bassmayhem

How to make a sexy, good and expensive bass look cheap: Henman-Bevilacqua!!!

Here is a nice power amp: the QSC PLX series. I got the PLX 3402 myself, a really powerful and lightweight amp capable to manage 2 ohms load on each side and 4 ohms bridged at massive 3400 Watts RMS. The weight is 9 kg and the effect is overkill. I got it at a very good price, that's why I have such a big amp, it has lots of features like switchable lowpass filter at 30Hz, 50Hz and straight. I always set the filter to 30 Hz just to save the speakers I use. There is no real audible difference with lows cut, but a significant difference in cone movement on the speakers. I never run it hot, just two or maybe three clicks on the volume. If you have a preamp with a single output you'll need a split Y-cable so you can send to both inputs on the power amp. I use it for stereo rig konfiguration. [IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/bassmayhem/3_zpsb81cac18.jpg[/IMG]

Cheap is cheap. Expensive is expensive. Good is good and bad is bad. The rest is a matter of taste. One thing to be sure about: bad will fail in the end. Unfortunately bad and cheap seem to walk hand in hand most of the time...

I use my Genz Benz Streamliner 900 when I want slightly overdriven tone just by adjusting the gain and preamp volume so the amp stays clean when played with modest attack, and breaks up nicely when digging in. No pedals or compressors needed; the tone compared to my old ShuttleMax is much rounder and cushier...

A nice overdrive that won't scoop out your low end is the EBS MultiDrive; it can be found second hand at a reasonable cost. I use tha to get some "hair" in my tone from time to time. The EBS MetalDrive [b]may [/b]also be an option, but I've never encountered it... Don't forget the guy is using a Dingwall bass with 37" scale B-string that [b]REALLY [/b]has an impact on his tone!

It is a bit "awkward" compared to all my other amps. They're all kind of "transparent" (I hate that word) and non-colouring, but this beast definitely puts its footprint in the tone, for good and for worse. But - that was the plan: get another type of amp to get another tone for another type of gigs than I usually have. So far I like it best with my fretless bass; the TE Pre Shape suits the fretless very well, scooping out some harshness and adding the highs and low mids needed to really fill up the tone. I had to change the preamp tubes, and this is where this amp proves to be British - real British - for real: I had to unscrew 26(!!!) screws to get inside the amp. First the 8 fastening screws that hold the amp in its cabinet, then 8 screws to remove the corner fittings to be able to get the amp out of the cabinet, and finally 10 SMALL screws to remove the top plate. The thing is FILLED with electronics, so I presume the massive "screwery" also is to insure that meddlesome blockheads should not venture into the amp out of sheer curiosity. (And safety, of course...) Its 22 kg does not make handling easier when coming to removal and remounting the amp in the cabinet. I found some loose screws inside that needed fastening too, so It was good I did the operation. Now it works as expected. I forgot to take a pic of its entrails, but next time...

Yep! A ton! Or two! All my other gear is Class D, so one anchor is alright. Here is the setup in the livingroom: I put a TC Chorus in the stereo loop and then went full stereo through my TKS cabs and then played my fretless Lakie five string. "[i]Wherever I lay my hat...[/i]"

I got myself a nice second hand Trace Elliot AH1000 today. This amp has never really interested me, but when I got the opportunity to buy it I couldn't resist. I am more of a "set everything flat" kind of guy, who dislikes tweaking tone on amps. The natural tone of my bass and my hands is my signum. But... This amp is really nice, even if it colours the tone a LOT, it colours nicely. I haven't tried it with the band yet, but it'll surely do what it is supposed to. The price was ok - I paid £444 for it with the six button pedal and all. Just like this one: I really would appreciate some input from others using this amp, since it is rather uncommon here in Sweden. This will not be my primary amp, but for what I have in mind it will be perfect. I used to have a gazillion of preamps and connect them to a power amp through a 1U line mixer, all in a rack, but I got fed up with it - too bl**dy heavy! I sold the preamps, all except for one, and got some nice amp heads instead. My "menagerie" now contains: - Genz Benz Streamliner 900 (First call light weight amp) - Euphonic Audio iAmp 800 (The tonal favourite) - Eden Navigator+QSC PLX 3402 (The big mofo rig...) - Trace Elliot AH1000-12 (Stand-in for the big mofo rig...) and soon - Acoustic Image Coda combo (For the small occasions...) Still, I only have two cabinets: the TKS 2126 cabs that work with all the amps. (One for the S900 and two for all the others.)

I got myself a nice British Racing Green one: Joe Meek FloorQ. Impressive little piece of gear...

Fender doesn't sell enough. That's why they kill the brands they buy...

Now I've been noodling around a few weeks with the Stick and started to feel, well not exactly like home, but at least on the right continent. When I got the instrument it had baritone tuning. That won't say too much to the average bass chatter, but it means the melody side is tuned a quart lower than the usual classic tuning. I also tuned down the melody side one whole step to get better access and not let the hands "collide". Suits me fine. That means the instrument is tuned (on the first fret with marker - three frets above the nut) Melody strings falling: 1-A, 2-E, 3-B, 4-F#, 5-C# Bass strings rising: 6-D, 7-A, 8-E, 9-B, 10-F#. This tuning gives a good symmetry: five frets up on the melody side (the next fret with marker) gives the same notes as the bass side, making orientation easy. The lower tuned melody side makes the instrument "hold together" sonically, with both sides overlapping each other in a nice way, maybe more suited for a bass player's approach than from a guitar player's point of view. But what do I know? I'm just learning to crawl again...

I've posted this in the Bass section, but found out about this thread later, so a replay: [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]I have had a relapse in my 80's sins.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]During the 80's and early 90's we had a band playing "instrumental progressive music", mostly around Western Germany, as the country was called back then. A long lost friend from that era has knocked on the door to my memory and made itself present in my head for a while. Well, here it is:[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]A 10 string Chapman Stick, but this time MIDI equipped...[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]...as you can see here. Now it is like PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE to get in decent shape.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]Here is a pic from "back in the days", 29 years and kilos (almost) ago. I sold my old Stick some 15 years ago and have regretted it ever since. What have I gotten myself into...?[/size][/font]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1390254046' post='2343288'] You are not alone..... I bought a 12 string Grand Stick towards the end of last year after selling my 10 string years ago & regretting it. I've recently had lots of problems with damaged ligaments in my right hand though so I've hardly played it since I got it. There's a Basschat Stick thread here if you're interested: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/164195-the-stick-thread/"]http://basschat.co.u...e-stick-thread/[/url] [/quote] Thanks for the tip! I'll post "over there" too...

[font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]I have had a relapse in my 80's sins.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]During the 80's and early 90's we had a band playing "instrumental progressive music", mostly around Western Germany, as the country was called back then. A long lost friend from that era has knocked on the door to my memory and made itself present in my head for a while. Well, here it is:[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]A 10 string Chapman Stick, but this time MIDI equipped...[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]...as you can see here. Now it is like PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE to get in decent shape.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]Here is a pic from "back in the days", 29 years and kilos (almost) ago. I sold my old Stick some 15 years ago and have regretted it ever since. What have I gotten myself into...?[/size][/font]

Definitely a GB Streamliner 900 before it is too late!

As long as I didn't connect the Korg PitchBlack+ I could use anything, but that unit caused some strangeness in the signal chain when using a wall wart or power supply with non-isolated outputs. I got the Voodoo Lab Mondo, et voilà: all is good. I can power my more hungry digital effects from that one too and also choose between different voltage settings. Expensive - but paid for! [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] 12 isolated outputs sections eliminate ground loops and hum [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] All outputs compatible with 9V battery operated pedals [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] 6 outputs high-current capable for modern digital effects [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Powers Strymon, Eventide, Line 6, Boss Twin, TC Nova, Moog and more [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] 2 outputs with Sag simulate low battery[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Toroidal transformers and linear regulation for lowest possible noise[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Temperature controlled variable speed fan [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Includes cables and detachable AC line cord[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Courtesy AC outlet[/size][/font][/color]

This is my pedalboard as for now: I also added a Voodoo Lab Mondo underneath it since I took the pic. The short flat patch cables are EBS new stuff. They save a lot of space.

Well, I haven't decided yet if I shall keep it. The string spacing is a bit too narrow for my big hands. Anyway, here is a pic from my corner of the living room: A nice looking old girl, she is...

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1388580519' post='2323553'] I'm currently looking to get an orange ad200b all valve beast and when I tried it in the shop with their orange obc115 400w 1x15 bass cab it sounded awesome, it has an eminence kappa speaker in it (I believe) and I'm wondering whether a TKS cab (and which one) would be able to kick the same amount of huge richness and fat bottom end while retaining the surprisingly balanced sound and sparkly top end (and be a lump lighter)? I was very pleasantly surprised at how sensitive the orange cab was and at how good the slap sound was through it! Proper chuffin heavy though!! [/quote] I got a friend who is selling his orange coloured TKS 215 cab (out of production) due to the size and effectivity. He complains: "It is impossible to get the amp to break up at volumes you survive using that cab..." The TKS stuff is very efficient and the ratings on the web page are honest. My 2126 cabs are not that efficient, which is stated in the web page, but they go way deep. They are more like studio monitors. In the present range of speakers I'd say the best matches to an Orange valve amp would be either the W212 or W2126 cab. Check the web page: www.tks.se You can get it in "Orange orange" and with the grille of choice...

Here is a picture with different fronts (vinyl and cloth) on the same 112 cabinet.

I've been collecting preamps for a while and have found some favourites. In my rack I have from top to bottom: - Roland M-120 Line Mixer - for connecting all preamps to one power amp. - Yamaha PB1 - one of the first rack units for bass. If you find one of these 80's gems: GET IT! - Eden WP-100 Navigator - the most versatile of them all. - Ampeg SVP-PRO - the one that differs most from the others in tone AND noise. - EBS-1, series 2 - also a versatile preamp, more hi-fi. A bit strange to tweak, though. - Trace Elliot V-Type - the surprise of the year! Very, very good sounding preamp. Like the Yamaha it builds on the Fender tone stack. Find one: GET IT! [IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/bassmayhem/1-BassPreampRack_zps6afb9610.jpg[/IMG] These things have NOT cost a fortune, more like basement bargains, due to weight and bulkiness. Today you get light weight stuff that is really, really good. I got a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 for ordinary "meat and potato"-gigs. These things mostly sit at home, or get rented out to some local studios.

Lakland! Period. No other five-string I have played comes even close. Most - not all - fivers are four string basses with an extra rubbery excuse for a B-string with a totally different tonal charachter. I have to quote a very fine piano player, Horace Parlan, when he was asked by a fellow musician about the jazz blues they were to play: "[i]Whay key...?[/i]" His answer was: "[i]Blues [b]IS[/b] in F.[/i]" [i]P-bass [b]IS [/b]four string[/i]. But if you want a [i]five string P[/i]: go for a Lakie!

[quote name='action_panzer' timestamp='1387383040' post='2311353'] A humbucker? On a jazz? *head explodes* the status neck sounds like a really interesting idea, but dont they alter the sound significantly? [/quote] Yes, they do! You'll get another bass. Check out the G&L basses! (The US ones...) Good build at good prices. [url="http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/USA/basses/index.asp"]http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/USA/basses/index.asp[/url] I got a JB, a very fine bass. Their L- and M-series should suit you better...

Some brands have a NAME. Some have not. It has nothing to do with quality. Unfortunately that reflects a lot in the price on the second hand market, but if you get an instrument to [b]keep [/b]and [b]play[/b], it doesn't matter. I've never played a Wal, but I've played an Overwater. A very good and nice instrument with solid feel and tone. It is like clothes: some suites you better...