gilmour

Am I a glutton for punishment as I'm considering putting both of these (Sir Duke & Rhythm Stick) into our set for 2013?

Did this position ever get filled? I'm available.

Great project, thanks for sharing.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1355736369' post='1901849'] I've been all over google trying to find out how much current this PSU supplies. I can't find it anywhere, could you have a look on the back? [/quote] I'm pretty sure it's an OEM product that's branded as Dr Tone just for Dawsons in the UK. http://www.dawsons.co.uk/dr-tone-psu10-power-supply I've been impressed with it, so has our guitarist who just went and bought himself one! In the manual (piece of paper) it says Output voltage is DC15V, 1A - is that what you're after?

[quote name='pantherairsoft' timestamp='1355438412' post='1898558'] Working on the Dynamics at the mo (though they have discontinued the damn thing!!). It's stunning on 2 of it's 3 settings and not so hot on the other... I'm trying to capture it's benefits and flaws as well as possible. [/quote] I've got a Nova Dynamics and was very surprised that they discontinued it, very good bit of kit (and versatile with the two 'engines') be good to read another's review of it.

And suddenly BOOM like you're saying take a look at this big hunk of pedal power..... Signal chain is: Bass TU3 Tuner Nova Dynamics Compressor EBS Octabass Bluberry Bass Overdrive Deep Freeze (chorus) Modded Q Tron Mini (still massive though ) Powered by a Dr Tone PSU10 Power Supply. I have the option (if noise is an issue) to go back into the second 'engine' of the Nova Dynamics at the end of the chain and use it as a Noise Gate. However I've been astonished at the noise reduction since using the Dr Tone instead of individual power supplies and don't see a need to do it. The QTron has been modded so it now has a volume control on the output level (the signal comes out so hot I'd given up using it) and the power socket has been swapped out replacing the 3.5mm Female Jack for a standard 'Boss' type 2.1mm Male socket, just to make life easier - it also has an extra hole in it for air circulation, and not at all because it was drilled in the wrong place Future plan is to rehouse the QTron in a smaller casing, and make a little space for a Quasar if I can ever afford one!

Have a look a the Sontronics STC 80. IMO blow the SM58 out the water. I haven't got enough experience of the Sennheiser to compare it to that. I did a review on here an age ago... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/183510-sontronics-stc-80/

I'm looking for a little advice and guidance on using effects loops. Here's the background... I've never really used the effects loop on my amp before, mostly because I tried it when I was about 18 and couldn't hear the difference, and didn't want to spend the money on extra leads! Anyway, I've been getting a lot of noise lately through my signal chain and decided to experiment with the effects loop. It instantly got rid of the noise, but I did notice that it sounded a little different, especially the compressor - it just seemed much more obvious it was 'on'. Anyway I thought I should read the manual, to check I'm doing it right. I'm not sure if I am. It says: [QUOTE=Eden WT405 Manual] Mono Pre-Tone Effects Send/Return – These standard _ inch jacks allow you to send and receive your signal to and from external devices. The effects loop is positioned post (behind) the compressor and before the Enhance control and the tone section. This loop is at line level; do not use instrument level effects in this loop as they tend to be overloaded by the higher signal level which can cause distortion.[/quote] Can anyone offer a little advice and guidance on using effects loops, specifically above I'm worried about Line level/instrument level thing. The board did sound much better here, with no noise or hiss etc. FWIW my amp is an [url="http://www.eden-electronics.com/info/manuals/pdf/WT330%20390%20405.pdf"]Eden WT405[/url], and my effects board goes: Bass > Boss TU3 > EBS Octabass > Mad Professor Blueberry Bass Overdrive > EHX QTron (going soon) > TC Nova Comp Powered by a Dr Tone power thingy. Ta. Rob

Kev's playing left me speechless at the Fumble a while ago, really nice playing and unusual style that made me go home and practice my harmonics (still nowhere near ) I've owned my EAD for over a year now, it looks brand new but has probably done over 50 gigs and a few rehearsals too! I believe the original incarnation was AB'd against the Barefaced (amongst other cabs) at the Moffat bass bash and every one was suitably impressed, don't know if the production model made it up this year (I'm assuming it did). As always if anyone wants to have a blast on one and are local PM me. More than happy to drink tea and talk bass

I've spent quite a bit of time over the last few years learning percussion, started off in a Samba band, African percussion, Conga all sorts really. I do find with a lot of the hand percussion there is a learning barrier in that to get the ones you do need a bit of technique etc. I started doing this stuff to make me a better workshop leader but I really enjoy it. THe knock on affect has been my bass playing really improved also just in terms of pulse, beat rhythm, I thought I was good at all that stuff anyway but it has improved(in my ears anyway). We have both a Korg Wavedrum and Wavedrum mini for workshops. The Wavedrum mini is a much much better bit of kit - but does sound better in the hands of a percussionist. It might be worth looking at going on one of the [url="http://www.ovm.co.uk"]One Voice Music[/url] weekends (they're very good) or looking for a Samba group or African Drumming circle near you, if you're in Twickenham there will be loads.

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1349078553' post='1821310'] You gonna do any youtube action with it? [/quote] I haven't done any youtube vids for ages so I guess one's due Just finding the time to do it...

A few days ago I took delivery of a new bass, and gigged it for the first time last night.  It’s a custom order from Scottish Luthier Alan Cringean of [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/"]AC Guitars[/url]. I confirmed the order about a year ago, but had been in conversation with him about the build for several months prior. I’ve enjoyed the whole process of working with Alan and chatting through ideas, bass specs etc. He’s kept me well up to date with regular photos and emails of progress. I had many a change of mind along the way mostly about pickups and pickup position but also ume’d and ahh’d a lot about whether or not to go for a matching headstock. Alan exercised a great deal of patience! The spec I finally came up with was: - ACG Recurve 5 String, 34” scale - Black Walnut Body, Figured Myrtle Top, Dual Pinstripe veneer (maple & walnut) - Maple/Walnut/Flamed Maple neck - Wenge (black) non matching headstock - Macassar Ebony fingerboard - ACG FB Humbuckers in larger 50mm casing - ACG 3 EQ - Black Hardware Once settled on a spec the next step is selecting your wood, essentially Alan emails photos over of blocks of wood, you choose one, he does handwork and at the other end you have a bass! He has a stock of some of the most extraordinary woods you’ll ever see but when it came to thinking about my build I didn’t want anything to over the top, I also quite like woods that are a little imperfect and non uniform, hence the figured myrtle top. I like the look of a very simple fingerboard and think that goes well with a figured top so asked Alan to dig out a plain black one, he does have some amazing highly figured fingerboards if that’s your thing. I was aware that a lot of my design aesthetics are a little conservative, and wanted a few clever moments, it is after all a custom bass: - First up I asked for a double pinstripe veneer, I think mine is the first ACG with this - I’m well chuffed with the way that looks, really subtle and really boutique. - I was tempted to get a neck through bass (I didn’t as I always feel bolt on’s sound better) was to use the same piece of Walnut in the neck and the body, so although it’s a bolt on there’s a nice symbiosis of body and neck. I know this is uber geeky but to my mind it makes sense, again Alan was accommodating. - I also decided not to get a matching headstock (normal for boutique basses) as I always liked the fact my old Spector NS94 had a black headstock. I’d asked Alan just to paint it black, however he explained that part of the reason the veneer is there is structural, so we have a piece of jet black Wenge - looks ace. - Strap locks, I dont much like strap locks, so just normal strap buttons for me - I know not very boutique - but it's mine:) The other decisions for me were around which pickups and preamp to go for. The preamp that is in most ACG bases is their own filter based system, quite unlike anything I’d used before - I find the easiest way to think about it is a bit like a semi parametric EQ with a Q control for each pickup - but it’s not really that! I can’t really explain it your best looking at the website. www.acguitars.co.uk I had a play on Dave Perry (of [url="http://www.extendedaudiodesign.co.uk"]EAD cabs[/url]) ACG bass and really liked the sound of it he has a John East preamp onboard his bass, which is much more familiar. However after meeting Alan at the London bass show and playing his new ACG 3 EQ that’s the one I opted for. I did go for the same pickups as Dave, but in a wider 50mm casing - just because I like the look (so vain). Anyway enough wittering on. I took delivery of the bass, it looks stunning, as good quality as any Alembic or other high end bass I’ve ever played. The build quality is absolutely first class and makes my much loved Stingray look rather amateur indeed.  To play the bass felt instantly usable and playable, it has an asymmetric neck profile which I thought would feel odd for a bit but to me feels like the most natural thing, leaving me questions why other manufacturers don’t use this technique. The action was lovely and low out of the box, and fretting notes become quite effortless. The body shape (being an off set design) will take a little getting used to but it sits well on the body and balances perfectly on a strap. The preamp will take some getting used too as it isn’t a bass, mid, treble affair like most active basses - in fact it’s nothing like that so you have to forget that (or think that’s what the EQ section on our amp is for). What it produces is an incredibly natural sound, not feeling over EQ’d, you can then fine tune certain frequencies to stand out a bit more. The bass sounds great and I know the preamp has loads to give. The low B sounds absolutely monstrous, really tight and punchy - I was worried it might nit, but again Alan assured me it would be fine, something to do with neck rigidity or some such that I don’t understand. I’m not someone who gets through a lot of basses, I’ve been gigging the same one for 5 or 6 years now, and when I have purchased a new one I generally give it a month or so of playing before taking it on a gig (if it ever makes it that far). Not the case with my ACG, gigged it the day after I got it. Was a little nervous about doing this, but it plays beautifully, sounds great and generally made my life easier. I’m a very happy bassist at the moment, all of my band mates commented on the bass favourably. Now all I need to do is start thinking about a second, you know as an onstage backup... There are more (better) pics of the Bass in the [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Gallery/327/"]ACG gallery[/url].

And now I'm a member of the gang, my awesome Recurve 5, Myrtle and Walnut... [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/gfxs/gallery/img_6382.jpg"][/url] Details/review/more pics here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188155-new-bass-day/

[quote name='OliverBlackman' timestamp='1347277232' post='1798654'] I did, turns out a car is also essential [/quote] I literally have no idea what that means? I emailed the address above (in Crez's post), they never replied. And I do drive

They never replied to me

Back in April I took delivery of some [URL="http://www.sontronics.com/stc80.htm"]Sontronics STC 80[/URL] Mics. I thought I'd leave the review a couple of months so that I can give an honest "in use" opinion. I know it's not really a full on Basschat thing but thought you may find it interesting. The STC 80's are handheld dynamic mics, I've bought them to replace industry standard Shure SM58, for live sound. Sontronics say that they're also good for recording vocals, guitar cabs and rack toms too. Pricewise they come in at around £75, so about the same, maybe slightly less than my SM58s. Straight out of the box impressions are very positive. I've bought six, a quad pack and two more individuals. The quad pack is four mics in a good quality flight case, ideal for gigs. I was pleasantly surprised that the two individuals also come in their own mini flight cases, in fact I'm over the moon about that as the "pencil cases" that other mics come in just don't offer enough protection if being taken from gig to gig. They come with their own clips as they're a little bigger more like the size of the Audix mics. They're heavy mics which I thought some singers may complain about but that hasn't been the case I don't think it's bothered them in the slightest. However the extra weight does put a little more strain on the clips so they have required tightening at some gigs. In use I think they sound very nice, a very crisp detailed top end and a present bottom end. The main gig I'm using them on is a big soul band with four vox (3 female, 1 male) we also have a tenor sax and trumpet. The vox sound great through these mics the extra top end clarity on them compared with the SM58s is a great thing live. The horns are also sounding good through these (in the past we were using an SM57) I'm particularly pleased with the tenor sound. I've done a couple of quick recordings with these in youth clubs (where I didn't want to take other mics) I was pleasantly surprised with how well they came out and have no hesitation in using them again. I haven't yet tried them on guitar cabs or toms (where Sontronics also suggest they'll work) I have no reason to think they wouldn't sound good. Overall I'm over the moon with these mics and would highly recommend them if you're wanting a good versatile live mic - these are cheaper than an SM58, sound better and come in the heavy duty case. The fact that they are good and usable for recording is a bonus and one I can see myself making increased use of. The only slight annoyance being the strain they put on a mic clip but I can live with that. Pics... [IMG]http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii143/gilmour_bass/New%20Mic%20Day/790e9320.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii143/gilmour_bass/New%20Mic%20Day/9f2f4dff.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii143/gilmour_bass/New%20Mic%20Day/3e1f45f3.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii143/gilmour_bass/New%20Mic%20Day/e4f3c9b2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii143/gilmour_bass/New%20Mic%20Day/e020dee9.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii143/gilmour_bass/New%20Mic%20Day/f7e4a856.jpg[/IMG]