Question for Jon

[LeftyLB]

Jon,

Do you guys at EBMM keep a range of amps in the "development/repair" areas with which you test out new and refurb basses?

If so, do you find that those amps which have a "db cut" option need the cut "on" when using a standard Stringray 4?

I have had a new GK 400RB head for a couple of months and I read in the manual that if the LED starts staying on for too long then you should use the -14db cut.

As the LED was flickering I have used the cut ever since. I am not sure whether that has any effect on the level going to the desk from the DI out, but the engineer reckons he is still getting loads from the amp anyway.

Does the Ray have such a high output that I should continue to use the cut as a safety valve to protect the amp????

Thanks

Liam

 

[skabassist13]

i dont imagine that you absolutely have to. many here say they dont and get a good tine from it. if it flickers you could turn the gain down and that would fix it. but if your getting a good tone and your loud enough then keep it on. i dont think it will hurt the amp as long as you have your gain adjusted correctly.

 

[cgworkman]

It's pretty safe to assume on most amps, that the cut or pad button should be used with basses that have active electronics. At least most of the time that is.

 

[Melv]

It's pretty safe to assume on most amps, that the cut or pad button should be used with basses that have active electronics. At least most of the time that is.

I have the -15db pad on my ampeg B-2r and have a active SUB 5. Should i use the pad then . I did quickely try the pad out but as it cuts out such volume i couldnt be heard with it depressed so thats y dont use the -15db pad. Oh but recently i did have to change the fuse on my head after only 3 weeks of having it. Could that of been cause of me using an active bass without the -15db pad depressed?

 

[Mobay45]

The SUB is active (it has a built in pre-amp) and the -15db pad should be used. I played both my 'Ray and my SUB Friday night. Both plugged in to the active input (-15db) on my Hartke 3500. I didn't notice that much difference between the two.

 

[Melv]

The Hartke 3500 has an active 1/4 jack plug. Is that the equivalent to depressing the -15db pad. So just wanna clear this up. If i am using a passive bass guitar into an ampeg B-2R then i dont press the -15db pad. If i am using an active bass with the ampeg B-2R then i press the -15db pad?

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

I have the -15db pad on my ampeg B-2r and have a active SUB 5. Should i use the pad then . I did quickely try the pad out but as it cuts out such volume i couldnt be heard with it depressed so thats y dont use the -15db pad. Oh but recently i did have to change the fuse on my head after only 3 weeks of having it. Could that of been cause of me using an active bass without the -15db pad depressed?

I had the same problem with my b4r, but with a different bass. The clipping(?) LED would be on all the time, unless the volume was very low, and if I put it in the -15db jack, I couldn't hear myself. I couldn't get a good volume out of it either way, and I grew to dislike that head very much, so I sold that and got an GK 800RB.

 

[Mobay45]

The Hartke 3500 has an active 1/4 jack plug. Is that the equivalent to depressing the -15db pad. So just wanna clear this up. If i am using a passive bass guitar into an ampeg B-2R then i dont press the -15db pad. If i am using an active bass with the ampeg B-2R then i press the -15db pad?

Plugging in to the Active input on the Hartke should be equivalent to depressing the -15db switch on the Ampeg.

You are right!

 

[oldbluebassman]

I recently got a BBE BMAX-T and even using the "Active" input I have to keep the gain control set at 1 or 2 otherwise it overloads with the Bongo.

I can only wind in a gnats on the Bongo bass contol otherwise the whole thing goes into overload and distorts. I've fed this back to BBE throught the dealer. I also asked the question "what basses does BBE use to test it's products". Have EBMM tired tesing a Bongo with a BMAX-T?

I would add however that when I manage to the levels balanced Bongo sounds awesome.

 

[tkarter]

On my Laney head I plug the SR 5 into the enhanced 1/4 jack and see alot of distortion and clipping if I run the mids too high on the amp. I kill all the enhance use very little if any bass and treble while letting the SR 5 handle that eq. I keep it to where it just light the limit when a lower string is played harder than usual. I love the sound. I am betting the Bongo is a little stronger and would have to be backed off more one the onboard eq on the amp.

tk

 

[jongitarz]

There are amps that are used in the development stages, but I just use an old Musicman from the Leo days. I don't really need more than that.

 

[phatduckk]

my sr4 and sterling both beat the s@#t out of my old swr 4004 head even when in the -15 slot ... the gain light flickering like mad.

my understanding has always been that if you have active electronics then you "should" plug into the -15 jack (or hit the button or whetever). i have never noticed a "dullness" with an EB plugged into the active jack

 

[LeftyLB]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I think I will leave the set up with the cut kicked in in general, because at least I am protecting the amp, but if I have some spare time I might mess around to see what happens with it off.

I am OK that the whole band is DI so the stage volumes are manageable and I still have loads of volume on stage with the db cut in.

thanks

Liam