Jam

Rammstein were astounding! I've seen them live before and they never fail to disappoint.

I don't use pedals, and the amp I use at band practice is this big old Laney, similar to the one I use at home. I'm buying a Peavey 115 from a friend which is better than my current one.

The Jazz has a nice tone but gets really clanky and rattly when it's down low, which is why I thought perhaps raising the action/heavier strings would be better!

I'm in a metal band and after going to Sonisphere this weekend and hearing great tones I'm wondering if anyone here had any advice.

I have 2 "main" basses, a Fender Aerodyne Jazz and a Status S2. The Status sounds great, but a bit too "bright" for metal, and I've experimented with the fender but as my guitarist insists on downtuning the strings tend to rattle which I don't like.

I was thinking perhaps raising the action on the Fender and putting some heavier strings on would help..Any thoughts?

Wish I could just have a chat to MK!

Don't know a vast amount of Genesis, but the Sting piece is really nice.

Just wish my tapping wasn't so horrible!

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Washburn-XB120-String-Guitar-Black/dp/B0026JFEJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1278816730&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Washburn-XB120-Str...6730&sr=1-1[/url]

Only 1 left!

Free shipping!!

I don't suppose you fancy making a transcription? All those dead notes would take me an eternity to work out!

Lovely punchy sound. Is that a short scale bass?

Outstanding! So jealous.

Goddamn if I was back in the country sooner I'd consider this. I played one of Ped's and it was beautiful.

I'm a massive fan of Uematsu, especially the FF7 soundtrack. This was good, exceptional playing from the chap on the right. The guy in the middle, what's he got in his right hand?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I'm still going to be here in Japan then.

Balls

Jesus...He was a top bloke, we sent some emails back and forth about a Primus song.

What a loss, fantastic player and a lovely chap.

That is a lovely looking bass for an 11 year old. Generous parents!

[quote name='JTUK' post='677366' date='Dec 8 2009, 12:45 AM']I honestly can't recall the last a***hole ( IMO ) I played with.[/quote]

I can't be the only person who sniggered at that.


The people in my band are great, the drummer left when I said I was going to Japan for a year, he's 17 and he wants to "make it big" so he doesn't want to wait. My best mate's been learning drums for a while, he jumped right in and he fit in better than the old drummer! The singer's also an old friend, he has wailing power metal tendencies now and then but he's a good sort and he does as he's told from time to time! It was the first time I'd met the guitarist, he's very quiet, but he's an amazing player and now I think he's used to me he's a lot more relaxed, lovely bloke.

TL:DR, if anyone in my band was a d*ck I wouldn't hang around.

[url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=5215"]http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=5215[/url]


Only kidding, hope you're successful!

[quote name='gnasher1993' post='640428' date='Oct 29 2009, 08:53 PM']I have to agree about the sound. The Xiao has a very reedy sound and with the small mouthpiece it's extremely hard work to bend notes, which would explain the lack of expressiveness. It's a very unique sound, much like the Shakuhachi is unique. As I've said, I'd love to buy a Shakuhachi and one day I'm sure (well I hope) I will.

The next flute on my list is a Chinese Dizi (in G).[/quote]

I know how you feel, so many instruments, such a short lifetime!

Secretly I'd like to learn how to play the banjo too. And the accordion. Saying that it's taken me a couple of years to get to a decent standard on my flute, and 5 years and I still suck at bass, so these two will have to do for now!

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='639626' date='Oct 29 2009, 01:17 AM']Correct:



hehehe! Sorry, just showing off again (46 basses and 10 guitars missing from piccie!)[/quote]

I hate to sound crude but it looks like the sillhouette is sort of aroused by the sight of all those lovely basses!

I don't know much about the Xiao to be honest, I just did a little research online and the mouthpiece is a lot smaller than a shakuhachi, while they're both end-blown, the technique is likely quite different! [attachment=35328:IMG_1966.JPG]

Listening to some Xiao on youtube it seems to be quite difficult to play, but at the same time personally I don't think it sounds as expressive as shakuhachi, xiao seems to be very...straight, if that makes any sense! That said, I'd quite like to have a go on one sometime, they sound beautiful.

With regards to my flute, at the time I was a complete beginner so I didn't buy a high-end one, it ended up coming to 40,000 yen, which back then was about £230 I think. All shakuhachi are made with the root end of the plant, mine's not got the most ornate end but I like it.
[attachment=35327:IMG_1958.JPG]


[attachment=35329:IMG_1962.JPG]


I think charging £1200 for a shakuhachi is complete madness unless it's a really rare one, especially as hardly anyone back home knows what they are! Still I imagine someone will end up buying it.

[quote name='gnasher1993' post='639615' date='Oct 29 2009, 12:50 AM']I have tried but I find it very difficult. I think the sound they produce needs a specific style of writing. I'll continue to try though.

By the way, I would love a Shakuhachi. Where did you get yours?[/quote]

When I first lived in Japan I went to meet a maker and had one made. You can get them online but they're quite expensive and they're bloody hard to play at first. Keep an eye on ebay! The reason they're always so expensive is they're all hand made, the price goes up depending on the quality and age of the bamboo. They're lovely instruments though, and on the days you can get a good note out them it's such a nice feeling.

Actually, you can get beginners' shakuhachi that aren't made of bamboo which are a bit easier to play and quite a bit cheaper, have a look online.

[url="http://www.japanworldmusic.com/pages/shakuhachi_beginner.htm"]http://www.japanworldmusic.com/pages/shakuhachi_beginner.htm[/url] this is a Yuu, and for what the pack contains it actually sounds quite reasonable. If you're willing to stick with it it might be a worthwhile investment!

Have you tried writing a piece for bass and bansuri/xiao? I play shakuhachi (see avatar) as well as bass and I'm sure in theory it has potential, but whenever I've sat down and tried to consciously write something for both I hit a mental brick wall!

Martin Mendez of Opeth,
James Macdonough/Steve Digiorgio of Iced Earth (Listen to Damien/The Coming Curse, superb)
Steve Harris

I have the exact same problem, but I wouldn't put it down to tension on my part, I'm very relaxed when I play. I've tried correcting it but I presume it's down to the tendons and the other fingers...

I started playing when I was 18, I mentioned I was looking at starting bass to my brother and he bought me one for my 18th birthday. I:ve been playing ever since (am 23 now) but I still don't feel like a decent player...

I love Porcupine Tree, and some of Steve Wilson's side projects too, and am really excited about this! If I was in the country I'd so be at one of the upcoming gigs...

Not me!