karlfer

Not much point mentioning the wonderful Carvin BX700 then

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1410141005' post='2546532'] The problem is that it's incorrect, because like most laymen he's considering watts and that's not what matters. Voltage swing and driver excursion are. Suffice it to say that where watts are concerned if your amp is rated anywhere between one half and twice what your speakers are rated for you're fine. [/quote] Thank you for that Bill, it's something I've never got my head round. So, if I follow that, my Carvin BX700 COULD be used with cabs from 350watt to 1400watt quite safely? I always thought a bit more speaker watts than amp watts, so with the Carvin I would have looked min 800watts cabs. Mind I think my understanding was from my demo model 20 watt valve Marshall bass head, 50 watt Marshall bass cab bought for my Christmas present (on tick ) in Dec 73. I finished paying for my half in 75, immediately sold if for £30 to fund a HH combo. The last Marshall half stack that I saw, exactly like the one I had, was on FEEBay a couple years back at £2500 Shoulda kept mine then

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1410121764' post='2546408'] I think it's a big leap to go from " made in the far east" to " sweatshop". The labour cost will be less than in Europe granted but for electronics I doubt conditions will be like the clothing places? If you read Marco's responses in the thread mentioned, he pointed out every item from Indonesia is tested in Italy before being shipped out too. [/quote] And with respect, one of the first to buy an Indonesian made Markbass product had issues with it and ended up returning it. NO good whatsoever for a gigging bassist.

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1410116911' post='2546337'] I do hope they buck the trend, but in my opinion every amp maker that jumps to the far east ends up with reliability issues. Blackstar, trace elliot that blew resistors , peavey, ampeg, . Marshall. You pay a premium price for a brand knowing it has not been made in a sweatshop . Premium brands are made by people who have pride in the brand, everyone that has jumped this far east quick buck route ends up with sub standard reliability issues. Lets hope they have not made a mistake, the pricing suggests they have total confidence, but so did everyone elses. [/quote] You can add Ashdown and Orange to that list as well.

Thanks Barrie, never as simple as perhaps thought is it Teach me to take Basschat as gospel

[quote name='basexperience' timestamp='1410085704' post='2545899'] I had a brief burst of Warwick-lust here recently - but ultimately I realised I needed more studio equipment, so I still got GAS but exercised the demon by upgrading a couple of basses instead. [/quote] I have just developed Warwick lust with that Fortress Flashback that is up. Will it ever bloody end

Challenging because I'm a richard head. Could not get the sound I wanted all night. Packing up, noticed I'd put the valve pre amp on. I only like solid state. Dozy bugger Mind it made bugger all difference to the folk dancing and jumping up and down for the second set

T'interweb and Basschat. You said it in your first sentence "the look". Discreet uncovered the main offender. Before t'interweb and Basschat your avenues of looking were very limited. ie local papers, retailers and occasional magazines. Now, as was once said by a wise man, the world is your lobster Rodders! Pretty picture and the mind starts on it's evil trail

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1410009328' post='2545353'] If there is to be a price reduction across the board, I would imagine it coming in to effect once all the new stock of Italian gear has been phased out. [/quote] The price reduction may well be in place however if retailers have any items of Italian stock, they will try to sell them on before buying replacement Indonesian stock. At Italian stock prices. I am sure no retailer would sell Indonesian stock at Italian prices

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1409948055' post='2544978'] I paid £725 for an Indonesian one... So if they lowered it, they did it AFTER they started shipping the cheaper-made ones. However, we don't know if they are dropping the price or whether Thomann are just doing them cheaper than most others (as they tend to do). [/quote] There was quite a long thread on here earlier in the year. Markbass did not initially pass on the savings from cheaper labour onto the consumer. That situation may have continued even later with some retailers. The thread, including Marco's comments was quite an interesting one

I think Markbass have lowered quite a lot of retail prices this year, as they have switched production of a lot of their gear from Italy to Indonesia.

Cracking job Ash, much righteous rock grinning whilst using it I hope!

Diverse opinions as ever then, well, thanks fellas. After all that there is little solid cash interest in my BF but if it does go I will be looking at these I think. Cheers, Karl.

As I am not of your persuasion, please be gentle with me No doubt these have been listed by somebody but just in case.............. I have no knowledge or affiliation to seller or equipment, just trying to be helpful. [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/fender-51-p-bass-body-rare-left-handed-swamp-ash-vintage-x3-bodies/1079151648"]FENDER 51 P BASS BODY RARE LEFT HANDED SWAMP ASH VINTAGE x3 BODIES Derby, Alvaston FENDER 51 P BASS BODY RARE LEFT HANDED SWAMP ASH VINTAGE x3 BODIES[/url]

Well Bradwell (name changed to protect the innocent) , having read all this again, my own little contribution. Any big rig at home doesn't sound like it does at gig/rehearsal. It's main contribution is plaster removal, crockery destruction Your point about new stuff being warranted is very valid. However, much 2nd hand gear has had any warranty issue sorted and frankly, % wise, failures really are miniscule. What I would do in our position, with your budget; 1. Buy that used Berg 4 x 10 on here, you will not need anything else until age catches up with you. For gigs or rehearsals 2. Buy a decent rated, quality 1 x 12" cab for home use with the TC head, or whatever head you end up with. 3. Buy a decent head, 500/700 watt off somebody with good feedback on here. The point of used equipment is that you can try it and if it doesn't work out long term, you can move it on/trade it without losing too much. I can not stress enough how a rig will sound different in so many places. Some gigs are a fight with eq, others, you walk in, set up, hit a couple of notes and that's it. If I may make so bold, a young rock/pop/indie/punk band, image is important. A 4 X 10 may help that image more than a little but efficient 2 x 12. Good luck and enjoy all that is to come.