Beer of the Bass

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1461421161' post='3034501'] Not strictly accurate to talk of car stuff not being able to be used because it's only designed to run on 12v. With the exception of hardwired valve amps (which can have internal supply rails running at 500v dc - that's why you don't poke around inside them), solid state circuitry runs at very small voltages. The mains current is stepped right down. PCBs wouldn't tolerate mains voltages. [/quote] Higher powered solid state amps (whether class AB or class D) typically use power supply rails at +/- 50 to +/- 80 volts DC. So not as high as would be found in a valve amp, but not tiny either.

I would be surprised if anyone was using "car radio" modules in bass amps - can you show me an example of a maker who does? In-car audio stuff is built around the restrictions of running from a 12 volt battery supply. It would make little sense to use the same modules in AC powered equipment.

It looks very similar to my own bass, but in much cleaner condition. Certainly the outline, scroll and tuners are identical to mine. As far as I can gather, identifying these basses is somewhat imprecise - I'm told they came from towns around the German/Czech border region (which changed nationality at least once) and looked much like this from the late 19th century to the first couple of decades of the 20th. Is yours all solid wood? There were some 20th century examples with laminated backs and sides, though others are solid. It should be a nice instrument - these are towards the lower valued end of old European basses but if healthy and well set up they can sound very good, especially as jazz basses. I had a new ebony fingerboard put on mine, which seemed to help.

I like the tune after the first cut, the one with the sort of wonky reggae feel.

I guess a 4x10" was inevitable after the other 10" cabs. Interesting that they're offering it in a 2 ohm version - they must be going for the SVT users as I can't think of any other reason to do that.

The Thomann bag does look good - I've got a pleather gig bag for my guitar and I much prefer it to the cloth ones. If it ends up leant in a manky corner of some of the less salubrious venues it can be wiped clean!

If double bass is what you want, I'd recommend starting on one rather than an EUB. I played one for several years before buying a double bass, and in retrospect I don't think it was the right way to go. You can learn your way around the neck on EUB, but it's hard to really develop your tone production and I felt like there was still a big learning curve for me after I got a double bass. EUBs can be cool, but IMO they sound better after you've got your sound together on acoustic.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1460496260' post='3026347'] Wheels are turning rather slowly regarding my double bass strings with a defective G. I contacted them and got a response the following day saying that they would pass details to their "expert", then nothing else that day. I'm hoping I'll hear from them tomorrow, and that they don't quibble over it. [/quote] I thought I should report back; I've now got a replacement string, and although the defective one has been returned they had already dispatched a replacement rather than waiting to inspect the returned string. I guess it took a couple of days to get in touch with the manufacturer and get the string from them (since Thomann don't stock single strings, only sets), but otherwise the process wasn't too hassley. So it turns out they did quite well on this occasion.

It reminds me of one of those rocket shaped lollies.

This sort of runs in parallel with the "Do you always use drive/grind" thread that's going on in General discussion at the moment. Those bass sounds which don't sound dirty in context but would actually have quite a bit of distortion going on (if you were to measure it) are just the kind of thing that a good valve amp does well. I suspect that on the Ampeg you can merrily sail in and out of power amp clipping before you really notice that it's distorted. I had a 100 watt valve amp with a fairly efficient 2x12" for a while, and found it was always plenty for my needs, and I never really got it to the point of sounding grindy though it would squash and compress in a pleasing way at louder gigs.

It seems illogical, but a 3/4 size bass is the standard instrument for most purposes. Unless you're very small in stature with small hands, I'd go with a 3/4.

You can make the bass a lot quieter with a practice mute on the bridge and something to cover the f-holes. If you have wooden floors, a bit of stiff foam under the endpin helps too. It might be worth trying that out before you go for the EUB, unless you particularly fancy one.

I always liked the bassline on the Fraggle Rock theme - a nice old-school slap sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLQS6xo40kI

I have an aversion to blue LEDs - they make me think of the trim on boy racer cars or the decor of a particular sort of cheesy nightclub. It's a shame, as there are some nice bits of kit blighted by them, like the Genz Streamliner. I suppose I am at least a little picky, as when I did my DIY cabs, I spent ages choosing the right sparkly grillcloth and piping and made sure that everything behind the grille was black, no pesky silver screws peeping out!

Wheels are turning rather slowly regarding my double bass strings with a defective G. I contacted them and got a response the following day saying that they would pass details to their "expert", then nothing else that day. I'm hoping I'll hear from them tomorrow, and that they don't quibble over it.

The authentic 50s attitude would probably be to grumble about the Fender bass but end up using one anyway 'cos it's easier to gig with and you can actually hear it! 😉

I wonder if you'll get dirty looks for bringing one of those newfangled Fender basses, rather than a gut-strung double bass?

Isn't she from the band Katzenjammer? I thought they were Norwegian rather than German. I have a friend and occasional bandmate who is a massive fan.

I've just bought a set of double bass strings from them which has a duff G string. It would be nice if they could sort me out with a new G without having to return the full set, as changing double bass strings is a hassle. I've contacted them about it, so I'll see how well they respond...

Looking at their website with Google translate, they have some intriguing looking amps. The rackmount 100 watt valve amp on their home page could probably tick a box on a few peoples wish lists. [url="https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.handbox.pl%2Fcgi-bin%2Findex.pl&edit-text=&act=url"]https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.handbox.pl%2Fcgi-bin%2Findex.pl&edit-text=&act=url[/url]

I was in a local venue last night which has had to keep levels down due to a series of complaints. Their gear isn't amazing in there, but it's kind of refreshing to go to a gig where I'd be comfortable without earplugs in most parts of the room.

Knowing that shop a little, they're not in the habit of pricing things low. Often they'll put something in the window at a wildly optimistic price and only revise it downwards if it's been there for a while without shifting. I don't know if that's what has happened with this one.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1460056328' post='3022247'] Well I wasn't going to say 'heft' - dammit! [/quote] Gawd, that new avatar is terrifying!

I spent some time modelling boxes with the same driver in WinISD, and it makes sense that the Thumpinator would help with power handing, especially if you go below E for anything. The crazy 4x12" stack looked like a fun experiment though!

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1460044603' post='3022066'] drum kits have got louder?! Any reason you think that? [/quote] I've heard similar, but going further back than the timescale being discussed here. Any veteran drummers care to comment?