Author Topic: Introduction (Read 413 times)

alembicman · « **on:** May 15, 2011, 10:18:55 PM »

Hi, I can't believe I never took time to search this forum out until now. I ordered my Alembic Series II, short scale in 1982. I had owned a Fender jazz & a fretless p bass, and was presently using a Rick. I really liked the neck on the Rick, but then Funk came along with the pop and slap and the Rick didn't respond well at all. I had spent months and months trying out every bass on every wall in and around Atlanta. Then one night I was in search mode again for the perfect feel and tone machine, and a salesman friend of mine who worked there said he ahd a bass at home he wanted me to try. So when the store closed I followed him home. He opened the case and pulled out his long scale bumble bee tailed four string series I, pluged it up. I started playing a few notes just to get the tone I was searching for, wow. Between the tone and feel it was love at first note. I went back to the store the next day and we called Susan and put the order in. That was 1982, I have played pretty much witout any long periods of down time since then and I can't remember ever making thru a single gig without being asked about my bass. One particular weekend I played in a battle of the bands with my band. There were seventeen other bands in this event and all seventeen bassist, several guitarist and even a few of the drummers ask if they could take a look at Ali and ask how i got such a wide tone range out of her. I guess it's pretty evident that I found the fourstring love of my life. Anyway I'm really glad I finally learned about this club. Actually Mica told me about it in a phone conversation months ago, but I just kept forgetting to check it out.
I do have a question, and would appreciate all the imput I could get. I'm playing through an Aphex 204 into a GenzBenz GBE750 head and a GenzBenz Uber 4x10 cab. I want to add a compressor to my rig. I've been reading up on the DBX 160A and it sounds like it would be a good addition. I would really appreciate hearing your suggestions and prefrences on this.
Thanks,
Alembicman

tbrannon · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2011, 06:55:39 AM »

Welcome to the forum, Steve!

I can't help you out with the compressor question- but I'm sure you'll get some feedback on that before long. We love pictures around here- you should start a thread in the showcase section and post some pictures of your bass.

Toby

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:53:23 AM »

Welcome

Why do you want to add a compressor? Do you snap/pop the strings?

VMG

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2011, 02:33:30 PM »

- Is it for your live rig or to studio use?

Because some great Compressors can be a little fragile to be carried around. DBX is a great choice because it can handle much beaten before fail.

Although we really doesn't need control over all parameters in a stage, there are some Pedals that let you adjust them like the MXR Bass Compressor. It is a Pedal that lets you see how much signal you are compressing and have controls over attack, release and ratio.

I didn't tryed yet but the black Finger from Eletro Harmonix looks impressive with all those exposed Tubes. If you can, give it a try. Many people believe that opto-compressors and tube driven ones fit better the Bass characteristics.

On the other hand, there are Compressors that keep everything simple.

From the past we have the venerable 1176 or LA-2A that you've probably already hearded on many records from the 50's untill now. In the LA-2A you just have treshold and output gain, ratio, attack and release are all fixed (but very proper to use with the Bass).

The Demeter compulator follows that path and is a great little unravel pedal compressor.

alembicman · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2011, 07:12:44 PM »

I play a lot of different styles, and do a little pop and snap now and again. There is more than that one reason though. I like to play with a vey light touch. I used a DBX compressor for years. The main reason I started was because I was blowing 15 speakers every few weeks. A friend told me that would stop if I would add a compressor to my rig. I guess he was right, I haven't blown another speaker.
When my DBX fell apart I replaced it with a cheapy. Never have been satisfied with it, it's a tone robber. Also I like the added sustain for melodic playing.
Hi Melissa, From one newbie to another welcome.

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2011, 09:27:10 AM »

Oh, if you know DBX previously and like their tone, buy a new one now. That 160 is a great Compressor with a very simple operation (setting just ratio, treshold and output). If you want something more fancy or that gives you more control over all parameters, you can check the 166XL. It is a Compressor/Limiter and have a Noise Gate. Being Stereo (2 channels), you can also use it in cascade mode...

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2011, 11:16:52 AM »

I agree with Mario on the 166XL

VMG

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2011, 07:31:19 AM »

I've been using a 166XL in my rig for about 10 years now. It's never let me down. I use it with an F-1X and a QSC 1602 driving two Acme Low B-2 cabs.
Mike

seventhsunbass · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:48:29 AM »

Wow, thanks for this thread. I am looking to replace my compressor and it seems the dbx 166xl really 'hits it out of the park' with the faithful. There are a few for sale in the D.C. area so looks like that is the way I'll be going. I never get enough of the wisdom I find here.

kenvinlee89 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2011, 06:05:24 PM »

[Moderator here - no, I have no interest in watching Kung Fu Panda 2 online. Or in a cinema, for that matter.]

(Message edited by adriaan on July 03, 2011)

mike1762 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2011, 04:27:09 PM »

Panda taste like Bald Eagle...