Sparky Mark

I'm confident that I could destroy any 400W (thermal rating) bass cab with a 300W RMS output bass amplifier with irresponsible EQ settings.

An HPF doesn't make a system idiot proof. Over excursion might still happen at frequencies above the cut off at very high volumes. Just sayin', no offence intended. 😇

I'm saying that replacing rather than cleaning pots on a pre CBS vintage P bass will reduce its value, possibly by several hundreds of pounds. £22 suddenly isn't so expensive.

On a 61 P bass....?

Thanks Andy. It's the new swivel type I believe. I'll be using it to hopefully improve scratchy pots on a passive p bass so no real voltages or pcb tracks/components to be affected. I think I'll try spraying some into a bottle top then use a small pipette to apply it.

Thanks for this information Andy. I've just ordered a 5oz aerosol can of D5 (£22.95/$30 delivered) but wonder how best to apply a tiny amount into potentiometers? My experience with this type of aerosol with the thin tube is that a quick press of the button still releases a pot flooding amount of fluid; or maybe the D5 can is better? Thanks again.

Received my paperback copy yesterday and thoroughly enjoying it. I'll be 58 in a couple of weeks so Phil's teenage musical memories resonate with mine wonderfully. The chapters are the perfect length too, allowing for 10 to 20 minute reads as and when you fancy a chuckle or two. Thanks Phil.

This was how I received the case; just in need of a good clean I thought. However, it soon became clear that large areas of both front and back had been painted over with black spray paint. Removing the black paint whilst being careful not to damage the tolex allowed the white/silver band name to come through prompting this thread to find out more about or maybe even hear from Brian. It now looks like this:-

Hi Neal, Thank you so much for this and I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm afraid that I have restored the case to as good a condition as I could which involved removing Brian's artwork from both sides. I also made some enquiries about this type of case here : -

Probably the only sure way is to take the grill of the front of the combo, remove the speaker and see if the impedance is marked on the rear of it.

The SMX 300 watter is forced (fan) cooled.

Noisiest fan I've ever had was in my mid 90s Hartke AH3500. Never bothered me because that's all I was used to (and it's still going strong). Back then gear was big, heavy, noisy (mostly ugly too) and real men played bass; nowadays I'm not so sure. 😁

Fans can add audible noise if they run when you are playing at low practice levels; some are noisier than others and can be intrusive. Dust is also sucked into the amp by fans; I have 35 year old natural convection cooled Trace Elliot heads that are completely clean inside. Unless I was running a natural convection cooled head near to its max output in a warm environment for long periods I wouldn't be concerned.

This is how Markbass used to do it. I doubt it's changed.

I have a couple of neo single twelve cabs that are great when "almost as good" is good enough but for those special occasions I'm happy to make the extra effort. This particular TE combo and cab are the smaller 33cm deep versions and even I (nearly 58, 5'9", 11st 7lbs) can move them relatively easily. On the other hand, perhaps we should all quit public performances once we are too frail to move anything other than balsa wood instruments and ultra light gear? 😅

I agree but I'm wondering whether one mode of operation could reduce the longevity of the amplifier more than the other?

Thanks Andy. Do you think there would any difference in the longevity of a solid state amplifier used with the output control at max and volume set via the gain control verses one where the gain was set just below input clipping and volume set via the output contol?

The real problem is the ageing process. A lot of us are in our 50s and 60s and simply can't schlep the gear we threw about with ease in our earlier days. Even 9lb plus basses are a major issue for some of our arthritic backs and shoulders. I use a folding trolley to move my gear and if that's not possible I ask if someone can grab the other handle to help me out.

I wonder whether latest amplifiers are simply quieter because of design improvements rather than the power amp topology? By maxing the output stage you will also be maxing the amplifier's noise floor and any other externally generated effects (mains hum and appliance noise, radio interferances, etc.) affecting the preamp. In live situations it shouldn't be a problem but as this is the worst signal to noise ratio it might not be ideal for low level recording. It's a mode of operation that can be employed with valve amps to get that unique power valve break up that preamp valves just don't achieve, but I'd be interested to hear from one of our amplifier designers (i.e., Agedhorse) whether maxing the output stresses the solid state power amp more than using it in the more conventional way?