All Activity

Change of plan .... I now want to be able to connect a Roland FP30X electric piano to a Behringer UMC1820, via midi. The Midi (out and in) on the Roland FP30X is the USB B-type ("USB Computer") The UMC1820 has midi-DIN in and out (and the USB is to connect it to the PC). There is no such thing as a midi-B to midi-DIN cable. So, I was instead advised that I need a Midi junction box with a USB-A (for the Midi port). Can anyone advise, or recommend a suitable Midi junction box? Ideally, with a separate power supply input (no cobmied USB power). https://www.cme-pro.com/h4midi-wc-usb-host-midi-interface/ (4 midi DIN ports) https://www.cme-pro.com/h2midi-pro/?srsltid=AfmBOorC_nVwHWECm7l27q92lOgEx6S5tJUkpTkhHHTngMOImr7B2XkI (2 midi DIN ports) https://www.thomann.co.uk/behringer_go_midi_host.htm (a very simple box - but will it work for my set-up?) I also want to run an EMU Classic Keys (midi DIN in, put and thru), but I can probably use the Midi out from my UMC1820. Help!!!

I’m thinking of dipping a toe into EUB What strings do they use? TY

Pretty simple formula for me. What will it cost me in parts, materials and timber from the sawmill to build. If it's another 100% more to buy then it's expensive .

I sense a competition … how about the 2026 Gear non-abstinence competition? the winner is the most frantic buyer of shiny things, with bonus points for “buyers remorse” swift offloading ? Equal bonus for donating it to charity when the dopamine hit wears off

So Pharaoh Way - Dire Straits

I think Tiger Feet might've been my first favourite tune as a very small kid. My older siblings had a bunch of 7" singles and the one I'd always play was Tiger Feet, quite partial to that David Dundas single too... must've had a thing about tigers (DD's song had a "tiger in my tank").

My Lionheart Air 4 string

I too had a Musicman Sterling HH as my main bass for a while then assembled my Warmoth/Status Jazz bass for a change. It's a heavy maple body, EMG X series pickups, BQC system and a Status jazz neck with Hipshot Ultralites. It comes in at a hefty 14lbs (I can hear some of you groaning at the thought of that 😂 ) A couple of weeks ago I changed the batteries after sound check and it stopped working. Turned out that it was the connection between the batteries in the double battery box so I had to get the back up bass. It's a 2010 Fender Japan '75 reissue with US pickups in old candy apple red with matching headstock. It couldn't be any different to the Warmoth but I absolutely love it. The short version is that both basses are more than capable of replacing my Sterling and it gives me an excuse to post pictures of both of them.

For sure, it does sound great and I recommend it to people who ask about a good improved RAT for bass. If I were a RAT guy, I'd grab that pedal, too. Maybe I will one day, though I'm quite satisfied with my dirt section as of now.

I don't really know @chris_b apart from what he posts on here. However, I do know that he used to play with a guy (unfortunately no longer with us) who was an exceptional guitarist. He seems to have a lot of experience and work a lot, playing gigs at a pretty decent level. You, I'm not so sure about. Exactly how good are you, what gigs do you do and at what level? Why should I give your opinion the the same weight as his? Perhaps a little bit of respect for people who have that sort of experience and are most likely better than you wouldn't be amiss?

EHX tri-parallel mixer: https://www.ehx.com/products/tri-parallel-mixer/ I use one to mix three preamps on my 80s throw-back guitar rig, and it's great as it has both phase and level controls. It's also pretty cheap.

Tremond is perhaps the best take on Rat for bass

Mine was a Cort but also had the Mighty Mite pickup, as did my Cort C5P. They were probably all just Cort built basses tbh.

Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangles

Earthquaker Devices and Red Panda do guitar specific pedal board mixers. I’ve haven’t tried either so can’t vouch on quality etc. but considered both when I was looking for a mixer. I ended up going down the AB/Y route. https://www.redpandalab.com/products/mixer.html https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/four-to-one-mixer And Saturnworks do a range of mixer pedals that can purchased from the US via their Reverb. https://saturnworkspedals.com/product/summer-mixer-pedal/

Lubbly-Jubbly.

Had the pre Cort version, the Tanglewwod Curbow in deep red finish with Mighty Mite pickup and also a Tanglewood Canyon 3 fretless which used the same body shape. Always had a soft spot for them too

£1.7k seems to be a sweet spot at the moment for a really nice secondhand bass! If you shop around, you should get something really cool. I have never pulled the trigger on a genuinely expensive bass, even though I have considered it at times. The most I have ever spent is £1.65k on a s/h Sadowsky 5 string a couple of months ago. The thing is that I currently have four basses that I have spent that sort of money on, as well as a couple that I paid around a grand for. I am fortunate that I am in the position where I don't necessarily have to sell these days every time that I get a new bass, unlike a few years ago! That is not to say that I didn't part-ex a nice Xotic 5 string to get the Sadowsky.

If it has to be a Fender then for me a Geddy Lee sig. Japanese would be pre-loved, but you can get the US ones new I think.

Best playing passive jazz bass I've owned was a transluscent white 44-60 with plek'd neck. Such a superb feeling/playing bass. I also owned a 55-60 Custom which was a bit special also. fwiw I've never had a Lakland Skyline that was less than hugely impressive

It's that time of year again, the time to watch this fantastic piece of nostalgia.

I’m busy at the moment, 2026 awaits…