funkypenguin

My current favourites would be.... John Patitucci's upright solo in the live GRP big band take of sister sadie (the vid of which has vanished from youtube but check out the recording if you're into jazz, its incredible) Tony Grey's solo in the extended version of summer rain featuring the Hiromi Trio [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL14_nd2C2Q"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL14_nd2C2Q[/url] Life Burning by/featuring Matt Garrison [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuH5JRs8Ug0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuH5JRs8Ug0[/url]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='887764' date='Jul 6 2010, 08:43 PM']It is impossible to think MM doesn't possess a great groove. Laughable.[/quote] thats a pretty sweeping thing to say. as with all things bass, its horses for courses. I like his groove but i think there are far better groove players, far better slappers and far better technicians out there. I also know a few bassists out there who hate marcus' sound and feel

shes a beauty!!!

[quote name='mcgraham' post='886431' date='Jul 5 2010, 04:31 PM']I guess that's an inherent difficulty with trying to use bass as a solo instrument. Ultimately, bass is more than just an instrument - it's a [i]function[/i]. More than that, it's a function that is so integral to the overall feel, groove and pulse of a piece/arrangement that as soon as a player starts to try and do something else (e.g. solo, play chordally/harmonically, play something with a different non-complementary rhythm), that function can very quickly start to suffer and (ergo) the piece suffers. Bass soloing AND maintaining a strong groove can be done but is difficult. I think Janek is a good example of someone with great restraint who concentrates on the groove of his pieces/playing, and maintains that groove even whilst soloing, hence why his pieces are so listenable by both jazz fans and non-jazz fans alike as he doesn't try too hard to be at the forefront all the time. Nevertheless, I personally feel that the overall groove and energy of a lot of his pieces takes a nosedive once he starts to solo - not because his solos are bad! but because the 'bass chair' is empty (figuratively speaking). All IMO of course [/quote] i would disagree with that. the bass 'part' has a function, but the instrument itself is like any other, and can solo like any other IMO. having said that, i think the ensemble arrangement when the bass is soloing is more difficult to get right, and one of the bands that really gets that right would be Hiromi/Hiromis Sonicbloom. on that note i would say that Tony Grey is a worthy addition to this thread, technically brilliant and a very musical bassist got his solo album a week or so ago and its excellent

[quote name='4000' post='885315' date='Jul 4 2010, 11:11 AM']I prefer Garrison to the others by a long way. Janek's stuff is pretty good but all seems fairly obvious to me; however I love Garrison's compositions. If I ever listen to that sort of stuff these days it tends to be Matt G or old RTF.[/quote] Garrison and Patitucci are the two i tend to listen to these days. Matts compositional voice is so much more unique than Janeks (IMHO), tunes like 'Life Burning' for example really stand out. Dont get me wrong, Janek is an excellent composer, particularly when it comes to arranging for horn sections, but i dont think his compositional voice is particularly unique

[quote name='pantherairsoft' post='885084' date='Jul 3 2010, 10:10 PM']I'm pretty sure he'd make any scale you wanted if you asked nicely... This is a 35", but I doubt he'd object to 33".[/quote] i may just do that. not that im looking for a build right now but ive begun to get an itch to have something really special made at some point

having just had a look at some of Robbies work im really looking forward to seeing this come together i really like the marseer shape but its the headstock that really got my attention. beautiful design all round! Out of interest, does he work in 33" scale for 6 string?

[quote name='Faithless' post='884583' date='Jul 3 2010, 09:32 AM']Errrr.. I don't get it. It's not the first time, actually, I hear people saying, that he's playing Matt Garrison model, but, I think, it's entirely incorrect - well, yes, it's also Fodera, and it's 33 scale, but, apart from that, as far as I know, Janek chose all the stuff for his bass on his own, and it differs very much from Garrison's bass.. So, what the heck about those two?.. [/quote] Its the same model as garrisons bass, with differing woods and possibly different pickups. but the body shape, 26 frets, drop tuner and control layout are identical as far as i can tell, with janek also having the ramp between the fingerboard and the neck pickup. the standard imperial has a different body shape so i think its fair to say he plays the same model as garrison no, with detailed alterations :s

i was under the impression he was playing his fodera Matt Garrison on both those records, but feel free to correct me on that one. im sure im right in saying that his backline changed between recordings though

[quote name='XB26354' post='881396' date='Jun 29 2010, 09:40 PM']Wow - quite damning! I can understand what he means though. Sometimes frightening technique can be a bit of a bugbear. As funkypenguin said, Patitucci is the man really - effortless technique, doubles and is superb on both, grooves like mad and solos like a bebop sax player. On The Corner is still one of my favourites. Wish he'd kept the Smith though - I've never liked the clickety clack he gets from a Yamaha.[/quote] i really like his sound on the Yamaha personally, though his Smith sound is great also (particularly on tunes like heart of the bass). My favourites are imprint, the well, scophile, heart of the bass and theme and variations for 6 string bass. just got his trio CD remembrance and its getting some serious listening Whoa thats heavy stuff from GH and JM...with hadrien exploding onto the scene (for lack of a better phrase) perhaps its just, i dunno, growing up musically.... i think it was steve bailey that said that sometimes the only way you get the message about your part having to serve the music is by being fired

[quote name='XB26354' post='880802' date='Jun 29 2010, 11:47 AM']I was just about to say the same about Hadrien! I've seen a fair bit of him and whilst he obviously holds some sort of land speed record with his right hand (no that is not a double entendre!), his tone reminds me of Jeff Berlin, always rooted to the bridge pickup. I know he is still fairly young, but he really lacks any stage presence, something which Matt Garrison and Janek have plenty of, probably due to personality. What also bugs me is that what is left after the amazing technique? I saw him with his band, and felt that, before putting out your own record and forming a band, you should have something to say. I love jazz and have a lot of time for guys that can play those sax/tpt licks at 100mph on bass, but to me he is impressive, in the same way that painters that can make a portrait look like a photo are impressive.[/quote] i do see what you're saying about stage presence, and i agree i think its down to personality. of all the technicians in the jazz world matt garrison is definetley my favourite, i love his sound, style and compositional voice. if its style and musicality you're after though, i would argue john patitucci has all 3 of them well and truly licked. just my opinion of course

Very good! i would (IMO) say this below is a better example of Hadriens playing [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dACuMHfEbrM&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dACuMHfEbrM...feature=related[/url] i dunno what it is about Gwizdala, but alot of his playing doesnt do it for me. cant really explain! having said that i do like Mystery to Me. you're in for a treat when you listen to it!

4000 euros for a P bass.......i think thats a good definition of insanity

very best of luck!

I'm somewhat surprised he's gone back to the MK 1 kingbass for the anniversary model, given how he was singing the praises of the MK2. Lovely bass nevertheless! looking forward to seeing it in action at the manchester show in october

[quote name='Shockwave' post='864678' date='Jun 11 2010, 08:41 PM']Nothing wrong with a Ibanez Gary Willis fretless! [/quote] The Willis fretless is a lovely bass but is about £500 i believe? if you've your heart set on an ibanez the SR series would work nicely for a de-fret.

These guys all influence me for different reasons. In no particular order..... John Myung John Patitucci Mark King Hadrien Feraud Matthew Garrison Anthony Jackson

any more news from Jon regarding completion?

wow.....she really is a beauty! been following this thread for a while and you must be one happy chappie! sorry to badger you...but any chance of some sound samples in the near future? ive heard a lot of good things about Nordy pickups but havnt had chance to hear them myself

I'm not a pro in the sense you're talking about, but i play a lot at uni (i.e. rehearsals every day, at least a gig a week) and its never a chore, i love just messing around on bass (and trumpet too) in my spare time. I asked my tutor Ollie Collins the same question, and he never sees it as a chore either FWIW i think once it becomes a chore its time to take a break from playing, short or long (unless of course you earn your living from it)

how far away are you from completing it now?

Im 20, currently studying music at Salford University and am available for paid work in the Manchester and Leeds/Bradford area. Im a competent reader of notation and a passable reader of chords. I'm experienced and familiar with most styles of music, and have done work with small jazz/latin groups within uni and in the Manchester/Bradford areas. Im also available for theatre/pantomime work. Shows i've done professionally include West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Grease, Les Miserables and The Sound of Music. I can email a full C.V if so required. My technique is based around fingers (and slap if required) and is of a fairly high standard. I mainly play 6 string basses (as listed in my sig.) but i also play 4 if it fits the gig so let me know what you want! My backline consists of a Trace Elliot AH300SMC bass head going through a Trace 1048H 4x10 cabinet. If you would potentially like to hire me please dont hesitate to get in touch! my number is 07595 300048 and my email is [email protected] Recordings of my playing are in progress and will be complete very soon! Ben

+1 to the basses mentioned. also, surely if you were a serious gigging player who often has to travel light (or does really small/tight venues), you might even spend a little more on a Status streamline?