Roland Rock

Yeah, good idea, I'll send him a message. It's always good to get customer feedback

I had a main bass for my last band, and a different main bass for my current band

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1360543953' post='1972227'] It might be that some of you are interpreting Alex's distance as coldness when he might be intending to show respect by not being pushy. Next time you're in there, try having a chat with him and see how you go before judging the situation. He's very committed to customer satisfaction. I've found him to be pretty friendly but he does tend to recognise me. I also tend to be upfront with him about the reasons I'm visiting. If I'm there just to mooch I'll let him know and he can find better things to do with his time like updating stock and following up on orders. [/quote] Like I said in post 29, I did try and have a chat, but it was like getting blood from a stone :-( To be fair, I did make it clear that I was just browsing, and he went off and did other stuff, which is fine. It's just the lack of friendliness/manners made me want to leave the shop. I definitely do not feel that he was intending to show respect - quite the opposite! Of course, this is all my interpretation of the situation, but as a customer interface, he failed badly, regardless of intention.

:-D

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1360534482' post='1972060'] nah if you work in a shop, especially a closed door shop like the gallery just having one customer is way way more akward - you don't want to be too pushy or sell, you don't know the person or what they are into or anything - or know what they are after - for something like basses if it were me I would be happier letting the customer have a look and strike up a convo if they wanted [/quote] I know what you mean, and I actually detest a hard sale approach. In this case, I tried to get chatting, telling him I was down in London for the weekend, had heard good things about The Gallery, how old is that bass etc. Nothing but the bare minimum of a reply, and in one instance I was just ignored (when I said goodbye)

Maybe it's me! What I forgot to say was that for most of the time, I was the only customer in the shop, which should have been more conducive to a chatty exchange between enthusiasts, but instead, because of Alex's frosty manner, just made for a really uncomfortable and awkward atmosphere.

The man in this OP scenario was a short stocky chap with tattoos

I found myself in north London this weekend with a few hours to spare, so made a trip to Camden to check out The Gallery. I'm not really in the market for gear at the moment, but may be this year, and also thought it might be interesting to try the Dingwall Super P to feel what the fanned frets are like. I really felt that the member of staff there found me as an annoyance, answering questions in a short manner, no small talk, no offers to try either of the instruments that I was showing interest in, not even any eye contact. I didn't feel comfortable asking to play the Dingwall in this environment, so eventually left, mumbling an awkward "thanks, bye" on my way out (no reply) Is this the norm? or maybe I look like a penniless time waster! It really put me off the place, and when I do buy more gear, it certainly won't be top of my list of places to go. A bit of a disappointment :-(

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1360360648' post='1969505'] the wooden sides are removeable for the placement of rack ears. [/quote] That's a nice touch, very clever. On the aesthetic side of things, for what it's worth, I think this looks lovely. Definitely not "made in a shed" but a great "classic 70s hifi" look. Of course I appreciate that may not be everyone's thing! I don't see how this would be any less roadworthy than other handleless boxes with the buttons sitting proud, such as the EAiAmp, Eden WT, GB Shuttle etc. I wouldn't buy one though, as it has one channel too many, and a bit too solid state for my liking :-)

The majority of my basslines are written at band practice. Someone comes up with the chords and we jam it out. I often will come up with a good (imo) line within one or two jams. I tend to put too many notes in at first, then, by listening to the guitar, drums and vocals, pare it down and maybe alter the timing a bit. Space is crucial, so I'll listen for any drum/vocal/guitar parts that sound great on their own, and give that part space. There was one song hat we just couldn't jam out, so I took it home and came up with a bassline. The one I came up with came in just after the two in each bar, and sounded great in isolation. When it came to playing it with the band, it was immediately apparent that it needed to come in on the one. It sounded great after that.

[quote name='benthos' timestamp='1360252517' post='1967447'] I can only assume you don't get the turn of phrase. Thanks for the chat - it's been enlightening. [/quote] To be fair, I didn't get that either. I Googled it and it seems to be quite an IT specific phrase. It means 'practice what you preach' right?

[quote name='Rasta' timestamp='1360223313' post='1966815'] Bob Marley's / Babylon by bus Funkadelic's / Maggot Brain [/quote] Nice

Not that hard, surely? - in the Grunge section, right next to Mudhoney ;-) I use a Warwick Profet amp from time to time at rehearsals and really like the sound. Glad you've found your ideal tone. You'd probably be able to pick up a Profet amp cheap on here as a backup too :-)

Expression? This springs to mind - especially the impromptu that begins at 21:40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDVJkxGz_Tc

I suspect that many Basschatters in originals bands would kill (just an expression) to get signed to a major label. I have a friend who was, and is now very cynical and disillusioned with the industry. This article gives an interesting account of a band being signed, and then things not exactly going to plan. http://www.imposemagazine.com/features/bill-bairds-brief-history-of-major-label-blah Despite the horror stories, my view is nothing ventured, nothing gained. Even if you end up on the rubbish pile, at least you have that experience, and hopefully some great gigs and an album or two. Anyone had major label experiences, good or bad? Or maybe you're so principled you would never consider it!

Welcome to Basschat :-)

Welcome to Basschat :-)

This popped up on my iPod this evening. Not listened to it for years and had forgotten what an incredible track this is... Chemical Brothers remix of Spiritualized's 'I think I'm in love' http://youtube.com/watch?v=lZ8bfsL-awY

The way I read Antiloco's original reply, he was giving advice about playing modes over just one chord (the C Maj), rather than talking about playing the C Maj-based modes over all of the chords in the song. Is this right Antiloco? If so, I think you and Doddy talking about different things (Antiloco talking about playing modes over a single chord, and Doddy talking about playing over the various chords in the song) and are both right :-)

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1360157064' post='1965732'] Actually no, I shout 'Bill Turnbull..!' [/quote]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1360150588' post='1965549'] I've been going steady with me for some years, now - I'm everything I've been looking for in a partner. And when I have sex it's always with someone I really love. [/quote] Do you call our own name out at orgasm? :-D

Another one from my four year old this morning. It seems she has been silently absorbing all of the words to reggae song 'Fisherman' by the Congoes, and decided to sing along with it full pelt this morning on the way to school. She has the phrasing nailed, but fills in a bit with words she can't make out. 'Hail John' was my favourite (s/b Jah)

My daughter (4) "This sounds like an angry robot" commenting on Squarepusher's latest album

My Marlin Sidewinder was painted in a Hawaiian Shirt theme, was subjected to some very amateurish upgrades, and has been under a bed at my dad's house for the last fifteen years or so. Since getting the Ergon 5 last summer, I've barely touched my '78P, until last week when depping for an old band. It felt lovely to play it again after so long. It is definitely being kept for when the need arises.

I used to use a hard case and separate bag for peripherals. The strap is always attached to the bass. Then I got a semi-rigid case (actually two, but I always use the Protec rather than the Mono) and it's brilliant. Great protection, easier to carry round and store, and big pockets for all the leads etc. An immediate convert, I gave the hard case away on BC.