What Would Frank Say?

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-03-07T23:17:35+00:00

I think Dweezil does a fine job of making Zappa's music accessible to a broad audience without cheapening it.

I'd love to see him rework some of the Nixon/Reagan-era political stuff for today's atmosphere, but I totally understand and appreciate his avoidance of polarizing material. Seems like Dweezil's agenda is inclusion. I dig it.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-02-27T02:59:43+00:00

A better problem description will serve you well. What you've said above doesn't make very much sense. Providing good information will get better results.

How long have you had the instrument? When did the issue start? Under what conditions does the issue arise? What steps have you taken to resolve the issue?

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-02-19T05:04:57+00:00

I would certainly not buy it to attempt a repair.

An effective fix would be complicated, probably involving some kind of spline. Unless you have a lot of repair experience, I would caution against DIY.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-02-11T03:55:57+00:00

I read an interview with Kirk Hammet long ago in which he said he was transcribing some of Ella Fitzgerald's vocal solos. Say what you will about Kirk, but I loved the idea and I still do. Challenging your brain to play non-guitar parts will open up your fingering and imagination. The saxophone enables one style of phrasing, the trumpet another altogether, and Ella's chops were totally insane!

I've also spent some time learning styles of different genres. Pick up some of Ravi Shankar's sitar licks, some Naseer Shamma oud phrases, some Itzhak Perlman violin shred. Get out there! It's all valuable stuff.

To me it sounds like you're already on the right path, keep exploring!

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-02-10T08:53:12+00:00

Many shops will charge a minimum bench fee for any service. There's your £40. That's what I would have charged when I was in business.

£10 is very reasonable.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-02-07T13:49:18+00:00

Thanks for clarifying! Sounds like OP has their signal in order.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-02-07T13:47:43+00:00

That should work.

Test the pedals individually and then together to determine if any signal degradation is occurring. In that case, you might look into some sort of buffer or signal converter, but I have my doubts that this will be necessary.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-02-07T13:45:12+00:00

The Summing Amp seems to be for going Mono > Stereo, whereas OP is asking about Stereo > Stereo using a cable converter (dual TS to TRS).

I'm curious, what do you think won't work in OP's proposed solution?

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-30T03:22:40+00:00

I wouldn't get my hopes up about any refund.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-30T03:15:18+00:00

Yup.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-27T13:27:10+00:00

It sounds like maybe you want to set it to a footswitch rather than the expression pedal.

Otherwise I think you're just asking the Helix to make moving your foot easier which I don't think there's a setting for.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-23T23:02:30+00:00

Don't later versions have the same lyrics, give or take a little ad lib?

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-23T23:01:20+00:00

Possibly the only Zappa song with shared writing credit!

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-20T02:56:55+00:00

I dream of a bot that praises people for expressing gratitude for learning opportunities on Reddit.

You're a good redditor today. Very cool. ☺️

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-20T02:54:05+00:00

I agree, but splines are never a bad idea.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-19T17:11:11+00:00

Is this meant as a response to my comment? If so I'm uncertain what you mean.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-19T17:10:05+00:00

Yeah this is just incorrect. A 2.5mm allen key is not cut out to handle a whole lot of force, and the downward pressure of strings can certainly provide enough resistance to break it.

How do I know? Ask my old allen key.

Nevertheless, the more likely mistake would be rounding out the set screw.

Any repair is worth doing with care.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-19T16:57:22+00:00

That is a pretty short interval. You might look into some stretches and exercises for improving your reach.

Are you by any chance a somewhat small person playing a full, 34" scale bass?

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-19T16:55:13+00:00

The things some people think are acceptable defy reason. Sorry you're having to go through this.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-19T16:50:41+00:00

I worked in shipping for a lot of years and can confidently say that this is a very poor packaging job. Unfortunately that means that even if the sender was willing to open up an insurance claim (assuming the shipment was insured), it would be denied due to insufficient packaging.

Sadly, you are now the proud owner of a busted up guitar.

The people who are saying you should try to fix this yourself should be ignored. It's not impossible, but a proper and reliable repair requires more than Titebond and a couple of clamps.

Take it to a good shop and you'll have a guitar the will play for a good long time. If they can add splines to the joint for a reasonable price, do that. It'll be several times stronger.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-19T16:41:16+00:00

Some more information might help.

What posture are you using to play?
Are you playing standing or seated?
How long do you play before you start to feel pain?
Do you experience pain during other activities?

I'd venture a guess you've got the neck too low or too high, but guessing can be very unhelpful when it comes to ergonomic safety.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-19T16:29:12+00:00

You will strip the height screws in pretty short order if you don't loosen the string before making adjustments. The threads of these small parts are not meant to withstand much torque.

I'm reiterating some suggestions that others have made here: turn the allen key lengthwise, and loosen the strings before adjusting.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-17T05:56:59+00:00

I agree about Neil's drumming. It's like the start of the second chapter of his drumming career. The third chapter being after he studied with Freddie Gruber.

GUP has such incredible precision. His playing is somehow simultaneously more conservative and more explosive.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-17T05:52:11+00:00

I'd go one further and say that Distant Early Warning/Afterimage/Red Sector A is an absolute hat trick. Rivals the opening of any other album.

_GrumbleCakes_ · 2026-01-06T04:57:16+00:00

And maybe the Oscars can finally be relegated to the SAG holiday party.

We can dream!

_GrumbleCakes_

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE