dmccombe7

I'd probably learn that with fingers using my nails as picks. Then i might try it with a pick The pick definitely gives it a nice attack tho.

Watched them on the live clip and listened to the studio version. Its difficult to pick out what he's doing at times but that clip in the bass shop above lets you hear it more clearly. I even looked at the bass tabs for it. I'd probably have to work on it but i reckon i could do that with fingerstyle. The work would be remembering what bit came next LOL I've heard him play other parts and he is def quite a talented player and like Steve Harris he has the stamina to keep that going. That stamina is probably where i'd have to work on most. The song is about 7 mins long altho it has slower sections but in a live concert he'll be playing a lot of fast bass parts for 2-3 hrs probably. Not my style of music to be honest and neither is Iron Maiden but i do appreciate a good player in any style of music. Dave

As long as people on stage look as tho they are enjoying themselves then i'm happy. I don't mind a bass player standing still and occasionally looking at his fretboard during difficult sections if he seems to be enjoying what he's doing. Not saying they have to be smiling or laughing in hysterics all the time but you get a general feel from the band that they are having fun or enjoying it. Sometimes its just a smile to another player or the audience or even a happy recognition at the end of the song. I see many guitarists fret watching during solo's even the very best guitarists do it. Perhaps its just a happy demeanour. Its difficult to pinpoint it but you just know. Dave

Dont know the song but will have a wee listen. I could see the finger stamina being an issue if playing some styles of music. Iron Maiden would be a struggle for me. No idea how Steve Harris manages to keep that pace

Its an odd one but i've always found i'm faster with my fingers than i could ever be with a pick but i hear a lot of players saying a pick is faster. Dave

You could try growing your nails enough to catch the strings at certain angle. That works for me and if i tilt my hand back a bit i get the standard finger sound.

Bass is really driving those songs. Love that tone he has. Pure live energy. Noted Steve Howe doing a bit of slide in there too. Is the bass player the original guy from Frankie. ? Dave

when i bought my Mesa PH212 cab it was next day delivery. Didn't arrive so i contacted Guitar Guitar who contacted the courier they used to find out the courier didn't have a van delivering in my area that day (Fri) and would now be Mon as they dont deliver on weekends. The item was sitting in their warehouse. I could have travelled 20miles and picked it up myself. Not Guitar Guitar's fault tho but they should consider using a different courier. Cant remember who the courier was. Altho i'm out in country i'm only 8 miles from nearest large town and 30 miles from central belt of Scotland. I've bought items from Andertons recently and found them really good. Dave

I still have my collection of picks from late 70's when i first started. They include a curved tortoise shell heavy duty thing that was one of my first ones to rubber and one i made using a coin flattened out and then covered with old denim to take away the attack as i wanted to sound more like finger style. Also have a condensed foam pick. Not sure i'll ever be totally comfortable with a pick but when its needed i will be able to use it. Dave

Oddly enough i find my little finger and edge of my palm muting the strings automatically as and when required. Also finding that i use that "slanted pick" thing without thinking about it and i haven't used a pick since 78. I do occassionally use my index finger as a pick so maybe its all just rubbing off from that. Even tho i bought the picks i'm not really happy with the sound they give me so i need to adjust my EQ to accomodate plus i'm getting an awful lot of fret noise with a pick but i keep my string height quite low but i wont be adjusting the height and will try and lighten my pick strength. Dave

Liking that especially the white tortosie shell guard. How does it play and sound ? Dave

No excuses 😁

Don't think i've seen the Martin Mendez version. Off to google UPDATE : had a listen to the Mendez Jazz but not so keen. Had another listen to the Marlowe and it just sounds so much nicer. Dave

Thought i'd run thru our set list today while standing for a change and started using my Jazz mainly because its always readily available and after about 45mins my shoulder and back started to ache so i finished the first set of about 60-70 mins approx. Took a break for lunch and decided to bring my Sandberg VM4 out its case for the 2nd set. I couldn't believe how light it felt compared to the Jazz bass. 2nd set of 80mins without issue. That is why its my gigging bass these days plus it just sounds and feels so nice. Does leave me thinking i should try the Marlowe Jazz as suggested by @Cuzzie few months back. I love the sound of Jazz basses but the Fender weight could be a problem for a full gig now that i'm getting a wee bit older and gig lazy because of Covid. Does the Marlowe Jazz compare with the VM4 with regards weight. Gout our first gig booked in October so once band all vaccinated its straight into rehearsals Dave

Love hearing wee snippets like that. What would i have bought first ?? who knows but another WAL might work for me. Dave

Probably same for me too altho i think i might have bought Do They Hurt first and then Product and Unorthodox Behaviour. Brand X and Bruford were a turning point for me and when i moved from Rock bassists to Jazz. I would sit at home after work for approx 2-3 hrs every night learning those albums and a few others. It took my playing to a new level where i was playing things that were way different to the rock bands i was playing in. John Giblin, Percy Jones and Jeff Berlin were guys i could only dream of playing like. Dave

First came across John Giblin on Brand X albums and was astounded. Quite different to Percy Jones and loved his style ever since. Was a bit surprised he joined Simple Minds but he made quite an impact with their sound IMHO Was never able to quite capture his smooth flowing fretless technique. Dave

Aye he's no too bad that young fella.😂 He did some of the Mesa Subway cab demos too. Dave

Would you not be safer putting your gear in proper secure storage. Might be too expensive ? Any local family, mates or neighbours that would let you keep it with them. Dave

Today i finally managed to nail the one song that i struggled with using a pick. Reasonablly happy with it but it will never replace the feel of using my fingers. I did take on board the Bobby Vega clip above where he explains his use of the pick and keeping the wrist flexible and use a light touch. Also not to think too much about the technique and just go with it. That worked out to be so true for me. When i just went for it the song fell into place. Just wish i had a rehearsal to play it with the band 😂 Dave