franzbassist

The Sigma basses are decent enough, I have a fretted one for home noodling. The Fishman preamp is certainly a good unit. The nut needed dropping a touch and it had one high fret, but they are a decent bass for the money.

Update: Thomann have said I can have the bass repaired in the UK and they will just refund me direct

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I am inclined to just get it sorted here.

The fingerboard on my Thomann bass is starting to come away from the neck. They have agreed to repair it and cover return shipping, but I have to get it back to Germany for this to happen, and while I have a very nice soft case I don't own anything suitable to ship it in! I remember the bass came in a very bespoke cardboard box, with all sorts of foam and odd shaped panels, but that went in the bin long ago. Presumably I could hire a hard case, but if so, from where? Any suggestions would be most welcome! Oh and I did ask if they would cover the cost of a repair completed in the UK but they declined. Maybe the easiest option is to get it sorted here anyway though: who's good in Hampshire/Surrey? Thanks Gareth

"Man of Colours" is a superb album. Choc full of syth-tastic 80s power pop.

My new setup. Markbass Little Marcus 800 and a Standard 102HF Limited Edition

I sold Steff an amp gig bag. Very smooth deal with fast payment and great comms. Happy to recommend.

Mrs WB had this beautiful ACG made for my 50th, but it was a bit too heavy for me. So we sold it, and bought my first Franz instead. She's very understanding is Mrs WB!

I've used black, white and copper nylons from La Bella. Absolutely superb strings. Smooth, low tension but high gauge so you can really dig in. Last a lifetime. The white nylons remain my string of choice for fretless.

It is now. Edited by your friendly BC moderators

I know, I'm really pleased with it. There's a brief build thread here if you fancy learning more.

I bought the fretless first, from Thomann actually, as I wanted a really light, resonant, chambered fretless. The bass was just perfect, so I had a fretted bass built as well. Never been so happy with my basses All the spec for my bass is on the homepage here. No I don't use the wedge as standard, just as and when it's needed.

@Al Krow it's a Franz Sirius DC from Germany. Custom made for me and featuring a chestnut top taken from a tree felled in my parent's garden. I also use a fretless Franz. I used the wedge to tame the bottom end in what was a relatively small room with suspended wooden floor.

Me too. I go through phases of wanting to use effects, so I put together a basic pedalboard, use it a couple of times, and then sell it all off.

Gigged the new rig on Saturday night and I have to say it sounded fantastic. Really pleased with this combination.

My name is Walbassist and I am a string bender.

That was a nice bass If it were me I'd buy a matched PJ set rather than try to mix and match. I'd imagine you're much more likely to get a good result that way.

That, and also from any damp.

I'd love to say they make some amazing difference to the tone, but the reality is they just keep the cab off a solid concrete garage floor!

The Marcus is a very different beast to the Little Mark heads. I was very much of the "leave it all at noon and tweak the filters to taste" persuasion with the K1 combo, but I find the Marcus has an inherently draker tone when everything is set flat, at least through the TRV123 and STD102 cabs I have access to. But, the minute you start tweaking it sounds amazing, with just a slight variation from straight up EQ changing the tone more dramatically than you'd expect if you are used to the Little Mark heads. The EQ points are very well chosen (as you yourself have noted, they plug that huge gap between 800-10k on the Little Mark heads), and I really like the "Millerizer" control, as it gives a lovely sheen to the top end without ever getting harsh. As to building up a collection of Markbass gear, I've already sold the K1: as much as I loved it, I knew this amp would work better for me. I've also listed the TRV123, but happy to hold onto that if it doesn't sell, especially since it can handle the 500 watts at 8ohms this amp puts out with ease!

Yes and yes.