Conference napalm::guitar

    A friend uses one often for his bass.  The only problem he seems to
    have is high frequency feedback when playing at high volume situations.
    I've not figured out if its from the eq or the compressor section.  Its
    sounds great by itself, so maybe the problems he had was the mix
    between his amp and the unit itself?
    
    BUck 

    I too am interested in any feedback about the BASS rockman, I have
    been considering using one with an Ibanez BASS with active electronics.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Tony

    I'v used one for about 3 yearsand I'm really happy with the flexability
    of it. I've used it with an Ibanez MC924 and MC940, both have the
    three band active EQ on board. The only problem was that their o/p
    was a bit too hot for the BASS Rockman so I just turned down the
    volume a bit. My new Ibanez SDGR bass with active is ok though.
    The Rockmans are an easy way to get a consistant sound from a variety
    of setups. I have never had any problem with HF feedback at any
    level, my bass rig can put out 800 watts split between two 4 ohm
    loads and we play LOUD!!!.  It will give you great sustain if needed
    as well.

    
    I deleted an earlier reply which I felt was a little one-sided.
    
    OK, I tried one out at Daddy's and was unimpressed.  I suppose that
    if I didn't already have a headphone amp, I might have bought it.
    
    The pros:
    
    1. It has processing useful for bass (compression, stereo chorus) and
    reproduces bass through headphones better than any other headphone amp
    I have ever heard. 
    
    2. It is extremely quiet, even when using compression, chorus and
    distortion together.  This is perhaps its single best feature. 
    Hiss and hum in headphones (or on tape) are extremely objectionable.
    
    3. The "dist/chorus" sound is killer if you need fuzz bass once in a
    while. 
    
    The cons: 
    
    1.  The headphone volume is not high enough.  I suppose I could get
    used to it, but this (nor the X-100) can't really blow the phones off
    your ears.  This may prevent listener fatigue but I found even with the
    instrument volume up all the way, the volume wasn't enough for my
    taste. I will admit I did *not* try adjusting the trim pot on the back. 
    
    2. The tone is limiting.  I know some people have mentioned this
    about the guitar models, it has a "Scholz sound".  For my style
    of playing, both the "brt" and "mid" EQ settings were too clanky.
    For pick-style and thumb players, they would probably be OK.  The
    "fat" position was good for me, but further cut the volume.  I felt
    that the low bass was deliberately rolled off to keep the phones
    from rattling, I would have preferred a bit more low end.
    
    3. The chorus is preset.  It was very rich sounding but very un-Boss
    like.  Personally I prefer a chorus with more phasing to it. 

    4. Not sure why, but the hi frequency clip and compress stages seemed
    to distort on string pops.  That seems to be the opposite of their
    intended purpose.  I'm not sure why this happened.
    
    5. The lack of volume controls is distressing.  I have been spoiled
    by my Yamaha which has instrument gain, master, bass, treble, three
    aux volumes (for patching in effects or a stereo tape) and a headphone
    volume.  With a Rockman to balance a tape against the guitar, you
    have to have a deck with an output control.  Plus you need oddball
    patch cords, whereas the Yamaha is all 1/4" plugs except the stereo
    in/out jacks which are RCA; Scholz uses 1/8" stereo, 1/4" stereo,
    1/4" mono.  I definitely prefer separate ins and outs rather than
    a single jack using a stereo plug.
    
    ****
    
    Bottom line?  I guess I would recommend this to bassists as the only
    other decent headphone amp for bass that I have found is the Yamaha
    MA-10, which is long discontinued (what would be killer would be an
    MA-10 with the Scholz signal processing built in!!!).  The price is
    steep, but the signal processing is excellent and I am sure it would be
    quite useful for home recording as it provides a "tape-ready" bass
    sound.   For live use in something like a Four Designs Rockmount, it
    could also make a nice preamp, although the lack of a volume control
    and a footswitch for the chorus might be frustrating for some. 
    
   
    

    
    
    Have any of you bass players out there had any experience with the 
    Bass Rockman?
    
    Would it serve well as a preamp?
    
    How are the effects? I would be primarily concerned with the eq
    and compression.
    
    How are they priced in the States? Going by the Canadian prices
    I've been quoted, you guys can probably get them new for about
    $150 - $200. They're about $350, up here.
    
    Thanks for any comments or critiques.
    
    Barry

    
    See note #1006.  U.S. Price is about $200-225 depending on where you
    buy, that includes phones, usually *not* the AC supply.  
    
    							Brian
    

    My brother-in law owns one.  For use as a headphone amp, it's
    great.  We've chained two/three (one bass, two gutiar)
    together for many-a midnight jams.
    
    No sure about the preamping,  I've tried doing that with my x100
    just for  yucks, and it just didn't work out al together, that well
    for me.
    
    /ray

    Well, well...according to the buyer's guide in the latest issue of Bass
    Player magazine, Scholz has dropped the Bass Rockman from the line. 
    As they didn't mention the Bass Ace, I assume it is still available.
    
    						Jah Rostafari