SpondonBassed

I think this is a cracking topic. It shows how even musos take for granted the value of the ornamental and punctual effects that can be achieved by less commonly known percussive devices. Like the tambourine, when used correctly these instruments can put a shine on a track that may not be crucial to the song but is the finishing polish never the less. Paul Simon seems to use them all.

Unless your hearing is damaged, listening is the best way. Bear in mind that eq affects output level as well as gain. I'm not sure that clipping indicators operate right across the frequency range of the instrument but my Ashdown combo's old school VU (Volume Unit) gain metering seems to detect cuts and boosts across all three eq bands on my bass.

I'm betting you've just come out from the Bad Jokes thread.

Unable to find a link to a clip in your post without going on Facebook. Sorry.

Bearing in mind that I've not got much gig mileage as a player compared to a lot of folk on here; I have never broken a string playing a guitar or bass. It is only when restringing with used strings that I have had it happen. Guitars are the worst for it. Metal fatigue is the culprit in these instances. If a string has a kink or a notch, usually at the headstock end, its life expectancy is shortened significantly. In some cases the string will not quite get to pitch as the damaged part of the string stretches to breaking point. That's when plucking the string produces a horrible sound much like a distressed cat. Eeow.

Twelve* members have checked in on the events page to say they are going, Five maybes Two have declined. *Although I'd love to go, I'm not sure yet.

Excellent! I watched the recording this morning. I was amazed by the background story to Superstition. Like the OP I wanted to find out more about the artist. Anyone who swaps between spanners and instruments so readily is cool in my book.

Bump diddy bump diddy Paradiddle paradiddle

I love a story with a good twist in it.

Perhaps. A trick that may work with this sort of fabric is to dampen it before applying it to the frame. Tension the fabric as before and staple it securely. The hair-drier should then have the desired effect. If you want to geek yourself out - this is how aircraft fabric is tensioned; Fabric Doping @Sharkfinger, the latter method might not work on your cloth. Then again it might. I've included it out of general interest because your tensioning issue reminded me that we helped restore a Gypsy Moth bi-plane many years ago as apprentices. The wood working techniques and the use of textiles were already outdated from my point of view as a commercial aircraft mechanic so it was a privilege to be involved in it at all. I'd say it looks good as it is. You'd have to be on stage with it to notice any wrinkles.

Good man! If we had a Recycler of the Week Award you would get my nomination.

To be fair, most of the seventies US detective dramas made good use of the triangle. Maybe Mrs Kaye dabbled between her bass stings...?

There is little chance of that. With my reserves there is sufficient head of pressure. It'd take Red Adair to put one of mine out.

Not bad then if you are getting a full on tone from medium/lightweights.

I must get a pair of those RFB pickups and permanently wire them in series. Currently, the only means I have of scorching a bran muffin is by bending over in front of one and lighting a match near my anus. Just for clarity: "AC RFB Humbucker: This wide aperture humbucking pickup provides a more aggressive, darker tone, with a lot punch and a smoother high end when compared to the more modern hifi tone of our FB pickup. A great choice for a powerful rock or extremely punchy funk tone, anything where you really want to be noticed. The pickup can be wound in series mode for a serious amount of low mid punch or parallel for pronounced mid range clarity. It can also be combined with a 3 way switch to allow access to series, parallel and single coil mode making for an incredibly versatile setup, a great choice for a single pickup bass, or in combination with any other pickup for a veritable Swiss Army knife of an instrument. RFB Pickups are available in 40mm or 50mm casings, however we recommend 50mm casings to get the best from the design."

...has been promoted to sixth wheel in almost every band before...

Welcome to Basschat Jack. You will enjoy the Basschat Build Diaries no doubt.

...will work for three square meals a day...

I agree. A highly musical band was required to complement Morrisey's musical limitations. This highlighted the lyrics all the more. Johnny Marr's work with The The suggests that Marr was more adaptable than Mozzer. Johnny Marr Morrisey

Language and how it is used in practical applications is a veneer in itself. I didn't know you were in the sentence abuse division at Hendon.

Good news! Have you fitted light, intermediate or heavy gauge strings?

I am envious of sheds that have a bandsaw within. Jigsaws aren't good at cutting perpendicular to the surface especially with the deeper cuts.

Let me be controversial, for a change. The Smiths always delighted me with their instrumental moments in between Mr Mozzer's outpourings. I would love to have heard them do an extended instrumental set like Mezzo Forte. If* I said I thought that Morrissey was the fifth wheel in The Smiths would you hold it against me? *We all know that the band would not have got a recording deal without the pompous poet. It's just a bit of fun.

Talking of conspicuous consumption and fifth wheels in the music industry; we've not heard of Babyshambles' front man for a bit. The man known more for his consumption than for his musical talent. I forget his name... I sympathise. It must be an awful thing to form a band and become its fifth wheel.

It's your age dear.