mcnach

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1498036657' post='3322077'] Should find something here - [url="http://uk.farnell.com/c/fasteners-mechanical/knobs-accessories/prl/results?shaft-diameter=6.35mm"]http://uk.farnell.co...diameter=6.35mm[/url] [/quote] Thanks! That's a great site. Some good kn... erm, items in there scared me (US stock, add £15.95 to the order, eek!!!), but I found some interesting ones reasonably priced. I ordered a couple from the site Beer of the Bass indicated already, I'll wait and see if I like them enough 'in person' and if not I'll try here, cheers!

[quote name='Skinnyman' timestamp='1498035441' post='3322067'] Can I just congratulate everyone for the admirable restraint shown in this topic given the title? [/quote] I am very pleasantly surprised... I just did not want to say anything as I feared it would start things, so let's see how it goes now. I'm surprised Discreet hasn't found this thread. He has a 'spidey' sense for these things...

The one thing this bag was not so good at is... the bottom: there is no padding at all!!! Very strange. Fortunately, I had some very tough and dense foam from work, from the packaging of some large piece of equipment, and it came very handy to make a nice supportive bottom layer: So with that at the bottom, the back of the amp is now protected too. I use some of the remainder foam to cut a frame to fill the gap when I only carry the amp inside. It makes a good space for accessories, so I'll probably take the power and speaker cables there, and use the side pockets for other things. It could have been better... but I'm not complaining. It'll do the job nicely and I trust this with my amp, something I could not say about the original bag, which I will use as a dust cover at home.

Et voila... here's the case I found. It's a decent fit in two dimensions... but leaves enough room for another amp almost. I can fit the D800+ with the original case inside this! Which I guess is one way to add protection The extra space can come handy for things like a laptop, folders with music etc: The top is well padded and has a rigid plastic sheet for added protection. It is a pocket too, so you could insert something else there. The small sides have small pockets, and the large sides open completely and have several compartments. So there is plenty of space for cables etc.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1497955355' post='3321548'] What about these guys? Same diameter, and you can get them in black, but the flattened shape is distinct enough that you could easily feel if you grabbed the wrong knob. [url="https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=94_108_314&zenid=0g5bpmf24n71eta7f3elanj5r0"]https://www.bitsbox....1eta7f3elanj5r0[/url] [/quote] ... and ordered! Thank you!

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1497955356' post='3321549'] I think I would be tempted to put different coloured glow in the dark sticker above each to eliminate confusion. Seems a simpler solution. [/quote] I don't want stickers anywhere. They eventually come off, leave residue... I don't want you to think I'm obsessed by knobs, but that's what I want right now... let's just stop this conversation...

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1497955355' post='3321548'] What about these guys? Same diameter, and you can get them in black, but the flattened shape is distinct enough that you could easily feel if you grabbed the wrong knob. [url="https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=94_108_314&zenid=0g5bpmf24n71eta7f3elanj5r0"]https://www.bitsbox....1eta7f3elanj5r0[/url] [/quote] Ah! Now we're talking! I like these... I could get a black set and a cream set, in case the black ones are not distinct enough visually...

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1497946876' post='3321453'] What would make the knobs from a Jazz easy to distinguish from those on the Mesa ... which look an awful lot like the knobs from a Jazz? [/quote] size, for the tone ones... and they often come in other colours, like grey or cream which might be ok... It looks like going to electronic components shops is the best bet. Guitar oriented ones often want you to buy a whole set and charge a lot more... Actually an old style Boss pedal knob would be ideal... I just got one like that from Maplin, 69p each, a bit smaller than I wanted originally but look alright. Let's see. I kind of liked the black domed metal knobs often found on basses, with a white dot as indicator... but I can't seem to find them in the UK...

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1497945078' post='3321435'] I [i]was [/i]going to suggest tone knobs from a Jazz bass. [/quote] if I found them in 1/4" shaft format they would work...

[quote name='Crawford13' timestamp='1497455191' post='3318326'] I notice when you answered the question about how much you play, you said you don't play every day. I would recommend playing for even 15 mins everyday and you would be surprised how quickly the callouses will come on. [/quote] This. I think playing very regularly, even if some days is not a lot, helps keeping the fingertips in shape. Mine do not feel particularly hard or anything, but I play nearly every day for a bit, and I can easily play a 3h gig without noticing anything. However, if I had a period of not playing much, even after a 2x45' gig I could feel my fingertips not exactly sore, but getting there. And of course, watching the pressure. You don't need a lot of pressure against the frets, so a lighter touch will definitely help too.

Looking really promising! That's a very nice looking bit of wood... thanks for sharing!

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1497913974' post='3321349'] A 1/4" slice of wide heat-shrink tubing, your choice of colour, shrunk onto the existing knobs would give 'em a distinctive look, maybe..? [/quote] They'd look distinctive but I also want them to look good However you just reminded me I needed to get some coloured shrink tubing to mark a few cables, thanks!

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1497881822' post='3321076'] the beauty of the smaller D800 is that it fits beautifully in a laptop backpack [/quote] I think I may have found a pretty cool case for the D800+... watch this space...

Ok, I need two. I'm pretty sure I had a couple of bass knobs, metal, black, with a dot indicator, that were suitable for a 1/4" (6.35mm) shaft... but I can't find any. I want it for my Mesa D800+. The frequency selector knobs for the low and high mids are identical to all the rest and I keep turning the wrong one so I am looking to substitute those two. The have to be a max of 18-19mm diameter as they fit in a recess on the front panel. I'd like to keep it low key (black) but distinct enough to minimise errors... Any ideas? This is what the front looks like:

One thing about the D800+ is... you'd expect that if they give you a carry case for it, they would give you a decent one especially for the price. The case is very thin and the handles don't inspire much trust, even if the amp it light. Not much protection and the build quality is not amazing. The Gator bag I was using with the LM3 is a LOT better, and even that one is not exactly offering top protection. I almost wish they hadn't bothered: do it well or don't do it. So I'm looking for better bags, without going full 'flight case'. I ordered a 'technicians case' which should be with me today, and let's see how that one goes. It has a big central compartment and side flaps with multiple pockets, so it can carry cables and accessories and the middle bit looks decently padded. It's larger than the amp so I might add a small towel, which can come pretty handy too... let's see. I've just found that Zoom make a case for their R16 and R24 multitrack recorders that looks decent and might be good...

[quote name='Sparky Mark' timestamp='1497870436' post='3320929'] I too drive a pair of Bergantino 12's or 210's with 500 watt Markbass heads and have been GASing for something with more power. The two heads that I am most attracted to are the 1000W Markbass Ninja for £663 and the Mesa 800+ which sells in the USA for $799 (£625ish) and here for £1050. Even allowing for import duty 5% (not sure but shouldn't be more than that?) plus 20% VAT and £50 carriage the UK price seems too high. I realise this issue comes up regularly and we are used to paying the dollar amount in pounds but this is another £200. [/quote] I haven't tried the Ninja... but after trying the Mesa I would not bother, quite frankly. It's not so much about the power, but the sound. If you get a chance to try a D800+, do it. Especially if you can borrow it for a test 'in the wild'. I was going to use two LM3, for essentially a 1000W rig with two 4ohm cabs. I like the LM3 a lot. They're very nicely priced too, especially used. But my LM3 is purely home and backup use now. The D800+ can sound much like the LM3 if you want it to, but it can add a sprinkle of oomph over the top and I just love that.

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1497872428' post='3320957'] Well...never say never, and all that - I've recently been offered a slot on a gig where we've been told expressly not not to bring any amps at all, due to the venue's licence ([i]apparently[/i]). So both bass and lead guitar would have to be DIed...needless to say I'm leaning towards declining this one... [/quote] One of our guitarists uses a Zoom box DI'd, he stopped bringing amps ages ago. It sounds good enough and he always gets a decent mix on his monitor. If I was guaranteed a monitor that could handle bass, I would probably do the same.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1497820600' post='3320741'] We got asked to play at the Great Scottish Tatty Run today. Well, there was more standard running involved too, but the Tatty Run was part of the event and I liked it: run with a sack of potatoes on your back... and at the end take them home. It was a charity event in Holyrood Park, which was great as the weather has been fantastic. They invited us to play a couple of days ago and... why not? Backline provided, just show up and play... (I did bring my Mesa + Two10, as they allowed us to park right there, so...). There was no payment as such, but it's one of those gigs that are easy and right in your backyard and sound fun. In the end, we took a sack of potatoes home each I know some say that music pays peanuts, but... [/quote] I forgot to add: the best, better even than taking a sack of potatoes home were the small children dancing in front of the stage and doing cartwheels... A few years ago I was playing with another band (Conscious Route) in another park party, and this small kid just danced through the whole set like mad... and when we stopped another came running saying "Nooooo!!!"... he just wanted more music. It's a refreshing contrast compared to shouty drunks asking for some song that we probably don't do (well, originals band...) but we can't be sure because he is unable to speak in any coherent manner... ah...

Well, the first gig is out of the way... and this thing is just lovely. Outdoor gig with PA support, so just a single Two10 with the D800+. Sound onstage was just my amp/cab and it sounded fantastic. There was a substantial 'quality' to the sound that I cannot really describe. It's definitely one of the nicest amps I've tried... and the best of the small & light ones. The combination with the BF Two10 caps is incredible. I haven't been this happy with the sound of my bass in... forever!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1497799801' post='3320601'] I'm the cheerleader for my band. Always upbeat and funny, telling jokes and keeping everyone in good spirit If a band member is really down I will do the invisible bear hump and that will fix everything. Hard to have a bad time when your humping an invisible bear 🐻 Blue [/quote] !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got asked to play at the Great Scottish Tatty Run today. Well, there was more standard running involved too, but the Tatty Run was part of the event and I liked it: run with a sack of potatoes on your back... and at the end take them home. It was a charity event in Holyrood Park, which was great as the weather has been fantastic. They invited us to play a couple of days ago and... why not? Backline provided, just show up and play... (I did bring my Mesa + Two10, as they allowed us to park right there, so...). There was no payment as such, but it's one of those gigs that are easy and right in your backyard and sound fun. In the end, we took a sack of potatoes home each I know some say that music pays peanuts, but...

[quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1497605781' post='3319409'] Compared to the OTB do the other class D hybrid amps have similar high levels of overdrive/distortion available? I am planning to down-size my rig very soon. I play with an overdriven sound all the time, varied by how hard I play, pick/fingers etc. My preference is a hybrid amp with the input level high to get the distortion, I DI from the amp 99% of gigs. I’ve heard a couple of OTB heads in action and was impressed. I currently use a Hartke 3500 with the input at 7/10 to get the drive (yes I know it’s not as sweet as an all-tube head). [/quote] Streamliner and Tonehammer have some nice drive in them. The Mesa D800 too, but doesn't get as distorted... but there's some good overdrive there as well. Markbass LMT not so much.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1497605743' post='3319408'] You need to come over to the Dingwall forum - it's a lovely, warm, supportive canadian sort of place [/quote] but then I might end up wanting a Dingwall... best to stay away, my bank statement says...

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1497604539' post='3319397'] Can't we squeeze a kazoo solo in there somehow? [/quote] Funny you say that... we have a last minute gig this Sunday... there's some charity event involving running and walking (I'll drive there, thanks for the parking pass ) at Holyrood Park, and they must have had some cancellation and asked my main band to help out. The weather looks promising, sounds fun, we said why not. The problem is our trumpet and our sax players can't make it. We decided to go ahead anyway, and kazoos may be brought out

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1497551515' post='3319094'] GK mb500 and GK mb800 are very light, small and insanely loud. Great punchy tone and a boost knob that makes it go all growly wowly, if that's your thing (you can tell I've never used that particular knob). You can drown out any puny, guitarist with these boys. [/quote] Oh yeah... those are really really nice sounding amps.