Jakester

I would try a specialist broker in the first instance - Hencilla Canworth do the MU's insurance and I know you can 'upgrade' that.

So, I have been experimenting with very mixed success. I have a knackered Markbass combo on which it seems the power stage is fecked. I decided to try and go with a power amp and preamp setup, but unfortunately the preamp I have simply doesn’t deliver enough signal to use the power amp effectively. My current setup is a Providence Bass Station preamp into a drive pedal and multi effects pedal, and then a MB Super Booster (to get the MB VLE sound and provide a DI out). If I crank the Super Booster right up it increases the level out but I’m still not getting enough welly to properly drive the power amp. I can still use the MB preamp but that leaves me faffing around with two amps and the pedalboard, which is a pain. Does anyone know of a cleanish preamp pedal that outputs line level? I know the Sansamp does but I’ve never got on with the Sansamp sound. I love the Providence - clean with bags of headroom and offers two channels and a mute - perfect for my setup. Alternatively is there an easy way to up the level after the last pedal?

Hmm, just to feed back on this - not an unmitigated success, it has to be said. Since I posted that, I’ve been redoing my pedalboard, which now goes preamp - TC Mojomojo - MS60B - Markbass Super Booster. The idea is that I get core tone etc from the preamp, overdrive and VLE filter on the super booster, and the Zoom adds effects when needed. I wired it all up with a power supply, everything working a treat with the headphone amp etc. However, finally got to try it out with the new amp setup and there’s an horrendous hum, which I narrowed down to the DMC Micro. Which is weird, because it’s not in the signal chain, only connected by the mini usb cable to the Zoom. Both the Zoom and Micro are powered by 9v from a power supply. I tried removing the power onto the Zoom as the Micro can power it via usb, but that made the hum worse. Interestingly it was worse on some patches than others, but only went away entirely when the Micro was switched off. Any ideas? I’ll drop DMC a line too to see what they think. The whole idea was to get away from separate wall warts and use just one pedal power supply - I’ll be very cross if I need to use more than that’s just for the DMC!!

Well, they have a legal team which will have considered the regs and formulated the guidance...

That describes most of the bands I've been in over the years!

Aha! I was just sending an email to the MU to ask for their guidance on this issue, and this popped up on their website: https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/News/2020/Nov/Guidance-on-Continuing-to-Rehearse-During-England The salient points are: "The guidance we’ve received from DCMS confirms that bands and individuals can still rehearse from Covid-secure venues, such as rehearsal studios, provided that they are a “working” band or individual, and that their “work” cannot be carried out at home. By a “working” band – we understand this to apply to both professionals and part-time professionals, provided they are meeting with the purpose of rehearsing towards potential or actual paid engagements." So looks like I was wrong! They don't show their working, however, so it would be helpful if they could share the DCMS advice so we know exactly what is and isn't permitted. Hopefully they'll reply to my query.

Yep, that was my feeling too - quite enjoyed it, but it sort of petered out a touch. I'd be interested in hearing some of the other tracks though.

Hmm, I wonder if it is this: "(6) Regulation 16(1) does not prevent the use of— ... (b)any premises used for the making of a film, television programme, audio programme or audio-visual advertisement;:

The MU suggest that recording sessions can continue - be interesting to see their reasoning there.

Hmm, I'm not sure that is accurate. Entertainment venues will be allowed to stay open "for a small number of exempt activities, including ... training and rehearsal without an audience (in theatres and concert halls)" - from here. The guidelines do not mention rehearsal studios and however you cut it, they're not providing essential goods or services. My (hasty) reading of the latest CV Regulations suggests that it is okay for a professional musician to leave the home for work (Regulation 6(4)) and also potentially to meet with the other members of the band (Regulation 11(3)(a)). Regulation 17(6)(e) exempts concert halls and theatres from closure if used for rehearsal, but Part 3 of the Schedule to the Regulations does not include rehearsal premises in the list of businesses/premises allowed to remain open. So whilst they can meet in a 'gathering' for work purposes, they can't rehearse anywhere unless it's a theatre or concert hall. Interestingly, dance studios are allowed to remain open (Regulation 17(6)(d)). I wonder if the MU are on to this? Seems a pretty big problem for those professional musicians not in shows.

I've just received a message from a member of our band who said that if we wanted to continue rehearsing through lockdown, a rehearsal studio will allow us to. It's not somewhere I've ever been before (don't know it at all actually) and I've said for various reasons (not least it would probably be a breach of the rules!) I not comfortable doing it. Quite surprised that a business would run the risk at present though - I'd have thought a £10k fine would sink most rehearsal studio setups.

I did exactly this recently. The rattling is really annoying, but isn't going to affect the function. For now, I stuck a couple of plastic rawl plugs in and screwed the replacement feet into those - not very professional, but given the board is put on its feet, provided they don't fall out (which they don't) it's fine for now. I intend to get a couple of rivnuts and install those in the holes and that should sort it.

Bought a preamp off Chris, a pleasure to deal with - thanks!

Just bought a GSS Baby Sumo off Rich, a pleasure to deal with, thanks!

I don't have that exact combo, but the heads in all of the combos are the same. I think generally the consensus is they're great heads, excellent sound and the CMD121P (what I have) is regularly recommended as the 'go to' one box solution. IME it sounds great, is an easy carry and certainly doesn't lack power. That said, and my personal experience is, if the head *does* go wrong, it's likely an expensive fix indeed given the class D heads are very difficult to service. I've given an estimate of in excess of £200 for mine (before they saw it) by the UK service agent and I have seen others have higher quotes. Sadly the private vendor of mine never replied to my messages so I wasn't able to see if there was any warranty cover available, but that's part of the cost/benefit analysis when buying second hand. I gather from what I have read on here and elsewhere MB Italy service is poor, though I haven't personally experienced that myself. The good thing is that the LM form-factor heads are in effect interchangeable, so if it does go, you could always pick up a replacement second hand. I've decided given lockdown meant I've not been playing much to go with a backup/alternative option for now, but I will try and get it fixed down the line. If you're buying new then I'd say go for it - if second-hand, factor in that repairs might be costly, but I think I have been unlucky - faulty heads seem fairly few and far between.

Has anyone seen any of these in the wild yet? I can't find anywhere selling them, and they're not on the MB site, but wondered if anyone else had seen one?

Why, if it's a P-only, does it have three knobs?

They are...

I have the M-Audio and it’s been faultless since I bought it. Easy to use and sounds good.

That’d be great, thanks. Let me know.

This is what really did my head in at first! Once I figured it out, it was fine.