Conan

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1426518147' post='2718726'] You really are trying to start an argument [/quote] Me?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1426518014' post='2718723']...why have 2 cabs... ? Why have different speakers and configs if you can't hear the difference [/quote] Because not all of us have the luxury of being to order an entire set-up in one go. Sometimes we replace one cab at a time (from what is available new or second-hand) and then maybe don't get on with the matching amp... so that gets sold/traded and so on. Many of us have these "cobbled together" set ups.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1426516749' post='2718701'] I`d just put the lightest one on top for stability of the stack. [/quote] This. Probably... Interestingly, back in the day when I had the archetypal Trace Elliot "stack" (1048 and 1518) I used to prefer the sound with the 4x10 on the bottom and the 1x15 on top. Both cabs were the same width and depth so it made no difference to their "stackability", but it did affect the sound (to my ears, standing right in front of it). Ironically, the 1x15 had more definition and more top end than the 4x10! To the OP - they are your cabs, put them however they sound/look/feel best. If you've got long speaker cables, try one on each side of the stage!

Thanks for the continuing input folks! I've been away for the weekend, but I did try the amp through headphones last night - or at least I tried to as it has no headphone output and the speaker outputs are speakon only... I plugged into the send socket, which probably doesn't offer anything useful. It sounded extremely quiet, but also distorted. Not sure I'm much further forward there! Wednesday is rehearsal night so I'll aim to get there early and have a fiddle with different cabs. leads, etc. Putting all the little bits and pieces together so far, it is sounding like I might have a faulty amp And I've just got it as well...

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1426255894' post='2716230']1) Yes, the input gain doesn't go to "zero". To turn the volume off completely, turn down the gain knob. 2) If his bass is superhot and he turns up his onboard preamp all the way, he could add 20 to 30 dB of gain to the input of the amp. That could cause clipping of the input stage. Also, he should be using the input gain and the master interactively to get the cleanest (or dirtiest) sound. Lastly, the drive knob adds gain, and hence distortion. For the cleanest sound he can turn the drive all the way down." [/quote] Thanks for contacting Aguilar Molan - but the answers reveal that something might have been slightly miscommunicated... 1) With the gain knob on zero there is still volume! 2) None of my basses are "superhot" - and none of them (other than my Status, which I haven't yet used with the TH500) have onboard preamps. The three I have used so far are all passive J basses I have tried all available combinations of gain and master settings. Gain on full and master on low gives distortion, yes - but not much more than I seem to get all the time! Gain on [i][b]zero[/b][/i] and master up high reduces distortion, but not by all that much. I don't use the "drive" control at all as I am trying to get a clean sound first before I colour it up deliberately! So thanks again for your input, but I'm not sure I'm really any further forward!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1426244160' post='2716025'] i'm i right to assume that there's no valve on the TH500? [/quote] Correct. It's 100% tranny!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1426239599' post='2715923'] Did you say you put it through an 8x12 cab as part of your more portable setup?? [/quote] Yes, I just spotted that too! Is there even such a thing as an 8x12 cab?? If there is, I want one!

[quote name='nickademus' timestamp='1426194836' post='2715617'] If the Big One has an Eminence 3015LF in it then that is causing the problem.[/quote] [quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1426250695' post='2716128'] Cant see it being that really, not having these issues with either a Dubster or a Fearless 15/6 with a LM3. [/quote] Well, I had a response from Alex Claber indicating (very clearly!) that the driver [b][i]isn't[/i][/b] the issue... However, it may be some form of capacitance problem between the amp and cab and that using a thinner, longer cable might help... It's certainly an easy one to try!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1426247990' post='2716102'] There is a small chance that the power in the studio is either poorly earthed, reversed polarity or very high/very low on voltage or just has something dirty online nearby, all of which could be an issue here. [/quote] [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1426249499' post='2716116'] Good point Pete - I remember having an issue with a PA tweeter due to a sh*tty earth. Sounded like somebody had slashed the cone with a razor blade. Turned out that the refrigerator units that were on the same power line were having quite a nasty influence. [/quote] Ah! I hadn't thought of that. The wiring is definitely dodgy in our rehearsal room... I'll bring my cab home next week and give it a try at home. If it [b][i]is[/i][/b] the power supply that is causing the problem then that is still a problem, but one that I can put up with knowing that my amp (and cab) are OK

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1426243146' post='2716000']The TH500's fat, warm, vintage vibe isn't clean enough for you. [/quote] I suspect you may be right... although other owners seem to be able to get a clean sound (or at least what sounds clean to them through their cabs).

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1426242803' post='2715992']We've sold out of TH amps in the store but I've written direct to Aguilar for you to ask about the zero setting delivering volume. They are in NYC so might take some time to respond. Just to check - is this happening with both drive and gain set to zero? [/quote] That's very good of you - thanks! In response to your question - the answer is yes.

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1426241919' post='2715974'] I'll give mine a go when I get to the studio later today! [/quote] Cool! It'll be interesting to see if yours behaves the same...

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1426241422' post='2715967'] I remember Alex saying he liked the Carvin B2000 (which runs at 2000w at 2ohms) with some of his cabs because they needed lots of power to make them work well. [/quote] I could understand this if the problem was low volume, or if the amp was running flat out and distorting - but the amp is barely ticking over (in terms of the gain and master settings) and I have plenty of volume. The problem is that I can't seem to get a [b][i]clean[/i][/b] sound! I also find it odd that I would get any sound at all when the gain is set at zero. Does anyone else who owns a TH500 experience this?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1426240087' post='2715936'] Definitely run with another cab to point the issue at amp or cab..??? [/quote] [quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1426240569' post='2715950'] Have you tried running the amp into a headphone amp or similar? Just to test if it's the preamp that's distorting [/quote] So far I have done neither of these things. But they are both on my to-do list The cabs are all down at the rehearsal room but my amp is at home, so I can test it through headphones.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1426239578' post='2715922'] If you look back at the thread, you'll notice that I did not start any negativity towards Barefaced cabs. I hadn't actually mentioned anything negative about Bareface at all. All I had said is that the Barefaced BigOne is an inefficient cab in terms of power in to spl out... which it is and which is widely acknowledged. If you want some advice, check out your amp with another cab. Hey, you may even like it. [/quote] OK. Fair points in retrospect, and when you take the time to put your comments into context (as you have done here - thanks ) then it all makes sense. Your original comment did come across as a bit of an unhelpful dig though... Thanks for the advice. I will take it!

[quote name='danbowskill' timestamp='1426231087' post='2715818'] Only a poxy 200w solid state....... Svt cl would crush most amps in volume [/quote] It is 350W at 4 ohms... but the point stands!

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1426175943' post='2715287'] The Big One was the most inefficient of them all. [/quote] [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1426179145' post='2715340'] Goddamit it's about the amp man! [/quote] [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1426179407' post='2715346'] Clearly. [/quote] It wouldn't be so bad if you were trying to be helpful, but all you are doing is making snide comments because this thread mentions the Barefaced word. You are quick to refer to BF users as "fanbois", and yet look at your own username! Or is that ironic? If you have something constructive to say, I'm all ears - but otherwise, haven't you got something better to do?

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1426194107' post='2715602']Do you boost the EQ loads or run the master really high? [/quote] Master is usually around 12 o'clock or less. At first, I did have the treble and mid level set pretty much full on (but bass at around 12 o'clock). Since then I have tried to reduce the levels on the EQ, but it hasn't had much of an effect. I take on board the comments about the cab, but that still doesn't explain why the amp would be distorting (or making any sound at all!) with the gain set at zero (fully anti-clockwise) I don't see how that can be anything to do with the speaker... But I'm no expert mind!

[quote name='nickademus' timestamp='1426194836' post='2715617'] If the Big One has an Eminence 3015LF in it then that is causing the problem. [/quote] Really? Is it some sort of compatibility issue then? That seems strange... Maybe seeking Alex's advice would be sensible at this point

[quote name='big rob' timestamp='1426176404' post='2715296']Moral of the story, turn it down, respect each others spectrum and don't start a frequency or volume war.[/quote] Result!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1425563265' post='2708630'] singles? Sorry, I'm a little lost now [/quote] [quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1425577982' post='2708794'] Me too! [/quote] I'm assuming he means single coil pickups? As in rather than humbuckers? Generally regarded as having a "thinner" tone but cutting through better in a mix (I believe)

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1426176557' post='2715300'] Yeah right, they use old PV stage monitors [/quote] Top response! One should never allow accuracy to stand in the way of a good pontificate!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1425981594' post='2712904']I find the general 'understanding' of scooping to be as wrong as 'up your mids' comments.. IMO, of course. [/quote] You keep making these sweeping statements without actually explaining what you mean! It's very confusing... I think most of us understand "scooped" to mean a tone that is lacking in midrange frequencies but often has a significant boost to the top and bottom end. The classic "smiley face" on a graphic equaliser. Of course, the strict definitions of what constitutes "top" and "bottom end" vary from person to person. Where are people going wrong? Is my understanding flawed too? I'm equally perplexed by your comment about "upping the mids"? Adding more midrange to your sound? What's hard to understand about that? I'm happy to have my misconceptions and errors corrected of course - but just telling me I'm wrong isn't very helpful

You're a bass player. you moved house, and the previous owner had left a Trace Elliot bass cab in the loft??? What were the chances of that??

[quote name='Cairobill' timestamp='1426167666' post='2715154'] i need a jazz bass! argh... [/quote] Is the correct answer!