Tuning the Low End

Night had settled in, and after the afternoon out at the plaza, I headed back up to the apartment to unwind. Near the base of the stereo unit, a heavy cast-aluminum control knob on the audio amplifier was catching on a stray plastic guitar pick wedged into the faceplate rim. I planted my boots firmly on the cedar shelf, squared my shoulders, and worked my thumb against the flat edge of the pick. With one steady leverage, it broke free and clattered softly onto the wood. The stepped dial turned freely again, clicking into its detent with a clean, heavy snap. Solid mechanical feedback.