franzbassist

[quote name='kieppi' timestamp='1325888252' post='1489581'] Mr. Walbassist says he has replaced the tubes but how on all Earth do you do that? Do the front / back panels somehow come off? The top vent seems a tad small [/quote] Hello, and welcome! All you do is loosen the screws on the handle and remove the ones on the side, then slide the unit out from the chassis. Very easy.

He's the bass guy at Academy of Sound. He also started this thread!!!!

Speak to our very own Pete Academy on this site, he may well be able to sort you out. Let me know how you get on!

[quote name='BigBassBob' timestamp='1325876693' post='1489331'] I think the Spyder through two 12"s would work well for my current blues/rock work [/quote] It does indeed, it works very well.

I aim to please!

I know what you mean about the bass shift. It cuts through better in the up position for sure, but it doesn't really lose any volume per se in the lower setting. Oh, and it can shift the air, absolutely

Oops, try it now.

Here it is, please forgive my amateurish attempts... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8QibZQbxSc[/media] What I failed to do is show you how the passive eq changes the sound, ah well.....

He shoots he scores! Thanks Mr C.

As it says, how do I do this?

I put in ECC83s as they'd been stock in my LB30 and I thought they'd be a good match. I've just shot a quick video using my new Zoom Q3HD camera which I'll upload in a minute.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1325859460' post='1488902'] ok, let's go for broke... I'll order one of these too and stop the wondering thanks! I will let you know if I hate them [/quote] If you don't like them I'll have them for my fretless P.

Good call, the RB V I had was superb. There's a vast range of tones to be had from these. +1 on the tort guard too

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1325856930' post='1488821'] Lots of love for those La Bella 760N, but the string gauge is 60-115! That sounds a bit hefty... do they feel as "hard" as the gauge would normally suggest? [/quote] I'd say no, they are pretty low tension, so the gauge doesn't feel like you're playing anything heavier than a typical, say 45-105 strung bass.

Very quick audio of my P with flats using the P Retro. I recorded this using my new Zoom Q3HD on audio only and mistakenly had it set on auto, which means the levels jump a bit, but hopefully it'll give you an idea. [url="http://soundcloud.com/walbassist/1970p-with-flats-and-east-p"]http://soundcloud.com/walbassist/1970p-with-flats-and-east-p[/url]

My 70P fretless has a P Retro with La Bella flats. Works really well together.

I was struggling to get any overdrive from the amp so was just experimenting with other valves. I've just popped a couple of JJs in there for now, but I have loads of vintage Mullard, Brimar and Phillips (which I got for my LB30), so will try different ones over time. Might try new Tung Sol too, as they worked well last time I tried them.

It's warm but certainly not muddy. Like you, my ABM spent most of its time with a flat eq, and the flat eq on the Spyder is very nice, in fact so far I have just used it flat, or with a slight increase in bass and treble and a slight mid cut, nothing extreme at all. I've used my Spyder with my LB212 and one or both of my Mini-Neo cabs; sounds great through all! Should also mention that a tube upgrade is well worth it. The stock Chinese ones really didn't do it for me...

[quote name='BigBassBob' timestamp='1325805225' post='1488227'] Out of curiosity, has anyone compared this to the ABM series? [/quote] Yes, I have. The 550 is naturally warmer, but it isn't boomy, just lots of lovely creamy tube goodness. The top end is especially nice, bright but not brittle or harsh. When you turn the gain up and push the volume it's very punchy, really cuts through nicely and gives that big "umph" people like to feel. To my ears at least, the ABM sounded thinner when I was A/B'ing them against each other. OK, so the EQ is nothing like as comprehensive as the ABM series, and the passive EQ takes some getting used to, but for what it is the 550 is a great amp. I certainly liked it enough to sell my ABM. Cheers Gareth

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1325804330' post='1488205'] Got something that will probably do that were off either an AC30 or Hughes & Kettner Statesman (can't remember which). PM me and I'll happily post them to you for free Andy [/quote] That's kind Andy, thanks very much!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1325792655' post='1487907'] Have you got La Bellas on the Veillette? [/quote] Sure do. Same set as when I got it two years ago!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1325791018' post='1487863'] La Bella 760N Black Nylons [/quote] +1