mrtcat

They're passively cooled. The plate amp is one of these https://www.hypex.nl/product/psc2-400d/67 so it's top quality. I haven't run a guitar through them but I have used them as pa tops and the clarity is incredible. Essentially they're like really powerful studio reference monitors. I have no doubt at all that they'll be excellent for guitar if used with helix / kemper etc etc.

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1509962337' post='3402829'] Dr Dave - I completely lost my voice for eight months last year after struggling with if for some time prior to that. A friend suggested giving up dairy and it worked within 2 weeks. No trouble since. Worth a try.... [/quote] That's awesome. I'm gonna get my wife a cheese hamper for Christmas.

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1509325340' post='3398125'] That is a shame. Larry Hartke is a stand-up guy and easily reachable online. He even had his phone number on a series of Hartke adverts that ran in American magazines a few years ago, inviting players to ring him direct if they needed any assistance. [/quote] You say that but I tried absolutely everything to get hold of him about my Kilo and he didn't respond to any attempt. He and Hartke knew they had put out a product with serious flaws and they actively chose not to deal with it. Absolute scumbags. They owe me £849 to this day after I ultimately had to bin the head.

Finally, after a two month wait my two new BF FR800s arrived yesterday. Annoyingly they need powercon connectors so had to get some today before I could turn them on. Wow, now my helix makes even more sense. The BF cabs are so clean that you really hear what the helix can do. Give me a week or two and I'll let you know how I'm getting on. I already know that my DB750 is going to be heading to a new home after just a couple of hours with the new rig.

[quote name='Jhowhdheyieh' timestamp='1509651063' post='3400642'] The product has been discontinued and it doesn't look like they use the same speaker in their other stuff (it's one of those whizzer cone things). [/quote] Would they give you the specs of the driver? They may even be able to point you in the direction of a suitable replacement. This is all pointless though if the reason for the driver farting out is that either the driver or the combination of driver and cab can't physically give you the lows you want.

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1509634174' post='3400483'] I used to clip a 2kW power amp fairly often when slapping if I didn't use any compression. [/quote] Maybe the answer is a decent compressor?

Can't quite imagine how loud your stage must be if 2 x BB2's and a decent 500w amp aren't giving you enough just for monitoring.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1498805186' post='3327099'] However can I recommend exercise as one of the few things you can do yourself to help out. [/quote] Couldn't agree more. YouTube is full of channels where you can follow interval training workouts. Everything from gentle beginner workouts up to intense fat burners. Most can be done in minimal space (front room, spare bedroom, office etc) and require no equipment. A 15 - 25 minute workout is all you need. I do approx 20 mins after work daily and just eat less carbs through the day. After the workout I just eat a normal meal (spaghetti bolognese this evening, a roast dinner on Sunday etc etc). I'm fitter and leaner now than I was at 18. Pretty much niggle / injury free now too.

[quote name='moonbass' timestamp='1509314015' post='3398058'] I've been doing iPad mixing for a few years and wouldn't go back; the joy of fiddling with levels while buying a pint at the bar, or having a pee is entirely liberating I started using iPad with the Soundcraft Expression 1; good option if you want a traditional desk format with added iPad. Then moved onto Soundcraft Ui16, Behringer XR18 and now X32 core. I reckon best bang for your buck is the XR18 (I wouldn't go for the small XRs as they don't do multichannel recording). But would probably suggest external router for stable connection. As well as freedom for the engineer, they allow musicians to set their own monitor levels. Much easier to do in ear mixes. Loads of effect processing options. The learning curve can be steep, but not too bad if you're used to using DAWs to record music. It is an expensive endeavour, but pros hugely outweigh cons in my mind. [/quote] +1 XR18 used here with an external router and ipads. Whole band on in ears so everyone controls their own mix. Really useful for multi track recording live at gigs too.

Unless you are buying really good tops like Rcf745s then you are going to need a sub if you want to put any kick drum through. That would take you beyond your budget even for older kit I would suggest. Best bet would be a pair of quality used tops. Something like RCF 322a / 325a or similar would be great as the 322s and 325s have a 2inch hf driver as opposed to the I inch voice coil in most cheaper tops. This makes a huge difference at high volume as it's way smoother and far less harsh. If that was my budget that would be my first choice.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1509012963' post='3395981'] Worst CS i've had was Hartke. No response at all from emails or returned calls. [/quote] Don't get me started. Shameful company.

Never had this with guitarists or any other musicians but had similar experiences with girls I dated when I was younger. I seemed to attract proper nut jobs who were really pretty and seemed fine right up until first or second date where they'd suddenly morph into total head cases. There is a singer round our way who regularly goes "live" on Facebook taking requests which he then sings acapella or along to keyboard. He's bloody awful but clearly thinks he's absolutely brilliant.

I've been amazed both ways. Some basses I've bought have had unplayable high actions and some so low that even lightly played open strings buzz. I guess I'm from a middle ground with probably 3mm at 17th fret.

I've been amazed both ways. Some basses I've bought have had unplayable high actions and some so low that even lightly played open strings buzz. I guess I'm from a middle ground with probably 3mm at 17th fret.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1508309761' post='3391167'] Every Fender Jazz bass I've owned, and I've tried a few... Sound brilliant Look even better Love the sound... Play in a band with them and I'm like, "argh where's that nice sound gone?" I want to love them, but can't [/quote] I was the same until I had one with an East preamp. Being able to put a bit more mid in to counteract the scoop of both pups on full suddenly made it work in a band.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1508331853' post='3391415'] Funny you should say that... I know of a frustrated guitarist... he ended up getting his kids to learn how to play bass and drums. He now has band... visually it looks a bit off... but he has a band he can gig with regularly! [/quote] And he can send his band mates to their respective rooms when they don't learn their stuff or suggest playing mustang sally.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1508240823' post='3390725'] "Great minds..." and all that! Great idea for showcasing your band. Hi-hats seem to be the biggest stumbling block with acoustic drum conversions - closely followed by triple zone cymbals/rides! I'm about to buy a megadrum module as the brain for my acoustic conversion, using EZ Drummer on my Mac mini for the sounds. I'm reluctant to use real hi-hats as I plan to set this all up in the house and, having 2 young kids, minimal noise is a necessity. Garage conversion to ultra man-cave is the plan, but that's a few years away yet! [/quote] The megadrum module is a real pig to set up. I've got one and tried to make the optical hihat controller. I've got the mechanism nailed but have really struggled to get the circuit to work. In the end we just use the brain from a yamaha dtxpress iv. Midi from the brain goes into reaper on pc via the XR18 and superior drummer runs as a vst instrument. Whilst recording we are actually hearing sounds from the brain rather than superior drummer because there's a bit of latency.

This is the very best thing about music surely. We will all have it in our lives forever and there's likely to be times for all of us where it becomes more than just a hobby / career / passion. It can be a really great companion and inspiration. Thanks for sharing Bob and best wishes for continuing health!

Blame the punters. They're the ones asking for classic rock. I'd be more inclined to change where we play rather than what you play. I bloody hate classic rock bands tho lol.

Bands can't carry a drummer. It's the only member that absolutely has to be on the ball. If he wasn't up to scratch then he had to go. Sounds like you did the right thing.

Any company that offers the kind of customer care that Ashdown clearly do will definitely get my interest when I'm in a position to buy. I don't really use backline that much but would definitely consider Ashdown if / when I do need something. It's really good to hear how great their service is.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1505977873' post='3375549'] My original intention was to put together a silent band rehearsal setup for home, based around an X18, an electronic drum kit, a few PODs (or the like - iPad running Bias FX in my case I would think) and a decent set of in-ears. Still working on the drum kit element of it (converting an acoustic kit with mesh heads and DIY triggers) but I have almost everything else - need mics of course! [/quote] This is exactly how we have just started to rehearse with one of my projects. We converted my shed to a soundproof box and decorated it like a studio and fitted some cheap led par cans up. We can now shoot videos at rehearsals too - nothing fancy but it helps. Setup is - Converted acoustic drum kit running from cheap yamaha brain into Superior Drummer Real Hi Hat (small compromise in order to retain natural sound and feel for drummer) Guitars through POD HD500 Bass through Helix Vocal Mics All goes into Behringer XR18 All band members on wired in ears. Sounds hideous (albeit not too loud) in the room if you take your iems out but sounds heavenly with them in. Minimal setup time as it all lives permanently in the shed. Takes approx 20mins to get a useable audio mix in post production which we then sync with the video footage. I can usually knock out 2-3 little videos for our social media etc in about 1-2hours the next day after each rehearsal. Most recent video from the shed (smoke machine has since been removed from shed lol) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90HZlwc1760[/media]

The 745s are absolutely brilliant. Great decision that you won't regret.