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Here's my fretless Musicmaster, now complete. It sounds fantastic 😎

I received a couple of these in the run-up to our last gig and thought no more of it - they were trapped as spam and a quick look through the source code uncovered quite a few red flags. I thought it might have been a one-off, but I've had another one today from some more supposedly big-shot US lawyers. This one's a bit cruder than the earlier supposed missive I had from Cravaith, Swaine and Moore, but it's still a scam. It's a nasty one, though. For one thing, both those companies really exist and they genuinely are large legal firms. Everything apart from the alleged 'infringing video' link resolves to real URLs and email addresses. I've been on the Internet for 37 years now and thought I was wise to this sort of crap but it still gave me a jolt. It is designed to do one thing and one thing only - panic the recipient into clicking that supposed Facebook link. It looks like it's been shortened just to fit nicely on the page, but in this case it really has been shortened. Here's what it looks like under the bonnet: <p style="margin:0 0 8px 0;font-size:15px"><strong>Infringing Link:</strong> <a style="color:#0b5b7a;text-decoration:none">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr>108692607419559/videos/...</a></p> In this case, it's dead - clumsy work on the scammer's part - but in the earlier one, it led to a shortened URL. Hovering over it displayed the actual link - bit.ly/something_or_other. Expanding the shortened URL - you can find plenty of sites that will do that for you - showed it led to a page stating that 'Unexpected traffic has been detected from your computer' with a link to click. Click on that link and you'll be asked to log into 'Facebook' - it's actually a fake login page. If you take the bait, bam - these scumbags have your login credentials. And just to add insult to injury, Faceache took the post down and restricted my account when I uploaded these annotated screenshots. Let's be careful out there!

Marc Martel (the best Freddie Mercury soundalike) and his One Vision Of Queen show at Shepherds Bush Empire on Saturday night. Just fantastic..... there's a reason he was asked to sing the Freddie vocals in the Bohemian Rhapsody film, and front the original 'official' Queen tribute show... Sunday night was the quite wonderful Nu-Yacht/Blue Eyed Soul group 'Young Gun Silver Fox' at Koko in Camden. Their biggest London show to date and a huge triumph. Great sound, excellent performance and a happy, dancing and singing audience. Brass section was funky as hell and the grooves were tight all night!

I can identify with that.

That sounds like a great idea.

I was on a similar journey. From the bass guitar, I started with a NS Wav (still play it in various Concert Bands) and then moved onto a DB and I am now playing in orchestras. The DB is more satisfying to play, but the EUB is much more portable and convenient. Top tip, get some lessons, it’s a completely different beast to the bass guitar, and bowing is a black art! (Still having lessons 🤣). I find it’s relatively easy for me to switch between EUB/DB and electric bass as my techniques are different (124 as opposed to one finger per fret).

Last night was Blood Incantation in Bristol. Absolutely amazing performance and great production. The first two thirds of the show was their new album in full but because of the album structure, it had to be all or nothing to make sense. If you don't know them, they're worth a listen. Not easy going but very clever with sounds ranging from death metal to almost Pink Floyd in places. Support band Oranssi Pazuzu were brilliant as well. Not sure how to describe them but I certainly enjoyed them. Unfortunately, I missed the first support.

Have a look at the data sheet for the drivers on the Eminence website. That'll give you cab' capacity, port sizes, etc. Dave Green's Fearful 15 was designed for the Kappalite 3015 if you fancy building your own:

The output of the push-pull switches should simply be wired as above. May I advise you to use push-push pots instead, they are way more convenient to use. 😉

I consider myself able to play by ear, and I find it harder (but not impossible) to play from notes without having run through the song a few times. I can't read music to the standard of being able to follow the dots in real time. My notes are usually reminders, limited to parts of the song that vary from the standard pattern, particular fills or runs that are needed for the song and, if required, notes about odd arrangements. I'll also make notes about effects, pick-up selection etc. I can pick up songs without a written guide, and this is the usual way for me to work out a new song. I will refer to some kind of guide (online or other band member) only if I have to. I can't play something straight off having heard it only once, although I can usually join in following a few test runs. We were auditioning songs during Sunday's rehearsal (we're working on a Country set for a specific gig) and I was able to pick up most of the bass lines within the first verse. As above, I'll be able to play the song without having identified the key. Alternatively, if I have the key I'm usually able to make a valid contribution to the song. I've never tested myself, but I'm fairly certain I can identify a 3rd and a fifth.

The Revolt is ideal for what's being described here. Three channels. Clean is an Ampeg SVT model which can add a nice warmth with a bit of drive Dirt is a Marshall Super Bass model so gets you to that Lemmy tone depending on what bass you're using. Drive is a generic modern high gain model which is absolutely filthy but usable. Its valve driven so sounds really good. Its not cheap but I wouldn't be without it. Its all I use now for drive.

This is my normal modus operandi. Perhaps I'm ill and have been for some time (like 40+ years).

That's the spirit!! This one is shaping up to be the 'We Beat The Lurgi Bash'. Mmmm... commemorative T-shirt anybody? 🤔

I've never seen the attraction, personally. Played a couple and wasn't particularly impressed. And now at £8k? Nah. The rich collectors are welcome to them.

Hello, new user here. I have 2 Eminence Kappa 3015's that I put in custom 1x15 LDS cabs that were built for JBL K140's, tuned to 40hz. Each cab is about 4.7 cu/ft with 2 ports originally 4" x 6". I extended the ports by 2", so now 4" x 8", but the speakers are farting out on the lower notes (4 string). Seems like these aren't ideal cabs for the Kappa's, but I thought I'd give it a try with my limited knowledge. My other options are a narrow Acoustic 2x15 406 cab, and a JBL 4648 2x15, originally designed for subs in movie theatres (yes, it's heavy). I realize the latter seems like an obvious no-go but it's about 8 cu/ft with 2 ports 5.5" x 8". So, are any of these cabs viable, or should I start from scratch? Is there an ideal cab dimension for these? Thanks.

They might have to pay them for that and Danny Filth famously doesn't like paying anyone except Danny Filth

Rob, the Godin definitely sounds like a fretless... You are right when saying the Takamine TB10 or (D)B10 sounds close to a double bass. I had both, but didn't like that really really really thick neck (even if I have big hands with piano player fingers), that said mine were set up with a low action and Thomastik JF strings, which are (very) light tension and helped the ease of play. That said, if you could find a Leduc U-Basse with its patented free floating top, I think it would tick all your boxes, especially the first generation with a bolt-on neck and twin Fishman piezo, but you have to like the headless design. These basses do have the acoustic sound you're after (with regular gauge flatwound strings) and very little mwah inherent to the construction. Use a translator as it's in French: http://ubass.free.fr/index.php?page=22

Oh no!!!! Here's wishing you a speedy recovery - i.e. before Sunday 🙂

I am also wiped out with lurgi since the middle of last week, but I will be fine by sunday!

I am down with a lurgi, been wiped out and useless since Friday afternoon. I am useful for an hour, useless for an hour, then need to sleep for an hour. Repeat for the day, sleep at night, repeat. If I have to miss this bash I will be very, very, annoyed!