Stub Mandrel

Just saw this on Facebook from Macca: It is very sad to see Höfner go out of business. They have been making instruments for over 100 years, and I bought my first Höfner bass in the sixties. I have loved it ever since. It’s a wonderful instrument to play: lightweight, and it encourages me to play quite freely. It also offers pleasing variations in tone that I enjoy. So, commiserations to everyone at Höfner, and thank you for all your help over the years. - Paul

I've done my first test using the ECM8000 reference mic and my SM58. The problem is the advice stresses not changing the gain, but the sensitivity of the ECM8000 (condensor running of 48V phantom power) is over 15dB greater than the SM58 which means that just isn't feasible, I had to turn the gain up. Does this look right/plausible/feasible?

Dong

Went to the Earl Haig jam on Monday hosted by James Oliver Band. Some interesting new faces, some youngsters (boy drummer & girl bass player) and a band who looked like four brothers and plenty of familiar ones - yook a couple of mates who hadn't been before and were happy just to see what the situation is. Played some bass for Ken Wood with Mark Kemlo on drums. It was a nice Trace Elliot through Ashdown cab, but the previous bass was active and despite fiddling as I played I wasn't loud enough. Still had fun, first was a long, slow blues, so I based around a nice simple riff I stole from Leo Lyons who no doubt found it somewhere else... next was Crossroads, hard to really channel Jack Bruce (😂) when you're struggling to hear yourself, but folks said it was OK (if quiet).

Do you have an Elf? My brother's sounds fine through a Portaflex 15.

I've got loads of Sunday afternoon gigs lined up for '26. They are great - don't interfere with my social life or work!

Starshit

Unleash the bear!

Oh yes... I missed the Ozrics

My partner cut me 3/32" dots from white high-stick vinyl. They last about a year before needing replacement and don't cause any harm.

Here's an example of a club that does it right. One thing they do is allow promoters to puit on gigs in 'the Hall'. In the last few months we've had Focus and Curved Air (not tributes). I've got five gigs there across three bands next year. It's a brilliant place to play.

Skywatcher 66ED cell. ZWO guider on one of my home-made bitsa guidescopes. The cooler is an online design that uses a copper plate slipped between the sensor and the next circuit board. I 3D printed a cover to help insulate it and support the peltier, heatsink and fan. Quite tricky to get right as you have to make a heater from resistance wire to go around the sensor to stop condensation and get the right balance of cooling and warming! Camerea also has the IR/UV filters stripped out. Made a huge difference, but then I got a big cooled mono ZWO and a filter wheel. Sadly, not got up to much since 2021. I think this one is with the ED66. After this, I'd better shut up and let the thread get back to speaker cabs!

I like the relatively modest output of vintage pickups, I'd say they are pretty spot on for a vintage sound.

At last we see it! Well done.