Kiwi

[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.

Valve amps are generally very robust when all the bits are working. But given your description and assuming there hasn't been some serious shorting, it might be worth getting the transformers checked out as well as a first step. Congrats on joining the V-club BTW.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='498695' date='May 27 2009, 12:01 PM']A good parametric EQ can be very effective if used correctly but it really does strike me as overkill.[/quote] Sometimes people don't have the flexibility to move cabs around if they're on a crowded or small stage, Alex. Parametric eq is also used by every competent sound engineer with access to a mixing desk at a gig.

[quote name='JPAC' post='498488' date='May 27 2009, 08:10 AM']Mmm that would be nice. Just the cute ones though. [i]Kidding[/i].[/quote] I know, but anyway...just for you. Freshly picked this morning after I went for a drive. [attachment=26149:DSC02126.JPG] baaa-aaa-yoootiful! [quote name='hubrad' post='498582' date='May 27 2009, 11:12 AM']Only just noticed this, and it's a fait accompli already! All the best CK![/quote] [quote name='SteveO' post='498524' date='May 27 2009, 09:36 AM']Glad to read that you made it over relatively painlessly, and good luck with the jobhunting.[/quote] Cheers Steve, Hubrand The meeting I had last night seemed to go well and the Director of the larger practice has asked me if I'd like to come up to Auckland to meet the rest of their office. Unfortunately in relation to the other job, one of the agents is trying to play games with me over the cost of airfares to Auckland just because he thinks he has me over a barrel now I'm here. Hays Recruitment have a goddawful reputation in the UK for being cowboys and I thought their NZ operation would be better but it appears not. Having said that, I've set up another meeting with the city council here who turned me down for two team leaders jobs. The aim is to discuss further opportunities. Whereever I end up, it looks like I will be expected to blow my own trumpet a bit. There seems to be an opportunity to influence how current NZ planning legislation recognises urban regeneration issues.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='499846' date='May 28 2009, 12:39 PM']I've never noticed that... but that's not to say it doesn't happen as I haven't got the system installed on any of my basses hence not had a lot of time with the system. It may be beneficial for the OP to shoot urb a PM as I know he has it installed on his Sei and he seems pretty happy.[/quote] He and I have already chatted about it. Jon Shuker's also been talking to Graphtec about increasing the size of the tranducer element for basses so this doesn't happen. It might also be that Urb's bass has a slightly different bridge design to mine resulting in a more acute string break angle over the saddle and therefore more pressure. Piezos are renowned for being tricky to set up properly. [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='499865' date='May 28 2009, 01:02 PM']The Godin thinline acoustic basses do that - just a piezo in the bridge. I had one of the first ones (the old "Acoustibass") and it sounded ****ing lush, frankly.[/quote] Mine sounds very nice too but its a signal lacking in a lot of upper mids so probably not suitable for heavy kinds of music. I love the sound of the Godin Acousti-basses though. Very responsive and resonant instruments.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='499707' date='May 28 2009, 11:28 AM']The Graphtech system is a top system, if you can get it into your Stingray, that would certainly be the route that I would attempt to follow. But that's just me.[/quote] The transducers inside each bass saddle are still designed for guitar and so small, they slip between the windings on bass strings. This results in uneven contact and inconsistent volume and this state can change with tuning up, pitch bends or changing strings. Bascially anything that is likely to change the position of the string on the saddle. The only solution at this point in time is to use exposed core strings. Not all piezo's are created equal though. RMC make some that might be worth investigating.

[quote name='benwhiteuk' post='497654' date='May 25 2009, 11:13 PM'] yeah sorry, I’m sure it does, it just sounds like one of those jokes that sounds like it could be feasible but is a complete piss take.[/quote] Imagine if he confuses forehead with foreskin

There was a BC1 on Ebay last month. So they're still coming up for sale occasionally.

Have an interview tomorrow afternoon with one practice and the other practice asked me to let them know what I'm offered. Meanwhile my sister seems pretty well connected within the retail business owners/managers and developers in the city (being a shop manager herself) and there seems to be some potential to go it alone too if I can win them over.

[quote name='JPAC' post='498488' date='May 27 2009, 07:10 AM']Tomtom just released an update for NZ maps if you have one, very useful. One guy I was an apprentice with wanted to go to NZ but they wanted £100,000 in savings to allow him in. [/quote] Yeah I downloaded and installed the NZ maps before I left. I thought 70 quid was a bit steep but its not like I had a lot of choice. Those savings criteria come into play if he's not one of their preferred professional groups, such as dentists, doctors, lawyers, IT etc. etc. Insurance in the UK is a bit of a con, but I think you'll find loads of posts on here about that. Owning a mobile phone and accessing the internet are both more expensive in NZ and gas/electricity is about the same cost as the UK now (despite NZ being self sufficient in both). Prices are usually higher because of monopolies.

[quote name='Monz' post='498475' date='May 27 2009, 06:22 AM']Thanks for the advice everyone... I presume you can buy these as a pedal/rackmount unit?[/quote] Sure, a range of solutions at different price levels but I haven't tried them all so can't comment on their effectiveness. [url="http://www.bossarea.com/loadpage.asp?file=boxes/pq3b.xml"]http://www.bossarea.com/loadpage.asp?file=boxes/pq3b.xml[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.com.my/tc-dual-parametric-equalizer-original-not-reissue-RARE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ190281275727"]http://cgi.ebay.com.my/tc-dual-parametric-...emZ190281275727[/url] [url="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=284950&Q=&is=REG&A=details"]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...G&A=details[/url] [url="http://www.bassemporium.com/detail.php?FeQ-50"]http://www.bassemporium.com/detail.php?FeQ-50[/url] I use one of these: [url="http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs_07/product_07/5013.shtml"]http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs_07/product_07/5013.shtml[/url] But I haven't gigged it yet.

I've fallen totally for the Spector NS5CR forum ho-bass since I did a fret dressing on it. It's got the sound I've been looking for with virtually no tweaks needed. I'm going to replace the EMG DC40's with passive SD Basslines so the treble doesn't sound so clinical but for an all maple bass its got an incredible amount of warmth, more so than the Euro 6 I have on consignment at the Gallery. I like Spector necks too, narrow across the nut but chunky enough to reduce the risk of my hand cramping up like it did with the slim necked Modulus basses I used to own. With the rack based rig and neo cabs, the upper mids cut through wonderfully and I'm pretty close to the sound I hear through headphones. I especially like hearing the 'thup' of my fingers releasing the strings in combination with lots of sub 40hz warmth and a stingray kind of robust solidity in the lower mids. Plus if I dig in gently, there's a nice amount of growly bark available and I can still get the neck pickup to sound round and mellow by playing softly if I need it too. I've tried a number of Spectors though and I know for a fact that not all of them sound like this one. I'll take the Shuker Headless 6 out if I need the extended range or a jazzier sound (it has some really sweet highs now the neck pickup has been sorted) but can't see myself changing from the Spector as a workhorse unless I find something that sounds identical with a larger body. It's more articulate and dynamic than my Smith BSR5GN was and about a third of the price!

thats a lovely looking plank Can't wait for better photos.

[quote name='JPAC' post='498386' date='May 26 2009, 10:34 PM']Never mind all that, tell us about the sheep, the sheep! [/quote] Hmmm. Do you want photos?

Hi everyone, I made it over in one piece! No sign of swine flu, plus I had a great stop over in food-tastic Bangkok and my family were there to meet me at the airport. Things seem a load more positive here than in the UK, by comparison people here so far seem optimistic and perhaps a little grateful that NZ hasn't been stung by the credit crunch as badly as the UK. It's a stark contrast to the cynicism and bitterness being played out in the media and political arenas in the UK at the moment and very refreshing, I have to say. People who I've caught up with are all telling me I made the right decision in coming back and the level of support here is quite touching. For example, I was chatting to a woman who runs a shop in Chch that imports english food items. I noted that she'd imported packs of McVities caramel chocolate digestives (very moreish) and she offered me a free pack! I can't imagine that ever happening in the UK. I'd also forgotten how cheap it was to live here. While food is about the same cost as the UK, other living costs like car insurance seem incredibly cheap. My father pays $500 (£200) a year to insure his 4 year old Honda Accord fully comprehensive and I've been made an additional driver for no extra charge! Haircuts can be had for $10 (thats about £4). There's also a greater range of property prices being offered by estate agents. While houses can be as expensive as the UK (and much larger) at the upper end of the market, there are more cheaper properties around for first time buyers to pick up too.

[quote name='silddx' post='498369' date='May 26 2009, 11:00 PM']Welcome back CK! Hope NZ is still open [/quote] cheers Silddx, its definitely open and a bit chilly to be honest. Eight degrees! Still, hopefully I might do a bit of skiing later on in Winter, if I'm still in Chch.

The solution could potentially be quite simple. Knock back the frequencies between 60-100Hz on your graphic (or even better, use a parametric eq for accuracy) until the boom subsides but the bass retains some warmth. If you're using a parametric eq, use another band to boost around 250Hz to reintroduce some kick. I have a 4 band parametric eq in my rack based rig and I'll probably never go back to a graphic eq. EDIT: Use the above as a general guide for stage boom. I've just re read your post and noted you're using a 2x10 with a 5 string which hasn't worked very well in the past for me. I've found that while 2x10"'s are capable of producing some low frequencies, that range isn't defined very well. I'm wondering if the 2x10 might be part of the issue as well? I switched to a set up which was a little more modern sounding. The EBS cabs definitely aren't boomy sounding at all which is why I liked them. Definitely have a play with a parametric eq though if you get a chance. They're great for nailing specific problem frequencies.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=30802&st=0&start=0"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...t=0&start=0[/url]

I think the pearly king in the Cockney Compression might have been Clive Roberts (Peavey Europe MD) although I can't see enough of his face to be 100% sure.