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My blues band played a new festival last night. Great stage, excellent PA and lighting, and very well run in terms of the sound. The guys were really good at their job. However, it was a brand new festival, I would say intended to be a very big event with thousands in attendance. But....there were not a lot of people there, and they are still desperately trying to sell tickets for the rest of the weekend. I think the organisers are going to take massive bath on this one. We were very grateful to those who did come and see us, especially @rwillett and his partner Zoe (credit to Rob for the photo). '73 P bass, GK Legacy 800 (DI'd), TE Elf 2x8. Rob

So after 9 weeks off we had a gig at last - or at least 2/3 of us did. The drummer came down with a bout of bronchitis yesterday. Luckily we managed to find a last minute dep, a chap we've known for years and played with in various bands (including him and the guitarist playing in Martin Turner's band for a few years). That meant we had to scribble a list of reasonable songs we all knew. We actually had a lot spare at the end of the night. It was great to play with another good drummer and it can give familiar songs from the usual list a whole new vibe. We had a great time. The audience were ok and we went down well. I don't think the pub puts on enough bands to really establish it as a music venue really. I took my Sire P7-5, but actually played my stinger-equipped Sterling Sub5 all night because I was enjoying it so much. Usual GT-6B and Rumble 500 combo provided tone and heft. I forgot to take any photos, but a lovely young lady (barmaid on her night off) did get some great shots, so I'll post one or two of those when they are forwarded on. Instead you can have a shot of tonight's footwear - custom burgundy suede Converse One Stars I just know you're now going to want to play with the customisation tool, so here you go... https://www.converse.com/uk/en/products/customize/custom-collections/start-with-a-blank

My old band Knock Off have decided to part ways with their bassist so have asked me to help them out until they get a permanent replacement. Am looking forward to it, though coaxing that old aggressive sound out is a challenge as now playing Fender JMJ Mustangs rather than Precisions for my backs sake, plus my hands can’t take that battering playing style anymore, am sure I’ll find a way though. Some good gigs lined up (Cocksparrer on May 31st in Islington being the first one up) and will be nice to catch up with a lot of people I’ve not seen since I left at end of 2019.

I played a really good gig at Bar Silo in Golant in Cornwall. Crowd was amazing and the venue was absolutely wonderful. We even got free food which was delicious.

Gibson built approximately 1,700 sunburst Les Pauls between 1958 and 1960, of which only 2,500 are accounted for.

Annual Otis Jay Blues Band show at the local Forest Arts Centre, New Milton. Sold 100/130 tickets for a three-band bill - all good clean fun and a joining-in audience to boot. Great to have pro sound and lights. Sandberg VM4, GK MB200 through Barefaced Two10, DI’d of course.

VID-20250503-WA0001.mp4 Played a Salisbury Live gig on Friday at the same venue as @Cat Burrito played last weekend. The room is quite big with a dancefloor in front of a low stage and there are tables and chairs on a gallery area up some steps (this is on the same level as the rest of the club). There were three bands and we were headliners. Our drummer was drumming in the first band and singing in the second band so it was a little weird but we got to see another side of him and both bands were good. There wasn't a lot of audience throughout the evening but enough for it not to be embarrassing and consider it a 'paid rehearsal'. I'd say the fact that there seemed to be very little promotion apart from what the bands put in themselves, the venue is out of town and there's loads going on in Salisbury this weekend contributed to a low turnout. Having said that, the evening was great fun and we got another gig out of it later this year...with a guaranteed audience 👍🏻 Back to my Airwalk Ones (worn out soles but comfy!) Spoke to the other bands' bassist and we had a connection to a local band from the early 90s so that was cool. Short video from the outro to Butterflies (slightly cut short 😬)

Yes, Moderator. You arent missing anything

I understood @ped was reconfiguring the site as pickguardchat.co.uk as there has been significantly more discussion of that topic than almost all others recently (although freedomfromamplifierschat.co.uk is also under consideration) 👍

Managing to get reasonably similar outputs across both boards now for songs, but also different flavours which is cool.

I play double bass in a Morris band, and when the accordionist isn't available I play accordion. But I got fed up practising accordion wearing builders' ear defenders, and lugging a heavy accordion around. So Thursday's band practice was the first run out for my new (to me) Roland electronic accordion. It went well - it plays much the same as a regular accordion, and the band were happy with the sound it makes.

Wow someone has gone through a lot of work to do that, it’s not an exercise it’s a good attempt at faking, it could easily fool someone, not good in my opinion, makes me question how many others are out there

Membership revoked!!

So you are saying that instead of mass-debating, we should just ensure our gear is as stiff as possible.

my 71 i bought it was gutted for active electronics never disclosed and I was to young to check (1994) the pick ups didn't match the neck stamp the pots were refit If you are a musician I think buy what you like to play

Update on pairs on the stairs New (to me) White BB414 Soloking’s from Andertons recent blow out.

I think the secret is breaking things down into manageable chunks. 'Today I'll get the neck heel cleaned up' for example ... that means you don't overload yourself. I'm learning tons of stuff for this project. In the past for guitar and electric bass building I've always used urea formaldehyde resin glues like Cascamite (or the two pack version Cascaphen) or Aliphatic resin: the good old standby Titebond. For this project I will be using proper hide glue ... the learning curve may be steep. This sub £30 Amazon wax pot however makes a great glue kettle ... I've been lucky with this one ... the thermostat and the scale around the temperature knob actually agree, and 62c is actually 62c - or about 145 degrees F - the perfect heat for hide glue.

Yep it certainly muddies the waters somewhat and with even more refinement on their part would catch a lot of people out I’m sure. Bad form tbh even if they’re just doing it as an ‘exercise’

She’s got an ego , but heck , she’s Carol Kaye.

Wireless kits imo are essential if doing the sound yourself, at least for one member of the band.

My current pedal bag.

If not considered that. I’ve know people make replicas of all sorts of things, but this seems to be crossing a line a bit. We should reserve judgment until we know a bit more but the fact that a few people here have been taken in by it shows how accurate it is and how challenging authenticating vintage instruments is and how easily people could be duped.

That One 10 defines physics. Moving air isn't just an expression, it's how speakers work. A high quality modern ten with 8mm excursion capacity will move as much air as vintage fifteen with 3mm excursion.

Be careful, I did a walkabout at a wedding and some lady started hugging/dancing with me so the strings got muted - I had to stick my bum really far out to get a gap so I could play 😂

Don't assume that if you can't see them that the amps and speakers aren't there. They may be back stage or under it, in isolation booths.

Think of it as the smell of proper repairs - and it'll soon smell like Chanel No 5

Come on, Mr Stubz, you’ve wandered off, without your medication again, back to the DoI with you.

With my old Aria, I used a brown liquid shoe polish as a stain on the body dings. The bottle with the little sponge applicator. If the wood has a fresh ding, just blob the polish on, let it set up for a few minutes, wipe it off. Dries in seconds.

Agreed. It's just a matter of time before this neck (and maybe whole bass) is listed as being real.

Agree 100%, I think we need to know who this is, whether they know what they’re doing or not in terms of the mechanics, they certainly know what they’re doing in terms of the potential for current or future fraud

Must resist.... Oh. Um.

You guys look great. I like the stage and the the lighting Daryl

Playing a pub that occasionally has live music. I struggle with that scenario when it happens to my band. I get the impression that the punters are saying, " I really didn't come here for music" . Daryl

Yes, you guys would do great there. It's a nice size room but not too big. Daryl

Zerofive Audio Low Rider

Got the standard 45-125 Super Brights on my LT5 now! I love these strings, very much more flexible and respond better to how you're playing to what I was using. They've completely opened up the sound on my Spector. The bass now sings, where it sounded a bit stiff and dead. The B string is so clear and articulate now. Easier on the hands too, which I suppose is from not having to pull the sound out of the bass so much!

not quite finished yet!!! Just needs the reverb tank to arrive!!! But this is a phantom coil pcb build from holy island

Found it…

Option 2 every time. You can't sound check at low levels as you won't hear the low end. You have to sound check at gig level. No need for 5 minutes though! Line-check everything then do 30 seconds of a section of a song where everything gets used (IE don't check the verse without BVs, check the chorus with BVs).

A chum’s wife couldn’t make it to Postmodern Jukebox at G-Live so he offered me her ticket. I do love PMJ’s videos where they mash up modern hits with older musical styles. However, live they took it to another level. Such a fun, fun night out. Not bad seats, either!!!

Always a good thing when an artist's work is recognised, but all this Hall of Fame stuff is a load of corporate b/s. Imho obviously.