Kiwi

[quote name='Mark Latimour' post='503652' date='Jun 2 2009, 12:05 PM']There is no point asking "where is the extra cost". The extra cost is simply the cost of entry to the club. If you don't see the value in it (however you want to justify that value), then its not the right "club" for you to join. That's cool. For me Alembic and Fodera are clubs I am not keen on joining for that very reason, but I have bought basses that cost just as much. Each to their own.[/quote] Unfortunately there is that aspect to bass pricing these days with the higher brands. Pricing on the base of brand status rather than the production costs of actual instrument is not something I personally agree with because it sets a precedent for other manufacturers and just makes us all the more cynical as consumers. But, given AC are low volume instruments, then let the market decide. We're all free agents and spend our money as we please and someone can appear to be a mug for spending over the odds as much as they can appear to be of good taste. It's a cunning pricing strategy for a luthier who doesn't want to end up like Chris Celinder or Jon Shuker with waiting lists years long. For that money though, I could take lessons and learn to make the instruments myself from well seasoned wood, as some BCers have already.

With that serial I'm wondering if it might be a prototype or the first amp of the production run. Probably the wrong time to be selling if you want the top price for it, but its probably going to be of great interest to anyone with some surplus cash and an interest in getting a V-head. If it was me, I wouldn't let it go for less than £1200, someone somewhere is bound to be willing to pay that. If not in the UK then almost certainly in Europe where they're a little less price sensitive if the gear is right. Have you opened it up and checked for writing on the PCB inside? I don't know if the 6550's are what the head was designed for but my V8 has KT88's in it. 6550's can tend to sound a little grindy as anyone playing an SVT at full tilt will know.

I'd just add that, although my experience about losing bass using the tiltback doesn't necessarily tie in, losing bass on small and/or hollow stages isn't necessarily a bad thing if the acoustics are boomy. In fact I liked my GK RB700's for that reason if anything. Losing the mud made them clearer.

[quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='503480' date='Jun 2 2009, 01:34 AM']I think you should just let me cyber-spank anyone who is naughty! [/quote] Or both?

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='503129' date='Jun 1 2009, 06:07 PM']I'm thinking specifically about vendettas against mods, failure to 'agree to disagree'. Will the guidelines be amended and / or strengthened, maybe by an appropriate reference in the T&C's?[/quote] Hi Skank, the main change will address that point. But the T&C's could probably benefit from a general review anyway to see if there's any way in which we can make them simpler to read but still relevant. Hopefully I will do this by the end of the week, subject to any comments from the Global Mods (who will be using them as support for their decisions).

BBC iPlayer is blocked outside the UK because non-UK residents don't pay a TV license fee. So I can't see it.

[quote name='Nick Brown' post='420597' date='Feb 27 2009, 07:41 AM']The Alleva I have is probably the most "alive" instrument that I've personally owned and this translates into it's plugged in sound, so whatever Jimmy Coppolo's formula is I think it definitely works.[/quote] Thats the key benefit from a well crafted instrument. If the woods are selected and well matched, the instrument should feel alive. No dead spots, the whole instrument is rigid and each note jumps off the fingerboard. But even the wood from the same tree can sound different depending on what part of the trunk its come from. There's no reliable way to distinguish the best wood from adequate wood apart from experience. It's the acid test of a craftsman who can pick and match the woods that give rise to this quality. There are many similarities with violins in that respect I guess. BTW, I contacted a supplier of the ancient swamp kauri that was used in that guitar I posted earlier. They want $6500 (£2500) a cubic metre for the most dramatically grained stuff because there's only a limited supply.

[quote name='Bassmonster' post='502482' date='May 31 2009, 07:07 PM']very nice indeed, loving that bodyshape[/quote] +1 that body shape has some nice lines.

I went for JJ's in the end because the Genalex were too pricey. I have the KT77's in all the Burmans. Still have the Ruby's in the V8 though.

nice purchase Steve, any sound clips in the pipeline?

welcome back

Hi Nik, thanks I might post the occasional photo here if people are curious about what life on this side of the planet is like. We had a sudden hailstorm here about an hour ago and now its blazing sunshine. Talk about four seasons in one day...

This is the first of a series of messages to let you know that there will be a few changes to how Basschat is managed in the future. The reasons for all the changes are: [indent]1) To allow Ped & Kiwi to focus more on development and promotion of the forum (although they will still be around if needed by any members). 2) To allow the increased moderation workload that has come with the growth of the forum to be spread over an expanded number of moderators, while retaining some degree of consistency. 3) To reduce the potential for personal reprisals in the event disruptive behaviour needs to be managed by any individual moderator. 4) To keep Basschat a pleasant place to use for the majority of members.[/indent] The biggest change is that Ped and Kiwi have decided to formally delegate the day to day management of the forum to the Global Moderators. After discussion with the Global Moderators, some of these changes are likely to include reducing the number of warnings before further action is taken from 10 to 5, start to weed out undeclared duplicate accounts and make some minor changes to the wording in the Terms and Conditions. For the sake of clarity, the moderating team will also be placing greater emphasis on the Terms and Conditions when addressing any instances of disruptive behaviour in the future. For the 99% of Basschatters who currently use the forum in a considerate and responsible manner, these changes are being made with your browsing experience uppermost in our minds. This message has also been sent using the bulk email facility but has been posted here to respect any admin email opt-out settings in members' preferences. As ever, we welcome constructive comments. cheers, Ped and Kiwi

[quote name='hubrad' post='501561' date='May 30 2009, 12:48 PM']I'm just going to stick my head under the car and let the suspension down! [/quote] lol

I had a stunning meal tonight at a restaurant down the road which would shame a lot of reputable London restaurants. Seafood spaghetti main where the seafood actually had bags of flavour and the spaghetti was perfectly aldente for $25. I'd probably have pay £25 for that in London.

Crying maybe but you only have to listen to More FM to hear the whinging just before an All Blacks vs Lions rugby match. I don't know much about the rascism apart from knowing the Tongans and Samoans fancy a pot shot at each other occasionally. But petty point scoring does seem to typify the NZ approach to managing inter-personal conflicts in general anyway. And the if-it-takes-too-long-to-solve-it-then-force-it approach to problem solving (which often results in breakage/personal acrimony and subsequently some scratching of heads while wondering where it went wrong). Jeez. There's some stuff coming up that I've forgotten since leaving here - or maybe I'm just more aware of it now that I've returned. However, theres the odd dramatic view here and there if one fancies a drive... [attachment=26185:Port_Hil...yttleton.jpg] Not bad, eh?

[quote name='foal30' post='501358' date='May 29 2009, 11:55 PM']Christchurch is a great place to live it's not like the 1950's at all[/quote] Indeed, some of those cars were from 1963 at least. [quote name='foal30' post='501358' date='May 29 2009, 11:55 PM']I should know because I was born in 1972.[/quote] I like Christchurch people, because for residents of a provincial city, they are broadminded and able to laugh at themselves.

[quote name='JPAC' post='501077' date='May 29 2009, 04:21 PM']That's just how I thought it would be, thanks. Or like this, [url="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street"]http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street[/url][/quote] Thats a Peter Jackson film set. They couldn't afford to create a set at an extreme angle so they built everything at 15 degree angle and set the camera up so the verticals were true. See the clever positioning of the fern? Thats to hide a couple of 6 inch bolts through the blokes shoes. This is how it looks in reality. [quote name='JPAC' post='501077' date='May 29 2009, 04:21 PM']My dad still insists on Anchor butter, despite the high price and carbon footprint of travelling half way around the world.[/quote] Does he pop back there to get it then?

[quote name='JPAC' post='500829' date='May 29 2009, 12:49 PM']You know your sheep all right and so big.[/quote] That one came runner up in Miss Eweniverse 2007. [quote name='JPAC' post='500829' date='May 29 2009, 12:49 PM']I've heard that NZ is the way the UK was in the 50's.[/quote] I think it would be fair to say that NZ has moved on a bit now. For example, Christchurch residents now enjoy a modern lifestyle: They have access to modern lifestyle conveniences including fully enclosed cars and airplanes with two engines: Christchurch is also economically competitive, and is taking a leading role in developing and exporting cutting edge technology for overseas markets. Like rubber widgets for car battery terminals and recyclable spankulators: So I think you might find that all these 1950's references are probably malicious rumours.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='500842' date='May 29 2009, 11:55 AM']Good points! But I do think that if you use cabs with more true bottom and less reliance on mid-bass boom whilst exhibiting less distortion in the lows, plus good off-axis midrange then you'll never need a parametric EQ. Not a lot of cabs like that though! [/quote] cabs can't compensate for poor stage acoustics or noisy bandmates either.

[quote name='steve-norris' post='500611' date='May 29 2009, 09:26 AM']Cheers Kiwi, would it be a scope job or could I just check the voltages are within spec? One thing I found interesting was the preamp board,it reads Trace Elliot V8 so identical as it's bigger brother apart from output.[/quote] I'd imagine it would depend on your level of confidence and skill. I don't know how to test a transformer myself though unfortuantely. One tip for fuse holders might be Halfords. Its not unknown for amp manufacturers like Eden and SWR to utilise automotive parts in their products. [quote name='steve-norris' post='500611' date='May 29 2009, 09:26 AM']The other thing was the weight, I assumed the combo was so heavy due to the amp but the head is very managable on it's own. The cab section however is bloody heavy for a 15" it must be made of lead![/quote] Good ol' MDF maybe? FWIW, I was watching a very old Jamiroquai bootleg vid from a taped broadcast on US TV screened in 1997 and Zender is playing through what appears to be either a V4 or a V6 plus matching green 4x12.

[quote name='chilisfan16' post='500156' date='May 28 2009, 06:10 PM']the status basses ill have to go out and find, and check out how they play, do you know any records which use this bass?[/quote] There are plenty of clips on Youtube. Definitely try before you buy, as they can vary in brightness depending on the woods, age and neck joint but if you like attack, nothing compares to a Status. I'd recommend going for something with a neck joint if you don't need the sizzling treble. Chances are you'll be choosing what to cut out of your sound rather than looking for something to add though. Spectors can sound very tight and defined, the maple adds a nice compression to the treble but again, try before you buy as they can vary. Sadowsky Metros are a nice choice too. If you need versatility from one instrument then Laklands are definitely worth a look. The 5501's do a nice impersonation of a 70's jazz bass and a passable impersonation of a stingray (but needs more depth). I guess you could say the upper part of the body is jazz-esque too!

sgh - what does the switch by the output jack do?

I've ended up being disappointed by the two pickup variants. The neck pickup lacks authority and it feels like its just not translating all of what the string is doing (presumably this would change with the addition of a healthy dollop of low-mids). I'd place money on the same spec pickup being used in both bridge and neck positions. I think the colouring of the Markbass combo would help the stingray sound a lot fatter that it might though other set ups.