. The IR is blended 60% wet. -Markbass Vintage Pre preamp (instead of the amp sim+IR) -Ashdown OriginAL preamp (instead of the amp sim+IR) I have also tried without the IR, with other IRs and with other amps, but the SVT4 and that IR is the best tone I have from the HX. But when I compare it with the external preamps, I find it that the sound is more "direct", more "in your face" or even "natural". I'm not sure how I can explain it, but from the HX is like the sound is "far away". as I said, this is with and without IRs. Have you guys experienced something like this?

If you like warmer, I'd go with the Ashdown. I have RM500 Evo and it's a great amp that never let me down. The T900 is more clean I guess, more modern sounding. Great amp too, but might not be what you are looking for.

I currently have 3 that I really like: Ashdown Triple Shot. Great sounding overdrive. The control you have over three different frequencies makes this pedal one of the most versatile overdrives I have. The only thing that I don't like about it it's that it lacks a master control. It would have been a nice feature to add. Ampeg Scrambler. It really surprised me. Just a simple and great sounding overdrive. A copy of the Morning Glory. I have a copy of this pedal with a Blend control. Awesome sounding pedal. The morning glory itself sounds pretty amazing, but I wanted that blend feature. BONUS: The TC Mojo Mojo. It just sounds like an old-school overdrive. Very musical.

I love this kind of maps and charts. I've added myself! :). Very interesting info.

These basses sound pretty amazing IMO. The looks might not be the best (I love it) but they sound fat

I have gigged with an ABM EVO II paired with an ABM 410 EVO IV and I loved the rig. The cab was heavy (main reason to sell it), but it sounded really really good. The RM cabs... were not so good IMO. It doesn't have to do with the ABM model, but now I gig with a Markbass head paired with a Markbass traveler 102p cab. Or, I can gig with an Ashdown RM500 paired with the Markbass cab or an old Ashdown RM210 (the first ones, cheap and not that good). The sound of the Markbass head and the Markbass cab is my preferred tone. I love it. But when I use the Ashdown, I much prefer the sound of the really cheap Ashdown cab than the Markbass cab. The Ashdown cabs in general are coloured and maybe that's why many people prefer more transparent cabs with the ABM heads.

After some time with the 414, I can make some comments about it. There are two negative things I find on the bass: its weight (heavier than the rest of basses I have) and its hardware (tunes and bridge, easily repaceable). The possitive: it's comfortable and it sounds amazing. I bought it because I wanted a P-style bass. But it sounds nothing like a regular P-bass. Man, this bass has its own sound. And it's amazing. My BB735 sounds more "Fenderish", more like what I am used to hear in a PJ bass. But the 414 has its own vibe. I'm loving this bass. I just can't stop playing it. Yamaha is probably now my favourite brand. I mean, they are crazy cheap and incredibly good quality. It also happenen with my BB605. Crazy cheap and impressive quality (I din't like the preamp, but personal taste, it worked). And of course, my main bass, the BB735, that plays like a dream and the sound is just perfect.

My gf says the exact same thing. But I don't know. @AndyTravis's BB is so sexy...

I am not sure yet. My main option is white pearl (the same as yours) because it looks fantastic. However, yesterday I went to a music store to buy some strings and I saw a Fender Player plus in orange with a tortoise pickguard and it looked amazing. It's true that it's not the same orange, but it may look great on the BB as well. My last option is black, but I think I prefer the other two. The Gotoh bridge is exactly the one I thought. I haven't considered the Hipshot tuners and they might be a great idea to reduce weight too. Thanks for the piece of advice! One question, which pickup height do you guys have in your BB414? I was going for the 3mm "rule" that Yamaha says, but the pickup then it's really low. I think I have it a little bit too high right now. However, it does sound pretty amazing.

It's finally here!! My BB414 has arrived. I must say that I am very surprised about the quality. It hadn't been played for some years (according to the seller) so I did a setup, some lemon oil, new string, intonation... Now it's perfect. It's a little bit heavy, but it plays like a dream. And it sounds really really good. I will probably change the bridge and the tuners (one of them is bent a little bit, even though still works) and I will add a pickguard.

Their website is not the best IMO. Their new range, cheaper than the RH series, is nice. I have used the BH250 in a gig and I was amazed by how loud that thing was. Impressive. The RH range was higher end and more quality, but their BH series are cool. I haven't tried their BAM series.

I also thought it was yours, but I wasn't sure. Thanks!!

Man, I've been like 45 minutes looking in this thread with no luck. There was a fellow basschatter who has/had a BB414 in orange and he made a white pickguard. I am looking for the pick, and I cannot find it. The reason is that I've just bought a used one and I want to make it a pickguard. I guess the measures should be similar to the ones the 424x has. Am I right?

Yep, I love Yamaha basses too. Really really great instruments. Awesome purchase!

I've been looking for one for some time. In white. Great purchase!