Balcro

Signed, sealed, delivered, - Stevie Wonder. It's taken weeks. I now need to get the hips and knees in with the groove. Before that "Sweet Home Alabama". Much easier, but they've both brought a smile to my face. Balcro

Bassers, don't give up and keep your musical friends around you. It could be you. [url="http://unofficialacousticcontrolcorpmessageboard.yuku.com/topic/2197/t/A-wonderful-story.html"]http://unofficialacousticcontrolcorpmessag...rful-story.html[/url] Balcro.

Hi Cameltoe, Not a huge choice out there if you're thinking of new. Ashdown Electric Blue 12, Behringer or Laney RB4. The EB12 has 180w and (maybe) an extension speaker socket, while the Laney has 160w and (definitely) has an extension speaker socket. Secondhand, I like "escholls" advice. You could run that in 4th gear (and it may have an extension speaker socket as well). Nice. Balcro.

[quote name='cameltoe' post='428525' date='Mar 8 2009, 12:37 PM']Played a really small pub last night, ridiculously small. Was tucked away into a tiny corner, most of which was taken up by the drums and my Hartke vx3500 combo. The Hartke combo is a really good amp, like it alot, but it's just too damn big for these small gigs! It's the only amp I have, and to be honest, with a few more of these small-ish pub gigs to come (all the pubs down here in Cornwall are quite pokey) I could maybe do with another combo specifically for the more 'intimate' venues! My price range isn't that great- £200 ish tops, but I have seen a couple of small combo's for under that price. Not only do I need it to be reliable with good tone, but it also has to be LOUD enough to cut through a whole band! I remember trying a 100w Ampeg amp last year, and it was nowhere near powerful enough for what I needed. I was looking at the Ashdown Five 15, at around £155, but the reviews on Harmony Central aren't exactly reassuring, with people saying it sounded bad and distorted anywhere past 6 on the volume. Any suggestions on other models, or any more info on the Ashdown Five 15 would be great. Cheers![/quote] I play the 100w version of the Ashdown 5-15 and it's capable of a fair bit of loudness, but if you say you've used a 100w Ampeg and that wasn't enough then I would aim for more a few more watts and or 2 drive units. You'll probably find that most of the Harmony Central reviews are old and some refer to the earlier 65w incarnation of the 5-15, so they're not the best guide. I'll be back. Balcro.

[quote name='neepheid' post='423229' date='Mar 2 2009, 02:21 PM']I can only speak for myself here but I have worked behind a bar in a live music venue with earplugs in and had little trouble hearing customers. It's no more difficult with plugs in as it is with them out - the attenuation applied by the plugs applies universally, you hear everything the same as you would, only quieter. The customer's voice is drowned out to the same degree by the music with or without plugs. You still have to lean over the bar and cup your hand to your ear. You may well have a different experience from your times behind a bar and I respect that, but I don't take kindly to a blanket declaration of something being "mad" when I for one have found it beneficial and have the experience which backs that up.[/quote] Hi neepheid, I intended that to read as "mad" from the management point of view. Perhaps I should rephrase the original to say "[u]on its own[/u], simply telling the staff to use ear plugs, is not the best solution". If the ear plugs worked for you, great. I haven't worked behind a bar, but I have been party to framing a noise control policy in a club after the bar staff, not the management, rejected the idea of using ear plugs. Balcro.

[quote name='andrewrx7' post='422913' date='Mar 2 2009, 09:34 AM']I remember reading about sound limits a while ago on this forum, but we had our first experience of it on Sat night. Just getting set up, when the manager comes along and says you have to move one of the PA speaker as it is pointing towards the bar. Apparently, new regs last year state that noise behind the bar cannot exceed 80dB. Health & Safety at work and all that…..apparently he has been checked up on a few times to! On top of that, the police were hanging around all night, and gave him a couple of nods to keep the noise down. (Just to say we are not an overly loud band, by the way!). What a ridiculous situation. I can understand the point about the barstaff – that makes sense and personally I would not argue against it – but live music venues should really put a bit more thought into how to position a band, and not just “shove in the corner” attitude. What was pretty stupid on Sat night as we were loading back up at 12.30am, was that opposite us was a students residence apparently – clearly a party (or parties) were going on – loud music, shouting etc….and next to that, was a night club – pounding bass etc……so why pick on the pub? Bet the police and environmental health weren’t hounding the students and the night club “to turn it down”, were they! I would guess that if the 80dB level behind the bar is actively enforced, then there will be a fair few places simply giving up live music.[/quote] The manager completely misunderstands the law, even as it's written. [u]There is NO H&S law[/u] stating the noise behind the bar cannot exceed 80dB(a). A packed modern pub probably exceeds 80dB without musical eneterainment. It's completely bonkers. 80dB is known as "the first action level". That's the point at which the management of the premises/pub/venue etc., has to carry out an assessment. Nothing more. It doesn't even apply until they get 80dB continuous for 40 hours a week!!! Once they've carried out the assessment, they only have to decide if there is anything that should be done. (They could do what's in the next paragraph). At the 80dB stage they do not even have to supply PPE. It's mad giving bar staff ear-plugs. They have enough trouble hearing customers in a packed pub anyway, without someone sticking a foam plug in their ears to make life more difficult. They can't all lip read. The simplest answer is to rotate the staff, so that they get a comfort/noise break, perhaps every hour and go to a quiet place in the building for 10-15 minutes and or go and do other work elsewhere in the pub. Balcro.

[quote name='Marcus' post='421491' date='Feb 28 2009, 06:57 AM']I was so bored with their performance I managed to notice that Adam Claypool is now using Aguilar (Looked like a DB750 with a DB410 15) How's he get such a crap sound with such nice gear ?!?!?[/quote] I think the whole studio sound is so compressed to make it broadcastable. Oh, and to let Bono stand out even more, even if he has to end up lying across a few laps. Pathetic. Boring wall of sound songs: I turned the sound down so as not to disturb the cat. PS. Did I see David Eden gear in the Edge's rack. Balcro

[quote name='silddx' post='417054' date='Feb 22 2009, 11:38 PM']Just doing that typical YT thing where you play along with a number. These two are from the band I play with. I'm torn between the sounds, one seems nicer than the other but I'm not sure it's the one I wanted it to be. Cheers. Nigel [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xksbBRBxpIc&feature=channel_page"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xksbBRBxpIc...re=channel_page[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jp1OmuNNo8&feature=channel_page"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jp1OmuNNo8...re=channel_page[/url][/quote] Hi there, I guess it depends on what you want to do with the sounds. The former, "B1 to Krupa" sounds restrained and tight, for want of a better description. The second sounds more like an EU/double bass tone with more "boom" and overhang. Go for the second, well once in a while, because to my old ears that style of music always seems to have the the tone of the first clip with the white bass. Balcro.

[quote name='henry norton' post='415071' date='Feb 20 2009, 10:28 AM']Saw this on Ebay yesterday - I know it's not a 360 but it looks in really good nik. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150326938254&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005"]Acoustic Rig[/url] Surely something of a collectors item these days.[/quote] Mmm. Looks tasty. A 2x15 with central slot port. Full of Acoustic thud. Heavy, but then you don't buy an Acoustic to sell it do you. Check out the french Acoustic enthusiast site: - [url="http://acoustic.control.free.fr/"]http://acoustic.control.free.fr/[/url] Balcro.

[quote name='Matte_black' post='407583' date='Feb 12 2009, 01:45 PM']Hello! As you probably know I'm a bass builder and I'm building my own cabs too. It would be very interesting for me to know what dimensions you would prefer for an enclosures. Example: some would prefer a cab as wide as their rack. Some would prefer a taller box... it's a matter of taste, needs and dimensions of your car, I guess :lol: Please feel free to reply to this topic as all the options will be kept in considerations.[/quote] As "benwhite uk" says, keep the footprint down, not of course ignoring the considerations of rack mounts, drive unit size, general stability and ease of transport. A taller cab will bring the drive units higher up and you should be able to hear yourselves better, especially if stacked, rather than the sound blasting past your knees. Balcro

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='407312' date='Feb 12 2009, 09:20 AM']A simple question. Musically he really does it for me, a whole range of his stuff that I find subtle, musically tight, and appropriate. It grabs my soul. Then again I love jazz. I get a feeling that even among bassists I'm in the minority. Yes I know some of you think he's clever, moved the goalposts etc but that's not the question. Musically does his stuff 'move you'? Satisfy my curiosity :) Yay or Nay? Peter[/quote] Nay. Balcro

[quote name='Leowasright' post='404685' date='Feb 9 2009, 07:35 PM']Anyone have general arrangement drawings of the 361's folded horn arrangement? Dimensions of the cab would be good, but at a guess it's probably 1200ish high, 650mm wide, and 500mm deep front to back? If I remember what I previously read correctly, the speaker is at the bottom, facing backwards and up into the horn chamber???? This is the sort of thing that gets built in the shed, just for the hell of it....[/quote] G' morning all. Talking of schematics, this link might prove interesting at least from an academic point of view. The design is probably still subject to copyright. [url="http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/bin/view/Acoustic/BassCabinet301"]http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/bin/vie.../BassCabinet301[/url] The cabinet itself can probably be easily dupicated, but matching it properly to any current loudspeakers will be impossible, because no one alive seems to know the spec of the original loudspeaker. Not even Cerwin-Vega. Unless of course those speakers in the coffee shop are the jewels in the crown! Balcro.

[quote name='Leowasright' post='402220' date='Feb 6 2009, 05:54 PM']I've never seen one out there. I have to presume some measure of rarity on this old rig?[/quote] Now see what happens when people talk Acoustic 360/361. Two people race each other to get one!! Look up some of the on-line reviews. One guy in the States, said "If anyone tries to steal it off you, shoot to kill". Another said he loved it so much he wanted to be buried alongside it!!! No need to worry, you've only got about 2 months to wait, and ............................. Mains transformers at the ready. Balcro.

[quote name='Leowasright' post='402220' date='Feb 6 2009, 05:54 PM']I'm kind of amp oriented today, due to buying a new Hartke 3500 head, and getting my old Fender Bassman 100 head back tomorrow. Pastorious was fairly famous for using and Acoustic 360 preamp with at least one 361 powered speaker cab. I believe JP Jones also used used them with Led Zeppelin in the early 70's. It was a curious arrangement, with the 360 "head " being a preamp driving a power amp (200W I believe, quite high powered for the late 60's) in the 361 speaker cab. Very forward looking, indirectly, as powered speakers are very common these days for PA. I've never seen one out there. I have to presume some measure of rarity on this old rig?[/quote] They are a rarity in this country. Even in the US because of the demise of Acoustic in the early 80's, they are few and far between. However there is an enthusiastic community in the US, see this link - [url="http://unofficialacousticcontrolcorpmessageboard.yuku.com/"]http://unofficialacousticcontrolcorpmessageboard.yuku.com/[/url] for some intersting enquiries and maybe some exciting news. The brand is now owned by "Guitar Center". The 360/361 is the stuff of legend. The biggest set up I ever saw was Slade in the 70's with 4 360's all lined up in a curve. Awesome power. The amp was solid state/transistor, not valve as was the norm - probably one of the very first of its type. Balcro.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='401936' date='Feb 6 2009, 12:39 PM']Some flats dont like through body stringing though but the TI Jazz Flats I use have been OK so far.[/quote] +1 to the above. Other enquiries about through-body stringing, including my own, suggest that only TI Flats can cope. All the other flats are unlikely to last long and some may not even mount before failing. Balcro.

I'm glad the operation went well. All the best for a full recovery. Balcro.

The best for me is Christian McBride. It's clean and understated. Readily accessible to people like me who aren't into what I call deep jazz. Stanley Clarke seemed initially to be playing games with the drummer. Maybe it's an ego thing. Oh well. One question for you jazzers out there. Why do bassists (in particular) seem so reticent to come out and play when it's time for their solos. I know there's got to be a leader somewhere, and it's not the light & shade of the piece, but when Joshua Redman stopped blasting away, in stepped Christian McBride and carried on playing at the same volume as when he was in the background. If I had that ability I'd want to stand up and be heard too. Is it just a case of the manager and the managed or just a jazz tradition? I have 3 Ray Brown albums downstairs and even as a leader he seems to do the same thing. I have to keep reaching for the volume control. Yea, nice bass grooves in general, but jazz bass is so frustrating. Let your groove be heard. Balcro.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='395329' date='Jan 30 2009, 12:28 PM']Or at least sufficient amp headroom for your needs that the power supply is effectively over-rated. Alex.[/quote] Exactly. Balcro

Ditch the front grille - 1. It will only cause whooshing noises from the air movement across it. 2. It adds to the weight. 3. In time it will rattle unless you add extra complexity to the mountings. Do the Thiele-Small calculations. Sticks neck out: - The heart of a good amp is an over-rated, but controlled power supply. Balcro.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='394847' date='Jan 29 2009, 07:36 PM']It seemed like a good idea at the time and now I am thinking... :unsure: :blink: :o [url="http://www.equinoxpub.com/books/showbook.asp?bkid=395"]http://www.equinoxpub.com/books/showbook.asp?bkid=395[/url] Wish me luck; I'm going in! :lol:[/quote] Good on yer Bilbo. Is it going to be submitted to the jazz critics in the posh papers? Balcro.

[quote name='RayFW' post='391380' date='Jan 26 2009, 01:31 AM']My left wrist (fretting hand) makes a clicking noise when I move it sometimes. I only noticed it when someone pointed it out to me whilst setting up a laptop in a meeting so it could have been like this for ages and I've never noticed. I have no pain and no swelling but I did break my wrist twice in the space of 8 weeks as a kid (dozy bugger I know!) My job entails a hell of a lot of typing so I wonder whether that may be contributing. I guess a trip to the docs is the best course of action but just wondered if anyone else had anything similar and whether I should be worrying (especially as I've just taken up EUB)[/quote] Serious response. If you haven't heard it, are your ears OK? Balcro.

[quote name='sifi2112' post='389240' date='Jan 23 2009, 06:49 AM']Thanks for all the advice .. but just how does Bergantino do it with his NV series ? I heard only fab reports/reviews, these are sealed & I don't Mark Bass do a CL range (again sealed) ? .. so do they make their own ? I'm gonna get a new all valve head (Eden E300T) & want a suitable cab but might just have to 'bite the bullet' & cough up for a 'real' cab ! lol Simon[/quote] I'd say "bite the bullet" and or do it properly. If you're going to spend loads of money on an all-valve head, why make such compromises on the speakers. You're "spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar". Why not try some second-hand cabs in the for-sale section. Balcro.

Judging by your pictures, he/she is a lefty! Once they're on it, whatever it is, it retains their smell. It's theirs. Smell is 9 tenths of the law! Balcro.

[quote name='basswesty' post='385932' date='Jan 20 2009, 12:28 PM']I presume you mean off? Unfortunately I can't, Might get that modified though...[/quote] You presume correctly. Sorry. Balcro.

[quote name='basswesty' post='385781' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:47 AM']I currently use an Ashdown MK 500 and two custom built cabs, 4x10 and 1x15 (eminence speakers) both with HFH. I think it sounds very good but I am looking to change to something warmer sounding and lighter. I see a lot of you are users of Mark Bass gear and I cannot find anything negative about them. Would I benefit from just changing the head unit or is the 2x10 combo any good? And what could I expect in terms of sound. I only use passive basses now and like lots of warmth. Your help & thoughts please before I part with cash... :blink:[/quote] There's always someone to muddy the water, This time it could be me. For the moment, ignoring the need for lightness, are you able/have you tried turning the HFH's in one or more of the custom cabs? Balcro.