Stub Mandrel

Seriously, I have basses with all levels of jack socket. My experience is that when the single spring returns to that position, it's got many years of useful life in it. I have instruments from the 60s, 70s and 80s with original sockets tgat look just like that. But yes I've seen that type fail and become noisy/intermittent, always a poorly tempered spring that takes a set and doesn’t return to its proper position. My experience suggests it usually happens fairly soon in the life of the instrument.. I happily accept there are good and bad quality examples, and visually they are virtually indistinguishable. YMMV, of course.

Would be posher if I was better at it! But good on Steve who made us try.

That flmsy socket looks a long way from becoming unreliable. Tne contact is virtually aligned with the midline of the socket.

When I saw them I was struck by the minimal communication with the audience. That sounds very different.

Biggest rehearsal room rig I've encountered was an SVT with a 6x10.

Picked up the Thunder 1 a couple of weeks ago. Hadn't played it for a while but the Roto 66s were still fresh. Blew me away. Took it to play four songs at an OM that evening. Lots of comment on the tone even though I was just straightintobthe PA with no DI box.

Gosh we can all be very precious about this. Any programme aimed at bass players would have a pretty small audience. This is a programme aimed at a wider public who have more than a superficial interest in music. The songs mentioned are generally not technical, but are ones someone aware of 'bass' (many 'music lovers' aren't - sorry to shatter your illusions) would appreciate as being part of their success. And, to be fair, a 'great bassline' is one that lifts a song beyond the everyday. Of course MY list would look very different, but this programme doesn't target me. I'm just grateful for a programme that will, hopefully, rause awareness and understanding of the role and potential of my chosen instrument and the people who play it.

2026, even. Get your orders in quick...

"I nearlgy completed the GAS challenge but Thomann were selling a hopeless case for £40..."

Second time at a small local place last Wednesday. Bass rig is a Warwick Gnome through an Orange 1x12 (I think). Sounds fine, I don’t run it very loud but the Gnome gets a little warm. Fine for civilised practice.

Good luck Sponds. About time you got gigging

Good luck!

I must admit, Morrisey the Consumer Monkey is quite entertaining.

It's amazing how much weight you can burn off at a gig!

I had a birthday present for my daughter in a 'basket'. Today I got an email with a 15% discount instead of the 7.5% I'd already found.

Sorry, thought you posted that ^

You destroyed all my childhood memories by demonstrating they were actually made of MDF. Pah. Thanks Frank. 😞

To stop chipping and make it more pleasant to handle. Very easy with a router. Also paint won't take well on sharp corners. 12mm is good.

The distinction between objectivity and subjectivity ought to be taught in schools.

Ah, sadly far fom me.

Rehearsals with two bands in two days. Monday, quite mellow, nearly all new songs, straightforward and went well. No Matter What by Badfinger is a gem of a track. Today, the originals. More arranging and I had my first proper go at three part harmony*. We decided we needed to a brief funky interlude, we jammed and it turned into Funky Town. Also had a random extended blues jam, which was fun. *Actually I was only singing one part.

I've been encouraged to go supercardiod. I have a Superlux PRA D1n which was dirt cheap. Just read some reviews and consensus seems to be it's comparable with an SM58 beta. So... I'll pack it with my SM58 and try it. My I only do bvs anyway (although I was singing the fifth in three part harmony tonight, for the very first time at a rehearsal!)

What area are you in?

In Guitar Guitar Edinburgh I had money itching in my pocket after being paid for a big contract. The GAS was strong and I was uhmming about a Gretch White Falcon when my brother spotted a Hohner Jack Custom V hidden in the back and only £300. I'm a big Hohner headless fan having gigged a B2 for 10 years in the 90s, and this was the top of the range model. It was set up beautifully and immaculate. Said I'd have it... and they guy said I think there's a case. There was, with a decent strap fitted with Dunlop Straplocks and a quality lead inside.