alhbass

[quote name='lozbass' post='774142' date='Mar 14 2010, 10:19 AM']I tend to use d'Addario EXL nickel rounds on Js (usually EXL220 - 40-95 gauge) - I find them bright without 'pinginess' and fairly full with sufficient jazz growl when digging in a bit around the bridge. I play with a very light touch - for anybody with a heavier technique, I'd suspect there's a lot of growl to be had[/quote] Great. Thanks for that. Sounds very promissing. I'll give them a try.

Hello. I recently acquired a lovely 2009 US Jazz (my first - I've had Precisions previously). I currently have two sets of strings for it - both great in their own way, but both at quite extreme - one set is La Bella flats (not sure of the gauge - they came with the bass and the previous owner couldn't tell me), but they're pretty damn hefty! They make a beautiful, rich, thumpy vintage kinda sound, but are inflexible in the extreme, and not much cop for bending/slapping/popping/hammer-ons. The other set is La Bella Slappers (custom light). I got these as a step away from the Flats. But in fact they're several enormous leaps away from the Flats - they're thin as cheesewire, and thought they're hilariously easy to slap, bend, pop etc, they lack the puch of a heavier string. So it shouldn't be too difficult really - I just want something in between. And I'm familiar with quite a range of strings from other instruments I've had...but just thought I'd ask for your opinions and advice to see whether anything comes up I hadn't thought of before... I'd like strings with a bit of Grrr and edge that will bring out the Jazz growl a bit (the La Bella Flats for example have none of this, being so warm and smooth) and will be responsive to quick hammer-ons and popping, but don't like (what I think of as) over-bright, pingy sounds, such as I associate with 80s funky slap (probably steel roundwounds?). And strings that are flexible enough to bend a bit would be good too, though this isn't my number one priority... Specific suggestions of sets to try, and/or gauges welcome. Thanks. FYI I've tried Elixirs - too "civilised" - good but a bit tame, Warwick Black Labels - really didn't like these (they came on my Pbass V when I took delivery of it) - horribly tinny and overbright - I thought they sounded like knitting needles being thrown into a harpsichord, Rotosound Trubass - love these, but not what I'm after here, Hartke Something or other-Attack - were ok, but didn't last well, D'Addario Chromes - great, but again not what I'm after here, D'Addario Halfrounds - yup, these were good...

[quote name='bumnote' post='749540' date='Feb 18 2010, 12:23 PM']Ta muchly[/quote] I use these strings (and love them) - I've had them on my US Pbass V, and on a Washburn 125XB. The strings are big gauge for sure, but I've never done anything to the nut on either instrument and never had any problems with them. Been using them for about 2 years now...

[quote name='51m0n' post='769934' date='Mar 9 2010, 11:50 PM']+1 for a trip to bassdirect, Marks a gent, he will however let you fall in love with hidously expensive gear by letting you play it for as long as it takes, offering very occasional pearls of wisdom - clever git! You have been warned....[/quote] Thanks for the warning!

[quote name='gazhowe' post='769628' date='Mar 9 2010, 07:50 PM']Can I suggest you pay a visit with your own bass to Bass Direct in Warwick as they stock both the RH450 and numerous Mark Bass amps? I recently spent an afternoon there trying out my Status through various Mark Bass amps (using the MoMark testing tower) and different Bergantino cabs, then tried the RH450 with TC 2x10 & 2x12 cabs before A/B'ing the LMIII and RH450 through the same Berg cabs. Before arriving I desperately wanted to like the sound of the RH450 because of all of the great features it has built in but this was far outweighed by my personal preference for the sound of the Mark Bass, even though it doesn't have the 'bells and whistles' of the RH450. The varied, but equally valid, opinions expressed in this thread only serve to highlight that if you are thinking about spending £500+ on an amp then it's worth the effort to travel to somewhere that allows you to do a true comparison and then let your ears decide. [/quote] Hey - just noticed that you're listing MB MoMark amplification in your sig... What's that like then? I've read all the MB literature, and a couple of reviews, but not heard directly from a firsthand user.... (Perhaps I should be starting a new thread to ask this?). Much as I love and respect MB, it's be kinda hard not to wonder whether MoMark isn't a bit of a gimmick...? I mean, do you find yourself using the modular aspect of the set up at all? Do you switch components for different gigs or something? Just curious really...

[quote name='gazhowe' post='769628' date='Mar 9 2010, 07:50 PM']Can I suggest you pay a visit with your own bass to Bass Direct in Warwick as they stock both the RH450 and numerous Mark Bass amps? I recently spent an afternoon there trying out my Status through various Mark Bass amps (using the MoMark testing tower) and different Bergantino cabs, then tried the RH450 with TC 2x10 & 2x12 cabs before A/B'ing the LMIII and RH450 through the same Berg cabs. Before arriving I desperately wanted to like the sound of the RH450 because of all of the great features it has built in but this was far outweighed by my personal preference for the sound of the Mark Bass, even though it doesn't have the 'bells and whistles' of the RH450. The varied, but equally valid, opinions expressed in this thread only serve to highlight that if you are thinking about spending £500+ on an amp then it's worth the effort to travel to somewhere that allows you to do a true comparison and then let your ears decide. [/quote] Thanks for the suggestion - I'll certainly bear it in mind. Just a question of finding the time to get over to Warwick sometime...

[quote name='Doddy' post='769181' date='Mar 9 2010, 01:21 PM']I'm still buzzing from the gig now. For those who care,this was the set list.....(taken from the Bullboard) Rumble of the Diesel Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread Amanitas Cosmic Highway Red State Girl You Can't Tell Errol Anything Precipitation Drums/Whamola Jam Boonville Stomp David Makalaster (part 1) Southbound Pachyderm D's Diner Encore... Iowan Girl Riddles are Abound Tonight[/quote] Aaaargh - I'm kinda green with envy! Saw this gig advertised months ago, and quickly realised I wasn't going to be able to go. So I've been trying to block it out of my mind every since. And now y'all are talking about it the disappointment of not being there is back with a vengeance! Iowan Girl? U gotta love that song. Les Claypool is definitley one of the good guys.

[quote name='alhbass' post='768342' date='Mar 8 2010, 06:58 PM']Now then, +1 to this question! I've been trying to unravel exactly this mystery myself over the last few days, and have drawn a similar blank.... There are fair screeds of text online from TC on the subject - none of which seem to answer this question satisfactorily. Only today I was contemplating emailing TC with this question. I think I will. Unless someone else has already...in which case please let us in on the secret![/quote] Just receieved this email from TC in reply to my question as outlined above; Dear Al, Thank you for getting in touch with us. The two amps are based on the same hardware, but have completely different voicings. The Staccato's sound is specifically tailored for Rocco Prestia. 'Behind the scenes' we have a huge array of tweakable parameters that can basically make the amp sound exactly the way we (or in this case Rocco) want it. The difference between the two amps is quite obvious if you hear them next to each other. Lots of great comments etc. here: [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=629357"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=629357[/url] Regards, Rune Jensen Product Specialist tc electronic TC-HELICON dynaudio acoustics Blue Microphones Great to get such a swift reply, but I still don't feel it's a completely satisfying answer. They certainly don't address the question of what the price difference reflects directly. The implication is that there isn't any extra or better hardware - just some reprogramming. Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick...?

[quote name='Muzz' post='769253' date='Mar 9 2010, 02:03 PM']Well, I spent an hour in Sounds Great yesterday A/Bing the RH450 with a LMII, plus the RH 2x10 and 2x12 stack against the MB Jeff Berlin and 151HR. I had the LMIII and a 410HR, but it all got nicked (there's a thread somewhere about that), so I'm after a complete new rig. I was very surprised to find I MUCH preferred the MarkBass gear, as there's tons and tons of enthusiasm and giddyness about the RH450 around at the moment. I didn't like the tubetone valve simulation on the RH much (my Roland D-Bass did a more convincing tube tone on its Vintage setting), and overall I thought it sounded less full and rounded a sound altogether. If anything, the RH sounded too modern and sterile - unless the tubetone was dialled in, when it sounded like a cheapish distortion pedal. Maybe with some EQ tweaking the RH450 would have given me a more acceptable sound, but the LM flat was just [i]there[/i]. The onboard tuner is a corking idea, the memories are great, I love the LEDs (but you can't read the button titles at the top because of the overhang), and the unit itself just exudes quality (and so it should for the price), but when it came to the tone, there was no contest for me. I was, as I said, surprised. Thank God I didn't buy the TC gear simply on recommendation. YMMV, natch. [/quote] This is really interesting, and exactly the kind of A/B test I'd love to carry out myself, if only there was a store where I could do so within reasonable reach (I'm in York - anyone know of one? Don't think any of the Leeds shops that I'm aware of carry TC gear yet...). I've heard all the arguments for and against MB amps many times already, and have my own opinion based on years of owning them - and I'm certainly guilty of being swept along with the "giddyness" (good term!) around TC. But then, I have heard some great sounding demos of the RH450 online...Clearly I need to try and hear one live before making any expensive decisions. I've asked elsewhere, but anyone know of anyone planning to bring one to the Yorkshire Bass Bash?

[quote name='Riddler' post='768413' date='Mar 8 2010, 07:58 PM']Hi All Just needed a bit of advice please. I recently brought a Fender Jazz Deluxe second hand from GAK in Brighton. It’s a lovely bass and came already modded with Sadowsky pups and Sadowsky VTC preamp. I’m playing through a Markbass LMK. Because the output of the Jazz is so high I’m having to set the gain of the LMK so low that it’s almost impossible to avoid the blue clipping light coming on most of the time. The gain is set at a fraction of a % past zero. Am I being stupid and missing a switch for active basses on the LMK? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers Graham[/quote] I've used a variety of basses - passive and active - with my LMK and have never had the problem you describe. I think even with very hot output instruments, you shouldn't be having to set the gain quite so low - sounds to me like there must be a technical issue with the head. I'd get on to MarkBass - I've always found them helpful in the past. Good luck with it.

Hi. I'm currently (reluctantly) selling my Markbass LMK head (cos I need the money) - but I'm already looking ahead to what I'll replace it with as and when... I love the LMK - it's versatile for sure, lightweight, powerful, and, above all for me - super clear and uncoloured. Now I know this isn't to everyone's tase - some think it "sterile". I don't. I think it's just wonderfully clear, allowing the characteristics of different basses to shine through - I've never heard a P-bass sound as good as mine did thro' this amp. And if I need a thicker, more coloured sound, there are the tone controls and VLE/VPF filters to help you get there. I also use a Sansamp BDDI to add some grit and dirt when I want it. But then - everything about the RH450 seems pretty fantastic. I'm really impressed by the range of great tones I've heard it deliver, and by the simple convenience of having a good compressor, tuner and tube emulator all in one small, portable, programable, user-friendly head. So I'm very tempted (and I'm a fickle sucker - always looking for a new toy to satisfy my short attention span!). My only reservation/query is whether the RH450 can deliver MarkBass-like clarity if the tube tone is turned right down, as well as fat, SVT-like warmth? Think I'd really miss having that option if it's not there... Would welcome advice from anyone with firsthand knowledge. Thanks.

[quote name='Bass Culture' post='747219' date='Feb 16 2010, 01:48 PM']Does anyone know what the difference is between these two amps aside from the former being black and the latter being red?! The website makes various fairly vague statements about there having been a process of consultation and tweaking with Rocco and TC but skillfully neglects to mention what it was they tweaked from the RH450 model. It seems that the control array and 'extras' are the same - Tube tone, Spectracomp and on board tuner for example - so I'm at a loss, no matter how much I've read, to identify a single [i]significant [/i]difference between the two models to justify the fairly substantial price difference. Anyone able to enlighten me?[/quote] Now then, +1 to this question! I've been trying to unravel exactly this mystery myself over the last few days, and have drawn a similar blank.... There are fair screeds of text online from TC on the subject - none of which seem to answer this question satisfactorily. Only today I was contemplating emailing TC with this question. I think I will. Unless someone else has already...in which case please let us in on the secret!

[quote name='throwoff' post='765111' date='Mar 5 2010, 01:45 PM']I always say the same thing in these threads! MARKBASS! the VLE control gives such a nice vintage sound[/quote] If you're interested I've got a Markbass LMK (complete with aforementioned VLE control, among others) up for sale right now in the marketplace. And for extra valve crunch for minimal weight I could also sell you my Sansamp BDDI as mentioned earlier in the thread - it's a genius piece of kit - the only pedal I [i][/i]always[i][/i] use - and I wouldn't contemplate getting rid of it if it weren't for an urgent need for cash on my part!

Hello. I'd welcome any advice about early 90s US made Fenders. I'm considering a 91 Jazz that seems a reasonable price, but I'm going to have to take a gamble on it, as there's no chance I'll be able to try before I buy. I'm aware that late 70s Fenders (for example) are widely considered a bit dodgy - although yes, there are individual exceptions of course - but don't know what the general view is about the late 80s - early 90s. Would be grateful for your thoughts & opinions. Thanks.

Hey - anyone able to bring a TC Rebelhead to the Bash? I've scanned thro' the thread and didn't notice one mentioned, so apologies if it's there and I missed it, but just thought I'd ask. Love to try one out if possible... Cheers, Al

[quote name='guybrush threepwood' post='764702' date='Mar 5 2010, 07:10 AM']I'm off to try one of these out tomorrow, to stack with my combo. Is there anything I should be aware of? What's the peizo tweeter like? (Never heard one before)[/quote] Can't answer your question - sorry - but I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts on the cab once you've tried it. I recently took delivery of a New York 604 (from a trade on this site) - haven't gigged it yet, only rehearsed - first impressions are quite good, and I'm contemplating completing the ministack with either another the same, or a NY 12 or 15...