Stub Mandrel

That's interesting... especially as their highly rated ones seem to be poor at blocking higher frequencies and the lower rated are poor at blocking low frequencies. This may give a more 'hifi' sound but it's the upper register that does the most damage so for on stage protection might some top end attenuation may be preferable at the expense of fidelity?

Interesting how views differ on the Alpine Musicsafe. I suspect it's got a lot to do with individuals ear shapes. I got a set recently and they are the first ones I really get on with and they clearly fit me well. I prefer the 12dB white inserts as I like to be engaged with the music and am not in silly loud bands. I do find that blocking the filter makes them harder to insert, they didn't come with an applicator but it's easy enough to get them in by holding between finger and thumb. For a minute or so they sound a little muffled but I seem to adapt quickly. They are the first I have found that I am comfortable wearing all night, and even the 12dB takes the edge off cymbals and snare. One oddity is that as they don't make my voice quieter, I have to remember to speak up when talking! They do make singing backing vocals much easier though. These ones, much better than others I've had near this price and higher: https://www.thomann.co.uk/alpine_musicsafe_pro_black_edition.htm

The finish looks cheap.

The worst things you can do? Talk yourselves down. Not telling people they are having a good time. Telling people what each song is in advance (people enjoy the buzz of recognition). Waffling or just appearing to be waiting for something to happen. Not acknowledging applause, dancing etc. but keep it proportionate. Criticising bandmates, the venue or audience members. Getting carried away and thinking upur banter is more entertaining than the music (it isn't unless you are Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrott or Ed Sheeran).

Three Bog Night (Must have been the dodgy kebab 🥙 💩)

Sounds like the sort of thing all kids should be exposed to!

The problem for G&L is they don't have mass appeal, but they are not seen as 'boutique' and therefore don't attract premium prices.

Two flaws ... very sensitive to electrical or magnetic noise. Plus, the magnet induces magnetism in the string. The movement of the magnetised string causes electrical currents in the coil... but they will be extremely weak far from the magnet (inverse cube law) so the signal will be paltry when the magnet is away from the ends of the coil.

We love you Neepsy.

Yes that's designed so you can put splits into one, two or all threecavitiesas suits your need.

I just mean as a temporary experiment to find the best locations.

In the spirit of the original rail concept, experiment using temporary cardboard carriers to find what works for you.

Possibly... I assumed they went straight in then out again. In which case the issue would be on that early stage. A sign would be it could go away if the blend ('balance') is set to one pickup but not the other.

Oddly, I just posted how I used a GE7-B pedal in the 80s/90s to help get more output from my 150W Laney Pro-bass head.

Used to use a Boss GE7-B for such things. Was also useful to push my relatively feeble Laney Pro-Bass to greater things (along with a long gone Arion "stereo" compressor).

I've always ignored g&l for two, possibly irrational, reasons. First, the styling - logo and headstock. Second, unlike Musicman, g&l always seem like slightly upmarket Fender clones. If these are "Leo finally gets it right", why are they so conservative?

Yes!

Yes... my confidence in singing BVs is getting better. With the singer shoving his mike in my face last Sunday, I didn't have any choice!

I was thinking of this with regard to a temporary lecture theatre situation I have to set up soon. As it's for work not play, I've ordered ten feet of cable guard, but I can bring it along. If anyone wants to buy some, this seems to be a good deal 10 feet (3m) for £16.99. Beware lots of what look like good solutions are self-adhesive for semi-permanent uses, and I'm fairly sure folk will want versions with a grip underneath for temporary use. I may get commission if you use this link, but it won't cost you extra: https://amzn.to/426GFTI

That's me... I can sing in tune, but I just don't have the sort of voice that suits being a lead singer.

Well, the passive switch completely isolates the preamp from the output... So it's something else that's the cause.

I didn't share my approach, but I will now. I accept that my different basses will sound different - I tend NOT to compensate for this. My starting point is to set my amp (which has three-band e.q.) with Mid at 12 o'clock, treble and bass at about half-past 12, these small adjustments from straight up are barely audible. With volume low, I adjust gain so normal playing gives a pretty clean sound, but I can get an overdriven sound with modest digging in (easy to do with my Terror 500). I have a fair idea where it needs to be for my regular instruments. I then see how it sounds in the room at gig volume, with any PA support in place. I find room effects are usually either the room eats bottom end (lots of sound traps or soft surfaces) or exaggerates it (hard or resonant floors, hard walls) and adjust the bass control as necessary, some venues require a fairly hefty adjustment. If the PA issound is by someone who believes bass is all under 200Hz I may boost treble or mids to get a bit more presence. If I use effects, then I play with levels (only) to keep things balanced when they are switched in. Sometimes I will vary a bit. Last two gigs, the bass drum, has lacked a rounded bottom end, so I upped my bass control a bit to 'fill the gap'. I know someone who has made an art of doing this with a genuine early 60s P with ancient flats, and by playing locked to the kick he gets a really solid rhythm sound.

I do this by changing pickup settings, finger position etc. and sometimes effects. Do you do this and 'set and forget your amp settings', or change them on the fly?

Just let people know you're willing to dep and you get asked. I turned one down a few days ago... I've gigged with four bands this month and depping as well is too much.