stefBclef

[quote name='BRANCINI' timestamp='1340213814' post='1701232'] I dont do it myself, I prefer the jaunty 'lean it casually againts me amp' style. But how come nobody has replied that they just lie it on top of their amp ? [/quote] I lay it on top once, but it was a stupid thing to to. The top of the amp was somewhat contoured, making it rather to easy for the bass to slip off. Also the neck of the bass hung over into the small passage between the drums and bass amp and the dj was playing very loud, bass heavy music for a few hours before our set. It was a miracle the guitar stayed on till we played. I then came home and started this thread!

Hello again, I am going to get round to opening this combo up this weekend, and hopefully fix the problem. The amp is actually at my friend's house so I would like to try and find out more or less what I might need so I can take it round. I will start by giving it all a clean with the contact cleaner recommended above. The contact cleaner came with a nozzle, do I also need some kind of cloth to wipe away excess fluid or other dirt/dust? If so does it matter what type of cloth? (e.g. lint free, yellow duster jobby etc.) Then I will look for any loose solder joints and solder if neccesary. I am expecting to have to replace the volume pot as it is more than just crackly, it cuts out in most positions. Is this the type of pot I can expect to see in there? [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/standard-dual-gang-potentiometers-2207"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/standard-dual-gang-potentiometers-2207[/url] Hmmm what else; oh yes, is there anything I need to be careful with so as not to cause further damage to the amp while rooting around? Any other advice you can think of would be appreciated and i'll let you know how I get on. Ta Stef

Thanks for the advice chaps. Yes, it looks like £50 is indeed the going rate around here. Seeing as I only paid £30 for the combo I think i'll use this oppurtunity to teach myself a bit about amp maintenance and have a go! Stef

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1340187144' post='1700525'] I think the local PC world might have one, but they're called "Knowhow" or something like that these days anyway only joking. I don't think you would be able to get both jobs done in the big smoke for that kind of money. If you want something done right as they say, do it yourself. But make sure you keep away from any capacitors. That sh*t is dangerous. [/quote] Ok, maybe I should have used the word "tech" rather than "tech guy"...people are always talking about "took it to my trusted tech" etc! Anyway, yes I would like to open it up and get to know a bit about these things myself. The problem is that the amp is where I rehearse, rather than where I live, so whenever I am there we are practising and I don't really want to take the amp apart during these sessions as it does work at the mo sufficiently for rehearsal. Well if anyone can recommend an amp tech in North London, I will get a quote from them and if not I will see what I can do myself.

Good Morning I have a Laney 120watt combo that needs some attention. I think the volume pot will need changing, and one of the input jacks doesn't work (the active one). You can read more on the symptoms here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/177818-crackly-volume-pots-on-a-120w-combo-how-to-fix/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/177818-crackly-volume-pots-on-a-120w-combo-how-to-fix/page__fromsearch__1[/url] I would like to take it to someone who knows what they are doing for a full service and my local music shop quoted me "a fraction over £50". I was hoping to pay more like £20-£25. Does this sound reasonable? Can anybody recommend someone in the North London area (Stoke Newington is where the amp is located at the mo) to go to? Otherwise I may just have to dust off the soldering iron and get into it myself. Which could end well. Or is could end badly. Many thanks Stef

[quote name='Heathy' timestamp='1340047557' post='1698324'] I have used a Hipshot D-tuner for the past 20+ years. But the answer really depends on the song, the line you're playing, and what everyone else is doing. [/quote] Yep I guess that was the answer I had in my head all along...just gotta suck it and see what sounds right in the situation. Ta

[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1340041884' post='1698172'] Couple of Thin Lizzy songs we do I just detune my 'E' string half a step, takes seconds, usually covered by singer waffling between songs, a lot quicker and easier than retuning whole bass, or swapping for a 2nd one. [/quote] And you just get used to the new patterns I suppose? I will delve in and try that thanks!

Evening all I play a 4 string bass, and the current song my band is learning is gonna be played in Eb due to the singer's comfort zone. The lowest note in the line is a C (although that is just a passing note and the lowest crucial note is a D). The song was recorded in F, and I picked out the line from this recording (in this version I skipped the above mentioned passing note and so the lowest note of the line was an E). Anyway, at last weeks rehearsal we decided to change the key to Eb and so I just moved position so I used the Eb on the A string, and went from there. The line sounded ok here up the neck, but obviously there was part of me that would like to get a fatter, lower sound (song is reggae). So I made a mental note to see if detuning would be a realistic option in this song. I have never played with alternate tunings on my bass or guitar, im not sure why I have just never fancied straying from the norm. What would I do to detune? Just drop the E string a whole step, or detune all four strings? Is this what you would do? I have seen Scott Devine's post about and octaver but I am not really keen to get a pedal involved for this. Thanks all Stef

I bought some strings off Alec. Smooth transaction; went from advert to arrival of goods in less than 48 hours...amazing! Cheers Alec Stef

Please leave feedback for me here. Muchos appreciados. Stef

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1339520829' post='1689857'] Snap - I'm in a female-fronted reggae originals band. Maybe we should get our bands together for a reggae night sometime. [/quote] Yes we should. You ever get down to London? Hootananny in Brixton is...well...a (reggae)hoot. Keep up the good work dude.

Awesome awesome response guys. So many ideas, songs I knew and others that I didn't so thank you. It has been a whole evening of listening to music for me which is great! I have compiled a list and will let you know how we get on. For now, here is a clip from the Jamaican film "Rockers" which is a must see movie for anyone who loves reggae. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2GwohNFo6s"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2GwohNFo6s[/url] Thanks! Stef

[quote name='paul torch' timestamp='1339519222' post='1689813'] reckon this could work with a female vocal: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nweuZKQ16iU[/media] [/quote] Yep it most certainly could! I'm sure our singer would sing it lower than that in fact. Listening to others now but yes "Oh No no" is a great shout - cheers algmusic. See, I told you my brain wasn't working. Blooming work mixed with illness tangled with beer and late nights...

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1339518655' post='1689795'] Might as well suggest the obvious too.... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMrNDnU6PPk[/media] [/quote] Now we're talking!! This would go down WELL. Thanks chaypup. Obvious ones are absolutely fine and most welcomel; I have been brain dead all week so far and even the "obvious" bit of my brain doesn't appear to be working very well.

Hey y'all I have just joined a new reggae originals project and we would like to throw some covers around for good measure. Can any of you think of some reggae songs that are either sung by a female, or might be more suited to a (let's say alto) female voice than others? Perhaps you have been in a band that covered a reggae song and you had a female singer... Or how about some songs that you would like to be heard in reggae style? Thanks a bunch Stef P.s. How flippin' great is reggae bass?!

The Lorenzo L449 is nice and cheap at £89 and was voted "best guitar under £1000" in 2004 by Guitar Magazine. [url="http://www.guitar.co.uk/guitars/acoustic/1307-lorenzo_l449_acoustic_guitar"]http://www.guitar.co.uk/guitars/acoustic/1307-lorenzo_l449_acoustic_guitar[/url] At that price it's worth a try. I bought one a few years back and I like it; it is certainly decent. Although I don't know much about acoustics and I have played my friends Simon & Patrick which feels nicer. I agree with the advice about taking some cash and trying some out.

Ok cheers guys, I will have a looksee and hopefuly I can stop the storm!