Fullmetal

Thanks for the comments Got in touch with Bernie Goodfellow, he's looking into getting me in touch with someone. Thanks for the heads up

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1363357' date='Sep 5 2011, 08:09 PM']Don't turn it back on until you've had someone look at it. That buzzing could be all sort of things, including DC coming out of your outputs.[/quote] Thanks for the tip. However I am struggling to find an Amp specialist around my area, nearest is London which I can't possibly get to

I have been using an Ampeg SVT-3 for about a year now and I absolutely love it (or rather loved while it was working) however a problem has come up which has been plaguing me for a while now. It started about 6 months ago when the amp was dropped (roughly 2ft). The amp started roaring and buzzing violently at random intervals, there was also a problem with the output in that it was working seemingly at half volume. I managed to discover the root of the violent roaring (it was a damaged speaker cable, which has since been replaced) however the amp's output issue seems to persist. Also, after replacing the speaker cable, the amp has started buzzing gently which remains constant. I am unsure if this is the new lead (the lead was previously unused so I am unsure if this could be the problem) or if it has something to do with the guts of the amp. As for the output problem, when playing in my bedroom I would have the volume at 2 and it would be a decent volume to play with. Now, I need to push the gain and master knobs past the halfway mark to get the same volume. I believe that the problem could be with the capacitor, however I don't know alot about amps. If anyone could recommend me an amp repair service within the West Sussex area I would greatly appreciate it! Many thanks -Jak

Back to a previous point, can anyone verify whether these basses emit a low hum at all? I've seen a few reviews which seem to comment critically on this issue :S Just wondering if it's a problem which has been fixed or if the problem still exists in new models.

[quote name='pete.young' post='1353932' date='Aug 27 2011, 10:26 PM']Fixed that for you.[/quote] I see what you did there.

[quote name='Beedster' post='1353906' date='Aug 27 2011, 09:49 PM']They're MIJ. Having said that, £1000 for a used (recent) MIA is excessive.[/quote] Ebay is averaging around the £1k mark for an MIA Jazz Deluxe :S Havn't seen any posted around here recently. And thank you for pointing out that the Marcus Miller's are MIJ, always thought they were MIA which is why I was confused. Since they are MIJ, doesn't that mean there is a significant difference (reduced quality parts and build?)

So I'm looking at reducing my collection down to a single, more professional model. I currently own an Ibanez ATK (which gets little use) and a Fender MIM Jazz Deluxe. I wanted to upgrade to an MIA Jazz Deluxe, however I have been looking at other fenders recently and I've noticed the Marcus Miller jazz is only £600 used (as opposed to MIA's which tend to be £1k+) So I'm curious as to why these basses lose 40% of their value whereas other fenders do not? I've heard/read reviews that the Marcus Miller basses have poor circuitry which causes some low humming but as I havn't been able to play one yet, I am unsure.

Whilst it seems alot of the very new Ampeg products are suffering from massive quality control issues, my SVT-3PRO is perfect. It's a few years old but it is a very high quality piece of equipment which was worth every penny. Should it fail me or should I need an upgrade, I don't think I'd go back to Ampeg again for fear that I would end up with a shoddy product. It's a shame really, but I think I got lucky.

The groovelines look awesome, similar to BC Rich mockingbirds in shape Also, I really really like the design on the Paul Gray tribute ATK bass But that doesn't justify me buying another one haha

[quote name='joegarcia' post='1076283' date='Jan 3 2011, 01:58 PM']Can't get a 160X new and it wouldn't be £100 I'm afraid. The 160X is the older discontinued version of the current 160A. I have both and while they're both fantastic, I think the 160X works better on bass. For £100 you're thinking of the 266XL which is a different beast altogether. I have a 166XL and a 163X too. I'd personally steer clear of the Alesis and Behringer models but I'm a bit of an outboard snob [/quote] I think I was dreaming when I "found" a 160X for £100, I can't find the site anymore so let's assume it didn't actually happen haha. What's the 266XL like with bass? That's what I'm looking into getting.

[quote name='TomTFS' post='1073805' date='Dec 31 2010, 04:23 PM']I'd steer clear of the Alesis. The things are a bit dicey. Try looking at a Joe Meek channel strip too, one has EQ and Compression and can be had for about £100 too.[/quote] I've heard that from quite a few people, so I think I'll keep away. Still leaning towards the DBX, but I will check out everything mentioned.

Joe you pretty much hit the nail on the head there. Also, your jazz is the exact combination I wanted to get! Black and Tort looks so awesome!

I was already sort of looking at the DBX 160X, £100 new is a very good price. I've also seen an Alesis 3630 for the same price, I'll look into the TC Electronic C300 as well. Thanks

I'm looking into buying a compressor for my rig, something that'll fit in a rack unit. I don't have the biggest budget, but I am looking for something used. I just want a compressor to help even out my sound and stop peaking, help smooth things out. I have been looking at Drawmer compressors, but they seem to retail at £200 used. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions regarding low-budget rack compressors? £150 would be a good price, but could probably push it a little more if need be. Thanks

There is a very obvious difference in the quality between models. The MIA basses are top quality with only the best parts and they are extremely well constructed (which is why they cost twice as much). The MIM basses are more likely to have some issues with the quality. Quality seems to vary from bass to bass, however the MIM basses sound amazing for the price.

You know I did the EXACT same setup you did a couple of years ago, Bass Big Muff + Power Wah, you won't get the same tone. It's very difficult to match. However, doing some research it is rumoured that his setup was a Russian/Sovtek Big Muff (the guitar version I believe) + A Morley Fuzz Wah (both pedals are now discontinued). Neither pedal is played together, each is solo'd. This is just from my research over the last couple of years, I have seen many a "Cliff Burton / Anesthesia" topic and no one seems to have the exact same sound. You'll just have to experiment and see what sounds good. If you are doing it for a Metallica tribute band, then you don't need an EXACT replica. If you are doing it for your own band / for fun, then experiment and find something different which you like.

[quote name='bassatnight' post='1066692' date='Dec 22 2010, 12:35 PM']Lovely babes and better weather![/quote] Your tree is staring at me

My Fender MIM Deluxe Jazz is awesome in every way, but if I could I'd make it an MIA Deluxe Alas, income bans me from doing so.

The ATK series basses are very good but it completely depends on what sort of style you are going for. Ibanez basses are renowned for being good basses to use for Metal genres, the ATK bass is very punchy and metallic even if you have the mids turned down. Also, ATK basses are a bit lighter, but I havn't tried the Roadster/Roadstar so I can't offer any advice there.

I have owned 6 basses in 4 years, but I've never had more than 3. And even then, 3 seems too many. I have wittled my collection down to 2, each one has a different sound and a different purpose. Plus, if one of my basses breaks, I have the other as backup. I could justify having just the one bass, however I can't decide which of the 2 to sell so It's easier to keep them both ^_^

Hey guys. So I'm just trying to put my band's name out there and get some reviews of our music. We are a 4-piece Hard Rock unit from Brighton, West Sussex. We went into recording last summer and released our first EP ("Lovestruck") early August. Apart from the recording, everything else has been independent, the CD cases, artwork and production is done by the band. The CDs get sold by us at our gigs, because we like to do things the old school way The recordings on the EP are good quality and are free to listen to on Myspace. [url="http://www.myspace.com/halfwaydownthehighway"]Halfway Down The Highway[/url] We are planning on recording again mid/late 2011, but we are unsure whether we are doing another EP or an album. Hope you enjoy

Here's my little bedroom rig. Korg DTR Tuner, Ampeg SVT-3 Pro and I'm planning to add a Drawmer Compressor at the bottom. Cabinet is an Ampeg SVT410.

[quote name='silddx' post='1051040' date='Dec 7 2010, 09:09 PM'][b]I can't understand why it should sound thin with a BDDI, or why the "producer's" kit didn't like your Ampeg, summat wrong there, mate. [/b] It really pays to do your homework before recording or live work. I set up my bass sounds to music of a similar nature to the bands I'm in, or to previous band recordings, sometimes with the bass removed. I set up my sounds so they complement the music and still punch through at the right levels. I go for a produced sound anyway and my POD lets me do that. It's surprising how sh*t those sounds can be in isolation but they work really well when the whole band is mixed in. I realise that not everyone has the kit to be able to do that but if you have, there's no excuse to not go through this process. Quite often, people set up their bass sounds in isolation and wonder why they can't hear themselves in a band situation.[/quote] Both the producer and I were confused about the Ampeg. I assume the problem may have been a faulty XLR as I havn't had a problem DIing the amp since. As for the thin sound, that was more my fault than anything as I hadn't used a BDDI before so I couldn't really find the "sweet spot" settings in such a short time. I just dialled in a tone which sounded good at the time.

[quote name='markstuk' post='1052411' date='Dec 9 2010, 09:12 AM']there's also a couple on Thomann.de for under a ton ... This looks quite nice... [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_double_bag_trolley_ebass.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_double_bag_trolley_ebass.htm[/url] Mark[/quote] Ooh I likes the look of that! Not a bad price either, and it has wheels. It's strange, when I did a search for twin gig bags I could only find guitar ones. I think I'll go for this one, cos at least I can drag it if my shoulders get a little sore Thanks everyone who posted.

I played a Precision before I got my Jazz (I was recommended it) and I wasn't especially keen on the sound. It didn't have the same growl that you get from a Jazz bass, and I wasn't entirely happy with the feel of it. I opted for a Jazz and I can safely say I won't be swapping to a Precision anytime soon.