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Showing content with the highest reputation on 20/10/18 in all areas
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I would say discipline. Cliff Williams fom AC/DC is known for his simple 8th note power basslines. Many people (Myself included) tend to get bored and start embellishing and overplaying when they dont need to. It takes discipline to play whats needed without over doing it.5 points
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When the drummer in my ex-band wrote the description of us for our/their now ex-Facebook page, she said "We even have a female drummer!" Personally I thought "an all-female rhythm section" would have been more interesting, but it wasn't worth arguing. I find people aren't too surprised to learn that I'm in a band, but they assume guitar and then are very surprised when I say I play bass. And often then assume DB and are even more surprised when I say electric bass guitar. Otoh I get a lot of very positive response from women in an audience, especially younger women, so hopefully just being out there in sight will encourage some of them to try it themselves.5 points
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Timing...when they're playing and when they're leaving space. There's a chapter in Victor Wooten's book, The Music lesson (I have on CD as well as the book) all about this. Really eye opening - telling you what you already knew but didn't realise.4 points
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3 points
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I was relieved to see that AndyJr was one of the 'likes' for the Rocklite guitar pic's above - because it's his!! Now that he's visited our workshops and played it, he likes likes it even more. We offer all our customers a handover in our workshops near Bristol and Andy was particularly keen to see how we build our Contour guitar and basses. Selling one of our first batch of new guitars to an accomplished luthier like Andy ("I've never even paid half this much for a guitar before") is a real source of pride for us. And here he is giving the set-up a final tweak. http://3 points
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I have known a few starters who struggled because of their thumb position - some were mediocre guitarists who used the "thumb over the neck" technique..never going to be a good thing. Others used the thumb perpendicular (right angle) to the neck...a lot of us played that way. I think it was Scott Devine who recommended the finger running up the neck technique like violinists/cellists technique - this was a Eureka moment for me - moving around the neck became so much easier. Everybody else count in 4/4 time when they walk? Using 1 finger per fret is NOT compulsory. A looper pedal and drum machine are great additions to your rehearsal tools. Almost like playing with a band.3 points
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And the top's on! Lightly dampened to show the colour it will be when it's finished: You can see the ebony veneer demarcation here: The ebony is very, very thin but it still makes quite a difference to the look of completeness. It will also widen as it is sanded round the curve of the carve. I think I first saw veneers this thin for demarcation (at the time I was generally using the thicker 2mm constructional veneers for demarcation and this thickness for veneering tops) used on one of @Jabba_the_gut 's builds and thought how classy it made it all look. I will sort the neck before I do the final carve - reinstating the curves of the original - and then I can make sure the curves all blend with one another. BUT - based on the fact that this was the 'fill-in project' - first I'd better do a little bit more on the full build for the guy in Hawaii!3 points
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Some people have said to me, the “best” bassist is the kind you will only miss when they stop playing. That’s in a band setting. Also in a band setting, I’ve had a songwriter base songs from stuff I’ve been doing - to add tension in a song I’d do a little run of notes and he’d get the rest of the band to follow it. I can send you a link to that song if that helps? He also walked in on me doing volume swells with harmonics one day, and wrote an entire song around it. He said I was “the best bassist” - for him. I’d equate that version of “best” to the likes of McCartney - an integral part of the band’s “sound”. And then there’s “best” with the idea that music is a sport, and you’re all technique and party tricks. That to me is fun but ultimately futile because there’s always a bit flashier, faster or more technically gifted - and The musicality takes a walk the flashier you get. But I’ve done that route too - and just allows you to develop tools for the second type of “best” bass player. The reality is, the “best” bass players are the ones who are paying their mortgages by playing bass and not stuck for a job. The rest of us humble mortals got day jobs and are now too entrenched in “real life” to make the jump into a job as a professional musician. I sold a bass to a guy once who was a “pro” and reeled off an impressive CV, but when he played the bass to check it over...I couldn’t believe how sloppy and amateur it all sounded. But fair play to the guy - he was a busy man... Whatever “best” is, it’s whatever makes you happy and sits well in the music you’re involved in.3 points
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I ended up building a partscaster with body and neck from someone I know who makes them. I’ve got two now - one solid and one semi. Both hand finished and set up. Both cost less than £500 complete. 44mm nut, shallow neck etc. There really was nothing out there equivalent so I felt it was the best way to do it..3 points
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I reckon it's the mic on the Gopro that's distorting, possibly something to do with the mahoosive bass rig it's in front of.3 points
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Not bass, but check her out, Fender is pushing this stuff out through social media and it's obviously getting through to the right people. She's cool, unpretentious, and talented. If I was a kid and I saw this, I would instantly be drawn to Fender because of this, regardless of my gender actually. They're way ahead of other brands with this stuff.3 points
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There's also been studies in to the existence of music notation Dyslexia too. Folk who may not be affected by "normal" Dyslexia finding that they struggle to read notation with similar symptoms.3 points
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This is such a subjective topic and essentially comes down to what we feel and notice as players, how much money we have and where we place value. The Fender CS Pino is by all accounts an incredible instrument, well made, incredible feel, quarter sawn maple neck (you don't get that in the lower end instruments), Nitro finish, basically as close to a 62 Fender Precision you can get without buying the real thing and in many peoples views, the best Precision Fender have made. A lot of people covet the early 60s Fenders for feel and playability and general 'mojo'. I don't believe that all of them were superb instruments by any stretch of the imagination, there were probably just as many horrendous ones as Fender currently chuck out. Yes Fender are charging a premium for the Pino and I am in no doubt that the Pino signature alone is adding to the cost. Some people see very little difference between a £300 precision vs a £3000 bass and to an extent, I don't believe they would sound much different and I don't personally believe anyone would hear the difference, at least not live. However, most of the Fender basses I have owned have been shoddy and I disagree that a MIM precision would play just as well or feel as nice, but that is where things get incredibly personal and subjective. Every Fender CS Relic instrument I have played (guitars and basses) have had the most sublime fit and finish, and the necks and fretting have been out of this world. Beautifully rolled fingerboards and no sharps frets etc. just great instruments that have made me want to just keep playing and playing and really inspire me to play. I have felt that with much cheaper instruments, but very rarely. Almost every new instrument I have played over the years has felt sterile and lifeless apart from very expensive hand made custom basses costing around the same as the Pino. Just to fill you in, I am not some devout Fender CS fan boy, I own a £150 Squier and a second-hand 17 year old Music Man Stingray. The Stingray is worn in and has a great feel but I really dislike the new ones, the years of playing have made that bass feel the way it does and IMHO Fender do an incredibly job of replicating that broken in feel. I cant afford a Fender Custom Shop but I want one so badly, partly because I lusted after them for years in my teens and I have an irrational and romantic view of them. Is it worth the extra money to you, probably not, but to someone else it will be, but that's like almost any other product on the market. My cheap as chips VW Up does the same job as my friends Audi A5 sport in my eyes, and I don't see the point in buying anything more, but to him there is no comparison. Some people buy own brand beans in the supermarket and say there is no difference, some people buy Heinz because they can taste the difference. In terms of guitars I don't believe an expensive bass will make you better, they are just different flavours of the same thing and be grateful you like the cheaper ones. However, if you are lucky enough to find that one instrument that really inspires you, buy it if you can, whether it be a £100 Harley Benton or a £9000 Fodera.3 points
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SOLD Sorry sale only - no trades 1977 American Fender Precision Bass. Condition is Used. Collection in person only. This is an opportunity to own a fantastic American 1977 Precision Bass with its body refinished and in its original case. The bass has been restored with three genuine Fender parts made in the USA including the bridge, chrome bridge cover and the vintage style strap buttons to match what would have been fitted on the bass originally. CONDITION Overall, the bass is in excellent condition for its age. There are just three small dings and only two of which are visible on the back of the body. The first is next to the Fender neck plate and the second is close to curved forearm area in the body. The third is just below the truss rod which is hidden by the pick guard. BODY The body resonates really nicely with loads of sustain. The bass also benefits from an unusual iridescent blue refinish – this gives the bass a unique look. The respray has been very professionally applied (probably not long after it was originally made) as you can see from the photographs. The colour is somewhere between Candy Apple Blue and Lake Placid Blue. It looks like this bass had a natural finish so we think it has a Northern Hard Ash body. Fender confirmed that the routing matches the basses from the 1976-79 period. NECK The serial number on the neck (S750640) dates it to 1977/78. The body and neck have a snug fit without any signs of anything being altered. Initially the frets were worn so it has been professionally re-fretted with premium jumbo frets fitted by a professional luthier. The truss can be moved freely both ways. This bass plays very easily due to the recent professional setup and the re-fret by a luthier. The neck has a smaller 7.25” radius than the modern American P basses which gives it a true vintage feel. CASE This bass comes with its original 1970s Fender case and all its latches work. A new handle that has been recently fitted. Some cracks on the corners of the case has been repaired as part of the restoration. OTHER PARTS The bass comes with its original white pickguard. A new treated Fender polish cloth is included along with a 2mm screw driver for adjusting the bridge saddles. OTHER TECHNICAL INFO Bass Weight: 4.5 Kgs (10lbs) The bass is slightly heavier than today’s American series ones however because it balances so well this is not noticeable when you start to play. The payoff is in the tone and the sustain. The bass has Allparts CTS Vintage Style Split Shaft pots fitted rated at 250k. The bass has also had it's wiring upgraded with vintage style cloth wiring (gauge 22). Nut Width: 42mm LOCATION I’m based in Lancashire. Any questions about the bass are welcome. Plus, I’m more than happy to arrange times for folks to try the bass out.2 points -
German swell back 3/4 Double Bass circa 1910. This Bass is in very good condition for it's age and was constructed using top quality wood. It has a tight grained spruce top and highly figured maple back and ribs with a deep golden brown varnish. At some point in it's life it was converted from 3 to 4 strings and has had a neck graft using beautiful figured maple, in keeping with the back and ribs. It was also given a new bass bar too. I have played this Bass professionally for the past 7 years, mainly for Jazz. The Bass is currently set up with a new set of Helicore hybrid strings. It has wonderful warm punch to its tone and it works very well for classical too. It would also make a great solo instrument as it speaks very clearly, especially in the upper register and is very comfortable and easy to get around. String length :107 cm Upper bout : 53 cm lower bout : 66 cm Length of back : 112 cm I Also have two very nice old German flat back basses for sale at £4500 each. The Basses are located in Bath.2 points
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Awesome funk from George. And the upright great Christian McBride. His funky fretless playing is just superb especially the solo. No lines on that Atelier Z...2 points
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The perfect wedding gig at the perfect venue. Stunning location. Great food, great audience and the cherry on the cake was that we were on before the food and DJ We ate after the gig and including the 1 hour drive, was home at 10.30. Result.2 points
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And it is fan-flippin-stupendously-awe-inspiringly FANTASTIC!!!!! I am SO excited. And very, very impressed with the Rocklite. Before I get my sticky mitts properly on it, it's going to be at the London guitar show at Kempton Park this weekend (I'm in Aberdeen on grandparent duty, drat it!). If you let Mike, Michael or Simon know that you're on Basschat (and I've said the same to TheFretboard forum members, Mike), they may even let you play it! JUST DON'T DROOL SLOBBER OVER IT! Andy2 points
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Excellent! I've managed to avoid her entire career. I thought it was just rap artists I did that to.2 points
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I got one from the last batch of 2017 and one from the first batch 2018. The necks changed to more of a satin sheen since 2014's gloss, they're now a wee bit shallower. I mention the batch dates because there was a factory change and the 1st lot of 2018 had teething troubles. Thomann got things fixed pronto as the PB-50 is a big seller.2 points
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@Andyjr1515, that is bloody gorgeous! Thank you SO much! The veneer accent works really well too, this is going to be a stunner 😎 Eude2 points
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In a band? Be nice, be on time, and most of all been IN time. like Andy said above, it's about being missed when you stop playing. I see bass as another part of the percussion, like a drum with tones. There's no need for fancy schmancy gymnastics, just groove with the drummer, make people dance, keep it simple, and always be cool. At home? Who gives a ****2 points
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Based on my experience, in order to sucessfully progress from playing at home as a hobby to playing with other people in public you inevitably have to meet and deal with a good number of idiots/dreamers/flakes/egomaniacs/substance abusers before meeting people who have the magic combination of some musical ability, some motivation and who are reasonable and pleasant human beings - my guess is lots of women give up on playing in bands before they really get started, because they (arguably quite sensibly) come to the conclusion that life is far to short to put up with this nonsense. There is certainly no shortage of female performers in evidence locally, they do tend for the most part to be either solo performers or band leaders.2 points
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9 years cancer free today! Rock on!2 points
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My niece's son has dyslexia - he's a good keyboard player (from aged 5 or 6). I'm not sure whether the same parts of the brain are used for reading and creativity.2 points
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Agreed. Seems there are a few TE cult followers here. Lets emerge from the underground and become mainstream Wave that flag, people !2 points
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That's why I'm sorting the kitchen.....2 points
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True the modelling gear can be expensive, my current rig, consisting of a Line6 Helix and RCF745 cost £2000 when I bought it new a year ago. However they are pretty much at the top end of the the range, and you now you can get a Helix Stomp and a cheaper FRFR for about half that. I can't recall the last time I did a gig where there bass wasn't DI'd into the PA, and at several gigs I played before I switched to the new set up I had been asked to turn my amp down to such an extent that unless I stood directly in front of it, I could hear myself better though the fold back for the guitarist or the keyboard player! It was at this point that I started looking seriously at FRFR powered cabs. For me it was no brainer - I had spent over £2000 on my last serious bass-only rig and most of that was second hand prices, and with a bit of luck when I sell it along with my guitar rig I will get back what I spent on the Helix and RCF cab. The new set up is a fraction of the size of my old rig and does everything need for guitar as well as bass sounds.2 points
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LOL, like Triggers broom (One for the youngsters)2 points
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Ah I think I particularly remember a bit with that - everything stops and the solo triangle beat introduces a broken down orchestral lead in (there's probably a technical term for this) prior to the full blown chorus play out. Clever these sessions guys 😏 although the band itself and singer were pretty good as well. What a great song and fabulous arrangement. Theres a recent Basschat thread with reference to the sessions guys - the bassist was not Herbie Flowers but another guy whose name escapes me.... drummer was Clem Cattini.2 points
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Rather fun actually. Regular gig at a large chain pub, which can get a bit over-lively. Slightly quieter tonight, but lots of young people dancing enthusiastically. Apparently there were quite a few 'freshers' out on the town. I was somewhat mortified to think that it is 39 years since I was a fresher myself! Anyway, I took my Mustang rather than the usual Precision, to give my fretting hand a bit of a rest. It sounded superb - I think it is probably the rockingest bass that I own. Here's me (looking like the BFG's nephew) and my rig:2 points
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They're 4 ports, dimensions of which were supplied by the cab gurus - you know who they are. It's in the build diaries somewhere, mr Dis2 points
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What better way? Beer AND fretless2 points
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Another pointy addition I’m afraid. This time it’s a 1988 Charvel 2B in metallic red (not seen one before in that finish that I can recall). Again, for a superbly built instrument from Japan, I’m astounded how little these cost to pick up (cheaper than most Chinese Squiers and Epiphones I’ve seen for sale recently). Apart from a few chips and needing a good setup and clean, it’s a lovely bass with a super neck. Sounds fantastic too.2 points
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The triangle in Everlasting Love.2 points
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Of course you could argue that for many women or men, Fenders are likely to be all the bass they will ever need, and they will probably look a whole lot cooler playing a sexy 4 string Fender in their noisy indie band than if they stood there with a cheesy 7 string Ritter made of gold and spalted elephant bone. More importantly though, it’s worth pointing out that this may well be down to the fact that Fender are putting a lot of work into reaching out to young people, they sponsor some really good events and they offer free lessons to new players, which makes them a whole lot more inclusive and accessible than any other brand. So it’s no wonder that people who are normally put off by music snobbery and elitism are turning to them. I think it’s a good thing. If you have small hands, and you want to play in bands, the Mustang is probably the coolest bass you can own at this point.2 points
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I can't make up my mind on whether that's good news (i.e. Yay! More women play an instrument!) or bad news (Woman goes into guitar shop, is steered towards a Fender, buys it because she isn't geeky enough to know there are lots of better choices). (I quickly lost count of the number of times I went into a shop while first-bass-hunting, my only requirement being 'suitable to petite player with small hands', and was offered a frigging Fender Jazz! 😮 Luckily I did know better.)2 points
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Well, if we're talking melodica, then this surely deserves inclusion:2 points
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My Squier VM P5 has been fitted with original the pickup from Dave Swift's white Sadowsky P5. My Aguilar DB112 cabs were previously owned by Paul Turner. I now sound like some bloke called Dave Turner (who Google tells me is a science fiction, fantasy and comedy author and not a bass player at all). It's all very confusing 🤪2 points
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Great stuff from these guys. Abe's playing has always been unique. Michiko Hill's key's playing is just perfection.. Imo1 point
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Drop @scrumpymike a PM - he will have all the details.1 point
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And according to her website & Wikipaedia entry she's sold "over 50 millions albums" too. That's more than 50. Dave Matthews Band -- 33.5 million units 49. Phil Collins -- 33.5 million units 48. Britney Spears -- 34 million units 47. Bon Jovi -- 34.5 million units 46. Queen -- 34.5 million units 45. Def Leppard -- 35 million units 44. Bob Dylan -- 36 million units 43. Tupac Shakur -- 36.5 million units 41. Backstreet Boys -- 37 million units 39. Tim McGraw -- 37.5 million units 39. Foreigner -- 37.5 million units 38. Rod Stewart -- 38 million units 37. Simon & Garfunkel -- 38.5 million units 36. Chicago -- 38.5 million units 35. Eric Clapton -- 40 million units 34. Reba McEntire -- 41 million units 33. Santana -- 43.5 million units 32. Alan Jackson -- 43.5 million units 30. Eminem -- 44.5 million units 30. Guns N' Roses -- 44.5 million units 30. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band -- 44.5 million units 29. Alabama -- 46.5 million units 28. Kenny Rogers -- 47.5 million units 25. Shania Twain -- 48 million units 25. Kenny G -- 48 million units 25. Journey -- 48 million units 23. Neil Diamond -- 49.5 million units 23. Fleetwood Mac -- 49.5 million units 22. Celine Dion -- 50 million units ... which is actually kind of impressive. It's good to know that you can rely on statistics readily-available in the public domain. Or not. Incidentally, does anyone have a clue who some of those people actually are? Tupac Shakur? Reba McEntire?1 point
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I just sit there and play until it sounds good. Then play some more.1 point
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A tutor that won't teach you on a stick bass isn't a teacher you need teaching you anything imo. Yes you'll have some things that are different and it's a physical instrument anyway, left hand technique and right hand plucking are what I'd concentrate on first.1 point
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Lovely1 point
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I checked...you're right. Thankfully they can't be heard..1 point
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4.2kg1 point
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A 1/4" jack (surface mount or otherwise) takes up a surprising amount of space, not looked at any diagrams but although it is slimmer than an XLR it would go deeper into the case. I stand by my original thought that the difference in diameter would be several mm rather than several cm and that's probably a design compromise they could/should have made. I see this as an entry point into Helix use for working/gigging musicians so in that regard I think it would be worth viewing it as a standalone unit with all the features it should have, I still think it should have an XLR DI - despite being told multiple times otherwise! I always find it frustrating when you see a piece of equipment which is almost perfect, it has everything you want but missing a small key feature and (for me at least) this is one of those things which is a shame because I want one.1 point
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Not cowbell but Northumbrian pipes. Kathryn Tickell's contribution to sting's 'Fields of gold' raise the song beyond ordinary. Eva Cassidy's version is just 'MEH' in comparison.1 point
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What a ringing endorsement for Warwick 😮1 point
