paul_5

Yes, check it. I’d use a known good stereo lead and a multimeter set to continuity or diode mode and see which one goes to tip, ring or sleeve.

Jack sockets for active basses need 3 connections - tip, ring and sleeve. This means that whenever a Jack lead is plugged in it forms a connection between the ring and sleeve which completes the power supply circuit - typically the ground connection, leaving the tip to carry the signal. This has the advantage of not drawing power from the battery whenever you unplug your lead. If the original socket only has 2 lugs then you’re going to need an awful lot of batteries…

Sex on fire - every band, everywhere.

Like anything in music (and life in general for that matter) you'll never do it fast if you can't do it slow. Conscious, precise, slow movements are the key to any change/improvement. I've played floating thumb since I started, and doing anything else feel weird!

Always wind to the bottom of the tuning peg, and check that the strings aren't in torsion (twisted) when they go through the bridge. I do this by getting the string tight enough to produce a pitch (not anywhere near the final tuning), grip the string between my thumb and forefinger and run them down the length of the string from the nut to the bridge - when the ball end spins then you're taking the unnecessary twist from the string. Doesn't happen everytime I re-string, but it's worth doing every time, just in case.

Lonesome Cowboy Burt - Zappa

Liar - MegaDave

I can do that stuff most of the time, but look dreadful naked. Swings and roundabouts Rob.

Blackberry - The Black Crowes

So What - Anti Nowhere League

My youngest son (15) just overheard me playing ‘funky mellowship in B major’ by RHCP and commented “well, you’re better than Homer Simpson”. I’ll take that.

Youth Against Fascism - Sonic Youth

At least the tuners are in a straight line, unlike some monstrosities I’ve seen…

Pigmy Twylyte - Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

JS Bach for Bass by Joaquin des Pres is a good one if you want to do more than just running up and down arpeggios, as is Jonas Hellborg’s ‘Chord Bassics’ which is literally pages of chord diagrams - but equally useful to a bassist who wants to improve their playing and theory.

I *have* tried the zs-10s on a gig and can report that they are great. I replaced the rubber tips with foam ones and they performed admirably. Can’t recommend them highly enough.

Jesus that’s good!!

Holiday in Cambodia - Dead Kennedys

Fish On - Primus

Hardening of the arteries - Slayer

I don’t like the drugs (but the drugs like me) - Marilyn Manson

I’m just a bloke who likes to make low frequency wobbly noises, turns out that some people actually LIKE that sort of thing, and (on occasion) are prepared to compensate me for my ‘ability’. Who knew?!?