Richard R

My understanding is that leaded solder is fine provided you wash your hands and don't ingest it. Lead vapourises way above the melting point, so you aren't breathing lead fumes, nor would you breathi tin/copper fumes. It's the flux fumes that are dangerous. I've just found this HSE article, which probably explains the ban on rosin fluxes at the makerspace. https://www.hse.gov.uk/lung-disease/electronics-soldering.htm#:~:text=As exposure to rosin-based,health must be carried out. "Rosin-based solder flux fume is now regarded as one of the most significant causes of occupational asthma in Britain. When the asthmatic effects are fully developed they are permanent and irreversible. Continued exposure, even to very small amounts of fume, may cause asthma attacks and the person affected may be unable to do any soldering with rosin-based fluxes again." "Where reasonably practicable, exposure should be prevented" OK, I'm not gping to be using rosin based fluxes any more. But I still don't know what's in half the stuff advertised.

The only thing I am absolutely sure of, because it's physics, is that lead free solder generally has a higher melting point.

Solder is very confusing. I have been checking out a makerspace but there is a rule of no rosin solder, and as solder isn't supplied I would need to buy my own. Because "rosin" seems to get used as such a general term for "flux", especially by cheap suppliers, I am struggling to figure out what I would need to buy. The other users have the same problem, and I know in many cases just don't worry because there is proper extraction anyway, but I feel obliged to do the right thing. The organisers don't have a list of approved products, and I think the rule has recently been imposed on them, so that obvious route doesn't help much Any suggestions?

Updated the note on P2 to say you're still in for T1.

I didn't say guitarists were necessarily other musicians.

Guitars are other musical instruments, so you'll be out of tier 2, but still in for the primary tier 1 challenge. Is there a build thread for the guitar? (hint, hint)

The album was completely composed - "through composed" whatever that means- by Simon King, so Scott and the others are playing what was written for them.

Oooooooooooooooh! That is NICE!

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/507822-2025-gear-abstinence-thread/#findComment-5395815 Are you in @Quilly? If so I can update the list.

I missed this post. Fortunately I have my spies.... Sad to see you drop out, what's the cab like?

I think there is something about having the size so that the catch in your hand is just right. Still very cool.

Warnibg GAS can strike at any time! At band practice today the subject came up of "those shaker things from West Africa, joined by string. " The drummer (an exceedingly talented all round musician and multi instrumentalist) has just posted on WhatsApp that he's found what they are, and where to buy them, and will be ordering some ASAP once he understands what size to buy. This is what they are, illustrated here by the amazingly talented, and equally amazingly named, Licious Crackitt 😁

Good tools that just work. One of life's pleasures.

Most honourable. I would call it a Tier 2 fail though, so you're still eligible for Tier 1 if you want?

A bit radical, but it just might work!

Nope. I deliberately use an Amazon card to pay my company travel expenses so I get a bit back on the hotel bills etc. I can't then use that to buy bass stuff on Amazon.I nearly put that example in my post explicitly. Plus the rules only allow unsolicited gifts you didn't choose.

I'll sign you up in the "Repentant Sinner", sub category. Your playing for pride.

That requires a definition of "substantial ", which depends on income.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hire-a-court-venue Turns out you can hire a courtroom!

OK. I propose an ammendment to the 2025 rules as follows: Without setting precedent: Normal cables are allowed this year, even if they aren't replacing breakages. (Wireless or any non-conventtional systems aren't) Purchases made with music-store specific loyalty points are allowed. We could get tighter with the definition, but let'sjust allow if for now. (But I couldn't use the Amazon points I am racking up on work travel and hotels to buy a set of machine heads) Asking for gift vouchers for a present then spending them on gear is still a fail when you spend them. Straps, plectrums and sundries are still OK. Make sense?

Cables aren't consumables like strings, surely? If you have one then arguably only need another if it’s damaged, like for like replacement. I haven't ever needed to replace a cable. And they are in the signal chain, like a new wireless adapter would be. A ruling on whether shop loyalty points should be included is clearly required though. They are designed to encourage spending, which is the opposite aim of the thread. Loyalty points built up in previous years?? The cost of the item should be irrelevant. If we introduce, say, a £10 threshold is that the equivalent of ignoring speeding that's <10% above the limit? @SimonK is still in as the BCPS hasn't come to a conclusion.

Welcome aboard. Lots of us on here started after middle age. I usually recommend StudyBass.com as a great free resource which is well structured. Scotts Bass Lessons academy lessons are also very good - much better than the free clickbait he puts out on YT.

I thought it was a KitKat...

I've had a bloody awful day and still have a headache. Simon didn't need the cable, a piece of wet string would have done and he's already got two of them. I say he's out. But it seems the majority disagree, and I'll feel better after a night's sleep so he's still in - hooray! 😃