The Admiral

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1356630550' post='1911836'] I wonder if this just happens in guitar/bass departments? I used to run a little studio, and as such, used to buy lots of keyboards and recording gear from a large outlet that had a "High Tech" department as well as the guitar/bass/drum sections. The manager of the high tech department was a brilliant young guy called Ryan, and we were on first name terms, talked a lot about football etc, etc. We got on very well and I always got brilliant customer service from him, he even used to ring me when they got gear in that he thought I would be interested in. I bought a lot of studio gear over a two year period and spent a lot of money. By contrast, the people who ran the guitar department were typical guitarists (I know I'll get flamed for that) rude, egotistical, ignorant, lazy and selfish. They would sit there widdling away on whatever strat/les paul they could reach without stretching too much, through some loud stack, annoying everyone else in the shop. Generally ignoring potential customers and moaning if you dared to ask them a question, or worse, asking to try some gear. The place went bust. I hope Ryan got a better job though! [/quote] Hate to say it, but the biggest problem with music shops is that they employ musicians, who, with notable exceptions are more interested in showing how much better a player they are than the customers, who keep on interrupting their public ego w*nking. This is IMHO particularly true of guitar players, and, dare I say it , the odd bassist too IME. I can't think of any other industry which would tolerate this.

When are we going to start handing out Basschat Bad Service Awards to the MDs of these companies? It strikes me that a cohort of thousands of uk based customers, who all spend too much money on gear, should be a segment of the customer base which has some teeth. If I owned one of these shops I'd start taking this very seriously, as indeed I'm sure they actually would now if they knew. Witness the power of Mumsnet : they've got the political parties shitting themselves because they know that women with children are notorious swing voters and things like Child Tax Credit have become big political issues as a consequence. We could even have a pro forma email where you could just fill in the blanks. Dear MD Today I visited your xxxxxxxxxx shop with the intention of spending £xxxxxx on xxxxxxxxx. I spent no money due to the appalling service I received, Last year I spent £xxxxxxx on equipment and as such would imagine you would want my business and be the kind of customer you wish to both attract and keep. If you are interested in the details of this incidence of poor service, which has lost my business to your company I can be contacted on xxxxxxxxx Or something akin to that!

Fair point re the layout. The amp section is mounted vertically at the back of the combo, behind the speaker enclosure. The mains kettle lead and on/off switch are half way down the back - on a plate set into the back face of the amp, so in effect, one might have the mains lead and switch on the 'top' of the head when it's removed and used 'flat'. There is a pdf of the manual on the Ashdown site, but I can't find any pictures which show the layout sadly, although interesting to note that whilst this is advertised as a 100w combo, it's actually only 65w, with I presume the 100w kicking in if one uses an alternative cab? Curious?! Pics required to make sense of this for readers I think, but as has been pointed out - no point doing it if I don't save some weight, altough I'd settle for the same load overall, but in two sections for an easier carry. The HB 2 x 10 is I notice over 22kg on it's own, so maybe that's not the way to go! I'll put up some pics when I am back at home tonight.

I posted this earlier today in the 'Pinned' DIY thread, but on reflection, I think it may be better here (mods - please remove from the other thread if desired) : I wondered if anyone had any experience of the Ashdown five fifteen, and specificallly seperating the combo into a head and stand alone cab? I ask, as its a great amp and suits my needs, but my increasingly trashed back (old Rugby injury, which plays up particularly badly in the winter) is making the shifting of 27kg in one awkward shaped, single handled hit a bit of a challenge. I'm keeen to split it into a head and cab - building a 'sleeve' for the former and a new cab for the latter - suited to the current 15 inch driver. In addition, I 'm wondering about building a seperate 2 x 10, which I can use as an alternative, or, if I can work out the wiring/impedance conundrum, could I run it in addition to the 1x15? I've had a look at the Harley Benton 2 x 10, which would almost be cheaper than buildng my own, but, depite some good reviews for it (taking into account that for just over £100 it's not going to be an Ampeg), I would like to dip my toes in the cab construction side, as I'm pretty handy and it would make a nice winter project. All thoughts gratefully received - including the 'why bother' thought process, when I may just be best keeping the five fifteen 'as is' in my office practice space and buying something S/H on BC which is more portable and purpose built as a lightweight outfit for rehearsals and gigs. That's probably far too sensible though, and why just spend money when you can give yourself more work for the same price!

I wondered if anyone had any experience of the Ashdown five fifteen, and specificallly seperating the combo into a head and stand alone cab. I ask, as its a great amp and suits my needs, but my increasingly trashed back (old Rugby injury, which plays up particularly badly in the winter) is making the shifting of 27kg in one awkward shaped, single handled hit a bit of a challenge. I'm keeen to split it into a head and cab - building a 'sleeve' for the former and a new cab for the latter - suited to the current 15 inch driver. In addition, I 'm wondering about building a seperate 2 x 10, which I can use as an alternative, or, if I can work out the wiring/impedance conundrum, could I run it in addition to the 1x15? I've had a look at the Harley Benton 2 x 10, which would almost be cheaper than buildng my own, but, depite some good reviews for it (taking into account that for just over £100 it's not going to be an Ampeg), I would like to dip my toes in the cab construction side, as I'm pretty handy and it would make a nice winter project. All thoughts gratefully received - including the 'why bother' thought process, when I may just be best keeping the five fifteen 'as is' in my office practice space and buying something S/H on BC which is more portable and purpose built as a lightweight outfit for rehearsals and gigs. That's probably far too sensible though, and why just spend money when you can give yourself more work for the same price!

Or if you are in Manhattan and fancy a one owner 70s Ric 4001 in Azureglo!! [url="http://umanovguitars.com/store/item/1975-rickenbacker-4001/"]http://umanovguitars.com/store/item/1975-rickenbacker-4001/[/url] Great shop - always have fantastic used stuff and whenever I'm over (about every 3 years if I'm lucky - I'm not Richard Branson!) I try and look in. Nice 70s natural finish jazz too : [url="http://umanovguitars.com/store/item/1978-fender-jazz-bass/"]http://umanovguitars.com/store/item/1978-fender-jazz-bass/[/url] Put the credit cards away.............. now!

In step - Steve Ray Vaughan, particularly 'Crossfire', and Kind of Blue by MIles Davis - although I think you have to actually play something for reference which is akin to the music you will be looking to 'judge'. It also depends on what sort of sound you want : warm, analogue and natural, or digital and very clean and clinical...........or somewhere in the thousands of steps that sit between? The Robert Plant/Alison Krauss album 'Raising Sand' is a great record from a recording pov imho, and done very old school - as is Tom Jones album 'Praise and Blame', which was recorded with Tom and the band playing/singing together as it would have been 50 years ago. I like 'natural' sounding recordings, but also have a soft spot for ABC's Lexicon of Love, which is light years from that! No right answers - your music, your ears.

Just bought Squire 51 Tele from Pete. Due to my personal circumstances (about which he was very understanding) it all had to be done by PM/Paypal and a friend collected, but he was very accommodating, very efficient in his comms and all round a thoroghly great guy to deal with. Thanks Pete.

I got chatting to a guy at a black tie corporate who was doing the sound for a female duo. He was telling me that they get stacks of work in either the 2 girls and backing tracks format, or ( he's the guitarist ) they go out as a 5 piece, and they are always busy. Didn't hurt that the girls were both stunningly pretty, built like Kelly Brook and one blond,one brunette. The fact they had great voices was, he advised, the least of the issues, as the dance floor was full of middle aged insurance brokers having a good letch at the pair of them and their spray on Lycra outfits, and they always got repeat bookings. Sad to say that we are so predictable eh chaps, but nice work if you can get it for the band.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1355161025' post='1894840'] Well I got in touch with both of them and offered them both the job! Looks like we'll have to see how it all pans out!! Have first full line-up rehearsal this Friday evening. Well looking forward to it! Thanks for the advice everyone! [/quote] I was trying to think of some bands which featured 2 female vocalists, as that could be a starting point for some interesting stuff : Abba obviously, Rumours era Fleetwood Mac, Heart, The Corrs (kind of), errrr ......... Any more? Probably loads, and I'll kick myself for forgetting.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1355156001' post='1894731'] I think after 28 days Royal Mail wont pay out unless you have lodged a complaint - might be wrong but check the small print. ebay also has a similar thing that you need to register your complaint within 35 days i think. Dave [/quote] Thanks to everyone for all the tips - much appreciated. There is a substantial file of notes on the Royal Mail system, and I first raised it with their customer services within 28 days, so I would hope I'm ok on that score. The level of incompetence and misinformation, due to ignorance of their own systems, has been staggering. The most galling thing is that they allegedly couldn't deliver it, and then had to return it to a special centre for orphan parcels, despite the fact that I had put my address etc on the parcel in case of returns. They now can't find it - which feels a little suspicious to me, insofar as they are all bar coded items, so why has it gone missing - when they had tracked it to the parcel centre? Draw your own conclusions on that one. Now more time wasted on the bloody forms to claim the money back!

I'm hoping someone can help. Sold a pedal on eBay and posted Special Delivery. After 4 months, the Royal Mail have finally admitted it's been 'lost' - but draw your own conclusion on that one, as I always pack things really carefully and it had both the buyer's and my address all over the package. I need to claim for the item and postage, but I need a copy of the eBay listing, and it's no longer on the eBay system, not even in my summary page , as a sold or sent item, which surprised me. Any thoughts on how I can prove I sold it on eBay? Apparently the PayPal receipt is not enough for the Royal Mail process! Cheers A

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1354584999' post='1887827'] I've got a pile of old flaky skin from a recent bout of psoriosis I can let you have for a tenner. [/quote] And I thought it was guitarists and singers that were always the flaky ones in the band! Joking aside, and hugely OT, but I know a guy who has really bad psoriosis and had had remarkble results with Chinese medicines. You may be well under control - but I thought it worth a mention.

What do you want for Christmas? Mrs A has been asked by a member of her family - what can we get that he will really want? Budget - about a tenner I would imagine. Any ideas, other than the obvious socks/tie/smellies/booze? Something bass related might be nice......! All suggestions gratefully received - keep it clean please, Ladies present. A

One for the Christmas list? http://www.soul2soulstore.com/product.php?id_product=16

Caught the Friday show last night and yep - S2S were excellent. By contrast, what a complete and utter bag of sh*te the Palma Violets were, and 2 songs God forbid. For me,a classic case of a trendy 'hot' band being given more profile than merited. They looked and sounded like a sixth form public school band who had been booked to play a friends 18th - and whether they were pissed - or just tw*ts (particularly the bass player - 'Chilli' FFS, I regret to say) I have no idea, but it's a sad old state of affairs when dross like that gets 10 minutes on premium music tv. They are signed to Rough Trade and will probably fill the hole left by the LIbertines in the life of awkward and rebellious middle class schoolgirls for their 15 minutes in the sun, and I suppose good luck to them, but it's all been done before, and so much better. Or am I just a grumpy old fart? I suspect both.

http://www.nme.com/news/led-zeppelin/67423 Wonder if it will also be on BBC HD?

Anyone know who the guy on bass was for the recent O2 Robbie gigs? The black P with red tort plate looked very cool I thought! Cheers A

I was interested to see the guitar tech area at a Nickelback gig a few years ago. The band had a stage set with a wall of Marshall cabs, but the guitar was actually routed through an AC30, with another alongside as a spare - all controlled by the tech at stage side. This was mic'd with an SM57 and the cabs were just for pose value. The curious thing is - they changed guitars every song, buy they have the bits supplied by Gibson etc, and then fit them all with the same active EMG pickups, so despite the guitar changes, they always sound the same - so why bother? I can't imagine it has anything to do with tunings, unless they simply tune down for the odd song? I also saw the late Gary Moore supporting BB King, and he sounded immense, with just a Marshall 50w head, an angled 4 x 12 - just behind him, and a beautiful old Les Paul Goldtop with P90s. The tone was all from his fingers and his control of the volume on the guitar. Mic'd with a desktop stand, set on the floor, pointing at the edge of one of the speakers : and this was in a huge arena, not The Dog and Duck! It's a mixture of delusion, ego, marketing hype and the rubbish touted in guitar mags that drives this kind of behaviour I think. When I used to play league cricket you saw a lot of this sort of attitude around gear : £250 'signature' bat, and may as well have come out with a bit of 4x2, for all they could use it. A

"You will not apply my precept," he said, shaking his head. "How often have I said to you that [u]when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, [i]however improbable[/i], must be the truth[/u]? We know that he is not an egocentric, posing, musically stagnant, pentatonic only guitarist. We also know that he is not a temperamental, big girls blousy, semitone flat all the time frontman and nor is he the cerebrally vacant, shorts wearing, 10 bpm faster at the end than the start paradiddler. Ergo - he must be the bass player". [i]The Sign of the Four[/i] [i]Four in A[/i] ch. 6 (1890) Sherlock Holmes

[quote name='hollywoodrox' timestamp='1351364232' post='1850611'] Lidl had a similar thing in last week but with a bigger magnifier with the plastic surround, it was prob about £6 but I think it had a light too, they always have cool stuff, the chocolate santa's are quite nice too [/quote] The Chocolate Santas - good band name that.

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1351333951' post='1850167'] Guilty as charged M'lud. But unless you're a tribute band, surely evolving 'your' version is better? I recall that in Guy Pratt's autobiography he talks about meeting Jimmy Page and how Jimmy put him right over Led Zepp stuff Guy had been playing wrong for years. [/quote] I understand that when LZ were rehearsing for the O2 gig, they couldn't agree how many of the songs went, and later,in an interview, when the journo asked "Which of you could remember best what to play?" - the answer was 'Jason'! They had to rig his iPod up to the PA I believe, and all have a listen. No-one is immune, clearly.