Dan Dare

Bill. Could you recommend an easy to use calculator for port sizes, please? Thanks.

Oh and talking of records being out of tune, have a listen to the flute solo on 'California Dreaming'. Toe curling.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1505511574' post='3372574'] Well that would be 99.99% of people - apparently only one in ten thousand people have "perfect pitch" i.e. can recognise notes being in or out of tune without a reference pitch. So your one of the lucky ones. [/quote] Wasn't quite what I meant. As it happens, I can tell you what note you are playing when I hear it (and I realise that's my good fortune), but that wasn't what I was talking about. I was referring to the fact that so many people are unable to hear the difference between two different notes that are close in pitch but not quite the same. So there is a reference - because you can compare each to the other.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1505133437' post='3369668'] Alfasuds were built in a new state subsidised factory using cheap steel from Russia obtained in a deal with the Italian Government: the last ones were built in the late 80's. (note: 37 years ago)! There is still a market for current and older Alfas in Australia judging from the owners who contribute to some of the Alfa forums I lurk in. Next you'll be saying all Fords are dull because they are only available in Black...... [/quote] A garage-owning pal of mine told me the reason Italian cars had a rust problem (they are better now, thanks to improved finishing, although you shouldn't delay in getting scratches and paint chips fixed), was because Italy has no steel reserves and has to import it all. As a result, they use a lot of recycled steel. When you re-smelt steel, the sulphur content goes up and makes it more susceptible to rusting.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1505458204' post='3371988'] Same here. & it sounded good. [/quote] It's in the player's hands/brain. That's why we are wasting our money buying instruments and kit trying to get 'that' sound.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1505429429' post='3371933'] Records can vary from standard pitch because after recording someone has listened to the final mix - the band, producer, engineer, management, tea lady - and decided that it sounded better slightly faster or slower. On several occasions I've heard guys say, "This is dragging, can we make it more lively?" The way they do that is to speed up the song. [/quote] Yep. You'd be surprised how many people, including those you would think would know, can't hear subtle pitch differences. Some years back, I was working at the old Virgin studios on the Goldhawk Road. A cutting engineer asked for my help. He had a master (this was back in vinyl days) which the band had rejected because it "didn't sound right". They and he couldn't say why. The band had given him a cassette tape of their album, which was how they wanted it. I asked him to play me the master tape and the cassette and set them up so I could A/B them. It was immediately obvious that the cassette was running fast and was playing a little sharp as a result (cassette machines were a bit notorious for not being pitch accurate). I pointed this out and the others in the room said they couldn't hear any difference. So I raised the varispeed on the master tape machine until they were in tune with each other and he cut the master from that. He later told me the band was happy with the result.

AER Amp One?

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1505299976' post='3370811'] Apparently at sessions he used to put up a sign saying, "You done hired the hit maker". Not sure I could talk to the guy for more than 2 secs but I can listen to him all day. [/quote] Yep. I suspect we wouldn't want to talk with a lot of musicians whose abilities we admire. As dear old Frank Zappa put it, "Shut up and play yer guitar"...

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1505032970' post='3368908'] I played for years on the 50hz setting which I had set by mistake thinking it was the 30hz setting. When I switched it to 30 I didnt notice much difference. But yeah Id not advise bypassing the HPF on one of these amps with any speaker you care about as they are capably of pumping out brutal amounts of near-DC current. [/quote] A definite yes to this. In practice, you don't lose anything subjectively by using the HPF, especially at 30hz. It will also give you more headroom, by saving the power amp from working so hard.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1505204435' post='3370121'] Ah, on rereading the OP, I see you just want to run the pre amp into a more powerful power amp. I'd get the TH500. They come up in the classifieds and would do the job in a better way than messing around cabling up 2 boxes. Also, for a big jump in power, have a look at the AG700. [/quote] AG700 is a big jump in price, too. Nice, mind (I have one) and I suspect the OP wouldn't need his TH if he got one as the preamps will be similar, coming from the same stable. As the AG700 is relatively new, you see few turning up used as yet. I agree with chris that a used TH500 is probably the best option. If the 350 is in good shape, it ought to find plenty of potential buyers.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1505158783' post='3369931'] I have to agree with this. At uni people played my instrument, I played theirs, I sounded like me, they sounded like them. [/quote] + 100 and why it's a waste of money and time searching for that elusive holy grail. I appreciate that you need instruments/equipment of decent quality, but once you get above that, it's all in your hands/brain. The quest is fun, albeit expensive, though.

[quote name='bobbytodd' timestamp='1505040405' post='3369015'] hand it back.you never know if its a test of honesty. [/quote] This. And if you're told it's a bonus/tip, smile and say thank you. Either way, you win as your reputation benefits.

As someone who spent a number of years with no means of support other than playing music, I found being 'pro' (for want of a better term) a mixed bag. You eat a lot of baked beans, worry about whether you'll be able to pay the bills and have to say "yes" to all manner of dodgy offers - being invited to play in a toilet to a bunch of animals who can't stand the sight of you, etc. Rough with the smooth and all that. It was actually a relief when I finally saw sense and went back to having a "proper job" and turned the music back into a hobby that earns me a bit of extra on occasion. Now I'm retired and have a part-time job and can do more gigs, I suppose I'm "semi-pro"... In my experience, being "pro" means being adaptable, presentable and punctual, having equipment/instruments that work and above all, being able to get along and work with others - in other words, all the qualities that one needs in any job.

[quote name='la bam' timestamp='1504711721' post='3366827'] Yes, I used to dj for 10 years and the difference between using different amps (with all other play out being the same) was incredible. From thin sounding cheaper end, through to high end amps were i was hearing things in the songs I'd never heard before. The amps had their own voicing just as bass amps do. [/quote] Yep. You really do get what you pay for. There's a reason Lab Gruppens and similar cost what they do.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1504710109' post='3366813'] Ha ha ha ha There seemed to be some confusion over heft before. I hoped this more generic term would be a better description lol! [/quote] That's why I opted for "poke"...

Tricky, As you say, the combined impedance will be around 2.7 ohms, which is a bit low. A single 15 won't be powerful enough on its own if you're used to and need the impact of an Ampeg fridge and it's pointless getting another 110, because combining it with the other 110 won't be enough either. If your cabs had multiple drivers, you could alter the wiring to put them in series and increase the impedance, but they don't. I can't see an alternative to selling both and looking for something more suitable. Did you buy them used? If so, you may be able to move them on without losing much.

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1504712448' post='3366832'] Watch this, particularly from the 1:00 marker to the 5:10 marker, although almost every member here would benefit from watching all of it: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ[/media] [/quote] I enjoyed that film you posted, Bill. The first 5 minutes that you recommended are a perfect example of confirmation bias in action. None of us is immune from it.

I had a similar issue. Provided you have sufficient space in the rack case (you'll need a bit of extra height), you can use a rack shelf. Farnell, RS and many other suppliers sell them. You can bolt the item to the shelf (use the holes for the feet - measure their spacing and drill the shelf appropriately). Worked for me. I also use a shelf to support heavier rack mounted items, such as power amps, so the weight isn't all taken by the front fascia.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1504709633' post='3366804'] Dan, that's exactly what I'm recommending with the MB200 ... [/quote] You're right. That'll teach me to read all the preceding posts...

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1504541523' post='3365565'] Hotcovers every time. Thicker, more robust, perfect fit with every order that I've had... and amazingly quick turn around. Roqsolid for me, are more like a thinnly padded amplifier slip... conversely, hot covers are the fully padded version. [/quote] This. Although I've had Roqsolids that I was perfectly happy with, I've found that Hot Covers products are better padded and sturdier. You pay a little more, but they are better.

Bill and Alex make a living out if this and know what they're talking about, so we should defer to their knowledge. For what it's worth, I've played through front and rear ported cabs that I liked and front and rear ported cabs I didn't like. So quality must be due to the design/construction, rather than the type of cab. Imho, of course.

[quote name='la bam' timestamp='1504687291' post='3366512'] I'm always confused with people using power amps. Each amp is completely different in quality and sound. There's a world of difference between the pro sound and qsc, so it must affect the sound? Isn't part of the (bass) amps quality and sound the actually power amp it uses? [/quote] The main difference between the brands like ProSound (and similar low power budget amps aimed at the DJ market) and QSC is that QSC and other better quality amps will have stiffer power supplies and be a lot pokier. The actual "sound" is created in the preamp/eq section.

Why not pick up a used Class D bass head and use it as a power amp. You can connect it to your main head or preamp via the FX ins/outs, bypassing the input section. I did this with a Bugera Veyron head, driving it from my Aguilar and it worked fine.