thepurpleblob

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1318361109' post='1401208'] Still having trouble loading pdfs. Getting that ipb thing still (has been weeks now) [/quote] I'm glad it's not just me. I thought I was going mad for a while.... (well, more mad than usual)

Can you switch to PostgreSQL? I know it's drastic but in extremis the table locking algorithms are about as good as it gets?

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1318354889' post='1401095'] You're talking nonsense mate. And I suppose different string types make no difference either ? Flatwounds and roundwounds sound the same too as they produce the same notes, huh? Different valves from differing manufacturers sound different as they can found bassier or treblier, or can sound cleaner or more distorted depending upon the way they are constructed. [/quote] Well, ok, you'll excuse me for ignoring your string remarks because I simply can't see any parallels at all. Not unless your strings have negative feedback, of course Yes - I am well aware of the mythology surrounding valve replacement and the bizarre effects that are attributed to a simple (and pretty much technically obsolete) amplifier component (e.g. the ability to add bass or treble). However, I don't want to get into some flame argument at all. So, I'll just leave it like this. I spent a lot of years servicing amplifiers - mostly transistor based, admittedly, but I'm far from unfamiliar with valve equipment. All I can say is that - when correctly set up and all else being equal - I have never been able to detect the slightest difference. If you can and that gives you a result that you are happy with then that's great.

This is an interesting (and, I think, unbiased read) if you like this sort of thing... [url="http://sound.westhost.com/valves/myths.html"]http://sound.westhost.com/valves/myths.html[/url]

I'm not sure I follow that argument. What has valve gain got to do with the tone? Gain just means louder or quieter which isn't very interesting. I can't help thinking that if simply swapping the valve to one of different manufacture makes an audible difference it really comes down to poor amplifier design - because it shouldn't. If you used proper transistors then you wouldn't have all this bother Mind you... as long as you are all happy

It's complete nonsense. It's just an electronic component - so if it works leave it alone. Changing it will only make a difference in your imagination. I'm sure I'm going to get shouted at but it's on the same level as gold-plated speakers cables and suchlike. I assume you have the knowledge and equipment to set up the bias when you change the valve? Never criticise a man's religion, wife, politics or valve-amp

Couple of things... pdf file uploads are now broken. The show as '.ipb' files (for example see the Major's lessons in the Theory forum). Downloading and renaming seems to be the workaround so the files have not been corrupted at least. As others have said the speed is disappointing. I'm going to suggest that it looks like a vast increase in Ajax/Web 2.0 (i.e. javascript). Some things like editing an existing post are tortuous. I have found that closing the browser and trying again from scratch can often speed it up but that's not really very good. Apart from looking prettier, I'm struggling to detect any improvement in functionality.... Meant to add: I don't use Windows at all so this is on about five different OSX and Ubuntu machines all with the latest versions of everything and using a mix of Chrome and Firefox.

Hmmm... I had an "interesting" experience with Strings & Things when I purchased a new 'Ray a few years back.... I bought a new white 'Ray (same colour as yours I suppose) from Sound Control in Glasgow for retail. Within a couple of weeks the paint started to chip off - it obviously wasn't primed properly or somesuch. The lightest knock and a bit would flake off right down to the wood. Back to SC and some fairly forceful discussions (you can imagine the "are you sure you didn't drop it on concrete several times" reaction), photos to S&T the lot. Eventually, they agreed to take it back and replace the body. Months pass and it comes back. The body had obviously been swapped by an idiot. All the screws where (literally) only half way in and I had to take it all to bits and do it properly myself. Again, as you say, this is a well-over-a-grand new bass. So, guess what, a few days later the white paint started to chip again. Back to SC who, to their credit, swapped it for a black one on the spot. Which is great and I still have it, so it could have been worse. However, I am very suspicious about the white finish and I'm sceptical that S&T employ anybody who can work a screwdriver.......

Yeh - I've never tried one of those Laklands but they do seem interesting.

A great singer even if she never turns the musical world on its head. I always like a decent female singer.... I even like Girls Aloud (even the ginger one :-D )

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1317847980' post='1395485'] Like a stingray without being one. [url="http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/491626018-Free-shipping-New-guitars-mm-stingray-5-strings-electric-bass-electric-guitar-black-bass-with-red-wholesalers.html"]http://www.aliexpres...holesalers.html[/url] Bongo [url="http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/465447435-Free-shipping-electric-guitar-Bongo-Bass-Custom-manufacture-5-string-guitars-wholesalers.html"]http://www.aliexpres...holesalers.html[/url] [/quote] What a great site. I especially enjoyed the made up feedback!!!

[quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1317846361' post='1395448'] I had this dilemma years ago. I was after a used Stingray 5 but couldn't find one. I bought a Warwick FNA Jazzman because it had a big MM-style pickup. Nothing like. IMO, nothing else sounds like a Stingray. [/quote] Yes - the underlying answer may be, does anybody want to swap a Stingray-5 for a Bongo-5

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1317845872' post='1395435'] warwickhunt's sterling? [/quote] explain?

Oooh... that MTD is nice. I haven't seen one of those before. It's expensive, isn't it? What's the string spacing on those Fender 5s? I've seen them about but never played one.

I would definitely replace it. IIRC it's soldered into the pre-amp board. Just undo all the screws on the control plate and you're in.

Something like that.... I seem to be playing more stuff again that could use the range of a 5 string but I don't really like playing 5s. I *can* do it but I don't get on with the narrower string spacing too well. I like all the MusicMan stuff - I particularly like the Bongo at the moment. What will give me similar tones, in a five string with 4 string-esque spacing? Any offers? I had an Overwater for a while which had a lovely neck but (for me) sounded pants... way too high-fi (also looked a bit twee... the only colour is black really!!). I do own a Stingray-5 and it's OK but, again, the spacing is a touch tight and the G-string is insanely close to the edge of the board.

Just an update then..... no gigs since then (been training up a new guitarist) but plenty of rehearsals with no problems at all. Reviewing my technique slightly so not to play so hard. I have plenty of headroom left on my rig as it happens. It's all that Bongo's fault

I think as you get older the concept of fame and/or 'making it' if you will becomes less and less attractive. I've made reasonably good money out of playing music (strangely, despite being rubbish) at one time or another but it was bloody hard work, generally at unsociable hours. I'm 47 now and would rather get a good nights sleep and go out walking with the dog on my days off. Playing is still fun but that's the only reason I do it.

Seen it before... low-self-esteem partner assumes that the only reason you would be in a band is to 'pull' therefore you can't be in a band. It's somewhere between tricky and impossible to deal with, unfortunately. If you really want to cause trouble recruit (in a highly sexist way) recruit a good looking, female band member and see how much trouble that causes I'm lucky, my wife loves me being in a band as it gives her an excuse to go out and get steaming drunk. This is Scotland though !!!

Thanks guys.... I think I just had "Muse fear". It's cool Higgie... what is an '.ipb' file? I can't open that.

Unless I'm very much mistaken it's drop-D surely? After a couple more listens, it all just two-octave-octaves (if you see what I mean). Well, so far

On the scrounge yet again... I get the basic idea (drop D, octaves) but I'm really struggling to figure out the fiddly bits as it where. If anybody has it written down it would save me some effort (by which I mean playing it wrong!!) Cheers

I play in the loudest covers band ever but I still agree with all of the above. You are being paid to do a job and have to act accordingly (not just in respect of volume). We are quite upfront about being a bit louder than they might be use to and we try not to do gigs where this might turn into a big problem. Our choice/loss I suppose.

Yeh - I'm putting it down to a particularly mad night (at the moment). I intend to turn the amp up a bit and pluck a little less enthusiastically in the future. If it happens again, professional advice will be sought.

Yes indeed.... just wondered if anybody had seen the same thing. It was completely out of the blue. No pain, no nothing.