indiegrungesound

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1438986150' post='2839296'] not all Peppers is bad, I don't think Keef was saying that, I too like a day in a life and the Sgt Peppers reprise (it rocks) can't stand Mr Kite When I'm 64 and that bloody Harrison Indian thing, not keen on With a Little Help Fron My'Friends either, although I do admit to the hairs on the back of my neck standing up when Ringo joined Macca on stage recently to sing it [/quote] Fair enough. Though I have to say "that bloody Harrison Indian thing" is something I've always liked, whilst I REALLY love the tone of the bassline on "...Mr Kite"! +10 for agreeing with me on "A Day in the Life" though!:-)

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1439029167' post='2839464'] Thanks Alex! The cabs are EBS Proline 2x10 and 4x10. I don't know what mic was used but it looked like a large diaphragm a couple of inches away from the speaker in the 2x10 that was furthest from the bass port. The engineer spent a good 10 minutes listening to each speaker before deciding on that configuration. The tweeters are on about 1/4 of the pot travel, which is just enough to add a bit of sparkle to the top end. IMO the EBS tweeters are a bit harsh for the sounds I like. On my other cabs (Dr Bass) I have the tweeters on full to get the same sound as the EBS. For gigs I nearly always DI post EQ from the DI socket on the amp. Pretty much every PA engineer who has expressed an opinion has loved the sound and when I've had a chance to get out front during the sound check it always sounds just like my rig but louder, so I've been happy. I've had the cabs mic'd a couple of times at the bigger gigs we played, but haven't been able to tell if it has made any difference. I'm happy to DI so long as the sound coming from the PA matches what I get out of the rig. We've spent a lot of time working on the guitar and bass sounds, so that there is already plenty of separation between the two. We just want the PA to make them louder (if necessary). [/quote] This might sound daft, but would it not be possible to swap the EBS 4x10" for another EBS 2x10"? What you'd lose in air/sound displacement(Yes, I've probably got one of Mr Calber's technical terms wrong! Sorry!) you'd make up for in lighter gear, whilst still having plenty of amp headroom surely! Incidentally, I now toying with the idea of changing my 2 1x12" cabs for a 2x10" & a 4x10" stack, so make of that what you will!

Each to their own, but I love "Sgt Pepper's..." if only for "A Day in the Life"!

[quote name='6feet7' timestamp='1436648201' post='2819801'] Boss ME50b was my main effects pedal for years. It's still my backup [/quote] I have the ME50B pedal too. Might be a bit pricey new(I paid about £200 for mine + £20-25 for the 9v Power unit/plug 10 years ago.), but it does a very good job. Plenty of features, good range of distortion/overdrive effects, nice delay effect section-the only iffy effect for me is the chorus setting-and well built. To illustrate that last point, the gap between the last time I used it and now was 6 years and it still works perfectly(The last band I used it with sacked me in part for going overboard with a combination of signal boost, overdrive, reverb and wah, but the pedal helped me get the gig with my new band!).

[quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1436036713' post='2814543'] Foxton played on a couple of tracks on the Wake Up The Nation album - Fast Car/Slow Traffic is very Foxton/Jam. Went to see the Return of the Rude Boy exhibition at the same venue (Somerset House) last year and it's a really interesting place to visit.. so really looking forward to seeing About the Young Idea. [/quote] A bit belated, but Thanks for corroborating that for me.

[quote name='blamelouis' timestamp='1435731679' post='2811819'] To be fair to Weller he has stated consistently that bands reforming is a bad idea and told Noel Gallagher the same thing. He has also said he has nothing against Rick or Bruce and wishes them all the best and also would not reform the style council either. [/quote] I think it's actually Rick Buckler who has a beef with Paul Weller. Buckler played in "From The Jam" with Bruce Foxton for a time, but seemed to leave around the time that Bruce made his "Back In Room" album, which featured Paul Weller playing on a couple of the tracks(Coincidentally, it's a pretty decent record. Very Jam like, which is more than fine when it's written by one of the members of The Jam in the first place!). Also, I think Bruce played on a couple of tracks on one of Weller's album a few years ago too(Could be wrong mind.).

I'm seriously considering getting a couple of these K cabs myself!

[quote name='afterimage' timestamp='1434904064' post='2803730'] The old bh500 isca great buy if you can get hold of them [/quote] I can second this! My BH500 has done a very good job since I've had it! I'm also considering matching it up with a couple of the new K Series cabs as well. Apart from the fact I'd have a matching brand rig for the first time in about 6 or 7 years, the power handling rating on the K Series cabs would mean I'd also have a mean rig using my Hartke LH500 too!

Not used mine since January. Great amps though! I bought mine back in 2010 & it's still going strong. 10 kgs is not that heavy, as my TC Electronic BH500 is 13 kgs. It's been used onstage, for recording & on countless rehearsals. It'll go very nicely with your old school Warwick stack!

If I remember correctly, there were a couple of PF 350 faults mentioned on here. There's just not been as many as with the PF 500. Still, it's a lovely sounding amp.

I've had mine for a few years as a back up amp to my Hartke LH500 & my TC Electronic BH500. It terms of reliability, the only problems I had was when I thought the limiter button/light wasn't working. So I've been lucky not to have experienced any of the horror stories associated with the Porta Flex amps. I would say that you do have to push the volume a bit to get a good output-more so if you only use a smaller 8 ohm cab against a guitar amp, and the "-16db" cut button can vary between differing active basses. However, this shouldn't mean you should discount it. It has a lovely tone. It's Aux in feature & cab free operation is great for headphone jamming. It also has a very good onboard DI, which works well for recording(I used it at a session last year and the engineer could not say enough great things about it.) and gigging(Used it a few years ago at Dry Bar in Manchester.). If you do use it live, have it go through a full 4 ohm rig.

I've just watched the video and this could very well be a popular amp. The sound of a clean and drive tone-each being clear and distinct-at the same time is something I'm sure would be very useful and desirable for every rock/punk/indie bassist. I think the price might hold them back a bit against it's rivals, which to my mind are the Ashdown MAG series, the Hartke HA & LH amps and TC Electronic's BH500-though I reckon it could take over that soon to be discounted little beauty.

I don't if anyone here will have seen the last post on Hartke's Facebook page, but they've got some new cabinets on display at their NAMM stand. I looks like we will finally have a HyDrive 2 x 10" cab! I've definitely got pre-emptive G.A.S.! :-)

It's a "+1" from me!

[quote name='isteen' timestamp='1416852864' post='2614319'] Thank you for answering. At the moment I have a 400 watt 4x10" Warwick cab (4 ohm). How about the tone from the two amps, do they sound the same, or is one "warmer/fuller" sounding than the other? [/quote] Based on how the EQ is set on each amp, The LH500 is marginally louder, but the BH500 is marginally smoother. So I'd still suggest you try each one if/where possible. However, in light of your comments about your cabinet, I'd suggest going for the BH500. From information that's been brought up on this site, backed up by TC Electronic's own website, that the 500 watts @ 4 ohms output rating is only a quasi/equivalent figure, so you might be able to risk running it through your cab without it blowing. Alternatively, look for a Hartke HA3500 to go with your cab OR get a cab/cabs that can handle a total of 600 watts @ 4 ohms.

I've got both amps & I love them both! If you can afford both, get them both, as they are equally loud but have differing features. The LH500 has a simpler EQ, a good Valve Pre Amp & an effects loop. The BH500 has a tuner & mute facility, a great compressor and a more expansive EQ. I think your decision should be based on what cabs you plan to use with your prospective amp. The LH500 puts out 350 watts @ 8 ohms, whilst the BH500 puts out 225 watts @ 8 ohms. Also, the LH500 needs a 1/4" jack cable connection & you will also need to buy a separate rack case. Conversely, the BH500 only takes a Speakon cable but is already cased(You may need a head cover in the future though.). I'd also try them both if you can. If you keep these considerations in mind then you should be happy with either amp.

[quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1415056784' post='2596319'] Barefaced super 12T [/quote] Well, depending on which version of the cab you have, you going to have at least 1000 watts of headroom @ 4 ohms to play with. This means that, taking funds into consideration, your choice is going to be dictated by the following conditions: (1) Do you want a head as portable as your cabinet? Or (2)Do you want a classically "styled", bigger head? If it's (1), choose any head from the RH450; RH750; BH550 or BH800(850?). If it's (2), get the BH500. It looks,aesthetically, very similar to the amp/head section of the SWR Redhead combo. Also, it weighs 13 kgs/29 lbs. So it's not a Micro amp, but it is very managably light-especially when compared to a Valve amp.

Oh it IS! B-) What cabs are you going to use with your intended potential purchase?

If it's about small, portable & powerful, I think your first consideration should make is to do with what cabs you would be using with the heads in question. To be on the safe side, I'd go for either the RH450 or the BH550. But make sure you can at least try every available option where possible.

IMO, based on the models I've tried-and the one I own-, they're different but both good! I own the BH500, which pretty much the same EQ/features layout as the RH heads, but with different power outputs(500 watts as opposed to 450 or 750.) and a classic, bulkier style. The only thing that it doesn't have that the RH heads have is any effects loop jack sockets. The newer BH amps (The 250; 550 & 850) have different EQ sections; with one dial on the 250 & two on the 550 or 850 for the Toneprint feature. The BH500 and all the RH heads have Tubetone & Spectracomp dials. Like any amps talked about on this site, they have their fans and detractors. I'm a fan. They are nice sounding; versatile & loud amps & suit what I need to a tee>

[quote name='Samfordia' timestamp='1414512138' post='2590055'] I spent a while looking through the TC range and was rather into it for a while. I eventually found a fair few negative reviews based on their reliability and actual output which put me off a little. Having said that, I'm sure there will be negative reviews for everything if you look hard enough. [/quote] To be fair, I nearly went against T C Electronic gear when I first purchased a BH500. The VERY first model I bought, after having a solid 20 minute tryout in the store, had it's electronics fail with half an hour of getting it home. Naturally, I took it back to the shop, and the very helpful staff were able to source it's fully functional replacement within 3 days. Not had a problem with it since(Touch Wood.). If you haven't tried one, I'd give it a go first. If it's then not to your liking, no harm done. Hope you do get sorted soon!

[quote name='afterimage' timestamp='1414359536' post='2588662'] Good luck with the amp buying I decided to future proof with separate head and cab. Got a tc electronic bh500 head and a 2x10 cab the amp was a a choice between a combo fender 350 that has been discontinued now happy with the tc headphone socket tube tone valve emulation built in tuner google u tube for them the cabs with a tweeter and two ten in give me a nice punchy sound [/quote] If you haven't got yourself sorted yet, I can heartily recommend the BH500. I've got one & it is a brilliant head! T C Electronic heads do have their detractors in here because the power output ratings of 500 watts are not totally accurate. For me though, the only problems with the BH500 is that you'll need a Speakon extension cable to connect to a cabinet & there's no FX loop. These are very minor problems though, as I-and plenty of others on here-think it's a loud & versatile amplifier. If you do get a 2x10"/1x12"/1x15" cab, make sure it has a link socket for a 2nd cab.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1413994762' post='2584599'] I think the LH preamp attached to a superb compact power amplifier would be amazing! I suggested the idea to Larry soon after the LH series came out. I forget who said it on BC but we joked that my signature amp would be called the LH5000S - very powerful and of course Stereo!! Anyway, my other suggestion would be to use the much loved Hartke Attack pedal as a basis for a lightweight amplifier because it already has a great sound along with Hartke's most useful features and DI capabilities. Who knows what Larry has up his sleeves but I agree with the above, Hartke had maintained a consistency in product quality - I suspect the delay in delivering a lightweight solution is in not wasting time with the same modules everyone else is using. Some of which are said to lack the weight and girth of note delivery even though they are very loud! [/quote] Personally, I'm guessing that it will have a blendable valve and solid state pre amp and power output settings(240 watts @ 8 ohms; 350 watts @ 4 ohms.) like the HA3500 matched with the pre amp section of the LH amps. Add in any combination of Bright button; Limiter; Compressor or "Bass Attack" Drive. What does anyone else think?

Ah! A local lad. Welcome to the forum sir! There's plenty of stores 'round town if you wanted new(PMT; Dawson's; Chase; Spectrum in Bury). If you want to go 2nd Hand, I think there's still a Hartke Kickback combo at the Cash Converters in Eccles for £180. Hope that's some help.

[quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1413886019' post='2583055'] I think the TC BH550 is a strong contender, but then TC have been know to tell porky pies about the true output of their amps, so until someone tests one I wouldn't touch one with a 20ft barge pole.[/quote] Regardless of T C Electronic's "creative" power ratings-and I really have no idea why they bill them as having a rating that isn't the actual output-I'd certainly recommend you at least trying one. They are STILL loud IMO, but trying one will let your ears decide.