Rob Karloff

Tsk, it's not an OFF LICENSE, you know... And it's : "Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch".

A simple metal retaining clip that scews into the wood in your control space is best, that way you can return the guitar to passive pickups or suchlike and only be left with a small screw hole inside the cavity. Changing the battery this way isn't that much more inconvinient than having a battery box built into the guitar. A set of good screwdrivers should be part of every guitarist's gig kit.

Is that the 9V battery that lasts about 4 years for most people....? The one that takes about 4 small Phillips screws to get access to and change....? I guarantee that you'll be taking apart any FX pedals you have to fit new batteries more than you would be for a set of pickups.

Cool Start small and work up is definately the way to go. Even a basic amp will teach you the main things such as core components and sections, how they interact, and how to set them properly. I'll be very interested to see how you go! Take good heed of the warnings about lethal voltages in valve amps though, whether building one from scratch or just servicing an existing model. Some of those big power capacitors store around 450V, more than enough to launch you a good few feet across the room at least, or kill you at worst. Check out those forums, as there is some good, reliable info on how to discharge and monitor these babies when working on a valve amp.

Gis' a go, mister!

Could do. But.... I think you can give up on the idea of building one yourself. Amps have not been handwired since the early eighties mostly, and this is partly to do with the cost saving of using PCBs and computers, but also to do with the sheer amount of components and their connections necessary for any kind of amp that has modern gain amounts, big EQs and things like effects loops and reverb. Also, most diagrams seem to show the core components that aid in biasing and other servicing, but not the complete spec of every component used and their values. Coming up with some of the individual components at a reasonable price is also less than easy, e.g. transformers of the correct specs, valve sockets, large power capacitors. Maplin et al stock lots of components, but not some of those found in amps! The other thing you'll struggle with is making a good chassis to mount the stuff on, and planning and making a good chassis with a good layout of components can make or break an amp design. All that said, if you really think you can do it and come up with something worthwhile, go for it. I'd just hate to go to all that effort and end up with an amp that I couldn't get to work, or something that worked but was crappy and unsuitable. The knowledge on valve amps and circuitry you'll pick up will be good, but is that really enough? Making good valve amps as a business is hard to do, hence why there are so few manufacturers, and there certainly isn't much money in it! For all your amp schematics, biasing info, hotrodding, etc, go to the Marshall section on http://www.blamepro.com/ and look in the forums. Lots of good info, lots of extremely knowledgable and very helpful amp-headz!

E-bay, folks. It's a marvellous place Having got pissed with my DSL50 dieing yet again, a mere 11 months since Marshall fixed the last problem (blown output transformer), I decided that I either wanted a backup amp given that I am now somewhat distrustful of my DSL's reliability, or a replacement. Sid Karloff uses and REALLY abuses a 50W JCM800, so I figured that would do me. He's had 8 years of non-stop service from his, despite it being dropped, banged, crashed, and all the other things you aren't supposed to do to a valve amp. Not even a valve failure! So, now I have a 1989 model 2203, for a mere 300. Starting bid was 295, waited until 20 seconds before the end of the auction with no bids..... Whammo! Paid for it and the P&P using PayPal, got it two days yesterday in the mail. Exremely well packed, complete with power lead. The amp is exactly as described, near mint, and is LOUD. I think I'll keep my DSL50, and will decide during a soundcheck whether I want to use it or the 2203 as my main amp. Also going to pull out two of the 2203's power valves to bring it down to 50W, as the output is defening, even at about 0.75 (yes, less than 1!) master volume. Can't wait to try it cranked up though! I also have info on how to bias the sucker properly (want to check it over first pre-gig), and on a host of hotrodding mods involving a few capacitors and resistors soldered in the right places. Hoopla!

Haha, fun night pretty much. Just as long as you don't take it all too seriously, eh?! Cheers to whoever voted for us to win the Extreme award, I was sure that Sidca at least were more "popular" than us! We appreciate everyone who comes out to a gig to see us play, and we like to think we offer a "show" to our audience, rather than just a collection of tunes. The Karloff wagon rolls onward, and we have more good stuff planned for this year, both in terms of gigs and recordings. The aim is to maintain the progress we've made the last couple of years, and we couldn't do this without the support of our audience and without guys like Fudge. It's all much appreciated! Keep your eyes skinned and boogley for news both here and on our website (which we plan on overhauling drastically soon!).

It was mega. That is all....

Ministry are my second fave band in the world, just behind Soundgarden. Highlight of that CD for me is the live version of "So What?". Turn out the lights, crank it loud, lie back and close your eyes. I managed to find a new copy of the video "In case you didn't feel like showing up", but I'm still looking for a copy of the actual record.

Isn't that the EMO thing to do.....? Go spend time with your girlfriend or go work with sick kids or something....

I'm there with bells on. Last time was ace! Go-go-buff-a-lo!

The docs only relate to the recent DSL/TSL series of Marshalls. Older Marshalls involve much more technical tinkering to do the job. It's just that on this series and onwards they provided a nice simple and accesible method of doing the job. So, the docs tell you how to bias DSL/TSL series, but not "biasing" any valve amp. Still want them?

I run my guitar into my amp via a Boss DS-2, and that's it. I only use it maybe twice in an entire set, just to ramp up the gain for a few pick slides and suchlike. 99.9% of the time I'm playing straight up and with the gain provided by pickups and tubes alone

ANY DSL/TSL series amp. The amps are exactly the same between combos and heads, it's just that the heads use a bigger output transformer to drive a greater number of speakers. Biasing a 50W or a 100W involves the exact same process, it's just that the voltages you have to set are half the value on a 50W of what you set on the 100W model. Like everything else, do it at your own risk, and if you're not totally sure what you're doing, then don't attempt it. Send me an email address, and I'll send you the PDF.

Tickets?! The dead need no tickets. We'll bleed all over the door staff and they'll be scared and run off. .....Or we may just pay on the door. But in a dead manner.

Those Brutish Liars and their King are unable to fill the position, so we're after a good local act in keeping with the above line-up to help warm the corpses for the night. Promises to be an amazing gig.... Leave your details.

Hey folks, I now have in my posession some documentation on how to bias DSL/TSL series Marshall valve amps, and how to reduce the output of your 100W head to 50W to allow you to drive the amp harder at lower volumes. Both biasing and power reduction are simple to do, and only require a good multimeter and a couple of screwdrivers.

I'm in Holland, so it will be tricky. If you looked at our website, you'd find photos AND a couple of full-length, mid quality tracks.

I concurr. Those guys were insane. And good too.

Shit, Dan.... I thought that was really you in that photo

You're lucky that you didn't get asked what a valve was.... 8o

9:00 - 9:30pm - Spike Pile Driver 9:45 - 10:15pm - State of Affairs 10:30 - 11:00pm - Karloff 11:15 - 11:45pm - Risactonia ==

SAT 14TH.KABUKI presents THE CRAZE, ELLIE & FIONA KEENAN, 8PM, 3 The cream of aberdeen's acoustic talent under one roof, brought to you by Kabuki promotions. Followed by the ST VALENTINES DAY JAZZACRE - late late jazz bar with Bug & co SUN 15TH - MACROCOSMICA, DEAD OR AMERICAN, KNEE HIGH & SIDCA, 8PM, 4 The Cosmic Dead Tour rolls into Aberdeen.space rock, fuzzy grooves and monster riffs from Macrocosmica, Fugazi/Shellac influenced DorA, powerful pop punk from Knee High and madness from Sidca. www.macrocosmica.org.uk www.deadoramerican.com www.kneehighmusic.com MON 16TH - TENESEE KAIT, EXIT BY NAME, THE BAND FROM UNCLE & 7 STONE UNDER, 8PM, 4 The Breed:X Tour brings alt rockers Tenesee Kait with their dynamic and anthemic songs and Exit by Name with their own brand of punked up metal to Drakes. Local support from &SU & debut gig for The Band from Uncle www.teneseekait.com www.exitbyname.co.uk TUES 17TH - ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC HOSTED BY STEVE CRAWFORD, 8PM, FREE WED 18TH - F**K OFF MACHETE & TURNING 13, 8PM, 3.50 With their debut album just released on Lost Dog Recordings, FOM are a 3 piece female fronted post rock machine from Glasgow, with singer Natasha's (ex Ganger, Domino Records) exquisite vocals giving it that 'PJ Harvey meets Sonic Youth' feel. www.lostdogrecordings.com THURS 19TH - THE REAL MCKENZIES, DANGERFIELDS, 10 EASY WISHES & NO PINTS..8PM.TICKETS 6.50 They almost blew drakes apart last time with their Scots/Canadian punk outbursts. Surely infamous The Real McKenzies return for more punk mayhem, kilts and all! Tickets for this gig on sale from One-Up Records and Dr Drakes venue. www.realmckenzies.com FRI 20TH - PSYCHOTIC KANDY presents POTTED HEID, THE FAMOUS PROSTITUTE & DATA THIEVES, 8PM, 3 Del Franklins Psychotic Kandy night brings you the broad scots punk/folk of Potted Heid, Cure influenced The Famous Prostitute plus electronic madness from Data Thieves. SAT 21st - THE LITTLE KICKS & SUPPORT, 8PM, 3.50 Formerly known as Populous, The Little Kicks are a highly charged indie rock n roll act. Support tbc. SUN 22ND - LIVE JAZZ WITH BUG & CO, 9PM Another chance this month to soak up some live jazz action MON 23RD - STARFALL, FINDO GASK, SPIKE PILEDRIVER & APRAXIA, 8PM, 3 Something for everyone in this mixed bag of live music..from extreme metal to funk metal with some industrial electronica thrown in for good measure! TUES 24TH - ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC HOSTED BY ZIGGY FANTASTIC, 8PM, FREE WED 25TH - KIRBY & LE RENO AMPS, 8PM, 3 Kirby turn chunky guitars and shangrila harmonies into 3 minute power pop tunes, plus the fabulous alt-country double act that is Le Reno Amps. THURS 26TH - stbc FRI 27TH - AUDIO DROPOUTS feat EDDISON, SOUL DOUBT & PREEMO, 8PM, 3 Live action this month from local alt rockers Eddison & Soul Doubt, also acoustic loveliness from Preemo (Leon from Eric Euan). Tunes provided by Shawn the Ox and Vipercow throughout the night and till 3am!! SAT 28TH - KABUKI presents THE USUALS & THE SHAKES, 8PM, 3 The second Kabuki gig of the month, this time full band live action from indie outfits The Usuals & The Shakes SUN 29TH - BUMSNOGGER, RED STARS PARADE, ERRATA, BONESAW & VOMITUS, 7.30PM, 4 Nottingham based stoner/sludge-core dirtbags Bumsnogger will be appearing at Drakes as part of their short uk tour, joined by Leeds metalcore outfit Red Stars Parade, old-school grindcore from Edinburgh's Errata and local support from Bonesaw and Vomitus Regards, The Doctor.

GIGS SUN 1ST LIVE JAZZ WITH BUG & FRIENDS, 8PM MON 2ND STBC TUES 3RD OPEN MIC HOSTED BY STEVE CRAWFORD, 8PM, FREE WED 4TH REAL SHOCKS, INDAFUSION & XS RELOCAT, 8PM, 3 THURS 5TH FUDGE PRESENT WANTED REAP, NEW FAITH & NOISE POLLUTION, 8PM, 3 FRI 6TH KARLOFF, RISACTONIA & SUPPORT, 8PM, 3.50 SAT 7TH ELIZIUM present THE LOST HIGHWAY & SUPPORT, 8PM SUN 8TH DDG present TWO DAY RULE, MISLED YOUTH & CONTRA, 7.30PM, 4 MON 9TH INTERESTING MUSIC present TWINE, DATA THIEVES & DRN TUES 10TH OPEN MIC HOSTED BY ZIGGY FANTASTIC, 8PM, FREE WED 11TH ROSCO, FLOORED & SUPPORT, 8PM, 3 THURS 12TH MAN OF THE HOUR, BLACK ATOM & RISACTONIA, 8PM, 3.50 FRI 13TH SIMPLE KID & SUPPORT, 7.30PM, 5 SAT 14TH STBC SUN 15TH MACROCOSMICA, DEAD OR AMERICAN, KNEE HIGH & SIDCA, 8PM, 4 MON 16TH TENESEE KAIT, EXIT BY NAME & THE BAND FROM UNCLE, 8PM, 4 TUES 17TH OPEN MIC HOSTED BY STEVE CRAWFORD, 8PM, FREE WED 18TH FUCK OFF MACHETE & SUPPORT, 8PM, 3.50 THURS 19TH THE REAL MCKENZIES, THE DANGERFIELDS, 10 EASY WISHES & NO PINTS, 8PM, TICKETS 6.50 FRI 20TH PSYCHOTIC KANDY presents POTTED HEID, THE FAMOUS PROSTITUTE & DATA THIEVES, 8PM, 3 SAT 21ST THE SMALL KICKS & SUPPORT, 8PM, 3.50 SUN 22ND LIVE JAZZ WITH BUG & FRIENDS, 8PM MON 23RD STBC TUES 24TH OPEN MIC HOSTED BY ZIGGY FANTASTIC, 8PM, FREE WED 25TH KIRBY & LE RENO AMPS, 8PM, 3 THURS 26TH STBC FRI 27TH AUDIO DROPOUTS feat PREEMO, SOUL DOUBT & EDDISON, 8PM, 3.50 SAT 28TH KABUKI presents THE USUALS, THE SHAKES & SMILING POLITELY, 8PM, tbc SUN 29TH BUMSNOGGER, RED STARS PARADE, ERRATA, BONESAW, VOMITUS, 8PM, tbc CLUBS FRI 6TH FROMAGE retro 80s sounds all tastes, and lack of, catered for11-3am FREE ENTRY SAT 7TH - ELIZIUM - a dancefloor-orientated dark alternative night, DARKBEAT/EBM/INDUSTRIAL/GOTH, 11-3am, 3 FRI 13TH FROMAGE retro 80s sounds all tastes, and lack of, catered for11-3am FREE ENTRY SAT 14TH stbc FRI 20TH PSYCHOTIC KANDY Del Franklin and guests playing electronica, alternative rock and indie, 11-3am, free entry SAT 21ST - ELIZIUM - a dancefloor-orientated dark alternative night, DARKBEAT/EBM/INDUSTRIAL/GOTH, 11-3am, 3 FRI 27TH AUDIO DROPOUTS late night underground grooves & moves from Vipercow & Shawn the Ox, 11-3am, free entry SAT 28TH - VALHELLA Dave & Rory from One-up playing sludge, stoner, doom, space-rock, postrock & hip-hip, 11-3am, free entry Regards, The Doctor.