flyfisher

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1377264493' post='2185548'] flyfisher you could run W7 on your current machines I'm sure. [/quote] Yes, quite probably and I may go that route if and when the time comes. But it's annoying to be forced to upgrade when my current PCs still work fine. But hey, Microsoft have to make money, even though no one really wants to buy an operating system any more than they want to buy a car engine - people want cars (PCs).

[quote name='borisbrain' timestamp='1377265175' post='2185559'] This may be true of iOS devices (iPhones & iPads), since all apps indeed have to be approved by Apple. However the [i]Mac[/i] OS is an open system in the same way as Windows. You can run whatever you like on them (or whatever is available from the developer community.) Additionally, using either Bootcamp or Parallels, they can be configured to run Windows too. MiltyG565 started a thread on this here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/215112-how-do-i-partition-my-hard-drive-and-install-windows/ [/quote] I didn't mean to suggest macs were as closed as an iPhone, but the range of stuff available is smaller than for PCs. I'm aware that windows can be run on a mac, though I don,t really see the point, unless the looks are more important to someone than the functions. I guess I'm just not a big fan one one machine for everything.

It's your bass, do whatever you want with it. If you feel the need to ask anonymous people for advice, I'd suggest leaving it alone as you clearly don't have strong feelings either way, so why waste your time? Do many people spend much time admiring the look of their basses? Mine spends most of its time in a hard case and only comes out to play, when I can't see it anyway. Or do people spend their time playing in front of a mirror?

Macs are essentially ,closed' systems, so Apple maintains strict quality control over all aspect of what's running on them. This is the main basis for their supposed reliability. But it generally forces you to do things their way ( not necessarily a bad thing). Wintel PCs are essentiall ,open' systems, so it's a bit of a free for all in terms of what you can run on them and software compatibility is not really managed as strictly as it can be with Macs. In my experience, people have problems with PCs when they try and use them for everything and load them up with tons of stuff. However, they are so relatively cheap that there's really no need to try to run, say, 'office' on a music editing machine. I've got four PCs - a server to store and backup all my stuff, an 'office' PC, a video editing PC and a music recording/editing PC. Before I'm accused of extravagance, none is more powerful than a 3GHz P4 and all run WinXP. Keeping them 'lean and mean' is easy and means I have no reliability problems. I'd be less confident about buying a super duper latest spec PC and trying to use it as a multi purpose machine, but unfortunately I may be forced to upgrade next year when Microsoft stop supporting XP - which is a real shame when it does everything I need.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1377251067' post='2185252'] Not sure if personalised plates could make you a good driver - in fact the kind of person who buys a personalised plate is likely to be the opposite in my humble experience - but I take your point. [/quote] I suppose you don't have to be a good driver if you think you already own the road.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1377250159' post='2185237'] This is true, but it [i]can [/i]make you a more confident player, which in turn [i]could [/i]lead to you being a better player. [/quote] Fair point, if you're already the sort of person that needs a bit of a self-esteem boost. Presumably personalised plates do much the same thing for some people.

[quote name='W11ATO' timestamp='1377240960' post='2185106'] And what about snob value, if we're honest, there's a bit of that involved too? [/quote] More than a bit, I'd say. A custom bass won't make you a better player and with all the tone controls available these days won't make you sound any better either ( well, no more than a vastly expensive unobtainium bass lead anyway). A personalised number plate won't make you a better driver but it will make a certain type of person happier. There are no absolute rules, we're free to pick and choose ( assuming we can afford to do so) and there will always be skilled people willing to create bespoke items for those who want them, whether it's a bespoke suit, shoes, shotgun, kitchen or any number of other things.

Beat me to it.

Send them back and wait for the FX rate to move in your favour? I know, not very helpful. I can feel your pain, but I guess there will always be 'boundary issues' like this wherever the tax brackets are set. Ttill a bummer though.

Makes sense to me, especially for covers bands. If the audience already know the songs then they can 'play' a lot of them in their own heads - which is probably why the occasional bum notes from the bassist are rarely noticed.

It's the ears that really count!

Adding another 8 ohm cab in parallel will give you a 4 ohm load for the amp, so almost certainly OK (check the amp spec). The power output will be split 50:50 between the 8 ohm cab and the two series 4 ohm cabs. Keeping the maths simple, if the amp pushes out 100 watts at 4 ohms then the 8 ohm cab will 'see' 50 watts and the two 4-ohm-in-series cabs will also 'see' 50 watts, split evenly between them, i.e. 25 watts each. No idea if it will sound better. Some would say that a 4x1 stack would be better than a 2x2 stack, so perhaps a 6x1 stack would sound better than a 3x2 stack (if a bit precarious!). Experimenting is probably the only way to find out for sure.

Yes, there are plenty of "9v" Li-on batteries out there, but just be aware that they are not 100% direct replacements. Again, whether this matters or not will depend on the equipment they are used in. Check out this review of a "9v" Li-on battery: http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003X36XSY/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1376900938' post='2180395'] The 1.5V NiMH batteries I have only charge to a maximum of about 1.3V in practice but I get up to 10V from my 9V ones when they are fully charged. [/quote] Yes, it's all down to the basic cell chemistry. A single nicad or NiMH cell will generate about 1.2v compared to a single carbon or alkaline cell of 1.5v. A 'battery' is simply a number of cells connected together, so the nominal voltage has to be multiples of the cell voltage. Thus six alkaline cells will give 6 x 1.5 = 9 volts. To make a 9v nicad or NiMH battery requires 9 / 1.2 = 7.5 cells, so you have to use 7 cells for 8.4v or 8 cells for 9.6 volts, but you can't get exactly 9 volts. In practice, the effectiveness of different batteries will ultimately depend on the sensitivity of the circuitry they are powering.

What about NiMH rechargeables? Better characteristics than Nicads but same cell voltage (1.2 volts per cell).

From memory, Nicad cells are 1.2v and Li-on are 3.7, so a "9 volt" nicad would have 7 cells for a voltage of 8.4v but a Li-on battery would have to be 7.4v (2 cells) or 11.1v (3 cells). It's certainly quite feasible to build circuits to handle any of these voltages, or indeed all of them and more if really required, bu the real question when looking to replace a standard 9v battery is what sort of voltage tolerance the circuit in question actually has. Using a battery with a lower voltage won't do any harm, but it may not work too well or (more likely) it will give a much shorter service life between recharging than a standard battery. In an extreme case, what's the point of saving money on batteries if you have to recharge them after one or two hours of use? Not that great for gigging! Using a battery with a higher voltage could, in extreme cases actually cause damage. This is where the manufacturer's specifications should be consulted.

Are they actually available as standard battery replacements? I thought the Li-on cell voltage makes it impossible to get a direct 9v equivalent, so their use may depend on the circuit design being able to handle them correctly.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1376758896' post='2178812'] There is not enough money in pub gigs for the work, IMO... so there needs to something else good about it. [/quote] That can be playing originals instead of tired old covers. If there's no money in it then might as well play what you prefer. But then I've never tried to be a pro player. For me it's the enjoyment of playing. No one pays me to go fishing or sailing or diving or other 'hobbies' - it's just not a money thing for me.

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1376754800' post='2178752'] Might not need the screws that way. [/quote] Might not, true, but epoxy can be a bit 'brittle' and might crack if the cab is bashed about a bit. I'd still screw and glue.

I've also read that they can check your credit card bills etc for overseas transactions while you've been away, so cash might be a bit safer if you're intent on breaking the rules.

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1376701962' post='2178320'] Maybe this is why we want independence [/quote] Not as much as we want you to have independence http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2086833/Scottish-independence-More-English-Scots-want-independence-Scotland.html

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1376690189' post='2178198'] Wouldn't the tax implication only apply to new items purchased in a shop ? [/quote] Don't think so. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1376335308' post='2172420'] Britishness? ... What's that? [/quote] This? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9S9_TpFSwo

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1376673066' post='2177876'] If the amp isn't too precious to you I'd force a bit of PVA wood glue into the joint using a syringe and screw through from the outside using screw cups. The screw cups would make the repair look like it was meant to be like that. [/quote] Yep, I'd do much the same thing though I'd be wary of using PVA wood glue because this will only result in a strong joint (a very strong joint!) when used between two pieces of bare wood. If the gap was previously glued wood that has come apart then the PVA glue won't be able to soak into the wood and do its stuff. In such cases, or if I couldn't be sure, I would use a polyurethae (PU) wood glue. It's just as widely available as PVA.

[quote name='John Cellario' timestamp='1376664093' post='2177653'] We're trying to cover a Keb Mo song in the band I'm in which has a 5 string, with the bass line all played on a low B...trouble is I'm on a four string. I can take the E down to a D no problem but do you reckon I can get away going down to a B?...or will it sound too 'flubbery'? [/quote] Why not try it and decide for yourself?