dave_bass5

With my old band we spent almost a year rehearsing once a week, until we started gigging. Then we stopped rehearsing as we were gigging almost every weekend. With my current band maybe once every two weeks, although have been having 4-6 week gaps due to the guitarists being away etc. Ironically, he said ages ago he thought we were gig ready, the recording of our first gig a few weeks ago says otherwise.Im not a perfectionist, but when the band gets together and someone keeps forgetting what they are supposed to play, or plays it in a sloppy way, i dont count that as 'gig ready'. i guess its all down to each member making the effort way from the studio or gigs. A band is only as good as the person who puts the least amount of effort in.

The Zoom boxes will give you this, and much more There is a B1-Four for sale on here for about £50 IIR.

Haha, i was just typing that maybe a cheap Zoom would be a temporary fix, as it will allow various effects to be tried out. I know they aren't exactly the same but they do seem to have the character of the pedal they are simulating.

At the moment I’m using a Helix Stomp. It offers me quite a few pre amps, along with all the effects I’ll ever need. Ironically I’m using it as a BDDI at the moment, because my BDDIv2 is my all time fav preamp. Ive also got a Q/strip that I never use these days, but it’s been sold and brought back, so I guess that’s a keeper now. I’d say it’s more EQ than preamp, but I have used it direct in to a power amp. Also very happy with my TC Electronics Spectradrive, although again, the Stomp has made that redundant as well.

Yeah, there are loads around, but I’m wondering if the more costly ones, like the Own Hammer IR’s, are worth it over the cheap, or free ones.

At the cheap end I’d add the TC electronics Spark Booster to the list. I find it to produce quite a natural open sort of tone, with a nice drive when pushed. The Joyo line have some good drive pedals as well.

Glad it helped. I felt the stock cable is stupidly short, even at home I find I have it quite taut, just going from under bed where the plug is to on top of the bed. So, IR’s. Ive just got my head around what they are, and how to use them. Any recommendations as to what to get? Ive got a few free ones, mostly based on Ampeg cabs, but I’m wondering if I should just get IR’s based on speakers. Actually I probably still don’t really have a clue about these, other than know where to put them and what they are supposed to be. Ive been looking at these ones, which seem to have a good rep https://www.ownhammer.com/tutorials/general/

I think I posted a while ago that I was finding the length of the PSU lead a bit short. I prefer to have all the power behind me, either on the wall or at the side of my rig. Anyway, I got this today and it works perfectly (so far). I might tape up the join and maybe strengthen the ends, but it’s going to make life a bit easier as I won’t have to run a mains extension lead just for the Stomp. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A9500XC/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

Always!!

Be prepared for time wasters. I placed an ad for my TCE head last night. It stated i had my eye on something, and pick up from me in central London. Later that evening i had a PM from a guy in Spain telling me he has a PJ head he will trade for my BH800 🙄

Cheers. Im hoping i wont, im just thinking ahead (:-) ......or maybe its just GAS lol. I do like the idea of the BB802 though, especially how you guys are describing the tone.

Cheers. Im definitely getting to like the sound of this amp. I dont need sparkle, although do like an open sounding top end. Ive got my first rehearsal with my new Fearless F112 this Thursday. Going to use my GK MB800. If i feel this is lacking or too coloured i think ill get a Quilter ordered.

Cheers guys, it sounds like I really should give it a go. I’m only looking to use it as a power amp, so I’ll probably never have a use for the EQ stage, but I do prefer the more conventional 802 over the 800, even though I can understand the 800’s EQ. i play with a pick and quite often find the G and D strings to sound a bit thinner, at the nut end. I’d love an amp that fattens them up a bit and I get the Ashdown reference. Once my BH800 has sold maybe I need to give the BB802 a go. Thnaks for the offer Jon. I’m not really close but appreciate the offer.

Ah, you lost me at Ashdown lol. I get what you mean though. Im going to look in to them anyway, but never a fan of the Ashdowns ive owned. Cheers.

Thanks. I was aware that they use their own power stage, and have seen mention of 'heft', but i see that in most threads. Im am definitely intrigued by this head, especially the BB802 (im aware of its 'failings') compared to the BB800.

Ive seen this amp mentioned quite a lot, and know, it’s got a good rep, but why would you buy this over something else? Is it the size? Just wondering what the advantage would be other than size over another 800watt head as it seems quite limited compared to some other heads at this price point.

Glad it’s still going well. Never really got on with its replacement, but you have to try eh.

Since getting my Helix Stomp my fav amp sim has been the GK800. Ive never played the real thing, but ironically I’m playing my Stomp through the power stage of my GK MB800. Very, very interested to see, or hear, how different the new heads sound to my MB800. I was going to potentially look at maybe getting a Darkglass head, but GK seems to be intertwined in my live sound already, so........

Ive finally found a use for the send/return block. Ive not been over the moon with the Stomp’s filters, much prefer my MXR filter, but can’t see the point (for me) of using that and the Stomp. My thinking was not about two boxes, but more foot switches to hit. I’m sure it’s all old hat to some, but I hadn’t realised I could leave the filter turned on, and control its on and off using a Stomp foot switch. Brilliant!!!! Ive learnt a lot today by watching Richie Castenello’s videos all day. Although he uses the full size Helix he has some great tips. Love his Band Geeks videos as well. Very talented bunch of musicians.

Very cool looking amps. I’d be tempted to go for the AO just for the colour alone lol.

It’s not always obvious. Ive had the same experience. One side of the stage on the breaker circuit, the other side normal. Unless you are told by the venue you can’t really tell until half the band disappear lol.

I don’t mind playing with a sound limiter, as it means we play at a sensible volume, not dictated by the drummer who has hardly any self control. Some have been a bit of a struggle, the one at Braxted Park in particular, but we have rarely trigged one. id prefer not to have them, but I have found that playing gigs with them seems to keep the ‘can you turn it down’ brigade at bay, especially in the clubs, and stops me having to keep saying it. As long as it’s not set too low. I expect I’m in the minority here but I would never turn a gig down just because of a sound meter, even though I know it’s one more thing to worry about. Sometimes worth talking to the kitchen staff and running a lead from there, as normally they aren’t on the same circuit, due to the fridges etc.

Well i sold my BB2 (which i found did lack mid punch, but i put that partly down to me playing with a pick) and got a Vanderkely 1x15. Couldnt have been happier.....until i got bored with it lol.

Agreed. Growing up we would look on those of the same age as us and doing covers as sell outs, but having played only covers for the past 20+ years i can see why people do enjoy it (other than the money of course). Ive never had lessons, but have learnt different styles of playing over the years, due to having to learn a wide variety of songs. Must admit id like to play some originals now, but dont have the time to write them.