Truckstop

I love ESH basses. Build quality out of this world and great looks! I'd never be brave enough to buy one of their more unconventional instruments. I'm really glad that someone offered me one in a trade deal. Sounds great all the time and I don't know what piezo's they use, but they have a wonderful woody tone; extra suitable for Motown and rock n roll! Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine! Truckstop

My keyboard player insists that his amp is part of his 'sound' (some sort of Marshall combo) and will not be DI'd! So I have to mic his combo. I'd prefer to DI straight out of his keyboard and give him his own monitor, but you know, whatever. If he's happy to carry it all around then fine! Need to invest in a couple of amp stands methinks. Thanks for all the input guys, this is all well helpful! Alex

Erm, is that serious advice or pisstaking?! Ha ha I don't want to end up with the bass drum sounding like Scorpion! Truckstop

Lovely, cheers guys! Loads of tips there! Alex

Yeah look at all that GAS! Welcome! Truckstop

[quote name='bob_pickard' timestamp='1351855015' post='1856151'] I usually use the main EQ to get rid of the feed back in the room not to get right sound - place your channels at levels needed, raise the master volume until you start getting feedback, EQ it out, raise again and EQ next freq out etc - lower the master slightly and you'll be feedback free. Use the channel EQ's to get the right sound from each channel. (if that all makes sense?) [/quote] Had to read a couple of times but yes makes sense! Cheers! Alex

Cheers! So @charic, don't bother with the headphones then? So, what am I listening for when I'm adjusting the EQ? I have a bit of experience EQ'ing drums to match the room, but not with other instruments. Many thanks! Alex

Hello all, Just looking for a few pointers to get the best out of my live mix. Any help or advice gratefully received! I play mainly large pubs but cracking into the wedding and functions market in the spring and need to make sure my bands live sound is as good as it can be. Up until recently, we've just been putting vocals through the tops and using backline, but I've convinced the band that we need to invest in a proper full range PA in order to make our lives easier (we have serious volume wars between guitar and keyboard) and look better in front of prospective clients. Here's the band set-up: Lead vocal, bass w/ BV, guitar, keys, drums I have a 12 channel powered mixer (8 mic/DI inputs) and basically everything goes in. 2 vox, Guitar and key amps mic'd, bass DI'd. Drum kit uses bass drum mic, snare and overhead for toms and cymbals. I use an aux out to a smaller mixer that I use to power 4 monitors. I'm not looking to get a sound worthy of an arena! Just looking to get all the instruments nicely balanced and make sure that our onstage volume doesn't get too high. At the moment it's really bad with our keyboardist and guitarist being really bad for turning up constantly. They keep drowning each other out and I once had to have a break after a song because my head was swimming from all the volume. As you can imagine, probably doesn't sound too good out front! My powered mixer has a headphone input. I was wondering whether a good headphone mix translates to a good FOH mix? I also have a 31 band EQ on the way with other bells and whistles. Useful? Thanks for any help! Alex

The main issue with unheated outhouses/garages/whatever is that when you bring your gear in, water can condense inside the cab and cause a damp problem on the speakers or the cab itself duing periods of high temperature fluctuations. I've once picked up some PA cabs and the speaker cones were covered with frost! It can be combatted by using packets of silica gel inside the cab, covering the cab with heavy fabrics and raising it off the floor. Truckstop

Yeah if it's unheated I wouldn't risk it. It's an expensive cab!! Ask your friend if he wouldn't mind leaving it indoors? Also, I realise that weights an issue for you, so why not buy a cheapy Peavey or something and have the guitarist lug that around for you and leave it in the outhouse? That way you're not gonna risk damaging hundreds of pounds worth of expensive gear! Truckstop

Well at the moment I'm gigging twice a week and rehearsing once a week too so not at the moment as all the material I need to know is well and truly learned by now! During the after Xmas lull I'll be practicing new songs and teaching myself new sh*t along the way to keep it all interesting. Truckstop Truckstop

Lovely! What's the top wood? Truckstop

I always show the missus when I buy stuff but often fudge the true cost. "yeah babe, ESH are a no-name Chinese brand. Only got it cos it looks nice, £100 innit" "Ampeg?! Dunno never heard of them before but it looks cool, eh? Only bought it cos it's got a purple light. £150 babe" She also thinks that cables and effects come free with every purchase and are given away by shops. Truckstop

+1! Listened to Proud Mary for the first time in a long time last night and I could believe how far the band and I had strayed from the original! Truckstop

I really like the crappy thin Ernie Ball straps. I've had 3 in my life and they're all still going strong. I think mainly because I use Grolsch bottle seals as strap locks which pretty much stops all movement. 2 years does seem a little rubbish though. Bin it and get a Levys one; everyone seems to use them! Truckstop

I did the exact same thing last year and never looked back! Got hold of an Ampeg SVT115 with a broken speaker, bought a b-stock 4ohm Delta to replace it and now have an awesome cab! Total cost, £140. Truckstop

Bought Ryans Line6 Pod XT off him and thoroughly enjoyed the entire process! He was very helpful when I was asking for advice about the Pod and helped me make the right choice. He was patient while I sorted out my money (bloody Paypal!) and sent immediately after payment was received. Many thanks! Alex

Probably easier to stick on an ebony or rosewood veneer. Probably get a better looking finish too! Problem with dying wood is you'll never get it uniform due to the absorption capacities changing along the length of the fretboard. Truckstop

Awesome help guys! Seen a few rusty vans on eBay I like, got a budget in mind, let's see what happens! I just don't want to end up with something needlessly big and overly expensive, fuel and insurance-wise. Cheers! Alex