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Does anybody know Pino's height? I saw him live in 2012 as part of the D'Angelo tour at the time and he simply dwarfed everybody on stage.

I play with Replicater, a covers band nominally based in Cleckheaton near Bradford (though 2/5 of us are in Wakefield). We do a mix of 80s and 90s pop, new wave and Britpop mostly, but with some other bangers from other disciplines if we feel like it. Our FB page link is in my signature and I've attached a video, although it's a couple of years old because we're terrible at recording our gigs. VID-20230828-WA0000.mp4

WINNER!

The Winner Takes It All - ABBA

I just sold a cab to Nigel. All very straightforward and another great basschat transaction. Nigel is a top bloke and very easy to deal with. Thanks again.

Last Sunday, this bass appeared on the Dutch marketplace website. Within an hour, I was driving an hour and a half to pick it up for a ridiculous price. The owner didn't really know what it was, I guess. He said he got higher bids when I was on my way, but as I was already on my way and was the first, I got it for my original bid. When I arrived, it looked less mint than on the photos. It was mainly dirty and had been in a case for years and years. The strings were ancient, too, and the neck pickup didn't seem to work. So I even got a bit off the price and took it home. It just felt right. Cleaned it today, gave it some new strings, a good setup and it's a great bass. The neck pickup does work, but the pot is a bit wonky. Might replace that, might not. I might sell it, might not. It has a great Jaco vibe to it. The first sunburst Jazz I've ever owned that I really like (not a fan of sunburst in general). I have one question: I understand the date of course, but what does the stamp on the heel mean?

I always take a couple of slivers of wood (matchsticks without the heads are perfect). If the strap buttons work loose or tear out (I've seen both happen) you can slot the matchstick into the hole to help tighten the screw.

An oldy but a goody

If you use something like a Shaller then make sure that the strap buttons are solidly attached. Mine have a tendency to work themselves loose but haven't yet (touch wood) come out. @Merton can attest to what happens when they do!

Have spares or backups of as much as you can, because if something goes wrong you'll want to have other options to continue rather than abandoning the gig. For example, if you're going through an amp and cab, if you have a backup amp then fantastic, but definitely take a pedal with an XLR out and a long XLR cable so you can go through the PA if needs be. Spare cables, strings, picks, strap, etc. are a must. If you have a second bass then consider that, but if space is at a premium then just make sure the one you take works before you pack it, and if it's active then check the batteries and take a spare set.

I know

Next gig for me is with my old band Knock Off, Sat 26 July at The Hope & Anchor, Islington, supporting GBH. Am expecting a rather hot sweaty evening, which as they say is good if you`re with a woman, bad if you`re in the jungle.

I think that's a bit beyond the wit of our lot, and while I'm not against it in principle I really, really, really, hate having things in my ears. I can't do in-ear headphones or earplugs, for example.

Finding out that's the case when you're about to go into a solo is such fun!

We've actually got a gig near my house!

Depending on dates, I might try and make the trip over for this. Overdue for a visit anyway, and I can use it as a recce! #1 - Paul @NancyJohnson #2 - Paul #2 @prowla #3 - Martin @Merton #4 - Matt @Wombat #5 - Andy @Wolverinebass #6 - Stevie @stevie #7 - Lozz @Lozz196 #8 - Matt @neepheid #9 - @bassace97 #10 - Robert @bass_dinger #11 - Christopher @chyc #12 - jaco @Geek99 ** #13 - Alan @WalMan #14 - Trevor @TrevorR #15 - John @jonno1981 #16 - Gary @cetera #17 - @MacDaddy #18 - Steve @Stingray5 #19 - Russ @Russ

Does anyone have a good hack for the standard Shadow not-quite 2.5mm jack, as used on the RB Pro preamp and pickup rig? They seem to be slightly shorter and smaller diameter than the standard 2.5mm, which means you can't plug the transducer into anything else, without taking the original plug off and re-soldering with something else. The input sockets on the preamp unit will accept standard 2.5mm plugs, like those supplied on the Zak Victor pickups, but the larger jacks are probably putting the sockets in the preamp under mechanical strain, because they are designed for the non-standard narrower / shorter Shadow plug. Is there another, sub-2.5mmm 2-pole plug standard that I don't know about?

Seems to work. Same as wedding gigs, over pub gigs, and a lot of things in life. Charge a lot more and do less of them. There was a recent post about having a setup done here regarding prices going up. Charge more, be more selective.

The Thomann Chromatic 64 arrived yesterday. I'm used to harmonicas as little things that fit easily in the hand, but this thing is huge and requires two hands at all times. I've yet to take it to a quiet place at work and give it a real blowing. I've read that this model needs to be "blown in" a bit, especially the low range. Selecting a single note to play is tough: I don't have an embouchure and it's likely going to require my tongue.

Gimme The Prize - Queen

We Are The Champions - Queen