Thunderbird Club

[Dadagoboi]

Ta. Only idle pondering for me.
I’m just disappointed at the poor attempt at competing. They can’t expect to sell more than a handful, even though it looks very nice in the photos. Shame as Holden owned that segment when the recent Monaro was alive.

The Mustang is the Ford I would consider. Maybe the Ranger, though I do like the Colorado.

Mustang and Camaro similarly equipped?

 

[RedVee]

Mustang and Camaro similarly equipped?

Supposedly equivalent models - GT vs 2SS. We don’t have any experience with 2SS as a model so taking the press intro story saying they are.
I’m guessing the Camaro will have extra do-dads to try to justify the price. May as well when you are taking the $ hit of converting locally.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Supposedly equivalent models - GT vs 2SS. We don’t have any experience with 2SS as a model so taking the press intro story saying they are.
I’m guessing the Camaro will have extra do-dads to try to justify the price. May as well when you are taking the $ hit of converting locally.

The current Mustang was designed as a 'world car' so I can see where it would be a lot less than a comparable quality, similarly equipped, local RHD Camaro conversion. I saw an SS in a parking garage a few months ago and gave it a good look, very nice. Not as overwrought as the previous few generations IMO. The Mustang finally seems close to the Giugiaro concept of 2005.

That's a car I'd buy!

 

[JJR58]

I have been auditioning heads to go with the new cabinet. There is an optimization that needs to be made between availability, price, and tone. As the Rotten Kid will attest, a non-linear (possibly integer) complex interdependent optimization amoung three variables is difficult at the best of times. So I have been spending some time auditioning heads.

All things considered, I like the tone of the Ampeg PF-50T as I have heard on Yoot-Oob clips. And so, in the end, everything gets compared to that. But my local L&M does not have one in stock right now...

So a few thoughts on what I have tried to date...
Rumble 200 - clean sound is good, but the drive tone, is too trebly.
YBA200 - great sound. Can do clean to dirty. But will I ever need 200 watts?
Traynor small block 200 - it is clean. really clean. No dirt.
Ampeg PF-20T - it doesn't; do dirt. at all. Not what I expected.
Vox MV-50 Rock - too much drive. Difficult to get a clean sound.
Vox MV-50 AC - great sound. can do a bit of dirt to a lot of dirt. But no clean tone.

I wanted to try the Marshall Origin 50, but it will only go to 8 ohms, and I need 4.

So, my current thought is MV-50 AC with a longer term plan for a PF-50.

But, it has been suggested that I try a markbass and the MV-50 clean.

Anyone got other suggestions for me?
Parameters are:
I really don't need more than 50 or so watts (more is OK as long as I don't need full volume to get the tone).
I like a bit of dirt.
4 ohms.
If I'm spending US$900, I might as well just get the PF-50T.

Anyone else looking at guitar heads to pair with their bass cab?

PF-50T

 

[TBird1958]

The Mustang is the Ford I would consider. Maybe the Ranger, though I do like the Colorado.

The Colorado is made by Isuzu.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I have been auditioning heads to go with the new cabinet. There is an optimization that needs to be made between availability, price, and tone. As the Rotten Kid will attest, a non-linear (possibly integer) complex interdependent optimization amoung three variables is difficult at the best of times. So I have been spending some time auditioning heads.

All things considered, I like the tone of the Ampeg PF-50T as I have heard on Yoot-Oob clips. And so, in the end, everything gets compared to that. But my local L&M does not have one in stock right now...

So a few thoughts on what I have tried to date...
Rumble 200 - clean sound is good, but the drive tone, is too trebly.
YBA200 - great sound. Can do clean to dirty. But will I ever need 200 watts?
Traynor small block 200 - it is clean. really clean. No dirt.
Ampeg PF-20T - it doesn't; do dirt. at all. Not what I expected.
Vox MV-50 Rock - too much drive. Difficult to get a clean sound.
Vox MV-50 AC - great sound. can do a bit of dirt to a lot of dirt. But no clean tone.

I wanted to try the Marshall Origin 50, but it will only go to 8 ohms, and I need 4.

So, my current thought is MV-50 AC with a longer term plan for a PF-50.

But, it has been suggested that I try a markbass and the MV-50 clean.

Anyone got other suggestions for me?
Parameters are:
I really don't need more than 50 or so watts (more is OK as long as I don't need full volume to get the tone).
I like a bit of dirt.
4 ohms.
If I'm spending US$900, I might as well just get the PF-50T.

Anyone else looking at guitar heads to pair with their bass cab?

After actually reading your whole post cause I have nothing else to do, yes interstellar optimal drive of the parabolic desicion making is quite tough.
In seriousness, it is hard to put a numerical value on something that isn’t measurable.

As for the amps, I think you answered your own question, the YBA is the only one that you like clean and dirty (I bet you knew a girl that you could say the same about). Will you ever use the 200 Watts of Maple Syrupy Canadian power? This is where the Neil DeGrasse Tyson comes in. Coming from a person that has a 400+ Watt amp... no you do not. But I have heard you say that you like annoying the neighborhood.
My opinion would be to look into a used Mesa Prodigy. They can be run at 125 Watts and at the flip of a switch you can crank out the full 250 Watts.

As for using a guitar amp, I believe @Killed_by_Death uses them for bass. It was the thing to do back in the 70’s, first Sabbath album was recorded through a guitar amp.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

Speaking of cars, I'll just leave this here....

BnB

 

[Gaolee]

I gave them a look but the shipping put me off. Decided with Strings & Beyond for my Red Devils.
Another nice thing about KS is the gauges! Hard to find good heavy gauges.

I have Burners (I’m 90% sure they’re Burners) on two basses.
Black Bird has 50-115
P-bass has 50-105
BSO had a sale on those gauges so I bought two sets. Once I’m through the 50-115, my sights are set on Metal Masters (same as Rock Masters but heavies).

My StingRay has Compressors (pressure wound) and those things sound AMAZING.

I put Red Devils on the P-Bird. It sounds great with those, so that's probably what I'll keep on it forever. It's got Barden P-Rail pickups, mostly because I can't do normal, but it turns out they sound great with those strings.

My plan is to put Dragon Skins on the 2013 EB to see what that sound like. I thought Black Beauties sounded great on a bolt-on Epi, so I might try Dragon Skins on that one, too, just to see. They shouldn't sound different, but who knows.

I think the KS strings I put on the 2015 were something like 105-45, but I don't remember now. The E string in particular looks like a bridge cable, and I really like it. Maybe that bass just like heavier gauge strings.

 

[Gaolee]

Camaro 2SS any good? Going for $85k plus on road costs. So, 90k ish at a guess. Same story as the Silverado, locally converted by HSV. So $20 k ish more than a Mustang GT.
Value ?

I wouldn't think so, but it's not my money and I'm not in Oz. I wouldn't buy one here for a whole lot less money, either. I drove one a while ago, and it was fun. But, it's just a car. Kinda big, nimble, powerful, does way too many things automatically, and generally impossible to challenge on a street without killing yourself and about a dozen other people in the process. Then again, I get a huge kick out of driving old cars that are utterly incompetent by modern standards, so take anything I say with that in mind.

 

[PillO]

As for the amps, I think you answered your own question, the YBA is the only one that you like clean and dirty (I bet you knew a girl that you could say the same about). Will you ever use the 200 Watts of Maple Syrupy Canadian power? This is where the Neil DeGrasse Tyson comes in. Coming from a person that has a 400+ Watt amp... no you do not. But I have heard you say that you like annoying the neighborhood.
My opinion would be to look into a used Mesa Prodigy. They can be run at 125 Watts and at the flip of a switch you can crank out the full 250 Watts.

As for using a guitar amp, I believe @Killed_by_Death uses them for bass. It was the thing to do back in the 70’s, first Sabbath album was recorded through a guitar amp.

Given that the Traynor and the Ampeg are about the same price, I think that I would get the Ampeg over the Traynor. Even though I had a long discussion with the guitar dept manager about the two (and others) and he pointed out that they rent the Traynor to acts for touring - they get abused and come back in fine working order. As an aside - I find it interesting that the voicing of the PF-20 and the PF-50 is very different.

Mesa stuff is nice, but far more spendy than I want right now (possibly ever).

I don't want to annoy the neighbours. But I like having the option to annoy the neighbours.

I have read some of the KbD threads on using guitar heads. There is some useful nuggets in there but out in the GP, there are too many that weigh in with ill-informed opinions (you'll break the amp, it won't have enough bass etc.). The big limitation is that many guitar heads will only go to 8 ohms and I need 4.

The guitar dept manager thinks that Markbass could be a great choice and needs to in the set being considered. I respect his opinions - he listens to parameters and gives well thought out suggestions. He pointed me to the Vox MV-50 AC and that does have a great tone.

So, on the agenda to try today - Markbass, Ampeg PF-350, ?

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I put Red Devils on the P-Bird. It sounds great with those, so that's probably what I'll keep on it forever. It's got Barden P-Rail pickups, mostly because I can't do normal, but it turns out they sound great with those strings.

My plan is to put Dragon Skins on the 2013 EB to see what that sound like. I thought Black Beauties sounded great on a bolt-on Epi, so I might try Dragon Skins on that one, too, just to see. They shouldn't sound different, but who knows.

I think the KS strings I put on the 2015 were something like 105-45, but I don't remember now. The E string in particular looks like a bridge cable, and I really like it. Maybe that bass just like heavier gauge strings.

Dragon skins use SS strings where Black Beauties use NPS (I THINK).
But th big thing is I found they felt differently.

You have a bunch of measuring equipment, measure the string!

 

[Gaolee]

Dragon skins use SS strings where Black Beauties use NPS (I THINK).
But th big thing is I found they felt differently.

You have a bunch of measuring equipment, measure the string!

That makes sense about the Dragon Skins. I wasn't aware that they were SS instead of nickel. I'll try 'em anyway. I might like them, or more likely, not dislike them. I don't have the most sensitive fingers.

I could throw the calipers on it, but I don't really care how big it is. Well, when it comes time to replace the strings, I probably will care and will measure it. Besides, I'll forget to measure it. It's what I do.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Given that the Traynor and the Ampeg are about the same price, I think that I would get the Ampeg over the Traynor. Even though I had a long discussion with the guitar dept manager about the two (and others) and he pointed out that they rent the Traynor to acts for touring - they get abused and come back in fine working order. As an aside - I find it interesting that the voicing of the PF-20 and the PF-50 is very different.

Mesa stuff is nice, but far more spendy than I want right now (possibly ever).

I don't want to annoy the neighbours. But I like having the option to annoy the neighbours.

I have read some of the KbD threads on using guitar heads. There is some useful nuggets in there but out in the GP, there are too many that weigh in with ill-informed opinions (you'll break the amp, it won't have enough bass etc.). The big limitation is that many guitar heads will only go to 8 ohms and I need 4.

The guitar dept manager thinks that Markbass could be a great choice and needs to in the set being considered. I respect his opinions - he listens to parameters and gives well thought out suggestions. He pointed me to the Vox MV-50 AC and that does have a great tone.

So, on the agenda to try today - Markbass, Ampeg PF-350, ?

I thought MarkBass was quite expensive new.


Right here in Ontario.
For Sale - Mesa Boogie PRODIGY. Like new!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

That makes sense about the Dragon Skins. I wasn't aware that they were SS instead of nickel. I'll try 'em anyway. I might like them, or more likely, not dislike them. I don't have the most sensitive fingers.

I could throw the calipers on it, but I don't really care how big it is. Well, when it comes time to replace the strings, I probably will care and will measure it. Besides, I'll forget to measure it. It's what I do.

I found the Dragon skins felt like they were caked in plastic, not so much cause by the type of metal. YMMV, they just weren’t for me. I’ll be awaiting your thoughts.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Given that the Traynor and the Ampeg are about the same price, I think that I would get the Ampeg over the Traynor. Even though I had a long discussion with the guitar dept manager about the two (and others) and he pointed out that they rent the Traynor to acts for touring - they get abused and come back in fine working order. As an aside - I find it interesting that the voicing of the PF-20 and the PF-50 is very different.

Mesa stuff is nice, but far more spendy than I want right now (possibly ever).

I don't want to annoy the neighbours. But I like having the option to annoy the neighbours.

I have read some of the KbD threads on using guitar heads. There is some useful nuggets in there but out in the GP, there are too many that weigh in with ill-informed opinions (you'll break the amp, it won't have enough bass etc.). The big limitation is that many guitar heads will only go to 8 ohms and I need 4.

The guitar dept manager thinks that Markbass could be a great choice and needs to in the set being considered. I respect his opinions - he listens to parameters and gives well thought out suggestions. He pointed me to the Vox MV-50 AC and that does have a great tone.

So, on the agenda to try today - Markbass, Ampeg PF-350, ?

Are you looking specifically for tubes? All tube or possibly hybrid?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Camaro 2SS any good? Going for $85k plus on road costs. So, 90k ish at a guess. Same story as the Silverado, locally converted by HSV. So $20 k ish more than a Mustang GT.
Value ?

Pretty awesome cars..short of the ZL-1 (650HP/650ft/lbs), the best Camaro out there. Unbelievable what onboard computers can do these days for engine performance. Back in HS in Fl we dropped a 427cid engine in a Chevrolet Vega (we called it the Death Trap) and ran 13.6 second quarter miles. That was considered amazing performance for the times. Today it's commonplace with off the shelf cars..

90k though is a very high price tag..
My wife has her eyes set on this;
335hp 290ft/lbs, 2016 RS (Rally Sport) package convertible with about 40k miles..

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Given that the Traynor and the Ampeg are about the same price, I think that I would get the Ampeg over the Traynor. Even though I had a long discussion with the guitar dept manager about the two (and others) and he pointed out that they rent the Traynor to acts for touring - they get abused and come back in fine working order. As an aside - I find it interesting that the voicing of the PF-20 and the PF-50 is very different.

Mesa stuff is nice, but far more spendy than I want right now (possibly ever).

I don't want to annoy the neighbours. But I like having the option to annoy the neighbours.

I have read some of the KbD threads on using guitar heads. There is some useful nuggets in there but out in the GP, there are too many that weigh in with ill-informed opinions (you'll break the amp, it won't have enough bass etc.). The big limitation is that many guitar heads will only go to 8 ohms and I need 4.

The guitar dept manager thinks that Markbass could be a great choice and needs to in the set being considered. I respect his opinions - he listens to parameters and gives well thought out suggestions. He pointed me to the Vox MV-50 AC and that does have a great tone.

So, on the agenda to try today - Markbass, Ampeg PF-350, ?

Markbass....you won't regret it..

 

[TBird1958]

Pretty awesome cars..short of the ZL-1 (650HP/650ft/lbs), the best Camaro out there. Unbelievable what onboard computers can do these days for engine performance. Back in HS in Fl we dropped a 427cid engine in a Chevrolet Vega (we called it the Death Trap) and ran 13.6 second quarter miles. That was considered amazing performance for the times. Today it's commonplace with off the shelf cars..

90k though is a very high price tag..
My wife has her eyes set on this;
335hp 290ft/lbs, 2016 RS (Rally Sport) package convertible with about 40k miles..
View attachment 3149871

Ummm……………. Couldn't you just buy a bunch of shoes and maybe dress or two?

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Ummm……………. Couldn't you just buy a bunch of shoes and maybe dress or two?

Or basses...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Ummm……………. Couldn't you just buy a bunch of shoes and maybe dress or two?

I could but I can't wear those...