grunge666

Paul had my SVT3 and was a diamond geezer to deal with. Cheers Dude!

It is a Washburn - the 6 string is a Washburn PS7000 - Paul Stanley Signature model. (KISS GEEK ALERT!) I reckon there was some endorsement/product placement shenanigans going on.

I 1st used a Titan 100w pa amp though my Dads Fane disco speakers when I was 11! He got a bit worried when I blew a tweeter and bought me a a no name 18" sealed cab - it was awful so I got a Yamaha 100 15" combo - it was HUGE! When I started work I got a Laney DP150 and 1x15 on HP - added a MAJ 4x10 and used that set up for about 15 years - it did the job until I stopped playing when I got married to an over-bearing hell witch! The divorce/house sale paid for an Ampeg SVT 3 pro and an SVT 410HLF. The HLF made way for a Barefaced S12 earlier this year and now the SVT3 has gone for an Orange TB 500. I think I'm set now! This thread is great!

Sound like a valve(s) to me - just my 2p. Good Luck sorting it.

I'm sure Maplins sell near as damn it replacements!

I really wouldn't bother, the Tokai bridge is pretty sound IMHO. + there may be an issue with string height. The 3 pointer would be a lot higher than the original I reckon. Just my 2p's worth.

Cheers Paul - hope you have as many years trouble-free use out of her as I did. A pleasure dealing with you my friend and thanks for the feedback.

Hope you get it sorted Incubass. I read you post the day I got mine and was worried sick. I guess I got lucky.

Well I A-B'd a few valves at home and found the JJ's were screamers! I had JJ's in my SVT and they were great but, in the Terror the gain was insane. In the end I used a couple of old Sovtek's that used to be in the SVT. Used it in anger last night at a biker rally and honestly, it's the best sound I've had for years. The bottom end was just there and the mids breakup sat over it all. The sound guy said it was great through the DI. I'm chuffed now, and packing up and throwing my gear in the car is a breeze!

Don't knock Laney mate! I used a DP150 for years! Well my ears are still ringing from 1st rehearsal! The mids are amazing! But! I was missing the kick in the guts lows I got with my SVT3 pro. It was just an unbox-plug and play job & I've got a gig at a big bike rally tomorrow so it'll be on the fly tweaking - mainly to annoy the guitarists! They both laughed when I took it out the box - Orange Bass Toaster 500! LMFAO!

Looks like Orange may have sorted the valve issue out. I got mine yesterday, had a sneaky peek and it's got JJ's in it!

My OTB500 should be with me within the next few days. I'll be trying it stock for the time being but, all the valve swopping intrigues me. Although I've used an Ampeg SVT3Pro (with all it's 'valviness') for the last 6 years - I've only replaced valves like for like so, I'm a total n00b regarding the characteristics of the different types of valve. Please excuse my naivety but is there and idiots guide to what the different preamp valves would add or take away when replacing the originals? I'm sure it's not all guess work so, could I share in your enlightenment please?? Cheers

Hohner B2A's are great - I wish I still had mine - I'd spearhead a comeback of 80's kitsch!

As soon as I saw that it reminded me of an old guitarists Gordon Smith GS2. Not sure if there's a bass equivalent by Mr Smith?

Locked and Loaded and ready to tull the trigger on a 500.

Cheers Happy Jack. Hmmm, I was hoping for a 'different' sound. I'm trying one this week. The weight is an issue, having a rack head that's as heavy as a cab is a bit daft for me. All the talk surrounding the OTB is what put me on that path. I like grindy mids and deep bottom end and the chat pointed to the orange, seemed a good option.

I think I'm taking a punt on a TB500 when I sell my SVT3pro. I'm a bit worried - hope its worth the jump from my beloved Ampeg? Any thoughts?

Well, I got home Friday, took the strings off and took all the saddles off the bridge to force me to start the set up again! New strings, set saddles to 1/8th" as stated in manual and dropped pups as low as possible. Tweaked the trussrod a little (Righty Tighty!) and got the intonation bang on and action how I like it lowering the saddles just above buzz level up the dusty end. Plays great now but, I'm yet to try it LOUD! I did adjust to poles on each pickup through my practice amp so there's no peaks but, the real test will be at rehearsal tomorrow when it gets a run. I'll get there early, screwdriver and allen key at the ready. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the suggestions. I use a Spector Legend and Rex4 as well as a P with hot DiMarzios and I can cope with changes live with no messing at all with my amp. I so want to love this bass, I'm sure it's the pickup height that is the major problem. There's thread after thread regarding this 'issue' on the bassesbyleo forum dating back years. I'm going to spend another few hours setting it up again, reset to the settings in the manual and start again. I've got to find the sweet spot! I ran it passive/parallel and at about half volume at one gig and it was a passable P tone. I Iove the series thump but, it was too much, too boomy - whic,h to me, points at the pups again. I do give it some when I play with a 'Steve Harris Style' though - it's just a totally different beast to anything I've ever played before! I'll stick with it for now and report back! Thanks again guys, it is really appreciated and I take no offence to any of the comments . . . So far!! ;-D

The 1st 3 Iron Maiden albums set me up for 30 years of 4 string happiness!