EBS_freak

I played through a Tech21 SansAmp RBI Bass Driver Pre-Amp this weekend, into a powered Berg setup (IP cabs?) - really impressed and when I looked it up when I got home, they're not even silly money... there are more expensive preamp pedals!

Just to throw another one into the mix, I have had the Akai Advance 61 for a good four or five months now. Really cool work flow, defo worth checking out if you work a lot with plugins. Bundled software is very strong also. Good build quality, good keyboard action... just one cable to make it all work, powered from my Mac. This is worth a look to get a feel for what it's all about - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZcsbN5RCs4

I've been GAS free for many years. That's a bit of a blessing I guess. Yes, I get intrigued by new basses... but to date, haven't been in the position where I think, wow, must get this... or be in the position where I think a new bass would unseat my current basses of choice. In terms of amps, the thing that killed all enthusiasm for amps was going in-ears. Decent PA > any bass amp. My only purchases nowadays seem to be things like fret wraps and the like. I haven't even bought any new straps for years.

Make some time to read this thread - http://basschat.co.uk/topic/205633-in-ear-monitors-help-needed/ It will tell you everything that you need to know and a lot more. Well worth the time.

My GB basses were all named for me... Sparky (because the tree that it was made from was stuck by lightning) Bentley (because apparently it looks like a Bentley dashboard) Gabbie (the woman logo that Bernie uses (with the arse forming the base of the bass), is called Gabbie. He thought my bass should have the name because it's a Rumour with all options - at the time, not other Rumour had been specced that highly). And my Yamaha RBX? "The Yammy" But none of my other basses or instruments are named as such... they are generally referred to as - "the black strat, the burst strat, the tele, the Lakland, the Jazz etc..." or "The Nathan East" or "The Taylor"... You get the idea.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1451915807' post='2944515'] Apparently these have been discontinued now... [/quote] All we need now if for Chris Whasshisname from Muse to use it and then we can all cash 'em in.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1451906392' post='2944381'] Yeah, the guy who is talking of tracking issues is comparing it to a Boss sy-300 or Roland v-bass which are very different animals from the FI. [/quote] Hmm. I don't think that the SY300 tracks that well... Wonder what that means then...

Yup, I know Funkle Dave. He's grand.

[quote name='sbrag' timestamp='1451817030' post='2943569'] I'm about to pull the plug but can't choose between the Smoothound and Sony. There doesn't seemove much to choose between them. I'm probably erring towards the Smoothhound due to battery life and i like the design but there isnt much to choose. Any final suggestions before I buy i mostly will be doing pub/club and the occasional function gig. [/quote] Both will do the job. In short, the main differences are - Bug thing vs Pack AA vs AAA Latency (but only a concern if you are running through other digital devices) You can't really go wrong with either.

Does what it meant to do I guess. I haven't used it after a particularly sweaty gig though!

New drying toy for after those sweaty gigs. UV blasts the nasties, then fan and silica stuff to absorb the sweat. Nice!

We've all had the perfect bass for years (won't mention which) - it's just everybody else wildly buying whatever is in vogue that is screwing the stats.

Of course, we got to be careful that these basses don't end up looking like can openers...

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1450822461' post='2936282'] 'Fender' SC [url="http://s54.photobucket.com/user/warwickhunt/media/sc%20sado_zpsoegjtdrj.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Only one Fender SC for me -

see link below.

I gave up watching after a few minutes. I think I got the York notes from this thread.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1450646920' post='2934618'] The logical thing to do would be to install one using side LED dots on a neck. Octave dots = in tune. Either side sharp or flat. It all sounds so easy. [/quote] Believe it or not, that was destined for my second GB bass - however, there was a number of things to consider about it which ultimately, led to the idea being canned. Was going to be strobe/sharp or flat setup as you describe. First up, there's another switch on the bass - another thing to go wrong... and obviously, the switch would mute the main output so if the switch fudged, there goes your bass until you can get it fixed. Second, you have to code in what you want your tuning to be... most likely B E A D G C... but when there's a drop D on a 4 string bass, how would you cleanly switch between the E and D as what you want to tune to? Third, the interface is not so so great... if doesn't tell you the note that you are tuning... so the risk of tuning on the wrong string when in a high pressure quick tune situation is greatly increased. We figured it would be cool to have - just like the G spot on the GBs are... but they are never really meant to replace a stage tuner... and the cost of implementing it... well, you may just go out and buy a separate tuner.

[quote name='gazzatriumph' timestamp='1450383005' post='2932317'] I put my Line 6 transmitter in a pouch which slides on to the guitar strap so never had a problem with the battery compartment door. The strap clip supplied is useless, the unit itself works great and the battery life indicator is useful. [/quote] Which pouch are you using? Neotech?

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1450361355' post='2932035'] as I said, DI not possible. No DI out and if I put the bass through a DI box it will be dry through the PA, as the amp modeling and fx's are generated by the head. There is a digital out - for recording - but this cuts the sound to the speaker. [/quote] DI is possible - it's just not what you have been used to. A wet/dry mix is often preferable to a complete wet mix - especially if you are running things like distortion which have a habit of robbing the low end. Try it, you may like it.

No worries - Mackie wise, I'm guessing SRM350 or SRM450. I know of K-Array - and know they are pretty pricey! Thing is, your room has to be of a certain size before having your speakers in an array become advantageous.

[quote name='Alec' timestamp='1450275839' post='2931267'] Which does beg the question as to what PA Scalpy's band is currently using, as I don't think I saw any mention of Mackies... [/quote] Last sentence - [quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif](What he absolutely doesn't want is two grey plastic boxes like his current mackie set up.)[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][/quote][/font][/color]

This thread comes around every year - so here's my obligatory "bassline on christmas wrapping" comment. My fave track has to be Shaky's track.

If he goes for the mini array system, let us know when he puts it up for sale. I'm always intrigued about how much time people are willing to give them before they figure that they aren't fit for their use. I think he could do himself a favour by staying with the Mackies...

Heil PR40 is a good contender - but if possible take a DI also.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1450226850' post='2930830'] A couple of weeks ago we had a dep singer, who bought along a similar PA to the L1, I think it was a MAUI system? Sounded pretty good in a noisy pub in front of a noisy band, but I think they are still very expensive. The keys and bass drum also went through it. [/quote] That's the LD Systems take on the mini array.