Latest gear you've acquired.....

[digitaldrummer]

recently picked up a used Klark Teknik 2A-KT (their LA-2A clone -- I had a 2A-KT when they first came out. not sure why it changed names later). Then upgraded the optical module with a Kenetek T4B. Still getting used to it but it sounds pretty good so far. I may swap tubes or even upgrade some of the caps eventually. KT opted for 2 x 12AX7's, a 6AQ5 and an EL84 (which is much more common than what is in an LA2A) so pretty easy to get replacements (and only 1 x12ax7 and the el84 are in the audio path - others are for side-chain/compression).

I had sold the first one because back then I was only using it for mixing and the UAD plugins sounded really close to the same (or better). but then I later realized that while you can put a compressor plugin in UA's console, it comes after the converter - which means you can't push your preamp because you'll always be driving the converter into the red (not good). So I realized I needed hardware compressors for tracking, and thus my change of heart. Now if I want I can push my preamps, then control levels with compression/limiting before it hits the converter.

[drumsound]

I got a 20" Istanbul Agop XIST crash because I discovered a crack in my vintage Zildjian (of which I am STILL bummed out by)

[vvv]

Dano Longhorn

[winky dinglehoffer]

A trio of DIY DI boxes that originally came from a long-shuttered local studio. Triad transformers inside, which makes me happy.

And vvv, hopefully you'll get even half as much use out of your longhorn as I do out of my Dano Hodad. That's always the first bass I go for when I'm recording.

[digitaldrummer]

I got a 20" Istanbul Agop XIST crash because I discovered a crack in my vintage Zildjian (of which I am STILL bummed out by)

I hate when that happens... but those are the closest thing to a modern K at 1/2 the price. Great cymbals.

[kslight]

Dano Longhorn

Always had a soft spot for these.

[vvv]

Sweet light, fast, 30" scale - huge variations in tone on the bass (bass) sound - came with some foam behind the bridge and I like it.

The Longhorn came with TI flats, also, which are themselves pretty cool, if rather expensive.

I shall be recording it forthwith as part of my personal March MPR challenge, see.

(I'm still shopping for a semi-hollow body bass, what I was looking for when I found this and hadda get it. Thinking onna Ibanez ABG as they seem the most reasonably-priced but quality/name-brand imports). I also have a line onna used Eastwood, but it's shortscale.)

[kslight]

Sweet light, fast, 30" scale - huge variations in tone on the bass (bass) sound - came with some foam behind the bridge and I like it.

The Longhorn came with TI flats, also, which are themselves pretty cool, if rather expensive.

I shall be recording it forthwith as part of my personal March MPR challenge, see.

(I'm still shopping for a semi-hollow body bass, what I was looking for when I found this and hadda get it. Thinking onna Ibanez ABG as they seem the most reasonably-priced but quality/name-brand imports). I also have a line onna used Eastwood, but it's shortscale.)

Yeah I do enjoy 30-32” scale basses for sure.

[drumsound]

I got a 20" Istanbul Agop XIST crash because I discovered a crack in my vintage Zildjian (of which I am STILL bummed out by)

I hate when that happens... but those are the closest thing to a modern K at 1/2 the price. Great cymbals.

There are a few different makers in Turkey making nice cymbals. I've got this one, an Istanbul Mehmet 18", a Bospherous that got cracked when a mic stand was accidentally placed in its way, a Turkish 17", and an Antolian ride that's dry and cool.

[digitaldrummer]

There are a few different makers in Turkey making nice cymbals.

yeah, I have a few from "Masterwork" which are really nice for jazz gigs and then I have some big Soultone Vintage 1964 pies that I really like too (wasn't as impressed with some other Soultones I heard but I really like these!)

[Colorblind]

A silverface Vibro Champ which sadly arrived with a farty speaker (replacement on the way), and a Squier CV Jaguar. It took some work to turn the guitar into something playable, but it's pretty solid now.

Squier Jag Crop.jpg (136.54 KiB) Viewed 18142 times

[drumsound]

There are a few different makers in Turkey making nice cymbals.

yeah, I have a few from "Masterwork" which are really nice for jazz gigs and then I have some big Soultone Vintage 1964 pies that I really like too (wasn't as impressed with some other Soultones I heard but I really like these!)

Those are interesting. I'd forgotten about Soultone. 1964 is when my Zildjian is from...

[kslight]

A silverface Vibro Champ which sadly arrived with a farty speaker (replacement on the way), and a Squier CV Jaguar. It took some work to turn the guitar into something playable, but it's pretty solid now.

Squier Jag Crop.jpg

I am recently a fan of some of the things Squier puts out, but I can’t for the life of me understand why they load otherwise pretty solid models with beginner-unfriendly vintage style bridges. Beginners get frustrated, and people that buy Squiers for projects often throw it away for a modern bridge that costs almost as much as the guitar. Out of the box these are so much better with a plain stop tailpiece or standard 2 point trem if they must have a wiggle stick.

[MoreSpaceEcho]

standard 2 point trem if they must have a wiggle stick.

I agree that the stock JM bridge is useless garbage, but the trem is a thing of sublime beauty, no one's gonna put a regular 2 pt trem on a Jag or Jazzmaster. Ok FINE, someone will, there's people who'll put a Floyd on a 335, but generally if you're buying a JM you want that trem, cause there's nothing else like it. Not saying it's better or worse than anything else, just that it's unique and that's part of the charm.

A Staytrem bridge is like $90, NBD. FWIW I much prefer that to the Mastery.

[kslight]

standard 2 point trem if they must have a wiggle stick.

I agree that the stock JM bridge is useless garbage, but the trem is a thing of sublime beauty, no one's gonna put a regular 2 pt trem on a Jag or Jazzmaster. Ok FINE, someone will, there's people who'll put a Floyd on a 335, but generally if you're buying a JM you want that trem, cause there's nothing else like it. Not saying it's better or worse than anything else, just that it's unique and that's part of the charm.

A Staytrem bridge is like $90, NBD. FWIW I much prefer that to the Mastery.

I have a Squier contemporary jm with a factory 2 point trem (and active pickups, the sacrilege!) and a Squier j mascis jm with whatever trem that comes with. And a few other guitars that represent just about every major tailpiece variation except for Floyd, to round it out.

As someone who has never been crazy about wiggle sticks, i would genuinely like to know what is the nuance of this setup that makes it desirable?