Musky

Machines reviewed one a while back. He liked it. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/9244-vintage-v1004dx/

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1329514361' post='1543847'] Not necessarily Thomanns HB and Red Sub could say we want these amps and Pay $x for y quality Ibanez could say we want to pay $2x for 2y quality. Which one gets the quality components?? [/quote] True. The Beta Aivin on the I linked to has Neutrik speakons. I'm not sure what the Promethean has, but I'd guess it also uses Neutriks. My Harley Benton doesn't.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1329513878' post='1543839'] If this is the case then it means the Promethean's price point is pure marketing, and the HB/RS amps are good value! The plot thickens... [/quote] A point Beta Aivin make themselves (though not actually the marketing bit ) http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_628c47990100gkex.html&ei=EZqCS8aZK8mXtgfW7pSdBw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3DBT500H%2Bp500h%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D6WF%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official It's another dodgy Google translation, but you can get the gist. They actually designed the Promethean, but used a different preamp circuit on their own model for copyright reasons. Exactly how modified it is is open to speculation. Interestingly it seems they used MarkBass as a 'reference' for the pre amp.

These are made by Beta Aivin, just like the Promethean and Harley Benton. The pictures of the Red Sub are the same as the Harley Benton - despite the description there is no pre/post eq switch or level control for the DI in the pictures. There is on the Beta Aivin model however. [attachment=100215:beta aivin amp.jpg] Exactly why this should be is anyone's guess. I'm sure the 500w at 8 ohms is a typo however. I've never know a manufacture to claim an 8 ohm figure when the headline wattage is usually at 4 ohms. Unless it doesn't go down to 4 ohms.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1329462238' post='1542727'] Just to pick up on a point made earlier. While an RCD is a good idea it only really works if everything is wired up something-like properly. It's no substitute for checking the sockets are properly wired (socket tester) and that your gear has continuous earths et al (PAT testing + replace stuff that's obviously knackered). [/quote] True - if the neutral is broken the RCD won't work and you could still get a belt off the phase. However any fault to earth, whether through your amp's CPC or elsewhere, will trip the RCD as long as the phase and neutral are intact. The phase and neutral can even be swapped and an RCD will still work - the amp's fuse wouldn't though! There's nothing that beats making the checks you suggest, though I'd still use an RCD.

Off topic I know, but I've often wondered why Genesis seem to be completely off the radar nowadays. They must have been on a par with Yes as perhaps the biggest prog bands, but whilst other prog bands of the time get kudos today Genesis are rarely name checked.

[quote name='Graham56' timestamp='1329435604' post='1542623'] Excuse my ignorance, but... My LMII amp has an "ground lift" switch. I've never used it, but if I did, would I be disconnecting the head from earth? And would that mean that I am increasing the risk to me of a shock? If this is the case, why do they supply this option without lots of warnings? Cheers Graham [/quote] It's a ground lift for the DI, and doesn't compromise the earthing of the amp.

[quote name='SebCarr' timestamp='1329410037' post='1542087'] Yeah, this happens all too often. A lot of older valve amps had ground lift switches that essentially disconnected the earth. The modern Fender reissues of some of their classic amps have the switch, but apparently it's a dummy! [/quote] Yep. A fault on the the amp's earth can lead to a shock when you connect with a well grounded piece of equipment that is electrically distant - that can be something on another circuit. It could also mean that there's a fault to earth on the amp (i.e. that the chassis is live). No earth means that the fuse won't blow, and often wearing rubber soled shoes is enough to prevent you from getting a shock - until you touch something that is well earthed. Definitely get the amp checked out and use an RCD in future.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1329425461' post='1542420'] And as this is BassChat... I'm gonna say if it aint broken then don't fiddle with it. All we need now is for someone to come up with 'maybe' then we'll have the obligatory complete set of answers. [/quote] Nooooo! According to your sig, between me, you and Lozz we've got to come up with another three answers! I'm going for 'Set it up yourself, but only if you feel it needs it.' Edit: Damn, now there's four of us in the game. Now how many answers do we have to give?

Keep it simple and fun. Maybe ask your friend what what sort of music she likes and work out a few simple bass lines she can pick up easily. I think the first time anyone holds an instrument they'd be quite chuffed I they could come away from the experience making a noise that bears at least some resemblance to a song they know.

[quote name='musophilr' timestamp='1329242681' post='1539495'] I don't recall Les Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Yes, Camel, Focus et al making "pedestrian" music, although there was a fair bit of it in the pop charts. Rock'n'Roll started growing up in the mid-late 1960s - by the mid 70s it reached a height of maturity which punk then managed to destroy and has not been regained since, except in niche markets such as jazz/rock fusion and some of the seriously technical metal. [/quote] I must admit to enjoying all the bands you've mentioned back in the 70's, and punk did indeed make them seem fairly pedestrian to an excitable 14 year old. I has to be said though, what really managed to destroy the popularity of those bands was the poor quality of their output in the late seventies.

There's more than a hint of an internet meme going on from what I can see. Lots of people all repeating "who tf is Paul McCartney". Because it's clearly hilarious. Lolz. See also: "Buttscratcher" at festivals. Or "Wally" for us older types.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1328662283' post='1530975'] Mudbucker Ibanez: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-MIJ-Ibanez-2389B-bass-guitar-early-70s-lawsuit-era-/130644859622?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e6b0a5ae6"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e6b0a5ae6[/url] [/quote] Holy cr*p - that went for £584! Between this and the Kasuga last week I'm really not sure what's going on with 'faker prices at the moment!

...except a Fender. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-bass-guitar-set-everything-you-need-get-going-/160732243453

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1328985820' post='1535762'] Not the same as Sunbeams but if you want to try different nickels you could do worse than try the Hartke strings (£4-£5 on ebay) and a similar price are Rosetti strings. [/quote] Unfortunately the Hartke strings seem to be a thing of the past now. They were all over ebay but now they've gone - I suspect Hartke were clearing the line. I've tried the Rosetti strings and they don't sound bad at all. The wraps at the ball end are a bit hit or miss though - I bought three sets and the silks on the E strings barely squeezed into the (quite large) keyhole string retainer on my Aria CSB300,

I wonder how he arrived at 1974 as the age of the bass? Zooming in on the headstock shows that the serial begins with a bold '76'.

This has the making of a classic thread! Bigbottomend - you're not a competitor of RedFoxenLawman Valves Inc are you, what with linking to your own Ebay valve business? The mystery deepens....

[quote name='lxxwj' timestamp='1328906564' post='1534806'] Thing with the B3K that I've noticed in demos though is it seems like just the bass with an extra "layer" of distortion.. maybe if I put the blend all the way up it would sound more integrated. Remi got back to me: he recommended the Sansamp RBI and BDDI. I think I'll order a BDDI when I have the money, see how it works out etc. [/quote] If money's a bit tight you could always go for BDI21 - it's a clone of the Sansamp.

[quote name='1970' timestamp='1328898257' post='1534652'] Just realised it's not europe - geography fail. [/quote] Paris, Texas?

It's a lot more original than my '74, though they both look like they were finished from the same tin of Rustins!

I've not tried an EBS, but I was distinctly unimpressed with the b300 that was provided at a gig. I very much preferred the MAG 300 1x15 combo the venue usually supplied - and I'm not even that much of a fan of Ashdown!

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1328534582' post='1528555'] I don't see it as a problem, 99% of vintage guitars can be classes as 'players', where they have either replaced parts, non-original parts, extra routs, refinished wood, or just well-worn/played examples. These instrumenst will always be priced for the majority of keen vintage players and collectors, and will serve that purpose well. With the owners not being nervous about taking it on the road, or, if neccessary, changing parts to suit their own needs. In the case of a rare guitar, that is also near mint, and represents one of the finest examples available, it is only normal that it should be looked after, and kept as such by the owner. Most serious collectors I know, are fully aware of what they are buying, as they know their stuff. Every now and then, someone will fall foul of a poor deal, whether misrepresented, misinterpreted, or the buyer simply being keen and naive. Its certainly not a problem though. Most people I know who have been 'done', and there are a few, would openly admit that it was there fault, as they were either naiave, or simply followed a particular need for gas, somewhat blindly. [/quote] As ever, it's a case of caveat emptor. For me that means should a vendor be less than forthcoming with all the relevant details, describe items as all original when it's sporting non period correct parts or has credible allegations against him of having sold a ringer, then for me that would preclude any purchase. Which is why I wouldn't buy from this chap, no matter how authentic the instrument looked or what questions were asked.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1328507013' post='1528147'] Even if I had a spare £12K rattling around in my pockets, I'd think twice before handing any over to that seller. [/quote] +1 As soon as you said that I guessed who the seller was before even looking at the auction.

Faith No More?

Yeah, all the 2008 T serials started with a 0 after it, but confusingly some of the nineties ones did as well. Added to which MIJ decals have resurfaced in the last few years - nobody's sure exactly why this is, but may mean that FujiGen is manufacturing for Fender Japan again. If your bass has 'made in japan' in bold lettering it's a newer one. Edit: Doh! You already said it's an Aerodyne so it has to be 2008. But yeah, japanese fender serials have been getting a little confusing over the last few years.