ahpook

I miss gigging

I've had a few bits of SWR gear. My big bass amp (sadly not used in anger for some time) has an SWR 2x12 cab which is great, not quite as punchy as my old Peavey 4x10, but a lot lighter. I did have an SWR Studio 220 for a while but it was a little too hi-fi for my tastes, but I did having an amp with no fan. The best is my SWR Baby Baby Blue II 1x10 combo which is I doubt I'll ever get rid of. Beautiful little amp, and nor as hi-fi to my ears as the head. Only 120W so not really a big gig amp, but top nonetheless. Everything sounds good through it.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1500978747' post='3341403'] ... and I get a sense of ... [/quote] Massively.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1500996708' post='3341624'] Anyone else had experience of top line gigs being spoiled by a diabolical mix and way over the top BD sounds? [/quote] All. The. Frikking. Time. If the drum kit isn't louder than everything else...and the the kick louder than that it's just not right, it seems.

[quote name='clunkie66' timestamp='1500907299' post='3340981'] I'm expecting lots of 'practice, practice practice' comments but it's just not happening for me. [/quote] If it doesn't excite you then unless you need to learn how to do it, I'd not lose too much sleep - because practice is the only way to nail it ! I can't slap - I could learn, but I've never felt the need for it so I've never put in the effort.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1500740677' post='3339915'] Even on simple songs like Stir It Up where I match all the notes, when they are meant to happen and the right length, it still does not sound like reggae, just a collection of the right notes at the right time but without the love. [/quote] Have you asked your tutor what they think ?

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1500505752' post='3338387'] It suits me because I kind of feel responsible for her when I'd rather concentrate on what I'm doing than making sure she's ok. [/quote] Thinking about it, I think that's part of why I don't mind Mrs Pook not coming - well said.

Mrs. Pook doesn't come to all of my gigs (tho truth be known it's a while since I gigged) - she has a demanding job so getting back from a a gig at all hours isn't always desirable. I don't mind, if I ask her specially to come she will.

[quote name='bobbass4k' timestamp='1500553282' post='3338653'] If you do have any issues with them let me know.... [/quote] That's a very kind offer, but I assembled the kit this afternoon (about 4 hours all told I reckon) and it works a treat ! It is an excellent kit - really easy to put together once the SMD sweats were over. Sound-wise I'm blown away - very much to my taste indeed. There an optional SMD chip you can fit in place of the DIL Opamp which is meant to be less noisy and fatter sounding. That's a nice bit of practice soldering for me !

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1500536916' post='3338472'] I wonder if anybody might be interested in this short series: [/quote] I watched the one on last night. Nicely done, a little melodramatic at times - I don't like it when a science programme mixes fact and fiction too freely alongside each other. One segment was about a lady had suddenly gone profoundly deaf. Very sad it was, no doubting that, but the intro to the piece was a lot of wobbly shots of the lady with some weird noises going on in the background. Were the noises what she now hears ? Or just some drama ? And if you're going to demonstrate resonance using Barton's pendulums then give the man his props, eh ? I think he deserves it

[quote name='rmorris' timestamp='1500475993' post='3338106'] Okay. Just checking that if there were something wrong they'd be easy enough to replace without having to get another kit of parts. That series of jfet not so common in UK (to avoid shipping charges out of scale with the cost of a few small components) but Farnell have stock atm so should should be okay. And your build is probably okay anyway. Good Luck... [/quote] That sounds right as the kit's from a German company. I'll press on now, reassured by all the helpful advice. Many thanks everyone.

[quote name='rmorris' timestamp='1500471383' post='3338058'] Yep - I don't think there's a problem. As Bobbass said failure usually open or short circuit - not intermediate value. What is the jfet model number ? [/quote] Cool They're MMBF-J201s

[quote name='bobbass4k' timestamp='1500461154' post='3337920'] How are you measuring the D-S voltage drop? It isn't as simple as it is for the, G-D/S, internal capacitance can skew the readings. Try shorting source and gate and check the reading again, 1.3 sounds about right to me, as long as it's not fully short or open its probably fine. Like static, it's actually pretty hard to kill a part with heat. I'm not sure where this perception of smt parts as delicate faberge eggs comes from, but it's really not true. [/quote] OK, after shorting the G-S the voltage drop is still about the same. Right then, I reckon that means things aren't as bad as I first thought.

[quote name='bobbass4k' timestamp='1500461154' post='3337920'] How are you measuring the D-S voltage drop? It isn't as simple as it is for the, G-D/S, internal capacitance can skew the readings. Try shorting source and gate and check the reading again, 1.3 sounds about right to me, as long as it's not fully short or open its probably fine. Like static, it's actually pretty hard to kill a part with heat. I'm not sure where this perception of smt parts as delicate faberge eggs comes from, but it's really not true. [/quote] I'm using the diode mode on my DMM. Thanks for the reassurace - this is my first time working with SMD and it's a proper pain with my far-from-prefect eyesight. Thanks for the tip about shorting the S-G connections - I'll give that a whirl.

I saw a headline saying something along the lines of "Sheeran in Westeros" I thought he was making a personal appearance in some kind of American mega-store chain.

[quote name='rmorris' timestamp='1500454186' post='3337811'] Are the 250K readings with the JFets in the circuit ? [/quote] That's all that's soldered in at the moment - I've measured the voltage drops as suggested by Julian at Schalltechnik (very helpful chap) and I get 0.7 Gate - Drain/Source and 1.3 D-S/S-D The D-S/S-D are a volt higher than they should be so I suspect that I've overheated the transistors.

Hey, good news. Chuffed for you !

That's awesome, great you got 'em back.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1500369724' post='3337211'] £6.90 for a pint of Punk IPA. Otherwise, ok. Much preferred the acoustic set to the electric set (no setlist spoilers for now). The keys player on the right was pretty good too (took a great vocoder solo), sorry can't remember his name. [/quote] Blimey, £6.90 ? I mean, I don't drink anymore so I'm out of touch, but jeeesh. Just 'OK' tho ?

Need a bit of advice folks ! I've started building the GUMA Vinatge kit ans have, with as much care as my shaky hands and bad eyes will allow, soldered the SMT JFETs in. I've quickly checked the Gate - Source and Gate - Drain resistances and although I was expecting an open circuit, both chips are reading ~250K ohm. Any idea if I've trashed the chips ?

How was the London gig ? A, um, 'domestic situation' blew up over the weekend which meant I couldn't go. I hope everyone had a good time.

Maybe they're referring to one of the properties owned by the bassplayer, the one in question being the only one in East London.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1500132891' post='3335836'] No beef really. I'm sticking with; " No more than those who bring up they're not in it for the money." Blue [/quote] Beware of librarians in the night bearing citations.