jammie17

[quote name='Bassassin' post='108329' date='Dec 22 2007, 09:31 PM']There's an interesting post on the thread about this on RickResource - basically it seems US businesses are obligated by law to do this sort of thing: QUOTE It is the job of finance companies and banks to make it less difficult for a consumer to buy a product, not RIC. It is, by law in every one of our 50 US states at least, the sole job of every commercial corporation to serve the interests of the stockholders in making the most profit that it is legally possible to make. Lawsuits surround any corporation that would even for a moment try to make the mistake of characterizing itself as trying to make it less difficult to purchase a unit of its production at the expense of maximum profitability. With legislation like that, it's quite remarkable how affordable US retail prices appear in general, particularly compared to here. J.[/quote] Ric is a family owned business. No stockholders. It comes down to this, Mr. Hall can do whatever he pleases with that company. You may complain, but every single bass will be bought. The used ones, that have always either held their own or gone up in value will now continue to do so, at a greater rate. Everything goes up in manufacturing costs. If you want to keep the jobs in the U.S.A., you gonna have to pay. If you ship/move it overseas, (as with Ampeg) then many will complain about the quality, (or lack of) why did they do it, how come the prices aren't cheaper and such. I too was looking to get another RIC since I sold my Black 4003 for medical bills...I probably won't be able to afford a new one now, but that's life guys....sad and frustrating as it may be. EDIT; About 1 year ago, I was having an in depth discussion with someone who was connected with a bass manufacturer. This manufacturer sold their product for x amount of dollars to him. He then sold it to us, the customer. I was surprised at the retail price as compared to the distribution price. The manufacturer could of easily added a hundred dollars on his price, but did not. I was told that it was important for that manufacturer to get as many instruments into as many musicians hands as he could. I thought that was a VERY stand up attitude to have. They also recently raised their prices, but not anywhere near 40%. I will not guess as to why, but my OPINION is, the guy wants his instruments to be as affordable as he can make them. Hat's off to that manufacturer for that.

I often wonder how past bassits recorded the countless wounderfull songs, and music, without the bass tweeter....

[quote name='rodl2005' post='107440' date='Dec 21 2007, 03:10 AM']The SVT2PRO -as stated by DOOD had the 9 band graphic & drive & a few other more "modern' touches -like a GAIN knob & master vol. & most importantly has apparently a VERY different circuit...Not as simple- I'm NO tech BTW- So I could be wrong here... but I've heard..... it's a far simpler circuit, more similar to original SVT's of early '70's & similar to the NEW SVT-VR. I have compared the two-SVT2 & SVT2PRO..tho NOT in an A/B test at the same time. I played a SVT2PRO thru my BErgantino NV610 one afternoon & played MY SVT2 thru the NV610 later that night-BOTH in the same room, with the same bass. Just P.Bass into SVT2/SVT2PRO into Berg. NV610. MY results/findings were....... SVT2PRO was not as punchy as non pro SVT2 , was also- less clarity & less -hard to describe....but the SVT2 non pro seemed to be cleaner-showed more of the true colours of the P bass I was using. The SVT2PRO was a bit muddier(all controls flat) & seemed to be more "cluttered" I dunno how to describe it- As I say- PRO showed less of the personality ofthe bass. The SVT2- was/is.... superb-I liked it a LOT better than the 2PRO-MY opinion ONLY here tho- the controls work well, I admit tho in the 5 or so gigs I've done with it so far-I've not even used the Graphic EQ, OR the ultra Hi/LOW buttons. One LOUD gig we did, with NO F.O.H. PA support, I had the vol. on 4/10 & it was VERY loud So I won't be worrying about headroom. It sounds similar to my V4BH, [i][b]only BIGGER & thicker!![/b][/i] THICK is actually a good word to describe it's tone..& it SITS perfectly in the mix-right where the bass should be! If U wanna cut thru-EASY either just hit the mids up a bit, or dig in more. It makes our band sound REAL powerful & sounds SUPERB thru the NV610. I'll do a more comprehensive review after I've used the amp a bit more & played with the controls. At most so far the controls have ended up at the following after a gig:- VOL- 4/10, Bass 5/10, Mid 6/10 Mid Freq 4/5( 800Hz IIRC), Treb.-5/10...... so U see I've gotten a GREAT sound by not doin much at all!!!!!![/quote] I have been told this numerous times..... Great review.

Dino Monoxelos Global Ampeg Product Specialist LOUD Technologies Inc. [email protected] [email protected] www.ampeg.com Got to give this guy, (Dino) a well done. He has always returned my emails, helped with a defective circuit board, (which turned out to be a loose tolex) and is just an all around good guy.

[quote name='rodl2005' post='85234' date='Nov 8 2007, 08:21 AM'][attachment=3365:SVT2.jpg]WOW what a beast!!!! I've got a Fender Bassman 300PRO(300w all tube) amp, but after having my Ampeg V4BH, THE TONE outta this just made me hanker for the Ampeg sound. So I watched Ebay USA & AUS. found a good [b]SVT2[/b] in USA, got it FED-EX'd out to Tasmania, converted the 110V to 240V(thanx to my FANTASTIC tube tech-Hutch) & she's good to go!!! I've only tried it at home-& not at any volume yet But this weekend I've 2 gigs where I'll be able to crank it!!! Will give a full review after this!!!! ps... the pic is the one the seller placed on ebay- I can't get my camera going until after the weekend. Will post pics of my own then too! [/quote] Congrats mate!! Enjoy and give us a full review!! Jim

[quote name='King Tut' post='80092' date='Oct 27 2007, 11:48 AM']Can any one of you guys with a tone pump please draw me out a wiring diagram, as i have a tone pump knocking around in a drawer I'd like to make use of! Cheers[/quote] Would posting pictures of the wiring and the connections help you at all? My goodness, she's naked!!!

[quote name='The Funk' post='96128' date='Nov 29 2007, 01:28 PM'][url="http://www.ampeg.com/products/pro/svpcl/index.html"]<a href="http://www.ampeg.com/products/pro/svpcl/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.ampeg.com/products/pro/svpcl/index.html[/url]</a> The CL has 2 x 12AX7s and 2 x 12AU7s. The DI I have has 1 valve in it - can't remember if it's a 12AX7 or a 12AU7.[/quote] [i][b]The SVP-CL all-tube preamp is based on the preamp section of the ’70s era SVT tube head. The signal path through the (2)12AX7 and (2)12AU7 tubes accurately replicates the original 12DW7 tube design. The 5-position Ultra Low control allows you to fine-tune your tone in the range from 600Hz down, as shown below. [/b][/i] From the Ampeg site.

[quote name='Joshbasscana' post='106350' date='Dec 19 2007, 09:34 AM']Hey fellows, Im after a new valve bass head (or maybe SS) and im wanting to spend up to 700 notes max. I currently have a Warwick 5.1 Tubepath which I love to bits. I am wanting to split my signal and have the clean running to my warwick head and my effects running to another bass head. Can you recommend what I can look at getting? I've currently looked at another warwick 5.1, Ampeg SVT Pro3 but also some SS amps like GK 1001RB-II, Ampeg SVT 450H and some signature ashdown heads. I look forward to your advice! JBC[/quote] 700 notes is how much in American? I'd always go for SVT myself. Why go for copies, when you can get the original?

Voicing.....pre amps, power amps, cables...just about everything in the audio chain will have some kind of effect...as far as the difference that Dood was trying to convey, I believe that the word "Forward" may be useful. In my younger days of spending huge amounts of money on my home playback system, I noticed how Forward most, not all, s/s amps were. Bright is another word to describe this sound.....

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='105607' date='Dec 17 2007, 10:09 PM']I'm running 500 watts of MarkBass stuff usually (Mini 15 combo with 2x10 traveller on top, running at 4 ohms.) Usually I've only got the input volume at 9 o'clock & the output at 12 o'clock. This gives me masses of power with any of my active basses, but for smaller jobs, I use the MB 2x10 cab with an Ashdown Mag 300 head. Luckily, my guiarist in the rock band isn't stupidly loud with his 150w Line 6, so it's never a competition. I think it's down to common sense - I even use a 30w Roland Bass Cube for shows. No need for huge volume there! Just make sure we all use a setup that's apt for the job & place we're playing in.[/quote] You look like an interesting fella....got any recordings of you on your upright. PM me and I'll give you my email to send them to. Jim

I believe he plays Yamaha now. I think flea is a great bassist, but personally think his tone is much like him, lean. Just way to "Middy" for my taste.

[quote name='The Funk' post='105143' date='Dec 17 2007, 02:47 AM']The Ampeg B15N was great in the studio but always, always, always blew live. A 15W bass amp was just not powerful enough on stage.[/quote] Back when they were designed, at 25 tube watts, they held their own. [url="http://www.keithrosier.com/jess.asp"]http://www.keithrosier.com/jess.asp[/url]

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='104957' date='Dec 16 2007, 04:23 PM']IMO combos are almost valueless. Where portability is concerned sticking the head and speaker in the same box just makes for a heavier box. Where sound is concerned, in the effort to keep the overall box size and weight manageable they're even worse than separates vis-a-vis using too small a cab for the drivers within. As for flexibility, I'd rather a separate head and well engineered cabs, using as many or as few cabs as the gig requires so that I'm neither lugging too much gear to a small gig nor under-gunned at a large one. The only combo I'd consider is for personal practice, where output and tone aren't a consideration.[/quote] [i]"[b]Used on countless session dates over the years and revered as the greatest bass combo ever[/b], the warm tube sound is back in the new B15-R Portaflex which offers more power and flexibility than its 1960 predecessor. 100 watts RMS, vintage 15" speaker, half-power switch, three band EQ, input gain, 5 position mid frequency select, ultra high and ultra low boosts, XLR out with level control, pre/post select switch, impedance selector and removable dolly board with casters round out only some of B15-R's notable features"[/i] Yeah, those pesky bass combos.....

Never tried a Sterling. My Stingrays were a bit heavy when compared to my Spector, and my older Stingrays, (Pre EBMM) were 2 band eq, richer in tone as my old rehearsal and live recordings point out to me. I tend to play "scooped" so I never used the midband eq on my newer "rays anyway. Got to give EBMM credit. They are designing a LOT of different sounding/looking instruments.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='104773' date='Dec 15 2007, 09:21 PM']No, not really. If you want to know why, download WinISD Pro and look at how response and group delay vary with cab volume and tuning for a given woofer. Alex[/quote] Been there, done that...and computer programs are great...but Hearing and experience are what I am talking about. Everything has its limitations and strong points.

Got to update you here. I am already on my second set of these strings. The "e" string went dead after about 5 days and the rest have followed. D'Addario have an online Return Authorization form to fill out, so I have. I have put on my second set of strings and will await their reply. I only rehearse at home, a couple hours a day, and these strings did not fair well at all. They did sound wonderful for a couple days, but I am disappointed. I used the blue steels(different manufacturer) for years and never had a problem, but as I am not performing right now, can't see the expense. Will let you guys know if D'Addario replace these strings.

[url="http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ba600/210.html"]http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ba600/210.html[/url] [url="http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ba210/index.html"]http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ba210/index.html[/url] This one was a great amp!! The Ampeg BA600- 210 is what I am waiting for. Tremendous power with minimal weight and CASTERS in a small package. I have owned two BA 210's and they were a great amp. I used them for portability for small songwriting rehearsals. WAY overpowered for that and would be a great amp for a small club. I currently have an SVT CL and matching 810e Cabinet. Now for the wattage and speaker question. It's really very subjective and equipment matching orientated. A 500 watt head with a inefficient cabinet, will be blown away by a 100 watt head and a ported, 106 db, spl cabinet. Ported cabinets are very popular for this very reason, they are LOUD. But they are also BOOMY....sealed cabinets are "tighter" but don't get as loud, or quite as low as ported cabinets...usually requiring a more powerful amp...depending on how many speakers, sensitivity, etc. Tube amps have an inherent low "damping" factor, thus sound best with sealed cabinets. Thus the original SVT tube head with the Sealed cabinet, to control speaker movement better. I had a SVT 410 HLF, a ported cabinet, and used it with my SVT all tube head, and it was loud and boomy....sold it and got the sealed 810e cabinet and the sound is fantastic. So it's all subjective. What sounds good to YOU is the most important thing.

[quote name='Gazm' post='104493' date='Dec 14 2007, 08:18 PM']Only one, with two (possibly three) taps. Pete.[/quote] Pete, thank you...hence the answer to my question....McIntosh ARE professional power amps, Gratefull Dead toured with them for years and they are used for pa amplification....So now understand it as, a SINGAL AUTO(trans)former with multi pal taps...thanks...it's what I thought at first, and that's why I was surprised at Bills response.

[quote name='d-basser' post='103017' date='Dec 12 2007, 12:16 AM']where did you buy them from , sound like what i might need for my 6er[/quote] [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/DAddario-EXL170TP-Twin-Pack-Bass-Guitar-Strings?sku=100156"]http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/DAd...ings?sku=100156[/url] Hope this helps you. Jim

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='104456' date='Dec 14 2007, 06:59 PM']Autoformers are nothing new, they've been used for decades. They're only necessary if the impedance load is lower than the output stage can handle in a normal direct coupled configuration. While acting like transformers they have only one winding, so they are not preferred for use in audio, as there is no separation between a primary and secondary. Their advantage is that since they have only one winding they are cheaper to produce than a transformer.[/quote] Ahhh, you see I did not know that about them. So, an an amplifier that has say, three different outputs...say 2,4,8, ohms, has three Autoformers?

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='104387' date='Dec 14 2007, 04:53 PM']Once upon a time, before the invention of transistors capable of being direct coupled, all SS amps used output transformers. For the last 40 odd years direct coupled outputs have been preferred.[/quote] Autoformers All solid state power amplifier output circuits work best into what is called an optimum load. This optimum load may vary considerably from what a loudspeaker requires. In the case of more than one loudspeaker connected in parallel, the load to the power amplifier may drop to two ohms or even less. A power amplifier connected to a load that is lower than optimum, causes more output current to flow, which results in extra heat being generated in the power output stage. This increase in temperature will result in a reduced life expectancy for the amplifier. The Autoformer creates an ideal match between the power amplifier output stage and the loudspeaker. Refer to figure 15. There is absolutely no performance limitation with an Autoformer. Its frequency response exceeds that of the output circuit itself, and extends well beyond the audible range. Its distortion level is so low it is virtually impossible to measure. In the rare event of a power amplifier output circuit failure, the McIntosh Autoformer provides absolute protection from possible damage to your valuable loudspeakers. [url="http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/..%5Cdata%5Cmanuals%5CMC252om.pdf"]http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/..%5Cda...s%5CMC252om.pdf[/url] Thanks for your explanation Bill, but they are being used today by a leading Audio Company. This is where my initial experience came into play. These amps have /had a individual voltage under the output taps. I used a 4ohm speaker on the 8 ohm tap and then 4 ohm tap one day as an experiment. There was a significant volume difference. That's why I asked about the voltage question. Anyway, thank you for your explanation, and as usual, you cleared it up for me.

[quote name='tauzero' post='104319' date='Dec 14 2007, 02:45 PM']Um, no. Valve output stages use transformers, [i][b]unlike SS ones which are direct[/b][/i]. When you're powering something via a transformer, you get maximum power transfer when the impedance of the transformer is equal to that of the load (if the load impedance was higher, the amount of current flowing in the circuit would decrease, and if the load impedance was lower, it would have a reduced proportion of the voltage). So if you hook up a 2 ohm load to the 2 ohm tap, you'll get the same volume as if you hook up an 8 ohm load to the 8 ohm tap (assuming speakers of identical efficiency). An SS output stage is different - it is delivering a voltage swing which can be up to 0.6V away from the power supply rail voltage. The internal resistance of the amp is as low as possible, the voltage is a constant, so the lower the load impedance, the more volume you'll get. Due to the fact the amp does have some internal impedance, the available output voltage is split between the internal resistance and the load, so the lower the impedance of the load, the smaller the proportion of output voltage it will get, which is why an SS amp will deliver, say, 250W into 8 ohms and 350W into 4 ohms, rather than the 500W you might expect.[/quote] Don't want to argue. Mc'Intosh uses output transformers called, "audioformers" with s/s power amps. As I tried to restate and Mr. Fitzmaurice eloquently pointed out to me, (thank you) my basic post was trying to state that volume is derived from voltage. My apologies to anyone if my lack of knowledge/interpretation confused anyone.

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='103956' date='Dec 13 2007, 04:48 PM']It's always true. Ohm's Law. For a given wattage in order to alter either the current or voltage one must also alter the load impedance. For instance, 300 watts into 4 ohms is 34.6 volts at 8.7 amperes, period.[/quote] Ahh..thank you Bill...I did mis-state. Let me re-state. 300 watt amp with multipal taps on it. 2, 4, 8. Amplifier is claimed to deliver 300 watts into evey load, however, if you hook up the same load, say, 4 ohms, to the different taps, you get three different volume levels. Why? Three different Voltages delivered at those different outputs. Voltage = volume...so in the ohms law it would be best to have more voltage with less current....but then speaker control would suffer.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='102898' date='Dec 11 2007, 08:54 PM']Loads of stuff written about this on the forum already thanks to Messers Claber and Fitzmaurice. Basic gist is loudness is subjective depending on the sensitivity of your speakers, the number of speakers, the efficiency of the cabinet, the differences in how valve amps and solid state handle transients etc. [i][b]300w RMS is 300w RMS however.[/b][/i][/quote] Well, that's not necessarily true. 300 watts with a lot of current vs voltage, or 300 watts with a lot of voltage vs current. There is an audible difference.

[quote name='Bananaman' post='101090' date='Dec 7 2007, 07:37 PM']Just wondering how people tend to deal with the issue of amp sharing at gigs- for unsigned bands its usually expected that the bass amp will be provided by one band and shared with others. This never used to bother me, but having now got a very expensive ampeg valve amp setup (V4BH with SVT 410he) i'm a lot more protective than i was with a cheap combo. At a recent gig we played with a totally novice band and the bass player plugged into the passive input (turned out he had an active bass despite me asking him) & cranked the volume way higher than needed, overpowering the guitar. In the sound check alone one of the valves went fully red, rather than glowing slightly as they usually do. I had a word with him and he kept the volume down and plugged into the active input, but i still spent the entire gig worrying! What do you tend to do if you're expected to provide an amp for other bands? take a cheaper spare amp/insist other bands bring their own amp/lecture them fully on how to use it etc!? [i][b]I'm not that technical myself- what are the most important things to watch with valve amps- not turning them off or on without leaving on standby for a while etc.? Any advice would be allow me to fully lecture people correctly![/b][/i][/quote] I have owned SVT's for over 30 years on and off, and the most important thing I can say is...let them COOL before moving them about. I usually will give my head at least a couple minutes to warm up before switching on the high voltage....but after your finished and are on standby for a while....when you turn your V4B off...it's NOT READY to move...give it at LEAST 5-10 minutes to cool down. [url="http://www.tweakshop.com/Tube%20care.html"]http://www.tweakshop.com/Tube%20care.html[/url] As for sharing, I have only shared one time in over 30 years. Everyone always had their own gear. And they demanded to play their own rigs.