la bam

Hi all, Ive been playing around recently trying to get a few stock sounds ready for a new band. I have an ashdown evo ii with the valve pre amp - and at first try the valve pre amp doesnt really do anything (it never did in my other band, so i just left it barely on). However, ive been tweaking the high mids and using the zoom b3 ampeg svt sim and it is now seemingly coming to live adding a nice richness to the sound. Just out of interest does anyone have any tips/settings etc for getting the most out of these type of valve pre amps? Baring in mind the amplifier sections are solid state / class d in some others?

Can't wait for this! Although I've ordered from thomann before without issue, a UK supplier will be much more reassuring for customer service for a delicate item like posting a bass.

I'm not sure about the new B3 but on the old B3 you can turn each PEDAL on or off on the fly. Just hold down the patch button and it'll show you what pedals make that patch and which are on by means of a red led. Just click the button under each to turn on or off as you go. [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1496678387' post='3313161'] What caught my attention is the ability to load: [color=#000000][font=proxima-nova, sans-serif][size=4]"six simultaneous pedal effects"[/size][/font][/color] With my Zoom B3n I can have just one "patch" (which can be a combination of several different effects) on at any given time. I can't switch effects on and off within a patch but only swap to a completely different patch. So, for example, if I wanted delay and then later to add in low octave, I would need to have two patches one for "delay" by itself and then a separate patch for "delay+octave". So the Zoom is, in effect, a series of single pedals only one of which can be played at any one time. Does anyone know if the Boss is the same as the Zoom in this regard, or is it providing the ability to have six different pedals coming in and out of the mix? Akin to having six dedicated single pedals any one of which can be switched on or off, as required? If so that would be a very significant enhancement in my books. [/quote]

Ask if you need PLI and PAT certs if at a large venue/hotel etc.

I'm interested in these, but I've noticed one of the cabs (I think the 28) is 400w rms handling. Given that the elf is going to put in about 130w rms, am i being suspicious thinking that theres a more powerful amp being planned to match the cabs?

Nooooooooo!! Itd be my idea of hell! I like to know when we go out we are at our very best - then if it goes wrong on the night, at least we did all we could. I actually like practicing and getting tight and bringing in dynamics etc and getting the confidence we are good and know our stuff. I have total respect for anyone who can turn up unrehearsed and gig! I see it a lot in function bands etc - but i couldnt do it - id be a nervous wreck!

I like the look of that! Only 3kg for a 500w amp, tuner, modeller, fx and 2 channels! Not too sure how good the amp modeller is for bass - but the guitar one sounds awesome! Bit too high a price bracket for me at the moment, but if its that good it could be a great purchase.

I once started the complete wrong song! Looked at the set list and it started with "C" so waited for the intro to finish the band kicked in and I started playing "chasing rainbows" ..... rest of the band were playing "cigarettes and alcohol". Took me a full verse to work out what was wrong!

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1496128902' post='3308890'] It's not just about the 1, it's also about the word that the 1 hits, which isn't necessarily the start of the line. The vocal line often has a couple of words before the 1 - "well you WALKED into the party/like you were STEPping onto a a yacht" for example. Mrs Zero used to complain that most of my songs featured that, then I pointed out that half the covers we did also did that. [/quote] The above is spot on. Sometimes people try and start the entire line on one. I'd say go through this with him. He may be struggling to fit the words before one comes in? Be patient, explain, then make him put the work in.

If he's coming in early he could just be panicking. Take the lyrics away and practice, practice, practice. It'll soon sink in once he's relaxed. If he's 'thinking' about when to come in, rather than feeling it he'll not get it right (too much going on in his head). Think of it like playing 16th notes, you dont count to 16, but the feel tells you where it is. When you first try that it's very difficult, then when you've played it again again and again, it becomes second nature and you relax, playing it spot on.

I used to think rhcp were just ok. Flea, just ok. Then, once I'd learned to play his basslines, I found them fantastic! Under the bridge is a fantastic bassline. 3 main parts - all brilliant when played live with a bit of passion. If you're not feeling it though it can easily sound drab and loose.

When I did our sound for our last band I had the subs and tops facing outwards towards the crowd then another pair of speakers (srm450s) used as our monitors sat on top of the subs and facing us. Angling the left one 45 degrees to the right and right 45 degrees to the left. Worked a treat. Just needed bracing or strapping to keep 100% secure. Everything was so much more audible, we had more floor space and less cables flapping about across the stage, and no feedback as they dont need driving as hard.

All sorted! B&Q had a sale on - managed to get 8 wheels for £6 ! (4 for each cab). Fitted them last night, very easy to do. I used one of the screw positions in the corner bracket as a start for each which made them nice and symeytrical and balanced. And ..... flippin eck! It's miles easier to move about! Why I didn't do this ages ago I'll never know.

No worries. It sounds needlessly complicated! Why don't they make everything at 12 o'clock neutral and the cut to the left and boost to the right? Anyway, good luck sorting it out!

Would the advice given previously for the lh500 amp help? [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1495231147' post='3302412'] From an old BC thread on the 3 band EQ of the LH series amps: [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]"Remember that the LH-1000 has a "tone stack" EQ and the flat reference setting is bass 3, mids 10, treble 0. Setting all the controls at noon will give you a scooped midrange sound. Read the manual and you will get the idea. There are only three knobs so set them where they sound good for you and your bass!"[/font][/color] [/quote]

ahhh, so it is - well spotted. valve pre amp, presumably ss amp.

Id have loved one of these years ago, but the prices used to be well out of my reach, so i went for a trace commando 12 instead!! Ive no link with the below, but £550 for a v8 head and a 8x10 cab would be a real temptation if i lived closer!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-V-Type-Bass-Amp-/332227530113?hash=item4d5a4dcd81:g:o-gAAOSwIaFZHusk

Perfect! Cheers. Daft question do you just drill the screws into the bottom of the cab?

Hi all, Just suffered a prolapsed disc in my back, which isn't pleasant, so I'm having to reassess my rig which is currently: 1) ashdown abm evoii 115 combo. 2) ashdown abm 2x10 ext cab. I don't want to get into taking rock n roller trucks to gigs etc, so before I begrudgingly have to look for a lightweight option, is there any simple way I can fit castors or wheels to my combo without any loss of performance? I love the amp, but would be a real help if it had built in wheels. I don't want to get into separate dolly boards etc as all that happens is they get forgotten/left behind in the van etc and arent all that sturdy with the amp on. Any help or ideas appreciated.

Cheers, I'll have a look at that.

The Alto TS115a are great value - good sound and light...BUT the drivers are notorious for breaking. I had 1 go on me whilst djing and its not a nice sound! The do go loud, but they clip very easily (around 11 oclock) - look for the red light. Obviously if you use these (or the 12s) with subs then they will be less stressed. The TS112a is good, the bass is tighter, but not as deep sounding. I ended up with a pair of DXR12s. Brilliant speaker, ultra reliable, 3 channel mixer on the back and 7 year warranty! (double the price of the Altos though). The wooden DSRs are richer sounding, but more expensive again. Id be tempted to go second hand for around if youre looking the £300-400 mark.

[quote name='Marty Forrer' timestamp='1495151072' post='3301740'] Most cabs from your local music shop are not quality. They are built with cheap drivers and built to market requirements. [/quote] I can't agree with that. Most of the world best players and biggest bands use amps and cabs easily obtainable from your local store. The likes of Ampeg, Ashdown, orange etc. If they're good enough for superstars and huge bands, then they're good enough for me! I very rarely see any boutique amps or cabs being used. (as good as I'm sure they are).

Some real bargains there!

I really like the idea of a vertical 4x10. Make them 8ohm and you've got potential for monster 8x10 rigs. The main issue I always had with standard 4x10s was the lift and the elbows out trying to fit through doorways. Was always a nightmare! With a vertical 4x10 they could fit x2 wheels on the back near the bottom, and you could wheel in like a suitcase easily through doorways. May also help people who complain they struggle to hear themselves on stage as the speakers would be higher up?

To avoid the issue you could ask for x2 8 ohm cabs. Asking for a 900w 4ohm cab makes it more difficult to source. Also, you could put a demand for foldback monitor specifically for bass on your rider. Then you're covered no matter what.