16
Bass Amps & Effects / Say whaaa? (amp repair tutorial)
« on: April 26, 2012, 10:32:00 AM »
This was fun, sad, enlightening, and a bit scary:
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17
The Bass Zone / John Siegler...
« on: January 29, 2012, 01:04:31 PM »
Siegler's work with H&O and Utopia was an early influence for me during my adolescent foray into bass playing. Always enjoyed his sound and style... (that and the vocals here almost make up for the album cover! 
)
About a year ago I sold an old Moog that I had restored to this guy 'Guido' in Brentwood, TN who turns out owns a studio there. Nice guy, and yesterday I noticed him post an interesting piece of gear for sale on one of the forums with a track that he used it on while playing guitar. Well, I rather liked the track and his guitar sound, and it turns out its part of an album he just released... and Siegler is the bassist! Actually, Kevin Ellman and Roger Powell (Utopia) are on this too, as well as Reeves Gabrels from Tin Machine.
If you are into prog/fusion/jazz stuff, then I thought you might enjoy this too...
http://www.tunecore.com/music/joeguidowelsh
)About a year ago I sold an old Moog that I had restored to this guy 'Guido' in Brentwood, TN who turns out owns a studio there. Nice guy, and yesterday I noticed him post an interesting piece of gear for sale on one of the forums with a track that he used it on while playing guitar. Well, I rather liked the track and his guitar sound, and it turns out its part of an album he just released... and Siegler is the bassist! Actually, Kevin Ellman and Roger Powell (Utopia) are on this too, as well as Reeves Gabrels from Tin Machine.
If you are into prog/fusion/jazz stuff, then I thought you might enjoy this too...
http://www.tunecore.com/music/joeguidowelsh
18
Rickenbacker Basses / Back in Black - 73 4001
« on: September 28, 2011, 01:09:23 AM »
Just sharing some photos of a 4001 that I recently adopted.
Apparently this bass must have gone through Rock and Roll Vintage at some point, and I had found these pics in a Google image search a while back. I recognized it by the wear patterns and the sharp-cornered bridge pickup surround. Haven't taken any photos of my own yet, but these do the bass better justice than any shots I could produce...
I've been GASing for an early jetglo Ric most of my life. Bought a '78 mapleglo in the late-80s when used Rics were unpopular and cheap, and that bass was (and is still) a fantastic player.
Anyway, this bass surfaced on Ebay back in August. I had bid, but didn't hit the reserve. LBOer Nokturnal emailed me a couple of weeks ago and let me know that it was back up on Ebay. I got in contact with the seller that day... Really nice guy, and we were able to work something out. The bass is everything that I could have hoped - couldn't be happier. Guess it was meant to be! Looked like he had it up for sale over at RR, but I hadn't noticed - haven't been keeping up over there.
The neck is just slightly chunkier than my (ultra-slender) 78's neck, and the fingerboard radius feels different to me - flatter. Love the feel. I'll probably end up bypassing the bridge pickup cap, but other than that I'll leave well enough alone.
Apparently this bass must have gone through Rock and Roll Vintage at some point, and I had found these pics in a Google image search a while back. I recognized it by the wear patterns and the sharp-cornered bridge pickup surround. Haven't taken any photos of my own yet, but these do the bass better justice than any shots I could produce...
I've been GASing for an early jetglo Ric most of my life. Bought a '78 mapleglo in the late-80s when used Rics were unpopular and cheap, and that bass was (and is still) a fantastic player.
Anyway, this bass surfaced on Ebay back in August. I had bid, but didn't hit the reserve. LBOer Nokturnal emailed me a couple of weeks ago and let me know that it was back up on Ebay. I got in contact with the seller that day... Really nice guy, and we were able to work something out. The bass is everything that I could have hoped - couldn't be happier. Guess it was meant to be! Looked like he had it up for sale over at RR, but I hadn't noticed - haven't been keeping up over there.
The neck is just slightly chunkier than my (ultra-slender) 78's neck, and the fingerboard radius feels different to me - flatter. Love the feel. I'll probably end up bypassing the bridge pickup cap, but other than that I'll leave well enough alone.
19
The Outpost Cafe / How to make coconut bread...
« on: July 29, 2011, 01:51:14 PM »
...with, uh.. fresh coconut.
and a katana.
Oh, and secrets of personal anti-gravity revealed!
and a katana.
Oh, and secrets of personal anti-gravity revealed!
20
Rickenbacker Basses / Quick 4001 Question
« on: March 31, 2011, 10:14:19 AM »
Long story short, I'm thinking about "swapping" my 78 4001 MG (that I've had since I was a teen! They were cheap back in the mid-late 80s!) for an older Jetglo 4001. I know its superficial, but I've never been a huge fan of MG (chose it because it was the best player of the bunch that was available at the shop). JG is where its at for me!
So... I've been kicking around the idea of buying a black one, make sure its a good fit for me, and then flipping my MG.
This '73 popped up today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130503288717&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
...and I'm wondering if $2090 is a decent price for this?
Also, what (roughly) could I expect to see for a *beautiful* '78 MG with OHSC?
Thanks for any info! I'm not very well informed on Rics, and any advice is greatly appreciated.
So... I've been kicking around the idea of buying a black one, make sure its a good fit for me, and then flipping my MG.
This '73 popped up today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130503288717&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
...and I'm wondering if $2090 is a decent price for this?
Also, what (roughly) could I expect to see for a *beautiful* '78 MG with OHSC?
Thanks for any info! I'm not very well informed on Rics, and any advice is greatly appreciated.
21
The Outpost Cafe / You Not Expendable!
« on: February 24, 2011, 01:46:17 PM »
These crack me up.
Rambo - The Musical
...and I enjoyed some of the Arnie ones too:
Rambo - The Musical
...and I enjoyed some of the Arnie ones too:
22
Bass Amps & Effects / Big Caps
« on: February 07, 2011, 01:45:05 PM »
A while back I was in my F2-B preamp to fix what ended up being a broken solder joint on one of the power supply filter caps. I really wanted to replace them altogether at that time, but the only high voltage electrolytics that I could find from my usual component vendors would have cost upwards of 80 bucks for the set(!).
Forward to just recently, and this thing's started humming something fierce. I figured these 30+ year old caps finally gave up the ghost, so I went looking again and found a place called Just Radios (http://www.justradios.com/) who specialize in restoration parts for old tube radios. Found a set there for just over $13, and their turnaround on the order was really fast.
Well, that fixed the hum and the old preamp sounds mighty fine once again! Honestly I wasn't sure if/how these "cheapie" caps would compare to the rather expensive Cornell Dubilier replacements. If any of you amp gurus have opinions on that, you won't offend me- might be good to know for future reference.
Anyway, just thought I'd share that source in case it helps anyone else.
Forward to just recently, and this thing's started humming something fierce. I figured these 30+ year old caps finally gave up the ghost, so I went looking again and found a place called Just Radios (http://www.justradios.com/) who specialize in restoration parts for old tube radios. Found a set there for just over $13, and their turnaround on the order was really fast.
Well, that fixed the hum and the old preamp sounds mighty fine once again! Honestly I wasn't sure if/how these "cheapie" caps would compare to the rather expensive Cornell Dubilier replacements. If any of you amp gurus have opinions on that, you won't offend me- might be good to know for future reference.
Anyway, just thought I'd share that source in case it helps anyone else.
23
Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs / Eva Mendes built my reverb!
« on: December 15, 2010, 11:35:13 AM »
Well, one can only assume... 
This tank is in an old Space Echo that I just received. Figure I should be able to keep 1 out of 3 running at any given time
.... maybe
Ever find any fun 'Easter eggs' while working on gear?
This tank is in an old Space Echo that I just received. Figure I should be able to keep 1 out of 3 running at any given time
.... maybeEver find any fun 'Easter eggs' while working on gear?
24
The Bass Zone / Man Imitates Machine Imitating Man
« on: December 05, 2010, 02:40:08 PM »
Part of me gets a kick out of this stuff, even though it borders on a drum clinic at times. Interesting mix of bebop and electronic "breakbeat" and dub. The bassist (Foley) is an absolute rock, despite all the poly-rhythmic mayhem!
25
Bass Amps & Effects / Leslie Amp
« on: November 17, 2010, 10:17:09 AM »
This is what happens when I try and help hook the keys player in my band up with leads on a Leslie speaker
Anyone ever try one with bass? The guy I got this from only had the "combo preamp pedal" to use it with. That pedal provides the Leslie with its mains power via the big multi-pin cable, and provides a means of connecting anything with a 1/4" cable into it. I took the BaCHbird over to test it - sounded nice! Low volume (only 40 watts), but it dirties up in a good way. I'll have to pick up one of those pedals at some point... (I'd like to try it with guitar too)
Here are some pics of the beast. Quite the nifty contraption...
Full frontal:
Backside:
All nakey. Uses a crossover network with 15" driver firing into lower baffle (big spinning cork thing covered with fabric), and pair of spinning horns up top:
Horns:
Woofer:
Relays inside of the amp switch the motor speeds for the rotary effect. You can signal them using that pedal, or in my case via a switch on the front of the hammond
Pretty inside:
6550s glowing in the night:
Anyone ever try one with bass? The guy I got this from only had the "combo preamp pedal" to use it with. That pedal provides the Leslie with its mains power via the big multi-pin cable, and provides a means of connecting anything with a 1/4" cable into it. I took the BaCHbird over to test it - sounded nice! Low volume (only 40 watts), but it dirties up in a good way. I'll have to pick up one of those pedals at some point... (I'd like to try it with guitar too)
Here are some pics of the beast. Quite the nifty contraption...
Full frontal:
Backside:
All nakey. Uses a crossover network with 15" driver firing into lower baffle (big spinning cork thing covered with fabric), and pair of spinning horns up top:
Horns:
Woofer:
Relays inside of the amp switch the motor speeds for the rotary effect. You can signal them using that pedal, or in my case via a switch on the front of the hammond
Pretty inside:
6550s glowing in the night:
26
Fender Basses / Need Advice - 90s MIJ P-Bass
« on: October 09, 2010, 04:58:04 PM »
I have an opportunity (thanks to Nokturnal/Andy) to trade an Ampeg 210HE and Fender BXR400 (both of which I never use) for this:
The seller says its from 1990, and was made in Japan. Is there anything specific I should look for? (serial number, etc...). I know jack about Fenders, but would love to get a MIA/MIJ P-bass - especially black/black with maple board (my favorite color combo) - so this is tempting...
Any advice appreciated!
The seller says its from 1990, and was made in Japan. Is there anything specific I should look for? (serial number, etc...). I know jack about Fenders, but would love to get a MIA/MIJ P-bass - especially black/black with maple board (my favorite color combo) - so this is tempting...
Any advice appreciated!
27
The Bass Zone / Tom Fowler Interview (Zappa, Ponty, etc...)
« on: October 07, 2010, 01:12:38 PM »
I was poking around Youtube last night and came across an audio interview with Tom Fowler, done in the mid-1990s. He was part of my favorite Zappa/Mothers lineup, and so it was pretty entertaining hearing him speak candidly about that. He also gets into his subsequent experiences working with Jean-Luc Ponty and Ray Charles. Definitely worth a listen, if you're into that stuff!
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Part 5:
I noticed there's also an interview with Bruce Fowler up there from about the same time, but haven't had a chance to check it out yet...
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Part 5:
I noticed there's also an interview with Bruce Fowler up there from about the same time, but haven't had a chance to check it out yet...
28
The Outpost Cafe / It's Business Time...
« on: September 13, 2010, 03:40:09 PM »sweet weekly love....
29
Bass Amps & Effects / Use of Compressor in Live Settings?
« on: September 12, 2010, 02:44:49 PM »
My not-so-elaborate live setup in recent time has consisted of this:
Bass -> Alembic F-2B -> 200w Orange head (DI'd into PA) -> SVT cab
Recently, the band I play with (typical 60s-00s rock and r&b stuff) had one of their shows recorded. They have a nice live sound setup and sound guy as part of the group (really helps!!), and it came out decent. During mixing later on, the guy put a subtle touch of compression (using some virtual comp in the computer) on the bass and it really brought it out in the mix - sounded powerful!
Got me curious as to whether any of you folks use compression in your live setups at all for this purpose? I tend to prefer a setup that is not very "fiddly", not big on using effects in these settings, and so I just haven't experimented with it much.
My alter ego is really into electronic music, and I've been eyeballing a compressor to use whilst recording my modular synth setup - the FMR "Really Nice Compressor" (RNC) - which comes highly recommended by that crowd for its price and transparency. I notice they also offer a leveling amp that might be nice to use for this particular bass application, and a combo of the two units in a rack (I'd prefer a racked solution). I wondered if anyone here has tried their stuff?
http://www.mercenary.com/realniccom.html <- the compressor
http://www.mercenary.com/fmrrnrnileam.html <- the leveling amp
http://www.mercenary.com/1fmrrncand1f.html <- the combo of the two that I'm thinking about trying
I'd value any insight into your use of compression on the bass in live sound settings.
Bass -> Alembic F-2B -> 200w Orange head (DI'd into PA) -> SVT cab
Recently, the band I play with (typical 60s-00s rock and r&b stuff) had one of their shows recorded. They have a nice live sound setup and sound guy as part of the group (really helps!!), and it came out decent. During mixing later on, the guy put a subtle touch of compression (using some virtual comp in the computer) on the bass and it really brought it out in the mix - sounded powerful!
Got me curious as to whether any of you folks use compression in your live setups at all for this purpose? I tend to prefer a setup that is not very "fiddly", not big on using effects in these settings, and so I just haven't experimented with it much.
My alter ego is really into electronic music, and I've been eyeballing a compressor to use whilst recording my modular synth setup - the FMR "Really Nice Compressor" (RNC) - which comes highly recommended by that crowd for its price and transparency. I notice they also offer a leveling amp that might be nice to use for this particular bass application, and a combo of the two units in a rack (I'd prefer a racked solution). I wondered if anyone here has tried their stuff?
http://www.mercenary.com/realniccom.html <- the compressor
http://www.mercenary.com/fmrrnrnileam.html <- the leveling amp
http://www.mercenary.com/1fmrrncand1f.html <- the combo of the two that I'm thinking about trying
I'd value any insight into your use of compression on the bass in live sound settings.
30
Fender Basses / Newbie Fenderista Questions
« on: July 07, 2010, 04:36:51 PM »
I've been toying with the idea of building something that resembles this (but in a non-redundant color TBD):
Figured I could piece something together over time... but when looking for parts I came across Ebayer "reliablefender" selling a couple 70s reissue necks for around the $400 mark. That price got me thinking that it might make better financial sense to just wait and buy a complete bass (and yeah, they do have that entire bass in parts for ~900 shipped )
Does anyone have a feel for what the 70s RI CIJ Precisions should fetch these days? Something like this one, for example (an old listing from 2008): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424489.
Also, being a newbie to all the Fender neck varieties, all I know is that I prefer a somewhat shallow "C" profile. Are the 70s RI necks chunky? If so, maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree (I'm admittedly just drawn to the aesthetics of the 70s basses for whatever reason). Is there a good comparison somewhere of all the different necks? That might help guide my decision making.
Thanks for any advice/info!
(and don't tell my Tbirds! )
Figured I could piece something together over time... but when looking for parts I came across Ebayer "reliablefender" selling a couple 70s reissue necks for around the $400 mark. That price got me thinking that it might make better financial sense to just wait and buy a complete bass (and yeah, they do have that entire bass in parts for ~900 shipped
)Does anyone have a feel for what the 70s RI CIJ Precisions should fetch these days? Something like this one, for example (an old listing from 2008): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424489.
Also, being a newbie to all the Fender neck varieties, all I know is that I prefer a somewhat shallow "C" profile. Are the 70s RI necks chunky? If so, maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree (I'm admittedly just drawn to the aesthetics of the 70s basses for whatever reason). Is there a good comparison somewhere of all the different necks? That might help guide my decision making.
Thanks for any advice/info!
(and don't tell my Tbirds!
)