Stub Mandrel

Actually visit: https://www.gibson.com/Find-A-Store I found two Epiphone dealers who aren't Gibson stockists. https://www.epiphone.com/Find-A-Store if you discounted PMT or Guitar Guitar most regions would have virtually no Gibson/Epiphone dealers. I found more Fender dealers across the UK, https://shop.fender.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Fender-EMEA-Site/en_GB/Dealers-Results?locate=yes There are THREE Gibson dealers inside the M25, TEN Fender dealers. Four Fender in Glasgow, one Gibson. The map doesn't give a result if you search for Squier dealers. Clearly different policies in action, but if the 'minimum stock level' story I was told is true, then it seems Gibson effectively decided they didn't need local music shops.

Very few small shops stock Gibson. I went in a lot during 2019, noticed this and that's how I found out what was happening. One shop I've been visiting since at least 2017 used to have a whole wall of Epiphones and a few Gibsons, they didn't have a single new Gibson or Epiphone last few times I visited. I think it's only PMT that I have seen Gibson in for agood while.

Like I posted a few days ago, many people don't realise that many independents source their (non fender/gibson) stock from big online sellers. As I understand it this can include Squier guitars. It was getting really tough back in 2019, two shops told me Gibson were insisting shops held a five-figure value of Gibson guitars if they wanted to stock Epiphone - practices like that were far more damaging IMHO.

Indeed, it's a sort of 'better knob' 🙂

Lordy! I'm not the only person who uses a forcefield with a bass 🙂

Companies House returns can be up to a year out of date, even if updated. Lots of small 'businesses' aren't companies. You could try searching the register of Limited Liability Partnerships, for example.

Not the hardest of songs but I'm relearning loads of songs by Ten Years After like Think About the Times and Stoned Woman. I love playing this stuff again. Delighted to find that Leo Lyons is still going and hopefully gigging after covid.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/07/customers-europe-hit-by-post-brexit-charges-buying-from-uk

ooerr....

Looks like it's a double-edged sword: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/07/customers-europe-hit-by-post-brexit-charges-buying-from-uk

I spoke to one shop owner, some of the bulk importers (I recall Normans & PMT but could be wrong) sell on at trade prices that allow them to match or compete with online prices (still small margins). I suspect its high end sales and accessories that are bread and butter for most music shops - selling mid-range and entry level instruments is really about gaining loyal customers

Abbey Road in Nottingham do lessons and were doing their Abbey Road Army gigs - I did the last one but I don't think it made any money despite being successful. I think they were hoping it would sell more gear (it worked on me, but ...)

One thing I would do is insert a jack lead and then see how far I can trace continuity from the tip and ring (separately) back into the electrics.

Their bass player does bear an uncanny resemblance...

The music shop where my brothers live survives by being at the heart of the local musical community, they do PA hire and that means they know everyone. Plus they teach which helps bring more people into the community. It helps they are really nice guys and happy to talk music forever! They are doing deliveries during lockdown.

Great stuff Blue. I'll watch more later. For others - they come on at about 38 minutes until about the hour.

Lovely (muchly improvised I am sure) bluesy bass wombling on this one:

There's a guy in Leicester who has stockpiled Sansamps...

Don't forget how personal 'that' sound is -and how much it can depends on the instrument as well as the amp.

It's not as simple as that for VAT registered businesses.

When I bought my jazz, I tried it out on a Markbass, then a Rumble. Nothing wrong with the Markbass, but the Rumble was easier to get the sound I wanted from.

Heroes. Stay with Me Sunny Afternoon (actually descending, they are usually ascending...) Fool for Your Lovin' The Real Me Can't Get Enough And most famously, Hey Joe Is that enough for a start? Very often, but not always, as a part of a walking link. Also often in pairs going up a fifth or down a fourth.

Brilliant, no excuses now...

Why do four-note chromatic runs work so well (at least in some genres - blues and rock especially)? And why do they tend work best in certain parts of the scale (e.g.up to the fifth or the root of a major scale)?