wateroftyne

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1491983620' post='3276872'] You wouldn't believe how shocked you will be when you find out the secret. [/quote] Eventually we'll develop an immunity to this sort of tone-of-voice, forcing advertisers will have to find another way to get our attention. And so it goes on...

FWIW, the R-400 has a Baxandall tone stack. It's unbelievably simple, but it works so well.

Maybe not magic, but the pre of the WA (and even more so the R-400 IMO) is fairly unique 'cos they're not starved plate. They're rich, dynamic and clear.

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1491931821' post='3276608'] Hah! It's funny how I didn't really take on board your April 16 Handbox thread, WoT, until now, but I've just spent an enjoyable half an hour catching up![/quote] Happy to help! I'm conscious that I shout about the R-400 a lot on BC, but I think it's such a remarkable bit of kit I can't help shouting it from the rooftops :-) [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1491931821' post='3276608'] A bit like sratas I LOVE the Mesa tone, which in the case of my M6 Carbine is just a single 12AX7 preamp into a MOSfet main amp but manages to deliver a just deliciously creamy tone. I was kinda wondering what else might be out there that could match or beat that? I think the valve guys are saying nothing compares to valves. I was also wondering whether a great preamp pedal would similarly deliver that sound when combined with a Class D (or better still a Class A/B ) power amp, and I am sure there are plenty more views to be shared on the topic. But I think you are saying, unequivocally, as a fellow Mesa owner that the Handbox as a hybrid [with 3 tube pre-amp into Class A/B] trumps the Mesa for sound and is better value! Well you've certainly got my attention!! [/quote] Yep, unequivocally. IME it has everything that makes the WA great, with the bonus of more headroom and - if needed - more presence in the upper mids. [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1491931821' post='3276608'] Is anyone stocking these in the UK? Have you come across the Handbox Fortec 412 Custom combo? Any details, or price - is it the R-400 in combo form? Worst case, my drummer in my rock n roll band is Polish...I may need to send her shopping next time she visits Poland! [/quote] There's no UK stockist at the moment - I know a couple of interested parties were talking to Leszek a while ago, but I'm not sure if it came to anything. TBH it's easy enough to order direct from him (but obviously trying one first is tricky!), The Fortec 412 isn't the R-400 - it's another class AB with a solid-state pre, which I have no experience of. (Incidentally, Maruszczyk also sell a rebranded version, the [url="https://www.public-peace.de/index.php/amplification/maruszczyk-instruments/967-barabass-combo-black"]Barabass[/url]). Apologies for going OT :-)

The Handbox R-400 takes the Mesa Walkabout thing a step further, IMO. Class AB power, three full-voltage tubes in the pre - none of this starved plate nonsense - and noticeably more clean headroom, in a similar-sized package. Lots of rich tone, and it gets nicely fuzzy when you push the pre. Oh, and it's reasonably priced, too.

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1491896674' post='3276147'] There is at least one venue in these parts where the landlord won't consider booking a band he hasn't heard before without a CD. He reckons he is working 15 hour days and doesn't have time to watch web based promos. [/quote] It it an originals venue, or a covers gig?

[quote name='funkydario' timestamp='1491894548' post='3276131'] Just a simple question guys...truss rod is inverted in Adrian's basses....did I understand that right ?? [/quote] Definitely on the Jakes. Can't speak for the others.

There's a lot of noise out there, and these guys have to play the game if they want to be heard. As for fast-cutting the videos, blame us. We've developed terrible attention spans.

I first noticed signs of it on my left hand about 10 years ago, in my mid-thirties. It's progressing very slowly, so I'm not worried yet.

A CD? Isn't that a bit 2005?

Yes had a special guest bass player on 'Owner of a Lonely Heart', too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa843_cTqGU

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1491570235' post='3274040'] I thought the early albums were recorded/mastered in Mono only? [/quote] Stereo mixes were done as an afterthought, without the band's involvement.

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1491555220' post='3273877'] Nice Brian Pern moment last week when they were discussing the plethora of Thotch greatest hits/best of packages. When they were just repackaged with a bonus track they were giant rip offs. With the advent of downloads the record companies can't get away with that anymore. Outtakes - don't get me started! The Led Zeppelin back catalogue reissues - don't get me started! Jimmy Page - get a post Led Zeppelin career already! [/quote] Heh... the Zeppelin reissue campaign was one of the more worthwhile ones, I thought. Decent outtakes for those who want them, and it got the music back into the public eye again.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1491486512' post='3273423'] I didnt say there was anything wrong with a re release, that's what I wanted to replace worn out vinyl. Its re mastering I don't like, it is messing with the original simply cos you can. That's why I dont buy re mastered, so I do walk away. [/quote] It wasn't aimed at you specifically :-) That said, I don't mind remasters as all, provided there's an improvement... which isn't usually the case these days anyway. As for extras, I did enjoy a lot of the stuff on the Beatles Anthology, but they served a purpose - demonstrating how songs developed, etc. I don't quite understand the need for a million different takes & mixes, though.

Remastering & re-releasing isn't going to go away - it's an important part of keeping the music alive for new generations to discover. The alternative is original mixes languishing on the shelves, with nothing new to say about them. These re-issue programmes light the fire under them, and get them back in the public eye, giving people jobs in creative, marketing and technology sectors. Not keen on them? Walk away.

My heart [i]still[/i] flutters whenever I look at this.

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1491406805' post='3272806'] I saw this earlier today on the Super-Deluxe Edition website as well ([url="http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/the-beatles-sgt-peppers-lonely-hearts-club-band-super-deluxe-edition/"]http://www.superdelu...deluxe-edition/[/url]). I never quite understood the desire/excitement for monaural delivery...when I was a kid, my amp had a mono button on it and it just made everything sound bland (except for the first Van Halen album, which sounded great in either stereo or mono). [/quote] The stereo mixes were generally an afterthought, or looked on as a novelty. When instruments are panned hard to one side, a mono mix has tonnes more focus and energy.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1491393616' post='3272649'] I dunno... it can work (if you call this blues): Starts at 3:15 [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOsPHjMJWCs[/media] [/quote] That sounds like someone hitting a spring with knitting needles....

I've been doing a bit of archive work for a band that were on telly a fair bit in the 70s, and the broadcast mixes are - without exception - fantastic. Even the lower-budget regional stuff.

Open mic hosts 'round our way are paid.

Michael Marra had some classics: 'Frida Kahlo's Visit to the Taybridge Bar', for example.

[quote name='Steve Browning' timestamp='1491298059' post='3271855'] I was clearing out some space the other day and came across the bills for the old basses I used to own. Have none of them now [/quote] Holy crap - you poor, poor man!

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1491309038' post='3271990'] The worst thing about mics, in my opinion, is that they allow pubs to say they have live music without booking, or paying for, a band. [/quote] My issue exactly. They've killed off the mid-week band scene 'round our way.

I go to open mic nights with my ol' Dad. he's the far side of 70, and I love getting up and playing tunes with him. Apart from that, I think open mics are the spawn of the devil :-D