rmorris

[quote name='FatDrunkStupid' timestamp='1460217560' post='3023760'] I recently purchased a (new) G&L M2000. Great sounding bass but the action's very high from the factory. After the usual checking and measuring I attempted to tighten the truss road slightly - it seemed extremely stiff (maybe maxxed out already?). After applying more pressure than felt appropriate (but I carried on anyway...) the allan key seemed to turn. I should've stopped there and then but nope, the key suddenly turned and now I have a truss rod nut with a rounded head. Bugger. Totally my own fault and I feel like a fool. Question is, what now? How badly screwed(!) am I? How common is it for truss rods to be fully tightened from the factory - seems like a QA failure. [/quote] You mention that it was purchased new. So did you buy it online or bricks and mortar shop or whatever ? It seems to me that the retailer has primary responsibility for it and should take remedial action (no pun intended :-) Hope it works out well.

Fair Enough...Enjoy...

Sounds good. And I reckon it's something of a bargain @ £40 Enjoy the Fado...

So you just need to verify that the XLR from the desk has phantom power. It seems that there isn't an option to power from battery or AC / DC Adaptor.

Assuming it's working correctly it will be a good high quality DI and also be well constructed to real 'pro audio' standard. Note that it does need phantom power from the mixer to operate.

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1459878949' post='3020557'] eh? I don't get it. we don't have to use the same tuner to be in tune, we just have to tune to the same tuning system. [/quote] I assume it's about tuners having different accuracies - opting for strobe types for accuracy etc.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1459084568' post='3013385'] I recently had the 14V PSU for my Boss GT6B develop a fault - the strands broke where the cable goes into the strain relief grommet. I bought a replacement and it's the cheapest, flimsiest thing imaginable. Then last night the 9V (but +ve cenre pin) PSU for my DMX lighting controller had severed through the strands at the same point where it enters the grommet. I made do for the night by stripping the cables back, twisting them together and wrapping in gaffer tape. They all seem so cheap and fragile, even the OEM supples. Can you get decent, robust PSUs? Can anybody recommend a brand? [/quote] What Current rating is needed on the DMX ? Suggest look at something like [color=#999999][font=Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]RS Stock No. [/size][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][b]770-2788[/b][/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][b]Decent strain relief on output cable. I use a 24V 30W version for work test rig purposes. PSU is [/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][b]Switch Mode but I guess your existing DMX psu is a switcher at the moment ?[/b][/size][/font][/color] Output on 'mine' is 2.1mm DC Plug Centre Positive.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1458318071' post='3006613'] AFAIK if the nut slots are at the right depth/strings at the right height then there shouldn't be any problems with intonation at the frets closest the nut. However, from what I've read and from my own experience, new basses often need the nut slots deepening (which is why intonation is often poor at the first few frets). [/quote] One other thing to consider is that a nut that is in line with the frets does increase the chance of a "back rattle" where there is fret buzz between the fretted fret and the nut. You might argue that the string shouldn't be moving behind the fretted note but some energy is always likely to get past the fretted note. Nothing special about it being a nut itself. It could equally be a zero fret. And same consideration applies if you are holding down the string somewhere between the fretted note and the nut - only then the string length will be shorter and less likely to buzz. So you might choose to make the nut a tiny bit higher than the frets - or it might not bother you at all. I really don't like fret buzz :-)

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1458334203' post='3006838'] Like a d.I. box then? [/quote] I don't think it has a balanced output like a real di would have ? But if building it diy it could be incorporated without too much bother.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1458417030' post='3007539'] Another vote for the Gallery [/quote] +1

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1458076469' post='3004559'] Where do you want your multi-effects placed? What's your budget? For the smaller floor based processors that are easy on the pocket, then yes you are right. The Zoom B3 for example is actually very good indeed. But if you are serious about your effects then Eventide and TC Electronic (my choice) are going to be on your shopping list. If you want premium amplifier simulations on your hardware too, then it's off shopping to Kemper and Fractal. [/quote] +1 what dood said it would probably help if you described what you are looking for - equivalent single effects etc - and what you think as issues with the current Zoom / Boss offerings etc. If price not a problem then should probably look/listen to 'high end' Eventide / Fractal etc...???

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1457916414' post='3003060'] Why, do you have perfect pitch? You'd usually need reference for at least one of the strings to be in tune with everyone else. Plus have you tried tuning a bass in a sweaty rehearsal room full of musicians setting up and getting ready to play? Good luck hearing yourself amongst that car crash. [/quote] +1 It's seldom about not being able to tune by ear. But often it's not practicable (drum soundcheck !) without finding somewhere quiet - plus if you need to adjust tuning between songs it's a lot better if you can do it silently rather than 'entertaining' an audience with it. btw - out of curiosity and something I've wondered about - re 'Perfect Pitch' - if you do 'have it' are you able to apply it to pitch reference other than A=440Hz ?

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1457613581' post='3000099'] I need a primer that I can paint on with acrylics. I know some people that use acrylics on the Halford's primer, but they're not painting aluminium. Which is why I wanted to check first. Also, my hobby room is in a state where it can't currently be used as I am fixing it up. The music and computer sections are done, and the painting and modelling section is almost done. But the electronics section is currently nonexistent since I changed my mind on how to build it. I was going to use the bench I was using before and build shelving, parts bins, drawers and pegboard panels around it, but I am now going to be building the whole thing as one unit from scratch. It's all very frustrating (I can only work on it on four days out of ten, and only that much if I am lucky) and so I find myself constantly researching every minute detail and asking questions at every available opportunity, just so I feel like I am doing [i]something[/i] towards it. [/quote] Aluminium Etch Primer ??? Something like... [url="http://www.paints4trade.com/etch-primer-aerosol-258576-p.asp?v=0&variantid=258578&fo_c=888&fo_k=83dddb9fd25de23cc150eebb8e6e192f&fo_s=gplauk&gclid=CjwKEAiA04S3BRCYteOr6b-roSUSJABE1-6BYzjqFT9COy_IaybfPO-Ccwvp5Aby_AtNRgeym0RbPRoCEXrw_wcB"]http://www.paints4trade.com/etch-primer-aerosol-258576-p.asp?v=0&variantid=258578&fo_c=888&fo_k=83dddb9fd25de23cc150eebb8e6e192f&fo_s=gplauk&gclid=CjwKEAiA04S3BRCYteOr6b-roSUSJABE1-6BYzjqFT9COy_IaybfPO-Ccwvp5Aby_AtNRgeym0RbPRoCEXrw_wcB[/url]

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1457453438' post='2998741'] You are right, that cap you quote is a Wima and an excellent cap. It will be more expensive than some maker's 5% caps as Wima have achieved mythical status in audiophile circles. [/quote] Yes - it's a Polypropylene dielectric which is excellent in terms of stability over temperature (and likely time) and together with its relatively high 100V dc rating implies that voltage coefficient (giving rise to distortion) should be low (I haven't measured it) I tend to use these type in my (non audio) work where quality caps are important. I pointed to CPC as it's available to everyone whereas RS/Farnell etc can be trickier for individuals. Alternatively...forget about a tone control on the bass itself and use your pedal/preamp etc instead !

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1457397810' post='2998201'] Except of course that they don't use electrolytics in the bog standard passive circuits we're talking about here. [/quote] yes - definitely avoid electrolytics where not necessary. On non-electrolytics - the costs of 20% vs 10% overlap to a large extent depending on the manufacturer / supplier at any particular time. It's pretty much a commodity market. Rather than the tolerance I'd be more concerned about voltage and temperature stability. The 20% types are generally (though not exclusively) likely to have lower quality dielectrics -- but it means they can get more capacitance into a smaller volume. Things do get expensive (in capacitor terms) if you go for 5% tolerance. I was really thinking more about people fitting their own capacitors / pots so the component cost is a fraction of what you'd end up paying for the same component fitted to a new bass (although you may have to buy a few of the capacitors as they may not be available singly). As an example for a 100n Cap' I'd likely go for: [url="http://cpc.farnell.com/wima/mkp2d031001f00kssd/capacitor-10-100nf-100v-mkp2/dp/CA08109"]http://cpc.farnell.c...mkp2/dp/CA08109[/url] I know it has pcb type legs which might not be the most convenient but probably worth it for the capacitor characteristics. Glue it to the back of the pot and solder / wire wrap !

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1457281641' post='2997006'] Caps are also 20% tolerance unless otherwise stated do you can see how the electrics of your guitar can mess with your tone. [/quote] Whilst it's usual for electrolytic caps to be +/-20% tolerance other types eg ceramic ; film ; poly are generally available in 10% or 5% or tighter tolerance.

I've often reflected that my Westone Thunder ( Natural Finish / was '1A' but now has different pickup / electronics) hasn't needed any truss rod adjustment since I spent some time setting it up years ago. My other basses (including a few more Westones)may be as good but I probably wouldn't notice so much as the Thunder in question has the best nut and setup. Oddly the body does have some patches of deterioration where the wood is quite open grain and has softened/worn a bit but the neck is lovely. On the other hand my OLP MM2 seems to seek attention re relief adjustment.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1456953660' post='2994057'] As it's a potentiometer, being + or - 10% makes no real difference in the big scheme of things. As they're used for setting an audible difference, you either tweak it up or down until you get the sound you want. I dare say someone will be along shortly to tell me I'm wrong, but IME you really aren't going to hear a difference from tolerance alone unless you convince yourself you can (which is no more scientific than my assertion that you can't when you think about it... ). A 'good' pot is all about the mechanics of the thing, the way the 'brush' sits uniformly on the track, the smoothness of the track and how many operations it can handle before it wears out. When you consider how long CTS have been making pots, and the age of some of them that are still working, that'd make them about as good as you're gonna get. [/quote] Good advice - the absolute value of a pot will generally not have a tight tolerance. Don't sweat the difference between 9% and 10% tolerance. Carbon does wear out with use. For best long life opt for Conductive Plastic (or Cermet) tracks. It can be a bit difficult to get log or audio taper pots in Conductive Plastic (and possibly not so easy to get the high values you might use on passive Hi-Z pickup) It's possible to approximate a log(gish) taper with a linear law pot with a resistor from wiper to ground.

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1456866981' post='2993129'] My Digitech Bass Squeeze is another pedal with latency issues. I tried side-chaining it as a piece of outboard gear when recording, No dice! Comb filtering and phase issues with that pedal. [/quote] Bear in mind that any digital kit will give phase issues when configured in parallel to a straight through signal. It's not really a problem with the digital unit itself. The latency need not be large enough to give a perceived problem when used alone. The only real way around it is to put the same delay into the 'straight through' path.

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1456836497' post='2992669'] My Boss OD-20 and Zoom G3 both have a subtle latency issue. When you blend them with another signal you get a subtle comb-filter effect. [/quote] Yes. In practice this may be more of an issue. If you sum a delayed signal with a non delayed signal then you will get a comb filter effect as you have fixed time delay acting on a range of frequencies. You need only a small delay for this to be noticeable. eg you'll get this if you split a signal with one path going through eg a digital compressor effect and being summed with the original. For many it won't be an issue but it can be in some cases eg using a digital compressor for "parallel compression".

Interesting question. Bear in mind that just the analogue to digital conversion and back again takes some time. On modern delta sigma type converters it's in the order of 1ms so thats around 2ms per pedal. From that point of view it would be better to have the option of a digital input and output when chaining pedals using, say, SPDIF or AES3 but that's not usually available on pedal units ?

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1456222657' post='2986692'] Running a compressor before the octave may help, particularly with the sustained notes. Unfortunately, though, analog octavers tend not to be able to handle polyphony so the chords may have to go. [/quote] Along these lines I was wondering if anyone here runs through a noise gate before going into an octaver ?

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1456231583' post='2986808'] I'm using the Harley Benton Junior (and the Palmer version of the same unit) the isolated nature of the outputs makes it easy to get 18V or 240mA, I'm running a blowtorch at 18v and the high current for my G30, I've had no issues and 2 of my friends are using the same units with no problems it's a bargain really! they both came with the current doubler cable and the 18v cable is easy to make if you've got a soldering iron Matt [/quote] [quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1456231010' post='2986801'] Cracking advice in both of your posts... [/quote] Thanks. and that's the other plus with isolated supplies - since they are 'floating' you can stack them up to give higher voltage (and parallel for more current if the design allows)

[quote name='SwamiRob' timestamp='1456182393' post='2986458'] Cool! Don't need anything fancy, just a tuner, distortion and an 18v compressor, although the distortion has some magic voltage doubling going on or something so hopefully that wouldn't mess anything up. In what situations DOES isolation matter by the way? As long as there isn't too much buzz I'm happy! [/quote] If you're running pretty much any sort of digital pedal ie it has clock signals inside it then you're likely to run into problems with non-isolated or daisy chain supplies. In this case the digital effect is causing noise which affects the other pedals. With non digital effects the situation is a bit more nuanced. With non isolated or daisy chain supplies you are , by definition, introducing 'Ground Loops' (since the patch lead between the pedals is providing a 'Ground' path in addition to the power supply ground). This loop is liable to have noise induced into it. Whether this happens to a significant degree depends on the geometry of the loop and sources of interference. For instance there may not be a problem until you are near a lighting rig / fridge / laptop etc. Minimising the loop area (basically short leads and lead dressing) will give best results. You can try various 'tricks' with the patch leads - inserting permutations of resistors and capacitors in the shield path to provide isolation at lower frequencies and continuity at higher frequencies - essentially a 'Ground Lift' approach - my advice is don't :-)

[quote name='ProfFrink' timestamp='1456175658' post='2986348'] AFAIK these are not really isolated. OTOH most pedals don't really need fully isolated power to work well. [/quote] The problem with multiple output power supplies being described as 'isolated' is a problem with terminology. In normal 'electronics language' "isolated" would mean galvanic isolation ie the "Ground" terminals of the outputs (as well as the positive terminals) are not commoned in the power supply. But some of the multi output power supplies available and described as "isolated" do have a common ground. The "isolated" aspect appears to refer too the fact that the outputs have independent protection against over current / short circuit etc - ie if one output is short circuited or asked to provide too much current then the other outputs shouldn't be affected. "independent" would be a better term rather than "Isolated". Oddly, the Thommann Powerplant does not have Isolated Outputs whilst the Powerplant Junior does (with fewer outputs than the Powerplant). I verified this with Thommann before purchase.