Mikey R

Hi Bill, I've been taking a look at a few schematics. The Ashdown LB30, for example, has the effects loop first thing, before the EQ stack. Granted, it's a simple amp with a passive EQ, so won't be adding much noise. However, it seems a few other amps have the loop first thing, before a more complex active EQ that will add a bit more noise. So, a follow up thing to think about, how much noise will likely be added by a single preamp stage converting instrument level to line level? We're only talking about a gain of around 24dB. Also, how much noise will be on a normal bass guitar signal? Sure, maybe a bit if you're running overdrive and you've been through a few other pedals too, and aren't using an isolated PSU or batteries for your pedals - if you're doing this, then your overdrive box is picking up and amplifying the noise on the ground line from all of the other boxes, particularly bad if any of them are digital. In which case, the first solution is to switch out your pedal boards PSU for one with independantly isolated outputs for each pedal, and only then if that doesn't fix it, maybe consider a noise gate / expander. (I've been putting a lot of thought into grounding recently - you can probably tell!) There is definitely a difference between how bass players use their loop, than how guitar players do. Until I had asked this question, I didn't really appreciate that. Thanks guys!

Hey Pete! I forget that a lot of bass players use studio kit in their rigs. Since I've been away, are rack mounted rigs making more of a come back? I'll admit I haven't been paying attention over the last couple of years.

Cool, so for you it's a level and impedence thing. Gotcha!

Hey everyone! First day back, and I'm already onto my second topic! All will become clear in the coming weeks... So my second question is: all solid state, hybrids, reverse hybrids, and all valve amps, what do people think? If you like a bit of valve in your tone, does the adding transistors matter to you? Is there a major and tangable difference to an amplifier with a valve power stage? And finally, do people have preference for amps with differnt tube compliments, either in the pre or power stage?

Hi Bill, Do you notice a big difference if you put it before the input to the amp, or in the effects loop? Also, obvious question, what amp are you using?

Hey everyone, I've been away for a while - far too long! I had some health issues so had to take a break from the community. Anyway, I'm back, and I have a question: how many people find the effects loops on their amps useful, and what do they use them for? In guitar world, the preamp gain stage comes before the loop, allowing for time based effects like reverb and phase to be added after overdrive. Guitarists often put their fuzz and distortion pedals on the input of the amp, to really push the preamp tube overdrive, and time based effects in the loop. But bass amps rarely have high gain preamps. I'm trying to figure out if effects loops are really useful or desirable on an amp - specifically, a valve amp, where they are quite fiddly. Cheers!

I'll put myself down as a tentative: [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#282828]1. Hamster -[/color] [color=#282828]2. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Schecter Diamond P5, Levinson Blade B15, Yamaha BB300, amp & cab tbc[/color] [color=#282828]3. Billy Apple - Spector, Jule Monique, Demeter Minnie, EAD[/color] [color=#282828]4. Happy Jack - The Entire Population Of China[/color] [color=#282828]5. Bluejay - something lefty, provided I don't have another senior moment and leave it/them at home[/color] [color=#282828]6. Bassman Steve - Boogie and Barefaced stuff and a Precision or two[/color] [color=#282828]7. obbm - new micro-stack[/color] [color=#282828]8. Kiwi (?) - GB Shuttle 6.0 and two fEARful F112 cabs, Spector 5, Status 5, Alembic, Pedulla...and maybe the Steinberger[/color] [color=#282828]9. Bottle - 1x12 Cab and 1x10 Combo, FX boards and rack amp, Ibanez bass.[/color] [color=#282828]10. TheGreek - something a little bit different[/color] [color=#282828]11. Mykesbass - Shuker 5 string fretless (old style P Bass), Carvin BX500 Head, Fender Rumble V3 112 cab.[/color] [color=#282828]12. Shockwave - Musicman Stingray 4, 3EQ, Could possibly bring my big pedalboard, but no amp to play through![/color] [color=#282828]13. Lozz196 (?)[/color] [color=#282828]14. Merton - ACG Finn, Status Retroactive, possibly some Ashdown valve and Barefaced Gen 3 gear[/color] [color=#282828]15. Oldman - a Schroeder Cab or Two and the Tecamp BonaFide[/color] [color=#282828]16. Russ - Sei singlecut, Spector, maybe my Ibanez sixer, and my Barefaced Big Twin II and Ampeg SVT-7. Maybe a few pedals too.[/color] [color=#282828]17. Dropzone - interested in knowing about amps[/color] [color=#282828]18. BobVbass (?) - will probably drag RhandyThodes as well if he's about and bring Lakland Duck Dunn, Paisley P bass, Framus Double bass, Markbass and Barefaced Super 12T[/color] [color=#282828]19. Randythoades (?) - MIJ Aria basses, slimline upright, Ashdown cabs and GK head. Plus any acoustic /electric guitar related items too if needed[/color] [color=#282828]20. Rumblefish - Mesa Boogie Pulse 600,Berg CN 212,Reverend Rumblefish bass[/color] [color=#282828]21. hen_barn - Status kingbass, Status 5 string series 1, Tecamp puma 500, Vanderklays 2x10 1x12[/color] [color=#282828]22. JapanAxe - [/color][color=#282828]'73 Precision, Sandberg California VM4, G&L L1505, Fender Pawn Shop Mustang, Demeter VTBP-M-800D, Genz Benz Streamliner 900, Barefaced Compact & Midget[/color] [color=#282828]23. Sibob (?) - Fodera MGS, either a '71 Precision, Fender Japan/USA Precision Build or Fender Japan Medium Scale Jazz, LM2, Barefaced, Pedulz[/color][/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#282828]24. Hector (?) - DeGier Bebop 5 and Limelight 63P. Could also bring my Tone Hammer pre[/color][/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#282828]25. such - Fender Marcus and a couple of pedals, Cali76, Aguilar Tone Hammer, Joyo American[/color][/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#282828]26. Barneyg42 - Status 5 string S2 Classic (green LEDs), Status Series 1 5 string; TC BH500 into BC210 and 212[/color][/font] 27. Bassace - Bryant double bass, Clarus head and Crazy8 cab 28. NickD - Lakland Skyline 55-01, Thomann deko acoustic fretless 5 and maybe Bass Collection SB315 and Trace combo 29: Mikey R (?) - Blue Shuker course bass.

[quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1420801000' post='2653502'] Splendid stuff. My Dubster and OBT certainly makes my pants flap!!! [/quote] You certainly can't beat a flappy pant. I miss my Compact!

I bought Andrews TE Quatra Valve as a bit of a project. We considered a few different schemes to get it to me as Im up the other end of the country, in the end we decided to courier it up. The amp was packaged up really nicely, the power tubes were wrapped up in bubble wrap to survive the journey. All in, a totally top bloke and I would without a doubt buy from him again.

Thats one sweet looking homebrew! What voltage do you run the plates of the 6V6s at?

Since you like more prominent mids, you could swap the eq out for a tweed deluxe one knob, and use the second knob for the master?

Hey, did you manage to resolve your problem? Did you go master volume, or attenuator?

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1411846242' post='2563313'] The popularity of line-level valve studio gear supports the idea that preamp valve colouration can be a pleasing thing in its own right. [/quote] Just playing devils advocate for a second, that may be a function of marketing - perception rather than the actual quality of the product.

I know it's a bit late now, but it's worth noting that with the LH amps, with the eqs all at noon, you'll get a slight boost to top and bottom, with a cut in the mids. That passive eq isn't for everyone though.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1410216124'] I should add that as an electronic engineer of 62 years, no valve will find its way into my pre amp or power amp. [/quote] Could your say why?

My guitarist and I have some duplicate kit between us. I had an idea to plug the LB30 into the first 2x10, then run the DI out into the Hartke driving the second 2 x 10 and the 1 x 15. Never got round to it though, but that would have been the rig of doom.

The Orange amps have a very different EQ to the Ashdown amps. I wonder if thats what youre experiencing?

[quote name='Pow_22' timestamp='1404334245' post='2491753'] Yup, i know Oli well and done a few deals with him. Had a SC200 MkIII not long ago and loved it. Could never get on with the two 120's i had tho, lacked balls. Ideally im looking for something in the smaller side of things [/quote] Unfortunately, if you want a valve output stage, then it'll come with a minimum weight per watt - thats just the way it goes when putting bass through an output transformer. There are some big valve amps out there that have lightweight power supplies, but if you want old school then that means mass. Otherwise, like you said you need to be looking at hybrids.

Sold my BF Compact to Wil, within hours of the first PM the cash as in my paypal account - so quick and easy, no fuss. Cheers!

Are modern Rays the same as the classic Rays?

Sounds like its just me then. I didnt find that with the SUB I owned for a while, but I did find it with the couple of new Rays I tried out last year. Or it could have been the amp I used in the shop? Youve got me interested now, I'll have to hunt down a new Ray to try out.