Jakester

Well, the science may not be wrong, but in practice if it isn't objectively noticeable, then what's the issue? There's 'ideal in a laboratory setup' and then there's 'shoving all the gear in the corner at the Dog and Duck'. Most gigs tend toward the latter than the former.

I was most surprised to learn they have finally got electricity in Trowbridge!

Like you, I've seen a lot of comments suggesting that subs under tops is less than optimal, but whenever I've played venues with that setup, it's never been a noticeable issue. I have a single sub which comes out at bigger gigs - generally for ease it's stacked under one of the tops. Provided you've got your crossover set properly (usually via the sub itself if its powered) locating a single sub at the side of the stage under a top shouldn't cause too many issues. The "ideal" location is right at the front though. I just run both tops off the sub (i.e. using the crossover in the sub). That way you don't get up with the problem above.

It's the Bassbone OD - same chassis, but instead of a boost, it has the drive switch. I presume it's largely the same with the addition of an overdrive circuit and controls!

Them and Real Electronics - with whom I’ve had a poor experience in past too when “servicing” my Mark Bass amp.

In fairness to him, it wasn’t new - I got it from someone on here. It could have been loose, but pretty sure I would have noticed it before I sent it off. I get it’s a slog to identify intermittent issues - I’m sure we’ve all had some rattle in a car that doesn’t manifest for the dealer. But over 3 months and it come back worse than went it was sent? I can only think it was more damaged initially than either of us thought (though I would have thought he’d have picked it up at the outset when he sent the video, and the mute switch is at the other end of the board to the PSU), or he didn’t in fact know what he was doing and took a punt, which failed. I’ve now dropped Surrey Amps a line (what I should have done in the first place!) to see if they can give an estimate for repairing the identified issues, to see whether it’s economically viable to repair.

CIOKS Sol - specs say it does 400mA at 15v, which is what the manufacturer says it needs: https://cioks.com/power-supplies/future-power-generation/cioks-sol/ https://www.radialeng.com/product/bassbone-od/specifications

Well, this just gets worse and worse. I figured I could make do without the OD, as that was really just a handy bonus over the core functions of the Bassbone. But, went to rehearsal for the first time since getting it back today and not only does the drive not work, now the mute switch isn’t working, which means it’s impossible to quietly swap between bass and DB or tune silently. God knows what’s up now with it. I’m now faced with shelling out yet more cash for further potential repairs (sunken cost fallacy?) or just bin it and buy something I know that works. 😡😡😡

This just popped up for me - properly widdly but some lovely grooves and playing by all concerned: Hiromi has a great ear for bassists - she's played a lot with Anthony Jackson over the years.

I think GK do/did do a couple of powered combos which were supposed to be driven from a line out from their 'normal' combos - eg https://www.andertons.co.uk/amps/bass-amps/bass-amp-cabs/b-stock-:-gallien-krueger-112-mbp-powered-bass-cab The fact they're discontinued suggests there wasn't much of a market for them.

I think he got it 2nd hand.

Lol - just sent the details of the A&H to a mate who's literally just bought a TM16. Crying face emoji was the response! I have one, I've had it for a while - it's great for what I need it for. It has way more Auxes than the A&H (it has two stereo aux outs as well as 6 mono ones) and has the same features. The TM16 has more channels than the A&H too, but has broadly the same feature set. I daresay the A&H user interface is a bit better though! If I was looking now, the £500 price differential between the QSC and A&H would be too much for me - I'm lucky, I got mine 2nd hand from a large retailer, so I have their warranty and the price saving which meant it was less than the A&H. Doubt I'd buy one new now though.

Ah, that's way too much stuff for very little benefit. I was trying to avoid getting a rack mount wireless system, as it's just one more piece of gear to lug round, cables etc, whereas the U4 is just two small pieces of kit. I currently use a wired connection to a P2, but it's a pain when you move around (to adjust a mic, for example) not realising you're still wired in! Hmm, I may see whether I can cope with going back to mono then. Edit: I wonder whether I could use two U3 systems in reverse - i.e. use the mic packs in the mixer and the receiver ends into my P2. Expensive though! https://xvive.com/audio/product/u3-microphone-wireless/

But would they transmit to one receiver? Edit: looking at the specs, they don't.

Does anyone know whether there’s a stereo equivalent of something like the Xvive U4? I love the simplicity of it - a band member uses one - but I’m wedded to my stereo IEM mix after years of mono and don’t really want to go back. I know I can get a ‘proper’ IEM system that’ll do stereo, but (for various, boring, reasons) I’d prefer the U4 form factor.

I do this but with some wood glue as well. Haven’t had one fail yet.

I was recently (i.e. this month) quoted £275 for a new DB bridge, so £500 sounds v steep to me. When I demurred, he said he'll boil it off and clamp it to straighten it instead and will chuck it in with the fingerboard work he was doing!

I have a pair of Yamaha DXR12s which are more than enough for all of the gigs we've done so far. That's included pubs, weddings, outdoors, large halls etc. I picked the pair up including covers used for £700. If it's a bigger venue, I pair them with an old Mackie powered sub.

Just thought I would update this. I should say I primarily got these for playing drums, rather than bass, but hopefully I'll get the opportunity to use with both in future. Tried the IEMs both at home with my kit (with a Focusrite Scarlett setup, so no EQ) and at rehearsal (from a REALLY shonky rehearsal room desk and only with a single OH on the drums). The first thing that got me was the occlusion - it really is a game-changer. I've used earplugs and universal IEMs for years, but this is the first time I've ever felt properly isolated, which meant the in-ear volume could be reduced significantly. The second thing was the response. It was VERY clear - meaning I could hear *everything*, including the wonky tuning on a couple of my toms, the rattling t-rods, and the awful, awful rehearsal room kit. I haven't had a chance to mess with the stereo field yet (there's no pan out of the box on the Focusrite without messing with the apps and the rehearsal room mixer was a single mono output) but I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I've seen comments on the lack of bass response from 2-driver IEMs but the (DI'd) bass came through absolutely fine. Everything was clear and with a decent amount of bottom end on the bass. I have no doubt when they're going into my 'proper' mixer with suitable EQ they'll sound great. Far, far above my experiences with universal IEMs - about as big a leap as it was going from earplugs to IEMs in the first place. The downsides were few, but worth mentioning: the twisted cabling rubbed the tops of my ears so became uncomfortable after a while. I reckon some thin rubber tubing or heatshrink slipped over it would sort that. I also found the body of the RH IEM became uncomfortable pressing against the outside of my ear after a few hours. Hopefully not a major concern and something I'll get used to. And finally, there's the actual fitting in to wear - ACS suggest using their 'Comfort Cream' (which I have seen mentioned elsewhere is basically just KY Jelly). For me, it's absolutely essential with all of their products - the IEMs and both sets of earplugs. I simply can't get them into my ear canal without using the "cream" (lube), so I think I'll need to make sure I have some to hand (oo-er) at all times, which is one more thing to think about. It's a bit weird - you only need a small amount, and it really (ahem) aids insertion (ahem), but if you use too much it all feels a little gloopy in your lug hole. However, that all said, those are minor things easily sorted and the benefits definitely outweigh the issues. It's a strong recommend from me.

Wahey, my care package from ACS has arrived! A set of Engage Classic IEMs, some Pro20 earplugs, and a set of sleep earplugs. I'll give them a test and report back.

Yep, that's the one thing I need to work out - I may give it a go using a USB MIDI keyboard to see what happens first.

QSC Touchmix 16. It's a USB-A socket.

I did see that before, but whilst there are options that would work, they're all pretty expensive or over-featured. I may take a punt on that eBay one.