SteveK

A quick update: Even though the moulds are technically past their 3 month warranty ACS have agreed to make new IEMs using new impressions at no cost to myself. I have an appointment at their London office on Friday 21st.

This morning I received a reply from ACS. They say that "the next step is to remake the plug from new Open Jaw impressions in order to resolve this". Hopefully, this will require bite blocks. They also suggested that I go to their London or Banbury offices for the impressions to be taken. I note on the ACS website that "ACS warrants the fit of its custom-made products for 60 days from the date of delivery." So, technically out of warranty. I would argue that the impressions weren't correctly taken in the first place. I should say that the few communications that I've had with ACS over the years has always been helpful, fair and productive. I'll post any further updates here.

I can only tell you what she told me. I read this thread after my call to ACS. I didn't know the term "bite blocks" until today. I told her that our professional sound crew were surprised that I didn't have to bite on anything when having the impressions made. She said, "I've never heard that" Anyway, she suggested that I email them explaining the issue, which I have now done. I expect a reply in the next day or so. I'll post their response here. I live in East Sussex. Cheers

I've been attempting to use IEMs for the last several months. I say "attempting" because I'm really struggling with them. A bit of background: I had been using ACS custom ear plugs for quite a few years with no problem. Unfortunately, my tinnitus has been getting worse, this necessitated the use of more effective filters - going from PRO17s to PRO20s. Unfortunately, while the PRO20s reduced the level to an acceptable level, everything sounded dull. I couldn't hear the Hi-Hat or ride cymbals, making it near impossible to lock-in with the drums. To the main point: Early last year I decided to go for ACS Evolve IEMs. There were a couple of issues initially: 1. First moulds weren't acceptable by ACS; 2, Left side not working; 3, IEMs didn't fit tight. It's that last issue that I'm having an ongoing problem with: No matter how much I push, poke and twist the IEMs, no matter how much gel/saliva I use (or not use), the seal is constantly breaking! EBS_freak says in his original post that "... a one inch bite block should be in place when the impression is taken". Whether for earplugs or IEMs, I have never been asked to use a bite block when having impressions taken, either by ACS or Boots HearingCare (who made the impressions). I called ACS this morning to report the problem and mentioned the bite block. The lovely lady said that she had never heard of that, and it wasn't ACS policy. The "bite block" makes sense to me, but now I'm in a bit of a quandary... In order to fix my IEM problem I will most likely need new impressions - as ACS don't recommend using a bite block, do I forget about them fixing this and move on to another company? This will probably result in me being several hundred pounds out of pocket, but the protection of what's left of my hearing is worth rather more than that.

It's great that someone's made a twisted neck bass, to solve the problem of... er... er... mmm... 🤔

Can't really offer anything to the discussion, other than... Fanned fret basses mess with my head and look, to me, like they're suffering from serious neck twist.😕

Okey dokey😉 I've heard it described as a looking like a "frying pan" many times... but, I think I prefer your "toilet seat" description😂

I assume you're being ironic😉

Since I can remember, I've loved the sound of a Music Man Stingray! However, being a shallow bass player I couldn't get past the criminally non descript scratch plate - It put me off ever buying one. It's as if Leo had forgotten about the scratch plate and had 10 minutes to come up with something before his deadline was up. Years later, I did buy a Stingray 5, which has a slightly improved(?) scratch plate design. Unfortunately, I couldn't get used to the extra string, and didn't like the dull sound of the B string. I think I used it 3 times on stage.

Is there a 2024 remaster/remix of the full Seven Seas of Rhye, mit vocals? All I can find on Amazon Music is a 1:17 instrumental version.

Maybe a light hearted approach is needed. Although, I've seen many bands where this would have been appropriate.

Unless you're banging tympani drums, blowing a tuba or got a violin under your chin music stands shouldn't be anywhere near the stage. It simply looks "naff"! Do your job and learn the lyrics and music. "Appearance" is hugely important in rock/pop music. If you went to see Sir Ian McKellen in a play would you be happy if the actors were clinging to, and referring to their scripts?

As others have said, stage left (assuming right-handed drummer)! It probably stems from my days playing pubs and clubs with no monitors and needing to see the hi-hat. If you're using monitors, it's not so important, but it's still nice to see as well as hear the hi-hat.

My school music lessons helped me a whole lot more than my art, chemistry, biology, algebraic, trigonometry, French, technical drawing, history lessons. I always assumed that most of the subjects are taught to expand the mind and as an introduction, in the hope that a particular subject will appeal to some students and will pursue it. I found music lessons to be quite helpful: Bass/Treble clefs; Quavers, Crotchets, Minims etc. Note names and positions on the staff. This all turned out to be very helpful in my musical life.

I agree... It's got "Hit" written all over it🤘