mcnach

J-Retro!

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1492430307' post='3280141'] +1 to that idea. Get a 2nd LMIII & go stereo. [/quote] yup, that's the winner... I've even found a little doc in my computer where I was making all these notes and that was my plan last year So that's settled. I'm getting a second cab within the next few weeks, and the amp will come next. Meanwhile I will get a chance to directly compare what I described in the OP and see how it feels. Thank you for indulging me!

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1492430135' post='3280139'] Probably not Why not slave another amp off of your MB head? [/quote] Doh! That's a fantastic idea! In fact... my original plan when I bought this cab was "and in the future I get a second LMIII", as they're so small and light that carrying two is not an issue. It doesn't have to be an LMIII if I'm just using the power section, of course, but they're not very expensive and so it serves as backup. How did I forget???

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1492427762' post='3280116'] +1dB then It will sound nicer.. [/quote] Nicer enough to make me happy to carry the extra cab? If only they made a version of the LMIII that were 2ohm capable! I'm thinking of getting possibly a Mesa D800 for my birthday which would do the job. But when I had my own test comparing the LMIII, Streamliner 900 and Mesa D800... I really really liked my LMIII best.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1492424797' post='3280075'] Yep, contact our very own OBBM for a special splitter box that can enable connecting two 4ohm cabs to a 4ohm amp. As per Petes post, the sound will be fuller due to more speakers - this then gives the impression of being being louder. It certainly did when I connected both of my old Barefaced Super 12s up together, it was like a wall of bass in comparison to just having one going (which was big enough on its own soundwise). [/quote] Thanks. Yeah, that's a bit what my vague memory was telling me... but it's reassuring to hear other people's experiences to know I was not imagining it. The connector box I used for parallel/series was indeed made by OBBM

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1492423336' post='3280057'] have a read of the impedance thread in the amps and cabs section I think you've either posted wrong or misunderstood if you have one cab at 4 Ohms and add a second cab at 4 Ohms the Load will be 2 Ohms not 8 Ohms this will cause damage to your amp due to it pushing out too much power with too little resistance which can lead to overheating issues (assuming that your amp wont run down to a 2 Ohm load if its the Markbass in your signature then I know it won't as I own one) what you need is either one 4 Ohm cabinet or 2 8Ohm cabinets to create a total load of 4Ohms which is the minimum resistance its designed to work at in reality more speaker area means more air moving but also less power going to each speaker I've used extra cabs in the past (1x15 under my 2x10) but its more for tonal reasons than actual extra power again apologies if I've misinterpreted your post and the confusion is just a typo [/quote] No typo but maybe I did not explain the situation clearly. I'm talking about the difference between using a single 210 4ohm cab into the LMIII amplifier, or two of the same 4ohm cabs into the same amplifier... but I'd wire them in series. That would result in 8ohm. So... more speakers, but lower power. I had a test a while ago with two pairs of 112 cabs. Each cab is 8ohm, so each pair in parallel was 4ohm. That's equivalent to the situation I have now. I placed each pair in series. 4 speakers, despite being 8ohm, sounded bigger (better?) than 2 speakers. I just don't recall what my impression about total volume difference was. I think that the perceived 'heft' increase (I have to say that word ) was very nice... but I must have thought that the extra cabs were a hassle (I can carry two boxes, amp and bass in one go... four boxes, no way, I'm not that talented My plan is for getting a 2ohm amp in the end as well, at which point then everything falls into place, but until then I was wondering if the series-wired two cabs would be worth using.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1492422670' post='3280054'] Less power (assuming your amp makes less power into 8 ohms) into more speakers... I expect it will sound better, but not much louder, if at all.. [/quote] That's a good description of my *very limited* experience. It sounded better, bigger... (do I hear 'heftier'? ) but I can't tell you if it was louder. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think it's worth it. It would not be worth it if I needed a LOT more volume, but it might just be 'right' to fill in the sound better,, from what I remember on the 2 vs 4 112 cabs test... hmmm. Of course, once a 2ohm amp is available, it's clearly worth it. But it may not happen this summer.

I have a 210 cab, 4ohm. I'm considering adding a second identical cab. With my current amplifier it means connecting them in series for 8ohm. Do I expect to get much of a volume increase? [1] I did try a while ago 2x 112 cabs (4ohm total) vs 4x 112 cabs (8ohm) using a similar arrangement. It did sound bigger despite being 8ohm. But I suppose the effect will depend on the efficiency of the particular speakers etc. I'd be interested to hear what experiences other people had. [1] The long term plan is finding a suitable 2ohm capable head. There are many, I just haven't found 'the one'.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1492372909' post='3279779'] Ooft! Was that Whistlebinkies? We've played there a few times in recent weeks, and it does seem to attract some boozy punters. This has good and bad sides, I guess. [/quote] Yup, good ol' Binkies. We play there a lot and it definitely attracts a certain kind of clientele sometimes. We're used to the sound of smashed glass on the stone floor due to careless drinkers, but it's generally pretty harmless and fun. This was a first for me. A girl was talking to me about it afterwards and she added "and it was very small!!!" Not sure I am supposed to care The bar staff was there quickly to mop. They're very good and very patient... I spoke to the waitress who dealt with it afterwards and it seems that whilst rare, it does happen sometimes. I really don't understand how can anyone, drunk or not, think that's ok. No matter how drunk I've been I would have never done anything like it. I suspect an idiot after a few drinks is not just drunk, but a drunk idiot.

Last night double gig... first 2 sets with Radge Against The Machine (no prize for guessing what we play), and then 2 sets with Sea Bass Kid (which shares drummer and bass player with RATM). Good fun. Especially the RATM one, there were a nice group of fans who really got into it. But something really odd happened: During the RATM set, a drunk guy climbed onstage... singer handled him well, let him jump a bit and then his friend came to pull him out, no harm. A little while later, the same drunk gets his willy out and starts pissing on the floor in front of the stage. He was promptly kicked out... but wtf???

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1492297532' post='3279313'] In the case of Squire then its pretty much a Fender anyway. Same goes for Epiphone models. [/quote] But they're not. Otherwise they would have the 'other' logo. Everybody is free to do what they wish, but those sound like weak justifications... much like when I want a new bass and I keep telling my gf how it's so different because the pickups this and the neck that

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1492344285' post='3279519'] where did you find response graphs? i've just had a look at their website and can't find any response graphs or any kind of data to back up the claims. they look pretty expensive for what you get, especially as they obviously don't expect the foam part to last (or they wouldn't be selling them in sets of 3 pairs!) i've tried quite a few of the wallet friendly earplugs, usually go for the Alpine musicsafe pro unless it's an acoustic session when i go for the Doc's (i've got a pair of ER20's and some Lin-ear pr20 as well.) i'm going for custom moulded as soon as i have enough pennies Matt [/quote] Quite tellingly, they were in their funding page last year... that's where I saw them first. But they're nowhere on their site now. Still, google is your friend: I have recently got ACS moulded ones made, with the 17db filter... I am not liking them. First they just blocked everything and they made new moulds where the opening was in a slightly different position, as we thought they were a bit too short for me and were being occluded pressed against my ear canal. The new ones work better but the isolation is a bit disconcerting... I think I may have to try other filters with lower attenuation and see if that feels better.

[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1492338442' post='3279453'] Flare are snake oil merchants who make scientifically impossible claims about their PA speakers, refuse to publish proper test data on their earplugs, and harass and block anyone who questions them on social media, to the point that their marketing director left a one star review of a venue whose in-house engineer challenged their claims about their products. Spiteful and immature. According to the limited data they've published, the isolate plugs perform about as well as those 3M disposable foam sets that cost pennies. You want plugs for £20, get a set of ER20s. You want proper isolation, get some moulds done from ACS or similar. These are questionable at best. [/quote] Pretty much my thoughts too (although you have additional info that I did not). However a couple of people I know really like them, and they've used other earplugs before. My brain says it's BS. But I'm kind of curious to find out for myself.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1492261896' post='3279080'] Yeah, it's an odd choice for a house rig really, since those heads distort so easily and have a baked-in tone that the controls can't do much about. The cab being down at floor level doesn't help either. I still feel like I'm fighting it a bit, but got it somewhere tolerable last night, and a small amount of preamp dirt seems to work OK for me in this band. We had the guitarists combo sitting on top of the (unplugged) house 4x12", which helped a bit to keep things clear and less muddy. The guitarist has been a pro sound guy in some good sized venues for years, so he's at least fairly good at not doing anything daft with his sound on stage even if he does like to turn up a bit! We're still at a volume level that I can just about manage with my GK MB200 and pair of 1x12"s, so while we're loud by my standards, we're probably not [i]that[/i] loud in the scheme of things. [/quote] It sounds like a good setup. I've given up insisting cutting lows and/or volume with this particular band... because it seems nothing is learnt and I get tired of repeating myself. So I'm looking at the IEM route. It's doubly frustrating when you then play a gig somewhere where the sound guy forces us to keep a lower volume onstage and then afterwards they go "wow, it sounded so much better today, I loved it". It gets three times frustrating when you then play the same 'problematic' stage with another band who is not particularly quiet either and everything sounds great... Yeah, not very happy with this situation... I'd better shut up now

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1492252262' post='3278964'] Last night's gig was quite satisfying, in a band that we originally intended to be a bluesy trio but which is steadily drifting in a more rockish direction with a mixture of covers and originals. It's not a style I've done much of previously, but we're having fun and getting paid, so it's all good! It was a decent sized room so the guitarist got away with being a bit louder than usual on stage, which kind of enhances the rock angle for us. I used the house Orange Terror Bass and matching 4x10", and unusually the sound guy was happy to run a mic on the cab. I like to kick in some fuzz on a few tunes, and it works much better that way. After a couple of gigs in that venue I think this might be the first time I've figured out how to get a sound I'm happy with out of the Orange, by cranking the mid up a fair bit and turning the gain down so that it only breaks up a little. I would have preferred to bring my own amp, but the street the venue on is not the easiest spot for parking and access. This was also the first time I've attempted backing vocals at a gig (with this band), and I've definitely got some work to do there, but it's fun to have a go at it... [/quote] I have never ever been able to get a sound I'm happy with from that Orange rig... ever. And that stage is so sensitive to excessive volume and/or bass... I always take my 210 cab to put on top of their 410 and only use that. I still use what they have sometimes if it's not practical for me to bring my own stuff but I'm never as happy, and that's with the 'less busy onstage' bands (RATM and Urang Matang), with SBK having 3 guitarists.... forget it.

I have recently started using Spotify. I had an account when they came out, but at the time their catalog was very incomplete and I just did not see the point. However now, with mobile music players everywhere and bluetooth, it's more attractive. My gf was coming out with these great songs from time to time "oh, just something that Spotify recommended"... So eventually I joined too. It's great to share playlists/songs, they have a LOT of Spanish music from the 80s that I never thought I'd hear again (ok, a lot of it is not very good but... it was the soundtrack of my childhood!)... So I like it. But the best, for me, is the way I discover new bands. In the past 8 weeks I've come across a bunch of great songs by bands I don't think I'd have ever found otherwise: Ripe, Passafire, Mo Lowda & The humble, USCB Allstars... and many others. The latest: Turkuaz. I'm in love with these guys. Enjoy: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5MXlAAsRVY[/media]

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1492123537' post='3278202'] Have a fiddle with the wiring. Pickups that are out of phase with one another will sound as you describe. [/quote] The OP mentions it happens also with just one pickup (neck pickup alone, tone rolled off, still too trebly), so that rules the out of phase effect.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1492118367' post='3278166'] It's really strange, I've offered bassists the use of my bass, but they've always looked worried and said no politely. Guitarists often go quiet too. [/quote]

I find it amusing/frustrating how many times the bass amp is expected to be shared as well, while guitar amps are not necessarily that way. Back in the day, I can see why. These days, especially when you're typically DI'd, a bass amp is not necessarily bulky or heavy. When I play multiple band situations, I often prefer to just bring mine. I get to play something decent and I'm always set before the drummer is ready, so why not? But no, I'm not willing to come early and leave late just so that somebody else doesn't have to carry any extra equipment and can enjoy a few beers while I watch... erm, nope.

[quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1492082347' post='3277762'] [b]You'll hear the battery going long before it goes silent so don't worry there[/b]. If the signal starts sounding off and you get artefacts in the sound (like there is a low gain fuzz pedal on) you're coming to the end of the batteries life. But as mentioned above these things last a long time. A good quality battery will give you hundreds of hours playing. [/quote] Not true with every preamp. The Stingray one just works until... it doesn't. There may be slight degradation but it happens so quick, you get no useful warning. My old Warwick Corvette $$ however started playing up and distorting well before it gives up entirely. BUt yes, most preamps don't need that much juice. I change the battery on the Stingrays once a year, but I know they'll last a lot longer. It just seems that once a year is a convenient and safe interval

[quote name='nash' timestamp='1491982186' post='3276861'] Can anyone enlighten me? I see it often, Squiers, bitsa, Nash, Lime Light and some that have a headstock shape that's not even close. I Squier rebadge for example. I think so what if it's a Squier, big deal. If it plays and sounds nice then that's all that matters and then credit where credit is due if it's a good bass. I just don't understand it. [/quote] Yeah, not my thing either... but some people love the look of an instrument and that includes the logo. Live and let live I've just ordered a new neck for an old Squier Jazz of mine. I asked for a copy of the original Squier logo to be put on it

I'm not sure when you know you've made it... but that day when I was getting into a venue and the bouncer ran to tell the guy taking the money at the door "don't you know who he is? he's X from Y, he doesn't pay here!" made me feel like I could retire because I know it'll never get better than that and no, it hasn't, and next time I was there I had to pay... they had changed staff, doh

stainless DR Fat Beams. They feel good, sound 'oomphy' once they lose their initial (annoying to me) brightness (any roundwound, but specially steels, I find them too bright to start with and gets me reaching for my treble knob and turning it down). I like many others, but these are by far the nicest, for my liking, on pretty much any bass. plan B is Labella White Nylon tapewounds... very low tension and lovely growly midrange on a Jazz...

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1492034178' post='3277449'] I can't help but be highly sceptical. These are solid pieces of metal with flared tips to hold them in place. I understand they rely more on bone conduction rather than sound passing down the ear canal? Yes I totally understand that it will be a safe way to help attenuate harmful SPL getting to the ear drum.. but it's still going to be muffled. So am I right in thinking it's just a fancy ear protector? [/quote] That was my impression too... and then I looked at their response graphs and it confirmed it for me.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1492002094' post='3277063'] It's a easier than you think. Whatever you want to be the variable, just change that. Swap bodies but move over all the hardware and strings and measure pickup heights etc to be identical. If comparing necks - then even move the tuners and string retainers over and bolt to the same body for the test. [/quote] well, even then... because all bodies made of the same material are actually not identical, you're going to need to measure quite a few to get a sense for their natural variation, and THEN you can assess whether the distribution of both body materials are distinct enough or not. It seems like a lot of work when we already know the answer. Who needs facts?