Dood

16 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

It looks interesting, though I don't understand why Zoom continue to ignore 70% of the market by only catering for Apple, as they did with the MS-100BT.

How do you mean? The B2 Four and B6 both have Guitar Lab software for Mac and Windows and Windows audio drivers. I see that the hardware is compatible with IOS software such as mobile DAWs but no support for Android, which is understandable because..well, audio on Android, need say no more lol! 

Mac users will love ROOM by : https://gingeraudio.com

Amongst other features it allows you to run plugins at the end of the signal path outside of a DAW. For example room correction software or EQ you like to add to taste rather than part of the signal path within the DAW. 
 

Rabbit hole danger.. the Pure Vintage 63 is of interest!

7 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

My thoughts re the CS62 v the Original is that the CS has more in the low-mids whereas the Original has a spike in the hi-mids.

Thank you, that's interesting. My 76 P bass definitely has something 'chewy' going on in the lows with a real sweetness to the very top end. Hard to explain but my P bass with a GZR P in it seems to have a spike in the top end in comparison. 

On 02/03/2023 at 13:40, Boodang said:

In price order;

Zoom B1x - cheap, cheerful and good enough

Zoom B6 - even better

TC Electronic Plethora X5 - simpler operation, and tc's toneprints are fantastic

There's also a brand new B2 (like the B6) that has just been announced, though not available yet.

I love the TC pedals, the Zooms are all great for their respective price points. As the dollar starts to rise, of course we are in to Line 6 Helix territory starting with the Stomp pedal that is superb as well.

I've not tried the Boss pedals yet and brands such as Mooer, Donner and Nux appear to be bringing a few DSP pedals to market as well. 

2 hours ago, KK Jale said:

Here? Not exactly 'clean', I s'pose.

 

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-precision-custom-shop-62-pickup-vs-fender-precision-original-62-pickup-with-sound-samples.1257688/

Thank you for posting, I'v listened to this one a few times on big ole monitors. The differences with this set up are very subtle, I'd love to hear the dry stems minus the drums, but this does kinda suggest that in the mix there's less to worry about!

On 01/03/2023 at 18:58, kevham said:

Funnily enough, when I first took up bass guitar as a teenager, my first actual amp was a Marshall JCM800.

Oooh Washburn Force ABT (B10?) ! I bought a blue one just the same from a local awesome bassist who also ran a Marshall stack of this bass gear, but his was the JCM 800 bass range. Still, such a punchy sound! Why do I need one of those basses again!!

1 hour ago, Dood said:

I'd like to add a question to this topic as I'm yet to find a definite answer. I'm almost tempted to reach out to Fender and do the test myself:

 

I want to hear clean recordings of the CS62 and Pure Vintage 62 (otherwise known at the Original). I'm trying to identify the non-standard pickup in my 76 Precision and, although that's nigh on impossible visually I am trying to get close tonally for another bass of a very similar specification. 

I've sent Fender an email too.

I'd like to add a question to this topic as I'm yet to find a definite answer. I'm almost tempted to reach out to Fender and do the test myself:

I want to hear clean recordings of the CS62 and Pure Vintage 62 (otherwise known at the Original). I'm trying to identify the non-standard pickup in my 76 Precision and, although that's nigh on impossible visually I am trying to get close tonally for another bass of a very similar specification. 

33 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

Tonex.

 

Surely this pre is dead before it's even begun?

Funnily enough I have a ToneX on its way too. 

Stepping aside from Bergantino for a moment. I was only reading a comment from a facebooker yesterday saying they owned the Helix Stomp for a matter of days and had to send it back because it was way too complicated. Pedals such as Super Pre could (for many) bridge the gap between a fully featured analogue pedal and the multi-effects market. (especially the top tier processors such as Helix, Quad Cortex and the axe effects).

 Yes, I understand the price point versus ToneX, but then Bergantino are no mass-produced factory brand and neither are the likes of Overwater, Barefaced and Tech 21. With that comes an understanding of the costs involved that have to be passed on.

The preamp on B|Amp sounds awesome, it's brilliant, so Super Pre is going to make a lot of people's ears "smile" I am sure.

14 hours ago, Waddo Soqable said:

Just to be on the safe side.! 

This is the clamp end of my Shuker custom. I mentioned to Jon about the sharp string ends issue (I cut mine as close to the clamp as possible) and when my bass went back for its service and refinish a while back, he redesigned the headstock clamp to have a brass end cap. It has cut outs for each of the string ends and posts so that the cap fits on snug. The nut Allen key is of course the same size as the ones for the clamps themselves. All very neat and tidy!

I have one on the way right now for a full video review, (expect nothing less from me!) so, keep ya eyes peeled! 

One of my favourite things about the bass guitar is its close relation to the Cello in many ways. I love solo Cello and how parts translate to bass so well. I have to admit, having studied Suite No.II in Bm to death many years ago, I'm less familiar with this piece, time I created a playlist!

I'll create a new thread for this one  https://www.bassgearmag.com 

Issues from 50 onwards have been archived by GI it seems, so those magazine reviews are no longer available. The videos might still be on YouTube, but no guarantee. No fear though as I work for Bass Gear Magazine now, so if you want something reviewed? Just drop me a line!!!

@Gamble 

Ok, let me refresh the price. I've just checked closed listings on eBay and the 2Pre Clarett USB (not to be confused with either the Thunderbolt or Clarett+ versions) seems to have sold for between £220-£275.

Here's my searches

So with that in mind, I'll drop mine down to £225, the lower end of the spectrum for my lovely 'chatters! (Plus shipping or collect) 

Hartke’s cabinets (112) did indeed use a driver with two coils and a switch to select 8 or 4 ohms operation. It wasn’t a dummy or resistive load.

12 hours ago, wateroftyne said:

Re: my slightly vague ‘AccuSwitch’ reference earlier, this was a minor scandal about 20 years(!) ago, in which respected cab builder Accugroove added a mysterious sealed black box to their cabs which they claimed offered switchable impedance. It was swiftly identified as snake oil. A very strange move.

 

I’m sure @Bill Fitzmaurice remembers that one!

I do! I remember that well! 

Hello 'chatters!

I have a 5 string bass with individual monorail saddles. This is a secondhand bass and a rather fine little machine too it seems, but it has one little foible versus another of the same model. All of the saddle inserts (brass I guess) are all the same size, thus I can't lower the action far enough so that it is an optimal playing height but can also match the radius of the bass neck.

So, before I start grinding brass off the bottom of each saddle, has anyone found an outlet for replacements? I'm not sure who OEM'd these, they look like ABM.

+4 for cocktail sticks, I even surprised myself at how accurate I managed to install new tuners on a guitar a while back using this method. I trimmed the sticks after the glue had set with a Stanley knife flat to the wood. 

My very faithful and awesome Clarett 2Pre is up for sale. Since starting shooting review videos and doing recording from home I've needed more inputs. My original plan was to buy an OctoPre add-on for my 2Pre, but money has been really tight. I've managed to score a used second hand 4Pre for a reasonable price and sadly my as new 2Pre needs to go to pay for it. 

Ideally, I would love to keep it as it would go in my laptop bag for remote work, but I'm brassic.  

Very highly rated by trusted interface reviewer Julian Krause on YouTube

Full specifications below. 

Supports USB-C Bus power and frankly sounds superb. 

The new model seems to be coming in at £360 online, so £250 £225 seems reasonable for this? Shipping will be about £10 mainland UK, more for overseas. 

https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/product/clarett-2pre-usb/MOCL0006DM~MOCL0006DM

Features

Ultra-low noise (-128dB EIN) Clarett mic preamps, ultra-low distortion and up to 119dB dynamic range

Supports any Mac® or PC with USB 2.0 and above

Precision 24-bit/192kHz A-D and D-A conversion for the ideal signal path

Connects to Mac® or PC using the included standard USB and USB Type-C™ cables

Two mic/line/instrument inputs

ADAT input allowing for expansion of up to eight additional input channels

Gain Halo meters make it easy for you to set the input level

Two monitor outputs with anti-thump technology

Headphone output with volume control

Two additional line outputs

MIDI I/O

The two Air-enabled mic preamps can reproduce the sound of Focusrite’s original ISA mic preamp

Record with super-low latency through amp simulators and effects plug-ins

Focusrite Control: a user-friendly control software which enables you to configure your routing and monitor mixes from Mac®, PC, iPad®, iPhone® or iPod touch®

Accolades and Reviews

MusicTech Choice Award 9/10

"The Clarett USB range certainly brings that high-quality sound to those lacking Thunderbolt connectivity and also brings low-latency recording and the Air feature too." - MusicTech Review

"In a marketplace that’s crowded with small format USB audio interfaces, this one stands out in a couple of ways. The electronics are first class, it’s easy to use and the results are excellent." - Ask Audio

"The Clarett 2Pre USB is an interface that offers great features to  the recording guitarist. It’s functional, stable and fast, and it’s portable enough for live use." - Guitar Interactive Magazine Review

Specifications

24-bit / 192 kHz

10 inputs and 4 outputs

2 Clarett mic preamps with Air mode model and the classic ISA Micpreamp sound

Low noise (-128dB ON)

Up to 119 dB dynamic range

Switchable phantom power +48 V

2x mic / instrument / line input XLR / 1/4" jack combo

4x line output 6.3 mm jack

MIDI In / Out

ADAT input

Stereo headphone output 6.3 mm jack

USB

Desktop Case

Dimensions (W x H x D): 210 x 55 x 161 mm

Weight: 1.11 kg

Includes XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite Plug-in Collective and Ableton Live Lite, 2x USB cable (standard USB and USB Type-C) and power adapter

11 hours ago, Matt P said:

i've always bought from Watford Valves, just replaced all the valves in my little Laney LC15 guitar amp, went for the Harma Retro and they sound pretty good, close to the description on the website.

 

on a previous amp i went for the Cryo treated ones, no idea if they were better than the standard but the amp sounded very nice afterwards.

 

Matt

I've always used Watford Valves too and know (and really like) the Harma STR's. I've not had a chance to roll the Retros yet, but I will when I have a valve pre again! Derek (I think is the man behind the brand) has always been helpful.

Here's my answer to the 8x10 / 6x10 conundrum. I like the modular approach depending on the gig size but in a more compact form factor. Nice chunky cabinets. These aren't Neo though. 

6 hours ago, Tripehound said:

I shall wait for that with interest. Any idea when it will be published?

I'm afraid I don't, sorry, but as soon as I've done the review we'll have a better idea.