flyfisher

[quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1355766962' post='1902479'] If you want to pay top dollar, fill your boots, but not for me. [/quote] In a nutshell! Different people put different values on different things. It's all as simple as that. Everything is just . . . . well let me hand over to Mr Fry . . . [attachment=125390:offence.jpg]

Fair point about commercial kitchens using 3-phase appliances, though I was thinking more about public spaces rather than commercial/industrial ones. But, having said that, you're right that band venues are very often commercial premises anyway. Let's be careful out there!

Interesting. My only experience with 3-phase (well, apart from unknown ones - based on that above description) was during the installation of equipment cabinets in a computer room. I wasn't involved in the electrical installation but the equipment we were loading into the cabinets was so power hungry that our cabinets couldn't all be powered from a single phase. In the end the electrical contractors worked out some scheme to spread the load across multiple phases, but [u]because of the close proximity[/u] of cabinets on different phases, everything had to be clearly labelled with 415v warning signs. This was in the late 80s so the regulations may have changed since then, but I can't recall ever seeing 415v warning signs in public spaces, so I've always thought that everything within (easy) reach should be on the same phase.

Good points about the risks of three phase. I've very limited experience of such things but my understanding is that there are regulations requiring 'spaces' to all be wired to a single phase. However, in large venues, 3 phases might be installed thoughout a building (one on each floor perhaps?) and in such circumstances the use of long extension leads can present some real potential risks because you can,t be sure that everything is running from a single phase. As I understand things faults within a single phase supply can expose you to 240 volts but a fault within a 3-phase supply can expose you to 415 volts. I was once told that a healthy person would be unlucky to be killed by 240v but would be lucky to survive 415v. Not a definitive statement, of course, but an indication of the relative severity. But I've only ever worked with a 3-phase installation once and the above is mainly anecdotal from what I was told by the on-site electrical contractors at the time.

No mention of Mustang Sally then ?

Even stating the bleedin' obvious doesn't seem to be able to kill off this thread. There's obviously a need for an EU directlive on sales of pre-owned goods so that everyone knows the rules and people can be fined (or jailed perhaps?) for not abiding by "the rules". Also, to avoid any pricing disputes, all pre-owned items being offered for sale will have to have a EU-approved valuation label, with the appropriate authorised catalogue number. Valuation centres will be established throughout all member countries and be funded by a new VTAT (Value Taken Away Tax) on every sale of 'pre-loved' items. It might seem a tad bureaucratic, but at least it will prevent people getting offended by being offered the 'wrong' price for an item and then starting pointless debates on the internet about how offended they are.

The RCD is just for my amp. The guitarists can look after themselves (as long as they don't touch me!)

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1355473327' post='1898718'] Plug in testers that show 3 lights for live neutral and earth can be bought for a few quid at maplins, b&q or even ebay, [/quote] Yep, I have one of these in my gig bag: http://www.maplin.co.uk/mains-socket-tester-9800 I also use an RCD adapter for my amp. Maybe not 100% exhaustive in the safety stakes, but pretty close and at minimal cost.

I'm surprised this topic is still limping along. Surely there's nothing more to say after this: [quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1355477388' post='1898790'] Buying and selling is about being mature enough to understand the rules of engagement and not taking it personally. [/quote]

Interesting what Si said about the effect the song itself has on our quality tolerances. A US friend of mine has a collection of wax cylinder recordings and, as you'd expect, the fidelity leaves much to be desired, but it's a strangely compelling and enjoyable listening experience because you're aware of how those long-dead musicians have been preserved. Much the same as listening to the few original Robert Johnson recordings.

Should be interesting when we get to post #35

It all depends on the circuit design. obbm is right about the headroom thing but it can be achieved in different ways. 18v could be 0-18v or could be -9v gnd +9v. split power rails are very convenient for op-amps, for example. As for pedals being able to cope with 9v or 18v, that might have nothing to do with the audio circuitry and everything to do with the input voltage regulator. Given the wide varietty of pedal PSUs and the inevitable mistakes that people will make with them, any decent pedal manufacturer would design the power input socket to be able to cope with a wide range of input voltage and also reverse polarity, but none of that need have any bearing on the actual audio circuitry.

The melting point of copper is over 1000C, so I don't think you need to worry too much about melting PCB tracks with a soldering iron. But you're right about being careful to avoid damaging the PCB (more likely lifting a copper track, rather than melting it) by leaving the iron applied for too long, which is easily done when removing large components. In this respect I've always found a solder sucker much quicker than desoldering braid. Just place the solder sucker near the joint, apply the iroin and as soon as the solder melts 'pop' the sucker and the job is done, taking all the hot solder with it. Braid needs to have the iron applied for much longer while the solder wicks into the braid. Also a solder sucker does a pretty good job of removing solder from plated-through holes. Having said all that, if a PCB track is damaged when removing components there's no need to panic as it can be fairly easily repaired by using some suitable wire soldered to the next PCB component along the track.

If the amp has been switched off for a few days then the caps are likely to be discharged anyway. Some designs have a bleed resistor across large caps specifically for this purpose. Also, in general, the input side of things will usually be kept away from the PSU side of things. But none of that is a reason for not being extremely careful, especially with valve amps. Have you tried a quick spray of switch cleaner inside the jack socket? Might be worth trying before going to all the trouble of taking the amp apart.

Their music is just the advertising vehicle for their merchandising business. Takes all sorts I guess.

Well, in your particular case, I'd say about 100%.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1355250374' post='1895974'] If the approximation to a waveform cannot be distinguished from the original waveform (by human hearing)... is it really "lossy"? I'm not sure that word would apply. [/quote] Exactly. Test equipment can measure all sorts of things that our senses cannot perceive . . . that's why we invent them. I wonder how many people notice that the colour resolution of their television is at least HALF the luminance resolution.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1355217526' post='1895379'] oasis [i]were never[/i] as good as the rutles....never mind how hard they tried. [/quote] That's because that didn't have a talent like Neil Innes in the band.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1355226369' post='1895506'] So for me it's got nothing to do with audio quality, and everything to do with nostalgia. . . . . The rest is just voodoo and fairy dust [/quote] And nothing wrong with that at all. At least you're not fooling yourself.

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1355225743' post='1895500'] . . . and as such your ear can pick up on a subtle difference between the analogue (vinyl) and digitised (CD) versions. [/quote] On the basis of the ear's frequency response, I seriously doubt it. On the basis that digital versions of original analogue recordings have been remastered, with all that entails, then I can entirely believe it.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1355181822' post='1895236'] Exactly, but It makes a bit more enjoyable for the bassist to play something a bit more challenging dontcha-think? [/quote] Indeed, so just make something up

One man's rubbish . . .

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1355175088' post='1895126'] Musicians talk about Oasis like it's a crime to like them sometimes. Their first two albums were really great, especially Definitely Maybe, Noel Gallagher can write a song, no question. Have to agree on the bass parts being totally balls though. I suppose they were never about the bass. [/quote] Totally agree. Some very good songs on those albums and I shouldn't think anyone in the audience will be listening out for a note-for-note bass line at a Christmas party. Well, except the sad git on his own in the corner, obviously.

[quote name='Bassulike66' timestamp='1355147875' post='1894585'] To own two identical basses?! [/quote] Makes sense to have an identical backup for a favourite bass, if it's that important to you.

Yes, good point about Dolby - I'd forgotten about that. I agree such debates can be fun, but only if there's a sense of perspective. Interesting that the general consensus on here seems to be that £20k mains leads are snake oil but £20k turntables are not.