Beer of the Bass

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1386692485' post='2303155'] I see that these are up to his usual standard. [/quote] Dare I ask?

I'm not sure, but is that seller Henry Norton on here? He was certainly working on some Bi-Sonic type pickups, and using the name NuSonic.

I'm around and not very busy between Christmas and Hogmanay, so I'm sure we could arrange some sort of handover before McNach's gig on the 30th, mine on the 3rd, then onwards...

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1386671806' post='2302787'] Wow... I'm usually a custom man but that looks fantastic... [/quote] Yes, I'm not usually a fan of Wals in the cosmetic sense (though I can think of at least half a dozen players who sound great with them) but this green one I am rather covetous of...

I had one of the EY80EH archtops in the late 90's. The guitar itself was OK for the price and sounded quite good, but the humbucker was kind of dull and unexciting. Certainly, it was a night and day difference when I got hold of a used Seymour Duncan Jazz humbucker and swapped it over.

Thuya burr does get used as a top wood on some "coffee table" basses. I'm sure I've seen it used by Sei...

I'm in Edinburgh but I'm not gigging with Jen and the Gents until the 3rd of January. If that fits then I'd be up for it.

I've always rather fancied one, but fortunately I don't have to go through the same thought process as the OP as I can't afford one anyway! Although at some point if I have space to do woodworking, I like the idea of building a Ric-style five string, copying the bits I like and leaving the rest out...

A few years ago I had one of the early MAG combos, the 1x12" tiltback version. Being a small un-ported box, the deep switch helped to counter the lean bass response of the cab, so I used to use it all the time. This turned out to be a problem, as the DI out was post EQ, and I didn't realise I was sending something to the FOH which sounded like a dub record, when the sound I actually wanted was much more neutral. I did this for ages until I heard recordings straight from the board from a couple of gigs and realised what was going on...

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1386442997' post='2300262'] I have had the thought more than once that there would be money to be made from a Peace Camp-themed holiday park , where disgruntled liberals of various persuasions could go ( for a fee, of course) for a week or two to get whatever injustices are currently making their blood boil off their chests. The evening entertainment put on by the staff of the camp would be like a period-correct benefit concert, with out-of -work actors playing the part of Paul Weller , UB40 and Bronski Beat. Instead of bringing spending money , holidaymakers would be given a Giro when they arrived at the beggining of the week that they could cash at a fake post office, and then they would have to make that money last the whole two weeks of the holiday. We would then sell them lentils and Findus Crispy Pancakes at exhorbitant prices. The possibilities are almost endless. [/quote] Do we get a bottle of Merrydown and a dog on a string? In that case count me in!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1386429339' post='2300016'] This one is great, she plays fantastically well for a chick. [/quote] Did you put that bit at the end just to see if anyone noticed?

I've never broken a bass string at a gig and only once broke a guitar string. I was making noises with a beer bottle against the strings at the time (I couldn't find my slide), so that one was probably my fault.

I'd agree that a lot of this sound is about the amplification. I'd guess that they're setting the amp quite bright but using old school cabs with no tweeter, so you end up with a big peak somewere around 2KHz before it starts rolling off, which is still bright but nothing like a "hi-fi" bass sound. Also, I remember seeing an interview with Graham Maby where he mentioned using black nylon tapewounds, not for their mellower sound but because the reduced finger noise meant he could turn the treble knob all the way up on his Fender Bassman without the string squeaks. Having tried them myself, tapewounds with a pick and heftily boosted treble does get you quite close to his sound.

[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1386338412' post='2298984'] Given the news and given my high levels of cynicism I think anything mentioning Nelson that could be rushed out quick would shoot to No 1 this year. I expect Bono's planning it as I type , it can only be a matter of time before he does something shockingly embarrassing. [/quote] Oh dear, I think you may well be right there! That will be one to avoid listening to... Though if the Specials reformed to put something out, I could live with that.

At least the seller's name is refreshingly honest. Would you expect good workmanship from a guy called badworker1?

I have had reasonable results using non-matched valves (mine were two matched pairs) on a four-valve power stage. I just used one of each pair on each side to keep things roughly symmetrical, then checked the bias using a bias probe to check that none of them were exceeding 70% dissipation at idle. If you have a bias probe or a friend with one there would be no harm in going for this approach with some new 6L6s, and if the bias checks out OK you wouldn't need to do anything else. You might well get away with just sticking in new 6l6s and checking visually that non of them are red-plating, but this would be a little more risk-taking that I would go for personally. If any of them turned out to be running too hot you may need to tweak the bias supply. I would think the R9/R14 network would be the area to look at if the bias turns out to need adjusting.

Fine, but in your first reply you also said these things: [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1386089716' post='2295590'] Fixed bias means that the bias is fixed, and therefore won't need to be adjusted when you change the valves. In other words, you can change the valves yourself without having to take it to a Valve Amp Technician. [/quote] [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1386089716' post='2295590'] Beacuse of this, you should also be able to use pretty much any octal base (8 pin) power valves (6L6, EL34, KT66, KT77, 6550, etc). [/quote] This gives exactly the opposite impression to the last quote about taking it to a tech. I'm a bit concerned that you have a basic misconception about the meaning of the term "fixed bias" and that you could be passing on this misconception. There is a good explanation of the different types of bias here; [url="http://www.aikenamps.com/WhatIsBiasing.htm"]http://www.aikenamps.com/WhatIsBiasing.htm[/url]

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1386171911' post='2296719'] But as I understand it, and one of the reasons that I bought this particular amp in the first place (as well as it being incredibly versatile, sounding superb, and being built in the UK), was the fact that because it is a fixed bias design, it enables the end user to change the power valves themselves, without having to take the amp to a tech. This particular amp works in both Class A and Class AB(1), and can be switched between classes and valve configurations to acheive a range of tones and outputs, from family friendly single ended operation to pummeling your eardrums at gigs. But, one of the great features of this amp, is that you can use pretty much any octal valve (still have to be in matched pairs), and it'll still sound superb. And I have tried it a few times, with no detriment to the amp or the volume, through this experimentation though, I found that it sounded best with the stock EL34's. [/quote] What sort of amp are we talking about here? I still think it sounds like you're talking about a cathode-biased amp, which can be considered "self adjusting" to some extent. I wouldn't like to suggest to the OP that he could swap any octal valve into his Alphabass with impunity (without adjusting anything), as that may not be the case.

[quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1386109305' post='2296034'] Blimey that's a 5 year jump in posts. Still the same old discussions though. [/quote] Wow, I didn't notice that!

It's been a few years since I've owned one, but from the times I've used Ashown stuff as supplied backline or in rehearsal rooms, I've always like the simpler preamp in the MAG amps better than the ABMs and EVOs. Is it just me?

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1386089716' post='2295590'] Fixed bias means that the bias is fixed, and therefore won't need to be adjusted when you change the valves. In other words, you can change the valves yourself without having to take it to a Valve Amp Technician. [/quote] Not meaning to be contrary, but you may have the terms confused a little. Fixed bias means that the bias is set by applying a negative voltage to the grid, which in many amplifiers is adjustable. The bias voltage [i]does[/i] need to be adjusted when changing between differently spec'd valves, and it is prudent to check the bias even when replacing valves with the same type. The other common configuration is Cathode Bias, where the bias is set using resistors from the cathode to ground. Cathode bias is more forgiving of variance in the valves (within reason), not usually adjustable and I suspect the amp you are describing which can use a range of valves without adjustment is of this type.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1386089130' post='2295574'] unless some of these bands rehearse it, not totally out of the question these days with how contrived some performances are [/quote] Indeed. I can't help but feel the whole thing is a bit trite nowadays, especially when done by a few of of the artists listed in the OP who have not been truly rebellious or edgy for some years.

I would advise contacting Peavey for the service manual, as they're usually very helpful. I'd be surprised if there was no bias adjustment in there. The term fixed bias usually means that the bias is set by applying a negative voltage to the valve, not that there is no adjustment. If it really does have no adjustment, then it should be possible to have a trimmer added, if it's a fixed bias amp.

I like the Blackface and Silverface Fenders a lot, but couldn't afford the sort of price the originals or reissues go for. I got around this by building my own, which is a copy of a blackface Princeton Reverb as far the the circuitry goes, but with much more homemade looking cosmetics. There are some pics in another thread on here; [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/203145-valve-amplifiers-only-no-hybrids-valve-pre-amps/page__view__findpost__p__2039969"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/203145-valve-amplifiers-only-no-hybrids-valve-pre-amps/page__view__findpost__p__2039969[/url]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1385937557' post='2293968'] Bungees can be useful, too, as long as the instrument is protected from the hooks... [/quote] Yes, I've used various stretchy, bungee type materials to clamp up seams when re-gluing them (with hide glue, of course). It's a lot easier with the proper clamps though, which you can either buy from Dictum in Germany or make your own with threaded rod, wingnuts and small circles of wood with a hole through the middle and cork or leather on one side. Anything more critical than a short length of seam I would take to a luthier, but as long as you use hide glue you can't really do much harm gluing seams yourself AFAIK.