lee4

[quote name='bassbloke' post='1036987' date='Nov 25 2010, 09:30 PM']Would do, but unfortunately, my work is in the opposite direction (Putney). Anyway, the offer stands. My circle of friends includes far too few bass players :-) I have a backup head you could try out for a couple of weeks - to see if it's head or cab. Markbass kit is Italian right? Say no more. My mate has owned 3 Alfa Romeos.[/quote] Might take you up on the very kind offer.I'll see what E&M Acoustics can do with the cab first,though. The Italian bit made me laugh!

[quote name='bassbloke' post='1036924' date='Nov 25 2010, 08:55 PM']It's tough. Once you lose faith in your gear, you just want want shot of it, but on the face of it, your rig should be more than up to the task. How's this for a proposal. I'm up the road (OK 20 miles) in Long Ditton. Bring up your rig and A/B against miner, which is a Tech rig from around 10 years ago - neo 4x10, 600W head. There may be some obvious issues that will become apparent.[/quote] Could do,especially as I work in Claygate!About 2 miles I think!If you are passing the timber merchant there,stick your head in for a cuppa. I'm taking it to Dunsfold next week to (hopefully)get the rattle sorted.I really don't want to get shot of the rig as it sounds great,but if the head plays up again it'll have to go.

Ta very much for the advice guys.Both are options that I had not considered.A night of web searches is on the cards!

The cabinet is still awaiting repair as the guys are very busy at the moment. As an aside,would you have a combo or a rig?I play in a 6 piece band,but we are not loud(our guitarist uses a pair of 12w Cornfords so we have to keep it down). If I have to replace the rig I would go back to 300w(my old rig was a 300w Trace head). What combo would be suitable?

Oh yes!In fact,as I get older I appreciate the simplicity of country/Americana/folk players more.

[quote name='pete.young' post='997497' date='Oct 22 2010, 08:26 PM']Well, that's true - Zoot cabs are no longer made. On the other hand, Purple Chilli cabs are. I think that was a marketing thing, because of the basses. It's your call, but I know Mike Walsh and I know that his customer service is legendary - if there's anything he can do to help you I'm sure he will. What have you got to lose for the price of a phone call?[/quote] I would need to send the cab to Essex,which would not be cheap.Or I could drive it to Dunsfold from Godalming,which takes 20 minutes.Plus the panel is going to be a freebie. I do not wish to knock Mike,or Zoot,as others will have Zoot cabs and have had no trouble with them,but this is my second cab,as the first one had to be returned to Bass Merchant because only the HF horn worked.I'm sure you can see why I am going to someone I know personally.

I didn't watch the video.Just seeing a still of it made my bowels evacuate.

[quote name='pete.young' post='996508' date='Oct 21 2010, 11:16 PM']If I were you I'd have a chat with Mike Walsh at Zoot before you do anything drastic. Even if it is out of warranty.[/quote] I would rather go to E&M Acoustics.Not only are they local(Dunsfold),they are a PA company who design and build speaker enclosures that are used world-wide.On of them is a bass player,the other a drummer,and both are very good at what they do. I notice that Zoot cabs are no longer made.Make of that what you will. After this,I will never consider lightweight gear again.

Going for a replacement input panel,and the probable removal of the HF horn,or at least the controls for it.I don't need high-end sparkle,it just draws attention to the bum notes

[quote name='JTUK' post='995157' date='Oct 20 2010, 06:05 PM']Sounds like an excuse to get more gear..although what you have should be decent enough How far off are you from getting all this sorted..? The warranty idea was good although you may have nulified that with a repair..?? What budget do you have?[/quote] Until it can be looked at properly,I am in the dark as to a time scale. As for the budget(checks pockets),50p,some blue fluff and a boiled sweet. I may consider a combo.Any thoughts?

[quote name='stevie' post='995151' date='Oct 20 2010, 05:59 PM']What do you mean by speaker's "control panel"? The input panel? I'm not sure why a new one would be needed. Can't it be retightened and maybe fitted with some new foam gasket?[/quote] The panel has been out and re-tightened once already.It looks like the HF horn control is rattling.Oh yes,and all controls are mounted onto a circuit board,so it all has to be replaced.l

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='994289' date='Oct 19 2010, 11:48 PM']how old is it? under EU law the head will have a 2 year warranty[/quote] About 3 1/2 years old.

I have placed other topics about my problematical rig(Markbass LM II into Zoot 2x12). So far,the amp has buzzed,been stripped down by a pro-audio firm(Thanks Ed,at E&M Acoustics),worked,and now buzzes when cold,but if left to warm up,is fine. The cab has developed various rattles that have been remidied,but now the control panel looks like it's the culpret,and I may well have to get a new panel made(by the above audio guys). This was an expensive rig that I could only afford due to money being left to me after my Mother died,so I am f**ked off and fed up. Rant over,would you repair or replace?There may be a chance of Ed canibalising my Zoot and building a new cab(if he does,I'll put it in the build diary),but if not,I would need 300-500 watts into one cabinet only. It seems only Harke Hy-drive would be suitable,but what else is there,and where from(bearing in mind that I am on a VERY tight budget). Ta,Lee.

A quick update;After a 15min test,all seems good.The amp is now sitting on a chair to isolate it,and I am looking for some acoustic foam to build an insulating board.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='960300' date='Sep 18 2010, 12:01 PM']Sometimes if the string is cut too short you can get a rattle. If you rewind between the nut & peg so there is more of an angle it can sound better. I had the same problem this week with my A string[/quote] I'll give it a go.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='960298' date='Sep 18 2010, 11:59 AM']Is it the length of string between the nut and your finger rattling?[/quote] It sounds as though it is coming from the bridge,but there is nothing loose there. No rattle when amplified either,only acoustically

OK,lastest news is that the amp has been stripped,all conections checked,ribbon leads cleaned and re-seated,amp assembled,and after 3 hours of testing by the repair guy,no crackles. I am going to get some acoustic foam,glue it to a board,and stand the amp on it as it looks like it could be vibration loosening the leads. Watch this space.....

[quote name='KevB' post='958046' date='Sep 16 2010, 09:45 AM']Usually followed or preceded with Alright Now [/quote] Ah,I've actually played a Ska version of this!

My Status Groove is strung with 40-100 Elixir strings,which are getting on a bit.I have noticed a rattle on the E and A strings when fretted,not open,and this is only apparant when unplugged. I've checked the neck,and raised the saddles but this is still happening.Could it be to do with the coating on the strings breaking down?

Very,very nice.That one's on the wish list.

I've just seen that Carlbro are still in buisness.I have fond memories of my first head/cab rig which was all Carlbro.An e-mail has been sent to them to get prices and stockists.

[quote name='mcnach' post='954803' date='Sep 13 2010, 02:27 PM']My backup amp is an Ashdown MAG250. It sounds pretty good to me (that's why I have it!) and you should be able to get a MAG300 head (300W into 4ohm) for about £150 or maybe a little more. It has a kind of built-in octaver and deep/bright switches which I rarely use, but the basic amp is good. I especially like the EQ section: besides the bass/mid/treble you get two extra knobs at 220Hz and 1.6KHz, which I find very useful. I just checked, it seems Dolphin Music have the MAG300 EvoII model at £230 new.[/quote] Ah,Ashdown is another make that I have been told to avoid due to reliability.That said,I was told by a drummer .But he is a drummer who builds loudspeakers for a living so he knows a thing or two!I have also been advised to avoid Eden Nemesis amps for the same reasons as the Ashdown gear.

[quote name='chris_b' post='954774' date='Sep 13 2010, 02:11 PM']I know that some of the early ones had power supply problems but that was a few years ago. I thought they were pretty good these days. What problems are you hearing about?[/quote] Nothing specific,just general "me MB amp is on the fritz"kind of stuff.

[quote name='chris_b' post='954037' date='Sep 12 2010, 09:02 PM']Another LM2?[/quote] Whilst the sound is great,I really don't trust MB gear now.Starting to hear bad things reliability-wise.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='954258' date='Sep 13 2010, 01:12 AM']Hartke LH500. 500W into 4 ohms, very simple EQ (but decent), mine has been reliable - not a single hiccup in 18 months of gigs and rehearsals, they are £300 new.[/quote] I've only heard good things about this amp.Seems like the current favourite.