icastle

I have a choice of six basses, all different and all individually suited for particular jobs. I don't really have a favourite one, it's really a case of choosing the most suitable tool for whichever job is at hand.

Yes it is related to the new subscription system - it's something we're working on though so please bear with us.

No problem. Let us know how you get on with it.

It's part knack and part equipment. You need a decent sized soldering iron for starters - at least 17W. You need to make sure that you 'wet' the tip before trying to desolder the connection, just melt some solder onto the end of the iron so it has a thin coating on it. Make sure you place the tip of the iron onto the joint you want to desolder so that it lies flat against the joint (allows maximum transference of heat). You'll need a way of getting rid of the molten solder - either desolder braid (you touch it into the molten solder and it just sucks it up through capillary action) or a vacuum tool. Gently wiggle the pot until it releases from the PCB. Don't force it - if it won't move the try heating up the joints again and removing any remaining solder. Don't ever be tempted to use the soldering iron as a heated crowbar. The 'superglue' stuff you can see is just flux that is in the solder - nothing to worry about, it's perfectly normal. Hopefully that'll get you disconnected. To solder everything back together you'll need the same equipment. Make sure the holes in the PCB line up with the pot contacts and that the PCB track hasn't become damaged around the area you've been working on. Hold your wetted iron flat against the prepared patch on the PCB and melt some solder onto the patch. Make sure it flows evenly around the pot contact and over the PCB patch - you don't want a round 'blob' of solder - think of a drip of water on a flat surface, that's the effect you're after. Don't be tempted to blow it to cool it down quickly, let it go solid in it's own time. Job done.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1362694722' post='2003638'] [/quote]

[quote name='GazWills' timestamp='1362694027' post='2003623'] some cheeky monkey already posting a pedal for £1... [/quote] Not any more they're not....

Yes, we are locking threads when the item has been sold. If a sale falls through then just let any mod or Administrator know and we'll happily unlock it for you - it takes just a couple of seconds to do. No need to pay again or start writing you ad from the beginning.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1362649128' post='2002577'] True, but that reality doesn't go down well in today's entitlement culture. [/quote] Reality just 'is' what it is. The only way to escape that is to go into politics...

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1362653670' post='2002710'] Perhaps an extension to the 'ignore' function is in order [/quote] Sort of indiscreet, outdiscreet you mean?

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1362603951' post='2002120'] How many others out there have been underpaid and were clueless as to this? I'm genuinely shocked! [/quote] MU rates aren't in any way legally binding. Sure, you can demand them whilst agreeing a price for the gig, and the venue can tell you to get stuffed and you'll just walk away with nothing. The harsh reality is that a bands value to a venue is based on bums on seats and drink sales.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1362605980' post='2002168'] Don't agree, we will do a pub at pub rates and quote £600 upwards for a party for mates and around £1000 for weddings. Our festival rate isn't that much lower but we have better shows for them. Depends if you start at a pub band.... We limit what we do in that regard as it impacts on the rate and price of tickets you can charge ... But we will do a pub if we like the place and use it as a loss leader. [/quote] I agree with your not agreeing. It is perfectly feasible to do both types of gig [b]provided[/b] you treat the venues as being totally different. If we play a pub gig then it's always well advertised beforehand (material provided by us), we attract a good crowd and we get paid (often more than agreed plus a repeat booking, which is nice.. ). It's a basic setup though. If we play a wedding then we add a pile of 'extras' - longer sets, more instrument variations, lighting rig, bigger PA, background music/disco, 'first dance' played (and a recording presented to the couple on a properly packaged CD), radio mic for the speeches. Anything we can do to help the event go smoothly, we'll do it - hell, I even repaired a table at the last one we did.

I don't think there is a 'worst thing about being a musician'. It can be hard work, but the most rewarding things in life often are. It can be frustrating, but so is going shopping and using those automated 'self service' monstrosities. It can be difficult getting over plateaus, but that's just everyday life. It can be irritating trying to explain a concept to a fellow musician, but no more so than dealing with an offshore call centre. Being a musician is just being a musician.

[quote name='mxm' timestamp='1362585177' post='2001712'] I can offer left handed DNA !!! [/quote] Now there's a chatup line you don't hear every day...

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1362561158' post='2001195'] I hope you're going to Police this. It could be an invitation to the hidden traders who masquerade as basschatters. There is a particular piss-taker on here who has annoyed me in the past with his dodgy dealing and who still irks me with his regularly posting of many more items for sale than any normal bass player would do. [/quote] Mods do keep an eye on all forums, but we can't be everywhere, every hour of every day, and we do miss things. If anyone suspects that an ad is incorrect in some way, then [b]please[/b] help us - just let us know about it and we'll take appropriate steps.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1362509470' post='2000506'] 'The goose flies south in winter...' [/quote] Ah. I'm getting the hang of this now. When decoded that means.... 'Discreet is tickling my ankle'... .... who wrote this s*dd*ng code book?

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1362500057' post='2000246'] When I grow up, I wanna learn to play a few more notes on the bass. [/quote] You don't wanna do that mate, your string replacement costs will go up by 60%...

Just occurred to me that I've never seen a WAL played with a pick before! Then again I think I was probably out during the 80's.

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1362521312' post='2000870'] The 70s was when the pre-CBS craze took off, when guitarists realised that the older ones were "better" than the then current crop. [/quote] +1 A fair part of that craze seems to have been a dislike for CBS - the same way that some people hate Microsoft these days. CBS, understandably, were in it for the money. They cut costs and some of the perceived quality suffered as a result. It's happened again recently with 'Squier' - a cut cost Fender brand that Squier owners insist is fantastic. This time it doesn't seem to be a big deal for some reason. Of course, those same 70's instruments that everyone slagged off are now highly sought after... now that the availability of pre CBS gear is akin to finding rocking horse poo . Musicians can be a fickle and irrational lot.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1362526616' post='2000983'] Not if you order from the right shop! Many places mark down the value of the sale so that it sails through customs. [/quote] A practice which, if UK customs catch wind of it, will render the recipient liable to prosecution of course...

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1362510693' post='2000553'] We wouldn't be the same without you [/quote] And there was me thinking it was all my fault and it was that b*gger all along...!

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1362508189' post='2000458'] Female conspiracy... [/quote] Otherwise known as 'business as usual'

'David Ellefson' ... 'Dropbox'... 'Shrewd'... 'Conscripting'... Bl**dy hell Ped! You've redesigned the forum as 'SpyChat'...

Nice I can't help with London I'm afraid, but might be able to put him in touch with some more Leicestershire venues if that's any good?