Jakester

I am playing with the Orchestra of Everything and the Courage Choir at Kingswood Theatre Bath this Saturday evening: Those who brave it will see some very dodgy orchestral double-bass bowing, some equally-dodgy jazz playing, and marginally-better electric playing across a wide variety of tunes. As well as Christmas classics, the set list includes Ennio Morricone, a big band version of Gilbert and Sullivan, Raye, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Backstreet Boys, Bonnie Tyler and a frankly awesome rendition of Knights of Cydonia by Muse. Ticket link here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/category/gvvwxzpxdeaa

I wonder whether, rather than a riser, if you look into cab porting/resonance/sound design, you could build a small box that would act as a resonator to help projection when the endpin is stood on it? Something along the (admittedly hugely complex!) lines as this: Or, I guess, more prosaically, along the lines of a phone "amplifier"? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Speaker-Amplifier-Acoustic-Amplificate-Single-Attribute/dp/B0FBRQTJBH/ref=asc_df_B0FBRQTJBH?mcid=5be8bec0e25e394493a50ef0524acd74&hvocijid=10558217205620925100-B0FBRQTJBH-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10558217205620925100&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9209855&hvtargid=pla-2281435176658&psc=1&gad_source=1

I've played 5-string 35" scale pretty much exclusively for the last few years and (apart from a few forays to try the new kid on the block) have tended to always use DR strings. My faves are DR Pure Blues, Sunbeam or Nickel Lo Riders. They do 'go off' pretty quickly from the initial brightness but then they tend to stay where they are almost indefinitely thereafter. I have played the stainless Hi Beams and Lo Riders but found them a little too stiff for my liking. Also got some DR Legends flats on my fretless and love them. Could your issue be a slight harmonic sounding on the B when you complete the finger stroke? I had this on another guitar and found it was just the new pickups/EQ making what was always there more prominent i.e. it was a technique issue but only noticeable on a new bass with 'better' pickups. You could try and EQ it out, or use a Fretwrap or similar, or just work on the note technique so it goes away.

I use a K&M tablet holder which screws to the top of a mic stand when all I need is the tablet. When I'm doing rehearsals or gigs that need a larger stand, I use a RAT Stand Jazz stand. I can see that they've just started offering a tablet stand too: https://www.ratstands.com/product/universal-tablet-jazz-stand/ Can't really speak more highly of the Jazz stand, so I would have thought the tablet stand would be at least as good.

I have and use several different ACS plugs and IEMs - I have a custom set for sleeping, and those can sometimes result in me waking up in the night due to one of them causing the ear to hurt. I do think it's probably the nature of shoving relatively inflexible things into your ears that they'll start to ache after a while, as the plugs aren't going to move as much or will move differently to your ears over time. I second the comfort cream recommendation; the only downside for me is the ACS stuff is so expensive. There was a product called 'Auragel' which was perfect, but it seems the company that manufactured it went bust so it's no longer available. On alternative I had recommended to me is Otoferm, but I absolutely hate the smell of it, and it has triggered something like the eczema @MacDaddy mentions above. I'm in the process of trying alternatives still so will report back if I find anything that works.

I've found it, but it sounds like you don't now need it....

Hi Matt - I may have a pickguard lying around somewhere. I definitely had an L2000 or M2000 (can't remember which) and bought a pickguard off someone on here which fit perfectly. I'll have a dig through and see if I can find it.

I have struggled over the years with various RSI-type problems, particularly tendinitis in my forearms. Going to the doctor was no help at all - they simply said to rest the affected area, which, when it's your arms and hands, is unhelpful. I've found this book to be very helpful with exercises to relieve the inflammation short term but also helping to prevent injury by helping you to develop mobility and resilience in the relevant areas. https://amzn.eu/d/3B1NHtE

Mike bought some LaBella strings off me after I couldn't get on with them - all went well and I hope you enjoy them!