TrevorR

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1500682297' post='3339643'] Is there a reason the pickup can't be re wound? Should be possible as long as they aren't epoxy potted. [/quote] It's pretty much a sealed unit... a lot of the SB pickups were...

And it's not a filter based preamp - BMT... not going to sound in the slightest bit Wal-like...

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1500401719' post='3337512'] That's just lovely Rob. Congratulations. Regarding the fretted 4. Tell the good lady,she'll have at least 20 months to calm down [/quote] Rob, if I may quote the late, great Sid James.... "Phworr, wot a lovely pair!" You must be chuffed. PS I don't want to say "I told you so..." about selling that 4 string of yours but...

[quote name='Ashweb' timestamp='1499986464' post='3335035'] Yeah, but on this side of the pond, everything went glam rock in the 70's with the likes of Slade, Sweet and T-Rex who had a much more powerful sound. The only bands playing 'real' rock n roll were the mighty Showaddywaddy... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9NKs3h1CS8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9NKs3h1CS8[/url] [/quote] That's not true... there was Darts as well! http://youtu.be/R8vxGmPfuHQ

I don't know about Wal sales but it's certainly had a huge impact on the number of "How can I get the Tool tone without buying a Wal?" internet forum threads!

So my Aria SB700 is kaput... no sound at all Now it may be that the pickup has gone. But I also put in a Hollis GX10 active buffer preamp many many many moons ago. When I repair it I'd like to include an active buffer again (if the Hollis has passed away). Not looking for gain boost, not looking for active EQ, just the little extra get from an active buffer... som extra presence, some extra sparkle, some extra authority in the tone. Anyway, that's what the Hollis seemed to add. Hollis went out of business years ago so anyone got any ideas of possible replacement circuits? I've only seen the Creation Audio Labs Redeemer and a slightly dodgy looking DIY one from this side of the pond. http://www.guitar-repairs.co.uk/jfet_guitar_preamp.htm But that looks more like a clean boost. Not really what I'm after. Any experience, other brands, advice much appreciated, ta!

So yesterday my lovely SB700 just didn't work... of course I need to give it a good going over with a multimeter. But I guess it looks like I'm going to be in the market for a replacement MBII pickup. So from a bit of googling and research it seems that there are three choices... Kent Armstrong, the guys from Finland and Reed James NEO Aria-replacements (though it sounds like the latter may have quite a lead time!). I just wondered if anyone has tried any of the above and what you thought of them? They all seem to go for about the same price. Currently I'm veering towards Kent Armstrong with Rautia in second position. However, I've no reason for that other than KA are in England so may be a wee bit easier. Grateful for any thoughts. Which might be "best", more authentic, beefier sounding... whatever. It will all help the decision...

Oooooooh, Rob. That's really gorgeous (well apart from the missing frets and superfluous strings top and bottom Lol!). They say a week's a long time in politics but knowing it's ready and beckoning... that is one loooooooong week!

I vote for "Love You 'Till Tuesday" - I unaccountably had a copy of "The World Of..." not long after it first came out as a 6 or 7 year old. That was my favourite tune. You could do THAT instead of Medals!!!

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1499795517' post='3333696'] There aren't any 😬 [/quote] Which is and always will be the correct answer when discussing the Tin Machine songs on the set list!!!

Well, let's just say I didn't vote for any tunes off the Tin Machine albums!

Done. Went unashamedly populist, I'm afraid!

Late to the party but... Here’s the “official” answer to your question… Based on the UK charts website database. David Bowie's Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Downloads 1 LIFE ON MARS 2 UNDER PRESSURE (WITH QUEEN) 3 HEROES 4 LET'S DANCE 5 SPACE ODDITY 6 STARMAN 7 CHANGES 8 ASHES TO ASHES 9 WHERE ARE WE NOW 10 REBEL REBEL 11 PEACE ON EARTH/LITTLE DRUMMER BOY 12 MODERN LOVE 13 CHINA GIRL 14 THE JEAN GENIE 15 SOUND AND VISION 16 ZIGGY STARDUST 17 ALL THE YOUNG DUDES 18 DANCING IN THE STREET (WITH MICK JAGGER) 19 MAGIC DANCE E.P. 20 ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS 21 THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD 22 GOLDEN YEARS 23 YOUNG AMERICANS 24 OH YOU PRETTY THINGS 25 QUEEN BITCH 26 SUFFRAGETTE CITY 27 FASHION 28 SORROW 29 THE LAUGHING GNOME 30 CAT PEOPLE (PUTTING OUT FIRE) However, given the tracks at 11, 18, 19, and 29 I reckon you could add in TVC15, Fame, Diamond Dogs and Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide and John I’m Only Dancing instead… As a “Greatest Hits package” that’s not a bad set list… Lots of crowd pleasers to choose from and a few for the aficianados too!!

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1499098325' post='3329152'] No it isn't - it's cheaper, that's why Leo changed from stacked pots. Not if you use the right blend pot. [/quote] [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1499690496' post='3332942'] If you use a blend make sure it's an 'MN' blend. That way at the centre each pickup is at 100% Other blend pots may give you each pickup at 50% at the midway position [/quote] KiOgon, do tell. I was always told there was also some problem with the pickups loading each other and reacting oddly if you had a passive blend loom so they need to be buffered from each other... I think Chris May made a similar comment in an SBL video once too. Anyhoo, as I recall that's what some tech type told me once but to be fair it was many many moons ago. Grateful if you can explain how it works in practice. All way beyond by electrical knowledge!!!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1499165943' post='3329607'] But nobody except you will ever notice ... [/quote] Exactly! And therefore the most important will be pleased so it's 100% worth bothering with!

I should do this, shouldnt I... [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]01. Hamster -[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]02. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Squier P Bass, Ander Vanderend JB5, Eden Traveller WT400 amp & Genz 2x12 cab[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]03. Steve Browning - some Precisions, Boogie M-Pulse 600 and Boogie Subway 15 cabs, Mesa Walkabout 15.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]04. obbm - 2 x Spector Short scales.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]05. Pawel G - Squier JV Precision and maybe others[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]06. Stingray5 - MusicMan and Tune basses; Trace Elliot and/or Eden amplification; Boss GT-6B.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]07. Markstuk - Dingwall Z3, Lakland BG 5, BF Big Twin, Thunderfunk TF750a. [/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]08. Cetera - Spector NS2, Spector Euro, Hamer Impact, Wal fretless, one or two more to be decided, big Pedalboard (!), GK800RB, GenzBenz Neox 212T[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]09. Johnthebassist - '69 Jazz Bass, GenzBenz Shuttle 9, Barefaced S12T, gang of smelly pedals[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]10.Timmo[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]11. Barneyg42 [/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]12.Walman - FPPR Status S1 - well it wouldn't be a SEBB without Barney's old bass now mine, however this year for the first time it won't have a for sale sticker on it [/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]13.Rumblefish- Reverend Rumblefish,Wal Bass,Mesa M600,Berg CN212. [/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]14. Happy Jack }[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3].........................} with a love that'll see you through[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]15. Bluejay........}[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]16. bassace - [/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]double bass, Felix Preamp, Puma 500 amp and Genzler 10-2 cab.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]17. ChunkyMunky - Zon Sonus Custom 5, Yamaha BB425x, Genz Benz Shuttle 12.0 etc.. [/size][/font][/color] [i]A bit of a long shot but does anyone have any SWR gear? I'd love to try some. [/i] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]18. MacDaddy[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]19. louisthebass[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]20. TrevorR - 2 Wals, an Aria SB700, a Markbass LMII and 2x10 plus some pedals...[/size][/font][/color]

What about asking Rhino to chat about his life in the Quo? He's a regular attendee. Or Neil Murray? He's a Basschattter, tho ,I guess mostly it's BC for bass sales The other thought I had, though I don't have personal links to him, was someone like Lol Cottle. He must have a few stories to tell. Or Mo Foster... he's not short of an anecdote.

There is also the issue of the natural break points within a vocal range. Having two octaves or whatever to play with is all well and good but within that there are different areas where the voice has a different tone... Chest voice, Head voice and Falsetto. Transitioning across those in a vocal line can be problematic or sound odd. Imagine if on the bass you had an octave and a bit range where you naturally played fingerstyle BUT as soon as you got above a certain note the magic bass fairy suddenly put a pick in your hand and made you play with that. And below another note they forced you to play tug bar and thumb like the old country bassists. Awkward. You'd certainly want to arrange your keys and bass lines so they naturally fell within one of those ranges. Case in point. We've just started doing this country-rock tinged song at church and it's in B - original key. Suits my voice nicely, suits the lead singer nicely. However, when she's not around and the guitarist leads he wants to do the song in A... easy chords! But that places the melody right across my Chest/head break point. If I go up an octave it is right on my head/falsetto point elsewhere and somewhat of a strain. Two semitones but a huge difference in singability for me. So choice... sing too high and strain. Sing too low and sound like Paul Robeson doing Lynyrd Skynyrd and risk puberty-like voice cracking either way. It's a royal pain of a song in A and a rockin' cracker in B... just two semitones...

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1499115426' post='3329362'] I thought i remember that they closed up shop. Theres just nothing quite like a wal. The electronics are out of this world. [/quote] Yes from about 2004-2007 Pete had lost his staff and got progressively more ill and faced two or three consecutive workshop moves until he could no longer cope with the business. He handed the reins over to Paul who relaunched the brand after the move from High Wycombe to Fetcham in about 2009.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1498904640' post='3327866'] I know he's a busy man but I'd love to see a set/talk by Steve Lawson!! [/quote] That was my thought too. Either a geeky effects chat or a looping masterclass. I know Steve from way back. Happy to drop him a line too! PS planning to be there too!

I also worked with a guy called Ian Furneaux... or "Disco" as we used to call him!

Does "Penwith Live 83" count... there was no 84, 85, 86... because they lost so much money. Planned for about 30,000 but got 5,000! It was Cornwall's first rock festival and, to be honest, a lot of people thought it was probably a hoax. It was logistically doomed to failure though, if for no other reason that they organised it for a Tuesday (yes, you read that right) after the August bank holiday. I think that reasoning was that the bands could do it as a add-on to whatever gigs they were doing over the Bank Holiday weekend and therefore be a bit cheaper to hire. They never figured that a) all the Bank Holiday tourists might have gone home on Monday and b ) all the locals might have needed to go back t work on Tuesday!!! It was a great gig though and those of us who were here had a whale of a time. The lineup was... Sid's Taxi (local covers band who opened), The Opposition (dull dour electro-goth), Renaissance (wonderful folk rock - what a pair of pipes Annie Haslam has!!!), Chuck Berry (strictly for his contracted minutes plus one song as an encore for a cash bung back stage - and you know what song he sang, don't you), Aswad (absolutely glorious on a warm summer evening), 10cc (with Graham and Eric and utterly brilliant), Meatloaf (OTT, wonderful and at risk of giving himself a hernia or an aneurysm at any moment - it was at the height of his "even larger than normal" years). Oh yeah, and between the acts to entertain the audience while the gear was changed, some bloke wandered on stage with an electric guitar to sing these slightly humorous, sometimes political songs in a kinda rough estuary accent. Found out later it was some bloke called Billy Bragg. Wonder what happened to him?

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1498966495' post='3328265'] Top Gear The Allman Brothers - Jessica some tasty bass playing, as usual [/quote] D'uh, of course!!! My brain! And of course I should've included The Chain by Fleetwood Mac too! How could I have forgotten those two?

The excellent Great TV themes thread (and the passing of Barry Norman) got me thinking about those TV themes which started life as singles or album tracks in their own right rather than being specially commissioned or culled off some library albums. There really are some great ones which are just amazing tunes in their own right and deserve to be appreciated as such... here are a few of my favourites... Film 19xx/20xx - The Billy Taylor Trio http://youtu.be/jlH_XFuf3wU BBC Holiday - Gordon Giltrap http://youtu.be/ktRsmHrLHU4 Graham Norton show - The Propellerheads and Dame Shirley Bassey http://youtu.be/yzLT6_TQmq8 The South Bank Show - Andrew and Julian Lloyd Webber (Backed by Barbara Thompson and Coliseum II) http://youtu.be/TMCb90JpvxY