skankdelvar

[quote name='vintage_ben' post='441387' date='Mar 21 2009, 10:17 PM']Not really, my point was I think it's a very difficult task to for a multinational corporation reproduce an [b]identical[/b] guitar to one that was produced 40 years ago using 40 year old tools and techniques, this doesn't imply new instruments are substandard....[/quote] If they're not sub-standard, does this mean they're not sub-standard to the standard set by vintage instruments? So, (removing our double-negatives), that modern guitars are of comparable standard? Or might it be the case that [i]some[/i] vintage instruments, at a peak, are functionally 'better' than the majority of instruments produced today? IMO, out there in the world are some really good vintage items, a lot of very poor vintage items and a sea of relatively well-produced modern instruments, available at prices, which if adjusted backwards for inflation, would just about have bought a Mars Bar in 1958. While I love, covet and occasionally trade vintage instruments, I can't buy into the idea that 'vintage' status automatically confers universal functional superiority. In any case, the term 'vintage' has become utterly devalued, as various chancers take angle-grinders to seventies Fenders and flog them to wide-eyed herberts. (Funny how I don't see as many 'reliced' Gibsons) That said, I believe V&R usually carry a stock of pretty interesting gear at fairly reasonable prices (compared to the stratospheric idiocy seen on e-bay) and that their business practises are as good, if not better, than their competitors. Just an opinion.

I recall a pair of Shergold double-necks in natural, sat in Chris Bryant's shop off Charing X rd, about 10 years ago-ish One was a four + eight, the other a four fretted + four fretless. £700 a pop, unprovenanced but scraping association with Rutherford. Sigh.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='440597' date='Mar 20 2009, 08:08 PM']I'm off to see a band tonight, and the bass player will be totin' his Jazz that he bought new back in '63. Bosshog of these parts regularly gigs his '66 J. Mine go out the house too.. that's why I bought them. I never understood the 'retirement' philosophy.. they're for playing.[/quote] Oh, I agree, they should be gigged. Gig my 69 P (sorta 'vintage' - well, incredibly battered). Just assuming the worst case scenario, as usual...

[quote name='William James Easton' post='437315' date='Mar 17 2009, 02:26 PM']sod being favourite female player. shes one of my favourite players of all time. named my bass after her.... :wub:[/quote] You named your bass 'Weymouth'? By an amazing coincidence, one of mine is called 'Bognor Regis'. Any other basses named after popular English seaside towns? (But TW is, indeed, a fox, a fine player and, one assumes, in part, laudably responsible for the growing trend towards Lay-dee low-enders)

My only experience of V&R was when I unloaded a '69 Melody Maker on them 4 years ago. It's not a popular model, was missing the original pot knobs, wang bar and scratchplate and I didn't expect a great price. Nevertheless, their's was the best price on the street at £350 cash. Sigh. That said, there was none of this 'minute scrutiny', otherwise they'd have had the plate off and spotted the neat and huge mahogany insert where the chiselled out humbucker rout used to be. Vintage guitars is 99% a mug's game, because most of the value lies in the buyer's romanticized perceptions, not in the intrinsic quality of the instrument. On the whole, vintage axes play and sound no better than modern equivalents. What's worse, you can never gig them for fear of theft, so most end up gathering dust.

Fair play to Vintage Ben for sticking his head above the parapet.

In an ideal world I'd like something that ran up to 200w. Switchable output impedance like Marshalls used to do. No effects loop. Rotary pots and minimal tone stack - Vol, Bass, Mid, Treb, Presence. Non-master volume. No graphic equalizers. Relatively clean to about 85% then gently increasing 'drive' and soft compression. Round, deep tone. In black tolex, with a silver (not chrome) panel. Sort of like a colossal blackface Bassman with a hint of Ampeg Now, deliver that for £300 and we've got a deal

[quote name='leschirons' post='434046' date='Mar 13 2009, 06:53 PM']Fwee Wodderwick[/quote] He sounds like a notowious cwiminal

I regret I am cab free atm. Just a teeny 15" combo.

In fairness, the first time he asked, the question was: "Is it [i](ie, the proposed rig)[/i] loud?". This time, it's: "Will they (the cabs) go together?". There [i]is[/i] a slight difference, I s'pose.

But you're one of the good guys, Oli...

You know what the big problem is here? It's about initiating the conversation. 1. Plan out your intended solution - e.g., help her find a rig, or ban her from removing the bass from the flat, or sign a contract or whatever... 2. Then plan your opening sentence - maybe "Y'know, I might be gigging again soon. What are we going to do if you haven't got a bass available to play?" 3. Next, go talk to her. Use the opener, then explain the attachments you have to the basses and why they can't go out of the house. 4. Propose the solution as an either / or question. e.g. "Do you want me to find something for you [i]or[/i] shall we both go round the shops this w/e? 5. If she gets arsey, tell her you've only lent her the bass because you lurrrrve her and want to be with her always. She moves out. Problem solved; no need to thank me.

[quote name='KASH' post='433645' date='Mar 13 2009, 01:57 PM']Does mixing 2 different GK cabs (410RBH with 115RBX or vice versa) affects the sound in a positive or negative way? Any thoughts on mixing cabs?[/quote] Ah ha! This is an old favourite (try searching this sub-forum for similar posts - there are many). Just to save you several hours of your life that you'll never have again, here's a quick synopsis of what [i]may[/i] happen next: Some will say it's perfectly acceptable and sounds fine. Others will say it's a bad idea because they feel you shouldn't mix driver sizes and it will sound awful. If you're very lucky (or unlucky), a few experts will get into a flame war using terms incomprehensible to many. At this point, your thread may move somewhat off-topic. Coming back to planet Earth, it may be suggested you sell your 4x10 and instead stack a column of 2 2 x10 cabs on their sides for 'enhanced dispersion' and to 'minimise comb filtering'. Someone else will point you at their 2x12 cab in the 'for sale' section on the grounds that it's better than a 4x10. Just when you're losing the will to live, you'll get a suggestion that you just give it a try and see what you think of the sound, while ensuring that you comply with connection and impedance recommendations when running multiple cabs (see sticky). I'd go with the latter.

I've been thinking about Mandolins recently. Don't want to spend bundles - are these cheapo Staggs any good, just for a first try-out?

Finding a double neck Shergold should be fun...

Even more exciting would be 'Chris Squire in "I play a Squier" shock'.

[quote name='spinynorman' post='432371' date='Mar 12 2009, 01:15 PM']I guess he's thinking that most people don't voluntarily set themselves up to be mauled in public. You deserve credit for that and also for taking the criticism in such a positive spirit.[/quote] Much more eloquently expressed, Sir. Exactly what was in my mind... Er...and what's the myspace address?

Well, things can get a bit sarky and, shall we say, 'unhelpful' round here at times. As I said, I like the shots and I'll go check out the music presently

Yes, power tubes make a difference - and there are detectable differences between manufacturers versions of the same class of valve. That said, circuitry plays a huge role in tone, but I'd argue that the foundation of the sound really comes from the valve type.

Any way you look at it, pretty brave to put this up here...

As others have covered off embonpoint, oscular inflation etc, I think it looks about 85% better than most semi-pro band shots. For a first time, unpaid effort, it looks good. Skinny ties imply 70's power pop, drummer reminds me of Buckler. And I like the thing with the playing cards. Not so sure about the girly's 'uptown' look. Maybe try her in a slutty punkette stylee.

Japanese hi-fi manual from about 30 yrs ago: "Manufacturer's representatives are stamped on the backside"

[i]Maybe[/i] a 2x10 is better in this instance than a 1x15 - but what weighs more - a Durex filled with 16 x 1 oz. lead weights or a Durex filled with 16 ozs of feathers? And + 1 to the Striper - an ABM 1x15 (or an old Trace) would probably do the job. Prob best avoid Behringers tho'.

Hi and welcome. Good to see someone getting back into the game. Good luck with the gigs - and check out the for sale section. In amongst the hi-end porn, there are some real bargains to be had at the moment Cheers Skank

[quote name='xgsjx' post='429418' date='Mar 9 2009, 02:51 PM']I was with you all the way there until you mentioned "Tesco's Value chocolate sponge roll." That killed a good thing. I'm off for a donut.[/quote] M'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....Donuts...(100% Heckle-free. May contain nuts).