Jakester

Well, I don't really know TBH! From the reaction I'm getting locally to floating the idea there's a demand there, so I'm hoping we can get enough punters in to try and make a real go of it and cover our (i.e. my!) costs.

Well, no. I hire the venue for a fixed fee, they supply facilities, PA, a bar and staff it (and keep any drinks) and we keep any proceeds from the door and hopefully make enough to cover hire costs and pay something to the house band . At least, that is the model currently under discussion.

Hmm, I'm steering slightly clear of this conclusion at present. I *think* it's because this is a new venture for the company managing this particular venue - before, they've done theatre only (AFAIK) and for a theatrical production the whole set list and levy idea makes sense, but less so for live music.

Following on from my random query about PL cover, I've also been asked by this particular venue to sign up to T&Cs which mean we have to provide a set list of all tunes that we intend to play before we start, and pay the "PRS levy" (whatever that is). Now, the thing I'm trying to organise is a jazz jam night - so to a greater extent there's no way to tell exactly what tunes will be performed. In the 25+ years I've been playing live music we've never once been asked for a set list for PRS purposes. I don't really have any issues with it save that I can't see how we can confirm what is going to be played in advance of it actually being called. Secondly, does anyone know what the "PRS levy" referred to is? I presume it's that proportion of the venue's PRS licence fee for that event, but again I've not come across the performer/event being asked to reimburse the venue for their PRS costs.

Yes, I was a bit confused as I’d have thought it would be the venue’s cover most claims would fall under, and only specifically performance related stuff (eg speaker falling on someone or guitarist spearing someone with their headstock) would fall under the performer’s cover.

I'm in the process of organising a monthly jam night, and the venue has asked for PL insurance. I'm a member of the MU so benefit from their insurance which includes PL cover. However, I daresay that may only extend to cover situations where I am performing and incidents which arise from that (though I will also be performing - or, at least, that's the plan!). Has anyone had any experience of a broader PL cover for individuals/bands also acting as promoters, and if so, any recommendations for companies/brokers to approach etc?

Welcome to the club! I’ve had no end of problems with mine too. If Basstone can’t help, the ‘approved’ repairer is Real Electronics in Sheffield. Just one thing to try though before you do - have you tried with a different power cable or different socket on a different circuit? You never know, that could be the cause of the problems if there’s a fault with a socket (unlikely, but worth a try!)

Ah, interesting! Good job I said happy to be corrected!

They're both class D. Looked identical with the covers off and side to side. I *think* all the LMIIIs (and therefore the Combo Head II's which is basically a LMIII) were class D (though happy to be corrected), the only differences between early and later ones being they started off being built in Italy but production then went to Indonesia. LMII's were class A/B and if I see one going cheap I may pick it up.

If you have a reasonably decent speaker like a Yamaha DBR12, give it a go, it may surprise you, and it ain't going to cost you anything. As mentioned upthread, the DXRs are great - we use 12's as our FOH and 10's for monitoring and they sound great.

Right, I've said feck it and just bought a replacement (very) used MB LMIII head. Immediately it seems louder and cleaner for the given input so hopefully that will cure the issues. It was at the cheaper end of cheap so if that goes too, it won't be devastating but I think it will signal the end of my involvement with MB amps! I'll probably keep the combo cab though, just rip the head out and use something else.

I have an NY121 to pair with my CMD121P. It hasn't been used much simply because with the combo it pushes so much air that it will cover most things up to a full on rock band. When I have used the extension cab it's like there's a bottomless well of limitless oomph. I mean, clearly it isn't bottomless or limitless, but it's certainly able to cope with loud rock gigs without overtaxing the amp. I tend to find MB cabs to be 'clean' ish - I've not played the BF110 but gather they are 'voiced' when compared to the Compact etc, so bear that in mind. I suspect the BF110 would be lighter than the NY121 if weight is an issue.

I have one and I've thought about it after playing a friend's actual proper full fat DB and realising the neck on that was much easier to play than the EDB! I reckon it would probably be money chucked away though - the cost of getting it done is never going to be recouped on sale.

Is it not better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission, though? I mean, why go looking for trouble...

I wonder if that’s because you’re their best customer though?! 😛

Yep, I've found ordering off their website to be very hit and miss. I ordered something that was in stock, only to be told after the transaction went through, I'd have to pay additional postage. I asked why, and they said it was a bundle deal. When I pointed out that wasn't clear when ordering, they said tough, and I'd have to pay the additional if I wanted the item. No apology for the unclear entry on the website. Their website is shambolic at best. Having a functioning website for online sales seems a minimum these days. Coupled to quite an arsey attitude from staff on the occasions I've been in in person - for example, ridiculing the brand I came to look at/try out, and suggesting I have a warranty returned/repaired amp instead (as clearly they wanted to get rid) didn't sit that well, or getting all huffy on another occasion when I asked to try a bass I was considering buying (having travelled 2 hours to get there!), almost like they were doing me a favour rather than a customer looking to buy something from them. They're certainly no longer my first port of call for stuff.

Yeah, can't see them agreeing to deal with it over a year after I've had it..

Thanks, I’ll take a look. Hopefully it’s something so simple but I doubt it!

Well, they said they power soaked it through a number of cycles and it didn’t show any problems. I had said the power stage seemed fine as I’d played via the effects loop in with no problems so I don’t know exactly what tests they carried out. I presume they don’t have someone playing constantly in the workshop! In fairness to them, I have dug the invoice out and I had actually overstated the cost of repair - it was £124, rather than £180 (I think in my irritation I overinflated the cost!) but I did have to pay for tracked insured courier to them so that was another £20. They did contact me and discuss what they proposed to do might s well have been speaking Swahili so I just said “carry on!” TBH had they suggested a full replacement I probably would have said yes. Frustrating as when it works, it’s a great amp which does everything I need. However, if it can’t be relied upon, then it’s going to have to go.

They didn’t, but I’d be very surprised if they didn’t actually change them out! I’ll see if I can find that company. TBH just feel like chucking the head and using the cab with another amp…

So I have a Markbass CMD121P that I had to send away to Real Electronics just over a year ago. It’d starting dropping in volume, then coming back, and some farty popping and banging every now and then. Sent it off to Real, they said there was nothing wrong with it but they replaced all the pots anyway and charged me £180 for the privilege. But miffed but assumed they knew what they were talking about. Anyway, the gremlins are back. Some problems as before - sudden drops in volume, farts and pops and stuttering. I will drop RE a line but not expecting much as they have a 30-day warranty on repairs. Before I take an axe to the head, can anyone suggest a) a potential cause of the problems and b) any alternative repairer?