Matt P

Hoping to tap into the combined wisdom of the forum here. I'm loaning my PA out to a ceilidh band for a wedding gig tomorrow (Saturday 24th May) and one of the instruments is a double bass, I don't believe that they have a pickup fitted so my plan is to put a mic in front of it and hope for the best. I have a selection of mics available to me but i'm not sure which would be most suitable, the setup and soundcheck time is extremely short so i'm not going to have time to experiment. from the list of mics below which one would be the most suitable and what position/direction would be best? Red5 Audio - RV6/RV8/RV10 Rode - M3 Audix D6/i5 SE - X1 AKG - P4/D5 Shure - SM58 Beta Audio_technica - ATM10a this is the total list of mics that I can lay my hands on before the gig so i've got to pick one, so which one would you use? Thanks Matt

If this were me i'd be buying the Sessioncakes for sale in the classifieds, they will give you the most versatile setup and each will work as a solo practice tool as well, for 20 quid each i'd consider it a no-brainer. (i have no connection to the seller other than buying a bag from them a few years back) SC-01 SC-02 Matt

getting the bar in via the f-holes shouldn't be too difficult if you use the string method (similar to getting pots and jack sockets into hollow bodied guitars,) drop a string into the hole in the neck pocket and then fish it out through the f-hole, then run it through the threaded hole in the bar and tie a stop knot, a string through each M8 hole should allow you to pull the nutplate into position so it can be fixed with the m5 screw. of course if the profile isn't nice and square inside then the block becomes more difficult to shape, but once the block is in place you shouldn't ever need to remove it so the access panel wouldn't be required. Engineering runs in our family too, my Paternal grandfather was an engineer and my brother was also an engineer before he moved into computing. (the other side of the family is all fairly practical too, mostly in various manufacturing industries.) I've married an engineer and our son is showing pretty good technical abilities at age 8. Matt

I'm running a pair of Barefaced Midget G2 cabs with my Markbass head (F1) and have been for ages now, maybe 10 years+ ? (the cabs were bought new and are from what i believe to be the last batch of G2 cabs built.) I thought I'd swap the head out for something else but I've just found that the combination i have sounds right to me.

Hopefully this makes it clear enough (you'd never guess I worked as a draughtsman for 18 months!) Matt

I've been watching this and am impressed by your skills and craftsmanship, I'm no luthier but as a mechanical engineer i thought I'd offer some ideas as an alternative to the spike nuts. I've used the spike nuts before and have never been impressed with how they hold into the wood when the bolt is removed (or the quality of the metal but that might just be the cheap ones I've encountered.) for this situation the standard engineering solution where i work (engineering R+D department) would be a nut plate, for this particular case a small plate of steel with 2x M8 tapped holes would be used, 10mm thick by about 20 wide would be plenty, and to hold it in place a third smaller tapped hole (M5 is probably enough) could be added to hold it in place when the neck is removed (a recessed bolt in the neck pocket of the body) for materials I'd go with mild steel and grade 8,8 bolts, a coat of paint on the steel would be enough to keep corrosion at bay, I'd avoid Stainless steel as it is prone to galling and difficult to drill and tap compared with mild steel. i will try and make a sketch to show the arrangement Matt

i went for a cheap option and threw a harley benton one into a Thomman order, works great though and as i also work on acoustics the 2 different heights are useful This One Matt

I remember swapping out the screws on my Terror Bass head, i think they were M3 but unfortunately i don't have the amp anymore to check, from memory they were about 8mm long or so, i fitted hex socket head screws as that was what i had to hand. Matt

Thomann have a few options at different prices, we bought one of the cheaper ones for our drummer as a gift, mostly as a joke but i'd expect it to make an appearance live at some point. Washboards at Thomann Matt

@Ruarl The first prototype is still under construction so you're not too late, I believe that the prototype will be out in the wild for testing at some point so hopefully there will be opportunity for people to try it out and give some feedback before that production amps are built, I don't think these will be limited either as i'd imagine that Martin will be building them to order as i think he does for other amps, but as Stoneham is a small one-man (i believe) operation there might be a waiting list. Matt

I know it's been a while since there was an update on this but i was in Martin's shop today dropping a Trace Head off for a service and asked about the 100w head. Martin has been moving to a new premises recently and is in the process of getting it properly set up, he said that once he was settled in then he'll be getting back on the 100W project as he wants to get it finished and into our sweaty paws. from the number of amps that i saw in for service today i'm guessing he has been fairly busy with the day to day repair work (on previous occasions i've had to wait a week or two before dropping amps off for service as there has been a backlog.) Matt

all my levy's straps are the suede/suede ones with minimal padding so they're very soft and supple from the beginning, I think they're all 2.5" wide and are the usual pick for all but my heaviest basses (that 77 in particular). I've not noticed any difference in the length adjustment between the Levy's ladder type and the ladder type from, Leathergraft or Heistercamp (i prefer the ladder type as I don't like metal buckles near delicate finishes.) Matt

I didn't know this, I'll be watching the website for a future bargain! Matt

I have a Heistercamp as well and they are fantastic, I didn't suggest them as the prices are above what the OP was suggesting as the top budget. the one i have was a present from my wife and is exclusively used with my best acoustic guitar. Matt

whilst i did recommend leathergraft most of my straps are the suede Levy's ones, some of them are over 20 years old and still going strong. Don't totally rule out leathergraft though as some of their designs are available in an XL version which maxes out to 60" the comfy definitely does. here

I don't recognise the logo and none of those markings match those on my Levy's straps. For a good value wider strap I'd suggest something from Leathergraft, they're nicely made and very good value, i think the entire range is within your budget, i'm using one for my '77 p-bass and it helps enormously with the 11lb. https://leathergraft.co.uk/ Mine is the Pro deluxe and it's very well made with good padding and tidy workmanship. HERE Matt

wow, just wow!

I'm loving this, the design is superb, the craftsmanship looks top notch and the motivation to keep going is admirable. I'm not sure I'd ever be in the position to commission an instrument of this level so my only chance would be a raffle ticket (or a few). looking forward to seeing this progress. Matt

It might be worth trying a HPF in the signal chain to filter out the very bottom end, should give the amp and speaker a better chance, i'm going to be trying a similar thing using a Trace acoustic cube as a personal monitor for EUB, i've got a HPF and an eq pedal to cut lots of bottom end as i'm mainly using it to keep myself in tune. Matt

Not sure how i missed this, for a lighter feel whilst not losing the tone IMO there is one choice and that is Newtone Heritage strings, they are light balanced tension strings and it's all i've used for the past 15 years or so. the total tension of the 12's is less than the total tension of other brands 11's, they're available in gauges down to 10's if you want super light. I've been using the 12's on pretty much every acoustic i own, I've fitted the 11's to a guitar for a beginner friend and they were wonderful. quite a few of my friends have been won over too, i tend to put in a bulk order for more than 10 sets at a time and that gives a lower price per set and shared postage costs. I find they last longer than the D'addario Phosphor bronze i used to buy so the slightly higher price is not an issue for me. Link to the webshop Matt

I've been meaning to ask the same question, I've got a P-retro with a failed battery and a bass with a battery box that i'd like to fit it too. Just haven't got round to sending that email. If you can share the info that would be fantastic. Matt

Ivar is what i'm using, you are advised to anchor it to the wall at the top though, i've got a whole wall of it in my study/music room, I'd take a photo but the room's such a mess i doubt it would be much use to you! I'm using the shallower one and the cases to stick out, but they're well enough supported. Matt

can't help you with any suggestions but i am taking notes for songs to add to our setlist! some great tunes so far, at least 3 that i'm going to suggest to my bandmates tonight. Matt

if you're looking for light gauge acoustic strings, I can highly recommend the Newtone heritage strings, they're lower tension and balanced, the total tension on their 12's is less than 11's from other companies, and the 11's will be lower overall tension than the D'addario 10's but without some of the tinniness i've found from very light strings. I've been using the 12's for 15 years now and have also got a few of my friends hooked on them as well. as a bonus you can get them direct from the maker.

we're just a pub 3 piece band doing the usual covers most of the time, we do have an alter ego as a folky 3 piece acoustic band though, when we're playing pubs its vocals only through the PA, when it's acoustic then it's vocals, acoustic guitars, EUB, and a bit of cajon in the PA. I doubt we'll ever need a sub, I'll probably sell the amps, the 15's and the foldback monitors and then buy another pair of the 310's to use as foldback monitors. the desk we've got is way too big as well so that will get swapped out for something smaller as well.