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Technology that cant be improved.

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  • L Lost User

    Heres an interesting thought for you all; technology that cant be improved. How many can think of an example where a technology reached a peak many decades ago and cant be improved. In fact such a peak it was that modern equipment copies (often exactly) that old technology? Well, I have got one. Guitar amps. And specifically, the best quality guitar amps: Valve amps. Guitarists the world over still prefer the richness of tone they produce over the dryness of the transistor amp, and al the best, most expensive amps are vavle amps. Recent developments are modeling amps (transistor amps that through software effects immitate the sound of those classic 60s valve amps), but they are only imitations, and dont deliver the true sound. For example, I have a Peavey. Its got 7 valves in it, 7 examples of pres 1970s thechnology, and the clean channel is aparently an exact copy of a Fender Champ, a 60s amp. Funny stuff eh? 50 year old technology, still the best there is. As an aside, it seems that most of the best valves are made in the ex soviet bloc, SovTek, JJ, TungSol. And its also probably true that the guitar amp market is the only thing keeping valve manufacturing alive.

    "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

    G Offline
    G Offline
    GenJerDan
    wrote on last edited by
    #61

    Still got my Guild Thunderbass head. Should I worry that the tubes glow purple after a while? ;P

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    • P Pete OHanlon

      Oh, I go back to Frank Zappa era Vai. Some of that stuff was insane. Passion and warfare was a great album, and did the guitar music industry a power of good; then grunge came along and killed it.

      fat_boy wrote:

      I sometimes think I am a bit lame, and a bit of a fraud, because I dont take music seriously.

      I spent a lot of time learning theory, and practicing stuff like modes, super-modes, alternate chord voicings, jazz progressions and the likes, so I'm a reasonably technical guitarist. One day though, it occurred to me that my favourite guitarists tended to know absolutely sod all about that stuff - they knew what sounded good to them, and they stuck with it. So, while I will sometimes sit and learn to play an Al Dimeola track, I'm just as likely to hammer out a Kiss or AC/DC track just for fun.

      I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.

      Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads

      My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Onyx

      L Offline
      L Offline
      Lost User
      wrote on last edited by
      #62

      Yeah, havent played Whole Lotta Rosie since the amp died, and now I am getting withdrawl symptoms!

      "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

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      • G GenJerDan

        Still got my Guild Thunderbass head. Should I worry that the tubes glow purple after a while? ;P

        L Offline
        L Offline
        Lost User
        wrote on last edited by
        #63

        I did some reading up on the net about this and aparently its normal for them to go a bit purple, especially deep purple! :laugh:

        "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

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        • L Lost User

          I did some reading up on the net about this and aparently its normal for them to go a bit purple, especially deep purple! :laugh:

          "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

          G Offline
          G Offline
          GenJerDan
          wrote on last edited by
          #64

          :) My poor Thunderbass has been through so much.... I re-covered it in zebra-patterned vinyl to start. Eventually re-covered it in burlap for some reason. Hmm. While we're (almost) on the subject, can you identify the head/cabinet in this?[^] I'd guess either an Ampeg or a Fender, but I'm leaning toward Ampeg SVT. It was borrowed. Yes. Bell-bottoms, a polyester Huckapoo shirt, and a Kent bass guitar.

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          • D Dalek Dave

            Or when they start bringing in new characters 'to liven it up'. Or when one character introduces a friend from the past, who will either die or be the murderer, and you have no care either way. Or when they do an Evil Twin story. etc There are only seven stories, as Shakespear never said.

            ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC League Table Link CCC Link[^]

            O Offline
            O Offline
            Oakman
            wrote on last edited by
            #65

            Dalek Dave wrote:

            here are only seven stories, as Shakespear never said.

            On the other hand, one of those plots (not stories, plots) is called "Overcoming the Monster." It was the basis for "Beowulf," written 1,200 years ago, and "Jaws," written 30 odd years ago. Very different stories, essentially, the same plot.

            “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” ~ H.L. Mencken

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            • L Lost User

              Dalek Dave wrote:

              Plumb Line?

              Now uses para cord and thus doesnt snap as easilly as the old string they used to use.

              Dalek Dave wrote:

              Set Square?

              I have a new laser set square.

              Dalek Dave wrote:

              Fishing Net?

              Made of not rottable new fibres which are invisible in the water and thus last longer and catch more fish than the old ones.

              Dalek Dave wrote:

              Flint Knife?

              Yeah, I am sure flint tool making hasnt evolved over the last 40,000 years but its not exatly in demand is it? Good try, but give it more thought next time... ;P :)

              "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

              modified on Thursday, January 13, 2011 4:37 AM

              F Offline
              F Offline
              fjdiewornncalwe
              wrote on last edited by
              #66

              Based on that logic, I'd have to say that any "new" amp that implements an older methodology of construction is no different than Dave's suggestions. I'm pretty sure this new amp incorporates newer plastics in the frame and casing, or a better fiberglass, and such. So based on that, I must disagree with you today.

              I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.

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              • L Lost User

                Look, here am I in all honesty trying to open what I consder an interesting discussion and all you can do is try to divert it to a GW post! :)

                "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

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                F Offline
                fjdiewornncalwe
                wrote on last edited by
                #67

                Some were probably waiting for you to tie AGW into this somehow... +5 for not doing that today. Cheers.

                I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.

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                • G GenJerDan

                  :) My poor Thunderbass has been through so much.... I re-covered it in zebra-patterned vinyl to start. Eventually re-covered it in burlap for some reason. Hmm. While we're (almost) on the subject, can you identify the head/cabinet in this?[^] I'd guess either an Ampeg or a Fender, but I'm leaning toward Ampeg SVT. It was borrowed. Yes. Bell-bottoms, a polyester Huckapoo shirt, and a Kent bass guitar.

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #68

                  Is that you! Looking cool! :) As for the amp, i thought Fender, but their fabric was more grey than spangly. It lokks a bit like these though: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Ampeg+svt&form=QBIR&qs=n&sk=&sc=3-9[^] so it could be.

                  "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

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                  • F fjdiewornncalwe

                    Based on that logic, I'd have to say that any "new" amp that implements an older methodology of construction is no different than Dave's suggestions. I'm pretty sure this new amp incorporates newer plastics in the frame and casing, or a better fiberglass, and such. So based on that, I must disagree with you today.

                    I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #69

                    Marcus Kramer wrote:

                    I'm pretty sure this new amp incorporates newer plastics in the frame and casing

                    Its all wood and metal, no GRP or plastic. Perhaps the knobs are different, but thats not what we buy guitar amps for, we buy them for the sound, and its that which is old technology and which is important.

                    "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

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                    • O Oakman

                      Dalek Dave wrote:

                      here are only seven stories, as Shakespear never said.

                      On the other hand, one of those plots (not stories, plots) is called "Overcoming the Monster." It was the basis for "Beowulf," written 1,200 years ago, and "Jaws," written 30 odd years ago. Very different stories, essentially, the same plot.

                      “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” ~ H.L. Mencken

                      R Offline
                      R Offline
                      R Giskard Reventlov
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #70

                      I thought there were 47 or 49 basic plots, not 7. Must look that up.

                      "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

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                      • L Lost User

                        Marcus Kramer wrote:

                        I'm pretty sure this new amp incorporates newer plastics in the frame and casing

                        Its all wood and metal, no GRP or plastic. Perhaps the knobs are different, but thats not what we buy guitar amps for, we buy them for the sound, and its that which is old technology and which is important.

                        "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

                        F Offline
                        F Offline
                        fjdiewornncalwe
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #71

                        But isn't the technology the design and implementation? The materials are immaterial.(pun not intended this time, but good none-the-less)

                        I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.

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                        • R R Giskard Reventlov

                          I thought there were 47 or 49 basic plots, not 7. Must look that up.

                          "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                          O Offline
                          O Offline
                          Oakman
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #72

                          digital man wrote:

                          I thought there were 47 or 49 basic plots, not 7. Must look that up.

                          I think there are as many as the writer about story-telling wants there to be to prove his point, but seven is a commonly used number. according to TVTropes[^] these are the seven: Overcoming the Monster Hero learns of a great evil threatening the land, and sets out to destroy it. Rags to Riches Surrounded by dark forces who suppress and ridicule him, the Hero slowly blossoms into a mature figure who ultimately gets riches, a kingdom, and the perfect mate. The Quest Hero learns of a great Mac Guffin that he desperately wants to find, and sets out to find it, often with companions. Voyage and Return Hero heads off into a magic land with crazy rules, ultimately triumphs over the madness and returns home far more mature than when he set out. Comedy Hero and Heroine are destined to get together, but a dark force is preventing them from doing so; the story conspires to make the dark force repent, and suddenly the Hero and Heroine are free to get together. This is part of a cascade of effects that shows everyone for who they really are, and allows two or more other relationships to correctly form. Tragedy The flip side of the Overcoming the Monster plot. Our protagonist character is the Villain, but we get to watch him slowly spiral down into darkness before he's finally defeated, freeing the land from his evil influence. Rebirth As with the Tragedy plot, but our protagonist manages to realize his error before it's too late, and does a Heel Face Turn to avoid inevitable defeat.

                          “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” ~ H.L. Mencken

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                          • D Dalek Dave

                            Or when they start bringing in new characters 'to liven it up'. Or when one character introduces a friend from the past, who will either die or be the murderer, and you have no care either way. Or when they do an Evil Twin story. etc There are only seven stories, as Shakespear never said.

                            ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC League Table Link CCC Link[^]

                            J Offline
                            J Offline
                            J4amieC
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #73

                            Dalek Dave wrote:

                            Or when they start bringing in new characters 'to liven it up'.

                            Worked with SevenOfNine.

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                            • F fjdiewornncalwe

                              But isn't the technology the design and implementation? The materials are immaterial.(pun not intended this time, but good none-the-less)

                              I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #74

                              Well, take my Peavey 212. The clean circuit is a copy of the Fender Champ from the 60s. The values of the resistors, the values of the capacitors etc, in an attempt to recreate exactly the same sound. The 212 is also made of wood and fabric and metal etc, all the usual materials. Nothing modern that would affect the sound.

                              "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

                              J 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • L Lost User

                                Look, here am I in all honesty trying to open what I consder an interesting discussion and all you can do is try to divert it to a GW post! :)

                                "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

                                I Offline
                                I Offline
                                Ian Shlasko
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #75

                                Like Marcus said... +5 for staying off of AGW :)

                                Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
                                Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)

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                                • L Lost User

                                  Well, take my Peavey 212. The clean circuit is a copy of the Fender Champ from the 60s. The values of the resistors, the values of the capacitors etc, in an attempt to recreate exactly the same sound. The 212 is also made of wood and fabric and metal etc, all the usual materials. Nothing modern that would affect the sound.

                                  "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  Joe Simes
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #76

                                  Just so you know Peaveys suck! X| :-D Sorry!! I have a Fender Princeton Reverb (almost as old as I am) and a VOX AC15!

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • P Pete OHanlon

                                    fat_boy wrote:

                                    did you in the end

                                    Still searching. Always searching. The setup I have now is significantly better than when I first started, but there are bits of kit that I discarded over the years that I now wish I'd kept. My old Ibanez Roadster II - a great guitar, and the first one I had with coil tap. The original Tube Screamer. The series 1 Ratt Distortion. My old Tascam 4-track (I record directly to hard disk now, and miss the whole tap mixing experience). My Aria Pro 2 with Kahler Flyer trem (far more stable than the original Floyd Rose trem).

                                    I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.

                                    Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads

                                    My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Onyx

                                    J Offline
                                    J Offline
                                    Joe Simes
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #77

                                    I'm lucky in that I have most of the kit I bought back when I was a whipper snapper in high school. My main problem is that I never cared for most of it and it is trashed. I have the tube screamer and the old cry baby wah an old Electro-Harmonix chorus. And the guitars. I bought the Fender Princeton Reverb (1970) when I was in 9th grade for $80. I have been offered as much as $1,000 for it. For me my taste has changed so much over the past 30 years that most of the stuff I own I don't use any more.

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                                    • J Joe Simes

                                      Just so you know Peaveys suck! X| :-D Sorry!! I have a Fender Princeton Reverb (almost as old as I am) and a VOX AC15!

                                      L Offline
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                                      Lost User
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #78

                                      :) Both very good amps! Yeah, the 212 is a cheap amp, but its very good still, especially after a tube upgrade and a couple of mods! Its also a damn loud amp, seriously damn loud, great for the music I play; Rock and Punk.

                                      "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

                                      J 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • L Lost User

                                        :) Both very good amps! Yeah, the 212 is a cheap amp, but its very good still, especially after a tube upgrade and a couple of mods! Its also a damn loud amp, seriously damn loud, great for the music I play; Rock and Punk.

                                        "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

                                        J Offline
                                        J Offline
                                        Joe Simes
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #79

                                        I was only giving you shit. My very first guitar was a black Kent Les Paul copy and a little Ram amp. I replaced the pickups in the Kent with nice Dimarzio PAF Pro Humbuckers and the crappy little amp was super loud. Super loud for my bedroom, granted it wouldn't be heard in a pub but I was only 13! I used to play Dead Kennedy covers with my buds!! Me on guitar, Greg on violin and his brother Dave on wooden spoons and spaghetti pots. We rawked! :-D

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                                        • L Lost User

                                          Heres an interesting thought for you all; technology that cant be improved. How many can think of an example where a technology reached a peak many decades ago and cant be improved. In fact such a peak it was that modern equipment copies (often exactly) that old technology? Well, I have got one. Guitar amps. And specifically, the best quality guitar amps: Valve amps. Guitarists the world over still prefer the richness of tone they produce over the dryness of the transistor amp, and al the best, most expensive amps are vavle amps. Recent developments are modeling amps (transistor amps that through software effects immitate the sound of those classic 60s valve amps), but they are only imitations, and dont deliver the true sound. For example, I have a Peavey. Its got 7 valves in it, 7 examples of pres 1970s thechnology, and the clean channel is aparently an exact copy of a Fender Champ, a 60s amp. Funny stuff eh? 50 year old technology, still the best there is. As an aside, it seems that most of the best valves are made in the ex soviet bloc, SovTek, JJ, TungSol. And its also probably true that the guitar amp market is the only thing keeping valve manufacturing alive.

                                          "It is a remarkable fact that despite the worldwide expenditure of perhaps US$50 billion since 1990, and the efforts of tens of thousands of scientists worldwide, no human climate signal has yet been detected that is distinct from natural variation." Bob Carter, Research Professor of Geology, James Cook University, Townsville

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                                          P Offline
                                          puromtec1
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #80

                                          >And its also probably true that the guitar amp market is the only thing keeping valve manufacturing alive. My dad is a tube/valve nut (bass player and radio ham). Always showing me his latest aquisitions. He's always talking about ex soviet tubes, too. He's got them in his radio equipment, might be another factor for deman, too.

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