dmccombe7

I bought a Peavey 5 string think it cost just under £500 few yrs back. Great bass for the money but the string spacing was an issue for me. It felt good in the shop when i was sitting down mucking about with it but when i was standing with it at home i noticed i kept missing notes when changing strings. The Peavey basses sell 2nd hand for circa £200-£300. Good enough bass with thunderous active tone too. I put this down to 16mm string spacing at bridge end rather than my ususal 18mm. I now have a Dingwall 5er and the fan fret is good but i personally think its over-rated and probably wouldn't buy another fan fret. Scale length of my basses varies from standard 34 to the Dingwall and Overwater 6 custom being 35" & think the B string on the Dingwall is 37" if i remember right but you really don't notice the scale length too much when you change basses you automatically adapt after a while. I would suggest trying in local shop first but for £500 a good 2nd hand bass should be easy to find. Dave Edit to add : i have tried the 5 and 6 string basses and still have 3 of them but i nearly always play my 4 string basses. I tended to use my 5 for Prog bands and my 4 strings for general rock covers. No reason someone cant start off with a 5 or 6 string. If it works for you use it. Its a starting point and you can always move down to 4 strings if you want. There's no hard and fast rule for everyone in bass except commitment to learning.

I still regard Jaco as innovative mainly because we still use him as a reference point even to this day. The fact we are even debating him today shows the influence he still has. Love or hate him we still talk about "that Jaco tone". Dave

I played in a 70's cover band last year doing the caravan parks and it was so weird playing a large function hall while kids were running about the dance floor altho it became all adults as the night wore on but it just didn't feel right. I want people to come along to see the band and not a band just being a replacement for a jukebox if that makes sense. I just don't thing people are really bothered who the band is as long as you play well. If you are a covers or originals band doing the rounds then most people are there to see the band. I also didn't really enjoy the songs i was being asked to play. All a bit boring for me. Dave

I got involved with a function band earlier this year and the set list was circa 80 songs and they were still looking to add more. That's when i realised doing weddings and functions just wasn't what i wanted to do. It started to feel more like a full time job and that certainly wasn't what i had in mind when i retired early. Dave

Seems like the advice to hold off and not burn any bridges but put the feelers out was good advice after all. Singer got in touch last night to say things have been more or less sorted out with his domestic situation and band is back on if all up for it. Gonna go along with it and see how it develops. I had spoken with a few musician and agency friends to let me know if anything comes up that i might be interested in. Had the offer of a few wedding bands but not really what i want to do. Dave

Think i heard about Stanley Clarke and Jaco round about the same time must have been mid to late 70's and it was only because i was playing bass and a bass mate told me about Jaco. I had heard of Clarke thru music Mags tho. Think Jaco and Marcus have influenced so many people over the years. Can't say i would rush out and buy their albums but i do like to listen to them on occasion just to impress me and make me realise i need to work a bit harder at playing. Dave

Enjoyed that a lot. Rare to find something that can actually do the vocal part and still sound like Geddy. Well done Dave

Haven't you got a gnome to go to ?

Think you are right enough. Sure i read that somewhere. Damien also an incredible player. Sandin sent me quite a few FOH desk recordings of various gigs but he asked me not to share as he didn't want into any trouble with his bosses LOL Dave

Sandin does the bass and vocals on his solo albums and does backing vocals with Gino Vannelli. He generally plays 6 string basses. If you like that you should have a listen to Gino's album Brother to Brother. Heres a wee clip from it below. Think Jimmy Haslip did most of the bass on this album if memory serves me right.

After follwing the Jaco V Marcus debate i thought i'd post this guy. Plays with Gino Vannelli but this is his sol album from a few years ago. Genuinely very nice guy that i corresponded with when looking for his album. He sent me loads of freebies including unreleased recording of both himself and Gino. His mate is Jimmy Haslip. I like the way he includes fantastic bass playing with some great songs. This is more the kind of bass i prefer where its not just the bass playing that's the focus. Added 2-3 songs to let you hear the different styles he uses. What do you think. ?

Just had a listen and its not what i was really expecting. Its not out and out slap and very jazz / funk. I'm really quite liking his style on that album altho not sure i would buy it as its more for bassists. I prefer to hear bass players in a more traditional band role. I came across a guy called Sandin Wilson who plays for Gino Vannelli and hass his own solo album. Its quite similar to Marcus Miller style. His influences were mainly Jimmy Haslip also ex-Vannelli band. Rather than hijack this thread i'll put on another new post. I also wouldn't buy a Jaco album for same reasons but maybe an album he has contributed to like Joni Mitchell album. Thanks for that Dave

Think i'll give his albums a decent listen and see if my opinions are changed. Can you suggest any particular album that you think he excels on. ? Dave

Hughes & Thrall I'd completely forgotten all about that album. Has to be Glenn Hughes best album in my opinion. Great choice.

A string for me

You haven't heard me playing

Oddly enough i kinda feel that Marcus Miller has done his bit for bass like Jaco and has now been overtaken by some of the new players doing the rounds. Few years back when these guys were at their peak they were by far some of the best bass players out there but as time moves on and styles and techniques advance i find Jaco and Marcus sound a little out dated. To be fair i haven't listened to a lot of Marcus Miller material and usually only when i see him play at bass conventions more than anything else. Two different styles too. Jaco is more Jazz based whereas Marcus is more funk slap and pop too me. At the end of the day both have done their bit for bass thru the years but neither are my favoured style of music. Nice to try and play what they do tho. Dave

Probably been quite a few i've really had to work at altho they were just for my own satisfaction and never played in a band. Few Rush parts YYZ being the obvious one but the one i love playing is Time Stands Still. Some nice wee fiddly bits and love his tone. Camel Never Let Go from the Live Record. (Few other arts on that album i liked and had to work at. Sinclair is an incredible bassist) Cosy Powel Theme #1 was a tricky wee bass line by Jack Bruce. (think that's what got me into Bruce's bass style) Its just dawned on me that they all have a very similar sharp mid-esque tone That's the tone i try to aim for in most bands. Dave

Congrats on the great news for the new family member. Really thats all that matters in life. The rest is just frills. Sounds like you have made the right decision with the band and sound as tho you are far happier with current line up and set up. Alls good for you and things always work out for the best. Looks like you're gonna have a great Xmas this year with lots to celebrate over. All the very best Dave

I never even gave that a thought but i have a Hilux covered pick up. So that's why bands have been asking me. Its nothing to do with me or my ability. I just have a big car to cary gear Dave

Best of David Bowie (early albums up to Station to Station) The one i have is a 2 disc set and i only ever play the first CD. Seconds Out - Genesis Lost In the New Real - Arjen Luccassen There are so many other albums to choose from so it was a difficult choice but these are the albums i keep returning to.

Reliable solid bass player. I play with an aggresive confident and energetic style that suits most rock bands i've played with. Never miss a rehearsal or gig. I'm very organised and write every song out note for note on the bass part and ensure all covers are done to the agreed version structure. Always eager to help other set up if needed. As far as i know i'm pretty easy going altho i do like things done properly and can be quite pushy to ensure band sounds tight at any gigs. Having done PA & Lighting hire for few years i have a good working knowledge of how things should be set up and being an electrical / electronics engineer i am able to sort out the minor probs with gear on the night. Can cover all the lead repairs where required. Dave

I enjoyed that. He has a really nice mellow tone on his bass. Assuming the PA rig is for his bass pedals as only the bass cab is mic'd up. Looks like 2 Taurus pedals too. Nice. Not sure where the percussion was coming from when Copeland changes between drum kits tho. Pre-recorded ?

You can just sack them and bring in nice people that you like and mentally change their personalities Dave