MichaelDean

I feel like the sales comms are a lot better with their new system. I ordered new strings yesterday, I had an email confirmation, email to say dispatched, another with tracking details and I received them about 40 minutes ago. 

I broke a bass string. For the first time ever. They've been on for about 6/7 months and needed changing, but yeah. I've been playing 23 years, never broken one. To be fair, it was a high string that's tuned up from the optimal. Just snapped at the bridge! 

Good practice otherwise. I think we're ready for the next gig on Friday after I get some new strings. 

2 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

Seems odd that the 'premium' Boss offering doesn't fold like the Lekato. OK it's chunkier, probably because it has more tricks in it or a bigger battery, but surely it wouldn't be hard to do?

It's a design choice. My Lekato doesn't always stay in place. It can swing all around.

I sent these round the band yesterday after I had an email from GAK about them, saying we could all have matching guitars. One guitarist was very keen. The other decided not to comment 😅

I think we're doing alright for just getting going. Played 2 in Bristol so far, got another 3 (Newport, Bristol and Swindon) coming up. The Newport one came up as we sent a load of messages to other bands to drum up some gigs. One of the ones we messaged had to pull out and suggested we play. And then they offered us the Swindon gig to play with them too!

32 minutes ago, la bam said:

 

Do these exist? I've always thought about making these?! 

Yup, on the Gibson Grabber.

@Al Krow - Here's an AliExpress link for the ZAR! 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EJb41o7

Bluetooth should be fine for that. The iPad should delay the video to match the audio. 

Bluetooth only becomes an issue in this situation where it's the headphones that are Bluetooth. The delay at that point can't be countered for with software. If you're using wired headphones, you should be fine. 

Why do you need it to be plugged into the iPad? You can stream audio and access the editor via bluetooth to the Katana Go. Set up a tone, then practice...

I really enjoyed my SBMM SUB Ray 5. It was a solid instrument, made better by a Retrovibe Stinger preamp. Played plenty of gigs on it. Only moved it on when I got my Dingwall and was told I had too many instruments. Every now and then I fancy getting one again. 

I've always heard that they're generally good players, but I've never quite liked the look of the more modern ones. I've not been a fan of the quilt finishes on some, the horns on a lot of them seem too thin to me as well.

I don't understand why they haven't done a (maybe slightly lighter) reissue of the T-40. Surely that has enough of a cult following to shift a fair a few of them. 

14 hours ago, Jack said:

I'm fortunate enough to have a Euro and a Korea, both of which are fantastic. Whilst I've never been in a metal band I am a metalhead in my personal life. From my two I'd go for the Pulse. Sounds amazing and certainly looks the part. 

 

I love the look of purple Pulse. I'd have one in a heartbeat if the funds allowed!

Just now, Obrienp said:

That’s the real Rock ‘n Roll lifestyle right there. Driving Rollers into swimming pools and chucking TVs out of hotel windows is very overrated!

There's only so much partying you can do when your 2 year old gets up at 5:45 and you need to walk her to nursery before starting the day job!

We headlined at a gig tonight. Not a lot of punters, mainly the other bands there, but we had a blast. I think my right arm feels a bit sore from how hard I was hitting the strings. Home now and I've had some toast and the cat has had a good fuss on the sofa. Bedtime methinks!

6 hours ago, Gasman said:

Last night’s gig was one I never anticipated, wanted, but felt compelled and eventually pleased to do. My son died three weeks ago suddenly from a second heart attack a week after having stents for the first one, seems the surgeon did half a job. Julian was 46, three kids, fitness fanatic, my best friend, top DJ and drummer

 

Today was his funeral. His widow had booked an acoustic duo for the wake in the local pub. However, the girl singer had to leave early for some reason; the landlord knew I played and pointed me out to the remaining guitarist/singer suggesting I might help, so as my gear was in my car I played bass and sang with him for the second set.

 

It was good distraction therapy, busking 15 numbers I’d never played before with a guy I’d never met. Despite this glimmer of light in a dark, dark day I’ll never be able to rationalise why I’m still here at 74 to write this while he will never read it. 

 

Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children...

I'm so sorry for your loss. No, parents shouldn't have to bury their children. My dad died when I was three and your post has really resonated with me this morning. I really hope you're doing as well as can be expected. Life can be so unkind.

Got a gig on Thursday. Headlining for our second gig, so I'm not expecting a lot of punters (I'd be happy to be pleasantly surprised though!). It's all good gig experience for the band. 

Not entirely sure about the promoter. We carpet bombed them all when we started looking for gigs and he seems keen, but I don't think he understands the genre that well. 

Also got one in Newport later in the month which should be good. We're covering for another band that have also organised us a gig in Swindon for July too. 

On 29/03/2024 at 20:09, rwillett said:

 

T'other has forced me to promise not to buy any more guitars. So I'm building them, she never stated anything about making my own, I should have been a lawyer

 

I'll look at it but I really, really shouldn't.

Hah! My wife said I couldn't get any new guitars in the house until one left. I sent one on long term loan to my father in law and bought a new one 🤣

This Thunderbird looks sweet though. 

23 hours ago, Sibob said:

Really, it doesn't matter too much where the tuner is, but if it's at the very end of the chain, it also acts as a very effective mute. If it's at the start of the chain and you leave loads of effects on while you tune, yes your bass signal is muted, but you could still have effected pedal noise going to your amp.

I always preferred putting it at the front because then you don't have to turn everything off to tune up! But, yeah, it doesn't matter that much!

24 minutes ago, NJE said:

Thank you, I had convinced myself I had seen IEM that you could pull the drivers out and put filters in, but I must have completely imagined it.

 

I had an unpleasant experience after my last gig. I was using basic non custom IEM and pulled one out to hear what was going on. I didn’t realise it but my left ear (with the phones still in) took a hammering and was not good on my drive home.

 

That was almost two weeks ago and the past few days I have noticed a high pitch ringing which I can only assume is tinnitus, which I think must be related.

 

I need to get something to take care of my ears so I think some custom ear plugs will be a good start.

ACS do some. I had a previous version that sounded worse than some cheap buds and the cable was super microphonic. Don't know if they've improved, but I'd be hesitant based on my previous experience. 

https://www.acscustom.com/uk/products/in-ear-monitors/universal-fit/pro-fit

I once tried to sell some flats on Facebook that had only been lightly used. Got some serious abuse from people telling me I was disgusting for selling used strings! There's all sorts out there...

2 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

You can't really blame companies for being leery about fixing something bought used.

It also isn't very responsible as a manufacturer to not support a product repair at all. In the age of planned obsolescence and massive amounts of e-waste, surely helping out an amp tech to repair a product isn't the worst idea. And just reputationally, being that unhelpful doesn't win repeat/new business.

1 hour ago, KingPrawn said:

Congratulations. You’ve made it !

It's a weird thing. We've only played the one gig and released the one EP. Must be desperate for content! 😅

35 minutes ago, lidl e said:

That is too cool! Just read it while walking the pup.

 

So drop c with the high string tuned to c?

 

Whats that look like? CGCFC?

Yes, that exactly. Still not quite got my head around transitioning from the high C to the F, but it's fun.

Hah!

The guitarists in my band were gutted I had a request at all 🤣 Never had that before!

Joel over at BassEmpi.re asked if he could interview me, and I eventually got round to it after waiting on some pictures.

https://bassempi.re/horas-bassist-mike-on-crafting-doom-metal-with-cornish-witch-trials-lore/

1 hour ago, rwillett said:

Currently I'm planning to hang the pickup from the pickguard with foam undeneath to dampen it. The foam is optional.

 

This is rather overengineered as I think it through. This is a case that a pickup goes in, so the smaller lugs hold it in place, the larger lugs screw through the pickguard into a captive m2.5 nut in the large lugs. A spring goes between the large lug and the pickguard a la Stratocaster.

 

 

And here it is cross section

 

It looks really neat and tidy though. I like it!