Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What was your biggest gear surprise?
- Thread starter Marikk
- Start date
-
- Tags
- amp bass pedal gear
I was pretty surprised when I got my first ESP bass. I've had a bunch of expensive basses. 4 German made warwicks including a neck through thumb bass, 4 musicmans (two sr5, a fretless 4, and made to order bongo I waited nearly half a year to get). Our guitarists had been into ESP for years. He's up to 5 ESPs now. A pair of deluxe eclipses, a pair of old SC-500 Stephan Carpenter 6 strings and one of their thinline acoustics. I got into ESP for a couple of reasons. For one seeing how well my guitarists guitars have held up over the years. We've been playing together since the 90s. And also because I just got tired of the same old shapes, I've been playing for 21 years now and most basses id owned were similar shapes. When I got my first ESP I immediately noticed how much happier I was especially with dirtier tones which I've gotten more into over the years. I used my darkglass b7k and duality a lot on our most recent album. ESP basses just seem to work for the sounds I'm after. I now have a 5 string f series and a 4 string viper both 400 series with EMG 35dc and 40dc pickups and 3 band EQ. Can't wait to get more ESPs.
Pics or it didn't happen right?
Here's some of the high end basses I've owned
And here's my ESP f-415fm and viper 404.
Last edited:
Fender Rumble 25 (new version). It's hands down the best $100 I spent all year!
It would have to be my Orange AD200B. It's the first tube amp I ever bought. I knew tubes sounded different, but I wasn't ready for how much I'd like it and how difficult it would be to explain why! I still can't really describe why tubes sound better to me, it just is. It's like the difference between Sunlight and a UV light bulb.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,605
- 222,077
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
The Hipshot KA bridge is head-and-shoulders above it's design referenced sources. Considering it's the only mod you have ever made - it was a very good choice.
I bought a Gretsch 5440 while I was in the UK for a couple of years and needed something to play while I was there - I normally play a Ric 4001, so this was VERY far removed from my usual comfort zone, AND I had the money to buy a Ric4003 (which is what I was expecting to buy when I walked in!). I had also sworn off Korean instruments due to past bad experiences at the time, but the Gretsch completely won me over - it's the bass I play the most around the house now, partly because it's semi-acoustic, but mainly because it's just such a joy to play!
My other surprise was a Squier VM Jazz Bass - quite the nicest "Fender" I've had the pleasure to play.
Someone had explained to me that the tube amps produce harmonic distortion, even at the cleanest settings, that are pleasing to the ear. This is the best explanation that I've heard, and makes the most sense to me.
The tonal diversity of my SR1900 exceeded expectations. That 3-way EQ and Nordy combo is on steroids. "EQ with care" I would say.
Fantastic bass.
I was in the market for a Fender Jazz USA but changed my mind after picking up one of the SR's with the Nordys.
Regards
Mark
Fantastic bass.
I was in the market for a Fender Jazz USA but changed my mind after picking up one of the SR's with the Nordys.
Regards
Mark
A few years back, my main gigging bass was having multiple issues (still has a lot of them) and I got to a point where I just wanted an upgrade. So I try a lot of different shops trying out all the "bad boys" (within a 800-2k range) G&L, MusicMan, Fender, etc. Went to a shop after a show in Columbus GA and played all they had through a Trace Elliot stack same 'ol kinda "meh", mind you not that it was bad but I had played on all of those many times. Decided WTH I'll try that USA Peavey Cirrus Tigereye with Ebony board. Had no idea, literally none, that it would be what I was looking for. Our guitarist was with me on this trip and he is a good bassist in his own right. He watched my face change when I played and heard it through the same amp/settings as all the others. We were both floored. He tried it to make sure it wasn't a fluke (I think he just wanted to play some as he was bored). I didn't buy that bass, but when I got home I started searching for some Cirrus and ended up getting my Cirrus.
Tech 21 VT Bass DI. I pretty much knew what I was getting, but i had no idea that having a preamp/di on my board would make life so much easier.
+1 for the Tonehammer 350. I bought it along with a Hartke Hydrive 112 and was amazed at the huge sound and the indestructible feel. The Hydrive didn't give up even at almost full volume on the Tonehammer!. Eventaully I gave up on the TH due to the tone - not quite what I wanted.
The other surprise was the American Fender Jazz Bass V that I got in 2010. What a superb bottom end - almost like church organ pedals at times. That and the high quality feel it had. I still gig with it although it's now a backup to a Mike Lull M5V
The other surprise was the American Fender Jazz Bass V that I got in 2010. What a superb bottom end - almost like church organ pedals at times. That and the high quality feel it had. I still gig with it although it's now a backup to a Mike Lull M5V
Believe it or not it was the epiphone eb3. Man, that bass plays great! Thin, fast neck. With the 3 point bridge you can usually only get so low on your action but this bass set up great. Upper fret access is sick. I was totally planning on swapping out the mudbucker with a dimarzio will power I got laying around but haven't felt the need yet as it dials in pretty good with the Hartke HA3500 and 1x15 xl cab. Fit and finish were great. I love this bass
Steinberger L2
It was only $550 used, I thought it would be cool for bringing to rehearsals and jams. When it arrived and I plugged it in I realized it was far superior to any of the basses I already owned. It was my #1 for years.
Reverend Rumblefish 5
Another cheap used buy in like-new condition. I was totally blown away by the neck. It felt like a vintage neck that had been played for decades...silky smooth, fantastic fretwork.
Walter Woods amp
They were always a legend, few people outside of jazz owned one and they were $$$$$$$. I knew one guy who played C&W who had one and was always pushing me to get one. One day I decided to go for it because it was small and light and had two channels so I could properly EQ both a BG and DB at gigs, plus I finally had enough money from gigs that I could afford it ($1600 at the time). This was long before class D amps popped up everywhere. It is the best sounding solid state amp I have ever played, hands down.
Bergantino HT112 cab
I was taking lessons from a guy who was a Bergantino clinician. He was telling me I really should get one. I explained I had just bought a pair of Epifani 112 cabs and was quite happy. He offered to loan me a cab for a month and I used it on every single gig that month. Every soundman at every gig came up and asked me what it was. I lucked into two second hand cabs (saved about $600 that way) and sold the Epifanis.
It was only $550 used, I thought it would be cool for bringing to rehearsals and jams. When it arrived and I plugged it in I realized it was far superior to any of the basses I already owned. It was my #1 for years.
Reverend Rumblefish 5
Another cheap used buy in like-new condition. I was totally blown away by the neck. It felt like a vintage neck that had been played for decades...silky smooth, fantastic fretwork.
Walter Woods amp
They were always a legend, few people outside of jazz owned one and they were $$$$$$$. I knew one guy who played C&W who had one and was always pushing me to get one. One day I decided to go for it because it was small and light and had two channels so I could properly EQ both a BG and DB at gigs, plus I finally had enough money from gigs that I could afford it ($1600 at the time). This was long before class D amps popped up everywhere. It is the best sounding solid state amp I have ever played, hands down.
Bergantino HT112 cab
I was taking lessons from a guy who was a Bergantino clinician. He was telling me I really should get one. I explained I had just bought a pair of Epifani 112 cabs and was quite happy. He offered to loan me a cab for a month and I used it on every single gig that month. Every soundman at every gig came up and asked me what it was. I lucked into two second hand cabs (saved about $600 that way) and sold the Epifanis.
This. Mayones Patriot. I knew it was going to be a nice bass but wow. Definitely exceeded my expectations so I actually did a NBD posting. See more comments here: NBD: Never been amazed like this
Fender Rumble 500 combo- classic sounds, versatile, incredibly lightweight, less than $500.
1. Behringer BDI21. Best $29.00 spent. I like it better than my $289.00 programmable Sansamp. My secret tone weapon.
2. My recently purchased "old style" Rockbass Corvette. I can't put it down. It sounds, plays and feels perfect. $150.00? My perception of the Rockbass line was it was slightly above First Act. I had no clue these were this good for so cheap.
2. My recently purchased "old style" Rockbass Corvette. I can't put it down. It sounds, plays and feels perfect. $150.00? My perception of the Rockbass line was it was slightly above First Act. I had no clue these were this good for so cheap.
I've been working on some original music and needed to buy an (inexpensive) guitar amp for recording purposes. I picked up a used Randall RG75D G3 for $80.00. It's a real screamer. With the Randall rep and two different gain channels, I was pretty sure it would cover any metal needs. What was surprising was how good the clean channel on this thing is.
