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Evaluating (or designing) a speaker cab by measuring it is infinitely more complex than micing up a cab for recording or sound reinforcement. You need a calibrated mic for a start. There's a whole battery of measurements you need to carry out using specialist software. Done properly, however, you can form a reasonably accurate idea of how a speaker will perform (although your ears will always be the final arbiter). To measure a loudspeaker, you need to place the mic in what is termed the "far field" - or between 4 and 6 feet for the Monaco or similar cab. Any closer than this and the two drivers are not fully integrated. I've found measuring on the tweeter axis to be the most useful position. To remove the impact of the room in the absence of an anechoic chamber, the test tones from the speaker have to be "gated" in software. Unfortunately, this useful technique doesn't allow measurement at low frequencies. So, the low frequency response has to be checked separately using either near-field or ground plane measurements. The two measurements are then adjusted for level and spliced together to create a full-range response. If you're a stickler, you also measure and splice the response of the port. This gives you the frequency response on axis, and you've only just started.😀

Rockin' All Over The World - Status Quo

Yes, there are undoubtedly some mutts in every Fender range. As I always say, you get one diamond in every 10-20 basses with Fender, so it is very difficult to generalise. I've been lucky with my main three Jazzes. They're all fantastic working tools that I love the feel and sound of and all three earn me a large chunk of my living. Again, obviously they're still not a patch on my Status basses, but then you're talking another ballpark entirely.

I suppose there’s good and bad in all different ones , I’ve never had a bad American one myself , neither has anyone I know, you get what you pay for

Yes, if you have good ears, you can hear the difference in the resonance with the better quality woods, through body stringing, and the better quality pickups make a huge difference, too. I also use identical 40-95 Elixir sets on all of them, so you can acutely pick out the differences

No, as a professional musician, I'm telling you that my American Jazzes feel and sound superior. This is not to say that the Squier 40th isn't a very good Jazz. It definitely is.

Just bought a preamp from Alex, super guy to deal with, speedy postage and a very easy transaction many thanks Ian

I suppose there’s two issues: 1) they have the goods in stock but one or both are still in original packaging that they don’t want to undo. 2) what if they say it fits but the margins are tight and you argue it doesn’t upon receipt? A wasted effort for all.

Hello! I'm fixing up a second hand bass and the tone knob is not working. Can anyone help me find out whether it's a wiring issue or a faulty pot that needs replacing? I've taken some photos of the wiring, it looks correct to me but maybe I'm missing something. All the solder connections seem pretty solid. Thank you!

I've played some American Fenders that felt lifeless and dull and Squiers that were not and have owned several of each. I watched a video online earlier this year where a "gourmet" food stand was set up and was giving out free samples. Everyone actually thought they were eating gourmet food and was seemingly impressed. It was revealed to be Greggs all along.

OP was asking the shop staff to use their bass to test the case i.e. it was always on their premises. TBH I think it's a little unreasonable; you wouldn't ask someone in the M&S warehouse to try on clothes for you before you bought them. I'd probably have just bought it, tried it, and returned if it didn't fit.

Spotted that one on eBay, good score and looks miles better now. RE the Toneprint - I use the Spectracomp almost exclusively but also like the chorus, worth looking into as you can effectively turn it into a set and forget extra feature of your choosing. The comp'n'drive is also cool.

My guess is they have to protect against tyre kickers. You get a lot of those in shops. I prefer Mono M80 Vertigo bags. IMO it's a gig bag. Do your homework, find a good one, that fits, and just buy it.

I think the way Vox have crashed the used market for the s-s Artist is clumsy to say the least. Owners who bought at full RRP (over £1300) or even after the first price drop (to £799) as I did are quite obviously pi55ed off that the second-hand value is now determined by the final 'refurbished as new' price of £399!! Seems to me that Vox have effectively managed to lose a significant number of repeat customers by turning what was initially a happy group of owners into a group with a grievance. I also think the change-over to standard scale length is a mistake for a brand that was traditionally associated with s-s basses. If they had got their marketing right they could have secured a big share of the now significant s-s bass market. Instead they have done what Gibson managed to do - squander the value of a 'heritage' brand name by messing with its DNA.

In glad you’ve mentioned this, I often hear hear how there’s not much difference between a squier and US made bass, in my experience there is a big difference, I bought my nephew an affinity jazz and it felt and sounded nothing like my CS and AVRI jazzes, it was an older one and I’m sure they’ve improved since, I can’t say if the price difference is worth it because that’s up to the individual , they both do the same job but I think it’s what makes you happy and feel good playing

Thanks for this. It makes perfect sense this way. As sad as it sounds, as well as playing it, I’ll study these to see what he’s doing against a chord to try and understand it. I’ll just print it and write the chords at the top in pencil and we’re good. Appreciate it’s an improvised line!

Earth song - Michael Jackson

Back from 2 days 'business' in Cologne to find the Conklin patient waiting for me upon my return! I forgot just how well made these things are... unbelievably thin neck profile, no real visible or 'feelable' difference in build quality to that of my USA Conklin (hardware, pickups, preamp, woods etc aside...)