ezbass

I like Jim, I discovered him when he did his ‘where does tone in a guitar come from?’ video. This amp one is more of the same, but this time I already knew the answer. I talked to the amp specialist in Chandler’s about the difference in tubes and the tonal differences we hear between Marshall and Fender guitar amps. He told me that it was actually mostly about the placement of the tone stack in the circuit and this video demonstrates that perfectly. The name of that tech? Brinsley Schwarz (yes that Brinsley Schwarz), he’s an amp nut. This whole thing certainly questions the whole SS vs Valves argument, but that’s what Jim does, he challenges perceived thinking and marketing. He’s a pretty tasty player too.

It would definitely influence me against being in a band with folk with extremist views and has done in the past. I was in a band where we got a new drummer in, he was OKish talent wise, but once he made a thoroughly racist comment, he was gone.

Heavenly Homes - BeBop Deluxe

Ashes To Ashes - Faith No More

Well, that took way longer than I anticipated.

That would work.

From a former South Londoner.

Less Than Zero - Elvis Costello

Beat me to it.

Same knobs too.

Playing guitar (yeah, I know, but I still enjoy it at home) make mine feedback.

I have NHS ones too and in noisy environments I can only use one, as two are overwhelming. I find the adjustment on the app to be OK for EQ, but the wind reduction, noise reduction and speech focus seem pointless and I can’t tell any difference. I find them a bit on the big side with my specs and wouldn’t mind smaller ones, but I don’t want to lay out wads of cash just for that, there would have to be a noticeable sonic difference. As to “AI” hearing ads, I call marketing BS.

Because that would destroy the FoH sound, which was fine and we don’t want to get into volume wars. Neither the guitar or keys were any louder, the boys are really disciplined in that respect. Here lies the problem, I think, especially with booming toms and crashing cymbals. I have to find a way to get the kit tuned higher, like Stewart Copeland does - lots of cut, no mud. What doesn’t help is the feedback from the audience, who said we’ve never sounded better (I think their hearing had been shot by the DJs).

Oh, they know, I have made it abundantly clear. I have not, but I don't want more gear TBH. Also, I think IEMs are a great idea for a quiet stage, but when you have a tub thumper and a normal guitar amp (not loud by any means) on stage, I think it kind of negates them and I'd rather go for protection over monitoring. I have considered this option in the past, however.

Down to Fife in a fortnight for what is our last gig in the diary for this year.The sound will have to be better than last night’s or I’m going to seriously think about packing it in.

It’s not just one though, this is the norm sadly.

2nd set follow up. I moved forwards and down, in front of the drums (there was a smallish stage), with keys and guitar, left and right. It sounded better for about 5 minutes, the drums were just drowning out my rig and I won’t turn up because that’d destroy to out front mix, which seemed fine at sound check. There is little or no enjoyment for me if I can’t hear myself and this morning has contemplating jacking it all in, although I’m sure I won’t. Crowd loved it all, so job done. Had a complete blank in one song (Itchycoo Park) and couldn’t remember how to play it, most embarrassing. We shared the night with a mod/punk disco who were louder than us by some measure and one of the monitors blew during our set, which I’m sure was down to them. I didn’t hang around because of the volume and was packed up and home by 1.

Currently sitting and relaxing in the break. It’s going well, lots of dancing from the get go. However, the nature of the set up means I can’t hear myself particularly well . I’m going to move for the second half and see if that helps. Gear is my usual Phil Jones rig but with my custom fretless Maruszczyk Elwood L. Footwear is the usual Adidas Samba types (it’s a mod gig after all).

Where one can Come Back & Stay.

These things become more and more important. Result.