JTUK

[quote name='matski' post='1127252' date='Feb 14 2011, 04:30 PM']It was the same old 'let's start a band!' chat with some mates at school that got me started. One bloke wanted to play guitar, another wanted to play the drums, so I picked the bass. I convinced my dad it was a brilliant idea for him to buy me a cheapo bass to learn on (Hondo Rickenfaker) - funnily enough the other 2 blokes are still yet to get their instruments sorted and get together for a jam (after 30 years.....)[/quote] Love it... my mates never got out of the bedroom as far as I know. I recall a LOT of talk about doing this and that though...

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1126854' date='Feb 14 2011, 11:38 AM']If you've got the woodworking skills, tools and the time and somewhere to build it, I'd make a BFM cab.[/quote] I agree. Some of the efforts on here from the pics I've seen can put some cab makers to shame,

[quote name='chris_b' post='1127142' date='Feb 14 2011, 03:14 PM']There are no bad bass lines in any of my sets!!![/quote] ha ha ..yep, agree. I make them up to fit the song taking the cover as a reference only...and if they are originals, then I put them down anyway.

Started playing at school and the plan was always to gig as soon as possible. Even now when we put new things together, after a few rehersals/weeks you know if it is worth pursuing and a gig is booked as something to aim for.

I have to say that my strings stays rock solid on the green for quite a while so that is what I use after the initial attack which is pretty much there anyway, it settles on the green of the tuner frequency. It may be how hard you attack the string that causes confusion but unless way out, I doubt you'll hear it. Also, if your left hand is grabby you might get problems with octave slides..but this is all part of learning set-up and how you play. Quite a few things can affect tuning...how you put on strings, the bass itself, your RH attack, your LH fretting, intonation etc etc etc ..but the goal is to be rock solid on the peg, IMO.

I find I can pretty much choose what sound I want for our live sound so agree it is how the other guys set up that allows you this. We use gtr and keys and are pretty powerful. Gtrs are notorious for only thinking about their sound requirements so they do need to roll off the bass and I am not sure I like the clanky bass sound that cuts through as a sound on its own..and there will be times when the bass plays on its own, as a solution compromise here. If that is the sound you like, then ok, but I'd set the bass sound up to something you can work with and then see how that plays in a bass and drums mix and then what prorblems you get with gtr in there. It is all about layers not a wall of sound though and if the gtr doesn't or wont get this, then that will forever be your problem. I don't like the sound of the weak D and G though... is it balanced as a sound on the bass..or just when the gtr gets involved?

It is all technique and right hand .... best off with Youtube for the octave work, IMO

The intervals are all over the place so it is not just a case of dropping 2 tones across the strings. Conventionally two tones down would be C.F.Bb.Eb.Ab. It doesn't matter to me that the variation in a 5th from the C to as little as a major 3rd from the F. I think the gauges I mention would be ok-ish but if heavey handed and with a picky maybe go up 5 thou per string if you can get them in those steps.

Odd tuning..!! But assuming it is a half step up from the norm for the B... I'd go C-130-45..if that is indeed the tuning you use. It would make it easier if you tuned in 4ths..??

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1125946' date='Feb 13 2011, 02:02 PM']The first part of good news is that I am officially back in gigging mode. My old band needed me to come back, and luckily I felt ready and more willing to play as much as possible. A year off was enough! The second part of good news is that they have been lucky/worked hard enough to get some help from Orange amps. They have agreed on an endorsement so myself and the two guitarists are looking at rigs for March onwards. Yes, I have the full stack, but I'd like an alternative that will be stored and heavily gigged. I'm thinking of the Bass Terror plus two SP212s. Small and punchy! Failing that, another OBC 115 or 410 so I can mix and match or just take one and let that do all the work going around the UK and Europe. I would love the 8x10, but I really don't think we could handle the size. I may look into a backup AD200b...all depends. What would you do? The whole backline is going to be Orange.[/quote] Has to be the 8x10 IF you know what the stages are going to be like, ie a certain standard and size and indeed the trucking plus access in to the stage. For a mini stage gig you'll need something that will stack to around chest height, minimum, IME..if that is 2 SP212 then that might work..but don't stack them vertically, that is such a terrible look..and this might count in this situation.

Reading that reply, I am now confused. I thought he plugged an amp into the SWR extn socket output on the amp ?? which would mash the internals of that amps output stage, IMO... or he plugged both amp outputs into the speaker cab..which I would have thought would be a closed connection to eliminate this type of dumb thing. If the latter...you ( he ) would have probably blown that speaker. The best thing he could have done..is do the gig carefully with the existing SWR combo and report the fault to you...adding he would help out with a payment as it may have happened on his watch. Interested in hearing what an amp tech makes of all this... I think if the first instance is on the right lines, you'll need the output stage of the amp repaired..and it may be as little as a blown output capacitor or..??? No expert here, and just guessing from past expereince of blown output stages. Not from a dumb thing like this guy did though..hasten to add That was the beauty of being brought up on flakey valve amps and wimpy speakers..you had a few failures and you learned quick. Transistor amps are so more resilant to abuse..but there is a limit. hope you find decent guy...if it is just a few odds and sods if you are lucky..I would expect an independant..ie, not a shop with overheads and mark-up for subbing this out, to be from £35 or so for a few hrs work. Guesstimate ..

[quote name='neilb' post='1116785' date='Feb 5 2011, 06:12 PM'][/quote] Very pretty... I like this colouring.

What on earth did he think he was doing..?? Jeez...some people..and you happen to have been unlucky enough to lend this guy the amp. I doubt he will want to cough up for the bill...but I agree with the above, best of luck finding someone. Anyone decent will be able to sort this out but what damage and how much it'll cost, I have no idea

I approach it like this..I play the bass in the band so that is ALL down to me. I like it when they compliment something and for effects on a track, I'd ask their opinion or help, but mostly I expect them to look after their remit. If there was anyone majorly wrong, we wouldn't be in that band with each other. Have to say.. really not an effects person, though. I spend so much time getting it clean..why would I want to mess that up

Any sideman on a big tour would have one in his arsenal and would probably be his go-to instrument A band gig, less so.

[quote name='Algae' post='1124863' date='Feb 12 2011, 12:27 PM']Yeah that's the one. Maybe I need a new head as well then [/quote] maybe...but not until you have got to grips with the cabs of your choice. Reading between the lines... I think the Berg might be a bit too focused for your needs. The thing about these hi end 10's can be that you hear stuff you aren't used to hearing..which may or may not help you. The first time out with a quality 410 can be disconcerting in that you'll hear everything... and some stuff you might not like. Ultimately, it may tighten up your playing.. as it may not be forgiving of unclean lines. You either embrace this or you don't. I liken it to your first session solo'ed and you either adopt that lesson or you ignore it. The ultimate upshot of that may be that clean lines are easy to mix in band situation but I can think of many recordings with ugly bass on it that the engr has spent ages fixing. Anything by McCartney for starters...but that is another thread.. Seriously, uber clean sounding cabs are not for everyone...so pick the sound you like and can work with, IMV. I wouldn't rule out your Ashdown yet..or the Ampeg, for that matter. It will be what works in your context.

to the OP...of course. For most music I'd say a 5 is without doubt the standard but I can see that some here would not agree.

5 ..but a candy red with white plate. But then again..if you aren't hearing parts with a 5, then get the 4.

I took him an old SM400 which had been knocked to the ground at a gig and that has been the only issue I have had with it for nigh on 20 yrs..( so far.. ) He told me he wouldn't have designed the input stage the way they did, but was very impressed with the components used and the general lay-out. There was an element of truth about weight as he was a bit of an iconic designer of 60's gear and so was not the youngest and I guess he couldn't lug around 20 plus kgs of amp onto his bench but he saw many many valve gtr amps and he was NOT a fan of certain marques through the sheer build. He said he wouldn't have one if the paid him. I was thinking about giving him an old Selmer combo to rebuild but I doubt if it is worth the time and money it would cost. Anyway, I generally believe him when he talks about amps. Back to the OP... and this is important...what sort of resale would you get from your end choice?

[quote name='Algae' post='1123748' date='Feb 11 2011, 12:27 PM']The Ashdown MAG are the cheaper range solid state heads. Mine is an ABM which is higher spec with a valve preamp so may justify the neo cab , a MAG certainly doesn't.[/quote] Sorry my mistake..didn't take too much notice...I think it was an EVO 500/600. It was supposed to be 600watts [url="http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=6"]http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=6[/url] This looks like it...but not sure on the models generally, and this likes what I am often given.... I'll take note of the MAG/ABM config next time. Thanks

[quote name='Algae' post='1123609' date='Feb 11 2011, 10:14 AM']Mmmm lots to think about there. Thanks folks. So if my Ashdown is not in the premiership should I be thinking about upgrading my head too to go with the neo cab ?[/quote] I wouldn't do this in the first instance..get used to a new piece of kit first. It may well be that you don't like the sound of the Berg for what you do or want. My beef with Ashdowns, generally, are that the amps need work to get a sound. I played one of their better amps..a Mag 500 thingey..? and it was a bugger through pretty clean cabs. I hated it...as I knew what the cabs could sound like. That graphic slider thing was a PITA and I never got a clean sound from it. I prefer amps that respond to a flattish level..on the dials..and then you can see what to boost and the less playing around the better. gone are the days where I will want to be fiddling with this parameter or that... just plug in and play and a knotch here and there for the room. I have also used Ashdowns where I was getting a decent sound, but most of the tweaks I do on the bass pre, so don't need to go around in circles finding it on the amp. There cabs are big and solid but nothing special, IMO, but they may be quite a few people's ideal sound...YMMV..!!

If it were me..I'd get the classic rock sound sorted with the amp..and then palm mute the strings for the dub stuff..and maybe thumb the line with attack rolled off. It is a tough ask to cover that range of sound, if I understand what you are after, properly.

Alex from the Gallery sent me a La Bella super step A string as a seperate which I am very pleased about as he has rescued a new set. The other A string broke at the bridge after about 3 hrs of playing..so brand new virtually.