Dood

It's one of those Bass pieces that i used to hear everytime I went in to a guitar shop, along with REALLY bad renditions of Mr Big's 'Addicted To That Rush' and slap bass which sounded like someone building a shed with a drum kit. I can appreciate any piece even if it is for show boating, if it is done well. But will certainly grate on me if I hear it too often done badly! (Maybe that's why I hate all my own bass lines ha ha ha ha ha ha)

[quote name='Phaedrus' post='796900' date='Apr 5 2010, 08:18 PM']So which do you select - instrument or line? Thanks, Mark[/quote] My active cab is a bit different to a normal system - I can either switch to 'instrument' and turn up the gain control on the cabinet's amplifier OR switch to 'line' level and turn the gain down on my amplifier to gt the same amount of volume. I'm running an XLR from the pedal to the cab, so no real noise issues there - however, preference would have me running at line level as I prefer a much stronger signal being sent down the cable. It improves the Signal to Noise Ratio too. What power amp are you using Mark?

[quote name='Phaedrus' post='796938' date='Apr 5 2010, 09:01 PM']The two 1/4" outputs on the VXL are: "[b]LINE OUTPUT[/b] - 1/4 inch jack carrying the line-level output signal, either affected or un-affected, depending on the Pre/Post switch." ...and... "[b]PARALLEL OUTPUT[/b] - Standard 1/4 inch output jack for sending the original signal to the on-stage amplifier" Are they both the same signal level? Will either be ok to go straight into a power amp? Thanks, Mark[/quote] Looking at the decription above 'Line Level' is a description usually used to describe a signal strong enough to drive power amplifiers and also rack effects (that don't specifically have an instrument level input). Thus it would be my choice to use that over the other output. HOWEVER - there is an element of 'suck it and see' - because your power amp's input sensitivity may such that an instrument level signal could drive it to full output. Any of the pedals mentioned *could* boost your signal if you are not getting enough out put - though the two pedals may be designed such that they could prefer to be ran at instrument level as a booster for solos etc. I've not used either myself and haven't checked over the spec.

I've recently found that the Sansamp Para driver and MXR M80 in tandem are just fantastic. I've been messing about with them a lot recently - and have found that when I turn them off and have no EQ, no nothing, it all sounds a bit flat. So on they go again!

Ah yes!!! I used to use the BS66 strings way back when they came in the pink packet with Billy on the front mid 'hair spray hell' with that sweet BB3000 Yamaha in hand. The heavier E string was great for drop tuning too. I think if I played 4 strings, I'd still go for those gauges. Infact, on my 6er I prefer a lighter C and heavier B string - sooo.. kinda the same!

[quote name='Phaedrus' post='794769' date='Apr 3 2010, 12:26 AM']Old thread, I know, but rather than starting up another similar thread . . . Can I connect my Hartke VXL Bass Attack directly into a power amp? Perhaps it might be useful if someone who knows about this stuff could post the factors that determine whether any DI can be connected directly into a power amp? Thanks, Mark[/quote] Certainly my Para Driver has an instrument/line level swictch on it to add the necessary gain to drive my power amp - I'm not sure if the VXL has such an selector?

I really liked the sound of the EVP-X15PM and it seemed to have a lot of 'body' in a small box, with clarity [url="http://www.prosound-dj.com/wharfedale-evpx15pm-active-wedge-monitor-p-1771.html"]http://www.prosound-dj.com/wharfedale-evpx...tor-p-1771.html[/url].

[quote name='Pkomor' post='795106' date='Apr 3 2010, 03:38 PM']ooo great! I use a stingray 3Eq too, and my F1 and GS112 are on order! Snap![/quote] Sounds fantastic with the GS112 I can tell ya! Infact - NiceGuyHomer was the first person to introduce me to a certain thunder from a pair of GS112's under an MB LM2.. Just a brilliantly massive sound!

Yup, stupidly sold my F1 too - what an idiot! A fantastic amp - a definite favourite.

[addicted] I've said it before and I will say it again - it's the only place I can go where the vast majority understand the one thing I talk about ...all the time... AND don't tell me to shut up!

[quote name='colinmk' post='793884' date='Apr 1 2010, 11:40 PM']These are valves from watford Ecc83 str harma and 5814a philips. I'll try reseating tomorrow. It is fairly noisy when turned up but I have a Rivoli with 60's humbucker and assumed this was quite noisy anyway. I'll clean the connections too.[/quote] Hmmm! Sounds strange! That's the same configuration I put in my old SVP - as recommended my Derek @ Watford valves. Preamp valves don't wear anywhere as quickly as power amp valves - so unless they are very old?? Hopefully it's not a problem elsewhere.. there are sections of the schematic, that, should a component on the bass side of things go open circuit, could cause a lack of bass - but it has been far too long since I calculated filters to give you a rough guesstimate of the effects of different faults in the design. Hmmmmmm..... Tell you what you could try - first plug your bass in to the input and connect your power amp to the effects send. Note the tone and volume etc (preferably with all the tone controls at 12 o'clock) - then plug your bass in to the effects return and power amp in to the output. There will defintely be a volume difference - but see if you get a massive difference in bottom end one way or the other. The first way round will IIRC give you 4 valves and all the tone controls, the other way round is half of the fifth valve on it's own (connected to the master volume) - which in my opinion is a noisey hissy part of the SVP design. My preference was always to run the send in to my effects - then the effects output would go straight to my power amp. My 'master volume' was then the line driver on the effects unit instead. It cut down extraneous noise a great deal. Mebbe try that too and see how you get on? Sorry if this doesn't read to well - once again, I should be sleeping, not feeding my bass chatting addiction!

[quote name='Phaedrus' post='793813' date='Apr 1 2010, 10:36 PM']Hey Dood, I'm planning on getting a MultiComp - I'd really value your opinion on it when you've had a play with it. Mark[/quote] Hey Mark! Well that's easy! - I had Multicomp v.1 that I sold to buy rack gear - and the TC C300 had the edge on it for sure - just because it was so much more flexible (and three band as opposed to two). I have Multicomp v.2 now and have to say, the reason why I ended up getting both the Nova Dynamics and the Multicomp, is that I didn't think anything was going to topple the EBS off the top of 'my favourite compressor pedal' hall of fame. It's great - highly recommended. There's defintely a few other pedals that you could look in to as well, such as the Demeter Compulator - or the Carl Martin compressor. oh AND the TC Dynamics. I've been playing with that one this eve - and after a bit of configuring, it's really opening up a fuller balanced sound on my now-minimalist set up. Under dog cheap compressor thumbs up? BBE's 'opto stomp' (I think it is called) great little box! Sorry, I digress a bit.. the multicomp. Yeah, it's really nice! it, to my ears has an 'open' sound. Uncluttered with plenty of headroom when you turn the compression all the way down. It *can* do very squishy - especially if you have an active bass. I found that setting the switch on the side to 'passive' with my EMG laden Shukers..well..lol! it was like listening to heavy metal on radio1 !! squished!!!!!! The EBS is a nice transparent compressor, but - again, to my ears - it won't fatten up a bass tone in the same way as some opto compressors.. Hmm.. thinking about it - it's probably because it is dual band and traeting treble and bass ends seperately, where as a normal 'full band' compressor has a side effect of sometimes losing top end - thus giving the effect of more bottom and mids.. or.. fatness. If you want me to try some specifics, I'd be happy to do so - I have a passive P and J here, as well as my Shukers. Ermmm - thats about it at the moment - just DONT ask for a picture of my 'makeshift' pedal board. It really does work - but... I think I might lose all credibility if it gets seen in public!!!!

[quote name='dood' post='785011' date='Mar 24 2010, 08:08 PM']Wow! I am really happy to see TC embracing the Bass market at last! There's some great products released. I REALLY hope that they maintain those high build standards.. I won't cringe to see them using cheap hardware and substandard electronics. I think it might put me off them - much like I have with a good few other companies who are having to make cut backs - but in the wrong areas of business I think! I know these have been out for a while - But I'm tempted to try one on bass! [url="http://www.tcelectronic.com/novadynamics.asp"]http://www.tcelectronic.com/novadynamics.asp[/url] [/quote] Just grabbed one of these cheap off EBAY!!!! I treated myself to one of these and the new EBS 'True Bypass' Multicomp I gotta say, the TC is AWESOME!!! - Expect a review soon with both pedals! - Thanks to Mark at Bass Direct for sorting me out with the Multicomp

[quote name='colinmk' post='793423' date='Apr 1 2010, 03:52 PM']Having a strnage problem with my svp pro pre or possibly power amp. Seem to be lacking bottom end? I play high up on my bass a lot of the time but the songs I play low down seem to have much less level in comparison. another guy who borrowed my head at the weekend said he found the low end to be kind of muffled and lacking and had to turn the bass control right up and even the graphic EQ lows right up. Something is up surely, can this be due to a faulty valve or something? It still sounds great to my ears on the higher up notes. I have a crest ca9 power amp.[/quote] Yes, this could be a problem with one or more valves messing about. Do you notice any additional noise or 'plinking' noises through your speakers when the power amp is turned up? First thing to try is to reseat the valves. Turn off the power for a good half an hour, then pop out each valve in turn and push back in to it's socket after a clean. Be GENTLE but firm! - Next step if it doesnt help - will be to look at replacing the valves I think. Any idea how old they are? Or - better still - can you pop the lid and tell us what they are? If they turn out to be naff valves (not assuming anything) - then yes, an upgrade will be like night vs day!

[quote name='Tee' post='793578' date='Apr 1 2010, 06:32 PM']I wonder if i'd notice a difference if i changed the valve (a single 12au7) in my Ampeg B200R. No doubt the stock 12au7 is nothing special, but if i put something nice in there, would i notice a slight change in tone?[/quote] If the stock valves are anything to go by, then yes - I think you would notice a subtle difference - but then - you may have a big difference depending on your choice of valve. I think a Mullard (if you can find one) would sound great - or any of the Telefunken clones, such as the JJ's mentioned above would be a good choice. Ruby valves get good reviews (I think) - and also GT (Groove Tubes) At the end of the day - it's probably gonna cost you little to find out - and is a good opportunity to get the vacuum cleaner out and have a hoover round too!

;o)