Jean-Luc Pickguard

I'm noodling on my newly acquired Classic Vibe Bass VI and I'm playing it through my Fender Mustang GTX100 amp rather than a bass amp so I can make use of some of the lovely fx. I am getting a fair amount of electrical noise which goes away when I touch the control plate, but stays at the same level if I only touch the strings, bridge or vibrato unit. Is there likely to be a loose/missing ground wire?

swastikas on parade - the residents

There are a couple of sellers who seem to regularly list these, here’s one currently listed: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266046860991 This works best with a bass (or guitar) with a cutout in the body & pickguard by the truss rod nut.

If you have a bass with Fender 60s style truss rod nut access—ie a nut with a cross-shaped slot at the neck heel, eg a JMJ Mustang, the absolute best truss rod tool is this StewMac one: https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-truss-rods/truss-rod-crank-for-tele I bought a second one from a UK seller on ebay recently to keep safe in case I lose my first one.

God's away on business - Tom Waits/Cookie monster

Yeaster Woman - The Residents

I ordered a cream coloured metal thumbrest from AliExpress on 19 November. This is what arrived today:

Another Land - The Residents

Land of 1000 dances - Chris Kenner

634-5789 - Wilson Pickett

Out of all my basses my Daphne Blue JMJ mustang used to be my go-to bass, but now I have trouble deciding whether to play that one or my black JMJ.

Surfin' Bird—Bird is the word - The Trashmen

Readers Wives - Dave Edmunds

No Money Down - Chuck Berry

Rumbold - Link Wray

Going Down Slocombe - Howlin' Wolf

Apache Rose Captain Peacock - Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Big Ten Inch - Bull Moose Jackson

Jocky Wilson said - Dexys Midnight Runners

That's no good if you're POTUS and want to practice in your office.

Ingrid's Oily Tongue - The Residents

I used to be put off by rosewood alternatives, but the blackwood teck used on my epiphone vintage pro thunderbirds looks just like a very dark rosewood. Indian laurel seems to vary greatly; the fingerboard on my squier bullet mustang guitar has really twisty grain, but the laurel on my classic vibe bass vi is very straight & even and actually looks rather attractive.

Gingerbread Man - The Residents

Mickey the mumbling midget - The Residents

Hit me with your rhythm stickers - Ian Dury & the Blockheads