indiegrungesound

[quote name='daz' post='1363062' date='Sep 5 2011, 04:46 PM']If I can just throw a slight tangent into this thread. I have found a [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixies"][b]Pixies[/b][/url] parody by Chris Morris, brilliant extremely well observed both in lyrical style and sonic useage .
Its absolutely spot on! (audio only, unfortunately)




Highlight below for the lyrics. Not that they are offensive or anything. I just dont want to ruin the listen for you. But they are here for your perusal later if you want.

[color="#FFFFFF"]One, two, three
well my mother is a whore let me tell you more
my mother did something to me when I was twenty-three
she spilt a cup of tea all over my knee
I said mother, oh my god what have you done
she said nevermind son lets have some fun
your pantaloon is undone I can see you're well hung
and then she fiddled with my cords
and then she...
my mother gunned my weapon
this is the dawning of the age
of King Oedapus
King Oedapus I need a puss
my mothers just as good as any other
she drives me wild like a hyena gone manic
lets get Hispanic!
uh huh huh uh huh huh
me mama es un whor-a
uh huh huh uh huh huh
me Espanol is muy poor-a
ever since I've been at my mothers nipple, guess I've been a dipple
now I'm fully converted
I'm heavily perverted
like I wanna have sex with a mutant ibex
wanna whack my wand in the nearest pond
wanna stick my spear in a stingrays ear
now my mother got jealous
of my new bedfellas/ started picking an argument
she said son you're bent
so I said aaaah
she said don't want to cause offence but your making no sense
I said aaaah
she said don't want to cause friction but where's your diction
I said aaaah
she said express yourself another way we're ..... on the TA
so I shot her
as the blood spilled from her vest
she said son they'll be no more incest
I said I know mother thats why I killed ya
and your dying body for necrophila
[/color][/quote]
THAT was Genius, Daz! Proper LMAO!

+1000 at least for wacking that on here!

My current rig isn't too shabby right now. (Hartke LH500 or Ampeg PF-350 into 2 Warwick Neo Pro 12"s) It covers most eventualities.

However, if I ever WAS-HIGHLY unlikely-in a big touring big band, I'd like this:

Hartke LH1000 into 4 Ampeg SVT 8 x 10"s with Big Muff, MXR Blow Torch, Ibanez Bass Tube Screamer, Sansamp Bass Driver, Boss Chorus & Boss Phaser pedals.

(Oh! and a decent compressor too just it case the Limiter on the LH1000 breaks.)

There's a metal band in Manchester called "A Killer's Fear" whose bass player uses JUST an Ashdown MAG 2x10" combo, going up against 2 guitarists, so you can use this type of combo for that type of band. (Probably DI'd, but they've played decent club venues like Club Academy, The Academy 3/Hop & Grape and The Ruby Lounge)

TBH, I'd go for broke & get a 4x10" as the extension cab. You'd have NO problem sound wise then!

The Hartke LH amps are well built, loud & cheap! Haven't used mine for a while unfortunately since I bought my Ampeg PF-350, but it'll still be my main gigging amp once my band gets up and running again!

[quote name='tony_m' post='1320349' date='Jul 29 2011, 12:40 PM']I can't believe nobody's mentioned a certain Japanese cross-dresser yet...

Anyway, for me, it'd have to be Mike Mills, if only for the suits.

[attachment=85903:mike_mills.jpg][/quote]
+10(at least!) for mentioning Mr Mills!

I don't care if there's slapping or not. I'm want to go, though I don't think they'll let me on stage again like they did last year! (Dave Marks' "brave young bassist" comments still do my ego the power of good mind! )

[quote name='Linus27' post='1270033' date='Jun 15 2011, 01:19 PM']Mine would be Amanda Tannen. No idea what her playing is like but I like the look of her

[/quote]
+1 For the mention of Stellastarr*'s fabulous 4 stringer. (Saw them 3 times in between 2003 & 2004. Trust me Linus, she's a good player & a good singer too!)

Kim Deal(obviously), Kim Gordon & Tina Weymouth need no introduction, but I'll +1 the props they've had anyway.

Have to mention Jenny Lee Lindberg from Warpaint again, largely because she's gorgeous AND is she's one of the best bass players about right now full stop! Emma Richardson from Band of Skulls is also more than worth a mention!(She sings & plays guitar too.)

Probably a bit pointless saying this now that "lemming" is going for the MB200, but by dint of being an owner of the PF-350, I have to stick up for it. Love the tone on it & it's certainly loud enough when put though a 4 x 10". If you were referring to the -15db Pad button as a "problem", I'd say it might just be a problem with the active EQ in my Yamaha bass as opposed to the Ampeg's EQ.

I can't really compare it with the MB200 though, as I don't know if any of the music shops 'round Greater Manchester stock them.

Not complaining either way. The Ampeg's is the back up head to my Hartke-which I've not had ANY problems with thus far.

Hope you enjoy your purchase anyway Lemming!

[quote name='MythSte' post='1252984' date='Jun 1 2011, 06:31 PM']If anything untoward is happening you'll hear it before it goes, I'm sure! I've never really understood padding you see as I figured you could always just turn the gain down to suit the bass. I could be completely wrong and nothing i've said is worth listening too, though![/quote]
I wouldn't say that at all! Your advice is appreciated.

Just wanted to say that even though I've been singing the praises of the new Ampeg Portaflex heads, Hartkes are still the business! I have the LH500 and used to have the HA3500. They're powerful, versatile and built like tanks. I'd REALLY love to see Mr Hartke put out some Micro heads, 'cause I SURE they'd really go toe to toe nicely with what GK, Markbass, TC & Genz-Benz have out. (I'm pretty sure that Ampeg just wholesale copied the output stage of the HA3500 in their PF-350 heads minus the valve pre-amp IMO!)

[quote name='MythSte' post='1251976' date='May 31 2011, 08:12 PM']You know you don't have to use the pad when using an active bass right? If it's cutting the output so much on an active bass then the output of your active bass might not be hot enough to warrant padding it.[/quote]
In this instance, I'll refer you to my earlier comments. When the -15db pad isn't engaged, the output from the Yamaha through the Ampeg is OVERWHELMINGLY LOUD! I might try it next time out, but I don't want to risk blowing one of my Warwick when I'm only using one-even with the limiter on constantly. I don't exactly buy top dollar gear, but I do try to look after it.

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1252321' date='Jun 1 2011, 07:12 AM']Well I get a very large smile on my face playing my Precision through the PF-500. Think the pairing of Precision/Ampeg is just, well "right", so I can definately recommend the aquisition of a Precision to go with your PF.

Re the trading in of the Hartke - depends on your needs, and wants - I do love the sound that the PF-500 gets though, and seems to me that you like the same sort of sounds, so go for it, if you`ve now found that the Hartke doesn`t give the exact sounds you want. I was kindof the same, had a TC Electronic Classic 450 - great amp, but as soon as I heard the PF-500, I knew it was the right amp for me.[/quote]
The only thing going against the Hartke is that it weighs 23.1 lbs, whilst the Ampeg only weighs 7.8 lbs; which is important considering I've a glass back. Also, it's a shame having a flightcased 500 watt amp that isn't being given the full use it demands and deserves.

[quote name='dumelow' post='1252522' date='Jun 1 2011, 11:40 AM']been using a PF350 for a couple of months yet. About 3 weeks till ill gig it for the first time, with a PA. Ive been happy with it to no end. Great for recording, sounds huge at practice (with the pad button in too). Really want a 4ohm cab for it though.[/quote]
Ah! Dumelow! Hats off to the man who piqued my interest in these lovely cabs in the first place! Cheers! If you're after a 4 ohm 4 x 10", the PF-350 should go nicely with either the TC Electronic BC410, the Marshall MB410 or the Ampeg B-410HF I think.

Ta for the feedback everyone!

As promised, here's an update with how the PF-350'S been holding up.

Auditioned a drummer last week. My rig was one of my Warwick 12"s, the Ampeg & my Yamaha BB614.

The amp held up pretty well. Again, can be a bit quiet with active basses, but with the volume @ 4, the gain @ 6 & the mids boosted on my bass's EQ, I had a nice workable sound for the duration of the audition. Now that I've hired the drummer, I'll no doubt have fun messing with the EQ on the amp to get the best performance out of it for some time.

I have to say to say two things though. Firstly, I'm tempted to trade in the Yamaha for a Squier Vintage Modern P-Bass or Jazz, largely because the amp sounds so much better with passive basses. Secondly, on the strength of the PF-350's size AND tone(I could happily jam away all day THINKING I'm Nate Mendel with this thing! <:-) ;-)), I'm tempted to part-ex my Hartke LH500 for the PF-500!

Any thoughts folks?

Headwise, You won't go wrong with new Ampeg Portaflex heads (which PMT should now have in stock)or either of the Hartke heads!

Wouldn't mind jumping in on bass with R.E.M. or Doves-based on the fact that they have songs where Mike Mills & Jimi Goodwin play something other than bass. Not good enough to replace either of those two though.

Failing that, Sebadoh or Sonic Youth.

Strangely enough, if Busta Rhymes ever toured with a live band, I'd love to pop out the bass line for "Woo Ha(Got You all In Check)"!

None of this will happen EVER mind! ;-)

[quote name='JPJ' post='1238378' date='May 20 2011, 04:38 PM']The exact reason why haven't wandered down to Soundslive to try the PF-500 they have in stock

Keep us posted with reports of performance in the real world![/quote]
Well, I had the PF-350 hooked it with my Warwick Neo Pro 12"s last night, in both 1 x 12" & 2 x 12" configurations. I played both my Yamaha BB614 & my Steinberger Spirit basses through it

With the the PF-350 running the 1 x 12" set up, I now have a fantastic home practice rig. Could probably do very well as a studio recording amp as well. Spent most of the evening playing along to tunes by Best Coast, QOTSA, Cee Lo Green, The Chapman Family & Joy Division; so it'll do the job for Pop & Rock of varying shades quite nicely.

As part of a 2 x 12" stack, I'd currently have no problem taking this as a back up option with a band, but I need to get this in a rehearsal room to really test this out.

One thing I will note is that the amp takes more easily to Passive basses than Active ones. With my Yamaha plugged in with the -15db Pad button engaged, you need to do more tweaking with the EQ on the bass and/or the amp. With the Pad button off and the Yamaha plugged in, the output volume jumps up VERY HIGH!

So far then, I'm still very pleased with the amp. It's less than £300, sound good, is lightweight AND strudy and looks REALLY cool! I'll keep you informed about he deals with rehearsal & gigging situations soon as.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' post='1238244' date='May 20 2011, 02:45 PM']That's disgraceful.[/quote]
It's slightly underhand yes, but I still think the bass went to a good home.

Just been to P.M.T. in Manchester, tried out and BOUGHT a PF-350. Played it through one of the Portaflex cabs, 2 Portaflex cas, an Orange SP212 and an Ampeg B410. Great looking and LOUD amp. Lightweight but certainly more strudy than Ashdown's Little Giant. (Lighter than the old Ampeg PB250 head too.) I'm going to use it with my cabs tonight. I'll keep whoever's interested posted!

That's great Lozz! Looking forward to having a go pretty soon!

Hey Lozz. Would you mind if I asked you about the EQ settings on the Portaflex amps? If any the shops near me have them-if their websites are up to date-have them in, I'm tempted to try out & purchase @ the very least the PF350 model. It'd be a back up for my Hartke LH500, so I was wondering what it's flat setting and mid range boost settings are like.

Ta for any advice you can offer in advance!

Heard this VERY sad news last night on Xfm! My condolences to his family & his bandmates!

Vintage Trouble did look like they had a lot of fun. Meanwhile, despite some of the previous comments on this thread, I for one very much enjoyed Fleet Foxes! Looking forward to them both on the full Friday show!

Your review was very good Mr Dumelow! These heads continue to sound very promising!

I hope they turn up in the UK soon. REALLY want to try one!

It'd better be better than the Little Giants!(Sorry to keep going on about it folks!)

Do keep us posted on these please! If they're any good, I wouldn't mind getting one.