Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: rockbassist on September 17, 2006, 08:20:54 PM
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I have 2 1997 Epic 5 String basses and a 1976 Fender Precision. I wouldn't trade any of these basses for anything. I am using a Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II running bi-amped through a Gallien Krueger 410 RBH and 115 RBH. The tone is the best that I have ever had but it's still not quite what I am looking for. It seems that everytime I see a band whose bass sound I love the bassist is using either Eden or EBS. I am considering switching to an Eden 800 head with an Eden 410 and 115 or an EBS rig. Seeing how Alembic is such a high end bass I figured that many of you are also using high end amps. What do you recommend?
Thanks
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You'll find quite a few here are using Alembic preamps as part of their rigs.
Personally, I can tell you that a Schroeder cabinet of the right size for your application and an EA iAmp 800 makes for a great and versatile rig. While I found that very tight and modern, I have recently gone to a Fender TBP-1 preamp to get a little more warmth in my tone.
It would be the rare gigging environment that would exceed the abilities of the iAmp800 into a Schroeder 21012 light cabinet. For a more vintage tone, the heavier 1212 model really punches. I would bet that your basses and amp would sound great through a 1212, and probably nearly as loud. That's a single 2x12 cabinet that weighs in under 60 pounds and has a footprint smaller than the average 2x10 cab.
I just don't see the reason to carry that much cab around any longer.
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From what I have seen here and at other sites I don't think you could go wrong with either Eden or EBS.
I'm currently using an Eden Navigator preamp into a Bag End ELF controller which feeds a QSC PLX 3002. This drives Bag End 18 and 2X10 speakers.
Keith
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I use an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro (450 watt @ 4 ohm) with a Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse 1000 (1 x 15 inch + 4 x 10 inch)
Works very well for me, lots of power and perfect tone for my music. If I had the $$$ I would go for the Mesa 400+ amp, but retubing that amp will cost approx $500!
On the picture I use my set and the set I use for practising, a Hartke H3500 with a Trace Elliot 1 x 18 inch + 1 x 10 inch...Thunder!:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31554.jpg)
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I wasted quite a bit of cash trying out different combinations, until I found Eden. I'm using an Eden 800 head in bi-amp mode powering an Eden 2 x 10 (D210XST) and and Eden 1 x 15 (D115XST). Pure delight.
Ellery (Lowlife)
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I'm currently running an Alembic F1X preamp into a QSC RMX 1850. I'm only using one side of the QSC at the moment to push an Aguilar GS112.
I'm thinking about either adding a 2x10 or replacing the GS112 with a 2x10. The 2x10 I'm considering is an Acme low B2 cabinet.
-Jim
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I have an Eden Metro 2x10 combo I use at church. And my big rig is a newly added F1X preamp into an SWR 750 Head powering 2 SWR cabs, 1 2x10 with horn and a 1x15 with horn. My SWR is a pre Fender rig too.
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Kevin,
For 5 string bass you want a deep cab that can handle the low B. A big 15 or 18 really will do that justice. SWR used to make a 2x 15 cab Big Bertha but still makes a 1x 18 Big Ben. The 2x 15 has specs to 40 Hz, but the 18 goes way down past the low B string. I have an old SWR SM-400 head into a 4x10 Goliath cab and a Big Ben 1x18. You can find newer cabs where all this is in one box. Accugroove, Bergantino, etc. Your ears will be the best judge. Epics got the power to run anything!
Kris
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Holy crap, FC_Spoiler, it looks like you're holding out a severed head in your other hand.
Can someone explain what a Bag End ELF controller is? I'm using a couple of Bag End cabinets, but I don't really know what this ELF thing is all about.
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Ditto on the Schroeder cabs. I used to run a Boogie 2X15 on the bottom, plus a 2X10 on top, biamped. It was a great rig, but HUGE abd HEAVY. My new Schroeder lightweight 4X10 actually handles considerably more power, is a lot louder, and produces tons of low end. A low B is no problem whatsoever. It weighs about 65 lbs.
My pre and power have not changed: F1X into QSC RMX 1850, just like lothartu. I am looking to change the power to something newer and lighter, as well, but I like QSC sound.
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com (http://www.andycalderbass.com)
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Hah! I'm not that evil... (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31561.gif) I just ordered some beers for the audience
(Message edited by fc_spoiler on September 18, 2006)
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I've got an epic 5 string pushing an f1x, running into a qsc plx2402, bayou cables all the way through, a korg 1000 tuner, some power conditioner with pull out lights that I can't remember the name of off hand, pushing an accugroove whappo jr. Call me sacrelicious, but I'm not quite satisfied with the f1x, maybe I need a sf2 as well. The 5 string is a wenge top with mahogany body and maple accent. I just bought a 4 string epic with maple top, purpleheart accent, mahogany body that I am waiting patiently to a/b for wood tonal differences. Both epics have the AE2 filter/q switch upgrade.
I also have a bbe bass preamp that I got on the cheap that I have been playing with putting into the loop. I could very well be chasing the dragon tone wise, and I am no way saying that I am not satisfied with my sound, I just possibly could be more satisfied. Or maybe it's just GAS.
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I use Aguilar stuff but it's heavy. Too damn heavy. I've been thinking a lot about getting something new, entirely for portability.
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I use an EDEN Metro with an extendsion EDEN D115XLT with my ALEMBIC and Yamaha five strings. The Metro was enough for a four string, but it's asking a lot from a fat, Twin Reverb sized cabinet to push those low C's and D's. I a/b'd the 115 with other EDEN 210/410 cabinets and they just sounded like more Metro. The 115 gave a different 'blend' I liked better as a stack.
EDEN wires the Metro internally as an 8-ohm load, so you can add TWO more 8-ohm cabinets for a buildable system (and a LOUD one). I could run two 115s off of it, but that's getting away from it being pretty portable. It's loud enough as it is.
I hope to buy it's little brother next, the DC112XLT combo with a D112XLT extension for little gigs and tight stages. But that's going to have to wait till I can try out one of the new EDEN WTX heads, about the size of a cigar box and not much heavier.
I like EDEN as I've never heard an EQ in an amp that sounds so much like it was designed by someone who really knew bass, both in the heads and the cabinets.
I would love an F1X/SF2/power amp, etc., style rig, but I've come back around to preferring a bass amp instead of separate rack pieces.
J o e y
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I am decidedly un-hifi.
I play through a combination of cabs- three homebrew cabs (Eminence drivers) 115, 212 and 410 and I recently picked up a GK 410 simply because the money was burning a hole in my pocket.
My head is an old ('74) Eminar 100w tube amp. Eminar is an Aussie company that no longer exists, but their amps are still floating around down here, although there aren't many in NZ. The combination of the cabs and head give me a very un-hifi sound, but it suits my thudwacker skill set nicely. I imagine that my current rig is another reason I lust so badly after Alembic- I need something to balance out all the mud!!
I would like to upgrade my amp at some point, but so long as the Eminar runs, it'll never leave my side.
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I would have to agree with f c spoiler on his choice of ampeg svt-pro.this was my choice about 10 years ago. have had no problems with it,its hooked up to ampeg classic cabs 4X10 and 1X15 @450 WATTS @4 OHMS.the best feature of this head besides its flexability is the built in tube preamp and equilizer check one out on ampeg web site.----chuck
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correction to above. the amp should be svt-3- pro----chuck
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I'm running an Ampeg B5-R into a pair of Kustom 410H cabinets, and to my ear it sounds great. They don't over-emphasize the extreme lows, which makes my stage sound manageable in the house, but the lows are definitely there. The setup seems to be pretty heavy, but the handles are in the right locations so I can load/unload it all from my truck without help. When I really want my sound to have some real, significant soul, I use an ART mic preamp (tube with parametric EQ) and one or two ancient Bogen 200w all-tube power amps. Terribly heavy, but oh my God the TONE! In my opinion, the boutique stuff is nice but if it's loud enough to really hear that kind of fidelity in a live-performance situation then it's too loud out front (given that you're not playing through junk that just sounds, er, ungood). On the other hand, an SF2 is something I could get my brain around...
Keep in mind that if you're hearing other players through the PA, then the amp/cabinet might have nothing to do with the tone. The simplest of tube preamps feeding the PA (with no EQ) is the best option in that case, since your EQ will need to be tuned to every different room you play in, and re-tuned as people come and go and as different tunes dictate (as will the entire system). Sending an EQ'd signal to the house is not unlike tying your soundperson's hands. You might find that the same person is running the board whenever you hear a bass sound you really like. Also, some rooms just suck, and others just sound awesome, and bass is always the instrument that suffers most when they suck...
John
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SHURE WIRELESS-F1X-SF2-DTR-PLX3402-UL212-T310 option of T115 or LOW B2-LOW B4
I also have a Genz Benz GBE 1200 which I send ahead for west coast gigs. I much prefer the Alembic racks.
I'm selling the T310 w/casters and cover if anyone wants to make an offer.
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Can someone explain what a Bag End ELF controller is? I'm using a couple of Bag End cabinets, but I don't really know what this ELF thing is all about.
Ron Wickersham is one of the inventors of ELF.
The ELF integrator (ie controller) can be looked at like a sophisticated cross-over. It splits the output of the preamp into low frequency and stereo high frequency or into a mono low, middle and high frequencies. These then feed power amps. It provides extended low frequencies and also provides time alignment of the signals. Bag End now calls it Infra. The catch is you need to use subs that are designed for use only with the integrator. Likewise the integrator can only be used with specific subs.
It is explained further in Guide to ELF Systems (http://www.bagend.com/bagend/downloads/elfman12.pdf).
Keith
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After buying and selling too many rigs, I have finally settled on the following.
F-1X, Stewart 2.1, into two Dr. Bass 2 x 12's
I ordered the Dr. Bass cabinets loaded with Beyma G-40's instead of the Eminence speakers most manufacturers use. What a huge difference in tone! They sound great at any volume.
Dale in Michigan
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Keith --
I looked through that document. Great Scott! I love genius hippie stoners. Kind of like the crowd at Cal Tech, or at least what that crowd used to be like, back in the day.
Amongst the upshots, this requires more than one power amp, I presume -- just what I'm trying to avoid. Still, it's highly tempting.
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I use the following: Main Rig: An F1-X, an SF-2, a Korg DTR 1000 tuner, a Furman AR-1215 voltage regulator, and a QSC MX-1500a to power it all (I'm looking into getting a PLX series ... the MX is heavier than a ton of bricks!). The cabinets are Ampeg BXT series, once used by Victor Wooten at a Blues Alley gig in the DC area. Practice Amps: I have an Ampeg BA-115, a small Rocktron I bought in Korea, a Hartke A25 (also from Korea ... 220V), and a recently purchase Phil Jones Bass Briefcase - love that thing. Portable as hell, and great tone. It will even run on a car or internal battery. I went to Myrtle Beach this past weekend, and took my Lakland 4-94 and the Briefcase. Worked great, and took up very little space. I also have an Ampeg BA-210SP that I use in Korea when I'm there - it's at a friend's apartment. Finally, I have my Ampeg SVT-IV Pro that's now sitting in a rack case since I got the F1-X and the QSC. It's a great self contained amp for what it is, and powerful. It was my main amp for the last three years. Keith played through it when he visited - I had the SF-2 hooked up to it, and it made it incredible. Alan
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31592.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31593.jpg)
(Message edited by ajdover on September 19, 2006)
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F1X, SF2, QSC PLX2402
This is a great rig, and apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so!
Cabinets are 1 Eden 12 and 2 Bergantino 12's. I have another Eden 12, but haven't felt the need to use it yet. Maybe for the outdoor show we have coming up...
The nice thing about the 12's is that they are individually small and easy to cary, but when combined have plenty of output. I can use as few or as many as I need and still keep the same basic sound. I like the Edens for their volume and low end, and the Bergantinos for their midrange. The two blend VERY nicely.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31598.jpg)
Still experimenting with head location. It's easier to adjust up there, but it interferes with the cabinets coupling. When I put it on the ground beside the speakers, I stack them on their sides so the whole array is roughly the same height either way.
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Hugh,
Yes, you would need 2 amps (or one stereo) to drive an ELF setup. I'm using a QSC PLX3002.
Keith
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Nothing fancy - just an Epic 5 w/ AE-2 & Q switch through an early 80's SVT. I also have an Ashdown combo for small gigs.
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Stereo power amp. Of course. I'm such a mow-ron.
I've never bi-amped anything in my life. However, I have a bass w/ anniversary electronics (which I've only ever run mono).
Re: the Aguilar stuff, I never understood why they'd make such a nice pre-amp with a cross-over but then produce a mono power amp to pair it with.
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Hugh,
... things that make you go....HMMMM
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I have both an Aguilar DB680 pre w/Crown Macro Tech 2400 and F1-X, SF-2/Crown K-2 going into Ampeg 8x10's. For my band we have very high volume levels so the SVT's are perfect for a non bi-amp rig w/lots of power. I used to run an SVT-4 PRO (the best amp they make now,I.M.H.O.) but it became unreliable after two years of service, so I had to make a change for something that was fail proof(to a degree). I stopped using bass amps as they have all failed me one way or another(from large problems to the minute) so I opted for a large P.A. amp and killer bass preamps(almost went with studio grade mic pre's like Presonus , Focusrite, Joe Meek) and i have'nt had a problem yet and I doubt I will. Oh, stay away from SWR now, it's just not the same since Blender took it over.
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Dale, I like your taste...
I'm using (2) F-1X ,(stereo)with a sf2 in the loops,to the Stewart 2.1,...no regrets : )
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Is there a difference between using two F-1Xs or an F-2B?
I'm thinking about a stereo rig for the anniversary electronics --
A stereo guitar cable which splits somehow into two mono cables
Into two inputs of an F-2B
Into a stereo power amp?
Is there any difference between an F-1X and an F-2B besides the number of inputs?
(Message edited by hb3 on September 21, 2006)
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A F1X is half or one channel of a F2B. That part is the same, then the F1X adds an effects loop, a direct out and a crossover.
The only difference between using 2 F1X units and an F2B would be that you would get to use the F1X extras like the effects loops. Personally I think it would be pretty slick to have 2 F1X units being pushed by a stereo instrument. Having independent effects loops would make for a lot of interesting choices but then you run into the problem of Do I now need to buy 2 effects units? One for unit A and one for unit B? It depends on what you want to do I guess.
- Jim
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The other reason I decided to splurge on 2 F1X units was for the direct out option,not to mention going quad with a crossover and 2 outputs on each F1X...I'm putting that idea on the backburner for a while.
I'm now at the point where I want to make sure they both sound the same(not sure about the tubes in the one I bought used).
of course, the more options one has, the longer it takes to dial in that heavenly sound.
I'm still dreaming about a sf-2 dedicated to each channel.
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GK 800RB bi-amped
2 x 10 Hartke
1 x 15 Mesa Boogie
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EBS Octabass- F1X- Mackie 1400- 4 10 Eminence BP102 w' horn sealed cab and folded/ported cab with 15 Eminence Omega pro- each on their own channel. Very big clean sound down to A below the E string (using the EBS of course).
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Jim, Elwood,
You guys are hardcore.
Why doesn't the F2B have an effects loop? I've gotten really used to using one. The notion of two effects loops, two pre-amps, two sets of pedals....is terrifying.
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hb3,
thanks for the compliment, : )
I sometimes use a little mixer aux send,returning to another channel,for my mono effects(mutron 3,oct. divider...).
That way I can pan them into the final mix.
I'm not sure how much phase relationship I lose with that,but it sounds pretty good.
This set-up works amazing for my guitar too.
cheers,
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I believe it is the case that the circuitry of the F-1X and the F-2B are not the same, and to my ears they do not sound the same. Go here (http://www.alembic.com/prod/rackmount.html) for a description of these preamps. To my ears, the F-2B has more of a tube sound; the F-1X has a cleaner sound.
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I'll be the third for Schroeder. Use a 1210 cabinet..sounds great and has great projection. I've just recently aquired a Mark Bass LMKII head which I really like. The 5 lbs head and the 1210 are maybe 50/55 lbs.
At a recent outside thing I stacked it on a Mesa 1x15 cabinet, sounded good standing in front of it, but out front the Schroeder stood out.
I'm thinking the 400+ and M-2000 heads will be going soon.
Gary
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I have been thinking about the Eden CXC1015 combo as a great amp for small gigs and or practice. The link below brings you to the spec page. Sorry, Dave, I haven't figured out yet how to insert a link the official way.
Kris
http://www.eden-electronics.com/products/combos/indiv/cxc1015.asp (http://www.eden-electronics.com/products/combos/indiv/cxc1015.asp)
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So...has anyone tried one of the new QSC, super-lightweight amps? I have to admit, 20 pounds, two rack spaces is tempting. However, I've seen a review or two that sort of cryptically refer to a lack of bass response. Anyone?
It's not impossible that these are good. Look at multichannel audio components -- it's been pretty amazing what's been going on. Class D electronics have really improved. Better sound is coming in smaller packages, as many here have noted.
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Hugh,
My experience is that the PLX series make great bass rig amps. They offer plenty of headroom and bass response in a comparably portable and affordable package. My sound engineer friends like them OK for mains and monitors, but say they don't slam a pair of 2x18 subs like an old Crest CA or Pro series, or like the Crown Macro-Techs. If you want to tote around a Crest 9001 for your bass rig, be my guest! :-)
http://www.crestaudio.com/media/pdf/9001_10-15-97.pdf (http://www.crestaudio.com/media/pdf/9001_10-15-97.pdf)
I haven't tried the PLX-2 series, but the bigger models, (1802, 2502, 3102, and 3602) are very similar in power and weight to the original PLX amps. Some of the specs and features are different, though. www.qscaudio.com (http://www.qscaudio.com) is a good place to compare the two.
Here are some good deals on a few power amps...
http://www.thunderfunk.com/TF_Used_Gear.html (http://www.thunderfunk.com/TF_Used_Gear.html)
P.S. Why can't I find the instructions on link shrinkage?
(set)
(Message edited by crgaston on September 22, 2006)
(Message edited by crgaston on September 22, 2006)
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At the bottom of this page, click on Help/Instructions (http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/discus.cgi?pg=help). On the new page, click on Formatting (http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/discus.cgi?pg=formatting). Here, click on Other Formatting (http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/discus.cgi?pg=formatting#other), which takes you down the page a little over half way. Then you can click on Hyperlinks (http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/discus.cgi?pg=formatting#links), which will take you just a little further down the page.
I use the Link code, but some folks here use the Newurl code, which is probably an even better choice. I also like to add a Bold code (near the top of the Formatting page) so that the link will stand out against the regular text.
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Thanks, Dave.
BTW, I'm going to be in your neck of the woods next weekend. Were playing in Asheville on the 30th at McCormick Field for the Indigo Girls show (opening for the opening band, LOL). Just checked your website...I see you're engaged that evening. :-(
Thanks again,
Charles
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I did see that the Indigo Girls were going to be in town. Should have a great turnout. Too bad, I would have liked to have come to see you play.
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I read this thread with great interest. There seems to be a pattern here, and it got me wondering. Are there others like me out there, old schoolers, who may feel intimidated by all the F1-X/QSC/and Eden gear? Am I an anomaly in the Alembic world, with my late 60's Traynor YBA-1A, spewing 90 watts of Canadian El34 bliss? My love of old Traynor's follows two paths, one is the value, they don't cost much, but I also have some sort of primordal connection with the tone. When I get her dialed in, the sound goes straight to my reptilian brain, my sternum quivers, and my lower gums itch. So, is there anybody else out there who runs a vintage tube rig as their primary setup?
Traynor Bassmaster Mark II YBA-1A/Ashdown Mag210T/EVM series II 15L in a custom cabinet. (142.0 k)
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James,
If you haven't figured it out by now, it goes without saying: An Alembic bass makes ANY amp sound good! If you like a vintage amp great! If you want hi-tech cool! If you want a complete component system, that works too! Even that funny new Bose system I hear works well. It's such a personal taste / sound thing. We enjoy talking about the various combinations because someone can stumble across some very cool combinations, and just may have hit that sought after sound you're looking for. All in all, no matter what you play through, it's your ears that have the final say. For example, I started out with an Ampeg V-4B with a 1x18 cab. At 100 watts, it didn't have enough power, so I traded up to an SVT 8x10 vintage rig. It had the power alright, but got way too muddy for my taste when doing any 1/16 note speed runs. I sold it and got a pure component rig. Audioarts parametric EQ / Pre, Compressor, and crossover into BGW 750 and 250 amps. bi-amped into JBL 18's and 10's. I eventually went tri-amped, and added 5 tweeters. After years of punishment and a sore back, I sold all that and went to an SWR SM-400, 4x10 & 1x18 rig. This I can biamp or run full range. Sometimes I think this is TOO clean, and long for my old V4-B. That amp was hard to beat. Enjoy your Traynor.
Kris
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since i go stereo these days:
late 70's F2-B with mullard tubes.
Mesa stereo simul-class 2:90 tube power amp (new mesa tubes throughout).
peavey 2x10 for the bridge pickup channel
bag end 1x18 for the neck pickup channel
i set the speakers so that the bridge channel is stage right just like the bridge pickup is (most of the time). it definitely sounds better this way rather than with the speakers stacked.
i originally built this rig for my living-room practice space when i lived in seattle. i never imagined that i would be actually gigging with it. it sounds great but it's about 200 lbs combined (the hand truck is not shown in this view). if we have FOH, the sound guy uses a direct box out of the mono output. seems to work pretty well.
a couple of notes about the components:
i bought the F2-B from a club member(can't remember who, now). he negleted to tell me it was a total wreck - i wound up rebuilding the power supply (it had been hacked), replacing all of the knobs, replacing a couple of broken pots and redoing all of the solder on the PCB. I finally got the rattle out of the B channel and it sounds great.
i bought the mesa from instrumnet echange. in this case it was total disclosure on their part - the amp had been dropped (apparently from some height!) and so i not only had to rebuild the inside but i got to do some metal shop on the chassis as well.
for beater components, it sounds pretty good. plus it's ungodly loud (ask my band-mates!). i always get compliments on my sound.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31734.jpg)
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I'm a big Ampeg fan myself.
I like to use 2 SVTHLF410 cabinets with a Pro3 head.
It keeps me up with the stage drum volume, (and then some).(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31740.jpg)
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Moog Taurus Pedals!....pant pant
Who'd you have to kill to get those?
(Message edited by hb3 on September 23, 2006)
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Guitarist here:
Recently begun using 2 different Allesandro Working Dog amps. My 1st is a 40 watt Rottweiler with 2x12 Jensen speakers. The final output attenuates down 50% to make it as low as a 20 watt amp. This is a 6L6 tube type amp and sounds like a vintage Fender Vibrolux amp.
My new (and favorite Dog) is my 40 watt Dobberman which atteuates down 25% (or to 10 watts for breakup at lower volumes). This combo has 1x12 Celestion Neodymium speaker for less weight and sounds great. It has EL34 tubes for a more Marshall tone. This is the ultimate gigging amp, it screams as necessary, but is small, easy to carry and unassuming.
All of the Working Dogs are hand-wired, point to point and built carefully and with love by George Allesandro. While they lack some of the extras- no fx loop, no recording out, no boost switch, not even a channel switch, they sound so good it doesn't matter. I put a Budda Phatman, and a Budda Wah in front and that's all I need.
Anyone else out there try the Working Dogs or Allesandro's high-end amps?
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Hey Patrick, full name = Filippus Catharinus Landstra, the short version is Flip.
The Fender is signed by Jerry Only, Doyle, Michale Graves (Misfits) Joey Z., Alan Robert (Life of agony) and Marky Ramone (Ramones)
The shattered SG is a cheapo copy, I smashed it onstage P.T. style. Last song that was played on that guitar was a Sepultura song: Territory. At the end of the song I smashed the poor thing...
Your rig is awesome (like your basses btw) I bet if you turn it up to ludicrous volume, the tremors could be felt on this side of the huge swimming pool. Way to go, and thanks!
Cheers,
Flip
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I guess i own the simplest rig here.
Just a H/H amp and I plug my basses straight in.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/My%20musical%20instruments/basses.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/My%20musical%20instruments/basses.jpg)
As for my guitars, I used a little 40 watt Hiwatt combo (Just visible on top of my H/H amp) for small performances and home playing (that little sucker goes LOUD) and for the larger gigs I use a Peavey Classic combo with six boss pedal all ran straight in, not multi effects or looping bull&*%$ for me.
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I sold my Ampeg SVT 3 Pro and bought a Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 all tube 2 x 200 watt poweramp. I'm using the Markbass as preamp and for backup. The Strategy can handle 2 ohms on each channel, so I can hook up all my cabs (+more)
Tone is amazing!
Pictures can be found on my site: WWW.FCBASS.TK (http://www.decoda.net/FCBASS target=_blank).
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/34754.gif)
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oh yaaa!! get down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Nice pick up Flip.The house must be rockin'
NLP
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FC,
Cool lookin' rig. I'm also using a MarkBass. A Traveller 102 Combo, same internal head (Little Mark) as your's, 2-12' Neo speakers, along with a Traveller 115 cab. Sometimes I fire up a SansAmp RBI for a little different presence and dirt, but the MarkBass rocks! Bet it booms along W/ the Boogie stuff. RAWK on, dude! (Cool Basses. too!)
The 'Ho.....
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Hey there,
I made a quick stop at the Serial Number Pedagree shop and got a fine welcome from southpaw.
I've been meaning to hit the Introduction spot for a formal hello but this Amp section got me.
This Ampeg B-15R Stack is my latest acquisition.
There's a great story behind it that I'll lay on you, but first here's a look!
Garret
And Here's the Amp Story!
The Ampeg is a B-15R (reissue) 2-15 stack.
I found and bought them separately this last summer.
I ran into the B-15E extension cab first, still new had never been sold.
(S/N KIDJ70001, first production model issued! Crazy!)
I never would have gone through the expense and effort otherwise. The extension cab., completing the 2-15 Stack, really makes it. Before I found my B-15E Ampeg had already told me they had built a short run, 98 built for distribution! The store I found it in had been using it as a rental. I guess no-one had any regard for this Low-Power funky cab! They sold it to me for $350.00 and I ran home screaming, so to speak! I was a state away from home, celibrating my brother's 50th birthday.
The guy at the store didn't even know it was the first one issued, till he rang up the sale.
After that I set out to find a B-15R to set on top of it. There had been used ones at both Bass NorthWest and Bass Central for $1300.00 before I went to Washinton for the weekend. When I checked back they had both sold the same day I bought my B-15E. So I sent out emails expressing interest in another used one, both Bass NW and Bass Central offered me new ones for $1900.00 each.
In the meantime I put my '74 Rick up on ebay!
Then I got a phone call from a gal at Guitar Center in Eugene OR. (I'm in Corvallis OR.) saying she had two, still new, store floor models in her network (stores back east) with minor tolex damage that she sell me for $1349.99!
So, I told her I had my '74 Rick auction finishing up on eBay, I got $1045.00 for it.
They finished the deal by giving my $325.00 for the Max & 412-TFX and only charged me $9.00 shipping, it was an in-store transfer!
Now the punchline! They get it, I pick it up and bring it home. (The damage was minor tolex damage to the corners of the Head Plate. A couple latches and corners were bunged up too but no harm to the cabinet, it's clean!)
No-one bothers to look at the Serial Number.
It's S/N AJYDQ00001! The first production issue B-15R! Crazy story, but it's true!
One odd thing is that my Cabinet is S/N AJYDQ00002! No-one at Loud Tech. or Ampeg have been able to verify if it was released this way or if the Head/Cab was swapped with # 00002.
Now just one more funny thing.
I've been in corespondence with Jess Oliver the original designer of the Flip-Top Portaflex and was in on the Engineering of the Reissue B-15R and he was told that he would receive The First Production Model, which he has! So he checked his S/N and it says S/N AJYDJ00001 (where mine is AJYDQ) and his Head and Cab. match!
It's all good!
I love it but it cost me my 1974 Walnut Rickenbacker 4001 and my Peavey 800w MAX & 412-TFX, which it had to be able to replace.
It has been consoling me very well ever sence!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/35135.jpg)
(Message edited by 72Rick on January 12, 2007)
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Here's my little set-up as of now except that I've also added a 18 subwoofer to the carvins and I now have the sweetest thing I've ever owned, Ampeg SVT-2pro with about 12 tubes in it. I now have a custom Series II on order.
Aloha, Paul(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/35264.jpg)
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I like the fact that you've incorporated your 4X10 into your interior design scheme, adorning it with a tablecloth and a plant. I'm not sure I could talk my girl into that...
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com (http://www.andycalderbass.com)
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But be careful not to overwater the plant.
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I'd be more worried about the plant pot sliding off due to the vibrations of the cab. That carpet sure doesn't need a load of wet soil staining it.
Jazzyvee
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I'm totally stoked. On Wednesday this week I will be the proud owner of the GK NEO 1001/212 combo amp. I have heads and cabs, but at 480W (700W with ext. cab) this combo is more than enough for most gigs, plus I can always add on another 8ohm cab to get bone crushing volume. If you have not tried the new GK NEO stuff you really owe it to yourself to do so. It is truly vocal and warm with the sweetest midrange I have heard so far. My Alembic sounds great through just about any rig, but this one takes it for me. Steve
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Yes, the new GK stuff is awesome. GK has always made decent gear that held up well, but the new stuff puts GK into a new category of quality. That combo amp sounds like a great tool. How much does it weigh?
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com (http://www.andycalderbass.com)
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I've been dragging this Trace rig around for years. After running the gauntlet I have found this rig, bi-amped, is the best thing going for any bass with active electronics. Run an Alembic Series bass through her and the band will stop complaining about carrying the thing.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/35362.jpg)
Going with passive pups, the rules change. Not sure why, but a Rick and an Ampeg seem made for each other. Not the same through the Trace. The boys never like seeing this thing in the back of my truck. Don't have to jog as much living with an SVT.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/35363.jpg)
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Nice rigs! But what's with the Rick... reverse headstock?
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Good eye fc, this is the 4001c64s. It is a modern replica of the bass used by McCartney which was built in 1964. His bass had a lefty body with a righty neck, a reversed headstock. Mine is a righty with a lefty neck, reversed to give the McCartney look. Also has the edges sanded off the body & horns, horseshoe bridge pup, toaster neck pup, satin finish. This is the only model to offer all these features.
Lots of discussion amongst the Rick community as to the headstock's appearance, ugly vs pretty. I like it because it is so odd I find it cool.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/35390.jpg)
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Very cool Rick j_gary!
Your Ampeg is awsome as well!
A Spoiler and Trace Elliot Rig to die for!
Man, you've got it all going on!
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Nice RICK - I think the headstock looks cool!
WOW - now that's an AMPEG setup to die for! But, at this stage of the game it might be too much to handle without some help!
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I use a Glockenklang Heart-Rock amp into a Glockenklang Double (2x12) cab. I do plan to add another cab eventually, but for the time being this is plenty. I don't think there's anything better out there to complement Alembics than Glock stuff. It's pure and clean and sounds like whatever you put through it.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/35420.jpg)
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Just realized I posted earlier and forgot about it. Oops. Oh well this time you got a pic out of the deal.
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Thank you Garret and Chris.
I've managed to live long enough to pick up some nice equipment that I can barely pick up.
Nice compact rig Dave. I could probably lift her by myself.
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I'm in the process of acquiring a second setup-
I've picked up a Yamaha BBT500H head and will be using it to power a single EA 112 Wizzy- I hope to perhaps get a 2nd Wizzy for occasions where a single 12 won't be enough, but the 1 should be all I need for a time.
Getting a Wizzy to NZ is a bit of a mission though- I played one in Perth last March and loved it, problem is trying to get one here. Perhaps I'll grab it when I go back in a month or so, but I doubt they'll let me use it as carry on!
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Here's a pic of the Strategy:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/35618.jpg)
I swapped the Markbass for an ART Nightbass + X-15 Ultrafoot.
Also new pedals on my board: Morley Power Wah Boost (Tel ray days), an E-H Little Big Muff and a True bypass/Loop pedal, so I can go from clean to overdrive/wah sound in just one click. :-)
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Who do you play with j_gary?
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I got the GK NEO 1001/212 combo and have totally been digging it. My Pedullas and Alembic sound amazingly transparent and growly through it. It's only about 80 lbs. The wheels and luggage style handle make it very easy to move around as well. I've always liked GK stuff, but have to admit that this blows away everything else they've ever made. These new GK NEO's have really swept through the bass world and converted a ton of players. I'm one of them. Steve
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I've been watching this thread because I was thinking about replacing my big rig an SWR Bass-750, 2x10 cab and 1x15 cab. It's an older SWR (pre Fender) and just wasn't sounded as good as it once did.
Well I was cleaning it up to trade off when I noticed a tear in the 15 cone. Well I had a local shop recone the speaker, I put a new tube in the pre-amp and WOW, it sound as good as new.
The tube took care of the noise I was getting and the punch and drive are back to par.
I would though like to hear my S-2 split between 2 amps like amps. As it is now if I want to run the signal split I use my SWR and a Dave Eden metro.
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It never ceases to amaze me how significant tubes are in an amp. Not only if they are up to spec, but even the difference between types. Even if all your tubes test as good, different tubes can completely change the character of an amp. I know so many guitarist who buy a vintage tube amp, and after two days decide they don't like it, and never even consider a tube swap. Olie, I'm glad you didn't give up on your old SWR. Amps are like pets, they get attached too. :-)
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Yeah I bet having a non-torn speaker would make a difference. 'Course I no longer worry about tubes. :D I do still like the old SWR stuff though. The power is a bit over-stated but they sound good. If I hadn't become a Glock man I'd probably play SWR.
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Hi Wade, sorry about the slow response. The day job is interfering with my fun.
I'm in a couple local gong show bands. A six piece country group. Good band til the beer kicks in or equipment has to be moved. Very hard to get all six to show up and play or practice.
Also a BIG three piece power trio. We have become rather big over the years as we eat more at practice than actually play. Great workouts though moving equipment with only three guys.
I find it easy to get in a band if you have a truck and can lift an 810 cab.
What kind of trouble are you into?
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I was just amazed at the size of your rigs,and wondered what you were doing need that much. I would hate to tote that stuff. I also play in a trio,but we are always looking for that 4th member. Check out our site.. http://www.myspace.com/dirtynastyblues (http://www.myspace.com/dirtynastyblues)
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I've gone back over this thread, I am thinking of buying some new gear, and was surpised that no one with the (exception of one speaker cabinet I beleive) mentioned Trace Elliot. I've never used T-E myself but remember they used to be all the rage. HMMM?
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Loud, yes. Honky, yes. Annoying, I would think so. But this is going back to the 1980s. What a sound for sore ears when SWR came on the scene ...
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Okay!
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Hey Olie. I used trace from around 1995 up until about 18 months ago. I was reasonably happy with it until I got the chance to play through an F1X/QSC/ Eden rig and realised there can be more than one tone;-) I've not listened to the new trace elliot range yet but I believe they've had some issues with components.
For what it's worth, I'm now going through an Eden Navigator / QSC PLX2402 into 2 EBS Neo cabinets and I couldn't be happier. Well maybe I could if I added more speakers but that would just upset the guitarists;-)
graeme
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I never played a Trace Elliot rig. I have tried them way back when they sounded OK nothing to write home about but what turned me off was the weight, Heavy.
I really like my SWR, the cabinets are very light and the there is plenty of power. The head (SWR 750) is very heavy but is small and easy to handle. But this rig is an older one (pre-Fender) and after hearing Waynes rig at the Dallas get-together I realize it's time to update.
I have an F-1X, which I like so I may just get a good power amp, (QSC seems to be the prefered here). And some good cabinets, I've looking at the Bag-End and Epifini. I just there was some place close that I could try them.
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The best cabinets I've heard for a really solid low end thump were the Eden 210XSTs in Mike Pisaneks rig (mentioned above). They do need coupling with something brighter to articulate the highs a bit more.
graeme
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Ollie,
I really like the Bag End cabinets. This is my current stage rig. 2 - SC18E-C subs, 1 - D10BX-D and 1 - D10B-D. None of them are what I would call light coming in at 65 to 70 Lbs each but I guess that's why they make hand trucks. One item to note since it makes a difference to some people, the 2X10's are rear ported.
Keith
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Reload lost rig picture.
Keith
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/36966.jpg)
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Keith.
I'm not worthy. Would you characterize your rig as loud?
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pardon....what did you say??
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Brad,
I wouldn't say it's loud so much as Hi-Fi. The current PA my band is using really isn't capable of handling the bass in addition to the keyboards so I pretty much have to push it all from the stage. When we play clubs with adequate PA I can always leave part of it at home.
By the way the JBL's aren't hooked up. They and a Yamaha B100 are all I have left from my 70'-80's rig. That rig also included an Acoustic 370 head and two 301 bottoms. The Bag Ends are much easier to move.
Keith
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Graeme; it's hard for me to imagine that the XST's are not bright enough. That doesn't seem to be a problem with the XLT's. So I'm wondering, where does Mike have his attenuator (http://www.eden-electronics.com/products/cabs/indiv/images/zoom_crossover.jpg) set?
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Dave,
Based on conversations on the Eden board the XST does not have the mid-range bump the XLT's have. Many folks over there actually use the XST paired with the XLT since is a deeper sounding cabinet.
Keith
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Interesting Keith; thanks!
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If you look at them, the XLT (and also the METRO, essentially a 210XLT combo) has one set of slot/ports across the bottom, the XST has those vents above and below the drivers. I don't know the difference internally, but the Eden 210XST seems to be THE thing for a one-box/210 rig, before you step off into the BagEnds, Epifanis, etc. But I can't imagine either being mids/high shy.
J o e y
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Right now I am running a Eden 550 through a 210XST. It does promise all of the bottom it claims. In the past I used a BagEnd 2X10 with the Alembic F2b and QSC power amp. To my ears the Alembic/BagEnd setup was MUCH more musical. Gobs of tone, plenty of low end too. The Eden stuff is OK, but I would love my old system back. I have also thought that the 210XST to be not bright enough. Many times I had to put my ear right against the tweeter to see if it is working.
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Speaking of Trace, I have played extensively through a Trace 350 watt head with the 12-band eq and it rocks pretty hard. Of course, that may have something to do with the Peavey 3X15 cabinet it sits on. I have to reach up to adjust it! It's not mine, which is why I'm unsure of the model. It lives in a friend's practice room, and I love going to play there because I don't have to lug any gear.
As for the cabinet, it's the only Peavey 3x15 I've ever seen. Does anyone know anything about it?
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My rig.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/36689.jpg)
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Wow! Nice rig, best of both worlds!
Here's a new picture of my Wall of death or Wall of deaf
(http://alembic.com/club/clipart/biggrin.gif)
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/36738.jpg)
More pictures can be found here:WWW.FCBASS.TK (http://www.decoda.net/FCBASS target=_blank) (link without the TK popups)
Pictures of the Mesa's guts can be found here: Strategy inside out (http://www.decoda.net/FCBASS/index_bestanden/Mesastrategy/foldertwo/Strategyguts.htm target=_blank)
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Keith; I've taken the liberty of artificially enhancing your picture as I
couldn't make out the detail on my monitor and I thought it might be
helpful to others as well. Hope that's ok.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/36970.jpg)
(Message edited by davehouck on March 02, 2007)
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Dave,
Artificial enhancement! I'll have you know they are completely natural. LOL
Thanks for putting the pic back up.
Keith
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Here is my rig. The stack on left is my guitar amp. (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37024.jpg)
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Hey Keith, your amp looks awfully similar to mine..
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37078.jpg)
I'm running EBS NEO cabs AT 4OHMS/channel giving me around 700watts each but I'm contemplating adding a pair of Eden 210XSTs to give me 1200 watts @ 2ohms - this will obviously only be for bigger venues but it'll be nice to be able to mix'n match.
graeme
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My rig.
From top to bottom:
EBS effect pedals (UniChorus, OctaBass, Dynaverb)
Korg DTR 2000
Alembic DS5-R
Furman PL-8E Series II
Alembic SF-2
EBS Fafner TD 600 Tube Armed Power amp (600 W)
EBS Evolution Pro Line 2000 410 cab (800 W)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37084.jpg)
Duncan
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Graeme,
Yes the racks look very similar. I guess great minds think alike. :-)
Keith
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Huge, I had them for some time now, and they actually work and stay in tune?
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They're quite valuable then...hang onto 'em.
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fish -
Where did you get the Exploiter from?
Does one of the pickups have a small chip in it?
I had one very similar to that in Milwaukee for awhile and had to sell it.....
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Pauldo..had it since it was new....
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Hey a quick bit of advice.
I went to a local music store today to look at getting a QSC power amp.
Now my budget is not massive but I'd decided I could afford an PLX 1804 to drive my existing 2x 10 mesa powerhouse cab and a 1x 15 power house cab via my FX-1 and SF-2.
When I went into the store today to check out the prices and availability.
They had a second hand PLX 2402 power amp ( 425w into 8 ohms) at ?150.00 ( UK pounds) less than a brand new PLX2 1804 (550w into 8 ohms)
I'm going back tomorrow ( Sunday ) to check out them with my f1-x and hopefully come out with one of them if I'm happy.
I'm probably gonna take my Europa too to check out the clarity of the B-string.
I'm not looking for a loud bass rig as I'm mainly playing Jazz-Funk Rnb Soul and Funk. What I am looking for is great clear quality sound and no distortion whatsoever.
If you are familiar with the F1-x, Sf-2 and PLX combination could you give me a brief of your experience and considered opinion as to which amp would be the best.
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Hey Jazzy.
That is exactly what I use, but with different cabinets. Go for the used one. It only weighs 8 pounds more, and it's stable at 2 ohms (1200w), which makes it more versatile, IMHO. If one of your PA or monitor amps goes down at a gig, you can push 2 4 ohm or up to 4 8ohm cabs off one channel. It also makes it possible to mix a 4 ohm and an 8 ohm cabinet on the same channel with no worries.
If you're really after the super-lightweight rig, then maybe it's worth the extra 150 quid, but I had a similar choice to make when I bought mine, and I went for the more powerful used amp.
Regarding clean tone...are you using the Superfilter in the effects loop? I've found that with a bass with a high output, I need to be careful about overdriving the efx loop return. Sometimes this means backing off on the input gain a little. Keep in mind, though, that I just sent my F1-X off to have the transformer replaced (been using it for 11 years), so my observations might apply only to my own gear. it should be back Monday, so we'll see if it still does it.
Hope this helps...
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James; love the pedal board housing!
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I presume, Mr Pascoe, that with the user name of Fish and a set of Taurus pedals you must be a big fan of a certain Mr Christopher Squire. Snap!Where's your Rick?
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My secret shame
Rob, you got me. I am a huge progressive rock fan in general. I do have one or two Rickenbackers. The ?Fish? name was inspired from being a Marillion Fan.
However, before all that, (preteen) I was a big Dead fan. I always wanted a bass like Phil?s Alembic.
I am still working on saving up for that ultimate Series I
(Edit spelling error)
(Message edited by fish on September 24, 2006)
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It's nothing to be ashamed of, Dave. Yes have been my favourite band since 1970. Chris Squire is just awesome both to listen to and to watch on stage - I just don't like Rickenbackers to play. Maybe it's just that I've never found a good one. Like you, I'd love a Series bass. I've got an SF-2, which helps!
Just to get back to the theme of this thread I use an original Euphonic Audio iAmp (Serial Number 0033) and an SF-2 into Euphonic Audio 2 x 8 and 1 x 10. Great cabs and you can carry one in each hand! I've been using the EA gear for 6 years now, but I'm seriously thinking about going F1-X and power amp. Anybody know anything about the Yamaha P5000S?
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:-)
Hi I passed your comments to my sound engineer who mixes the FOH sound for our tours and he felt that the 2402 would be the better choice of the two.
He has a lot of experience with them and says they are phenominally clean with a a lot of headroom for PA use so for bass guitar it would be exceptionally clean and powerful at low levels.
He also says that model has much better protection for the amp and speakers. Also if I was on the road with the amp its going to be better since I wouldn't know what cabs I'd be connecting to and the fact that it goes down to 2 ohms without any problems is a much better buy.
His parting words were... get the 2402 and the money you save get yourself a damn good flight case for it. lol
So I did. I tried it out today in the store. Unfortunately they didnt have any mesa boogie cabs in as they were providing equipment for a guitar festival and they were all out at the venue.
So I had to use what was available which ended up being a Gallien Kruger 15 and a 2x10 ashdown. Not what I would like but at least i got some idea.
Man was it crisp. First I just had the F-1x into the power amp and took the low and high outputs to the amp L +R ins.
After a bit of fiddling with the sound i got the magic crispnes and clarity that I was hoping for. The sound was incredible even from the non mesa cabs so I can only imagine how good its gonna sound in my cabs.
I did notice that the effect of the low pass filter on my bass was far greater that when I use it on my mesa boogie walkabout amp. The sound just seemed very very very very clean, clear transparent, punchy, bassy but a with very high quality. I think I'm gonna find it very interesting indeed. I didn't even dare dial in some of the sf-2 as the speakers were not dealing with the existing signal very well.
Im now probably gonna need some kind of limiter to prevent the speakers going pop unless i can find out how the limiters work on the pLX.
Anyway thanks for your advice and I'll let you know how it gets on when I next get a bass playing gig.
Jazzyvee
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James; love the pedal board housing!
I found it at a thrift store ($3), I think it was a breakfast tray. I reinforced it, covered the bottom in black carpet, wired her up and got me a 1-spot to power the whole lot. It has been a big hit with my guitarist buddies :-)
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Congrats, Jazzy!
The limiters and the hi-pass filters, as well as the dual-mono/stereo/bridge-mono functions are all controlled by little DIP switches on the back. There should be a diagram on the back of the amp which explains them. If it's somehow been worn off, I'll be happy to photograph mine for you. You can get a little more headroom by engaging the hi-pass filters at 30Hz, especially if you're playing 5-string. I didn't like the filter in the 50 Hz setting, but if you're bi-amping you may want to consider it, depending on where your crossover point is.
I always leave my limiters on, but the amp will still clip if I hit it hard enough. You can definitely hear it when it happens, so you are unlikely to blow anything unless you're both deaf and careless, which I'm guessing you're not. Unfortunately, it's not an unpleasant distortion, so I have to make myself be careful.
Enjoy!
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I've found a manual pdf on the QSC web site so will print that off and have a read of what is what on the amp.
I take it the limiters are to protect the amp but not the speakers then?
Would you recommend a compressor limiter in the signal chain to keep the peaks under control and away from speaker frying levels.
I have a Behringer and an LA Comp/Lim at home that I could bring into the equation if that would help.
If so should I put it between the F-1x low and high pass outs and the power amp so I can alter the compresson on the highs and lows individually before they get to the QSC or is that overkill?
I hope this doesn't sound patronising, if It does I'm sorry.
But in the nicest possible way this forum has cost me a small fortune over the past year just trying to get the best sound out of my alembics.
Considering about 3 years ago I only wanted a small bass rig and settled on a boogie walkabout and a boogie 2x10. I've learned so much about these basses and various views on equipment that allows them to breathe freely and naturally that I've taken on board a lot of your advice, especially on the component system and I think the combination I have now, F-1X/Sf-2/PLX, is very popular amongst members and should give me the ability to experience the natural clean sound out of basses that I have been looking for.
I don't have any problems with the sound from my boogie amp it is great and I will keep it as a backup and for smaller gigs.
Now i need to get my next bass playing gig sorted out and get that sound on to a stage.
Thanks again for your help in depleting my already limited bank balance.
I don't actually know any alembic owners personally that I could have discussed things with, so what I have learned here from you guys could otherwise have been by making a lot of expensive mistakes.
Now I don't need to get anything else.......... hahaha
No more extoling the the virtues and sound I'm missing by not having a series I or II. I have a mortgage to pay. :-)
Respect for your knowledge and the selfless way that you freely give it.
now let me get off to google and find a speakon - to jack connector......
Jazzyvee
Jazzyvee
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But Jazzy..what about the 24k gold picks ?
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That's right, Gare, they do add a certain sparkle to the sound!
Jazzy, you're right...
Internet forums are bad for your wallet!
Set correctly, the compressor would prevent you from ever clipping the amp, but you probably won't need it. Kissing the red every now and then won't hurt anything. Play it as is, and if you feel like you need compression, add it in. Having individual control over the highs and lows would probably be cool, and how you described it is how you would do it.
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24k Gold picks, now that would be different, I do use a marble one occasionally on my guitar which does give me a nice sound. For bass, I'm fingers and thumbs only.
Jazzyvee
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I'm also in the market for a new rig. I've been thinking about getting the Epifani UL series cab. For an amp I'm considering Epifani, EBO, or either an SWR Mo bass amp or an SWR SM 900. I was wondering if any one is using any of the gear I've mentioned? Any opinions or recommendations?
Take care and have fun
Brian
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crgaston , you have one of those ABS cases. I'm looking for a case for my rig. Are those cases strong? I've seen some in the shop and they don't look particularly robust compared to the traditional wood/aluminium ones. But I guess they are much lighter.
How do you rate their durability?
JAzzvee
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Jazzy,
I've had that since 1993. It's got probably 150,000 miles in an equipment trailer, and many more in the trunk of my car, so I'd rate the durability as pretty good!
It's an SKB, and it is better made than some of the budget ones I've seen in music stores lately. SKB also makes something called a Roto-Rack, which is also ABS, but a little stronger and larger. The thing about those is that you can mount a set of rails in the rear, so you could fit your F1-X, SF-2, and amp up front, then mount a rack power strip or wireless unit or whatever in the back.
Since I got the SF-2, I had to ditch my power strip, and just use a 3-outlet extension cord that I zip-tied to the rear rack ears of the amp. Also, I secured the SF-2's wall wart to the cord with electrical tape, and coiled and taped my power cords so everything's neater. When my Series gets here, I'm going to have to retire this case, as it won't have room for the power supply. If so, I'll probably get a 4 space Roto and put the DS-5 in the back. Either that or just get a separate mini-rack for the DS-5 and my power strip.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/31873.jpg)
Hope this helps,
Charles
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thanks it does, I've seen a few on ebay so will check them out.
Thanks for taking the time to photograph the setup for me.
Regards
Jazzyvee
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Hey Charles,........nice shoes man!
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Jazzy
I've got a couple of the SKB Roto-Rack cases, work fine for my needs. I've also installed ralls in the back that holds the BBE (which once set I seldom adjust).
But I'd go with regular ATA cases if I were to move the stuff around as much as some do. They're good for light to medium use. And they're light and priced reasonably.
G
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thanks for the advice, I'm watching a few on ebay at the moment.
Jazzyvee
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Brian, I absolutely had my heart set on an Epifani UL410, after hearing Mike Pope play through one. I changed my tune a little, though, after playing that box side-by -side with its Schroeder counterpart. The Epifani is a great cab, but the Schroeder sounds even better.
On another topic, I have an opinion on the topic of compression as a means of protection for your rig: If you are operating so close to the margins, you should consider a bigger power amp. Get one with lots of headroom, and you will never have to worry about being so close to the edge...
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com (http://www.andycalderbass.com)
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Andy, were you comparing the UL410 to a Schroeder 410 Regular or Light model?
David Burgess
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Hell, I use a tiny Roland Bass Cube and let the PA man ruin his back!!!
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Epi T-2x10 NYC and GK 700RBII
perfect for me for small/medium settings.
- Tom
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/32020.jpg)
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David, I was comparing the Epifani to the regular version of the Schroeder 4X10 in the store. The salesman (the guy at Bass Central) said that the Schroeder lightweights sounded (pretty much) the same as their regular cabs. I got home and bought one straight from Jorg, as I live about 1000 miles from the nearest dealer. My cab sounds like what I remember the heavy one sounding like at Bass Central. I had someone else sit in on a 5 string, and the bottom was huge.
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com (http://www.andycalderbass.com)
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With my 4-string:
Essence (other basses may come & go, this one's with me for life),
Warwick Corvette fretless, and
Tacoma Thunderchief:
Alembic F2-B pre-amp
QSC PLX 3002 power-amp
Rane DC 24 dynamic controller
Korg DTR-1000 rack tuner
Furman PL-8 Series II power conditioner
Avatar 212 NEO (8 ohm)
SWR Goliath Jr. 2X10 (8 ohm)
The Avatar beautifies the low end. Turning the SWR down one click gives me some high end clarity without turning up either speaker's hissy tweeters. Pure bass...(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/32263.jpg)
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I sold my Gibson and bought 2 Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse cabinets, 1 x 15 and a 2 x 10 inch. (oldstyle, like my PH1000)
Next I'm planning to sell or trade my Catalyst for a good Amp. I might trade it in for a Trace Elliot Twin Valve combo...
Cheers!
Flip
(Message edited by fc_spoiler on October 10, 2006)
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Nice choice of cabs fc_spoiler, that is the same as I have.
let me know how you get on with them.
Jazzyvee
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Thanx! This rig will look awesome next to the Powerhouse 1000. Now I can start my own demolition company!
Pics will follow.
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here's my rig. that's my europa 4string w/red side & front LED's. 3 vintage trace elliot heads. the AH1000-12 drives the bag end red series S15X-D & red series S18B-D. the AH350SMX-12 drives the bag end red series S18E-D ELF cab with one channel of the ELF signal coming from the bag end M-2 ELF Infra Integrator/Processor. the AH-1200SM-7 drives the two bag end S18E-C's which also take the low signal from the bag end M-2 ELF Integrator/Processor. the M-2 ELF Integrator/Processor provides the "sub-human level of hearing" Extra Low Frequency Infra Sub signal which can't really be heard at 7 Hz, but by God you can feel it! it also solves the problem of driving these huge cabs w/an unbelievably clean low signal while preventing clipping of the highs because the low signal is driven to maximum efficiency solving an age old problem of sapping amp power w/low signal drive. as mentioned above, the reason i bought this system was due to ron wickersham's involvement in solving this problem. it works. the man's a genius. of course, all alembic owners know that. the bag end ELF/Infra setup requires that the amps powering the Infra subwoofers be dedicated. tony sorrento at bag end was an enormous help in figuring out how to hook all this crap up, with the biggest problem being finding the specs on the effects loops since the M-2 Integrator/Processor requires full signal outputs. i'm using an AKG bug wireless system. you'll note the Line6 BassPodxtPro and rare FBX floorboard. this is the long floorboard marked "FBX" before they were sued and forced to change the name of the floorboard by a manufacturer who had already trademarked "fbx". note the Line6 is racked inside an original birch wooden bag end case. very rare to still find these around. i use the 18" B-52, 2 x 12" cerwin vega, 12" peavey & 4 x 10" trace elliot 1048 cabs as monitors. they're powered by my behringer europower EP1500, which i frequently use to send the boost the signal from my ipod when i'm trying to learn the latest from disturbed or audioslave. i think dave houck figured out somehow that i have 5100 watts of available power from my vintage trace elliot heads. that, coupled w/the 1500 watts of sound from my behringer stereo amp punching a flat eq version of "hell's bells" out of my ipod and all i can say is, "huh? what? your lips move but i can't hear what you're saying...."
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/32407.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/32408.jpg)
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i forgot to mention, for those of you concerned about my neigbors that i am using the gamma noise suppression floor stands and the gamma sound damping bats that you can see behind the bass speakers. it's the purple stuff you see behind the speakers. also, the drumstick resting on the fossil is a dave holland trapeze drumstick i got from dave in san angelo, texas in 1972. no, i wasn't a little boy taking lessons from him!
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7 Hertz???? Oh man....
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Trapeze, man thats a name I haven't heard in a while. My uncle turned me on to them back in the 70's. I still have a copy of their debut LP.
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Oh yea.., Glenn Hughes was killin on that early material. Not many people know about them, or maybe forgot them. Anybody remember the Hughes/Thrall Project?
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I just got a MarkBass Little Mark C 450 watt head to power the new Mesa cabs. So I'm back on track, exclusive Alembic with lots of power! (the Fender stays for obvious reasons)
Some day I will add a Mesa Amp (400+)
(And of course an Elan)
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I just played an outdoor gig and since we weren't using our PA, I reclaimed my PLX2402 and used it with an F1X, instead of my EA iAmp 500. The cabs were a random cabinet with a Macauley 15 and an EA CXL12. It was like coming back home.
Edwin
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I love Glockenklang stuff. You can't go wrong with any of their amps/cabs. I know Trip Wamsley uses them too. Makes sense if you've got high end basses. The Glocks are very pure and clean sounding but still have a nice warm tone with crystaline high end. The EQ is VERY musical and perfectly voiced.
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WoW there are some great rigs...I thought mine was a Frankenstien of a rig. It doesn't come close to some of the listed groupings mentioned here...
Here's my list:
Alembic F1-X
Marshall 3540 head - power only (bypassed the EQ through the patch panel on the back)
Running FULL RANGE into a Hartke 4x10 and a Trace Elliot 1518.
Just purchased a few five strings - need to fine tune the sound for those bad boys...
peace
Chris
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pmoran, Am I understanding this correctly? Are you successfully using the INFRA processor with the smaller bag end 18's? The non-ELF'S?
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hi, barry. sorry for the delay in responding. no, the M-2 is feeding the ELF low signal only to the red series ELF 18 cab and the two black carpet ELF 18's. the AH-350-SMX is sending part of that low ELF signal to the red carpet cab, and the AH-1000-7 is feeding part of the low ELF signal to the two black carpet cabs. as dan from bag end explained it to me after their tech guys looked at my cabs and heads, the M-2 requires a full signal input not coming out of any kind of effects loop sends that would amount to high pass outputs. the M-2, after receiving a full range signal w/o any EQ alterations (it's got to be a pure low pass signal unaltered in any manner or form), then has to send the INFRA signal to dedicated amps in order to effectively drive the ELF bag end cabs to the full 7Hz level. if you hook an M-2 integrator/processor up to any non-ELF cab, even a non-ELF bag end cab, you'll blow the driver! don't do it. dan warned me strongly about never hooking an M-2 up to a non-ELF cab. serious damage will occur and will void any warranty!
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My amps aren't as exotic as the ones some of you use but I like the way my Alembics and my upright sound through them. I have a Gallien Krueger Backline 100 watt 110 combo for small gigs and my living room and a GK 700RB 1x15 combo with a Behringer 2x10 cab.
For 15 years I had a Rickenbacker 115 combo. I didn't use it anymore and found it a home with a major Rick fan. A sale is a sale but it's always gratifying to pass something along to someone who really loves it.
Rich
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Just curious....
Anybody have any experience or opinions on the Yamaha BBT series stuff?
http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/musicalinstruments/guitars/amps/default.asp (http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/musicalinstruments/guitars/amps/default.asp)
I've been reading good stuff about them, but haven't been able to find any to play through.
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I had a little play with one of these Yamaha BBT amps a few months ago. There's a lot of processing going on in a little box and it sounded pretty good in the store - Big Rock in Hull, UK. Give them a try.
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My new rig, I'm selling the Ampeg and I'm gonna get me a Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 soon.
This rig:
Ampeg SVT III Pro 450 Watt @ 4 ohm
MarkBass Little Mark C 450 Watt @ 4 ohm
Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse 1000 1000 watt 4 ohm
Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse 210 300 watt 8 ohm
Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse 115 400 watt 8 ohm
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/32811.jpg)
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hey, fc_spoiler (sorry, you don't have a name posted on your profile), what is the story behind the broken axe on the wall? also, the story behind the autographed axe on the right? i've got an autographed green day fender strat i bought at auction to benefit the american cancer society. bought it 8 years ago when they were famous..........but..........American Idiot! little did i know what i bought for charity when they weren't exactly at a high point in their careers would be worth now. please fill us in. very intriguing. and, jeez, what a rig. i thought i had some deafening stuff!
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oh, i had numerous screwups in the post on my rig. his name is dan saraceno, i think. he's the wiz of bagend. he walked me thru the initial setup. i've since re-arranged everything. all of the ELF 18's are on the ground. the non-ELF 18 is in the center on top of an ELF 18. the monitors are on the sides and spread out farther. the bagend 15 is deadcenter next to the non-ELF 18 and gives me a really nice high end presence in my face. the throw on the mix is about 3 feet out. closer in, all you get is pressure and almost silence. i'm used to this from working all the concerts i did in the late '70's and early 80's while i was in law school and i was the head of backstage security for StoneCity here in san antonio. nicest guy i ever met was theodore nugent. his then wife was also very nice. took her down the riverwalk and to the alamo so she could do photo's w/her collection of nikons. most interesting was alice cooper. took him to luchesse boots to pick up his 11 pairs of ostrich, kangaroo and antelope boots. we ate pizza and he sawed on my head w/a prop sword that night. god i wish i could find someone who was snapping all those pics w/the flashes that night. he told me he hated blue shirts and i wore a blue IZOD shirt that night. we ran around san antonio in my porsche that night, got a pizza at a closed pizza parlor (they couldn't believe who was banging on the glass that night.....it was cool!). oh, well. tales from the past. glenn hughes was an incredibly nice person. he's very kind and he loves his fans genuinely.