JTUK

It sounds to me that they have unrealistic hopes..and if they themselves are on the ball..it could be a roasting for you, but then they SHOULD have gotten someone in who could do what they want AND paid accordingly. They didn't or can't...so this is sounds a bit like a cock-waving exercise with the mates. If they are paying you.. then the concerns are real. If not, then they must know if the parts take extra time, then that eats into the budget just as much as paying for the bass in the first place. Just consider it a favour that you are prepared to do. Enjoy it...never as bad as they seem unless you hate every minute of it. If that is the case, you shouldn't be doing it anyway. Chill.............

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1337547' date='Aug 12 2011, 12:50 PM']It isnt really heavy though, its just the same wood they use for the other cabinets, apart from the Club cabinets (tolex covered, thinner/lighter wood). 49lbs is still light for a 2x12, IMO. The Genz competition Neo X212T is 52lbs, and the Bergantino AE212 is around 56lbs. Being extremely lightweight isnt my goal, I just a fairly compact and well made 2x12.[/quote] I see your point now.. with your DB212 being 4 ohms. I am not a fan of Markbass cabs soundwise..but haven't used the entire range, of course. I did note someone here saying whenever he has heard a good bass sound the bass player used Markbass..and whilst I think the amps are good, I am not convinced myself on the cabs. I have to say that the vast majority of guys using Markbass cabs round here had a flabby sound. I can't explain it as I think it is very good gear, they do things right, etc etc...but I stand by that observation. A good friend of mine uses Epifanis as they are tighter, he says....??? hmmm....!!!! Having said that, I saw a prototype 610..??? which had black drivers as opposed to yellow...so that must be what it is. No bumble bee buzzing in a lightweight box

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1337234' date='Aug 12 2011, 08:05 AM']Yeah, it's marmite with these. Again, I think their latest line is much stronger, I did try the NY122 a fee times and for the size/weight, it was damn right impressive. I don't really want to get two 2x10s as the RS cabs cover that and they do it very well, but a slim 4 ohm powerful 2x12 with a fairly light weight is a good option.[/quote] I suggested a solo Db210 to go ontop of the DB212 and be modular should you ever need to gig more than one cab/DB210. Or..AE212..altho now they have let the Neo range go...?? it might be hard to source top end drivers as replacements should this be necessary somewhere done the line. For this reason, I'd not want to pay top $ for a discontinued line now.

[quote name='crez5150' post='1337367' date='Aug 12 2011, 10:55 AM']Indeed... In my experience he lives up to his name! I'd have thought Norm could have gotten someone with a bit more groove to be honest.[/quote] Maybe he could have done..but I think the Blockheads might bask in the name of Guy Pratt doing their gig. If you are wanting to throw cache about, then Guy Pratt wins, I'd say. I like them both as players but I would think that Pratt's CV is out of the Blockheads league, tbh.

Don't worry about it..they don't appear to be. And if you haven't kidded them, they must think the chance of this coming off is better than having to pay someone..which they may well have to do in the end, but if you are doing this as a favour and they know you have concerns and have been straight about the parts, then you should not feel guilty if they 'insist' you do it for them.

ha ha ...you just want nice new kit. With the gear you have, I'd be thinking, maybe, getting a DB210. Not the lightest 210 but very capable and will also sit on top of your DB212 to add upto an awesome rig if ever you needed hi power. It works as a decent standalone for all but loud gigs, IMO. Then...you add a DB750 for the FO fest rig... or a TFB750-A, but there will probably be a fight for one of those if one cropped up

[quote name='molan' post='1335554' date='Aug 10 2011, 07:41 PM']Interesting - thanks guys. I read a review somewhere that said they genuinely do seem to Stay In Tune once fitted & stretched in etc. I'll do some digging on the range options [/quote] They sound interesting, so would like to know more...but... this point about strings staying in tune..?? what is that all about.?? Is the suggestion that strings go slack on their own..?? hmmm. That would be duff strings IMV. I have had a few issues with strings lately and have posted as such, but never the string losing tune ..just like that..!!

The reason about my point with Markbass running hard is this. My SWR gets more grindey..which I don't really want...but I am pushing that at 2 o'clock gain and about the same for the master. Good sound and still consistant but the valve is working a tad hard, I feel, for my tastes. The Thundefunk is a louder rated amp and I take that when more level is required and it just gets better and better when pushed. I know I am still in the relatively early stages, but this amp is sheer quality at a sound level some other don't cope with, IME. No idea about the switch though... very very subtle..!!! Whether RH750 can do the same, I don't know, but its low level sound is very good, so maybe..? Maybe you need that headroom to keep control of the sound..?? I think the Markbass is a good amp if running about half on the dials..anymore and that sorts the men out from the boys, IMO.

opps.... that will teach me to read all the way through, but in my defence, there are a LOT of threads on here that are moving so fast, it is hard to keep up. Glad the gig went well

[quote name='razze06' post='1335180' date='Aug 10 2011, 03:31 PM']The songs seem to be mostly originals, not very rootsy and with more of a ska and rocksteady vibe to most of them. I'll stick to deep and smooth bass though, cause that's what I like for this kind of thing. I'll keep my plucking hand close to the neck, and my mindset on the strong and repetitive pattern. cheers![/quote] Done well, it can be a tough gig..but if you feel it, you're there. If you force it...you'll do no one any favours. Good luck.

[quote name='witterth' post='1335718' date='Aug 10 2011, 09:17 PM']sorry? not with you [/quote] I'm saying Guy Pratt is the better player and some friends of mine were disappointed when they went to see the Blockheads that the gigged was deppped to a degree. Maybe I should point out that this may be their heresay, though.

This is natural. I don't have 4's anymore and did indeed sell my fab early 80's MM. The only thing about that is that it would be worth more money now and it was a great player..but if they don't have a use you are a collector and I have no interest in that. Don't stress it...either you can cover a gig or you can't with the besses you have or you can't. If you can, take your time looking out for that special bass. Both my J5's are far better basses than the 77 Jazz and even the MM though so you'll find one soon.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1334540' date='Aug 10 2011, 09:04 AM']Yeah, its a nice system, but the TC amp I have is quite complex as it is, so I just want a solid state/flat-ish MB amp I can use that isnt overly expensive, like I had with the LM3....which I should have kept haha![/quote] As you may know..not a great fan of the Markbass LMll/III when you have to run them hard..or rather there are others out there....but if it is the devil you know..and like..then say no more.

[quote name='t_080_t' post='1334417' date='Aug 10 2011, 01:02 AM']Hi. I am sure that there is already a topic on this but just wanted to get a variety of views on lightweight bass combos and which ones people recommend? Cheers[/quote] IME..there is only one... the Markbass 102..add a 15 or 210 and you have a decent rig. On its own, it is the best lightweight around..IMO. I agree that GK ..for example..might have the price break but isn't the same quality, I think.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1335064' date='Aug 10 2011, 02:24 PM']This is an 8 ohm 2x10, 29lbs, re-voiced, new drivers, no piezo so it has proper compression horn, nice new tolex effect, and a great size/functionality to it. I only need one for this band, believe me, but if I were to get another it would sound fantastic no doubt. Pics here: [url="http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Markbass-Club-102.html"]http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Markbass-Club-102.html[/url] [url="http://www.gitarrentotal.ch/node/2081"]http://www.gitarrentotal.ch/node/2081[/url][/quote] For me..always in pairs... so much more flexibility, but then the reason I went down this route is because I wanted a large onstage monitor. I don't get loud bands..which I accept yours might not be... thinking they can get away with a sound with a single cab. In only the last few festivals/outdoor gigs I have done...with variations of so called decent stage montoring via P.A, not one Markbass, Ampeg, Warwick, GK and a few others cut it, IMO. I agree that the reason may not have been the marque itself, but the bass player thinking he could get away with a lightweight..in terms of sound... rig. Invariably I was offered the use of these rigs, but declined all but one..through a degree of experience, and if you don't know for sure, then don't go for it... and I was totally right. Stage monitoring is basically 2 mixes and bass is the compromise. I make sure I can put out a good stage sound and am quite happy to scale it down once we have the onstage sound determined...but forget the days of turning up with a decent combo and thinking you'll get away with it... It isn't worth that crap to me.... as all my stuff breaks down into a car. For the OP..I accept the sound levels might not apply, but I go prepared..despite what the sound man says.

Guy Pratt is no mug bass player, IMO. Would quite easily put the main man bass player away in this regard. On another note, the Blockheads have a bit of a reputation for depping the gig so it isn't the chair that people might what to think it is..????

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1334330' date='Aug 9 2011, 10:45 PM']There is also the Club 102, which apparently has a fuller sound cf to the TRV102P, and a nice new tolex effect. Plus, it can be tilted like a monitor.[/quote] Can't really say what your end-sound is, Gareth, but I think a modular idea of 2x210's would be THE end game. If you are talking single cabs with single speakers, then sorry, can't help.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='1333923' date='Aug 9 2011, 06:24 PM']+1 The only really good sounding 2x10s I have heard have been heavy and relatively big. These smaller 2x10s while a nice idea don't cut the mustard. A better solution to small 2x10 is indeed a very good 1x12, the Barefaced midget have better frequency response and louder output, and due to it being Barefaced it sounds amazing. Or a small 1x15 as a stand alone cab, especially a 1x15 like the BF Compact. Has amazing mids and low end, just doesn't give me the top end I need. Don't get me wrong, I like a 2x10 but light or loud arnt realistic options in the Market.[/quote] Talking ceramics here, but my 2x210 blow my 2x112 out of the water...and 115 wouldn't even get into the equation, IMO. Of course, this is not real like for like, but the compromise of 2 manageable cabs to carry, ie 210's aren't that heavy, over 12's or 15's make this the go-to rig, IME.

One of the very best amps out there is the Thunderfunk, IMV which takes up where old SWR left off. Not talking about the newer incarnations as they are the same in name only, IMO. Was impressed with the TC750 with the little demo I had...but I am not sure it would be so good outside its own cabs...but it works very well with them, you might not need anything else anyway. Unless you can piece togther Eden or SWR cheaply, you'll have to be more reaslistic with the budget, I'm afraid. Different voice bias, IMO..but very capable. Don't know about the TC range amp you mention, but they are on a roll atm, so this might be more of the same sort of thing..???

Preferred the F1... but I would think you could get close to either with Enhance/timbre/VLE etc..

No..not used them. I am looking into small shops winding their own atm. I have some Newtone on order. Always on the lookout for new strings that are consistantly good out of the pack..

No... I don't think it has anything to do with gauge. I've used this brand for 15 plus years and they were always worth the extra. They were great out of the pack and lasted well enough. Now, I don't have that confidence they are great from the pack as I have had a couple of duffers. Also, I can't rely on a good pack cleaning up well enough so I have to clean a pair of sets..and hope one comes through. DR have said recently that nothing has changed to cause this but that does not bear out with my experience of trying them. Assuming you do nothing differently, then their quality seems to have changed in some regards. That is certainly my thinking due to the above experiments. I no longer look at DR as the go to string..which is certainly was. I am having some Newtone strings made and have high hopes. The price is decent. XL pros are good and consistant, I feel..having tried the same amount of sets recently as DR. Other notables that I will try again..Ken Smith and La Bellas Super steps. these are my best string atm. The other thing I have found on DR string is that they kink when coiled and cleaned..again, don't know why this should be as I am doing everything the same way as i used to. I used to boast I could get 5 cleans plus out of DR... and have dug up some old one to see if this is still true,...can't see why is wouldn't be. But I am sure there is something differnt in DR string, IME...and that shows up as duff out of the pack occasionally, and a general downgrade of some metals, possibly. All I know, is what I know to have hall;ened when suing DR strings bought recdently. Shame as they used to be fantastic..and at their price, worth it. I can't say that now. Some things I do. Never leave the bass in a closed case or bag..I like the string to breathe so open this up as quick as poss. I give the strings a quick wipe after a sweaty gig.. otherwise, nothing. I change after 4 weeks max. Can't wait until I try the Newtone customs.

[quote name='4000' post='1330950' date='Aug 7 2011, 02:10 PM']You seem to be forgetting our previous discussion of this. I love McVie's Alembic sound. Entwistle's Alembic sound is up there with Chris Squire's for my favourite bass tone ever. Just because you think it sounds crap doesn't mean I should. For one thing, I[i] like [/i]distorted bass. What part of "subjective" aren't you getting? FWIW, some of my favourite bass tones: Chris Squire Lemmy Early Jon Camp Glenn Hughes on Made in Europe John McVie (Alembic) Early JJ Burnel Matt Garrison Stanley Clarke Hadrien Feraud (solo sound) Leigh Gorman (Bow Wow Wow) Jah Wobble Mark King (Alembic) I'm guessing at least some of those won't be to your taste....which is fine by me [/quote] Nope, not forgetting that at all... but there is a huge differnce between different in taste and just god-damn-haven't-a-clue awful. I'm talking about the latter in this regard.

[quote name='Westie9' post='1330833' date='Aug 7 2011, 12:11 PM']Hi all, Can anyone recommend a decent kick back monitor cab? Either a combo or stand-alone? If a combo, is the DI output anygood? Thanks[/quote] Not sure a single 12" would have to power needed in a loud setting, but if you want it entirely to yourself, plus additional capability, I wouldn't look any further than a Markbass 102 combo. We use one as a basic drum monitor using a sub-mix if req'd.