ahpook

i'm still very impressed with my soundtech ps802...only 16lbs

[quote name='thinman' post='180186' date='Apr 18 2008, 10:14 PM']Having been tinkering around with an old amp I did a bit of reading round and have to concede that there are number of things that can reasonably done as part of a service. Whether these are actually done I do wonder. These ar enot my opinions or recommendations - just a summary of what I've read on various web sites. However, if anyone has a service done I wonder if these are covered: 1. A good hoover out or blow out with compressed air. Apparently a lot of the dust that accumulates gets there because it's attracted by charged components. That dust can conduct a bit and cause crackles, other noise and even burn outs. The amp I'm looking at used to have a rat-fur covered case and the circuit board looked like someone had emptied their shaver onto it. Oddly, the hairs had tended to align themselves to various components making me wonder if they're not totally electrically inert. 2. Pots - clean with a suitable cleaner and lubricant. Replace if necessary. 3. Jacks - clean and replace if required. 4. Valve amps. Opinions seem to vary but some say valves in the power stage need to be changed every 1-2 years depending upon use. They have to be biased when changed. Pre-amp valves would then typically be changed at half that frequency but some say if they work then leave them alone. Corrosion of the sockets is apparently a common problem so a service should include cleaning/replacement. 5. This one surprised me but apparently aluminium electrolytic capacitors are usually best replaced after 10 years regardless of use. These types are most commonly used for smoothing/filtering of the power supply (these look like small drinks cans and most have 2 or 4) although they're use all over the place. Over time their performance degrades. Supposedly the most subtle manifestation can be less filtering leading to more 50Hz (or harmonics of) overtones being introduced into the sound thus clouding notes. At worst they can go bang. So, some would recommend that if you have an old amp it's best to have the electrolytic caps changed. They're not that expensive - a big one for a power supply is around £3. 6. General safety/integrity of wiring - especially any mains or high voltage stuff. So if I'd spent £50 I'd expect that to go a bit further than unscrewing the case.[/quote] bloody hell...i could do that !!

big fan of his - it was him, simon gallup and peter hook who made me want to play bass. many an hour when i was starting out playing was spent learning banshees basslines. and agreed about the bass playing on 'blue sunshine'. /doffs hat to mr. severin/

[quote name='d-basser' post='179664' date='Apr 18 2008, 12:30 PM']dunno but the thomann price aint to shabby[/quote] this is better [url="http://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/product_1029_MXR_El_Grande_Bass_Fuzz_M182_3.html"]http://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/product_10...uzz_M182_3.html[/url]

thomann are now giving a date of the 18th may. (a sunday ????) anyone got any other news ?

[quote name='Clive Thorne' post='178481' date='Apr 17 2008, 12:32 AM']Sorry, She still does nothing for me, bass wise, or otherwise. I'm sure she's very talented, but what she chooses to play is (IMHO) just so dreary![/quote] plus the one. horses fer courses tho

[quote name='Wren and Cuff' post='179220' date='Apr 17 2008, 08:08 PM']Hey Kev! I know you sold your Pickle Pie but I thought you might want to check out my new Pickle Pie "B" version. It's a new version I made that is voiced for bass guitar. It has a totally revamped circuit, completely changed FET based clip section and best of all for bass, an active buffered clean-blend. It's not up on my site yet, but I saw this post and thought you (and everyone else) might want to check it out. I worked on it for months, so I guess I'm a little impatient! [url="http://wrenandcuff.com/mp3s/pp_b_3samp.mp3"]http://wrenandcuff.com/mp3s/pp_b_3samp.mp3[/url] thanks, Matt[/quote] that sounds amazing !!!

[quote name='paul, the' post='178957' date='Apr 17 2008, 03:45 PM']Is it quite sad that I think being a librarian would be the coolest thing ever?[/quote] prolly not as sad as actually being one

aparrently "The URL contained a malformed video ID."

just to add a comment about the digitech bad monkey...i picked one up for £29 recently and it's one of the best low-gain overdrives i've come across. plenty of low-end, and a very good slow graduation from clean to slightly overdriven sounds

thanks !!

this is great... the guitarist on one of the bands is now spitting the dummy somewhat that i may not be able to make practise on sunday... i just can't believe it. a doctor's told me not to play until it's healed, and he expects me to risk tearing my finger open.

[quote name='Rich' post='177561' date='Apr 16 2008, 06:46 AM']Oh yes. Short sleeve shirts, 3 quid a pop -- perfect for the office. Buggered if I'm going to spend real money on something I only ever wear to the treadmill. +1 for charity shops.[/quote] plus the one... i guess we look very similar on work days !!

anyone know which replacement tuning heads for fender jazz basses have a higher gearing ratio that the standard fender ones ?

[quote name='Jase' post='177516' date='Apr 16 2008, 12:32 AM']So aphook, you in need of a stitch or two?[/quote] thankfully no. it was still oozing blood after i got into work this morning, so i checked in with my boss and went over to univeristy college hospital for a three hour wait before spending 5 mins with a very charming aussie lady doctor no stitches, but if it had been a few mill further toward my nail it would have been a lot worse i was told. phew !! so, i've had it bandaged and was given a tetnus jab. i mentioned i played bass and she told me i should really steer clear until next week when the flap of skin's started to heal over. this is a pain as i've got band praccy tonight and on sunday. BUT she did put my occupation on the paperwork as 'professional musican' cos she said she like the sound of it more !! so folks...moral of this story ? [i]use the right tool for the right job...no matter how much of a rush you're in[/i]

question is....does it come with a kettle lead ?

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='177505' date='Apr 16 2008, 12:19 AM']electric tape. (ie the tape electricians use not actual tape that can be electric) works a treat on gashed hands, keeps them together, lessens the pain and has the same feel as skin.[/quote] top tip. think i'm best off not playing for a few days - the position of it means that any slides are prolly going to tear it open. i'm off to a friend's up in preston for a week of music and recording weekend after next...i want it to be ok for then, so caution's going to be the watchword. betcha my new pedal arrives tomoz...

[quote name='Buzz' post='177496' date='Apr 16 2008, 12:08 AM']Remember what they said in school: Always cut away from you, never towards![/quote] i did...i'm still a little baffled how i did it. but i did, and it'll teach me a lesson...always get girlfren to open the packaging

taking a metal file out of its packaging... my own fault...using the wrong tool for the wrong job - a blade rather than scissors, but the scissors wouldn't cut through the cable ties holding the file in the packaging.

[quote name='OldGit' post='177478' date='Apr 15 2008, 11:31 PM']I had a pair of those - they ate my feet ruum-tush I'll get my coat [/quote] /ubergroan/

just put a nice deep gash up the side of my left index finger, almost from the top knuckle to the end of my nail...a goodly flap of skin's been lifted off. practise is deffo out tomoz @rse !!!!!