Kiwi

[quote name='Monz' post='498475' date='May 27 2009, 06:22 AM']Thanks for the advice everyone... I presume you can buy these as a pedal/rackmount unit?[/quote] Sure, a range of solutions at different price levels but I haven't tried them all so can't comment on their effectiveness. [url="http://www.bossarea.com/loadpage.asp?file=boxes/pq3b.xml"]http://www.bossarea.com/loadpage.asp?file=boxes/pq3b.xml[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.com.my/tc-dual-parametric-equalizer-original-not-reissue-RARE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ190281275727"]http://cgi.ebay.com.my/tc-dual-parametric-...emZ190281275727[/url] [url="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=284950&Q=&is=REG&A=details"]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...G&A=details[/url] [url="http://www.bassemporium.com/detail.php?FeQ-50"]http://www.bassemporium.com/detail.php?FeQ-50[/url] I use one of these: [url="http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs_07/product_07/5013.shtml"]http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs_07/product_07/5013.shtml[/url] But I haven't gigged it yet.

I've fallen totally for the Spector NS5CR forum ho-bass since I did a fret dressing on it. It's got the sound I've been looking for with virtually no tweaks needed. I'm going to replace the EMG DC40's with passive SD Basslines so the treble doesn't sound so clinical but for an all maple bass its got an incredible amount of warmth, more so than the Euro 6 I have on consignment at the Gallery. I like Spector necks too, narrow across the nut but chunky enough to reduce the risk of my hand cramping up like it did with the slim necked Modulus basses I used to own. With the rack based rig and neo cabs, the upper mids cut through wonderfully and I'm pretty close to the sound I hear through headphones. I especially like hearing the 'thup' of my fingers releasing the strings in combination with lots of sub 40hz warmth and a stingray kind of robust solidity in the lower mids. Plus if I dig in gently, there's a nice amount of growly bark available and I can still get the neck pickup to sound round and mellow by playing softly if I need it too. I've tried a number of Spectors though and I know for a fact that not all of them sound like this one. I'll take the Shuker Headless 6 out if I need the extended range or a jazzier sound (it has some really sweet highs now the neck pickup has been sorted) but can't see myself changing from the Spector as a workhorse unless I find something that sounds identical with a larger body. It's more articulate and dynamic than my Smith BSR5GN was and about a third of the price!

thats a lovely looking plank Can't wait for better photos.

[quote name='JPAC' post='498386' date='May 26 2009, 10:34 PM']Never mind all that, tell us about the sheep, the sheep! [/quote] Hmmm. Do you want photos?

Hi everyone, I made it over in one piece! No sign of swine flu, plus I had a great stop over in food-tastic Bangkok and my family were there to meet me at the airport. Things seem a load more positive here than in the UK, by comparison people here so far seem optimistic and perhaps a little grateful that NZ hasn't been stung by the credit crunch as badly as the UK. It's a stark contrast to the cynicism and bitterness being played out in the media and political arenas in the UK at the moment and very refreshing, I have to say. People who I've caught up with are all telling me I made the right decision in coming back and the level of support here is quite touching. For example, I was chatting to a woman who runs a shop in Chch that imports english food items. I noted that she'd imported packs of McVities caramel chocolate digestives (very moreish) and she offered me a free pack! I can't imagine that ever happening in the UK. I'd also forgotten how cheap it was to live here. While food is about the same cost as the UK, other living costs like car insurance seem incredibly cheap. My father pays $500 (£200) a year to insure his 4 year old Honda Accord fully comprehensive and I've been made an additional driver for no extra charge! Haircuts can be had for $10 (thats about £4). There's also a greater range of property prices being offered by estate agents. While houses can be as expensive as the UK (and much larger) at the upper end of the market, there are more cheaper properties around for first time buyers to pick up too.

[quote name='silddx' post='498369' date='May 26 2009, 11:00 PM']Welcome back CK! Hope NZ is still open [/quote] cheers Silddx, its definitely open and a bit chilly to be honest. Eight degrees! Still, hopefully I might do a bit of skiing later on in Winter, if I'm still in Chch.

The solution could potentially be quite simple. Knock back the frequencies between 60-100Hz on your graphic (or even better, use a parametric eq for accuracy) until the boom subsides but the bass retains some warmth. If you're using a parametric eq, use another band to boost around 250Hz to reintroduce some kick. I have a 4 band parametric eq in my rack based rig and I'll probably never go back to a graphic eq. EDIT: Use the above as a general guide for stage boom. I've just re read your post and noted you're using a 2x10 with a 5 string which hasn't worked very well in the past for me. I've found that while 2x10"'s are capable of producing some low frequencies, that range isn't defined very well. I'm wondering if the 2x10 might be part of the issue as well? I switched to a set up which was a little more modern sounding. The EBS cabs definitely aren't boomy sounding at all which is why I liked them. Definitely have a play with a parametric eq though if you get a chance. They're great for nailing specific problem frequencies.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=30802&st=0&start=0"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...t=0&start=0[/url]

I think the pearly king in the Cockney Compression might have been Clive Roberts (Peavey Europe MD) although I can't see enough of his face to be 100% sure.

If you see your doctor/practice nurse, you could ask them to use some medical superglue to seal your finger up. Then cover it best you can to prevent the cut being ripped open by playing again. You might have to put something more substantial than liquid skin on though so how about a couple of band aids, some micropore tape or insulation tape?

[quote name='alexclaber' post='489624' date='May 16 2009, 10:49 AM']Back to Skunk Anansie I love Cass's playing but their songs don't really move me.[/quote] The chorus sends the hair on the back of my neck standing up. Even in 32 degree heat.

Rich - thanks mate Looks like the weather in NZ is going to be the same as in the UK. Eight degrees in both Chch and Peterborough! Here comes another winter... JPAC - LOL, the funny thing is that this couple probably think they can get away with it and the naivety isn't surprising. NZ authorities managed to snag the pair of french agents who blew up the Rainbow Warrior so this couple must seriously fancy their chances. [al] - I made it to BKK in one piece and even got a full row of 4 seats to myself to lie full stretch on! Best nights kip I've ever had on a long haul flight! Den - thanks , I won't be too far away, just a different time zone. When I checked the bass safe this morning in the hotel, it looked like the barrel on one of the padlocks securing the bass safe containing the Shuker 6 and Axon AX100 had been damaged sufficiently that I couldn't open it with the key. The other lock and the nylon ties were fine. I'm not sure if the damage was malicious because someone could have quite easily just made off with the whole instrument if they'd wanted. Bit of a sobering thought though. I had to ask one of the hotel staff here in BKK to twist the lock off - which they managed to do with two pairs of pliers without any problems at all! Think I might invest in a couple of more substantial padlocks...

the ultimate 8 string would be one with a graphite neck I reckon. Not too many of them around though and only with higher end brand names. But if you could find a graphite neck with a big enough headstock to take the tuners then it might be worth assembling the parts and getting a luthier to make you the body.

I've already met him. He'll have to pay me a fiver next time. Its only fair, isn't it?

I managed to get online at the hotel last night. I spent most of yesterday cleaning and watching the packers wrap up all the instruments, amps, speakers and racks up in foam plastic sheeting and get loaded onto two massive paletted crates. I won't see them again for 2-3 months. That's gonna be hard. But at least they're all solidly packed and I don't think they're likely to move about in transit. However I have the Shuker and the AX100 in the bass safe and with the laptop, it should be enough to keep me amused. [quote name='foal30' post='492909' date='May 20 2009, 03:27 AM']I'll put the kettle on then if ya late ya suppers in the microwave don't forget to turn the outside light off. how many Christchurch BC'ers?[/quote] Thanks Foal. For a moment I read supper as slippers . Just you and me now but who knows, it might change if I start putting the word around. Next time you're at CJ's drop me a line and maybe we can meet up. [quote name='Platypus' post='492915' date='May 20 2009, 06:30 AM']and don't forget to put the cat out[/quote] Ether or sharp left hook? [quote name='Hamster' post='492917' date='May 20 2009, 06:45 AM']Have a safe trip Steve - sorry I can't make the vodka party this afternoon - wishing you .........[/quote] Yesh yesh Colin it no problems and yakshemash to you anyways.

thanks Kev, Mert. I'll still be online, just not showing up to any events. :-) The packers are here now and I'm not sure when I will next have a chance to post something on this thread so thanks again to everyone who wished me well. Hopefully I'll be back in the UK at some point in the future when things pick up economically again.

I just asked myself what I needed and what was collectable. Anything else got sold (including even the collectable stuff sometimes).

I've had some joy recently with a Technical Audio DA-B3000 Class D power amp for $219 +$60 priority shipping [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=361&view=findpost&p=490923"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=490923[/url]

[quote name='SpinalTap' post='490881' date='May 17 2009, 09:25 PM']4-5kg isn't that light. I had a Sadowsky once that was around 3,5 kg. Or do you mean 4-5 pounds, or lbs?[/quote] Hmmm, maybe I do. I have to confess that I can't visualise weight very well.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='490961' date='May 17 2009, 10:46 PM']Is that power amp one of the ones off Ebay from the US? Does it run on 240V or is there some adaptation required?[/quote] Yes, its one of these: [url="http://www.teptronics.com/dab3000.html"]http://www.teptronics.com/dab3000.html[/url] But I bought it from www.audiosavings.com through their ebay store.

[quote name='dub_junkie' post='487976' date='May 14 2009, 03:07 PM']nice one! well you got it in the end in a round about way .[/quote] Heehee, yeah I did and I'm very glad I got there in the end because it pretty much has My Sound. [quote name='dub_junkie' post='487976' date='May 14 2009, 03:07 PM']you're right about the sound. definetely the warmest sounding Euro 5 I've owned/played. the green 5 I've still got and others I auditioned at sound control all sound to have a more extreme glassy top end and not so plummy in the lows. THis one is a little softer sounding for want of a better description,and very musical to my ears for it[/quote] I couldn't agree more! The mid range growl is phenomenal, there's loads of bass and the top is really sweet. It's everything my Smith basses weren't and it was a quarter of the cost! I'm a very happy chappy!! OK, update on the rig now. I've put in place the last two components into the MIDI rig now I've sold the Strategy 400. Its separated into two modules. The upper one is the MIDI kit (mixer, AX100 and JV1080) and the bottom is essentially the amp module that I can use on its own if I need to which was waiting for the eq and amp components. In the lower rack, the white unit is a TL Audio 5013 2 channel, 4 band, valve parametric equaliser. This was to give me the versatility that so many bass amps I've had have failed to supply me with. Its also intended to soften the highs a little as well and it does the trick of isolating the frequencies very nicely for £110. The bottom unit is a Technical Pro DA-B3000 class D power amp. One rack space high, 700w a side and $219 plus $60 shipping. I really really like the sound of this power amp. Its very modern sounding, not at all scoopy or coloured and it preserves the mid range growl of the Spector spectacularly well. So what I've ended up with this unit is all the natural warmth and mid range of the Spector plus the potential to tweak the sound for awkward acoustics. I wish so much I had this this rig when I was gigging regularly! I can hear/feel my playing perfectly because the midrange is so well preserved. So this evening with the Spector and the new rack with loads of warmth and midrange with a nice bit of sparkle dialed in on the para eq. I was almost in aural nirvana (although I think the u-retro might give more clarity). Pretty much everything I've been searching for over the last 10 years was there.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='490637' date='May 17 2009, 04:39 PM']Nice thread, Steve - I know the 'small child walking into the fantastic toyshop' feeling you get when you get when you visit your favourite luthier only too well! Is an order being placed soon?[/quote] cheers Rich, its still going to be second hand Celinders for me, for the time being I think. Although who knows what the future might hold? I would have done one on Jon Shukers workshop too but half the forum has probably visited there at some time or another