4 Strings

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1335573729' post='1633426'] Ooh lovely, thanks for the review! A good Motown is important to me, too. [/quote] I'll hopefully do a proper one when I've got used to it and have a little time. Still waiting (or have missed) a review on your BFM!

Just back from the gig in a big hall. It was big too, nearly 250 seated at tables + dance space. Pa for 3 x vox, sax and bass drum only and I had my Compact. I have to say the set up is very impressive, there's no weight to the tiny amp and cab and they sat a little lost on the large stage but filled the hall with resounding Motown bass with the master volume at 9 O Clock (7 O Clock is actually off and 5 O Clock is fully on). I've got to get a feel for the controls as yet but a bit of boost on the 220Hz mid kept things clear, everything else flat. '76 P with Trubass and tone rolled off, it gave a very warm but solid sound. Not bloated as towards the end of the sound check I was asked to add more bottom so I tweaked the bass to 1 OClock. Its a big sound! If the bass is boomy I get asked to turn down so that I can't hear myself. With such a clear sound I was asked to turn up, (doesn't happen often!) and lots of compliments about the overall sound afterwards. Very pleased so far, it can do a good Motown which is important to me.

Tbh it would have to be a blind test. I bet we'd all come up with non-conclusive results too. The Squiers I've seen really look like well finished guitars using very nice pieces of wood, especially the natural finish models. But do they have the 'magic'? Do Fenders? Is the magic in the transfer? Do people not want to admit there's no discernible difference in case they are considered to be stupid? Not saying either way as I don't have experience of them both but it would have to be a blind test.

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1335473802' post='1631949'] I'm surprised you could find both in a shop in Cardiff [/quote] They have shops?

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1335527654' post='1632629'] Homework: Watch Spinal Tap another 10 times! [/quote] Heh, sorry, penny's dropped, apologies for humour bypass and general slowness! The title of the tune was something about a Love Pump wasn't it?

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1335512720' post='1632297'] Ah, D Minor, the saddest of all keys... [/quote] Not so much Dm as a pentatonic blues scale. For everything.

[quote name='clashcityrocker' timestamp='1335477138' post='1632070'] 'You will love this simon,its in E' (meaning standard tuning,as apparently the tuning denotes the key!) Damm bloody pop punk guitatists writing EVERY song in D!!! [/quote] And metal. After seeing metal bands I've come away never wanting to here the note 'D' again. Fortunately it passes.

Rude lot. Can't let her see this now! Actually, Oldman, it was the blue glowy glass (plastic actually, cheapskates) thing that made it all a bit Line 6 for me. Nearly lost a sale they did. The distortion knob (here we go again!) is a subtle one, might learn to use that for the Motown. Only got one Speakon made up so had only speaker on the go (Midget T) but it was [u]very[/u] loud, clear and punchy - certainly brought more out of the Midget than any other amp I've put through it. Not as warm as I was expecting, but this was a quick 15 minute blast. I've got lots of use (two gigs - one in a huge hall and two rehearsals - one very noisy) in the next 5 days and looking forward to putting it through its paces and hearing it at work before the week's trial is up.

Its here! <childish jumping> Played russian dolls with the packaging. [attachment=106164:26042012.jpg] [attachment=106165:26042012(001).jpg] [attachment=106166:26042012(002).jpg] Had a quick blow. Very impressive, I have to say. Amp sounded great too! Serious review to come. Thanks for humouring me!

But if the resistance is negligible (the leads will be only 1m long) isn't 3 x negligible = still negligible? (I ordered 2m of that 4mm cable in the link btw to make 2 cables, on your advice OBBM, it was a couple of pounds and you'll know more than I)

I have to say, that looks better! This one has a blue lit panel on the front (hence the Line6 look) showing off its valves in a cheap, ostentatious, chinese/american way (made in the US - I'm led to believe). This is its low point. (Apparently it does low sound better!)

The Bernard Edwards link is not relevant, I'm afraid, its not what he used, just so expensive (for me anyway) that I will sound like him because that's what's in my head a the moment. No, its not Trace although nice pic here.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1335397863' post='1630616'] Oh all right, what amp are you getting?? [/quote] Who me?? Oh, erm, well it looks like a Line 6 (to my son's dismay) but has 3 [u]real[/u] valves, is tiny but hideously expensive and for this reason I will sound like [s]Jimmy[/s] Bernard Edwards. Have I given it away? It [u]should[/u] arrive before lunch when I will put up a pic and the first person to have guessed right will be able to say "Ha! See, I know stuff!" Who will it be?

...and I will no longer sound like me but Bernard Edwards instead. I can't wait! Hope I'm not disappointed when I plug in and start to play. '...I'm living in ecstasy...'

[quote name='Mace' timestamp='1335306264' post='1629199'] I took the "gamble" on a Streamliner 900 without playing first and don't regret it at all.. I love it! [/quote] This is what I want to hear as I've just done the same.

Does your bass sound ok? Does the cable stay cool? Do you think 1.5mm would also be fine? Do you rarely, if ever, use all 1000W? If yes to these then your cable is great, you can relax. I'm trying to avoid an embarrassing over specification.

Presumably it doesn't need to be screened cable either. This type of thing any good? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fisual-S-Flex-Studio-Grade-Speaker-Cable-2-x-4mm-/150561811752?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item230e2eed28#ht_1756wt_1031

Yeah, Essex Arms, both my lads have gigged there over recent years. Make sure you keep the back door closed! A stand, no matter how rigid, will offer dampening of vibrations, not all but will reduce transmittance to the floor. Not their intention but it will happen (unless its on spikes like your hi-fi stands). Flat bottomed cabs onto unflat floor/stage/ground will cause distorted sound, you may or may not hear this effect. A pad will knock this out, and as far as I can see, will be the only audible effect. Having said that, I haven't tried one and despite so many thinking £45 is loose change, its not to me, its almost half my gig money so I'm afraid its something else to remember that I won't leave behind anywhere.

I wondered about bigger the better and I can see that bell wire would be inadequate but is there actually a benefit from 2.5 (or 4 for that matter) over 1.5mm2? For house wiring 1.5mm is used for lighting circuits with a 5A fuse (= 5 x 240 = 1200W) so perhaps for peaky current and accurate transmitting of a signal this is too near the mark for a 900W amp.

I'm making up a pair of Speakon cables for a nice new amp and my nice new(ish) speakers. Its a 900W amp (although I frankly am a little cynical about that). Will there be any difference at all between the two cable sizes? Will the 1.5mm2 be well within its limitations or will I be pushing its limits (whatever that may be)? Cheers