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BassManGraham

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Everything posted by BassManGraham

  1. Sounds like it may be a dodgy unit, but before returning it, double check all cables and bass control harness & jack socket wiring etc, dodgy or dry solder joints can play havoc with signal path I have a Hartke LX8500, ( I also had the LX5500, but didn't need both) I think they are great, plenty loud, easy to use and probably the best value 800W class D out there. I like the tone and punch, the compressor works well for me, I go for a clean tone and tend not to use overdrive. I love the backlight controls on dark stages I have been using this head with a Barefaced Super 12T Or my Vanderkleys. The only minor issue which does not affect or bother me is the fan cycling on and off which is audible in studio but inaudible when gigging. I regularly use the LX8500 in preference to GK, Mesa, GR amps costing twice as much.
  2. I had a Katana 210. It is an impressive amp with an array of effects etc. They pack a lot of value and features into them for the money, but I tend not to use FX etc. It has a really nice punchy sound, and is quite loud for 160W, compared to Class D heads and combos of equivalent rating. However I sold it within a few months, as it was quite heavy compared to many contemporary lightweight combos such As Fender Rumbles, Markbass, GR etc. Great for rehearsal & recording, but not a serious gigging set up for me. (I am a bit too old for heavy gear these days. I tend to prefer lightweight neodymium loaded cabs and/or combos etc). I play small-medium-large venues and whilst the Katana has a decent DI it didn't really cut it live for me as an on stage or band rehearsal monitor competing with a powerful and enthusiastic drummer.
  3. I have a GK Legacy 1200 and a GK Legacy 800. I love the GK sound, and these seem amongst the most powerful (i.e. super loud) Class D amps I have used. I regularly use a range of amps including Mesa Subway, Markbass, Genz Benz, Hartke, Quilter, GR, & old Trace Elliots. I do find that the GKs seem the most susceptible to extraneous noises, particularly mobile phones in close proximity. I often trim down the treble and high mids as the GKs can be quite bright anyway.
  4. I have owned two Chris Larkin Basses a Bassix, now in Australia and a Reacter 4 which I still own and cherish. I met Chris Larkin in his workshop a few years ago in Kerry Ireland. He built truly amazing basses and guitars. The Reacters are excellent basses and my favourite of his designs. This is very well priced. This bass has similar active circuit an amazing range of tones are available, they are well balanced and a joy to play. I paid 2500 Euro for my Reacter 4, albiet in pristine condition, If I was still in UK and did not face VAT and Custom charges adding 33% to this bass I would snap it up for this bargain price. Can't understand why its still here? GLWS
  5. Peavey Rudy Sarzos are great basses, superb build quality, far better than Gibson, Fender, Ricky contemporaries. Criminally underrated IMHO and therefore usually underpriced, despite their rarity. Beautiful neck thru body design. Great range of tones and wonderful playability. Quality Schaller hardware. I owned two until a week or so ago, now just the one, as I need to reduce my gear. They are quite "Alembicesque" and quite similar to high end Aria Pro II SBRs. Aria also made a Sarzo signature model. I have Alembics, Aria SBRs & Aria SB Elites, and Cliff Burton models. The Peavey is comparable to the Arias but obviously not in the Alembic league, and doesn't have that distinctive Alembic tone, or exotic woods, but when the comparative prices are considered the Sarzo is one hell of a bass for the money.
  6. Have always loved Markbass gear. Though nearly all of the gear I owned over the past 15 years was the original Italian built stuff. The new range looks to be Italian made and "recyclable". May be a change of direction in far east our sourcing and consolidation of product range. Hope this isn't just a green washing marketing ploy. Could be a move to more sustainable EU manufacturing. The pandemic, fuel costs etc all play a factor.
  7. I have one. Love it. Great bass at a very good price. Lovely tone. Amazed it's still here. Next best thing to a Rob Allen. I am looking for a fretless version to complement my fretted one. GLWS
  8. Many thanks for clearing that up Moscowbass. Real shame the 1400 DUAL can't run into two 4 ohm cabs giving total 2 ohm load. Wonder why the 1400 has two 700 W amps while the DUAL version only one 1400W amp? Can't understand the logic there? So to use both my GR 212 slims, I'll have to stick with my Mesa Subway 800 plus which can handle 2 ohm load, or my trusty Genz Benz Shuttle Max 12.2 which has two 600 W amps!
  9. The specs on GR and stockists websites are a little confusing for the GR Bass DUAL 1400 head. It is rated at 1400 Watt RMS into 4 Ohms, but I suspect the unit has two 700 watt into 4 ohm power amps. I have two GR Bass 212 900 W 4 ohm bass cabs, which I assume would be ideal for this head, but if it were a single 1400 Watt power amp as specs infer I would not risk running into a 2 ohm load. Can anyone confirm power amp output specs? Cheers
  10. I had an MB500, very loud, very small and very light Made in America. Think they only produce the MB200 and Fusion models now. Recently bought a GK Legacy 1200. Great amp. Mesa Boogie and GK are still made in America. Whereas most other "big name" brands now build in China etc. Call me old fashioned, but it's a real shame that outsourcing and margin maximisation have seen so much manufacturing disappear from UK, USA & Europe.
  11. Yes exactly 3% extra VAT. UK VAT 20% taken off. IRISH VAT 23% added to gross cost including shipping. 10% import duty on total ( if over £135/€150) , plus handling charge of minimum €10. So its costs around 35% (15% more) on net cost of a cab that retails around a grand. NB I think this includes private preowned sales too the customs jobsworths are having a field day thanks to Brexshit!
  12. Yes such a shame. I was really looking forward to both cabs I bought. The speakers sounded great, really punchy. Cabs look great. If GR want a world beating cab they really need to improve design of securing feet and speaker chassis to their AeroTech carbon fibre cabs. They should also improve testing and quality control. In all my many years of playing I have never had to return consecutive products from the same manufacturer. Ho hum.
  13. I would go Barefaced all day long. I have used a Super 12T for years. Sounds great, never lets me down. Massive power. I have bought an GR AT 410+, which I sent back due to quality control issues. Tiny flimsy feet fell off. Cabinet rattled due to poor speaking mountings, but in fairness the speakers sounded great, so I thought I'd give GR them another chance so I ordered a GR 212, which arrived today. Horrible rattle coming from one of the Jensen 12 inch drivers it's going back. If you're based in UK I would not hesitate to buy Barefaced everytime. Living in Ireland post Brexit means I have to pay extra VAT, customs duty on total price (including courier cost) plus handling charges. Which puts a big chunk on thr price and UK builders at a disadvantage. I tried GR due to relative ease of EU import, but wish I hadn't!
  14. Beautiful Bass. Z3 is so versatile. I have two. Tempted but three would be excessive, even for me. GLWS
  15. Superb amp at a reasonable price. I had one as my main gigging amp for years preferred it to LittleMark. Reliable, powerful a great tone with two Speakons. What's not to like! Surprised it's still here!
  16. Superb basses, and fairly rare too. I have one. Far better build quality than Fenders. Great tone. Superb playability. A very fair price indeed even without the Hiscox case! Someone buy this now. GLWS
  17. Here's mine. Still haven't forgiven Fender for running Genz Benz (and SWR) into the ground!
  18. If you love the sound you've got. Why not buy a second preowned Streamliner 900? They are superb amps, with wonderful tone (save the irritating often faulty blue LED backlighting).
  19. I have a GK Legacy 1200, wanted an 800, but got a crazy deal on the 1200. The Legacy range are superb bass amps. I much prefer GK To TC Electronic. Love the tone and they are so loud. Never trusted TC wattage ratings. Of the TC amps I have tried they all sound processed probably due to built in compression. If this was an 800 I would snap it up, but I suspect the 500 is well loud enough for any application. My backup GK MB500 shakes the rafters at 9 oclock setting.
  20. Well my shiney new GR AT 410 + arrived from Kytary (Czech Republic) this morning. Post Brexit I only buy within EU these days. The cab is amazingly light for a 4x10, with great punch and tone from the speakers but, sadly it's going back. Bitterly disappointed. One of the ridiculously tiny rubber feet was loose. Couldn't be screwed to secure as carbon fibre cabinet fixing inadequate. I appreciate this is ultra lightweight cab, but slightly larger feet with bolt rather than screw fixing would be a major design improvement for sake of a few extra grams. More importantly at relatively low volume the cab was producing resonant vibrations and buzzing on most notes on the E String. Sounds like speakers are not securely bolted to baffle board. I expect better quality control on a cab that costs over €1600. I did get a few similar buzzes on a Chinese made Warwick cab at less than 10% of this price, but I was happy to remove speaker kick proof grille and tighten speaker bolts which alleviated the issue. I am not confident in, nor should I be having to play around with, this unit. Studying the carbon fibre/foam sandwich cabinet and baffle board construction, I am not convinced that screw fixings are suitable. A sunken nut with washer and bolts seems a more fit for purpose solution if the feet are anything to go by. There is a 5 year warranty so manufacturers must be confident? This is such a great shame for such an innovative product. More attention to quality control and a couple of minor tweaks would make this cab a world leader, back it's back to the shop for me and back to the drawing board for GR. I hope other users have more joy.
  21. Definitely the way to go. Damaged Tolex can't be easily fixed. The gloopy paint effectively covers all manner of scratches, chips, gouges etc. I have a really beat up SWR cab with missing/torn carpet, I am thinking of giving it a facelift with stippled paint.
  22. I have a fairly old Barefaced Super Twelve with the stippled paint finish. Barefaced supply a touch up kit, and the gloopy paint is so easy to apply. My cab looks (and sounds) like new after a good few years of regular gigs. Personally I prefer stippled paint or carpet to tolex. Trace Elliot used to use a really tough tolex (Kevlar?), but decent glue is key to any non-paint covering.
  23. I missed John G McVie earlier, which is quite unforgivable being that I play in a Fleetwood Mac tribute these days. 🤪😎👌
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