Foureyes

Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 

Purchased off here a couple of weeks ago from DBallona 

the project it was bought for ended up not happening so I’m looking to recover the cost. 
 

£350 posted 

Or local collection/delivery 

Really interesting video! Thanks for sharing! I now want to buy at least 3 more basses 😂

Bought an amp from Diego. The transaction was flawless from start to finish.
 

You can buy from @dballona with no worries! 
 

Thanks again! 

19 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

What is it that you don’t like about the Bartolinis and what will the Aguilars bring that the Barts lack? The reason I ask is that I recently bought the 4 string version of this bass and I like the sound the Barts make but they have been so widely criticised that I am beginning to doubt my judgement. I kind of baulk at paying out £200 on replacement pickups on a bass that cost £800 (or £1k in the case of the 5 string). Will the Aguilars really be that much better? 

From the comparisons I’ve listened to yes. I can’t put my finger on what it is but they do sound a lot better. It’s also personal preference, I like Aguilar pick ups. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with the barts. Just not my cup of tea. Although I’m not sure they deal with the low b very well. But then that maybe because I haven’t played it at any decent volume yet. 
 

If you like the stock pick ups don’t doubt yourself because of other peoples opinions   

Mine turned up today I’m over the moon with it. 

Thank you for the review @Marvin_ it swayed me away from the 1505ms. 

I do agree that the Bartolini pick ups need swapping out. I’ll get some Aguilar DCBs order as soon as funds allow! 

@Marvin_ thank you much appreciated

On 22/05/2021 at 18:55, Marvin_ said:

Thought I'd give an update on the short EHB. I have become less and less enamoured by the Bartolinis, a position which was confirmed when I picked up my old Hagstrom for the first time since getting the EHB and being blown away by how much better it sounded. It had more punch, and that kind of 'woody' sound that I associate with bass, where you get an inkling that the sound is coming from a metal string vibrating, not just a noise. That also highlighted some other shortcomings, so I switched to a set of D'Addario (my general string preference) Pro Steels to get some brightness, and then played around more with the EQ. I also raised the action a touch and lowered the pickups to try and get some clarity. I generally found a cut to the mids helped the sound, but this time I found that boosting the bass and treble and leaving the mids centred got a better sound, but still just muddy and woolly. Playing with a pick gets the kind of tone I wanted from fingers - with a pick it sounded decent (although not as good as the Hagstrom still).

So, fast forward to today when a set of Aguilar DCB-D4 pickups arrived. They're technically 6 string pickups, but blades, so work well with the 5 string. LowEndLobster on YouTube did the swap with the long scale EHB1005 and there are some good comparisons on his channel. It's night and day. It genuinely makes me wonder why they chose the Bartolinis for the bass as they're clearly divisive at best. By selecting such a dull/muddy sounding pickup, it limits your market, and your tonal options so much more than the opposite surely?

Anyway, expensive as they are, it's required I feel now I've tried them. The Nordstrands in the higher end EHBs also seem to be well liked, and to my ears sound good too (prefer the Aguilars a little - LowEndLobster did a back to back to back of the three in EHBs).

If you don’t mind me asking where did you get the Aguilar pick ups from? I can’t seem to find them anywhere 🤔

I’ve got an Ashdown branded cover for an ABM115 if you want it? 
 

Bought an amp from Paul on Monday. It was with me on Wednesday. Very happy with the transaction and the amp. 
 

thanks again! 

Pm sent! 

Pm Sent 

On 06/01/2021 at 12:13, Marvin said:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/298259546971359/permalink/2145526592244636/?sale_post_id=2145526592244636

 

£100, in the Bristol area. Not mine, just happened to see it

Hi mate I’ve already found one now. But thanks for the info. I tried to join the group and few days ago but I still haven’t been let in 😂

46 minutes ago, nilebodgers said:

Anyone else got some New Year's resolutions for playing?

What I wanted to do was "practice more", but based on experience that's not going to happen unless I get specific. So:

1. Play for at least 30 mins every day.
2. Do a warm up then at least one technique exercise for speed/dexterity based on part of a song.
3. Do at least one musical exercise with arpeggios/scales in all keys round the cycle of 4ths.
4. Work on learning songs - a complete song, not just licks or parts. Play along with it until can be done with no significant mistakes.
5. Continue working on the Jazz walking bass course I have been doing.
6. Keep a practice diary and time how long I am spending on each item.
7. Don't buy any more gear! (apart from consumables and odds & ends)

This is mostly stuff I have been doing anyway, but in an organised way instead of random impulses and noodling around on a lick that caught my ear.

Anyone else got some resolutions they want to share?

They all sound like good goals. Mine would be very similar. With the exception of number 4 my ocd won’t let me learn only part of a song. And number 7. I definitely need to buy more gear 😂

Just now, Stub Mandrel said:

Don't forget how personal 'that' sound is  -and how much it can depends on the instrument as well as the amp.

Very true. I definitely won’t discount it now my ear and playing has devolved I might find it a completely different amp! Thank you for the input mate! 

41 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

When I bought my jazz, I tried it out on a Markbass, then a Rumble.

Nothing wrong with the Markbass, but  the Rumble was easier to get the sound I wanted from.

I’ve playing through a rumble combo before and an amp and head and wasn’t a massive fan. That was quite early in my bass playing though so it may have been an error of mine and not anything to do with the amp it’s self. I’ll add it to my list to try as soon as the world opens up again. 

10 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

Keep practicing in the meantime.

I most definitely will. Not have an amp in the house won’t stop me playing 😂

Under my thumb - the Rolling Stones 

16 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

You do live in the middle of nowhere but that nowhere happens to be near where the South West Bass Bash is held where you could try out all sorts of stuff once this virus is dying down.

Very true! I may just do that and hold off until I can actually go and test some gear out. Or at least hear it in action. 

34 minutes ago, Dan Dare said:

I would just suggest that you don't buy anything sight unseen or unheard on the basis of recommendation alone. All the kit suggested above is good. Whether it will suit you is another matter. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it. It may be inconvenient/tedious to traipse around trying things out, but it's the only way to guarantee you won't be disappointed.

I couldn’t agree more. However my options are very limited. I live in the middle of no where and the 2 guitar shops within reasonable driving distance don’t ever have a great deal in stock, which I why I’ve resorted to YouTube and asking for recommendations on here. 

@Phil Starr is very difficult. I seem to find an amp I’m interested in and then start looking for cans and realising I don’t have the budget left 😂

it’s not urgent so I may just have to keep an eye on the market place and eBay and see what comes up! The 1x12 is a good idea and then like you say another could be added later. And I’m not dead set on buying mark bass. I’d happily buy ashdown again. As @Reggaebass said earlier the RM500 looks like a solid option.

I’m just weighing up options at the moment because I can’t really afford to buy and either not like or not be completely happy with what I’ve bought, and end up trying to move it on for a loss. 

7 hours ago, Nebadon2000 said:

A used Markbass CMD 121P will handle small gig's easily and do medium sized clubs also for about 450-500 for mint one. [30lbs]

If you prefer 2x10 the CMD 102P used should be similar priced at 38lbs

 

Cheers bud I’ll keep an eye out on the classified here and on ebay

@Bassmidget209 I’m sure he will love it! Surely you can send it back to ashdown to get yours fixed? I can’t imagine they’d be unhelpful even if they couldn’t fix it. 

39 minutes ago, chris_b said:

There are Bergantino 2 x AE112 and 2 x CN112 cabs in the classifieds. Either would be a classy and great sounding rig, with any amp you choose.

Thanks bud. I’ll have a look now! 

3 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Well I’ve found Markbass cabs have a bit of a high end roll-off, but unless you’re going to DI post-eq to a PA that’s not really an issue. One of their 210s would be fine. I used Markbass amps & cabs for a while, and did so based on that every time I heard a band in a pub and liked the bass sound it was a Markbass setup. 

Thanks again for the help! People like you make it a lot easier for me to not waste my money! Now to wait for them to pop up pre owned! 

22 minutes ago, Ander87 said:

 

Thanks mate. I’ll shoot you a DM