BassManGraham

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1473689881' post='3132272'] I hate to be 'that person' but Martin's memory is playing tricks on him. Argus is a Thunderbird. Pilgrimage is the Rick. Completely different sounds. Argus is also full of palm-muting which he couldn't have done with his Rick. [/quote] Memory can play tricks on us all, but I just double checked and according to Martin's autobiography No Easy Road (page 111 to be precise). It is all explained in some detail: essentially two months passed between recording Argus and album release during which time Martin made the transition for the Rickenbacker to a Thunderbird for gigging when the "live" inner gate fold sleeve shots were taken Plus Ricky 4001s of the early 70s era (I had one: why did i ever sell it) used to have adjustable rubber mutes under the bridge cover to facilitate muting, so the palm muting effect would have been very possible. I'd thought I'd lost my Anorak!

[quote name='pmjos' timestamp='1473531040' post='3131061'] No matter how I try I cannot find the remotest, miniscule GAS molecule for anything Gibson. I know, they are iconic, I know they are a part of bass history. Help me here..............I just don't get it. [/quote] [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1473587332' post='3131332'] Martin Turner has played T'birds for donkey's years, his tone on Argus et al is pretty marvellous. I think The Ox used one on Who's Next too, maybe even Quadrophenia, although that might be a Fenderbird. Didn't Stuart Zender have a dalliance with a Triumph? [/quote] I love Gibson Thunderbirds and own three. Best looking bass made IMHO. They have a wonderful thump & growl from the humbuckers. Love the slim thru neck. Repositioning of the strap button reduces neck dive. Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash) was a huge early influence. I've seen him live many times with his ex Moot The Hoople White Thunderbird (rebuilt from 13 pieces after being totally destroyed) and his (Black Serial No 1) Hamer Explorer MARVELLOUS live sound. He has a rather unorthodox pick style which gets his trade mark sound. Imagine my consternation, when Martin told me years later, that despite the Argus sleeve pic with a T'Bird he actually used a Ricky 4001 for recording that album!!! So your Good to Go Ez old boy! Thunderbirds are superb rock basses but they don't seem too versatile to me (slapping is a no no) as much as I love T'birds my main gigging basses are Jazz or Jazz bass derived these days.

Just to conclude this thread I eventually bought a Crown Drive Core XLS 1002 which gives me 1100W bridged into 4 Ohm. Early days but I am very impressed with this great value and nice quality power amp which works really well with My Sansamp RBI. I am using it into a pair of Vanderkleys. The Crown amp is very easy to program (even by a techno phobe like me) low pass, high pass or a selected bandwidth to cut too much low end rumble. The switchable input sensitivity is brilliant. Many thanks for all the your comments and suggestions. I will post a pic soon too as it looks really funky in the rack with the Sansamp RBI and Korg Racktuner (with matching blue lights) which satifies my OCD completely!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1473002262' post='3125917'] Curses! I was going to come along this year, but that's the day of my wedding anniversary and we're off to Jersey for a couple of days. [/quote] Our 25th Anniversary that week (20th) too and I have gig in Ireland on 25th. Pity I'm in UK the weekend before. Never realised my timing was an issue till now!

Many thanks for your comments guys. I did the gig and the Line 6 Combo was a Low Down 300 (1x15). It did what was needed. It had more than enough volume for a stage monitor purposes and the tone was actually pretty good, given we only had time for a line check between bands. I got a very decent tone using the Rock preset (Ampeg SVT simulation) as Callumjord & JTUK kindly suggested above. I was impressed for what it was, given these are a relatively low budget amp. The only downside became apparent when I tried to move it. Coming in at nearly 90lbs I would not consider one of these for regular gigging. I'm afraid my advancing years have made me a Class D convert.

Playing a festival soon where a Line 6 bass combo is provided. I realise that this is only for stage monitoring as I will be DI'd, but as Line 6 are one of the few bass amps I've yet to try just seeking players views? Cheers

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1464023189' post='3055841'] Lorne's BC Rich Porn thread hasn't been updated for a while, so... Having recently sold my last bass & a few other musical items I had a bit of spare cash knocking about when a friend of mine that collects vintage BC Rich guitars put me onto this, a 1979/80 Mockingbird Standard. It's in superb condition,with none of the knocks & chips on the "pointy bits" that are pretty much par for the course with old Rich's. Nice subtle bit of birds eye in the maple wings too. Frets were in a pretty bad way, so I took it in for a fret dress & it's as good as new. I have to admit I bought it largely for sentimental/nostalgic reasons as I used to drool over these when I first started playing. I also worked in a music shop in the early 80s that stocked them, so I've played a lot of old Rich guitars & basses but, apart from an STIII guitar in the late 80s, I've never owned one. It's just as good as I remembered, build quality & playability are up there with the very best basses I've owned. I haven't enjoyed owning a bass as much as this one for a LONG time. [url="http://s86.photobucket.com/user/RhysP/media/IMG_0275_zpspfilhiab.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s86.photobucket.com/user/RhysP/media/IMG_0277_zpsb13nc6yg.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s86.photobucket.com/user/RhysP/media/IMG_0281_zpszyotqdln.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s86.photobucket.com/user/RhysP/media/IMG_0283_zpsedsqkn46.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s86.photobucket.com/user/RhysP/media/IMG_0272_zpsifippiqx.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Always loved the Mockingbird Bass, such a timeless enduring classic, blows all the other more outlandish BC Rich designs away. Sadly never got to own one. The more recent budget range are just not in the same league. Ah well dream on!

Just bought a wonderful Rob Allen MB2 KOA 4 string lined fretless from Timjoris. Instrument was fairly priced, exactly as described, extremely well packaged (gig bag, bubble wrap and double boxed!) and promptly dispatched. Excellent communications and updates on courier. Would highly recommend this trustworthy Basschatter.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1462196299' post='3040978'] I see that the Frog with the Wal-like pickups and circuit is May's bass of the month. [url="http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/bass-of-the-month/1939-public-peace-proudly-presents-the-bass-of-the-month-may-2016"]http://www.public-pe...-month-may-2016[/url] [/quote] That is a very sweet bass indeed, but stop drawing my attention to things I want to spend the housekeeping on! I do love their Headless Frogs with the Delano P/Us!

Not sure I should reopen old wounds! Fireglow 4001 Rickenbacker early 70s model, my first decent bass at age of 17 sold to buy a hifi system which has long since died! Green Fender Precision early 70s. Not as nice as Jazzes I now own, but quite a valuable rarity now. Aria SB1000 sold to fund my made to order WAL Custom back in early 80s excusable, but still miss this one. Aria TSB 650 great short scale bass but not enough depth for me. Don't get me started on amp/rigs!!!

[quote name='Qlank' timestamp='1460668939' post='3027810'] Carlsbro Stingrays seem to be getting a bit of stick here. I had 2 at different times. Maybe not a great sounding amp but neither let me down at a gig. Ever. If anybody has one they want to get rid of, I will gladly take it off their hands and give it a loving home. I honestly think they look really cool as well. [/quote] No longer have a Carlsbro Stingray, but can recommend a good therapist LOL!

Carlsbro Stingray; sounded like a box of synthetic frogs! Bought as a budget back-up in a moment of madness. I regret selling many amps I've owned over the years including a Hiwatt Custom, a Fender Bassman 135, an Acoustic 220, even a Laney DP300, and a Dodgy GK700 but was so glad to see the back of that Carlsbro, one gig and out!

[quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1457170681' post='2995924'] Well got the ears sorted and I'm very happy with the result . Gator GRS2 case and a set of overly long rack ears from eBay. Just for the record if anybody else is looking to do the same, the ears need cutting down to leave 70mm each side. [/quote] Neat professional job. Always worth doing things properly and looking after your gear.

[quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1456657870' post='2991048'] I think I'm going to go for one of the gator cases. Looking at the hens teeth availability of the proper Genz rack ears, I think I'll be making my own! [/quote] I bought my Genz Benz heads in 2013 & 2014 and the rack ears were really hard to find even then. I eventually sourced a set from the USA, probably one of the last new sets available. That said they should not be too hard to fabricate. Good luck.

I have a Markbass 121H which sounds great with my 5 string Dingwalls. A pair would be even better giving 800W handling. But if your budget can run to it do try a pair of Vanderkley 112MNTs at 600W each which I find even better for clarity and low Bs.

[quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1455473594' post='2979415'] Thanks for the suggestions guys. Does anybody have one mounted in a rack case? [/quote] Love Genz Benz gear good choice! I have a Shuttle Max 9.2 and a Shuttle Max 12.2 both mounted in Short Gator Rack Cases GR-3S (3U) GR-4S (4U) (extra space for rack tuners etc). They do a very nice 2U case GR-2S too. Gator cases are good value for money, and I find them sturdy enough for my purposes. That said I take care of my gear do not throw them about! You may have to search around for Genz Benz Rack ears. Here's a couple of links:- http://www.gatorcases.com/c/29201/standard-audio-racks http://www.thomann.de/ie/gator_gr3s.htm?ref=search_rslt_gator+rack+case_212524

Difficult choice Marvin! I had a Markbass Little Mark 250 Black Line, a TC BH250 (in a combo) and a GK MB500. All have been reliable and all sound decent so you should listen to each model before deciding. I prefer the GK and Markbass, both sound great but distinctively different and both have good noiseless DI output which is crucial for me. GK MB200 wins on pure portability. GK amps built in USA too! Markbass wins on classic warm sound. Love the VLE & VPF controls. Lack of mute switch is a bit irritating. With regard to tone and sound quality I cannot tell the Blackline apart from the more expensive Little Mark 500. TC electronic wins on extra features such as built-in tuner, toneprint etc. To my ears TC electronic amps do not seem as loud as equivalent rating GK or Markbass gear. Both of my TC electronic amps have noisey DI outputs without a ground lift, so If I play larger gigs I need a separate D.I. Box If had to choose one I would go for the Markbass 250 Blackline, (and keep the GK MB200 as an amazing spare in my gigbag!!!) Good Hunting

I have PJBs & Vanderkleys. I love them both but pound for pound my Vanderkleys are lighter and seem louder. I have 2 PJB C8s at 800w each. They are crisp, clear and articulate and pretty damn loud particularly when used together. BUT.... I also have four Vanderkley cabs all 600W each (generally only use two at a time) two 112MNTs and two 210MNTs. I use the Vanderkleys more, particularly for larger theatre and festival gigs. Do try and have a listen and satisfy yourself. The smaller PJBs such as C4s etc are not that loud, but the 800W C8s (8 x 5s) are IMHO more impressive and could suit most needs so don't rule them out.

OK that's an absolute bargain price, (probably an error which Thomann will not be repeating). I could not get one! HOWEVER if it was sold as NEW and not damaged B STOCK then I would be saying to Thomann knock the £40 off to make it a cold £100 (but settle for no more than £120). Worth a try? Black felt tip permanent marker pen would disguise the blemishes.