MoonBassAlpha

This thread is copied from the Repairs and Technical Issues section: Hi folks I'm repairing a Laney BC30 combo. It reproduces the input signal fine, but there is a constant volume static-like sound coming out of it all the time, punctuated fairly frequently by louder pops. My first thought was a dry joint somewhere so I went all over the usual suspects (output transistors, big caps, bridge rectifier) with an iron to reflow them - nothing doing. I removed the preamp input and bypassed the send-return with a patch lead - still the same. I'm now thinking it could be an odd failure mode with a cap across the supply rails, or a protection diode across the rails going "soft". There isn't an undue amount of mains hum either. Any comments? Cheers Jules

Hi folks I'm repairing a Laney BC30 combo. It reproduces the input signal fine, but there is a constant volume static-like sound coming out of it all the time, punctuated fairly frequently by louder pops. My first thought was a dry joint somewhere so I went all over the usual suspects (output transistors, big caps, bridge rectifier) with an iron to reflow them - nothing doing. I removed the preamp input and bypassed the send-return with a patch lead - still the same. I'm now thinking it could be an odd failure mode with a cap across the supply rails, or a protection diode across the rails going "soft". There isn't an undue amount of mains hum either. Any comments? Cheers Jules

I was chatting to Allan Holdsworth at the University of Sussex in about 1980, and he was using a Black Strat apparently made by Peter Cook. He wasn't all that happy with it. I wonder if he still has it? Sorry, not bass related!

I know we're all used to it as it is so familiar, but the scratch plate on Rics really irks me - It's ugly utilitarian shape and cheap (looking) plastic. The knobs they use are amongst my least favourite too. I think the rest of it looks super cool though, but I've never played one. People get nice sounds out of them too.

It looks great as it is! Leave it alone!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1028159' date='Nov 18 2010, 04:41 PM']The only bit in a cab that can be damaged by amp clipping is the tweeter/crossover, because they see the flat bit as high frequency, and they can't cope with that sort of power level.[/quote] Sorry, you're completely wrong there, you CAN blow the bass driver with clipping. My friend was enjoying playing with feedback into his Trace 1x15 quite loud and it sounded great, for a while....! Burned out voice coil. Of course the tweeter/xover can also go for a burton, if fitted!

Are you sure the rings were chromed and not bright polished aluminium? Caustic soda has ally for breakfast!

[quote name='goblin' post='1030009' date='Nov 19 2010, 11:45 PM']awesome, cheers for that [/quote] No probs. I put it on the scales an it weighs 8lbs exactly, I know folks like to know these things! I think it has some kind of water proof, or resistant lining too - "RokTex, our patented water-resistant material" apparently...

It's a good job I saw this - she hasn't wrapped it up yet! [attachment=64386:P1010698.JPG] [attachment=64387:P1010699.JPG] [attachment=64389:P1010700.JPG] [attachment=64390:P1010703.JPG] [attachment=64388:P1010701.JPG] Sorry bout the images, poor light 'n all and a real hurry - gig tonight!, but should give you the idea. Cheers Jules

[quote name='risingson' post='1022506' date='Nov 13 2010, 03:02 PM'][font="Arial Black"]Presumably this article is a joke?[/font] The effect of lacquer to the sonic properties of an instrument will be so, so minimal. Honestly, this guy would have better spent his time doing the big shop at Tesco rather than writing this article. Some people concern themselves more with the formulas on good tone rather than being a great player with a good instrument, it baffles me.[/quote] He's a German, and an audiophile. The chances of it being a joke are miniscule!

No worries. Tell him Jules sent you (Julian Moss) Best of luck with it.

The Shuttle 3.0 (no fan) doesn't got hot. A bit warm, that's all.

Hey Goblin Thanks for the link to the Thomann Warwick bags! My Mrs. has just bagged (sorry!) me one for xmas. It arrived today and looks the absolute b*llocks! It's got loads of storage to organise all your bits - pens, music, picks, duster, you get the picture. Great padding too. I'd say it is a total bargain, and I'm really looking forward to Xmas this year - it's a cracker! (sorry again!)

I was loaning a guy my Compact at a gig last friday, they had asked me beforehand (that evening!) and I was cool with it. When he came to set up, he plugged his Ashdown in, and...... Nothing! So I leant my Shuttle 3.0 as well, didn't give it a 2nd thought, I was more than happy to help. He was driving it into the limiter the whole set and it didn't miss a beat, in fact it wasn't even all that hot at the end. I'd hope someone would help me out in the same way if that ever happened to me. The oxford scene is pretty good like that. That's all. Jules

You could try [url="http://www.stevekendallguitars.co.uk/"]Steve Kendall[/url] He's a nice guy and reasonable rates - worth a try.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='1020411' date='Nov 11 2010, 05:14 PM']I'd just love to know what alternative materials this guy uses for frets, truss rod (!) and so on. That does raise an interesting issue- Is it possible to make a bass that is totally devoid of metal? That might be one for someone to try when they've got some (considerable) time to kill. I wonder how it migh sound (apart from likely being fretless, of course)[/quote] A double bass would fit this criterion. I've heard they can sound quite nice.

You've never seen the adjustable "string" frets they use on some lutes?

Thanks, this is what I was hoping to find out. From other people who had done similar, and that it doesn't make a discernable difference. With basses. It's a good job we're not talking about acoustic guitars or violins.... (only kidding! )

[quote name='silddx' post='1020056' date='Nov 11 2010, 01:55 PM']Hello mate, Your first point. No bass amp and cab is really HiFi. And none of us listens to music on the same kit he listens to his on, or monitors his recordings on. Second point. The only way to tell is with the same bass, painted, then stripped and compared using lab conditions. The cut of wood on a different bass will make more difference to the timbre of the instrument than the finish, or lack of finish, will in most cases.[/quote] That's why I put the last line in my previous post.

[quote name='silddx' post='1019989' date='Nov 11 2010, 01:07 PM']And I don't see any evidence of before-and-after sound clips [/quote] Seeing as he's an ultra hi-fi boff it doesn't surprise me there's no sound clips on his site , think about it! What would you be listening to those "sound clips" on? Though I would agree, if the difference were that noticable, you might hear it on any old p.o.s. But back to the original point, what I was trying to get at, without explicitly asking, was if anyone has two similar models of bass, one of which had been stripped, and noticed an appreciable difference. Or even a bass that had been stripped and sounded (better, different, worse)?