JapanAxe

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1462893475' post='3046735'] I can see these flopping massively and being discontinued fairly quickly. [/quote] That's what I'm counting on. If it sounds like a great Precision, is light, and plays like dairy-based spreadable fat, then I may snag myself a Cutlass. Not keen on sunburst, so these are my options in a year or so's time:

Are you sitting comfortably children? Then I'll begin... Back in the day (let's say the early 80s) I would fit my strap to my guitar each time I played and remove it afterwards. Before too long the leather around the slotted holes became fatigued and all chewed up, to the point where it could not be relied on to stay put. After a few near-misses I would reluctantly toddle off and buy a new strap, although I kept the old one 'just in case'. Once I started gigging regularly (90s) I decided I needed something more reliable. As I usually took 2 guitars (not basses) to a gig, I purchased 2 sets of plastic doodads and fitted them to a couple of straps. I can't find a picture on Google, but they were terrible. The bit that enclosed the existing strap button was ok, but they were secured to the strap with the worst fittings ever - the screw heads had wide, shallow slots, with which no screwdriver bit known to man would engage. Eventually I gave up and started fitting Schallers. I still have these on most of my skinny-string guitars, but they are not without their problems, namely: (1) There is no way to lock the large nut to the strap, so it tends to come loose; (2) I have had the whole thing come apart, with pins and springs rolling round the stage; (3) They can creak as you move the instrument around; (4) If you have an instrument designed to be stood on 2 strap buttons, the strap lock doesn't allow this; and (5) The arrangement puts a greater torque on the screws that secure the strap-lock buttons. On my basses I have now gone over to Grolsch washers. I have a Neotech Mega strap 'permanently' attached to each of my Precisions, and a Comfort Strapp on my Mustang. It's a relatively costly solution, but the most secure as far as I can see. Arguably I could dispense with the washers as the slotted holes are not getting stretched over the strap button flanges, but hey-ho. I have also tried the black plastic disc-type locks. They are generally fine if you have 3 hands (1 to hold the guitar, 1 to hold each part of the lock) but it seems to take excessive force to remove them from some strap buttons. If there is a moral to this story, it is only that there is no single perfect solution. Also it is surprising how much boring guff I can type when the mood takes me

The one time I was fired was about 20 years ago. I auditioned successfully on guitar (up against at least 1 other), worked hard at nailing all their songs ('we do this specific live version of [i]Why Do Fools Fall in Love[/i]'), but struggled with some of the material ([i]Toccata & Fugue in D minor[/i], anyone?). I was pretty narked when I got the call, but in some ways it was a lucky escape - they played incredibly loud (the guitarist I was replacing used two 100W amps!) and they had their own van (i.e. a money-pit).

Just been reading about the original Wandre guitars in [i]1001 Guitars to Dream of Playing Before You Die[/i]. The guy (Antonio Pioli) came out with some completely wibbly-hatstand designs!

VD400 analog delay - cheap-as-chips version of Boss DM2 - currently £19.99 from GAK!

I think one like this was reviewed in Guitarist Magazine a few months back.

I never had much problem with my fretting fingertips until a heavy bout of practice late last year. Now the tip of my second finger goes through a cycle of normal > callus > wears away leaving cracked raw skin > heal > normal. I have found the best way to treat this is with surgical spirit, as it causes calluses to form more quickly. Odd that it's just the one finger - if for example it was sensitivity to chrome, that should affect them all.

Sold a Japanese P about 3 years ago after I bought my Sandberg VM4. Only now do I realise that straight-ahead Ps are my thing, and I wish I still had it, despite having 2 USA Ps already!

Some summer dates available.

Some summer dates available.

[quote name='basskit_case' timestamp='1462366337' post='3042406'] Why can we not get a bass version of these low volume valve combo's? [/quote] I am tempted to say 'physics' except that Blackstar have now released a bass version of the Fly 3, which is less than the size of a house brick!

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1461524358' post='3035431'] Neotech Mega Bass Strap. just brilliant for my knackered back. I have 3 of them now. [/quote] I have a Comfort Strapp and 2 Neotech Mega Straps. I bought one Neotech and it was so good I got another for my other P. The Comfort is relegated to my lighter short scale bass. Before playing I run through a Pilates-based routine shared by Happy Jack at a bass bash. It helps to pull your muscles and skellington into line.

That'll be the 'grand stave' then Dad.

Tsk... 9 posts in and no-one has mentioned HEFT.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1462293218' post='3041858'] Tape the board and use a flat file preferably with a safe edge to gently round the edges if you do it gentle enough and don't touch anywhere else on the fret you won't have to do anything else maybe a little polish up. Or use a ladies nail file (a metal one) as they tend to be fine. [/quote] Cheers Twincam! Btw this thread is not just for me and TC, it's for everyone.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1462276759' post='3041632'] Yes How loud is the microbass and uke combo. I think it would be fun to have around. [/quote] FWIW the Microbass is rated at 45W through its own 8in speaker. It goes pretty loud at home, and it would be fine for an acoustic folk jam, but no way would it compete with a drum kit. Electronically, the Kala puts out about the same signal level as my '73 P-bass, at least when I'm playing it. Acoustically, it's very quiet, and the E-string is all but inaudible. Yes it is fun - it's bonkers that such a titchy instrument can produce such a big sound. Full disclosure: I've noticed that the fret ends are a bit sharp. I'll have to dig out my Dan Erlewine book and read up on how to fettle it.