Opinions asked !

[oddjob]

My main band is just a plain out Rock and Roll band, but I play in a Contmporary Worship band too. I also have done recordings for a handful of styles, from, folkish rock, to some cheesy teen pop (whatever pays the bills guys). Theres even been a fill in puck rock session or two. My ususal method is a direct line from the bass, and I mic or both of my GK Neo cabs. To be honest, Ive yet to be put in a situation where thae GK rig didnt impress me.



This is a pretty bold statement, and I disagree with it stongly.
#1) If SWR were crap, guys like Jeff Amment (Pearll Jam), Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets, solo), Adam Nitti (Steven Curtis Chapman), and Michael Manrig (solo) wouldnt play them. If GK were crap Tim Foreman (Switchfoot), Woodchuck (El Pus), and Norm Stockton (solo) wouldnt play them.

So with that being said, if you dont like something, and can state some valid reasons why you dont like it, you opinion holds little wieght IMO. Reffering to gear that many bassists use for a living as crap, just doesnt make sense.

Well said... it is like I tell my 7th and 8th graders:
Have whatever opinion you want but be sure to back it up with facts - just don't say something is crap and leave it at that.

 

[oddjob]

To be honest, Ive yet to be put in a situation where thae GK rig didnt impress me.

They are killer!!! Just too much for me to think about (suppose I would get used to it over time though )

 

[PatAttack]

I love the sound of a tubed ampeg with an ernie ball. It sounds so good. SVT 3 is an awesome amp. Check out MARK BASS amps, they have so much punch for such small cabs. They are simply amazing.

 

[Aussie Mark]

The issue with recent SWR quality control is directly related to the purchase of SWR by Fender and the subsequent move of SWR's manufacturing operations further south. Pre SWR gear is unquestionably great stuff, and it's a shame Steve Rabe's reputation has been sullied by what has happened since Fender bought him out.

Hence, if you want to try SWR, buy used, or find a store in the backwaters that has some old stock sitting around.

 

[mike not fat]

Thanks for all your posts. Now I need to try all that stuff out. I plan to test the heads on the same cab, with my bass, begining with everything set flat on every amp to hear the differences, and then messing with the different features to see what every of them can do. I'll let you know what i get (probably during september).

MNF

 

[cgworkman]

The issue with recent SWR quality control is directly related to the purchase of SWR by Fender and the subsequent move of SWR's manufacturing operations further south. Pre SWR gear is unquestionably great stuff, and it's a shame Steve Rabe's reputation has been sullied by what has happened since Fender bought him out.

Hence, if you want to try SWR, buy used, or find a store in the backwaters that has some old stock sitting around.

hmmmmm...

I have a post-Fender Goliath III, and when compared to a friend's pre-Fender - it hits just as hard, sounds just as good, weighs the same - and so far has held up the same too.

The folks I've talked to that have owned/used post-Fender SWR's always say that Fender has done a decent job of not messing up the good thing that SWR has going.

I guess only time will tell for sure.

 

[mike not fat]

Sorry to anoy you with another question, but looking for what was havable in my area, i came across a brand I don't know, that offers an all tube head (I mean pre (3 tubes) and power (4 tubes) amp) for a price between the GK and the ashdown. It's Yorkwille/traynor YB 200. Has any of you infos about this brand/amp (sound, reliability...).
In the same time, does some of you know why most of the all tube amp are so "low powered" compared to solid state or mixing amps ? I mean, ampeg for exemple offers all tube amps that are 100 to 300 W. Is the sound loud enough compared to a 500 or 700 W amp mixing tube for the pre and solid state for the power ?

Thanks again.

MNF

 

[cgworkman]

I've heard good things about them. You might want to Google them and see what you can find. They are a newer, but reputable, company.

 

[Bubba Love]

In the same time, does some of you know why most of the all tube amp are so "low powered" compared to solid state or mixing amps ? I mean, ampeg for exemple offers all tube amps that are 100 to 300 W. Is the sound loud enough compared to a 500 or 700 W amp mixing tube for the pre and solid state for the power ?

Thanks again.

MNF

Yeah, rule of thumb is that tube watts are louder than SS watts. I've never owned an all tube rig, so I'd be hard pressed to tell you what you'd need for a loud rock gig, but others will know better.

I'd give another vote for MarkBass, particularly the Little Mark. You can stick it in a laptop bag, hows that for portable? In my opinion, it's loud, sounds excellent with a 4x10, and is about half the price of an SVT 3 Pro. I chose it over an Ashdown ABM 300, but YMMV, especially with the 500.

 

[Aussie Mark]

hmmmmm...

I have a post-Fender Goliath III, and when compared to a friend's pre-Fender - it hits just as hard, sounds just as good, weighs the same - and so far has held up the same too.

The folks I've talked to that have owned/used post-Fender SWR's always say that Fender has done a decent job of not messing up the good thing that SWR has going.

I guess only time will tell for sure.

From what I've heard and read in other forums, the post-Fender quality is hit or miss, so if your GIII is going ok then you probably will have nothing to worry about. There was a recall of an entire run of SWR350 heads, and a lot of issues with misaligned speaker cones in cabs. Maybe they've sorted out the initial teething problems they had at the new factory.

 

[tkarter]

On second thought here.

Name an amp and cab combination an EB bass won't sound good on.

The choice is yours. While we would all love to help we just don't know how to do so.


tk

 

[cgworkman]

From what I've heard and read in other forums, the post-Fender quality is hit or miss, so if your GIII is going ok then you probably will have nothing to worry about. There was a recall of an entire run of SWR350 heads, and a lot of issues with misaligned speaker cones in cabs. Maybe they've sorted out the initial teething problems they had at the new factory.

I've been considering picking up another GIII. I'd rather not take my chances and get a lemon, so is there any way to tell which GIII's are pre-Fender?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mike not fat]

Hi everyone.
During the last weeks, i've regressed to a lurker status as i sorrely didn't had enough time to participate to the forum (just could keep informed with what happened during the OH ; my god wish i could have been there). I'm a bit overwhelmed at work and i rehearse 3 nights a week because we have a big show coming and nothing's ready.

I just wanted to let you know who the winners are...In fact nothing that was previously planed !

I'm getting a Markbass TA 503 head and a Markbass Traveler 104 Box.

The box's weight (55 lbs, 25 kg) is just stunning considering the loudness and the sound of that 4 x 10. If like me you must carry your box in the stairs (once or more in a week) and you have no muscles, don't considere anything else !

For the head, i could compare it to an ampeg SVT3 and a GK 700 RBII (I sorrely couldn't get a hand on an Ashdown).
I was a bit disapointed by the ampeg ; it has that nice ampeg sound, but (running at 8 ohm) it really lacks power ; I needed to push the master and gain to there limits and still felt I could be covered by drums and guitars.
The GK and Markbass both have lots of power but i liked the sound and features of the Markbass best : it has a 2 tubes gain so you can get a warm round sound, and more shaping abilities. With a Bongo 4 HH preamp, the Makbass head lets you get an array of different sounds which is almost limitless.
In terms of price the Markbass is also a good deal here in Europe : really cheaper than the SVT3 ; pricier than the GK but for the sound and features its not excessive (more or less 330 US $ difference). And the weight is also incredible (8 lbs, 3,70 kg).

I can only advise anyone who is looking for a head or a box to have a look (and ear) to Markbass stuff : you could like it and the weight will reinforce your love !

I'll let you know more about it and will send pics as soon as it will be there (almost a week) and when i'll have time to !

MNF

 

[bongo man]

I have to agree about Mark Bass-
Great sound--reliable---lite weight--road worthy
good choice;-))

 

[MingusBASS]

I may purchase a Mark Bass head soon but I wish I could try them out before getting rid of the Ampeg head I have now. They seem to be a great value and having an 8lbs head is a huge pluss for me. Cliff, is Mark Bass coming to the US any time soon?

Andrew

 

[AnthonyD]

I gotta ask - are they really available stateside yet!?

I was seriously considering them earlier this year but had no luck locating a reseller and inquiries via their website went unresponded to.

 

[bongo man]

I may purchase a Mark Bass head soon but I wish I could try them out before getting rid of the Ampeg head I have now. They seem to be a great value and having an 8lbs head is a huge pluss for me. Cliff, is Mark Bass coming to the US any time soon?

Andrew

I'm not sure what the status is at this point-
I will check with my contact Peter in Canada about U.S. availibility-I've been touring quite a bit this summer and haven't stayed on top of the situation.
I'm hoping get some gear delivered to L.A. before an Oct tour.
I hope the stuff becomes available here soon because I would love to see my MM brothers and sisters use this super cool gear.

 

[bongo man]

This is the message I got back from the Peter, the N. American Markbass rep:

Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the message. Yes, it’s incredible how much interest is building up in the US.

I’m not sure about the cases you mention, but we respond to many emails a day regarding US availability.

We’ve been working hard on our plan for the US market, and we will be announcing it soon. Trust me, the US is our big priority right now!

I will keep you posted!

Cheers,
Peter

 

[MingusBASS]

Thank you Cliff! I'm wondering if I should wait or just break down and order from Club Bass in Canada since they are a MarkBass dealer.

Andrew

 

[bongo man]

I'm not familiar with Club Bass. But if you can order the stuff, it might be your only option at this point. It looks like it might be easier there than here. IS there a significant price difference?
c