skankdelvar

[quote name='umph' post='454728' date='Apr 5 2009, 03:36 PM']matched sets have a similar current draw, thus bias the same since most amps don't have seperate bias pots for each valve. getting unmatched valves can lead to some very nasty crossover distortion and the amp not putting out as much wattage as it could be doing[/quote] Crossover distortion is a result of 'cold biasing'. Most multi-valve amps don't have separate bias pots for each valve because you don't bias a single valve in isolation. And many older amps don't even have bias pots - they're fixed bias and you just swap out the relevant resistor. And on later Silverface Fenders, there's just a hum-balance pot, which fulfils the function of dialling out hum by [i]balancing[/i] the tubes. The whole point of balancing is that it recognises that tubes can be unmatched. Hence, you can pay through the nose for a 'matched set' or you can balance an unmatched set. And any good tech is going to check and adjust the balance, irrespective of whether the mfr says the tubes are 'matched'. Agreed, in something monstrous like an SVT or a VBA, matching is more important - but for the OP's amp, it would only be ludicrously unmatched valves way beyond manufacturers tolerances for the type (or fitting wildly different types) which could be a problem, but, unless you're buying the cheapest of chinese firecrackers, the variation between two / four / six tubes on a single production run is unlikely to affect matters to any significant degree assuming the amp is correctly biased. Biasing is far more important to tone and valve life than spuriously "matched" tube sets. Until Aspen Pittman came up with the 'matched tube' voodoo 20 or so years ago, output valves were pulled off the shelf and fitted any old how, then balanced in the amp. Stock Marshall Plexis - unmatched. Stock Tweed Bassmen - unmatched. Stock Top-boost AC30's - unmatched. In fact, slightly unbalanced tubes can usefully emphasise even order distortion, which for many, including me, enhances the musicality of the amp.

But agreed, it's quite pretty.

Without wishing to re-start the 'mint' debate (as in "it's either mint or it's not"), I note that the seller states this bass is both "pre-owned" [i]and[/i] 95% mint. Or looked at another way, "previously-cherished and only 5% f***ed up."

Good times indeed, Oz. Welcome

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='459358' date='Apr 10 2009, 03:04 PM']I've already noticed standards of service slipping with my credit card company, British Gas, couriers and other service suppliers. Seems like they've all taken their eye off the ball.[/quote] All the above: Proudly taking their eye off the ball since about 1978 (1878 in the case of the gas companies).

Headstock looks a bit pallid, as someone noted. Could be a camera issue. At least it's cash on collection, so some wiggle room for the informed buyer.

[quote name='SteveO' post='459040' date='Apr 10 2009, 08:43 AM']Do you mean Jamstix?[/quote] That would be the lad. May well go for that trial download...let you know how I get on. Ta, Skank

Recorderman method uses only 2 mikes, I think. And, IIRC, Billy Childish just sticks one mike halfway between the kick drum and the bass cab. Rhythm section sorted.

Tascam us-1641?

It's the 'cheaper than the others' bit that I like. And, as you say, that it claims not to be based on pre-composed midi patterns. That and the opportunity to modify the "drummer's" brain. Ta for the input.

Why's he trying to get this thread removed?

4, for medical reasons. Tried a 5-string once and came over all dizzy.

Thinking of shelling out for a software drummer...anyone use this Jamsticks app? Do you rate it? Is it worth £90 notes? Cheers Skank

I've seen worse and the guy's being honest about the shortcomings. And, remember, folks, from e-bayer's like the infamous 'tune-o-matic' or 'music outlet shop, you'd be looking at $5000+.

Clamped between my fourth finger and the palm of my hand. Instant, mid-song swappability. And spares on a bit of double-sided sello stuck to the amp top.

[quote name='matt_citizenbass' post='454672' date='Apr 5 2009, 02:00 PM']thansk for the links guys, i'm not sure about this whole matching thing! what is it all about?[/quote] Balanced valves give less hum, but other than that, no major benefits IIRC. There are variations in construction, output and character between the various mfrs and different types of EL-34, so I'd recommend you buy 6 of the same brand and type of el-34 - matched or unmatched. The most important thing is getting your new set of output valves biased. Unless you've got the gear and knowledge, you'll want to take it to a tech for that job. And (unless Thornybank already had it done) the amp may need a check-up anyhow - capacitors, transformers etc. If you've got a good amp tech, ask their opinion on which EL-34's they recommend for the task, then best put everything in their hands.

:wub:

I once had a tele body sent from the states and, unrequested, the guy marked it "Product sample" then told me he'd done this to save me the customs. Whether this counts for anything, I don't know. But I didn't pay any duty or VAT that time. OTOH, it's not worth shaving the stated value to get it in under the gift limit, as any uninsured damage or loss is going to outweigh the saving.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='451375' date='Apr 1 2009, 12:28 PM']Mark King put me off playing bass for years.[/quote] Mark King put me off music for years.

[quote name='peteb' post='448152' date='Mar 28 2009, 03:47 PM']But is he right?[/quote] He may be right about the musicians that he's seen. My experience is 100% different. Most young musicians I encounter (and we really ought to agree an age range here) - are, on the whole, light years better than [i]we[/i] were at their age (that would be 30 years ago for me) and in many instances are more technically proficient and committed than we are [i]now[/i]. It may not be that they are inherently more talented humans - but they will probably have been better nurtured within the educational system (in 1975 I had a knackered violin forced on me without any instruction on even how to tune the b*gger), plus better quality entry-level instruments, instructional material, the InterWebz and a growing number of tutors and academies. I am profoundly happy that younger musicians benefit from the above and glad that they take advantage of it, even if their choice of material is, on occasions, soured by the 'covers' issue that, in truth, afflicts us all. I reserve my deepest concerns for the grumbling, pre-terminal old Bobs (like me) who will sally forth tonight to ruin a perfectly good evening in the pub with drab, inaccurate covers of classic rock hits, while flagrantly abusing 'the Hawaiian shirt rule'. Yours Sir Bufton Tufton Old Ways Little Zimmerframe On-The-Wold Sunsetshire

To clarify and expand on the above suggestions: 1. Do not boil your strings in meths - INSTANT DEATH 2. Do not boil coated strings, e.g. Elixirs* 3. Do not use the Missus's best Teflon pan. The strings will chip bits of the coating off* 4. Do not weight the strings down in the pan with a plastic handled knife* 5. When removing the strings from the pan, use a utensil rather than your bare hand* [i]* These I have done and regretted.[/i]

Approach 1: Pop the nut out. Cut some strips off a string packet to lay in the nut slot. Coat each strip with glue. Lay them in and press them down until you've built up 2 or 3 thicknesses. Try Leave to dry. Try the nut back in the slot. Put the string back in and check. Is it high enough now? If not - carry on with the strip / glue thing. When it's high enough, use a tiny smidge of glue and put it back in. Re-cut the string slots to the right height. Approach 2 :If there's enough nut left to file some off from a non-contact point (nuts are often usually excessively high between the strings) - do so, and collect the dust. Get a couple of very narrow bits of gaffa and stick them along both vertical faces of the nut, level with the top. Pack some of the dust into the offending string slot until level with the top of the nut and drip on a drop of superglue in (nail repair glue stolen from the missus works a treat). The dust will soak the glue up and the gaffa stops it all falling out. Should go solid. Leave for an hour or so. Strip away the gaffa and start cutting your new slot

Our drummer keeps pretty much perfect time - except when he turns up late. Which is 80% of the time. The other 20% he doesn't turn up at all. BTW, I don't have a problem with shifts in tempo - as long as it's planned and deliberate, rather than accidental or alcohol / adrenaline induced.

[quote name='The Funk' post='443336' date='Mar 24 2009, 12:57 AM']I think the threads in Off-topic which degenerate into conversations are probably the whole point of Off-topic.[/quote] Er...yes. That's what I thought too. (Plus, how do you differentiate between a sequenced dialogue and a conversation?) Happy to take the idea onboard, though.

Hi Erik and welcome to the forum. Nice rig...