Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

ashevans09

Member
  • Posts

    1,056
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by ashevans09

  1. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1355604944' post='1900585'] Preamp valves, small ones that work the knobs and such. They are also cheap and don't need matching, plug and play, so if one of those is dying and making for a weak sound, its an easy fix. [/quote] Ah right getcha, hadn't heard them referred to as that before. Sounds like a good start [quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1355607835' post='1900622'] You mentioned 12AX7s in the original post - those are preamp valves. As for valves lasting years, this depends on many factors including how hard they've been worked. If the amp has been driven hard and loud a lot then the power valves (those 6550s mentioned in the OP too) will wear, but if it's been put away then the valves will normally be fine, even if they're 50 years old. Preamp valves don't usually wear like power valves, but they do sometimes become loose inside and go microphonic. [/quote] In terms of work, what constitutes being worked hard? The head's been toured, gigged loads at high volume and practiced through regularly in the 4 or so years I've had it? Probably done similar before it came into my ownership. Thanks again guys, I'll get started on it . Heading off to work now, see ya!
  2. God I love spalted maple. That's gorgeous
  3. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1355434583' post='1898488'] Easy way is get some pre valves first and try them. I have a valve tester, so I'd run all the power ones through that, bad ones should show up there. If those are fine, bangs tend to be cracked solder and dirty sockets, and hum tends to be bad caps. Old valves is weak sound and weird distortion (which cab also be caps), sometimes valves arc internally, but you can see that sometimes and it comes up on testing as intermittent failures (like you ding them in the tester and see if the light blinks). [/quote] Sorry to be so technically inept but what are prevalves? I really do appreciate all the advice though . In all honesty it has been sounding weaker as of late. I really can't remember very well but when the guy did service it he did replace some components, I just can't for the life of me remember what. I want to say it was some caps but since it's been mentioned I can't really differentiate if it's only ringing a bell because you've mentioned it, if you get what I mean? [quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1355530511' post='1899780'] Not had many valve amps but I understood valves last for years and years. [/quote] Me too, thing is though I've never revalved it in the time I've had it and I couldn't tell you when it had been revalved before I owned it! [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1355531301' post='1899784'] +1, I've had reliability concerns about valves available which were raised on here (JJ KT88s as it goes) & options available, all of which were stocked by Watford & I've recently received a very helpful email from "Derek" there. He has given open opinions about some issues & given advice about which valves to go for - which weren't the most expensive they had. Have you checked the "Recommended Amp Techs" thread in the Repairs area? [/quote] That's a good shout actually, I'll have a lookse there for a tech near me . Thanks! And Watford sound like a good call then, if I do go ahead with the revalve I'll go with them . [quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1355563220' post='1899891'] In the end I think the OP is right to get a second opinion on here, the advice 'to replace all the valves' may be sound but it doesn't seem to be based on anything and appears a little glib. You could just as easily advise to start replacing all components from the left to the right until the problem is solved. [/quote] Second opinion it is , I'll be honest he did replace components and did some testing, Really sorry to say I can't be more specific as he was one of these people who spends their lives surrounded by the things (his house was literally stuffed full of amps, it was insane) and was giving a lot of tech speak about what he did with it that I didn't fully understand. Once again, thank you all for taking the time to respond
  4. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1355433419' post='1898465'] Anyone suggesting a full revalve without having tested all the valves is a bit dodge. And if all the valves are not working, it will sound very wrong not just a bit. Because of the way the power section in a Mesa is made, there is a certain extent to which replacing all the power amp valves at once might be necessary, but really, the technically correct advice there is to get a properly made amp rather than chuck tons of money at a bad one that will only fix the issue short term. Might only be one noisy pre valve making the issue. Might even be filter caps, they might be getting about that age now. [/quote] Hmm, a lot to think about there. He seemed to know his chops and was recommended by a decent source... second opinion from someone else a decent road to go down?
  5. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1355401036' post='1897832'] Firstly, how have you established that the amp needs fully revalving? [/quote] I was getting some crackling and noise a few months ago, and wanted to try and sort it before going on tour. Took it to a tech (recommended by Mansons so assume he's reasonably decent), who managed to get rid of the problem to an extent but recommended a full revalve sometime reasonably soon. It's been getting progressively noisier so I figured it was time? Very happy to be wrong on this!
  6. Righty oh, I've been putting this off but it my Mesa 400+ needs revalving. Unfortunately, I know pretty much diddly squat about valves - I can name different types like 6550s and 12AX7s and what not and have an appreciation of whether they live in the pre or power section but beyond that I'm pretty lost in all honesty. I've looked at the Watford website since it has such a good rep here and I've found that they have three Mesa 400+ sets available. Any advice on which one to get? Or indeed should I go somewhere else? http://www.watfordvalves.com/products.asp?id=32&man=261 I tend to run active basses (primarily my P/MM sandberg) and EQ with reasonably high bass, higher mids and lower treble. Gets a nice punchy sound with my basses which I like, also like a bit of gain in there to give it some bite. I've found for my band that works and punches nicely through two guitars, has a lot of presence and drives the band. Would the standard set be what I'm looking for? Or would I be better off with the retro set? Don't mean to sound overwrought about this, it's just it's a lot of money to drop on something and I just don't want to make the wrong choice! Thanks for any help you guys can offer, Cheers, Ash
  7. Great dealer, great basses, winner for everyone!
  8. I've always heard these were brilliant. Why were they discontinued?
  9. [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1354305766' post='1884733'] The chaps at JG Windows in Newcastle had a lovely new P5 in when I popped in today. White/Tort/Rosewood. Stunningly light and great paint job. Not a perfect neck pocket but very damn close. The neck profile is brilliant. 18mm spacing, sounds like a P. The B string blends with the other strings which is, IMO, better than the over powering Bs some players like. Compared to, for example, my Ray 5HS, the B wasn't as punchy, but to be fair it's a passive P bass. Very easy to play and super light. Very impressed with it. If you are on the fence about one, id suggest you try one ASAP. The store isn't the cheapest but the staff were really nice and helpful. No pressure, no pushy sales technique. [/quote] Got to agree with you, they're wonderful basses. Played one of the earlier ones they brought out (first year of production I think) in Boston and it was a cracking bass. Think I played it through an Ampeg halfstack in store, sounded fab. Ended up buying a Geddy that day instead but it definitely left an impression. If they did it in 35 inches I'd be all over it like a rash!
  10. Used to pair mine with a vertically stacked Mesa Powerhouse 2x10. Sounded immense! Really punchy and big for such a little rig.
  11. [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1354009221' post='1880624'] I'd say that's fair. Nothing major, maybe only I notice considering I've been greeted with blank faces when I apologise to the rest of the band in the post gig discussions. [/quote] Pretty much this, don't think anyone realises other than you. One of the benefits of getting pretty much buried the the mix eh . Honestly, I think if you just sell yourself well on stage no one really notices or cares. Someone once said to me to just pretend you have the biggest willy in the world (slightly altered the terminology used there as you can imagine) and that you are the effing man and absolutely untouchable, and your showmanship will go through the roof. Ever since adopting that I've had more compliments about my bass playing, which is odd because I definitely do get sloppier when I move/jump around more. Answering the initial question though, probably varies depending on the set. If I'm familiar with what we're playing it'll only be a few and they'll be minor. If there's a load of songs I only learnt the day before then they'll probably be a lot more. Also found if I'm worried about a song I'll screw up more. Only 3 or so minor mistakes to me sounds pretty good, particularly if they're long ones .
  12. Can vouch for these cabs, they're freaking awesome.
  13. Oh my jesus. The thought of this coupled with my 400+ is literally making me drool.
  14. [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' timestamp='1353718438' post='1877901'] Basically a pre-amp is the tone shaping part of your amp. Sometimes amps don't do quite what you want, you can use a preamp in front to change it a bit. Things like PODs and other effects are preamps. [/quote] Heya, thanks for the response . I get the tonal options thing, it's just, I don't know, it seems an awfully complicated line. I guess I just don't understand, if the pre of an amp wasn't doing what I wanted tonally I wouldn't buy it, y'know? Then again I guess if by combining the two he got what he wanted, that'd be awesome. And I guess he kind of has the resources to do whatever he wants. I've just answered my own question haven't I? Sorry guys. Spent all day driving up from Devon, brain's not quite on
  15. But please bear with me. Basically, I have a question about preamps. Or more to the point, their application. I was cruising around youtube and found this video: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kat6WNUS-k[/media] Now, I've always kind of been a bass -> pedal board -> amp -> cab kind of guy. I can appreciate running different channels to different amps and having switches between them because you want to alter tone etc, but what I don't completely understand is where preamps come into this, particularly in the way Mr. Chancellor (and others I can't name off the top of my head but have witnessed) use them in their line. I guess what I'm asking is, are the pre's there as a different tonal line to select, or are they there in place of the pre's on his GKs? If so, in that case, why bother carting the GK around when a power amp would do the job just as well? I'm just kind of confused. Surely if you don't dig the tone that the pre onboard your amp creates, why bother carting it around just to slave the power end? Or does he just really like the tone the GK power section gives him? I'm not really sure if I'm getting across what I mean here, so I guess I'll ask the question in a different way: How do you guys use pre's as part of your set up? Also at what point do you have them in your line? It's late, I'm sorry x EDIT - 1000th post, yay!
  16. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1332593572' post='1590411'] Probably going to mean a new transformer, pretty expensive, as probably have to get one made, unlikely to be a standard drop in. American made for domestic stuff doesn't tend to have taps even on the transformer. [/quote] I remember having a similar problem - I had a Mesa BB750 and travelled everywhere with a massive step down transformer (blew literally every venue I ever played with it). Was a nightmare. Couldn't find anyone who would put a new transformer in it, let alone get a quote! That said, it was a lovely sounding amp, I'm sad they discontinued it. Also as for the teching issue I know the guy I use doesn't particularly like Mesa and he absolutely loathes Aguilar for what it's worth. Mesa pricing is particularly ridiculous, especially when you consider the best amp they ever made (IMO - the 400+) can be found reasonably often for the £750 range. Why would you buy new?
  17. I'll be honest I can't recommend a VM5 enough. Easily the most comfortable 5 string I've ever played. Unfortunately I can't comment on the EQ issue because I have the 2 band version, however I honestly feel once you've played one you'll be sold on it. It's the best bass I've ever owned - sounds phenomenal through my set up both live and in the studio (all IMHO of course ) and is a joy to play.
  18. Heya! Appreciate that we're being asked tbh . Thanks! I'd love to see Sandberg, Mesa, and more specifically more choice in cabs, particularly in the 810/412 ranges (mesa, orange, aggie etc)
  19. [quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1353072525' post='1871263'] Many people slag off Behringer as being unreliable but all gear breaks,even the best, just read a few posts here on basschat. Many people slag off Behringer for copying but Marshall only copied a Fender Bassman to begin with and where ever you look you'll find comments like, this amp uses a Fender tone stack or similar. Me, I love Behringer prices and have found Behringer to be reliable and do what it says on the tin, well, box actually. However, saying all that, I had a Behringer amp that I bought as a spare, it was allegedly 250w but when I actually tried it out, I couldn't hear what I was playing and that was with it flat out, so it went. It was obviously loud enough for the person that bought it though. It all worked OK and looked good. I use a Behringer inuke and it's great. Been in use for over a year and no problems. Love it. Behringer, like quite a few other manufacturers, are optimistic with their wattage ratings, peak wattage as opposed to RMS, but if you take this into account when buying one you shouldn't have many problems. Also, try before you buy if possible and if it breaks, you can always send it back. [/quote] Pretty much this. Very ronseal in their nature. It's not going to be world destroying but they're always decent for the price. My old behringer head was reliable and worked well as a back up .
  20. IIRC one of the guys I used to know had a guitar amp made by them, seemed to like it. Would be interested to hear your experiences . Always thought Behringer stuff had an undeserved reputation.
×
×
  • Create New...