Ham fisted Bass

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[quote name='wateroftyne' post='211132' date='Jun 2 2008, 02:43 PM']Hi all I'm sure this will have been asked before, but I can't find anything. Honest. Does anyone know where I can get a good quality chromed steel grille made up?[/quote] Sounds daft, but have you called any (steel) fabrication workshops in your area? - they'll usually have access to chroming services and most can make from the most simple sketches. And since posting my original relpy I've had another thought... Talk to a 'fab shop' about what you want, they have catalogues with different types of mesh - sometimes known as 'perf' or perforated mesh. It's unlikely that they have their own chroming facilities, but get them to make it. Pay them, and then find someone who has Chroming facillities ask them to add your 'design' to their next batch of production, Why? - because it's cheaper.

[quote name='P-T-P' post='216936' date='Jun 11 2008, 03:00 PM']Straying slightly from the integrity discussion and onto something which has cropped up in it... Isn't there more new music now, available to more people now than ever before? And isn't the problem partly that the best of that music is simply harder to find because of the sheer volume there is to sift through and partly that we're all guided by our taste too? On a different tack again, isn't popular music (be that folk, jazz, country, soul etc.) separated from the other arts by the fact that a song, unlike a painting, novel etc. doesn't necessaily become an untouchable piece of art once the songwriting is complete, or with it's first performance or even it's recorded release. While in many cases, the original version will always stand as the benchmark, it's not completely uncommon for a cover to become the definitive version. Songs are living, breathing art because they need to be performed in order to exist. The Mona Lisa will still be there once you've left the room. But once the last note has disappeared, the song has gone and it was only those that heard it there and then who experienced the artistry involved in bringing it to life. Each time it's brought to life, it will be slightly different - the musicians, the equipment, the room, the audience, the dancing and so many other factors all go into creating that little shared artistic moment. Even if you've seen a song performed live by it's creator(s) countless times, it's only a collection of artistic moments you've been witness too, you'll never be able to get that exact same experience again, you'll never be able to own it the way you can a book or a painting. It's why covers bands exist. People want more than a memory, or to experience more moments. Even if some will be better than others, they still want them, even if they aren't fully aware of the artisic element of it all and express their enjoyment in less high-brow ways such as "I enjoy a sing-song." or "I love a good dance." Every performacne is a little piece of art so we all have artistic integrity.[/quote] Brought a tear to my eye....

[quote name='Galilee' post='209597' date='May 30 2008, 01:56 PM']I expressed an interest in trying out for a local function band, not really my sort of thing but I figured it would be regular live work and little 'management' responsibility for a change. The band leader sent me their playlist, 64 songs, all classics I suppose (in an MOR way), but all new to me from a playing point of view. I'm going to have to pass on this opportunity, but feel like I should be using this list to get these songs under my belt for the future. The trouble is, how much of an idiot am I going to feel sitting there learning Lady In Red, Black Velvet and suchlike? I think I've hit a critical point in my life, where the musical 'integrity' of my youth is now exactly balanced by my being nearly 40 years old. I'm getting so old that I just want to get out and play anything at any opportunity, but I'm not so old that I'll play any old rubbish. What do you reckon? Would you learn a load of songs that aren't your style at all to get work? Have you ever played [i]exactly[/i] the sort of music that you really love in any case, or is it always a compromise? Should I stop navel-gazing and just play the bloody thing until my fingers bleed?[/quote] I don't believe that one form of music or band is better than another; its a pointless argument and is elitist. Whether you are playing Take That covers or the most demanding Jazz improvisation you are still in the entertainment industry and each is equally valid. Function Bands can provide you with steady work, but be warned; as with all things you will find good and bad - there are hundreds of songs which can be played in a function format and getting the Bass parts right is demanding, music shouldn't be about playing by numbers or in your words 'any old rubbish' the point is you don't have to play rubbish. Do a Google search on function bands and the results will come back with a range of bands which feature some very fine musicians; there is a market for live music and no matter what anyone thinks - the audience want to be entertained, enjoy a few drinks and have a dance. What is wrong with playing live music to these audiences?

[quote name='molan' post='206923' date='May 26 2008, 11:03 PM']I did a bit of a deal with my wife recently - I'll sell the odd bass or two to fund something different but ONLY if I sell something first! So how come I've bought a Status Electro today and a Lakland DPLE and nothing has left my house (except for a wedge of cash!)? Couldn't resist the Status as it was such a bargain and I wanted something to sit on the sofa & noddle with in the evenings & had my eyes on a Lakland for a while and thought Dave's funky green DPLE was too cool to miss out on. So, lo & behold In the past week I've added a dinky MarkBass combo & a pair of basses to the stable. I did actually flog a pair of hi-fi speakers which paid for the MarkBass & most of the Status so I guess I can't complain too much [/quote] Is that all?.......You only live once.

[quote name='trent900' post='212063' date='Jun 3 2008, 08:34 PM']So with $859 + $3549 = $4408 for the complete 2100W bad boy, am I right in thinking that with European distributor markups that's likely to be a good £3500? Wouldn't that price them more or less right out of the market?[/quote] Well to paraphrase WOT it's not every day a new manufacturer hits the market and whilst much fun has been had at the expense of Forge amplification; good luck to them.

[quote name='ahpook' post='211863' date='Jun 3 2008, 03:37 PM']and ugly[/quote] I'm frightened.... [i]'We told bass players to abuse our prototypes'[/i].......... that's just wrong.

+ Bass, backed off Mids, touch of Trebs.... Flat Amp, or Mirrored to Bass....

Given that the P-Bass has been around for 50+ years does anyone in the world of BassChat disagree with this sentiment that, whatever your 'vibe' that the P-Bass will deliver...?

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='205193' date='May 23 2008, 07:30 PM']Oh someone please post a pic of an upside down amp...[/quote] Oh yes....

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='205102' date='May 23 2008, 04:56 PM']I have been tormenting myself with the owners manual: POWER INPUT – VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH - The SHUTTLE 6.0® utilizes rear panel switch selectable universal power supply that operates from 100V to 240 volts, 50 to 60 Hz for world wide use. Simply set the switch to the appropriate AC mains voltage (BEFORE connecting to the power source), and utilize the proper IEC cord-set appropriate for the country the product is being used. For countries using 100V, 110V, 115V and 120V AC mains, select the 115V switch position on the Voltage Selector switch. For countries using 220V, 230V, and 240V AC mains, select the 230V switch position on the Voltage Selector switch. There is no externally accessible AC mains (line) fuse, the internal fuse is integral to the SMPS power supply and is not user serviceable. This fuse will not fail except under very unlikely fault conditions to the SMPS, and if this occurs a qualified service technician is required to correct the problem.[/quote] You're making me sad, I wish that I had a Shuttle 6.0 to give you... out of kindness.

[quote name='deekay911' post='204714' date='May 23 2008, 04:06 AM']if anyone is interested in one let me know. But don't tell C&E :-)[/quote] That's 2% on the cost of purchase plus VAT - According to TARIC home page - Hope you're not coming in via Heathrow T5! that probably will be no faster than anyone else can get them... Good amp though.

[quote name='deekay911' post='204889' date='May 23 2008, 12:01 PM']Yes don't worry about the voltage, there is a switch on the back between 120 and 240 Volts (actually it sayss 230 oddly enough) but I can assure you it works fine in the UK, as did my Neo-Pak. Also this Amp is small enought to go in your luggage without raising any suspicians through Customs :-) I have heard the new tiny GK 500 due out later this year will also be switchable (it is a lot easier with the SMPS power supplies to do this).[/quote] I'm in danger of making a huge mistake here - but while the operating voltage is important; (the Shuttle can switch between US and EU Voltages) I don't think that it will switch frequencies - it could, but I'd guess that the GB engineers have factored the change in frequencies into their design rather than actually change the frequencies in the amp.

[quote name='johnnylager' post='204812' date='May 23 2008, 10:05 AM']...this Year. [/quote] You're a bad man johnnylager....

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='201801' date='May 18 2008, 10:28 PM']Not sure Trace invented the high power rig[/quote] That's not what I mean't - more that Trace and probably Polytone put togther the the first 'compact' higher end combos - but it was a long time ago....

[quote name='bnt' post='201874' date='May 19 2008, 12:13 AM']Have a look [url="http://www.bassplayer.com/article/northern-warrior/Aug-07/30528"]here[/url], the sidebar has a full breakdown of his current touring rig. The main components are the [url="http://www.tech21nyc.com/rpm.html"]SansAmp RPM[/url] and Palmer Speaker Simulators. Weirdly, Geddy still has a couple of Trace Elliot amps in his rack though I have no idea where that signal might go. They all use wireless monitoring, handled from a monitor desk - dunno what they use.[/quote] Thank you.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='203295' date='May 20 2008, 10:02 PM']Which is as good enough excuse as any to get a Shuttle 6.0 in my book. [/quote] I will be very surprised if anyone who gets a Shuttle 6.0 is disappointed by it. The size of the Shuttle 6.0 is one of the most difficult things for an 'old git' like me to get his head around - Oh and the lights [font="Arial Narrow"](for reference my Action Man avatar is wearing the Shuttle 6.0 in a gig bag)[/font]

I've tried both R500 and the Shuttle 6.0 - (I may even own this Shuttle 6.0 before long ) I had the Shuttle for two gigs - most impressive through a single Aggie 112 If I'd had the presence of mind I'd have used the R500 on the second gig - then I really could have talked b*****ks.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='201657' date='May 18 2008, 07:00 PM']I'm all for manageable stage volume, but the thought of backline consisting entirely of DIs into PODs makes by blood run cold...[/quote] Any particular reason for this? If I can hear what's going on with the drums and guitar in relation to me - that's it. The best gig 'all round' we played last year consisted of me going straight from my SWR into the PA and sent back to me via monitors (no speaker cab) - a quick sound check gave me a near 'perfect' mix. I'd love to achieve that every gig. Can anyone explain (or point me at a thread) how Geddy Lee does the 'in ear' monitoring thing?

[quote name='thinman' post='199139' date='May 14 2008, 10:38 PM']I'm a bit struck by the huge amounts of power (500/600 watts +) some people have in their rigs and I'm a bit curious why. Are some of the cabs out there very inefficient? Is it required to get certain tone at volume? Do people want 130db at 30Hz? Do they never really use it? Do they play just too loud? Am I just being an old fart? I've always thought that if you can get your desired tone and keep pace with a loud unamplified drum kit there's not a lot of point being able to go much louder. Once your drum kit is getting mic'ed up then there's probably a PA available that can handle bass reinforcement too and then the soundman won't appreciate your backline being too loud.[/quote] I think that there are a number of factors at work here - in no particular order I'd go for 1 - Technology; years ago (25 - 30 years ago) when Trace Elliot first made an appearance they really were 'state of the art' and comparatively powerful. Bass amps at the time were generally either too small - physically and Wattage or required that you had strong mates to help move them. So when TE came along things moved on - to the point of 'mini rigs of doom' threads 2 - Physics; The frequencies which, as bass players we need to get out to an audience require more power to move them - Someone on here will be able to tell you why this is but by example, our guitarists 'lonestar' combo runs at a fraction of its 100W and can swamp any amount of Bass, and also this is why players who prefer 'middy' sounds can be heard more clearly - My band require quite a traditional Bass sound. 3 - The 'tone at volume' thing is interesting - For a good period of time I exclusively used an SWR Electric Blue Head 120W at 8Ohm this was played through a TE 15" cab (I forget the model) I then bought a Aggie 112 for portability and to help my ageing back figuring that I'd use it for monitoring on stage - anyhow this didn't work out I ended up driving the amp at full tilt - I bought a Mesa Walkabout 12 - Which in one incident bought a meeting of the local Masons to a halt - though its output. I had issues with this amp so I bought a Markbass R500 (500W into 4Ohm) to go through the Aggie (8Ohm) - worked to a point but the single 12 struggled for Bass repsonse so I added another Aggie (500 Watts!). Never used it past 10 o'clock and we've changed things in the band so I now need the amp to provide back line. But there's a lot to do with room accoustics here. 4 - I don't know about the drums thing our drummer uses a Roland Electric kit through the PA and our setup does not currently allow the bass through the PA but I can cover all but the largest rooms with my rig. Big rooms require big PA - with foldback I wouldn't use a speaker at all. 5 - Can you ever have enough?

[quote name='BB2000' post='201402' date='May 18 2008, 10:13 AM']Yes, it's close to the Neo. It's the Neo preamp feeding an icepower 500W asx2 power amp. What I meant is that reading talkbass you'd get the impression that it's a quantum leap in bass amplification, which it isn't.[/quote] Totally right. However, in an effort to sum this up, having tried one live - I think that the attraction is, that its small; powerful; good sound with flexibilty and power and in relative terms its inexpensive. IMO the hyperbole on TB has been running because there is an now american built 'answer' to Markbass. Its no better than my R500 or Boogie Walkabout, but without either of these I'd certainly be after one.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='201372' date='May 18 2008, 08:54 AM']I could direct you to any number of bad reviews for any number of Amp manufacturers. I've had bad experiences with amps before (including Genz, who I have deep respect for), but I don't post my experiences on every thread involving the brand. I just accept that I had a dodgy one, or it wasn't right for me. However, it's clear MESA had a flaky run of Walkabouts early on, and you're right to point that out when it's relevant. But... Where I come from, this is called 'p*ssing on someone's chips', and not in the spirit of the thread. IMO. That said, if you took the time out to involve yourself in other topics on Basschat, it would look less like you're just grinding your axe. Just sayin'.[/quote] Fair point M - 'axe grinding' over - Now this is 'off topic' but I have a new post involving some positive noises which a loaned Genz Shuttle 6.0 was making at a recent gig which is much more worthwhile MB

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='201371' date='May 18 2008, 08:54 AM']Well I tried a GB Neopak 3.5 at Bassdirect and Mark said it had the same preamp section as the Shuttle 6.0. I preferred the sound of the Neopak compared to the MarkBass Little Mark and F1 heads so my decision certainly isn't based on hype. I don't know about you but I use an amp so I can hear myself against the drums and guitar.[/quote] Erm..yes but now the Genz returns to its owner... PS sorry for editing I re-read the post and it wasn't what I wanted to say.

[quote name='The Burpster' post='201236' date='May 17 2008, 08:38 PM']So you got a bad one.... So your (possibly rightly) pi55ed off..... So your tech found what he believed to bad engineering in YOUR amp, which has a history (that you dont know), and you can't actually prove the faults were Mesa's ..... My heart goes out to you, no it really does, however you've had your rant, you've let us know your mad about it ..... Now please stop going on about it as they are obviously lots of us that have Mesa equipment and are happy with it. You've obviously not put the OP off buying his WS as his got it.... It just makes you sound very bitter.[/quote] [i]You're not alone. Ive sold several and probably 60% of them have came back One or two of them have even been to mesa distributor several times for repair, and ive had two customers completely give up on them. Ive seen a few going cheap second hand and have always been tempted but the reliability faults have put me off. However the newer versions with the switchable input seem to have remedied the fault. Just cant seem to find any on the cheap haha [/i] The above quote is not my words Mr Burpster - I could direct you to others, but won't. BTW should you care to read my post(s) - I like the Walkabout, that's why I bought one - the cab is well designed - the amp sounds wonderful my amp had issues, I was telling of MY experiences. Should I lie when the OP was considering his purchase? Bitter? Mad? - No.. Markbass and Genz Benz have moved me on from such thoughts....

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='201257' date='May 17 2008, 09:16 PM']+1. Seriously - I have no doubt that you're a lovely lad, but out of 19 posts, most of 'em follow a pattern of Genz/MESA paranoia. Talk about other stuff! It'll do you good.[/quote] +2 Heck yeah.. So what's up with Genz Benz?