grandad

If you are going out and working and taking money in return for your services then it is wise to adopt a professional approach. That means ensuring your equipment is safe. Safe to use for you and your band members, and safe for the customer/public who may come into contact with it, e.g. hold a microphone. I remember when PAT testing, (which has been around certainly since the 1960's), was brought to prominent attention in the workplace in the eighties. I won't recount the numerous horror stories that I and others found but suffice to say don't take chances, life is too precious. The best way to comply with HS legislation is to regularly PAT test all your equipment and keep records. I may sound like a boring old fart but I'm still alive after spending a life-time working on and with electrical/electronic equipment, and to my knowledge I haven't killed anyone through negligence. And none of my students should have either. Accidental death by electrocution is preventable, so help prevent it. Here endeth the sermon. Amen.

I've had 3 SS basses: Gretsch Junior Jet II - bit of a 1 trick pony tone-wise, good value, sold on. Epiphone Viola - good finish, narrower finger board, had my luthier work on the bridge to achieve a good action, light-weight, thumpy, good access to higher frets, gave it to my grandson as it's a good learner bass and different in a quirky way, I have a soft spot for them. Squier VM mustang - my current SS, narrow finger board, effective tone control, well made MII, limited access to higher frets, a definite keeper. If you can try playing an instrument fitted with flat-wounds to see if you like them, I'm a long-standing confirmed flat-wound player.

The Fane 8-225's have gone. I'll put the OEM's on a different for sale post.

For anyone interested in doing a mod or maybe building an extension cab I now have surplus to requirements: 2 x OEM 8" 16 ohm speakers. 2 x Fane Sovereign 8-225's.

Upon further reading to the above mod' last week when I fitted the Fane 8-225's: [url="http://www.fane-international.com/downloads/Fane%20Sovereign%208225%20DS030513.pdf"]http://www.fane-inte...%20DS030513.pdf[/url] http://www.toutlehautparleur.com/media/catalog/product/datasheet/fane/SOPRO8-225-8.pdf I've now fitted a pair of Fane 8-125's to compare. [url="http://www.fane-international.com/downloads/Fane-Sovereign-8125-DS240316.pdf"]http://www.fane-inte...25-DS240316.pdf[/url] They both reduce the amp load to 4 ohms and allow max power from the amp, (250 class D Watts), but prohibit the use of an extension speaker and they both improve the bottom end and the punch. To my old ears, the 125 is more polite than the 225. To use a car analogy; the difference between the 3 speakers is rather like changing from normally aspirated to fuel injected then turbo -charged. If it's a rock band then the 225 is the one. As I play mostly with a Jazz quartet I'll stick with the 125's. [attachment=236036:100_0299.JPG] From left to right the OEM, 125 and 225. Weights are 3.17 lb, 3.85 lb and 6.06 lb. [attachment=236039:100_0300.JPG] I will admit that weight was a consideration when choosing between the 125's and 225's. [attachment=236040:100_0302.JPG] A well sealed cab. When fitting 225's I think about 50% more fill might be about right. The internal volume is about 1.5 cu ft or 42 litres which is near the minimum recommended enclosure volume for the 225's. [attachment=236041:100_0303.JPG] 2 lower tags carefully bent out at the shoulder using pliers. [attachment=236042:100_0304.JPG] Yellow and green wires disconnect the speakon skt. I hope this post proves useful to those with a TCE BG250-208 although it is a great little amp just as it is. N.B. I've just found another possible candidate: [url="http://www.faitalpro.com/en/products/LF_Loudspeakers/product_details/datasheet.php?id=401030100"]http://www.faitalpro...hp?id=401030100[/url] But no, I'll stick with it as it is now.

I don't want to have the hassle of battery changing. I like to keep things very simple and straightforward, less to go wrong, and less likely to forget something. I don't want any more knobs to play with, I have quite sufficient.

I've been obsessed learning this bass line over the weekend. Notwithstanding other contributors I think this guy nails it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihrpePlcV7s

[quote name='StageAhead' timestamp='1473495688' post='3130647'] I've done two video lessons on Duck Dunn's basslines. Maybe that'll help: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlT9e6d_hHg"]She Caught The Katy (Blues Brothers)[/url] and [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSMIg1gDjV8"](Sitting On) The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding)[/url] [/quote] I can't believe that after all these years I've only just discovered 'Dock Of The Bay'. What a lovely bass line. None of the vocalists I've performed with have wanted to sing it until last week. There are still some gems out there waiting to be discovered! Thanks for the video lesson.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1484050546' post='3212187'] Read the thread title again. [/quote] [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1484053716' post='3212221'] Surely an automatic has to be the best car for shifting gear, all other cars require you to do it yourself. [/quote] Exactly. I have duly read the thread title again and I rest my case.

Why do so many folks say 'avoid automatics'? I've had my first auto' for several years now, it's so relaxing to drive. The only downside is about 35mpg instead of 40mpg. In town traffic it's great.

Bought at 30,000 now has 135,000 on the clock, my 02 1.6 automatic Focus estate has been a great car. The Zetec engines are very good. Cheap and cheerful - yes. No major bills yet. 35ish mpg. Flat boot. Only downside is car tax = £270 per year. Brother had an Astra similar spec' - also very good. Partner has a Zafira - also very good.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1483737695' post='3209795'] Love my Trace Elliot gear, the weight I can live with, but I really wish the power button was on the front instead of the back... Love my Bass Collection Nanyos but I wish the input socket wasn't at such a daft angle on the side.. So what lets your gear down?? [/quote] The couple of passive Speakeasy basses I've owned I wired a la Jazz, V V T. I used the 4th pot-hole as an input jack by just drilling it out a touch. The jack socket has to be a 'long'. http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/search/switchcraft-jack-long#page1:infscr8538

What an ugly bass! He was the 1st bass player I took any notice of which must also be the case for many, (or maybe the few) BCer's of my age. I got to meet him and chat at the NEC in 1998 I think it was at the 'Mad About Guitars' show. Very friendly guy. [url="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/jet-harris-bassist-who-enjoyed-solo-success-after-being-sacked-by-the-shadows-2246304.html"]http://www.independe...ws-2246304.html[/url]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1483524103' post='3207824'] There's a lot of laziness within musicians and a surprising lack of imagination. How many of us have heard the 'but we don't have keyboards/drum machine/strings/brass so we can't play that song'? Complete lack of imagination. . [/quote] Yes, some of my fellow musicians seem to cling to the belief that they have to sound like the original. I like to employ a bit of license with tunes and come up with a new take which to my mind is what a 'cover' is.

Quote: "Once past a certain age one should put aside childish things like 'being in a band' and focus on technique, performance and a mastery of one's instrument. Once achieved, one should establish a loose collective with like-minded geriatrics and play jazz. I understand that it's big in Felixstowe so I can't see why it can't be rolled out on a national basis." It's happening!

Over nearly 20 years as best I remember: * current CARLSBRO COBRA 90 HARTKE B60 COMBO LANEY HCM60B * ROLAND KC150 ROLAND CB100 ROLAND DB 500 ROLAND D-BASS 115 SWR WORKINGMAN'S 10 + SWR WORKINGMAN'S 1X10T HARTKE HA2000 + SWR WORKINGMAN'S 2X10T ASHDOWN SUPERFLY ASHDOWN LITTLE GREEN GIANT ASHDOWN MAG 300 + ABM 115 * PEAVEY MAX160 + AMPEG B115E PEAVEY MAX450 + TVX210 + TVX115 PJB BRIEFCASE PJB FLIGHTCASE PJB PB300 PJB CUB EBS CLASSIC SESSION 60 FENDER RUMBLE 100 * TCE BG250-208 Remembering this lot has been a sobering exercise. It is now not beyond the realms of possibility that a "list all the bass guitars you have ever owned" starts. For that I'll need to wrack my brains!

Did a similar thing about 3 or 4 years ago. And it's good to get out on a high. I would not go back to the commitment of regular gigging. I'm enjoying having my time back. I've since joined a jazz quintet and also help run a monthly music club for all-comers at a community centre. And, when I do occasionally perform in public, it's usually for nowt. Enjoy your new ventures.

3 TCE BG250-208 combo Peavey Max160 + Ampeg B115E Roland KC150

Out of curiosity I tried it today with 1 original speaker and 1 sovereign. It sounded ok. That would be a 5.3 ohm load on the amp. Anyway I changed it back afterwards to the 2 new sovereign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS0LVUoEF3o&feature=youtu.be

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1482761673' post='3202563'] Thanks for sharing, I saw the same post and thought about doing the mod to mine, but to be honest, it's only used for home practice and the occasional 'acoustic' gig where it has the PA to do the heavy humping. I don't find the OEM speakers to be lacking in bottom end, and generally I find the combo to be a super little simple amp. I previously owned a PJB Briefcase, and whilst that is a great bit of kit, it really couldn't hack it next to a drummer, where as the bigger speakers of the BG208 can cope admirably. [/quote] Couldn't agree more. I found exactly the same with the briefcase. It does have a lovely tone and about the best EQ I've ever come across on any bass amp. But as you say not really loud enough to gig with at volume. I can't knock the original speakers either, it is a great little package, so convenient to use. I've had mine just over 12 months now and I see the price has increased a fair bit.