Sparky Mark

The CT versions are finished to a higher standard and use better quality components than the Ignition Series. They also have the laminate nut, zero fret and the gap underneath the fretboard which allows the traditional Hofner strap to be used. The CT does cost roughly twice the amount of an Ignition for these differences however.

All true other than the Ignition versions don't have the centre block like the Contemporary range. The Ignition has a small brace underneath the bridge saddle, the rest of the body cavity is open. This makes the Ignition on a par weightwise with the German versions.

Removed pickguard, fitted genuine Hofner teacup knobs and truss rod covers and blacked the pickup surround screws with a Sharpie. I sold the 62 on here a few months back.

You've done a similar amount of research as I did before I bought 61 and 62 Ignition versions to decide which pickup positions I preferred. I chose Ignition over Contemporary because I wanted the hollow body so to be closer to the German versions. I preferred the 61 and will at some point get a German example. You appear to have a connection with Warwickshire so get down to BD to try Mark's stock; that's the only way to know what's best for you.

I'll be there wearing my BC polo shirt as ID.

Brilliant amp, but I just find the polished stainless front panel impossible to read.

I'm hoping that Ashdown will bring production back to the UK for both environmental and ethical reasons.

This has been the HI eq on many Marbass heads for 15+ years. I find it perfectly usable, but rarely do.

I justify my "collection" (to myself) as before too much longer it will be used to part fund my retirement.

Thanks, I'd missed the earlier reference. Membership pending.

How do we track "HW" down?

It looks great! I want one...

Isn't that the one at Andy Baxter's for nearly £10k?

752

I didn't know either! Had to write them down; 25 basses with one more on order, 1 six string classical, 1 six string acoustic. As this seems a bit excessive I'm definitely considering shifting one of the 6 strings.

And I've just received some Hercules wall hangers from Dan, superbly packed in excellent condition at a great price with fast delivery. Another thank you Dan.

Except the OBC115 doesn't have a tweeter

The 400 watts isn't an indication of the aural output of the cab, it's the speaker's maximum thermal disippation. So as Bill says above, once your amp is outputting around 100 watts to the cab, more watts will just generate more heat within the speaker's voice coil, not make it louder. 200 watts into two single 15 cabs is a very capable live rig. I.e., the Orange AD200B into two OBC115 cabs (and it's got nothing to do with valve watts). I would go for a 500 watt amp if I intended to use one or two 410 cabs at high volume as that would deliver around 60 to 75 watts per driver, which feels about right. (I wonder if anyone has ever really driven 500 watts continuously into a Barefaced One10?)

Decreasing the lo mid control reduces boxiness on Markbass amps; try that first to various degrees, it may get you into the warm sound without boom the band is used to. The CMD121P on its own might work too, adding the NY121P cab increases the low end output a lot which might be too much if the band were used to a 210 combo? I've found that sometimes small amps being driven moderately sound better that more powerful systems barely breaking sweat.