machinehead

1 hour ago, Happy Jack said:

Is there still a decent blues scene in NI? I play around London and blues is a commercial disaster in this area ... there are very few decent blues gigs and some of the bands competing for those gigs are unbelievably good.

 

There's a decent blues scene in N. Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.  Mind you, there are quite a few good bands too, so competition for gigs is fairly high.  (That's part of the reason that I also play in a covers band doing the usual pubs/clubs/private parties/weddings.)

There are a few summer annual blues festivals too, all popular and well attended.

Frank.

It's a tough time for all bands, but tougher for a new band with no gigs in the bag.

Advertising will do no good at all.  You really need to approach bar owners and club members for gigs.  They'll ask you if you have a CD or something on youtube etc.

They then won't listen to your CD or watch your vidoes.

You just need to be persistent until someone gives you a gig.  In all honesty, it's an uphill struggle.  Do try to record a few tracks anyway, just in case.

If you want to get some experience playing live to an appreciative audience, then you could go to the monthly Sunday afternoon blues jam at the Enler Delta Blues Club in Comber. (When it resumes, post covid.)  You will be given a slot to play a few songs and jam with other players if you want to.  It's always an enjoyable day and the beer is cheap.

Plus, you'll make good contacts in the music scene and could even end up with a Saturday night gig at the club. (PM me if you're interested in this.)

Anyway, I hope you have a lot of success with the new band.

Frank.

41 minutes ago, BassAdder27 said:

The plan is start with 115 cab 8 ohm and add a 210 8 ohm cab later 

The perceived wisdom is that you'd be better to have two cabs the same.  Try a search on the forum.

Frank.

I'd love to try one of these.  I have a pair of one10s and everyone who hears them is amazed although, not so much since March.

Frank.

That's a good idea.  I can't help, but I'm watching with interest.  I'll change the nut on mine too if you get pointed in the right direction.

Frank.

4 hours ago, gjones said:

Having just checked the  metal corners on my BF Super Compact and I wouldn't say they're totally blunt. Are they sharp enough to cut my hand? Well I won't try that experiment for obvious reasons.  I don't know why barefaced didn't stick with the plastic ones? They do the job on my Markbass combo. 

I bought one of Alex's first Compact cabs with the plastic corners. I don't mind plastic parts at all but at the time, I owned a lot of Markbass cabs and the corners on them seemed more substantial.  So my feedback at the time was for Alex to go for more robust metal corners.

To be honest, I've owned several Barefaced cabs and never noticed any sharp edges.  That's not at all meant to detract from Beedster's experience though, to be clear.

I suppose it would be easy enough to change to plastic corners if they had had more appeal in todays market.

Frank.

That looks like a great and handy gigging rig.  I loved the AER amp one (1 x 10) that I owned all too briefly.  If the TE combo comes near the AER, I think I'll end up with one.

Frank.

Quote

 

11 hours ago, Beedster said:

Hi Frank, I'm selling for quite a few reasons to be honest, money's a bit tight, no gigs obviously and no rehearsals since February. Yes, Alex and I have had something of a public disagreement and perhaps I'm less well disposed to BF on that basis, but ultimately despite the fact that this cab is extremely good in audio and usability terms (sounds great and is a one hand lift), I think that much like my amplification, I prefer using something a bit older and heavier. I doubt I'll replace this until COVID is well out of the way - during which time a few hundred extra quid in the bank will be helpful - and when I do it'll probably be an old Mesa Road Ready or Powerhouse series cab, I just feel at home with that gear in a way that I never really have with lightweight. My therapist is as confused as am I  

I know what you mean exactly though.  I love old motorcycles and cars, old aircraft, boats and ships, old watches, old Fender guitar amps, and much more.

Strangely, given the above, I'm also happy when technology and good engineering offer an improvement.  (Hence my love of Barefaced cabs.) Even so, it doesn't stop me enjoying the history and beauty of all kinds of old things.

To anyone considering buying this cab I think I'm safe in saying, you won't be disappointed.

Frank.

These are simply superb cabs.  I can't believe you're selling it because the manufacturer made a basschat post that upset you. 🤣

Get in there buyers.  These are as good as it gets.  GLWTS beedster.

Frank.

In the course of time, I'm hoping that Alex will produce an amp that has top quality components, is repairable at component level, (or at least not having to replace half the amp at similar cost to buying another amp!), is well built, sounds good but not with overly complicated controls - just all you need and nothing you don't.  (A matter of opinion, I know.)  And solid state - no valves.

My Thunderfunk is along the lines of what I'm thinking, or maybe PJB.  My Quilter seems well designed too, with quality components.

But to me, the selling point would be quality, in design, build and materials.

I love what Alex is doing.  I was one of his first customers for the original Compact and now use a BB2, Super Midget and a pair of one10s.  I'd love to complete the set with a Barefaced amp.

Frank.

8 hours ago, Rich said:

From little acorns, and all that. If they're going to dip a toe into the waters of stuff-other-than-cabs, better to start small. Jumping in feet first with an expensive tube amp, with all the R&D and prototyping costs involved, could have been financial suicide. I think it's a smart first move.

You're right of course.  It's just that I've had correspondance with Alex for a few years now about a Barefaced amp so there should be one in the pipeline.

Frank.

1 hour ago, Beedster said:

Fair points, especially the use with FRFR. Seems risky however given that FRFR is still quite niche, boxes are an equally crowded marketplace as amps, and this is not a cheap unit. I certainly wish them all the best, my BF cab is awesome, but still think an amp would have been a better first step

I agree completely.

Frank.

On 24/11/2020 at 19:15, 4000 said:

I sold my Custom for £550 around 1996 and bought a Marshall 200watt Dynamic Bass head and single 15 cab with the money. What a muppet. 😂

WAL Mk 1 fretless passed on in 1990 for £200.  😭😭

Frank.

10 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Can't help feeling a strong sense of disappointment that their first venture away from cabs is this? Guess they have their reasons

I was hoping for a top quality bass amp and I don't use pedals so this isn't for me.

Frank.

8 hours ago, Bass Culture said:

Does this win the record for the longest dormant thread prior to resurrection - 9 1/2 years?!

 

If it is, then it's my only basschat record, and I'm very proud of it.

Frank.

22 hours ago, Woodjockey said:

When you measure the thickness of a bass neck does that include the thickness of the fretboard? Thank you.

For me, yes.

Frank.

54 minutes ago, Marvin said:

A Peavey MiniMax 500 from a fellow Basschatter and I'm waiting for a Fender Rumble 210 can to arrive soon.

I'd sold my precise rig as I had no intention of going back to playing, but sometimes you just can't help yourself.

Very proud of one of my sons, he's13 and just bought his first guitar.

 

That's it. I might buy a small USB mixer

You won't be disappointed with the Peavey miniMax.  They're superb sounding and versatile.  And LOUD!  The built-in tuner seems to be very accurate.  The fan is loud at home but no problem at rehearsal or on a gig.

Frank.

32 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

If you spot any great BF deals - let us know!

On the other hand if you see any blatant pre BF price bumps to make it just look like they're offering reductions - feel free to call them out. Here's one. Normal price £399, but you can currently get a HX Stomp for a bargain basement £539 from these guys...

https://www.dawsons.co.uk/207797/line-6-helix-hx-stomp-multi-effects-processor-amp-modeller

Well spotted. Thank you.

Frank.

On 16/11/2020 at 15:30, stewblack said:

Oooh, that's very interesting. Thank you. 

EDIT - no go I'm afraid. Set neck =no neck plate. Button on the back of body = not secure enough. 

I made a few strap extenders, similar to the one in the left pic, from carbom fibre.  One screw at the end into the body and supported against an additional strap button.  It's totally secure and folds away.  This was on a Steinberger Spirit XT2 "cricket bat".  I made a few extra and gave them away on here.  It takes time to make them but it doesn't require a lot of skill.

Frank.

13 hours ago, CookPassBabtridge said:

Thanks Frank, really interesting. I’ve heard many, many good things about Barefaced. Similar price to the GR and approx only 1.5kg heavier. Would you say their 10 or the 12 can match the punch you’d often associate with 8 inch speakers? (although I’m aware that speaker size is not the only variable at play in the sound of the Henri 8x8 I often think back to).

Sorry don’t mean to take over/derail the thread - I think this is also useful to the OP  

I'd say yes, the Barefaced range of 10" and 12" cabs have all the punch I'll ever need.  The 12" range just put out basically whatever sound you put in.  They're all excellent, the drawback being that it comes at a price.  It's worth it to me though.  I've been a Barefaced user since they first came on the market around 2009?, and fell no need to change from my G3, and one10 cabs.

I'm not on commission.

Frank.

1 hour ago, CookPassBabtridge said:

That’s cool, I like the look of the GR bass 2x8 (the uber light weight is a plus too). Not cheap though.

Having said all that, my Barefaced speakers are in a different universe.  If you want lightweight and compact, the Barefaced one10 is hard to beat. I think a single one10 would compete with my Eden 2x8 easily. I have a pair of one10s and together they sound sublime and are easily loud enough for any of my gigs.

I have a Barefaced BB2 and a Super Midget too.  Any one of these is enough for my gigs although these cabs are super clear, with amazing volume.

If I had to choose one cab to be loud, small and light, it would have to be the Super Midget, although the BB2 is my favourite.

It's a luxury to have four cabs, I know.

Frank.

1 hour ago, steantval said:

It’s a choice we will all have to make, I personally think there will be restrictions on people that don’t opt for it, I can definitely see know one being allowed to travel outside of their own country without being vaccinated, I can see some sort of health passport coming into force.

That's a really frightening thought!  I'll be resisting that 100%.  There will be riots if they try that sort of thing!

Our governments have already taken far more power than we elected them to have.  They have taken the power to tell us we can't leave our homes, hug our family, stopped us making a living by working, stopped us travelling, stopped us socialising.  It goes on and on...

And then, they are lying to us over the covid deaths, covid cases, the severity of covid, the state of the NHS, and much, much more.

And the BBC et al are like government spokespersons.  No questioning the situation, no investigations, no contrary views or opinions.  Just parroting the bullsh1t.

What happened to open and truthful government?

Ahhhhhhhh, relax.

Frank.

4 hours ago, Basinski said:

Another avenue for money making by fraudsters. Nobody knows yet how long immunity from any of the potential vaccines will last - something that’s possibly variable from person to person.

I know I won't be taking any vaccine for C19.  There have been too many lies and half-truths from the government already for me to trust any vaccine they buy.

Frank.

25 minutes ago, CookPassBabtridge said:

I actually like 8 inch speakers, I’ve played through the aforementioned Henri 8x8 and the sound was incredible. Unbelievable punch. I’ve wanted one for ages but they’re tricky to come by and I don’t have the space at home. Would be interested to try any of the ‘new generation’ 2x8s that are around, I bet they sound better than one might think. 

I had an Eden 2x8 combo and it punched like hell and with giggable volume.

A few weeks ago I heard  a great little band busking in a city street.  The bass player was using a TE Elf with a TE 2 x 8 cab.  I must admit I was surprised and impressed with the tone, and especially the volume outdoors.

Frank.

1 hour ago, fretmeister said:

Not anymore.

Modern ones model the entire signal path down to component level rather than the sound. So within the code they can change a resistor value in the ‘circuit’ if they want.

I can't hear all that much difference between most amps, never mind components within amps.

Frank.