Cato

I've got VM modified 70s Jazz from 2015ish. As above Standard Jazz pickup sizes, neck slightly shorter than bridge. The Aguliar Jazz set that I replaced the originals with in fitted absolutely perfectly.

I've started growing a plague beard. It's like a normal beard, but grown during times of plague, as a surprise for those friends and family who aren't going to see me for the next however many months.

I had hair down over my shoulders throughout my 20s and early 30s, but these days after a decade or so of keeping it cropped short I actually start to find it physically uncomfortable if I wait more than 4 or 5 weeks between cuts. I'm with you on the shaving though, I can skip a day or two, but three days of stubble is unbearable.

I did mine on Thursday when the clippers arrived from Amazon. I'd been planning to go to the barbers on Tuesday, which, as fate would have it, was the day that everything shut down and I couldn't face the prospect of potentially months of unruly hair. Easier than I though it would be. I did briefly go for a Travis Bickle mohican, just to try it out, before settling on a full skinhead. Quick warning for anyone thinking of going the same route, when I was looking online Tuesday afternoon there did appear to be a bit of a clipper shortage with many models out of stock everywhere or being sold for twice normal retail value and not much choice left.

Contender for best thread title of 2020.

Any contact or social interaction is a risk right now. Some social activities, for example going for a walk outside with a friend are fairly low risk, anything indoors in a confined space is going to be higher risk. We're all going to have to make personal decisions about whether we feel that the element of risk in any non essential social interaction is worth the possible repercussions.

I like it. I've liked versions they've done with plainer wood more, but it's still a thing of beauty.

Might be worth considering an Ibanez ATK. There have been various versions and models down the years, available second hand from around £300 upwards depending on which model. Tends to be aesthetically quite divisive, especially the huge bridge/pickup plate but generally regarded as one of the better stingray inspired basses out there.

I had an email from Ents 24 earlier today. The first part was apologising for the current disruption and explaining the refunds process. The second part was advertising events for Mother's Day, including a couple of spring tours that can only be days away from cancellation.

Mind you, you can get 72 for £15 from here. https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/gibson-72-standard-style-guitar-pick-heavy/ No tin though.

I seem to recall they were about 50p each when I first started playing guitar, 30 odd years ago, so 7 quid for 12 doesn't seem too exorbitant. Back then they used to have the h for hard or, possibly heavy, on them, so they've been doing it for a while. I also remember that they weren't great for bass, the hard plastic was too brittle and the picks used to chip as I was playing, until there was just a jagged stub left, although that might have been down to my rather aggressive beginners technique.

Looks like the UK Govt is about to reverse position and ban mass public gatherings. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/uk-to-ban-mass-gatherings-in-coronavirus-u-turn I doubt the average pub gig will be included within the new rules, but it may well increase reluctance for any venue to put on live music.

Auto correct strikes again?

I saw Arctic Monkeys play Wolverhampton Little Civic to a capacity crowd of maybe 100 people, maybe spring/summer 2005, before any single releases or the debut album. I'd never heard of them, a mate of mine had bought the tickets on spec because we fancied a night out. It was a good gig but I don't think any of us thought that they'd be headlining the big festivals in 18 months time.

I had no idea he was in the Morisette touring band.