ped

The filter takes care of bad language, but unfortunately I can't filter everything. IMHO the real beauty of a valve sound comes from the power amp. I haven't played a valve loaded hybrid amplifier that felt or sounded much like a valve amp, for better or worse. It is also true that not all valve amps sound alike any more than solid state or hybrid designs. The Trace V4 I had sounded beautifully creamy and clean, not a hint of breakup or distortion anywhere, which was great. Sometimes people assume valve amps = distortion and a shortcut to the 'valve sound' is a hairy distortion pedal, valve or otherwise, into a solid state poweramp... but I think this misses the most critical part of the recipe out. Again all in my experience etc. I have never been happier with [i]my[/i] sound and it is all digital now - so whatever works! ped

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='319852' date='Nov 1 2008, 09:54 PM']Some of it is about 'antiqueness'. Fenders in particular are so iconic that they command huge prices just as vintage cars, motorcycles etc etc do. Some of it is about 'mojo'. Real or imagined, playing an old bass that has been around the block a bit appeals to some ( me included ). And usually a good instrument is only still around because it is a good instrument, otherwise it would have ended up on tip years ago. You could also argue that much of the modern technology hasn't necessarily moved things forward all that much. It's interesting that despite all the advances in electrickery and manufacturing complexity, the humble p-bass whether bought new or second-hand is still a much-loved and much played bass - more so than any other bass I'd have thought. My take on it is that the 'new' doesn't alway replace the 'old' like you'd expect, they often end up running along side each other ( for instance, vinyl never died with the advent of CD ). It's a good question, and each to his own obviously, but I personally can't imagine myself buying a new bass - I wouldn't spend thousands on a relic, but I do prefer stuff thats 'played in'. Pluck[/quote] Good stuff, well said. ped P.s should edit to say that personally I think a bass can feel 'right' weather it is new or old, cheap or expensive - the only way is to try them. Prices for vintage basses are occasionally silly and take advantage.

Yeah. I am in two minds about the fact it is desktop based - I usually have my Vbass on the floor live but rarely touch it during songs, to the extent that I got a heavy duty music stand for it to enable it to be lifted up and at eye level for seated playing at home or the studio. In that mode I could easily get away with the FS-6 two button footswitch to assign to two things of my choosing as I can still patch switch and have an assignable pot on the bass, too. Cheers ped

Yep - not a bad price. The editor and driver are available for download already but still waiting for the manual. Cheers ped

Ignore Bass Ferret. At this rate he won't be here much longer (Just upped your warning level again Ferret) Cheers ped

Well my bass smells of cheese, onions and garlic so it masks your stench nicely

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='319034' date='Oct 31 2008, 01:26 PM']I like to have a shower just before I leave, and on the way there I take some antiseptic wipes and have a quick rub down before I get to the gig and then I pop in to the shower. Then I like to have another quick shower before I unload the car followed by another quick shower and then a quick shower before I have a quick shower and then I set up. Then, just before soundcheck, I'll have a quick shower and make sure I'm nice and clean before I have a quick shower and then after soundcheck I have a quick shower before relaxing in a nice hot bath. Then its another quick shower followed by a quick scrub down with dettol and another quick shower before I have a quick shower to put me in the right mood for a quick shower. After I've changed and dressed, I have another quick shower and then check whether the hot food is ready before having a quick shower and a change of clothes. Then its another quick shower and I pop back to the Gents for a quick wash before popping back in the shower for a scrub with dettol and a wire brush. Then, just before we're about to go on, I have a quick shower and a change of clothes. Call me superstitious if you like, but if I don't go through me little ritual then I'm useless during the first set...[/quote] All that and you still stink!

Painful and tuneless. I can't help thinking that if he wasn't playing a Fodera he wouldn't be so into it himself...

Well until you go to hospital with a prolapsed disk at least!

The idea that valve amps are maintenance heavy is a misnomer. There is far less to go wrong and if looked after (and usually if not looked after) they will be reliable and solid for years and years. The main consideration is the weight and you say you don't mind - I say go for it. Every bassist needs to have owned a valve amp for a little while! ped

Not just an admin matey, I OWN this place! Markbass are a good place to start - their amplifiers are TINY and very light (some about the size and weight of a book!) Thanks to a switching power supply. [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Mark_Bass_Amplifier_Range.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...fier_Range.html[/url] gives you some info and general prices. Genz have also started to make some lightweight gear using similar technology. [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Genz_Benz_Heads.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...Benz_Heads.html[/url] I have tried the 'Shuttle' head and it sounded more natual than the Markbass to my ears. Unfortunately there isn't really anywhere in Oxford to try these out - you might be best off going to Bass Direct (Leamington Spa) or coming to Bass Day 08' where Bass Direct have a stand (presided over my myself, partly) where there will be some gear to try... another option would be a trip to the Bass Gallery in London [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/[/url] A 4x10 and head may actually be easier to move about for you - the amplifier you have at the moment has an inadequate handle on the top, making it an awkward lift. A 410 will have two decent side handles so you and a band mate can carry it together, or even by yourself if you are solid. Cheers! ped P.s I am not really the best person to ask about lightweight gear - my history is made up of large heavy great beasts which were completely impractical!

Hi Matt :0)

Finished the book - an interesting read. Sending you a PM now Bassassin. Cheers ped

I would love to visit one day. It must be fascinating. Lazarus looks just amazing. That shape is incredible.

I am really fussy about my action. I like it as low as possible because I am a complete wuss. I used to hate the winter because my basses would shift (when the action is so low, a few mm is really noticeable) and as a result I sold a few on, most notable of all was a lovely Pedulla MVP which seemed to shift every day. Since changing to graphite I have not touched the action at all (well actually I don't ave a truss rod anyway!) but it is fortunately totally solid despite being shifted from cold rooms to car boots to warm rooms and various seasons. Not all graphite necks are the same though, so it is not the be all and end all. I think a higher action does give the sound you describe - more dynamics possibly because the strings movement is not restricted by proximity to frets and perhaps the distance from the pickups has a part to play. I play REALLY lightly (wuss) so think the dynamics are definitely there with a super low action, but I like the consistency when digging in or slapping. I always find with a higher action the sound I produce is less even and 'slower', but that is my fault for being a wuss. The advantages high action gives are dependant on the player - some perceive less fret noise, a more rounded sound. I think you should keep at it for a while so you get used to it and then switch back to your previous setup and compare. You could try recording them both and do a blindfold test - you might find they actually sound identical, at which point it boils down to which you prefer the feel of... Cheers ped

I watched Saw II - thought it was pretty good. Is Saw III on TV soon too? Looks like a good show, thanks for the pics and reportage everyone... ped

I think the unit will be around $1500, but I think that is pretty reasonable given what it does. The new one can be rack mounted and a floor controller can be purchased separately (either Roland's own or any other MIDI foorswitch) but I think I would prefer an all in one unit like the original to be honest. Like some of the guys on TB, we have got so used to the original and invested so much time in them that changing it now doesn't seem like a very good idea, but nice to see Roland are still thinking about us! Cheers ped

I have a zero fret on my bass and have had a couple of others in the past. The idea seems to be more popular among European luthers. The basses with the zero fret have all been very consistent note to note and open to fretted, but I think it is mainly just a way of doing things. Like G says, I wouldn't lose sleep but personally given my experience I would have one given the choice. Cheers ped

[url="http://www.roland.com/products/en/VB-99/features.html"]http://www.roland.com/products/en/VB-99/features.html[/url] Exciting news!! I have fallen completely in love with the original Vbass system by Roland, and they have finally brought out a new edition with some extra features. If anyone hears anything on the grapevine about its release in the UK I would be interested to hear. Whilst I won't be looking at an immediate 'upgrade' I probably will at some point, mainly for the USB interface function. I need to read up and see what else it offers over the original, but thought I would throw out the infor to any other Vbassers out there(?) Cheers Tayste for the heads up!!! I thought it was a hoax at first!! Cheers ped NEW: The old discontinued one:

Could have been, but different strokes for different folks and so on! I think they could have made the amp LOOK nicer, though.

That's interesting - I think they are brilliant!! Not THAT portable though, pretty heavy, otherwise I would have one with the powered 15 extension! I found the amp to be incredibly loud, responsive, full sounding and uncoloured.

Christ on a bike Ferret, what crawled up your arse and died this evening? Beerdragon - We had an interview with Taka on Bassworld, I will see if I can find a copy somewhere! Cheers ped

[quote name='agoulding' post='309730' date='Oct 19 2008, 11:32 AM'] essentially what ive got, i dont have my own pictures. my stuff is at the practise space. i occasionally use my Hartke 2.5XL with an additional pre-amp (if theres one lying around - usually ashdown) for extra ampage. i dont use many effects, i mainly use an EHX q-tron and various distortions. although im not a big overdrive or distortion fan. Ive been wanting an octave pedal for a while. I just can't settle on one desicion . Got any good choices i could look at?[/quote] I bet that sounds fierce. Cool setup, I wish I had the ability to move something like this around. As per octave pedals - there are lots of FX people in the other forum who will be able to help and give you an almost frightening level of insight but I for one used to enjoy the Digitech Bass Synth Wah pedal for octave effects - one 'mode' is a wah octave, but it is widely regarded as a superbly tracking octaver with the wah section disengaged. Plus you get the extra sounds too! Cheers ped

Oooof. Tasty.

Sorry to hear that :0( Still, better to have loved and lost... You might be able to find a similar one at some point, I had a real hankering for one myself a while back and unearthed a few. Cheers ped