JapanAxe

[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1454164684' post='2967124'] I took a look at some youtube vids of the Mexican fender factory. There is a massive difference there over the last 15 years. They've gone from using wooden jigs and had tools to mostly cnc and other automated processes. It looked on a par with the heart in the US factory. It must have made a massive difference in quality, I wonder exactly when that change occurred? I also remember what people said about the Japanese and Korean instruments when I was a kid. People recognise the quality of those instruments now. It only takes a few duff products or poor initial production to trash a reputation though. [/quote] About 5 years ago people often bought Gretsch Electromatics with the intention of modding them up to Pro Line specs. Current Electromatics are widely regarded as great guitars in their own right. New prices have crept up, but they are doubtless worth it. Oh for a crystal ball!

Well it was a guitar pedal, but my favourite pedal purchase was an Xotic SL Drive. I use it in SB mode, which mimics the sound of the Marshall Super Bass amp (as used by Mick Ronson). It's a fire-breathing stack in a tiny box As an added bonus, Guitar Guitar had it on 40% discount in limited edition silver panel livery and with a voltage doubler included FOC!

Like beauty, cool is in the eye of the beholder.

It wouldn't be the first time that a new manufacturing facility has upped its game over time. Mexican Fenders and the Gretsch Electromatic range spring to mind.

Get a MIDI controller keyboard (they are usually pretty light) and attach (with Araldite?) it to a piece of hardboard cut to a shape that (1) allows a strap to be fitted, and (2) is suitable for posing. Job done.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1454081691' post='2966290'] Why the sudden surge of interest in how old everyone is? [/quote] So that the Basschat sponsors can identify those suitable for targeting with pension release scam letters. Possibly.

[quote name='Thor' timestamp='1453993687' post='2965114'] 'ere! I resemble that remark! [/quote] Clearly you don't reside in the teeming metropolis of Swindon. Nice smock btw.

Just got an email from Strings Direct and noticed [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/stands-and-hangers-c70/single-guitar-stands-c463/athletic-stands-athletic-a-frame-compact-guitar-stand-with-neck-support-git-6u-for-electric-or-acoustic-guitars-p10610?utm_source=NEW-Athletic-Stands&utm_medium=email&utm_term&utm_campaign=%5B2016-01-29%5D+%5B107%5D+%5BNEW%3A-Athletic-Stands%5D"]this[/url], which folds as small as an A-frame but supports the neck:

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1454064827' post='2965915'] I use one of these: [url="http://www.herculesstands.co.uk/p/mini-electric-guitar-stand?pp=24"]http://www.herculess...tar-stand?pp=24[/url] Someone will be along shortly to tell you what a bad idea that is and how often your bass will fall over. [/quote] That's a really bad idea. Your bass will fall over if you so much as stare hard at it.

[quote name='grayn' timestamp='1454068970' post='2966009'] It's a real looker. Dread to think how much it'll cost. [/quote] Don't worry, no UK dealers listed in the link!

But it's got a Fender strap an' everything!

I have a pre-relic'd guitar, and a naturally aged bass. I look after them - they travel in a case or gig bag, they sit on a stand on stage - but I am not precious about an extra scratch or bump if it happens.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1453964711' post='2964655'] I get low output and distortion due to some dodgy patch cables from time to time. So ordered some new cables and one of these last night! [url="https://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Accessories/Cable-Testers/CT100/p/P0133"]https://www.music-gr...s/CT100/p/P0133[/url] [/quote] I have one of those, incredibly useful.

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1454001033' post='2965258'] Oh god, wish I'd never posted this now. [/quote] Pah! It's only just started...

[quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1453930703' post='2964452'] Yes, I did. Saying "I'm not trolling" is no guarantee that you are not trolling. And this is still looking like a troll thread to me. [/quote] Nah, the Blue that we know here on Basschat is no troll.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1453850775' post='2963540'] Disappointed - I thought it was some group of Wiltshire separatists when it said 'pro Wiltshire band'! [/quote] There are still villages in Wiltshire where the arrival of a motor car will draw a small crowd of smock-wearing straw-chewing yokels.

£2.80 economy delivery? Not even My Herpes could manage that!

[quote name='tobiewharton' timestamp='1453835551' post='2963303'] Just received this album (Lemar, The Letter) as a birthday gift. I think it's excellent - have liked his unassuming voice for a long time and these song choices and arrangements really seem to suit him. Tobie *Failed quote. I'm not quite sure why I can't get it right... [/quote] I heard a track off this on the radio the other day (Higher Love?) and thought it was excellent. It certainly pushed my soul buttons! EDIT: Kind of wishing I hadn't used that phrase now!

Here ya go: http://therayjonesband.com

Halfords do [url="http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/halfords-feeler-gauge-metric-and-imperial-16-blades"]this metric/imperial set[/url] at £3.99, or there is [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-Imperial-Feeler-Gauge-36174-10-AF-Blade-/291623832625?hash=item43e6228c31:g:7LwAAOxyBotTZOz2"]this imperial set[/url] on eBay for £3 delivered!

Cranes in Cardiff were asking £3,000 for an early 70s P last time I went in!

No bass fx board. For about 5-6 years I went without a chorus on my guitar board, until I picked up a home-built BYOC clone of a CE2. It needed some work to make it usable, and then I gave it a paint job and a decal:

On a couple of other forums I have gone from regular to occasional poster, and that could just as easily happen here.

I tend to follow connections from the stuff I already like, e.g. Albert Lee led me to Rodney Crowell and thence to Emmylou Harris.

Played a posh function with a scratch band - yes, you read that right. Did the same job this time last year. All good musicians in our/their own right, but only 2 rehearsals. We got away with it, and the band have been asked back for next year's event, but not very satisfying.