darkandrew

I suppose you could probably argue the reverse also - ie. that many bass players have great technique but are boring.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1352842858' post='1868380'] I was a massive fan of the first Propaganda album and consequently went to see them on the tour to promote it. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. It was one of the worst gigs I have ever seen - the "live" instruments did little justice to the power and majesty of the recorded synthesisers and samplers. Sometimes you just have to accept that the bass guitar is no match for a good synth bass no matter how well it is played. IMO they'd have been better off with backing tapes. [/quote] I'm disappointed to hear that, all the Youtube clips I've seen are pretty good and Derek Forbes was one of my main inspirations for switching from keyboard to bass all those years ago. Still, I suppose that goes to prove the point I was making, that it doesn't matter whether you're listening to a sampler, a synth or an electric bass guitar, if it sounds right and "does it for you" then it IS right.

Oh, CAMPING gear - I thought you said "camp" gear. I'll go and put my pink feather-boa away and get my coat.

I remember reading an interview with Derek Forbes a few years ago, some of his favourite basslines were from his stint with Propaganda even though all the bass parts from the first album were either sampler or synthesiser based. The key thing for me, is whether it "does it for me" or not. That first Propaganda album is a good case in point - I'm not really too bothered that the bass parts were played by Steve Lipson on a Fairlight or PPG Wave, the songs are well written and well recorded and translate equally well to a live setting with a "flesh and bone" bass player. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXZyTx4TzLg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXZyTx4TzLg[/url]

I bought a Kurzweil PC361 because it ticked all the boxes for me - it was less expensive than the competition, had a better keybed, had excellent piano, strings, organ sounds and virtual analogue synthesis (additive and subtractive). If I recall, brand new it cost me just over £1000 so you'll probably be able to pick up a second hand one for around half that. The only thing you had on your list that it doesn't do is to be able to record it direct from USB, although it does have a USB connector for MIDI and data interchange (firmware updates, patch management, etc) and an SPDIF for digital out which should connect directly to your computer's audio interface (it also has balanced and unbalanced analogue outs).

I've had Guitar Rig 4 for a few years (it came with the NI Komplete bundle) but have never really used it. Anyway, I had some spare time this evening so I sat down and had a play around with it and I'm not sure. My impression is that it's not horrifically bad and it's not "My God, how have I ever managed without this" good either. To be honest, most of the modelling sounds very similar to my Pod X3 but I still prefer my old Boss GT6 - it just feels more responsive and smoother (but then I suppose some people prefer the grit of the Pod). Has anybody played around with Guitar Rig and managed to get good sounds out of it or am I wasting my time?

Yep, all gone I'm afraid. However it's my daughter's birthay soon and no-doubt she'll end up with loads more stuff that we will need to make room for, so watch this space ...

One thing to watch out for, the original JAN (which this has) has a tendancy to develop a rattle (which threadlock won't fix) which in turn produces all sorts of weird harmonics. It is possible to replace the original JAN with a new JAN III but a new brass JAN III will cost you around £100 (although you can buy a synthetic one for quite a bit less) and there are some differences in size which necessitates some modification to the bass itself. It might be worth asking the seller the straight question "does the nut produce a rattle", if they answer "no" then fine (for now) and if it turns out that it does rattle then you would probably have some sort of protection (not as advertised?), and if they answer "yes" then you know that you will probably have to pay out for a new nut and someone to fit it (unless you're feeling brave, like I mentioned earlier - a JAN I to JAN III upgrade is not a straight swap and requires some modification of the bass). Having said all that, I've got an SS1 and I love it.

Generally speaking, if the strings buzz on the lower frets then this is often caused by not having enough neck relief - ie. the truss rod is too tight. If you hold the 1st string down on the first and last frets simultaniously, does it also touch all the frets in between? You should have about 1/3 - 1/2 mm (about the width of a business card) gap between the string and the fret halfway between the two points, if you haven't then I'd try loosening the truss rod by about 1/4 turn. Having said all that, it took me about 10 years of playing and mucking about with guitars before I summoned up enough courage to explore the effects of adjusting the truss rod, so if you're not comfortable doing this yourself then take it to a reputable luthier. By the way, where are you based?

[quote name='ashevans09' timestamp='1343915957' post='1757273'] Heya, Looking to move my EC-1000 on. Was just wondering if anyone knew its worth second hand? I was thinking of pitching around £650 (that's what I've seen others advertised for) but I was just wondering. Thanks, Ash [/quote] I've just bought an ESP Eclipse with Bare Knuckle pickups, Brown-burst finish and hard case, all in "as new" condition from a fellow BC'er for not much more than that, so as nice as the LTD ECs are I think you're pitching it a little too high to be honest.

"Whispers in Rage" and "Once Beautiful" by The Last Dance. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mdkOyHq1bo[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDywDR3pnCk[/media] They've been going for about 20 years now in America but I only discovered them fairly recently when the bassist and drummer guested on an Eden House track.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1345994048' post='1783885'] If you are playing in a band with a particular "image" you should make an effort to fit in though, or give the gig to someone who will. [/quote] Reminds me of the late 70's / early 80's when Midge Ure was brought in by Thin Lizzy to replace Gary Moore on guitar: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBWQVHRy83I[/media] "The real kicker was when he brought out the makeup bag" ... Scott Gorham talking about Midge Ure

And another "thumbs up" for Paul from me, just bought an ESP Eclipse from him - quick response to personal messages, guitar as described, transaction smooth and painless. As Scooby says, "a totally top bloke". Cheers.

I'd forgotten what a great guitarist Reeves Gabrels is, absolutely brilliant! By the way, absolutely agree with the comment about Bob looking like a scary Auntie - I have one just like that !

There's a small Luthier's / Guitar shop in Maidstone, Kent (DW Guitars) that I've seen stock Carvin guitars and basses in the past although I haven't been in recently so I can't guarantee that they still carry them.

[quote name='LloydyG10' timestamp='1344100843' post='1759852'] Hi there, looks like one of these to me!! [url="http://www.guitarmagazine.co.uk/reviews/washburn-wb66-idol-bass-guitar-review/"]http://www.guitarmag...-guitar-review/[/url] [/quote] Thanks, that looks like it. Here's a You Tube review (in German): [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byNzH-5NVuY[/media] It's quite a handsome bass and for only £255 from these guys [url="http://www.promenademusic.co.uk/Washburn-WB66"]http://www.promenade...k/Washburn-WB66[/url] probably quite a good candidate for buying and upgrading the pickups and electrics, although the bass in the German review doesn't sound too bad with its stock pickups and passive tone control.

My son was watching High School Musical 3 this morning (don't ask !) and I spotted this bass but couldn't identify it: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzQT_6WcgV8[/media] at 1 min 46 secs. It appears to have Les Paul style controls, a double cutaway body, a bound body and fretboard but I can't make out the logo / name on the headstock. My first guess was an Epiphone due to the Les Paul similarites and Headstock shape but I can't find any Epi's that look like this one. Any ideas (other than getting my boy to watch something else)? Cheers.

I have found that different basses respond very differently to different metals: I used to have a Dean Edge bass with EMG Hz pickups that sounded awful on steel strings but actually quite good on nickels but an Aria IGB with Duncan Designed pickups that was the exact opposite (ie. Awful on nickels but good on steels). My current basses: Warwick SS1, Aria SB1000 and Spector Euro 5LX are strung with DR Extra Life (for the Warwick and Aria) and Spector Nickels for the Spector. Generally I find steel to be brighter with a less flabby bottom (?!) and nickels to be smoother with a big bottom, the DR Extra Life I find to be a very good all purpose string that sits somewhere in the middle and would probably put these on the Spector too if they came with a tapered "B".

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1343039225' post='1744011'] Is any of this "Ironic"? [/quote] Like rain on your wedding day? Or a free ride when you've already paid?

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1342967838' post='1743228'] Also teaching is probably the most reliable source of income. [/quote] I would endorse that advice. I've always been a part-time musicican but also have commitments such as a mortgage and a family. I'd been teaching IT for donkey's years and suggested to my Head, one day, that I'd like to teach music as well. She took a chance on me and 5 years later I'm still teaching music and loving it.

Having been suitably inspired by the Adele song, I ventured out into the rain on Friday night and attempted to set fire to it. My only achievement was a soggy box of matches and a nasty sniffle. My only conclusion is that despite what Adele is advocating in her song, it is actually impossible to set fire to the rain and I am left feeling somewhat cheated - a feeling I hadn't experienced since I found out that the Beatles didn't actually all live in a yellow submarine. Has anybody else had a similar experience discovering that a song's lyrics are clearly impossible?

Don't "dis" the mullet! I used to have one of those, I still remember going into the barber's and saying "short on the top and sides but leave it long at the back", but then it was the 80's and I also went through a phase of dying my hair blue (Gary Numan has got a lot to answer for!)

[quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1342682463' post='1739057'] Torn - by Natalie Imbruglia Great live version on youtube to jam along with . ( hope the rest of the band dont find out ) [/quote] To make it a bit more credible I always point out to people that it was written and produced by Phil Thornalley who used to be the bass player from The Cure (when Simon Gallup fell out with Robert Smith). That of course works on the assumption that The Cure are more credible than Natalie Imbruglia.