Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[BadExample]

Andy recapped it for me

 

[BadExample]

Copy and roger all! Reporting as ordered.

Of course, as typical, your leaderships has snuck away for some hot wings and blue cheese dip!

 

[agedhorse]

I like distortion, but look at the age of this thing:

I didn't go in with any expectations as to how it would sound cranked up this way. Breakup was very soft and it took hitting the strings really hard to get there. BTW: I think Andy for the HPF on that one. I think I could have gotten into trouble without it

There are earlier versions of tube overdrive algorithms in the ML-200, the ML-135 isn't as sophisticated but still way better than what anybody else was doing WAY back then... that was 20 years ago!

Did anyone suggest that the caps need changing?

I have an ML-200 running my shop system and it has over 26,000 hours on those poor, often disrespected filter caps

(Actually, it probably has over 30,000 hours on it)

 

[BadExample]

There are earlier versions of tube overdrive algorithms in the ML-200, the ML-135 isn't as sophisticated but still way better than what anybody else was doing WAY back then... that was 20 years ago!



I have an ML-200 running my shop system and it has over 26,000 hours on those poor, often disrespected filter caps

(Actually, it probably has over 30,000 hours on it)

Really amazing. I expected some sort of limits to cranking it up.

I crack up so often reading about this amp or cab is now (maybe) able to do what GB did long ago.

 

[GonePlaid]

Nice amps. Real band. Good sound.

It’s after 4PM on the east coast. Most oldies have already had the earlybird special.

Waiting For The Wind

Been eatin' all day at WDW Food & Wine Festival. Barely able to move. Gig tomorrow night at American Legion in Port St. Lucie, FL. Always a fun crowd.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Been eatin' all day at WDW Food & Wine Festival. Barely able to move. Gig tomorrow night at American Legion in Port St. Lucie, FL. Always a fun crowd.

Better hit the prunes @GonePlaid Don't wanna be going to the bathroom at the gig........

 

[beans-on-toast]

That’s how design is, a moment in time, built on the past. It progresses in increments. Future designs are built on what came before them.

Some designs stand the test of time, others become dated for different reasons. Sometimes they are limited by the technology of the day. Circuit boards are one example.

Back in the early 70’s, good quality PCB manufacturing was available. But despite that, many amp companies stayed with inexpensive eyelet boards or cheesy single sided circuit boards that were produced in-house. Cost saving measures were always in place. They also didn’t want to invest in updating their equipment. This wasn’t just the musical instrument industry, it applied to TV’s, radios, hi-fi, and other consummer goods.

It took some companies time to catch up. In some cases, engineers were brought in that had experience in other fields and they changed how design and manufacturing was approached. Computers revolutionized design and manufacturing. Technology moved the industry forward.

The introduction of digital equipment made a difference across the industry. I marvel at what Yamaha did in the 80’s with their pianos, synths, and drum machines. Their digital mixers were way ahead of everyone else. MIDI conflicts still manages to drive me nuts.

Component performance specs and quality improvments have taken a big leap forward. They make things possible that couldn’t have been in the past.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

The introduction of digital equipment made a difference across the industry. I marvel at what Yamaha did in the 80’s with their pianos, synths, and drum machines. Their digital mixers were way ahead of everyone else. MIDI conflicts still manages to drive me nuts.

Yamaha has always had an excellent rep in my eyes. I remember friends owning Yamaha PA systems and they were quite (rightfully) proud of them. Excellent quality. Even in the 70's Yamaha bass and guitar amps were pretty good for their time.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

There are earlier versions of tube overdrive algorithms in the ML-200, the ML-135 isn't as sophisticated but still way better than what anybody else was doing WAY back then... that was 20 years ago!



I have an ML-200 running my shop system and it has over 26,000 hours on those poor, often disrespected filter caps

(Actually, it probably has over 30,000 hours on it)

Hey, @agedhorse how's it going?

 

[Al Kraft]

...I marvel at what Yamaha did in the 80’s with their pianos, synths, and drum machines. Their digital mixers were way ahead of everyone else....

This is why I have such high hopes for Ampeg's future. IMO Yamaha has always been a thought leader in any area where they decided to engage and very solid in R&D/innovation. They have also consistently placed a high value on their reputation in the eyes of their competitors as well as their customers.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

This is why I have such high hopes for Ampeg's future. IMO Yamaha has always been a thought leader in any area were they decided to engage and very solid in R&D/innovation. They have also consistently placed a high value on their reputation in the eyes of their competitors as well as their customers.

I'm betting they'll come out with an Ampeg class D the size of a GK or TC Electronics. I think that would be cool.

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm betting they'll come out with an Ampeg class D the size of a GK or TC Electronics. I think that would be cool.

I thought they had some Portaflex models that were class D...although it's been years since I owned or even played on anything Ampeg.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I thought they had some Portaflex models that were class D...although it's been years since I owned or even played on anything Ampeg.

I recently bought and sold an Ampeg PF-350. It was nice and had great tone but it was twice as big as my GK MB500. Something between the MB200 and MB500....

 

[biguglyman]

but in this case I have positional authority for this Roll Call

Relieve the watch, relieve the wheel and lookouts. On deck, condition 3, watch section 2...now relieve the watch.

 

[Al Kraft]

I recently bought and sold an Ampeg PF-350. It was nice and had great tone but it was twice as big as my GK MB500. Something between the MB200 and MB500....

Wow, that surprises me as I figured those heads (which I've never seen in person) would be of similar size and weight with their competition. I mean that size and weight convenience factor on the competitor heads isn't the only selling point, but it is really nice!!

 

[Al Kraft]

Relieve the watch, relieve the wheel and lookouts. On deck, condition 3, watch section 2...now relieve the watch.

We stand relieved...insert appropriate salute here.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Wow, that surprises me as I figured those heads (which I've never seen in person) would be of similar size and weight with their competition. I mean that size and weight convenience factor on the competitor heads isn't the only selling point, but it is really nice!!

Well, Al, the amp was very nice. The PF-350 was the smallest of the lot, but it was honestly significantly larger than the GK's. Here's the specs from the Ampeg site:

• RMS power output: 350W @ 4 ohms
  
• Preamp: Solid-state
  
• Power amp: Class D
  
• Tone controls: bass, mid, treble
  
• Onboard limiter
  
• Balanced direct out
  
• FX loop
  
• 1/8” headphone out / line in
  
• -15db input pad
  
• Power supply: switching
  
• Dimensions (H x W x D inches) :
  
  • 2 x 11 x 11 in
    
  • 69 x 275 x 272 mm
• Handling weight: 8 lbs / 3.6 kg

Gallien Krueger MB500:
Power
@4Ω
500 WATTS
Dimensions
10.75 x 9 x 1.75"
3.75 LBS
Preamp
SOLID STATE
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT

 

[Al Kraft]

Well, Al, the amp was very nice. The PF-350 was the smallest of the lot, but it was honestly significantly larger than the GK's. Here's the specs from the Ampeg site:

• RMS power output: 350W @ 4 ohms
  
• Preamp: Solid-state
  
• Power amp: Class D
  
• Tone controls: bass, mid, treble
  
• Onboard limiter
  
• Balanced direct out
  
• FX loop
  
• 1/8” headphone out / line in
  
• -15db input pad
  
• Power supply: switching
  
• Dimensions (H x W x D inches) :
  • 2 x 11 x 11 in
    
  • 69 x 275 x 272 mm
• Handling weight: 8 lbs / 3.6 kg

Gallien Krueger MB500:
Power
@4Ω
500 WATTS
Dimensions
10.75 x 9 x 1.75"
3.75 LBS
Preamp
SOLID STATE
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT

I know this sounds ridiculous coming from a bass player who grew up with the gear we did Will, but these days I expect GK MB or Mesa D-800 size, weight and performance from a well-engineered bass amp. I know that's not necessarily fair, and in some cases wouldn't be a deal breaker, but my Mesa and GK class D heads readily check all the boxes and are my benchmark.

My guess is that the Yamaha/Ampeg folks are already talking about where the bar has been set by their competition and discussing what they need to do move up-market from there.

 

[lowplaces]

Good morning you old farts.

I woke up on the right side of the grass today, so I have that going for me.

That is all

 

[Ken Morgan]

Bass has always been the enigma...anyone can (seemingly has) build an amp for bass, but very few seem to get it right - yet when they do, the marketplace changes...

Which frankly is idiocy. Who is driving this - customers demanding smaller/less expensive/totally different, or manufacturers essentially telling customers what they will like?