jammie17

[quote name='NJW' post='47269' date='Aug 19 2007, 01:53 AM']Hello hello. Just in from a gig, and the support band used my Ampeg 6x10 cab with their Ashdown bass head. In the soundcheck, I was just standing minding my own business when I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the top 2 speakers in my 6x10 were glowing a violent orange. I absolutely pat my shants and ran over and turned his head off. I then got him to play quietly and checked that both the speakers were functioning properly and sounding ok - which they were. He then told me that this was normal, and he has it all the time with his ampeg 8x10. He told me it is simply a 'level light' in the top of the cab. I've played about 160 shows with my cab and NEVER had this happen before. Did my cab just get buggered? I convinced him to play the show more quietly, and it didnt happen again... but this aint right, is it?[/quote] I had a 410hlf which is the same design, minus two tens, and never lit up the protection bulb....but that's what it's there for....and what do you expect from an ashdown bass head? .....(Ducking for cover).....good name for them, as I hear they burn up now and then....

[quote name='alexclaber' post='47396' date='Aug 19 2007, 01:58 PM']Definitely a tweeter protection lightbulb. JBL pioneered this and many bass cabs have it. I believe the bulbs are usually in series with the tweeter, after the L-pad and crossover. If you put too much treble through your cab then the bulb will light, absorb the power and eventually blow. If you turn the L-pad down then less power will hit the bulb and it will not light - however the L-pad will have to dissipate that power and it may blow - quite a common problem. If you don't use the tweeter, disconnect it completely to avoid this. An interesting thing about Acme cabs is that the protection circuitry (which used to be a bulb but is now a polyswitch which self-resets and doesn't blow permanently) protects the tweeter, midrange and L-pads. I gather that the increased resistance from the bulb in basic protection circuitry can lower the crossover point and cause more power to hit the bulb/tweeter and cause premature blowing of either - this was a problem with the earliest Acmes (Series I - replaced in '99) but the Series II cabs have impedance compensation which prevents this. I doubt many other cabs have this impedance compensation to prevent the crossover point shifting so although the bulb should protect your tweeter, it may not always. Aha! What happens when you try to push too much bottom through a rig? Your amp clips! And what happens when your amp clips? The amount of treble energy increases substantially - and there's the problem. When I first had my Acmes I had a less powerful amp and was still in the habit of boosting my lows (so unnecessary, there's a ton of bottom with the EQ flat) thus causing my amp to clip. I used to blow bulbs quite frequently at the end of gigs when we were rocking out really loud, often using distortion too. The light effects were cool, seeing bright rings of light round each woofer surround. I now have tons of power, and haven't blown a bulb in years. [i][b]All that guff we hear about 'underpowering' being dangerous for cabs and clipping being dangerous for woofers is such rubbish. The only risk is having too little power for your given situation, thus clipping your amp and blowing not your woofers but your tweeter! [/b][/i] Alex[/quote] Hmmmm...will disagree with you here...you can damage woofers and tweeters all sorts of ways....as for the Ampegs..they have a bulb in the tweeter circuit for protection... On the schematics (wiring diagram) for your 610hlf, here is a link that may be helpful to you.. [url="http://www.ampeg.com/support.html"]http://www.ampeg.com/support.html[/url] If you need further help, I have a friend who works in Ampeg. Please email me and I'm sure I could get more answers for you about your cabinet. Jim

[quote name='SJA' post='101771' date='Dec 9 2007, 04:19 PM']learning songs by ear, and from a chord chart, for me, in my limited experience outside of playing in bands. I'm very doubtful that anyone would tab out a part for you to play though- they might as well get a bass and play it themselves.[/quote] I'll make an admission here that took me years to admit to myself. I should of taken my instrument more seriously. Playing bass has been like a second appendenge to me. Just natural. I can listen to just about anything and learn it...I said just about...their are bassists out there that amaze me.....My regret is/was that I had to much fun playing the wannabe rock star, instead of playing my instrument. As I have been disabled for the last 3 plus years now, (stroke) and playing bass has actually been prescribed to me for therapy, I have gotten much better, cleaner and quicker. If I would of taken my gift more seriously when I was younger, who knows what could of happened. I played Rickenbacker's from the beginning, early 70's and actually could get our local music store to become dead quite when I would go in and try out new amps. I always had my Black Ric with me and I just had a natural feel from my heart when I played. I have probably played in reality, maybe 10 years out of the 35 that I have been playing. So to all of you guys out there that are starting or who are tired of practicing. Just keep doing it man....because it is it's own best reward. Now when I feel down or upset about things, I just go into my music room and play. Slap a bit and rip off some Chris Squire riffs.....or just discover what the bass really means ...not the wannabe rock star....not the man who wasted a lot of time, but the instrument that can just take your mind and soul away from everyday things for a while. Keep playing.....

[quote name='dood' post='102060' date='Dec 10 2007, 11:01 AM']Thanks Jim! Eventually I'd like to move to backline all from one company, and I have always loved Ampeg heads.. in as much as I sold my Ampeg gear, yet seem to come back to it. Never been tooo sure about the cabs though. The BXT seems, from reviews to be the most 'HiFi' in tone.. I don't mean 'flat response', more 'scooped' with sparkly highs and deep lows. Which I have found is my preferred sound. I always thought I wanted 'flat response' monitors.. but infact I just prefer 'uncoloured' ;o) That not to say that I could end up with a different head, to match my current cabs though!! - Or just lose interest and replace both.. as I seem to do.. [i][b]WHEN WILL I LEARN!!!!!![/b][/i][/quote] Never! That's the fun of it. I bought so many different combinations online, and exchanged them, at one point, I had 3 different total setups!! All Ampeg, and some Hartke stuff. I also always come back to Ampeg.

[quote name='jammie17' post='101986' date='Dec 10 2007, 02:30 AM']If I may, I'd like to add my review of D'Addario EXL170TP, Nickel Round Rounds, that I just got. I replaced Ernie Ball Super Slinkys of the same gauge with them. .045, .065, .080, .100. I got a "twin pack" for a couple dollars more than a pack of the Ernie Balls. The Slinkys have been a good set of strings, but the "e" string goes dead after a week or so. I play every day, for about 2 hours. The D'Addarios are a lil more stiff than the Ernie Balls, but the tone more than makes up for that. What I noticed the most is the "evenness" of the strings. They all have the same power or output, and the "a" string really cuts through now. A fuller, richer tone is noticed with these new strings as compared to the slinkys. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as if you are a slapper, I'd go for the Slinkys...they have a "tinny" tone to them. But if you want a full, rich, cutting tone, (and what bassist doesn't) then get the D'Addarios. As for the smooth or coarse issue, my fingers are so calloused, I could not tell the difference.[/quote]

If I may, I'd like to add my review of D'Addario EXL170TP, Nickel Round Rounds, that I just got. I replaced Ernie Ball Super Slinkys of the same gauge with them. .045, .065, .080, .100. I got a "twin pack" for a couple dollars more than a pack of the Ernie Balls. The Slinkys have been a good set of strings, but the "e" string goes dead after a week or so. I play every day, for about 2 hours. The D'Addarios are a lil more stiff than the Ernie Balls, but the tone more than makes up for that. What I noticed the most is the "evenness" of the strings. They all have the same power or output, and the "a" string really cuts through now. A fuller, richer tone is noticed with these new strings as compared to the slinkys. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as if you are a slapper, I'd go for the Slinkys...they have a "tinny" tone to them. But if you want a full, rich, cutting tone, (and what bassist doesn't) then get the D'Addarios. As for the smooth or coarse issue, my fingers are so calloused, I could not tell the difference. EDIT...I looked up my purchase date of the Ernies, and I had them on for about 1 month. So in reality, the "E" string did indeed last longer than one week.

[quote name='dood' post='101664' date='Dec 9 2007, 12:19 PM']Cheers Jammie, thats some useful information.[/quote] My pleasure Dood. I have owned a bunch of Ampeg gear in the last 3-4 years. All kinds of combinations. Glad I could help. Jim

[quote name='LeftySteve' post='101737' date='Dec 9 2007, 02:49 PM']Just wondering if anyone here has seen/heard/tried the new Ampeg BA600/BA300 combos, I cannot find too much on them on the net. Seems like an attractive package, 600w, 2 channels (one B-15 voiced, one modern) 1x15 or 2x10, 50lbs weight. Thoughts or experiences? Steve[/quote] As far as I know, they have not been released yet. They are expected to be at the beginning of the year. This is according to my source in Ampeg. Jim

[quote name='dood' post='101576' date='Dec 9 2007, 02:59 AM']Yeh, kinda makes me appreciate the Epifani 610 I own now, all the more! I guess its hard to ask any questions unless you have heard and used Ampeg SVX. Just wondering if the cab sounds at least similar to the sim. How do these cabs perform live? Most reviews have been very good.. one or two suggested they didnt have any b@lls .. but I found that hard to believe at 600W/1200W each.[/quote] I never used it in a live gig...used it in rehersal....it lacked the bottom end that my 410hlf had, but it was a punchier cabinet. The speakers were also a different design. Cast with bigger magnets vs stamped with 30 oz magnets for the 410hlf cabinet. Mine was 4ohms. I used it with the SVT 3 Pro. As far as the suggestion about [email protected] 600 watts is just what they can dissapate in heat...not really how loud they will play. The one thing I did not like about it was the 'carpet" covering. Just never got used to that, even back from my Hartke days. I had an SVT 2, with two Hartke 15's, rated at 200 watts rms each, and that system was one of the cleanest, loudest systems I had ever owned.

I was discussing the vintage SVT's a while back, and was amazed at the rather um...."outspoken" supporters that they have. Do any of you own a vintage SVT and how do they sound compared to the SVT CL? Or maybe the SVT VR? I have owned SVT's on and off all my life, from a mid 70's one to my current CL, and I can not remember any difference in tone/sound other than my CL seems to be a bit louder from my memory. Any thoughts or experiences?

[quote name='dood' post='101141' date='Dec 7 2007, 09:50 PM']Hey everyone! I have been using the VST plugin 'Ampeg SVX' for sometime.. it's great for recording with and it means I needn't drag all my gear around ;o) - I usually set it up so it is the equivalent of DI'ing my SVP valve preamp for my tone. (Using the SVT 4 sim with the cab turned off) . However recently I find myself going through all the patches and ending up selecting the BXT-410H cab sim, matched to the SVT4 head sim. So.. I am intrigued... has anyone got one? I'd love to find out what they sound like 'in reality'. Not to be mistaken with the SVT-410HLF Here's some info and pics.... An online shop: [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/12292/a/r/e/base"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/fl...2292/a/r/e/base[/url] The manual! [url="http://www.ampeg.com/manuals/BXT115HL410HL.pdf"]http://www.ampeg.com/manuals/BXT115HL410HL.pdf[/url][/quote] I owned it. What would you like to know?

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='57358' date='Sep 8 2007, 12:03 PM']Nothing new in that sort of behaviour in the branded forums. The Alembic, Rickenbacker, insert your brand 'here' etc etc etc forums are places where blasphemy and sacrilege cannot be tolerated.[/quote] No, Rickenbacker has always been cool. At least with me. They have admitted "dead spots" and even described them at length and have listened to their customers input and improved their basses. The new vintage switch, thinner neck profile and adjustable poles on their pickups for the 4003 series basses came from complaints about quiet "e" strings and other remarks. That company listens to their customers. And the year long wait and high resale shows the high quality of the instrument.

[quote name='Johngh' post='56831' date='Sep 7 2007, 08:24 AM']+1 Your not kidding. I posted a comment on the EB forum about this subject and thought I was going to get shot ! [/quote] You know, that never happens to anyone who posts there. And I have had numerous EBMM basses with dead spots. The maple fretboard ones were worse than the Rosewood. I don't remember a bass that I have owned that did not have a dead spot or "harmonic" issue somewhere on the neck. Just that some brands I have owned seemed to have more of them than others.

[quote name='far0n' post='84957' date='Nov 7 2007, 03:31 PM']Tried a friend of mine's Musicman Sub the other day and woah! Does that thing have some balls. So I thought I'd buy a Musicman, thing is I can't decide which to buy. I'm intrigued by the Bongo and Sterling but wondered if anyone had preferences/thoughts on the matter. Are they all variations on a theme ??[/quote] Stingrays have been known for a weak "G" string output. It's been said the "voicing" of the pre amp does this. I have owned many and did experience this phenomenon..I also owned a couple Bongos. Single pup and duel pup. If you can get past the Bongos looks, (toilet seat) etc, I highly suggest you get a used one...or new. It was an interesting bass and I preferred it over the Stingray. It's a newer, more modern design and takes some getting used too, but I loved the playability of mine. I have a Spector Euro LX now, and am completely happy with quality, playability, and tone, but to each his/her own. Jim

Had a lot of Stingrays. Great tone. I recently bought a Spector Euro LX. Best bass I have ever owned. Quality, tone, playability. It has it all. If you could play one, I highly suggest it. But in the end, YOU must like what YOU hear/play. Good luck to you. 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] I checked the website. It has changed. It used to have schematics of their different tone pumps as I remember. Try giving Spector a call.

Just sold this one. I've had my fill of 'rays. To many quality control issues. Bought a Spector Euro lx Natural, that just smokes the 'ray, IMHO. If you are looking for a BIG low end, I reccomed a Bongo, as the 'rays are a bit thin.

I owned two of them . Single pup and double pup. Playability was great. Same old dead spots that plague the Stingray, though not as many. Massive sound, but no warmth...you get all electronics....the neck is fast..but cheaply painted, (thin)....and the looks grow on you....I'll get another used single pup someday....but just for fun...it's an oddity bass.

[quote name='Oxblood' post='18531' date='Jun 15 2007, 07:10 PM']Hi Jammie, Just to clarify for those who may not know where you live: is that $549 or £549? I'm guessing dollars, but I have no idea about prices. [b]How about a picture of Kenai sitting next to it[/b]? Just for scale, you understand. It's not that I'm into dogs or anything. Oh no. [/quote] Kenai is no longer with us. He went back to the adoption agency....he kept on jumping up on my wife and nipping at her. Tore her shirt one day..and that was it. And, yes...dollars.

[quote name='Muppet' post='18408' date='Jun 15 2007, 03:49 PM']Interesting review there! I have the BA115HP which is effectively the 15" version of yours and the sound is great, although I find the horn a little hissy on full. I don't know if mine is made in China but I'm going to look when I get home. I use mine much the same as yours, when I can't be bothered to shift my SVT4PRO and 610HLF. It's still a heavy beast for what is effectively a small combo. I find that even for a solid state amp, a very good approximation of the classic Ampeg sound can still be dialled in although [b]I struggle with the input gain as there's no real level indicator nor any noticeable change in sound bar volume levels - what do you think?[/b][/quote] Good point. I play active basses...and the input (gain) control is very important to me...especialy with my Spector, as it runs a high output...I usualy play with the gain at or around 3...gives a good clear tone. And you are right. This lil amp has a well rounded tone to it. I have never heard the signal 15. I would bet it is a bit more full than mine.

Well, just got my new Ampeg BA210 amp. This one is the first "Made in China" Ampeg that I have owned. I have owned the exact same model previously, but a "Made in USA" unit. I see no difference in quality. See the pictures. I have an SVT CL/810 rig...but, it's not really portable... so I got this unit for its power..220 watts rms..and its relativly small size, albeit, heavy weight..86 lbs. The amp kicks AZZ...very powerfull and bassy for such a small unit. It is rear ported and has 2 10' speakers. Fully lined inside with absorbant material. The built in tuner is a plus also. Basic controls. Balenced line out for recording/live playing into the board. It sits right next to my SVT rig. Sound difference is..it's more "Boomie" than the SVT at the same volume...of course the SVT has a huge wall of sound..but the BA210 has a good output for what it is also. Very impressive amp. It has a horn and is controled by a volume pad on the back of the amp. Deffinetly gives my Spector some zing... I paid 549.00 brand new for this amp...and it's worth every penny to me. There has been some concern about Ampegs manufacturing going overseas....and if this is any indication...there is nothing to worry about. A solidly built, resonably priced, great performing amplifier.

[quote name='Josh' post='15383' date='Jun 11 2007, 12:02 AM']But they need quite a bit of taming![/quote] Yes they do...i've noticed.....but that is half the fun...such a nasty tone...I LIKE IT!!

[quote name='Dan_Nailed' post='15536' date='Jun 11 2007, 11:44 AM'][b]The Tonepump preamp is essentially a Spector version of the Aguilar OBP-1 and is 18V. There is one 9V battery in there but Spector use a voltage doubler to bring the headroom up to 18V[/b]. This shortens your battery life but seeing as a 9V lasts about 60 hours of playing time normally(if you don't leave your bass plugged in all the time) then it doesn't have much of an effect on lifespan, but the tone is well worth the trade off. I've got a Tonepump in my fretless and I leave the bass flat, but the treble seems voiced at exactly that 'zing' frequency of my strings. I generally just turn it up the older my strings get. When it's up to about 3/4 full I know it's time to change strings! This preamp gets a bad rep, especially on Talkbass, but I think it's great. My EMG BTS in my REX is more hi-fi sounding but my fretless seems a little more alive with the Tonepump. As for genres, you only have to look at how many different artists use Spectors to see what they can do. Doug Wimbish to Alex Webster, Sting to Nikki Sixx, it's pretty well covered.[/quote] I did not know this...thank you...explains the drastic output difference between the Stingray and the Spector. The low end between these two basses is just tremendous, with the 'Ray sounding full, but thinner than the Spector.

The model I chose, is the Euro 4 LX Natural Oil. Please see the pics of it's stunning looks as well as unsurpassed quality. Never have I purchased a bass, no matter what brand, that can compare with the flawless quality of this bass. Not one imperfection in its construction. The Bass has the Spector "Tone Pump" active pre amp, which works on a 9volt battery. The wiring is all point to point, hard wire, covered by a copper shield. Controls are, Volume, Volume, Treble, Bass. The first thing I noticed, is that I had to turn down my Gain significantly on my amp, as the output was much hotter than my 'Rays. Both use a 9 volt circuit, but the difference in output is stunning...to say the least. EDIT: I have just learned that Spector uses a voltage doubler in this pre amp. That explains the higher output. Playability is comparable to the 'Ray. They both have oiled/waxed necks, and they are very similar in this fashion...with a slight quickness going to the 'Ray. The 'Rays neck is broken in now as the Spector is brand new. This may have an effect in the future, but as it stands now, the 'Ray is a bit "easier" to play. I have stated before, that the 'Ray is one of the only basses that allows me to really play well, because it is such a joy to play. That has not changed. However, the Spectors, IMHO, more aggressive tone, makes it fun to play for the reason to just hear how nasty this bass can sound.The Spector neck is more "even" than the 'Ray. More like a Ric's neck. Dead spots and fret problems are a non issue with this bass. I lowered the action, threw on a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinkys, and the Spector sings. With the individual volume controls, you can easily dial in a "Blend" of the two pups. The neck pup add bass, but not an overwhelming warmth...the bridge pup adds a growl, similar to my Ric's. As I hear it, the Spector is like a beefed up Rickenbacker....with an attitude......while the 'Ray...aggressive as it may be....just does not have the same output and growl as the Spector. The tonal variations of the Spector seem unlimited....boosting bass and treble...Rickenbacker on Steroids tone.... cutting and blending the pups...a more Fender Jazz tone...play with the controls..and you can dial in a similar tone as the 'Ray....but only a 'Ray sounds like a 'Ray. Carved Solid Alder Body, a slice of walnut, and a Figured Maple Top. Can't beat that for a HUGE tone, from a smallish bodied bass. Weight is 8.5 lbs and the balance for a 35" scale bass is great. It does have a long neck...and the fret work and inlays, are, well, perfect. Some of you know how anal I can be about quality and I can't say it enough about this bass..... Quality..non issue..Spector has it hands down. No comparison between the 'Ray, or the Ric...IMHO. It is truly the first flawless bass I have ever owned. EDIT; I have just finished playing for hours..and the controls on the Spector are quite a bit different than the 'Ray. The 'Ray, has a greater treble boost, almost tinny, when compared to the Spector. My observations are, when playing each bass, set up with controls at full clockwise...the MM is very, VERY bright. The Spector is bright, but with a upper midrange bite to it. I would say, that the Spector has more output and power than the 'Ray...but the 'Ray has a greater presence in the top end. However, I play bass. Footnote; I had, or my wife had, the pleasure to order a pick guard from EBMM Customer Support, for my 'Ray, (which is a gift from my wife). From the email asking what part number to order, to delivery, (48hrs total), it was the most pleasant and efficient Customer Service she has ever received. Thank you Dan, at EBMM Customer Service.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='3006' date='May 20 2007, 05:29 PM']Why do people always assume valve = big fat sound? I've owned a Boogie 220 and a 400+ and you could cut glass with the tone from both of them (regardless of which bass I put in the front end). Yet I've had SS amps that have been silky smooth and buttery![/quote] I have heard that about mesa bass amps...hence I only own Ampeg. I have owned many s/s amps...you can use their headroom to boost the lows, to make up for the lack of natural tone that tubes emit. Hi end stereo also use tubes for their "realistic" tone. I used to have hot, mono tube amps for my home stereo...the sweetness and harmonic realism was frightning at times.....