flyfisher

[quote name='TimR' post='1361303' date='Sep 3 2011, 08:55 PM']The headline act is a local celebrity/famous musician from the 60s and his band.[/quote] I guess they'll have the last word on their billing position then - who are they BTW? The problem with one of my bands playing later on any billing is that the singer and harp player tend to be fairly 'well oiled' by then. I entirely agree with the pain of having to arrive early for a soundcheck and then hang around for ages to play. Maybe not so bad for pros who get looked after in a decent green room but down at my level of playing . . . .

Does Lester Holt qualify as famous? (probably only in the USA). [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_Holt"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_Holt[/url] Anyway, he plays bass for 'Band from TV' fronted by Hugh Laurie. Yeah, I know, getting a bit tenuous now . . .

[quote name='Westie9' post='1359639' date='Sep 2 2011, 11:13 AM']My most sincere aplogies but I still don't have a clue about all this 'ohms' thing. Can someone explain it in a complete moronic way please, so that my tiny little brain can attempt to compute with !!! My main question is: I run a Genz Benz Streamliner 600 (375 @ 8ohms and 600 @ 4), into 2 EBS Neo 112's (8 ohms each). Now, don't laugh, if I use 1 output from the Streamliner into 1 cab, and then daisychain this cab into the second cab, does this mean that each cab runs at 4 ohms, thus giving me the best output for the Streamliner?[/quote] Yes. (although it doesn't change the ohms of each cab, but two 8 ohm cabs connected in parallel with 'look like' 4 ohms to the amp) [quote name='Westie9' post='1359639' date='Sep 2 2011, 11:13 AM']Is it the same when using the 2nd speaker output from the Streamliner, so, 1 to each cab?[/quote] Yes. [quote name='Westie9' post='1359639' date='Sep 2 2011, 11:13 AM']Now, if I added a 15" cab (again 8ohm) from 1 channel on the Streamliner, daisychained this into a single 12" cab, allowing me then to use the second 12" cab as a personal monitor for me on stage using the second output from the Streamliner, what would that give me or would the amp just turn into a molten piece of plastic and metal!!![/quote] Yes - molten plastic! (probably). What you would be doing is connecting a 4 ohm load (i.e. the two 8 ohms cabs in parallel) to one amp output and an 8 ohm load (i.e. the stage monitor cab) to the other amp output. The result is that the amp will 'see' a combined load of 2.7 ohms, which is below the design minimum of 4 ohms. This is a bad thing. [quote name='Westie9' post='1359639' date='Sep 2 2011, 11:13 AM']The main problem I have is that I don't go through the PA and I have difficulty hearing myself on stage so I do need the extra cab as a monitor. Any ideas for a thicko ???[/quote] If you really have to work with the gear you already have then one possibility would be to wire up the two main cabs in [u]series[/u] instead of parallel (this would need some special cables). This would give a combined load of 16 ohms. Add this (in parallel) to the 8 ohm stage monitor and the amp would 'see' a load of 5.3 ohms, which is perfectly safe. BUT, the power would not be equally distributed between all cabs. 2/3rds of it would go to your stage monitor and only 1/3rd to the two main cabs, split equally between them. So, not a very good solution. Or, you could just use two cabs, one as a stage monitor. Or, best of all, stick to your two main cabs and get the sound guy to give you a stage monitor (perhaps your spare cab) driven from the mixing desk.

Well, the current trend seems to be never to get rid of anything . . . . [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14718478"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14718478[/url]

I'm liking the Focus suggestions. Another example: (This clip cuts to the bass chase, but the whole track is worth a listen)

[quote name='apa' post='1357480' date='Aug 31 2011, 01:23 PM']So the 2m of cable between the 100m of cheap copper cable and RCD's and Fuses and screw terminals and weakened hard strand where the sparky has bent it a few times and lumps of mortar and switches which youve sparked a zillion times that makes up your house wiring and your super dooper amp/turntable/CD/DAB etc makes all the difference!![/quote] I once read a hi-fi magazine article that made that very point . . . . so their solution was to run a hi-fi system from a car battery, which actually makes some sort of sense given that it would be a nice stable, noise-free source of DC power. But I think they spoiled it by using a mains inverter, which are notoriously noisy things. But that was a long time ago and people are not so daft these days . . . are they? [url="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/02/08/the-most-expensive-cable-in-the-world/"]http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/02/08/th...e-in-the-world/[/url]

I like that analogy.

Great post - thanks. It's easy to forget that these guys are getting quite old, but it's great that they're still out there playing. Last time I saw BB King he was seated for most of the gig, and that was a fair few years ago now. Nice to see that JB also has the keys on his set list - I used to think I was the only one.

[quote name='gemdids' post='1356031' date='Aug 30 2011, 10:35 AM']I haven't tried that, to be honest, with electrics and technical things the like, I prefer to leave it to the experts. By switch, yes, the potentiometer (see, I didn't even know thats what it was called!) [/quote] No problem. I'd only encourage people to try the simple stuff if they're not happy about soldering and the like. icastle has described the process and hopefully it's clear that it's not really 'electrical' or 'technical', more of a cleaning process really. The only tricky bit is gaining access to the pots, but that should only involve a few screws. At least you now know the first thing that an 'expert' will probably try. Incidentally, if you ever have a similar problem with the slider pots, they can be cleaned by the same method without having to unscrew anything.

[quote name='gemdids' post='1356016' date='Aug 30 2011, 10:19 AM']Fellow BC'ers, Can anyone reccommend an amp tech in Manchester who could take a look at my amp- Hartke A100. The volume switch crackles quite badly, it's ok once it's set but it's taking me a while to find a sweet spot where it's stable, apart from that it cuts out or distorts. If anyone nearby thinks they could have a go at fixing it, be my guest! Gemdids[/quote] You could try cleaning the volume "switch" yourself (I presume you actually mean a volume potentiometer) with something like this: [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/switch-cleaner-27515"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/switch-cleaner-27515[/url]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1350776' date='Aug 24 2011, 09:36 PM']Does it matter if it makes the buyer happy?[/quote] Of course not. What does matter is people thinking a £10k bass is 'better' than a £1500 bass or that it will make them a better player. It's just more expensive, that's all, and is often just a means to proclaim to the world how rich the buyer is. Like personalised number plates or 'designer' clothing.

Thing is, would a £10k really be any better than a £1500 bass? Isn't is a bit like, say, a Rolex watch. The 'cheap' £2k ones are basically the same inside as the £20k ones, they're just not adorned with silver/gold/platinum/diamonds etc. Basically they are just a good watch instead of a bit of bling or a 'collectors item'.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1350730' date='Aug 24 2011, 09:00 PM']You really do dislike anything legal being forced on you don't you Flyfisher?[/quote] Yes. If more people took more responsibility for their own actions then I think the world would be a better - and cheaper! - place. Don't you? I'm not suggesting people shouldn't go out, have a few drinks, get a bit boisterous etc etc. But if they end up falling over and crack their head on the side of my cab at the back of the band area then how can that be anything to do with me? Why should I have to pay insurance premiums to cover actions arising out of other people's stupidity? The world is going litigation-mad and most people are sleep-walking into encouraging it.

There was the time when our singer decided to play a simple harp solo on one particular song after he'd been learning harp for a short while. So we practice the song (Key of A) and he's OK with it. I don't know much about harps but I know they are different for different keys. So we're at a gig and the guitarist starts the song . . . but he starts it in G. I look across to the second guitarist and we both immediately adapt so everything is OK, except that we can't tell the singer that he's got the wrong harp for this key and he doesn't seem to have noticed. So me and the second guitarist just play along and wait for the train wreck of a solo. Sure enough, the singer launches into his solo and plays for a while before realising something is wrong and then gives up with a look of puzzlement and upset. He subsequently apologised to the band and was angry with himself for messing up the solo despite all his practice. We almost didn't tell him about the key issue but our laughing gave it away.

[quote name='simon1964' post='1350651' date='Aug 24 2011, 07:46 PM']As to the drunk point - you may be able to argue contributory negligence on the part of the drunk. But the law of negligence is largely about foreseeability, and it is foreseeable that there will be drunks leaving a venue after the gig while you're packing up (in fact its a certainty at most of the venues we play). You owe that drunk a duty of care. Contributory negligence might reduce the value of the claim but that's all it would do.[/quote] So I'm responsible for the care of someone who is so sh1t-faced that he can't even stand up properly? That's one of the most depressing things I've ever read.

Active bass (loads of controls) ----> pedals (loads of controls) ----> amp (loads of controls) or Bass ----> amp (loads of controls) Now, it could be that I'm just not the adventurous type, but the seconds config works fine for me. I'm also wondering if the never-ending search for the ultimate tone might be something to do with the myriad controls in the first config.

I see your point, but it does infuriate me. I'd really like to think that anyone who has been drinking would be unable to successfully sue anyone when they fall over. I've never heard of a drunk driver successfully suing someone after having an accident.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1350587' date='Aug 24 2011, 06:44 PM']If someone tripped over your gear and was injured as a result you could be sued for rather a lot![/quote] But doesn't the 'duty of care' extend both ways? Someone would have to be pretty careless to trip over our gear, unless they were drunk, in which case they have rendered themselves incapable of acting safely - which is hardly our problem is it? Isn;t there a test of 'reasonableness' in such matters?

What, exactly, are the public liability issues for the band members? Isn't the venue usually covered for such things? For example, the last gig I played was for a birthday party in a pub with no payment involved - we just turned up with our (uninsured) gear and played. What was our PL position?

Fortunately I've never actually gone blank in the middle of a song. I've made loads of mistakes of course but I've always known what I was supposed to be playing. When I mess up I generally just keep the rhythm on root notes until I get my bearings again. But, I sometimes find myself completely forgetting how a song starts so I always make sure my starting note (or bar) is on my set list. As long as I know the opening note or two, muscle-memory seems to take over and get things going.

Great stuff. Reminded me of CC Smugglers.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1349091' date='Aug 23 2011, 03:44 PM']Music used to be crafted and recorded as a piece of “work” but these days it’s purpose just seems to be noisy wallpaper, and not really meant to be listened to in any detail.[/quote] That's a bit too much of an over-generalisation for me. 'Pop music' as noisy wallpaper seems accurate enough but I certainly wouldn't condemn all music on that basis.

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1347521' date='Aug 21 2011, 09:00 PM']If you love the Jazz, and have one, and also love the Ricky, but don`t have one, get a Ricky.[/quote] nail > head. But as you already have a good bass that gives you a sound you love then I'd probably blow the money on a couple of weeks in the Carribean or similar. It seems a bit unimaginative to just buy another bass.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1348740' date='Aug 23 2011, 09:50 AM']Completely agree. Any credible, professional standard instrument is good enough. Its the music that counts.[/quote] Also agree. For any given bass model there will be many professional musicians out there earning a living with them, which surely confirms that any decent bass is perfectly adequate. A good musician will be able to make good music with pretty much any bass.

Yeah, it's a question of degree isn't it? Almost anything can be taught to some degree but there's some indefinable thing that allows people to take it further and truly excel. Isn't that how pretty much all great art works?