Hot Tub

I'll keep you posted!

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1481206752' post='3190545'] That's odd. The LH series are usually noted for their simplicity, loudness and trouble-freeness. [/quote] That's one of the primary reasons I bought it in the first place. I'm gigging regularly around the Midlands, and a couple of times a year I play with another band in Europe, so reliability is important. The LH just continually let me down. I'll never touch another Hartke amp. But when it worked it was awesome, I loved it!

Looking forward to getting the BH - hopefully early next week. I hate waiting for new gear! Trying to get Thomann to deal with the LH-1000 under the terms of their 3 year warranty, but so far no joy.

Now my third Hartke LH1000 (2nd warranty replacement) has finally died I've decided to chuck it. I have never been so disappointed with a product. When it worked it sounded amazing, but I have found them to be unreliable to the point of being useless. Amp #1 - the B channel died. Returned to Thomann, no fault found, replaced under warranty. Amp #2 - exactly the same. Amp #3 (this one) - the B channel died and I took it to an amp tech. He couldn't find any fault either. Now the A channel has died and I've had enough. I'm done with Hartke amps. A lot of good things have been written and said about Hartke's customer service in the US - Larry even publishes his phone number - and I have chatted with him on Facebook messenger, but I've found nothing in the UK. They're just not interested. So, in the next few days a TC Electronic BH550 will arrive. I've heard a lot of good stuff about these, so fingers crossed.

^^^^This needs a "like" button!

Lot's of ideas - thanks! I'm leaning towards the Marshall. Gonna gig the MarkBass this Saturday then make a final decision. I think....

"We've been asked to play something out of the charts. Well, this has been out of the charts for 40 years...." - is the usual intro to Radar Love.

It's decision time. Should I keep the MarkBass CMD103H or the Marshall MB4410+DBS7115? [b]Pros: MarkBass[/b] ~ relatively light - which is a BIG plus ~ stupidly powerful ~ reliability is supposedly pretty good. [b]Marshall[/b] ~ just sounds beautiful. It's the sound I've always been looking for. [b]Cons: MarkBass[/b] sounds bland in comparison to the Marshall; it has no "character". Won't take an extension cab. [b]Marshall[/b] weighs a sodding ton! And there's a valve in there, so is reliability going to be an issue? A possible deal-breaker against the MarkBass was that using a tuner in the effects loop doesn't mute the sound (the tuner is on my pedalboard, so it makes sense), However I fixed that by converting the loop from parallel to serial. Another issue is that I could really use the cash the MarkBass would release, whereas the Marshall gear is worth less than half. I can't decide what to do......

Cheers! Didn't think about over-tuning. I'll take it up - gently - for a couple of days and see if it has any effect.

Hi again, I've just about got my bass set up the way I like it; I'd just like to get the action down a bit. Problem is that if I lower it any more, there's fret buzz when I hold a note at or above the 12th fret. This applies to all strings. The truss rod is backed off as far as possible (any more and it's loose!), and with the instrument tuned up the neck is dead straight. I just need a wee bit of positive (up) bow, but can't figure out how to do it. The Spector [url="http://www.spectorworld.com/setupprocedure.htm"]website[/url] says that the truss rod is "dual action", meaning that it can tighten in either direction past a null point, but this isn't true. It's a bog standard truss rod that gives back bow when tightened. And it's neck-thru, so shimming is out of the question......

Well, I bought a set of Exilirs, and sure enough the B is tapered. But it's tapered at the nut end, not the bridge end, and doesn't fit! Anyhoo, I found a set of Rotos which I hadn't used and they fit perfectly. Just need to tweak the set-up and I'll be a happy boy!

Thank you all! Will give Exilirs a shot. Just to clarify, the saddle height isn't a problem. The issue is that the ball-end of the string is physically too big to fit in the bridge slot.

Greetings one and all! I haven't posted on here in quite a while, but I have a couple of questions & I know from experience that this is the place for answers! So, last week I bought a Spector Euro 5LX, and I'm looking for string recommendations. Yup, that old chestnut! For years (for ever?) I've been using Rotosound Swing Bass 66 stainless 45-130. The Spector is currently strung with Dunlop Super Brights stainless 40-125 and I had a bit of a problem getting the B to slot into the bridge, so I'm assuming that the heavier gauge that I prefer definitely won't fit. What are other Spector players using, and what are your experiences/recommendations? Also, the output of this bass seems to be incredibly hot! There's no option to trim; the onboard preamp is just a black block. Is this likely to damage the input side of an amp? I'm currently gigging through a Marshall MB4410+DBS7115. I'm going to try it next week through my MarkBass CMD103H, then decide which one to sell. As always, many thanks in advance!

Thanks guys! Decided on the La Bellas after all. Hopefully they'll turn up today, as I'm looking forward to getting it finished and having a play before handing it back to its rightful owner!

Well, he "thinks" that's what was on it, but isn't sure. I'm seeing him tonight, so will have a chat. I'm thinking La Bellas, as they do a set specifically for the Hofner. Your right about the scale - It takes medium scale strings due to the trapeze bridge.

I'm setting up a violin bass for a mate, and I need to put a new set of strings on. He wanted Thomastiks, but they're not available at the moment. Any suggestions for alternatives? Got to be flats, but as I don't play the instrument and I don't use flats, I'm not sure what to go for....? Many thanks!

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1364909738' post='2032461'] There is a misconception here that 'Stage presence' means having to jump around on stage. IMO 'Stage presence' can come from being totally relaxed and confident on stage, not being timid, making eye contact, making the occasional excursion to the front of the stage, make as if you'd like to scoop up and embrace every punter - all at the same time as being totally focused on what you're playing. Before going on stage it can help if you get in to the mind set that the audience are about to expeience something truly extraordinary, an almost religious experience. Of course all that's not going to work if you have no confidence in yourself or your band. [/quote] Another +1 Absolutely spot on.

Well, I'm a big, fat, ugly, monster, and I've been told that I (can) look really intimidating.* I don't jump about on stage, but I do sort of "feel the groove", if you know what I mean? If I have any stage presence, then it's down to my physical size and the thunderous but well-defined sound I try to achieve. *In reality, anyone who knows me will say that I make an average kitten look like a hardened criminal.

I put this on joinmyband.com, but thought I'd cast a net here and see if anyone's interested..... [color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We are three guys (lead, rhythm, & bass guitars) , mid 30s to late 40s, looking to get back out gigging ASAP. We have all played in bands before and have been gigging for quite a lot of years! Now we're looking to get a new rock covers project up and running. [/font][/color] [color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We're looking for two experienced, energetic & enthusiastic people to complete a 5-piece line-up. Obviously you'll need your own gear & transport, and will be able to commit to rehearsing in Leamington on a Wednesday night, 9pm to 11pm. We're aiming to be gigging a couple of times a month around the local area (mostly, but not exclusively, South Warwickshire). [/font][/color] [color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]As for the three of us; we're competent, we don't take ourselves too seriously, but we do want to put on a good, tight performance. And we're doing this because we love it; not for the money! [/font][/color] [color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We have half a set almost ready to go, including songs by Foo Fighters, Deep Purple, Audioslave, Nickleback, Velvet Revolver, Pink Floyd, Kiss, etc. Although we're not short of ideas, we'll welcome input and suggestions for other material that fits with our “heavy but melodic” ethos. We're looking at a standard 2 x 1hr sets plus encore format.[/font][/color] [color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Cheers![/font][/color]

Interesting.... I'm firmly with the OP, in that I can play bass, or do something else, but I can't play the instrument [i]and [/i]do anything else at the same time. For example, I can't sing, but even if I could, I wouldn't be able to play and sing at the same time. It was the same when I was a very young teenager taking piano lessons. The tutor would talk to me about my playing [i]while [/i]I was playing, and if I had to answer her I'd have to stop. There must be something in the mind which some of us can't separate....

I gig because I love it. That fact that I'll get a few quid at the end of the night is icing on the cake. We play mostly local-ish pubs & clubs, so travelling expense isn't really an issue. As for strings, maintenance, etc, I'd be paying for that anyway as I play at home at least a couple of hours every day. The buzz I get from playing live is like nothing else. It's a drug, and the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Probably.

Here's a link to some bass tracks. If you listen carefully, you'll hear the rest of the music in the background. What amazed me was the general sloppiness of the playing! It's surprisingly awful. And yet, we worship these bassists.....? Have a listen. Are we setting the bar too high??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx8jLE3qVqA&list=PLkIYonT2EIOqy8rJCL_k5uIg92WFFzeWv

Another sad loss. Tonight I shall be listening to "Slow Blues In C", & raising a glass to the memory of a truly exceptional musician.

Maybe I'll win an award for "Smallest Pedalboard Ever"! [attachment=128428:1302-00x0131.jpg] [attachment=128429:1302-00x0132.jpg]