Jean-Luc Pickguard

Isn't modern logistics great when it works. I ordered a Black JMJ mustang online just before 3pm yesterday and it was delivered safely just before 11.30am this morning. Two thumbs up for PMT & Parcelforce for this one. The bass came out of the gigbag perfectly set up with the stock Fender flats. It has an MX22 serial and its a very slight disappointment that Fender are still supplying a long scale gigbag rather than a short scale one. I had heard that an extra black pickguard was supplied with these when they were first available, but I wasn't sure whether that was just for the first batch of black ones, so It was fantastic to find one tucked in the gigbag pocket — I'll probably swap it over at some point. It has pretty much the same feel and tone as my 2018 blue JMJ. I had to smile at the inclusion of a document titled 'lacquer finishes: Precautions and care' though.

Bury My Bone - The Residents

I can't believe no one has mentioned Phillips Cleartone Guitar Conversions yet with the trademark 'jaunty ballbags' tuners.

Keep Talkin' - The Residents

When Ken Barlow exits Coronation Street none of the original cast members will be in it, so it will be interesting to see whether it rebrands as a tribute act or keeps the name and rips off the loyal viewers.

Titties and Beer - Frank Zappa

Why Does it Hurt When I Pee? - Frank Zappa

The Sold Out Artist - The Residents

It looks like it'd be good for quidditch

If you're playing with unamped acoustic guitar, unmiked vocals and maybe a cajon (or bongos) The Roland Micro bass cube RX will easily be loud enough. It is tiny, light, sounds great and can run off six AA batteries. It has recently been discontinued after being available for the best part of a decade, but they pop up secondhand occasionally. I bought mine secondhand for £100 a few years ago.

Margaret Freeman - The Residents

Walter Westinghouse - The Residents

I have not compared them side by side, but I believe they are identical in performance. Plugging in the Boss and setting all the knobs to 12:00 felt instantly familiar from my years of previously using the behringer.

Santa Dog - The Residents

God's Teardrops - The Residents

For a long time my always-on compressor or choice was a cheapo Behringer BLE100 Bass Limiter Enhancer. A few years ago I 'upgraded' to a TC Spectracomp and have had that on my board since. A few weeks ago I saw a Boss LMB-3, The pedal the BLE100 is a clone of, at good price and as I felt nostalgic I bought it to see how it compared. I put in on my board with the same settings I favoured on the BLE—all knobs at 12:00 and it just 'felt' right and sounded natural and transparent. It feels a bit like a step backwards but the spectracomp is off the board for now and the LMB-3 is staying put.

Japanese Watercolor - The Residents

We're a Happy Family - The Residents

You can’t go wrong with a Kala - they make pink sopranos in their less expensive ranges—the ukeadelic or the dolphin. If you want something that is more of a step up, There is also a rather attractive pink sparkle concert for around £100: https://www.mannsmusic.co.uk/ukulele/kala-ka-sprk-pink-pink-champagne-concert-ukulele.htm?opt=12468&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr_fW7azL-wIVR-3tCh2NAgjKEAQYEiABEgLhovD_BwE

New Mexico Dream - The Residents

I'll Go Crazy - The Residents

I dont know about most other models of Fender bass, but the JMJ mustang is a bit special and Fender mostly got everything right—certainly the feel and the tone are outstanding and none of my other basses come close. The price might seem high for what was originally designed to be a student instrument, but I'm seriously considering getting a black one to keep my blue one company.

The Shoe Salesman - The Residents and Renaldo and the Loaf

Nice Old Man - The Residents

Wee stole this riff - The Residents