ThomBassmonkey

No more news other than what I quoted above. The NEO would probably come out slightly on top. They're braced so they'll give a tigter low end. They'll probably be about the same in volume though. Remember that the MBE is the budget range and the NEOs are GK's premium (though they're still pretty cheap, though you wouldn't guess it just from the cab) neodymium range.

11 years for me, can't imagine life (and I quite possibly wouldn't be alive) without it.

Try out basses that cost up to about £2,000, if one pops up here, there's a good chance (depending on bass) it'll be under £1,000 2nd hand.

I usually use my MB Fusion and two NEO212s, I also have a 2001RB-II and two 410RBHs that I am far too lazy to gig but wouldn't hesitate if someone else was carrying First is probably just shy of £1500 new (street prices, RRP is more), second is probably getting on for £3000 to buy new, I've not seen the prices in a while.

I mute with my fretting hand, the same technique I use with 4 and 5 strings. I bought my first 6er after only playing for about a year though and then played it for about 7 years as my main instrument so I think I kinda learned how to mute properly at the same time as learning to play anyway so it was more natural.

There's nothing wrong with 4x10s, it's an enthusiast thing to get too buried in meaningless facts with that kind of stuff. They've been used by pro bands for decades, they might not be perfect but there's certainly nothing wrong with them (in general). I don't like Ashdown, but for that price Ashdown do usable giggng rigs. I've not used Hartke, but they tend to get good reviews. Other things you could look at it older hevier gear 2nd hand. I'm sure you could find a Trace for that price and a Peavey would likey leave you with change.

I mostly use my Ray MM5, also got a RayM5. I expect most people here usually gig pubs, having an expensive bass then not using it is a bit pointless IMO.

I've just got a reply from Polar so sorry for the bump. He says he'll send me more info when he's calmed down a bit (it's been a hectic week since he's been in France last week so he's playing catchup on emails and stuff). Anyway, he says "[size=2][size=4]The MB800, the MBP and the mkII MB & MBE ranges are all US made. The previously existing Chinese made models will also be US made moving forward but there may still be Chinese made stock of some models available, which will filter through. People shouldn’t be concerned by the Chinese made models as they still carry the full GK warranty and sound great![/size]"[/size]

There's a big difference between a pro and an entheusiast. They're not mutually exclusive, but they're definitely not inclusive.

Ok, maybe terrible was a bit OTT but they're not anything like the rest of the GK gear IMO. If my budget was limited to one, I'd look for something else in the same range. There's a good chance the BL600 is so popular just because it's so cheap. GK have a good reputation for making high end gear, with them being a bit sparse, finding a 300w head for £250ish new from them looks good. I just don't think it's anything like the more expensive gear, it doesn't even try to sound like a GK.

First few live bits I saw (recorded on TV/internet) of him playing "fast" stuff I didn't like. He seemed a bit all over the place and showing off without any kind of groove, then playing much simpler stuff in the actual songs. Since then I've heard more (and seen Chillis live, though Ben Harper blew them out the water, but that's another story) and he's a great bassist that sometimes gets a little excited and loses sight of the groove a little sometimes. I've got a lot of respect for him, though it's getting a bit annoying people asking if he's a big inspiration for me (partially because he's one of the most famous bassists to non-musos and partly because I use a ray into a GK).

Another option is to go for a teeny tiny head. The MB200 has a DI and is also a 200w amp so if your head goes down, you can plug it in and use it with your cab. http://www.thomann.de/gb/gallien_krueger_mb200.htm There's other similar amps out there too but I can't think of any off the top of my head. The disadvantage though is you can't leave it in your signal chain like you could a Sansamp or similar. It depends if you want something you can instantly use (and potentially use as an effect before your amp) but will leave you without a head in emergencies or a head that you'd have to spend a minute re-plugging if it was needed.

Either would do you well. I used to own a Sandberg custom with an MM config and I now own 2 rays and in a band context they're vey hard to tell the difference between. I did a thread a while ago about my Sandberg vs a Ray 5 (single pup) and loads of people made loads of excuses about why it was wrong, the pickups in the ray (stock ones) were the wrong pickups, I had the controls set wrong etc. I did another test with the pickups set to what people wanted and it was still pretty even between people that got it right and people that got it wrong, a few more people got it right but I did manage to do the recording with the mid maxed out on my sandberg which probably skewed the results. I prefer the Ray, I'm not sure why, I just do.

Re Plunger: Avoid the budget GK BSX (and GSX) gear, it's terrible and really not a good representation of the GK sound and build quality in the rest of it's catalogue. If you're talking about the MBE range (which are GK's real budget range rather than the backline crap), then they're great. I'd agree with Lozz except I'd get an 8Ohm 212MBE so that you can add another at a later date. The 500w MB heads (MB500 and MB Fusion) do 350w into 8Ohm which will be enough for most gigs, I use my MB Fusion with one NEO212 8Ohm for most gigs and it's never struggled. If your bassist is sure she never wants to upgrade, 4Ohms is definitely the way to go, but personally I'd recommend the 8Ohm to allow for another cab to be added later on.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1341874159' post='1725639'] IMO and IME it's a step up, but there's still daylight between it and an amp with a lump'o'iron in it. [/quote] That doesn't make one quantifiably better than the other. Obviously in your opinion class Ds don't sound as good, but that is just an opinion. I love my MB, I use it at every gig now over my 2001RB (I think that IS a lump'o'iron rather than containing one) just because of the convenience. I've done big-ish outdoor gigs with the Fusion and 1 2x12 cab and it's easily coped. I've seen some class D heads that have struggled on the power front, but the technology's moving quickly and I think that most cope well now. I certainly never feel like mine's underpowered.

I'm sure I'm going to shock and astound you with my suggestion! MB Fusion. Available under £500, 500w into 4Ohms and a valve pre. If you need the 800w then the MB800 of course. I know, pick your jaw up off the ground at that unexpected suggestion.

My Ibanez BTB406 spent a long time down a step. My only concern about a D-tuner (or especially A-tuner) on bass would be the tension shifting. It's quite a big change and going back and forth a lot would worry me. A decent bass should be ok though, but it'd still worry me.

Yeah in theory, though if I were to rack my Fusion, I'll be honest, I'd just get a friend to make the rack ears. Though it'd be nice to have "proper" ones, they're basically just bent bits of metal with a few holes in. Same as the plate to fill the other 1u slot. I probably shouldn't be saying that as an endorsee (gogo buy lots of GK stuff!), but hey, honesty is the best policy. Depends if you know anyone that can do the metalwork needed. I've never felt the need to rack mine though. The whole advantage for me of the MB series is their size and weight. If you rack them up, it defeats the point in my eyes.

Take off the feet and all the MB heads are 1u The MB200 might even be 1/2u, can't remember off the top of my head.

Size of the rig is irrelevant. It's how it sounds and whether or not it can be heard (nb: not whether it's loud enough, the ability to cut through is just as important) in a band situation. I own a 1080w 2x4x10 beast that I need at least one extra person to help me per cab (96lbs each iirc) to move it and I also have a 500w 2x2x12 rig that I can literally carry in one trip with two basses (the head's in a laptop case, 1 cab in each hand and both basses in cases over my shoulders with the head). Both do a great job, I tend to use the smaller rig because it's so much easier, it sounds equally as good though.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1341703720' post='1723100'] I`ve seen a GK MB Fusion, with a DBX Compressor, and a tuner, in a rack that was just the width of the GK amp. Apparently it was custom made by Flightcasewarehouse. Have to admit, although it`s nice and easy having my amp in my leads box, so less to carry, I`ve also been thinking about putting it in a rack case, so all leads etc are already connected. Plug the speaker lead into the cab, power lead into wall socket, away you go. [/quote] GK do rack ears for the MB series, they're long at the front so they effectively widen the face of the amp to a full 1u. You obviously have to take off the rubber feet too since they make it taller than 1u (assuming you have something below it).

My opinion would be don't write off solid state preamps. A lot of very nice bass amps are solid state, you'll see far less different between SS and valve in bass gear (unless you're overdriving the amp) than you would in guitar gear (where you probably will be). I'd recommend the GK MB500 or Fusion if you want the valve pre, does crunch and clean great.

I'd love one, if only they made 5ers...

Anything that was designed in the last 50 years is pretty out of fashion. Anything that was designed more than 50 years ago but made less than 50 years ago will hold value. Anything made more than 50 years ago is worth a small fortune. Doesn't apply to all basses but it's a pretty safe rule of thumb.

I'd take a punt at £50, even if she only uses it for 3 gigs and you can't sell it, you're probably doing better than renting an amp for those 3 gigs, not to mention petrol picking them up etc. When she's in a situation where she knows she wants to upgrade and has some spending money for it, get to a shop, try as many amps as possible then come here and ask for suggestions based on what she likes and her budget.