Dood

If social media platforms weren’t necessary for my work, or I didn’t need them to stay in contact with friends, family and work contacts, I’d probably have ditched the worst offenders, if not all by now. I appreciate they need to make their money through advertising, but I’d love the option to choose to see only what I follow or subscribe to. Everything else is an endless cesspit of where good content goes to drown. Fake news and propaganda, endless spam videos, stolen content recycled, AI posts that haven’t been checked and click bait that makes my brain itch. But, you only get to see that once you have sifted through vacuous wannabes, the look-at-me and the desperate for validation.

Hey mate, In the meantime, I’ve had it confirmed that with accessory cables, Runsten can power the Neural DSP Quad Cortex, for those who need high current outputs.

Hey all. I have to admit, I was really looking forward to this show. It has been too long in my own calendar since I’ve had an opportunity to catch up with our fellow ‘chatters and my wider group of bass playing and industry friends. There’s a number of brands that I’d also really like to talk to, kinda important for my job (and passion in general) too. Sadly due to an ongoing health issue that has reared its ugly head in spectacular style this week, I am very ill. I’m just too weak to be able to attend. This week was made bad enough having to endure missing our dear friend Nick Smith’s funeral on Tuesday 💔(though it warmed my heart to know that Peterborough Cathedral was so full, people had to stand up.) So, this much needed trip out, even for my own mental health, I’ll have to miss. Please, as usual, lots of pics and videos, wish I were there to hang out with our BC fam’.

Here's my full written review and video deep dive of the Laney Digbeth bass stack! https://www.bassgearmag.com/laney-amplification-digbeth-db500h-bass-head-and-dbv410-and-dbv212-bass-cabs/

I have a micro mixer made by Max of SFXSound ( @Silent Fly ) that blends signals, but I’ve not seen Max around these parts for a while. Absolutely brilliant little box that even has an LED to light up your board on dark stages too!

Sorry I’m late to the party, I’d have asked if the EBS Runsten is suitable, I’ve one sat here I’m about to review and it promises much. I think it might even power the Quad Cortex using doubler cables and the like.

A basic prompt that I have used has been over 800 "words" even before I have asked a question or fed it any details to work from.

I’ve one boxed up in my studio right now along with the 2x12. I’ve submitted my video review ready for release. I’ve had plenty of Laney gear over the years and none of it let me down; the fit and finish of the Digbeth kit suggests more of the same. I think the vertical arrangement is so much better as a 1 cab solution than DBV’s two by two version available, but I agree that the latter would look better stacked. In use, the DBV gear has lots going on throughout the mids, but you can still dial in punchy lows - and they don’t get ‘flubby’ with bass control boosted a tad. I had a nice surprise when I mixed my recorded audio, the blended DI and Mic’d tone solo’d with my old P bass was absolutely delicious. Both cabinets take drive well again, especially in the mids where we want it. We’re talking chunky cabinets and ceramic speakers for those who want to get back to those vintage vibes, and with that comes a reminder that they aren’t helium filled. But, along with the really nice overall stylings comes good quality handles, rear mounted wheels, a kick plate, skids and a top mounted handle to make manoeuvrability a nicer experience.

https://walbasses.co.uk/gallery/4-string-2/800-img_20180503_145902/ As an example, not necessarily this shape, but not terrible.

Ok, so the idea won’t go away, I just like the added height a scratchplate offers under the strings for slap and the like on my other basses, but obviously a standard P plate won’t fit or even suit this sculpted body shape or work around the existing controls. I’m not great a drawing, and I’m trying to figure out how to design a suitable guard / slap plate for my power jazz bass specials. The plates will either be black or clear and full pickguard thickness. Any ideas on how I might accomplish this? I think something akin to a jazz plate might suit better, or a “slap plate” that doesn’t look daft. I might venture adding a ramp too.

Yes! I was just reading about it as I checked my details!

https://www.andertons.co.uk/plek-machine Anderton's do make a good point about PLEK machines not being able to perform miracles if the instrument isn't great to begin with along with lots of other useful information. It's not going to remove a ski slope from a vintage bolt-on or a banana neck with a shot truss rod.

There are three "guitar shop" PLEK machines based in the UK. Charlie Chandler, Andertons and Peach Guitars have one. I don't know specifically about Andertons, but Charlie is already a well known Luthier and Peach Guitars have in-house techs. There seems to be an assumption that, like D Class amplifers, there's something up with machines assisting "analogue duties"? Peach have a very long video on YT about the processes that also includes manual labour pre and post PLEK set up, which is a useful watch - as the process isn't just a number crunching machine spitting out guitars willy-nilly. The techs ascertain what the end goal is as well as (just) a well playing instrument. I've no affiliation with any of the shops mentioned.

I forgot to mention that I'm reallly pelased to see the D'Addario string tension calculator is back online again as @franzbassist mentions above.

The @D'Addario UK 120-50 are also brilliant for those who like to play in Drop D, but will give a similar feel to a standard set in Drop D, when the 120's are tuned down to Drop C#. If you're lucky, and have a bass with a generally 'tight' feel, these will even do Drop C as well! Love 'em!

No gig, I had a cheap meal for one from Lidl and my cat walked sh*t through the house. So all in all, an upgrade on the last few valentines days.

I know that folk had complained about the original power supply, but I didn't know that Neural had upgraded it, that's brilliant actually. Good on ya Neural! I've been building a few new presets recently that, when done, I'll put up on the Cortex app.

It was so good, it was worth telling twice! 😊

The Gulf Of America describes the space between the giant Wotsit's ears.

The Fender Stage 800 combo, like the Boss Katana is laden with effects.

Wait, mine's a wall wart! Are you all saying you have a different power supply than I? I mean, my QC is an early one from the first batch of consumer models. (It might even be a pre-release model!)

{EDIT: See my reply to WinterMute} I agree, its one of the things I miss about Helix LT - straight in with an IEC, no messing about with extra boxes and nonsense. The included QC power supply I have to admit, doesn't fill me with confidence when I see how other poepole treat their gear. The wire alone appears thin, so, I leave it carefully coiled up and bring the mains to the QC rather than have the QC power wire loose. That said, the QC has done a lot of gigs now and the PSU hasn't failed.. so, maybe it's not so bad after all lol.. I wonder if Neural assumed that users would just opt to get the QC on a pedal board asap and use pedal power instead, the wall wart being a compromise?

I bought the MyVolts pile for not much over £20 new and, I knew it was only going to be used on my desk, so from a personal use point of view, it didn't warrant the extra for something stage-worthy. It's still a better build than the enclosed power supply.