Dan Dare
-
Posts
4,565 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Shop
Articles
Posts posted by Dan Dare
-
-
I'm always the slowest to pack up. I own/run the PA. I like to do so at my own pace, make sure everything goes in the right box/case, cables wound neatly, etc (OCD, dontcha know). I tell the others not to worry about helping me and to head off. I actually prefer it that way. I mean it and appreciate that, unlike me, some of them have to get up for work or family duties next day. So if he tells you it's OK, take him at his word and go.
-
3
-
-
If you like the instrument and intend to keep it, by all means put some money into upgrades. Be aware that you will never get the money you spend on improvements back. A HB is still a HB, Seymour Duncans or no.
Do you particularly dislike the pickups it has in it? If not, replacements will not magically transform it.
HBs and similar are budget instruments, built down to a price. The woodwork and finish is generally quite reasonable (it has to be or people wouldn't buy them), but economies are made on fittings, metalwork, electronics etc. By the time you've replaced pickups, tuners, pots and the like, you could have bought something better with the money that will have a higher resale value.
I appreciate it's difficult to sell on an instrument that was a gift. In your shoes, I'd use it as is and save for something better.
-
2
-
-
4 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:
The harm can come plugging into the cab with a 1/4" lead and briefly shorting the amp across the tip and shaft, much the same as dragging your lead out of your instrument with the gain up puts one across the preamp. POP. Dead short plus solid state for too long is very bad business.
Good point.
-
Another chancer who has scrubbed the Squier decal and serial from the headstock and stuck a Fender one on.
-
It's a good idea to use cable that is fat enough for the cable grip in the Speakon connector to hold it securely.
-
1
-
2
-
-
On 01/02/2024 at 07:00, Baloney Balderdash said:
Yeah, don't have the speaker disconnected while the amp is turned on, the output transformer won't like it, and you could potentially risk ruining the amp.
SS amps don't usually have output trannies. A very few hi-fi brands, such as McIntosh, do, but you shouldn't harm your Peavey by switching it on/powering it down without a speaker connected.
-
On 03/02/2024 at 19:05, BassmanPaul said:
Turn down the bass itself to avoid clipping. Nothing needs to be cranked full on for a recording. You could also just go Direct into a mixer channel.
Good advice. The input gain on your mixer is your friend. There's usually a switchable pad, too, as stated above. Line level is often marked on the input gain pot to give you a starting point when running line level signals in. If you use a DI box or DI out on an amp, the signal will be stepped down to mic level. DI box transformers are usually around 12:1 and many have switchable pads to attenuate the input signal further. You normally only need those for keyboards, unless you have an active instrument that gives a very hot signal.
On the mixer, you should start with the input gain at minimum, set the channel fader to unity/0db and switch in PFL for the channel. Bring up the input gain slowly and you can monitor the level on the meters. If the signal is too hot with the input gain at minimum, switch in the pad.
-
Value is always subjective. If someone likes/wants something, they will pay more. Generally, around half new retail appears to be the average when selling used gear. If mint, you may get a little more and desirable brands can go for higher prices, too (Barefaced cabs seem to command decent used prices, for example). Ditto vintage/rare.
A few people may jump on me for saying this, but many tend to over-estimate the value of what they own in the used market. It's often better to sell a rig as separate items, rather than complete. Time of year has an effect, too. This is traditionally not a good time to sell as everyone is recovering from paying off the massive Christmas credit card bills that landed at the end of last month.
Maybe put it on the 'Bay with a reserve and see if you get any interest as a starter for 10?
-
1
-
-
I put one in my '72 J bass. It certainly made it a little more versatile in terms of tones. However, I found I couldn't quite get that classic J sound (where you run the neck pickup on full and back off the bridge slightly) using it. It was close, but not quite there. The quality of construction was excellent and the solderless connections made it simple to fit (although the battery was a tight fit in the cavity with the preamp installed). In the end, I removed and sold it.
If you have just one instrument and want it to do everything, it could be useful.
-
1
-
-
On 06/02/2024 at 22:18, Bassybert said:
£100 for an 8x10 is a steal.
Not after you've factored in the cost of a Transit van to get it about with.
-
16 minutes ago, Newfoundfreedom said:
The description is almost as funny as the finish. Talk about verbal diarrhea.
This custom electric bass guitar boasts a burnt wood natural finish and a precision style. The solid sycamore body and long scale of 34 inches make it perfect for right-handed players seeking a high-quality instrument. With a 4-string configuration, rosewood fretboard, and 20 frets, this bass guitar delivers exceptional sound quality for both beginners and professionals. The neck is made of maple, adding durability and a polished look to the overall design.Crafted in the United Kingdom, this bass guitar is a must-have for any musician looking to take their talent to the next level. Whether you're performing live or recording in a studio, this instrument is sure to impress. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind custom bass guitar.
That's AI generated blurb. You can recognise if from the trite phrases - "whether you're a beginner, performer, etc", "sure to impress", "perfect for right handed players", "taking your talent to the next level" and so on. All the sort of tripe that non-musicians (the wallies who developed the AI spiel generator) believe musicians will be persuaded by.
-
3
-
-
Thanks for posting this. I've used a Sessionette 1x12 for many years for my electric fiddle. It doesn't have that baked in mid peak that so many guitar combos have, which clash horribly on a fiddle. It's nice for jazz guitar as well, probably for the same reason. It's been in need of a refurb for a while - pots getting crackly, etc - so you prompted me to get in touch with them. I emailed this morning and Stewart replied to me within the hour. Have booked it in for some TLC. He told me they are to stop making new amps shortly, but will continue to service/repair existing ones until 2029.
-
1
-
-
14 minutes ago, Bill Fitzmaurice said:
For that price as already mentioned used makes a lot more sense than new. Even if 12 channels pushes the budget envelope the saying 'buy once, cry once' applies.
I agree with you in principle, Bill, but £750 for a complete PA is a tall order here in the UK. Used is the only option. Any reasonable 12 ch mixer with decent eq (no point in buying something really basic, with just low and high eq - as you say, the mids are very much where the action is) is going to account for getting on for half the budget.
-
On 19/01/2024 at 11:08, neepheid said:
I've used wood veneer as a shim before. It's about 0.6mm thick IIRC. Also toneshim! Lovely bit of walnut in there, will totally change the tone of the bass, can't you hear it?
That additional air chamber created by the shim must have an effect, too 😁
-
2
-
-
J bass pickup locations have changed over the years, which also affects the sound.
-
30 minutes ago, Beedster said:
hi mate, hope all's well, nice to have a new band, result to have a good singer!
My tuppence worth. As is the case with amplification generally, it's a good time to buy the (tried & trusted) old, big and heavy PA gear, while in the used market the lightweight/smaller stuff can still be quite pricey. Unless you want to be doing this again in a year I'd also suggest getting more power than you think you need in case the bigger gigs do come in, or in case you find yourself playing in rowdy pubs (you can always turn a powerful PA down after all).
Having said the above, we play through a relatively small and lightweight Bose setup which we picked up used for not much more than the budget above (albeit without a mixer) and I'm always amazed by just how much it can pump out.
Good advice above. You don't have a lot of wriggle room with a £750 budget, so used is defo the way to go. The usual powered mixer/mixer and power amp plus two 10 or 12 + horn cabs on stands should get you going. You may get lucky and find something like Beedster's used Bose rig - plenty of people upgrade and sell off smaller gear, so it's very possible. if you do and it's a bit over budget, consider finding the extra money and getting it, because it will stand you in good stead. If you only need PA for vocals and perhaps kick, you can get a small mixer for not much money. Get at least 3 band eq - mid control is very useful for vocals.
I'd avoid large - 15 + horn - PA cabs. Bulky, heavy, awkward to transport and store and you need heavy duty stands for safety/stability. If you want more power later on, look at getting a sub to augment your existing stuff.
-
28 minutes ago, BigRedX said:
They all come off which gives me the chance to properly clean the fingerboard and the section of the body under the strings.
Same here. I use flats and change them once in a blue moon, so when change time comes, the board is normally well coated with dried on skin, sweat and gunk and needs a good scrub
-
Happy 70th. I was 70 last November.
1. Why you don't have any gigs?
I do, but only around 2 a month in the book at present.
2.Do you rely on an agent ?
Yes and no. There are a couple who offer me/us gigs - I play in a couple of bands, plus the odd gig as a dep' - and I or band members look for gigs, too..
3. Who finds coordinates and confirms gigs?
Band members, agent or me.
4. Are you or any band members in this for the money?
Yes and no. We/I are retired from our main jobs and reasonably comfortable, so don't need to earn from music. However, extra money is always nice to have, so, unless it's helping out a friend, family member or similar (say by playing at their birthday party, wedding and so on), we/I won't turn out for nowt. If travel involved, has to be decently paid.
5.How much do you want to gig?
Wouldn't want to do more than two, maybe three exceptionally, a week.
-
1
-
-
On 25/01/2024 at 21:12, Bill Fitzmaurice said:
The shiny face of MDF isn't glue friendly. You can make it better by opening the pores, but that takes time, time is money, and so it seldom gets done. Staples are great, I use them all the time, but only to hold parts in place while the adhesive sets. They're not structurally sound like screws.
It's even more fiddly/time consuming, but you can remove the screws once the adhesive has set, drill out the holes and push in tight fitting dowels coated with adhesive. Sand them flat once they have set in place. Handy if you want to profile the edges and don't want to risk ruining your router bit on the screws.
-
2
-
-
Would it be worth taking a day's holiday from work and going somewhere such as Bass Direct to try a range of gear? Go in the week when the shop is quiet and you can try stuff to your heart's content. I did that several years ago when I was not sure what upgrade route to take and found it very helpful. It was also costly because I bought an expensive new toy, but I haven't regretted it because I was able to compare quite extensively, so don't suffer from "What if I had bought X? Would it have been better?"
-
4
-
-
"Whether you're a seasoned musician or a collector, this rare piece is sure to impress". What better way to tell people "I'm a chancer who found this in a house clearance. I know nothing about musical instruments"?
-
1
-
-
£200 postage, too. I reckon someone's been told by the missus "I'm sick of these bloody basses cluttering up the place", so he's stuck it on the 'Bay at a silly price so he can tell her "I'm trying to sell it, dear. Honest. No takers as of yet, sadly".
-
3
-
-
1 hour ago, Downunderwonder said:
I dunno about that. In my case I had a p!ssant practice amp that did me no favours when it came to a set of drums being involved. My first real amp was top notch gear as I had some savings and an offer of a well paying gig. One of the open mic hosts needed a bassist and I was well aware I was needing firepower.
But you weren't a beginner if you were offered a well paying gig. Unless there isn't anyone else within a 100 mile radius of you who plays the bass...
Look, I get it. We all love quality gear (not going to be trashy and brag about what I use, but it isn't budget). It just seems patronising to imply someone is wasting their time unless they start out with a grand's worth of kit.
7 hours ago, Phil Starr said:The AER was just an example of something off the scale pricewise to illustrate the point and was in any case only mentioned on a You Tube video so nobody here is demonstrating their taste. The PJB is an example of something which would make a great practice amp but not a gigging amp. I also didn't jump to the conclusion that the OP might be hard up or that although new they were new to bass they might be an experienced musician on other instruments.
Being hard up isn't the only reason someone might balk at paying two grand for a small AER combo. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford one, but it wouldn't suit my needs, so I haven't got one.
It does happen quite a lot on here that, when someone asks for advice on starter gear, people leap in recommending Barefaced, AER, PJB and similar. It smacks of trying to appear clever. I also wonder how many who recommend such stuff actually own and use it, as opposed to repeating what they've read in reviews.
The best advice one can give anyone looking for their first rig is to visit a decent shop or two (or perhaps the home of a kindly bass player - several generous souls on here do offer that sometimes) and try stuff out.
-
1
-
-
5 hours ago, Phil Starr said:
Wellcome to BassChat. I'm guessing from your name you play guitar as well as bass so may have some experience? I think the first thing which would help us all to home in on suggestions is your budget. The AER Amp One in the video would solve all your problems but at £1939 is beyond most of our budgets.
No 2. on the list would be how you intend using your new amp. There are a few really nice sounding practice amps like the PJB's but they sacrifice sound levels for sound quality and if you intended jamming along with a drummer won't quite cut it. If you intend playing acoustic music something like that willbe really portable and room friendly at home.
No 3. Combo's are great, grab and go and nice and tidy with fewer leads and boxes to trip over if space is limited. Separate amps and speakers are a lot more flexible and the Micro amps like the Elf and Gnome are tiny enough to fit in a gig bag leaving your hands free to carry a speaker.
If you narrow it down a little then you'll get more relevant suggestions.
Someone else dropping expensive names such as AER and PJB. Why do this? Is it to demonstrate good taste and knowledge when it comes to gear? The request was pretty simple - a newcomer to playing the bass wants a nice-sounding bass practice amp/small portable amp for small venues. It doesn't need to be "narrowed down". It's complete as it is.
Nobody apart from the wealthy is going to buy pro-level stuff straight off the bat. Wealthy people do not ask for advice on forums such as this. They take the trusty gold card or, if they're old school, a wad of notes, to somewhere like Bass Direct or The Gallery (maybe even have someone else do it for them) and spend, spend, spend. There's no shame in recommending good honest budget gear.
-
3
-
1
-
Jam night mess-up
in General Discussion
Posted
This. It doesn't sound as if the other players at the jam were much cop, to put it bluntly. If it was really too loud to hear the drums when you were standing next to them, that's ridiculous.
If the people you are playing with are terrible, you have no chance of getting anything right. It will just drag you down to their level (lie down with the dog, get up with fleas). Jams are notorious for being like that. I've seen really good players drowned out and dragged down by ham-fisted idiots at jams. You can't play correctly if everyone else is blundering along and blasting the windows out.
Regardless of whether or not they're "encouraging", I'd be looking for somewhere else. Sure you made mistakes, but it doesn't sound as if you were the only one. You were just more honest about your shortcomings than they were. Forget it and move on to pastures new.