Billy Apple

I understand the fret dress bit, but what is the 'tweak' that they did?

My GT200 has been making a high-pitched noise of late, and when I turn it off there is a crack through the cab. I spoke to Andrew yesterday at the factory and he thought it maybe a pre-amp valve that has gone microphonic, and the crack is it discharging when turning off. He talked me through the process of check for microphonic valves, so that's what I've been up to today. Thought I'd post up the process and my findings... Firstly get the head out from the sleeve. Matamp recommend hanging one side over a bench and undoing the two bolts underneath.... Turn head round, do the other side and ease the amp out holding handles at the front... Once amp is out, take a few snaps for BC!.. Check underside for rodent and insect infestation.. Take the pre-amp valve shields off by pushing down and turning to the left. Then hook up your cab and plug in and switch on. Andrew recomends to take to vol half way and the gain down. No need to plug the bass in.. Then take a moment to check the valve-glow.. Once we are up and running, one by one gently tap the pre-amp valves. If any are microphonic then you will hear an echoing sound through the cab.. It was at this point I discovered that non of my valves are affected, and no sound came through the cab. However I did find a noise coming from the transformer on the right as you look at the front. It was also warmer than the one on the left as it ran for a while. Don't know if this is significant, but sound, tone and volume are unaffected. Just the noise and the crack when shut down. [u][b]TOP TIP[/b][/u] Use the opportunity for having the amp out the sleeve to give it a good clean, as it's so blinkin' easy to handle! I'm heading up North on Monday, so will call by the factory and see what they think.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1380748009' post='2230146'] Handsome and certainly better without the pg. [/quote] The PG covers up the wire from the neck pup going to the toggle switch, so now you can see them. It's a bit like using a turd to hide a pimple.

The La Bellas have taken off the top-edge growl that the rounds had, but now I've got a wonderfully smooth vintage tone. Another thing, up until now I've been playing this through my new (to me) GK MB200. As I said the tone pots do not have much of a sweep. Today I've put it through my Matamp GT200 and you can really hear the change in tone. What's that all about, then?

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1380978484' post='2233046'] It should not be done, for two reasons. One is that there's nothing to be gained in so doing, so if it ain't broke don't fix it. Why one would decide to remove it is beyond me. The other is that in the process of removing it one might pull the suspension from the frame, and even the smallest air leak there could lead to driver failure. [/quote] Fair enough Bill, but below is a copy of the email Eminence sent me, and after all, they manufacture them. Anyway, my point is, everyone has an opinion, but for my money I'd listen to the maker. Hi Sean, Yes, you can remove the front gasket pretty easily without harming the speaker. Take a utility knife and cut it off, being careful not to cut any portion of the cone’s surround. Once you get the gasket started, you may be able to pull it off. Best Regards, A****** L**** Technical Support Eminence Speaker, LLC

I think the OP should get in touch with Eminence themselves and see what they have to say. I had a question about removing the sealing gasket from the front of an Eminence Basslite driver. The supplier said it should not be done, could cause the cone to come unstuck and void the warranty. Eminence said it could be cut down, or indeed removed completely. They said the adhesive that sticks the gasket on is different to the one that glues the cone to the chassis, and the presence (or not) of the gasket does not interfere with this. I'd seek the advise of the people who built it. BTW took Eminence less than a day to respond, the supplier took a week!

OK. Just thought i'd let you know how she's bearing up after a few days playing. I just can't keep my hands off this thing! I've been getting in from work and just sitting playing [size=4] . Just so easy in the hand.[/size] [size=4]But, just for a [/size]balance[size=4], here are some things that could do with [/size]improving[size=4]..[/size] [size=4]The saddle [/size]height[size=4] is not individually adjustable, very Gibson. The whole string [/size]height[size=4] is done with the screws on either side of the 'adjustomatic' bridge. The neck was a bit back-bowed (bearing in mind it came [/size]straight[size=4] out the box and home), so I took 3/4 of a turn off the truss and it's all come up nicely. No fret-buzz now, and I've not touched the bridge, which I reckon could go down a touch. I suppose it all adds up to good adjustment [/size]possibilities[size=4], but not precision.[/size] [size=4]The front strap button is located on the body adjacent to the neck. This makes the space to get the strap on quite tight, and you might struggle with a solid wide strap. re-locating the button on the top-front neck bolt might be an idea. It's a pity it is not on the top horn, which would also improve [/size]balance[size=4], but I guess the screw has to go into solid wood, and it's hollow there.[/size] [size=4]The hardware is good, apart from the knobs, switch & P-guard. Black is the wrong colour, I think they all should have been cream. It's a shame they didn't just leave the P-guard off [/size]altogether[size=4] to save the holes.[/size] [size=4]That's about it for [/size]criticism[size=4] The pro's far outweigh the cons, it's great fun to play, very good sound (and I've never been a fan of short scales) and the look and finish are excellent. I keep finding bits and going 'wow!', like the figure in the neck which seems to have a bit of flame and burl, and looks ace with the old school gold decals over it.[/size] [size=4]Forgot to mention, the strings are not for me. Too steely and zingy by far.[/size] [size=4]So I've decided to pimp her up a little and enjoy the fun of it all. [/size]Firstly[size=4] I've binned the strings and got a set of medium scale 45/105 [/size]La Bella[size=4] Flats. I picked these up in Wunjo today (funny for a shop that only sells one brand of string!) for a price that was so good I almost wanted to give a quid more! I should write up elsewhere just how excellent those guys have been in my purchase. [/size]Believe[size=4] you me, I'm the most [/size]surly [size=4]chap when it comes to music shops, but I think their service is making me really enjoy the bass that little more at home. It's my first ever set of La Bellas, and boy are they worth waiting for and the medium scale fits perfectly[/size] [size=4]I was going for some cream coloured top-hat knobs and switch tip, but ended up ordering a cream switch tip and some transparent red dice knobs from Allparts. I've got this whole 50's hot-rod thing going on in my head![/size] [size=4]I've edited the title of the thread too. Please post up your Coronado p[/size][size=4]ics and comments as they come in [/size]

Ralph bought my Gibson Thunderbird. He's a proper chap with good comms who turned up and gave me money, so I gave him the bass. Completely hassle free. Cheers, Ralph. Enjoy the TBird! [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1380747904' post='2230144'] How does it sound? Is it Jazz or Precision like? Or does it sound (as I imagine it might) really quite different? [/quote] I've not played many Jazzes, so can't really compare. I think the tone is more bassie than a P, perhaps Gibson-esq but less woody. The low end has a real thump, and there is a richness of tone that belies a semi. I think if you had your eyes closed you'd think it was a long scale solid. I think you get a good mix with the maple and alder which gives a complexity over a single wood body. I think the pups are quite mellow. I've got a TV Jones Thunderblade in my P and it's very hot, these are much gentler. The circuit does the same thing as my TBird, when let let a bit of volume off one pot it seems to get a bit louder, or less constricted. I've got it full on the neck and 8 on the bridge (same as the Bird) and it opens up nicely. I'm trying to work the tone pots out. There's not a huge sweep on them, and it does not go to mud like a P. It feels more like the grease-bucket circuit in my P, but the specs don't mention anything. To sum up... Hmm, full, rich and mellow with a goodly amount of bite

[size=4]After getting a bug about the new Fender Coronado, my research had told me that they would not be around until mid November. This was hopefully going to fit into my current house move and selling/storing gear in relation to the re-location.[/size] Any-hoo, Wunjo have already had a couple in, a 3 tone SB bought by Floyd Pepper and a CAR one that I had a shot on the other day. The try-out made my mind up. I wanted the vintage cherry sunburst, but was told November. So thought I'd wait, which all things considered was not such a bad thing.. Until Tom at Wunjo called me up at midday today to tell me the Cherry would be landing at 4pm. He confirmed later, and at 6pm she was mine. Wunjo did a proper gent of a deal, and I'm very happy. Still got the tag on, cellophane over the pups and untouched by music shop punters... Lovely! I've ditched the pick-guard, and I think it looks great

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1380666050' post='2228841'] I'm sorry, It looks all wrong, like a fat girl with tiny feet. [/quote] Fat-ist and Feet-ist all in one go. Epic fail, nige

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1380452493' post='2225372'] Do you mean the bell plate? .... .....bell plate, knobs. [/quote] K-yak, K-yak. Ker-chuff, Ker-chuff [size=4] [/size]

My new light weight rig, put together while the all valve stuff is in storage as I sort my move out. I scored the GK MB200 from obbm today. Just giving it a run round the block now. A great little head. Can't believe how small it is, plenty loud, good tone and carries a good thump. I'm mightily impressed! [size=4]Hooked up to a custom built Purple Chili 115 with eminence basslite neo driver.[/size] [size=4]Very happy with it[/size][size=4] [/size]

Dave sold me his GKMB200. He brought it over to Castle Apple and included a cable. Top chap! Highly recommended. [size=4] [/size]

Chalk and cheese

[quote name='SimonEdward' timestamp='1380398736' post='2224848'] [color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Nothing to worry 'The Gallery' here.......[/font][/color] [/quote] But why would it? Soap and water. The three or four times I've been in Wunjo I've seen them sell new basses to youngsters, and that is where the future lies. The twice I've been to the Gallery, it's been hard work to get in through the front door, and then you have to brave the sh*tty attitude. But, yes they do have a large stock of very expensive wood. The price on the ticket in Wunjo is always up for negotiation, and the two basses I've been interested in they have offered a lower cash price than both GAK, Guitar Guitar, Andertons and Dawsons. I don't buy that Wunjo's range is boring. It's reflective of most mainstream shops you'd go in, but they still manage to have some unusual stuff in. If you want boring check out Macari's or the bass selection at Wembley guitar center. Anyway, if i'm in the mood to spend £7.5k on a Fodera while the guy taking my money has a 5h1tty attitude I'll go to the Gallery. For everything else I'll go to Wunjo's.

Where are you based?

I've been Googling it, but nothing comes up

No one with an ounce of common over here is going to pay that, but it may well end up with some millionaire in Japan or suchlike,

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1380327976' post='2223998'] Course I did! Memento etc. [/quote] It's like you've took us by the hand and led us through the day. Great pics, Silv. Thanks a bundle! [size=1]right, that's it.. 3 stone lighter for next year![/size]

I can't believe you snapped the way-in signs!