Bilbo

Bailey was important to me. As a young rocker, I was already investigating fusion and some of the more exceptional players like Jaco and Jeff Berlin when I saw a video of Weather Report's Domino Theory tour. I was watching VB and noticed that he was moving around the neck a lot and there was one point where he played something low down and the jumped up to the top of the neck to play fill before going back to the low end. I vividly recall saying to the drummer friend I was watching the video with 'I need to know where the notes are so I can do that'. And so began my exploration of theory, reading etc. So, arguably, Bailey inspired me to learn. It doesn't seem much now but it was an epiphany for one of Cwmbran's leading exponents of HM bass.... Doom doom doom doom....

I am in. https://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/fly-away-home

I have no Beatles recordings but they did some great stuff. Like the Beach Boys, you may not have them high on your play list but you have to acknowledge the contribution that they have made.

There is another AJ thread somewhere. He's the man.

Tessitura.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFqx9fPeftU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T50H1aL6hb8

I can't narrow it down but it is great fun to try. Jaco's opening lines on 'In France They Kiss On Main Street' off Shadows and Light are the first lines I heard by him with Joni and still move me. Percy Jones on 'Product' was why I bought a Wal and John Giblin's work on 'April' figured highly also. With Jimmy Johnson it was his work with the Wayne Johnson Trio that captured my interest and 'Grasshopper' was the first track I heard and adored (and still do). Jeff Berlin has not interested my for years but his work on Buford's 'Feels Good To Me' was exquisite, especially 'Either End Of August'. As for pinnacle; there are too many variable for me to home in on one thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUCKZFaAUFI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGRx5Ja2stc

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1476800762' post='3157353'] Hard choice but Stanley Clarkes bass line on Duel of the Jester & the Tyrant from the return to forever album Romantic Warrior is pretty close to the top [/quote] Good choice. I transcribed that 1,000 years ago (long lost chart). Can still sing the whole bass part (that's the value of transcription)

I always thought of him as a 'celebrity' rather than a musician. He was a friend of Boy George IIRC and found his way into the limelight by association. I know only of that one song. Nevertheless, I thought he was a strong personality and challenging in a positive way. Definitely too young to pass in that way.

If you go to my soundcloud page, all of the electric basses on there are my Wal. I find it versatile enough to cover almost anything. The only thing I can't cover on it is slapping as I don't like the slap/Fretless mix. Otherwise, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Latin and Country; the Wal has it all covered.

My journey to Jazz was basically borne of a frustration of never being able to find decent singers for the Rock bands I tried to form. The interest in instrumental music took me from Prog to Cozy Powells Over The Top to Colloseum to Brand X and Bruford to Weather Report to Miles to Coltrane to the world.

Deeply talented but I don't like the noise he makes. I don't like a lot of hugely popular stuff though so what the flying fcuk do I know

Mine is a lovely sounding guitar and solid in every respect. It was made in Nashville on 28th March, 2000. The pedigree is there but it has stayed in it's case for far too long and I need a new quality acoustic. I have realised that I am never going to be a great Jazz guitarist so don't feel that I can justify keeping it as an ornament.

Wal Fretless...

You guys.....

That was where I saw the £2k+ prices.

Everyone who plays a double bass. Except you.

Did a search using the serial number and am told that my ES175 was made in Nashville, Tennessee on March 28th, 2000. Still don't know what to ask for when selling :-D

[quote name='bibino' timestamp='1476382035' post='3153864'] I wouldn't call a 2002 a vintage. The common argus would be around 2000€, depending the finish and its condition. [/quote] Sorry. The vintage sunburst was the colour, not the age of the instrument. .

Wal Custom Fretless. Bought it in 1986 and still use it as my main bass.

I wasn't expecting much more than £1k so these prices are a bit of a surprise. It hasn't been gigged (actually, I did one tune with it about 6 years ago) and is basically mint. It has been in it's case for over a year without coming out! I am thinking of selling it so I can get a decent electro-acoustic guitar I want but, at these prices, I could get TWO new guitars!!

I have a vintage sunburst ES175 I am thinking of selling and need to get a valuation. I bought it new in 2002-ish for £1500 but they appear to be up to £4k new and £2500 second hand. It's not making sense to me. Has anyone got any ideas on what it's all about?

I had an audition for a band in London when I was about 23. The band were playing a tune as I set up. When I was ready, the guitarist said he would show me the chords. I said 'it's in C, isn't it'? He replied 'we don't do any of that muso sh*t'. I thought 'twat' and learned it the hard way. I get that people can do this without theory just as people can speak without knowing grammar but I just find that the more tools you have the better. Playing music without understanding the building blocks is like fixing a car with a butter knife and some chewing gum. Yes, it can work but why the hell would you? :-D

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1476007688' post='3150342'] Just to address this... my band plays jazz and of course it's mostly improvised. [b]Most gigs are busy as hell and full of people dancing and having a great time.[/b] [/quote] Can't be a Jazz gig then.....

I recommend that you don't learn theory and don't learn to read. That way, I will continue to get the gigs you won't get called for. Seriously, I gig weekly with some of the world's greatest players and COULD NOT DO IT without theory and reading. If a player like John Etheridge puts a piece of coffee stained paper in front of you, you need to make it into something musical WITHOUT ANY REHEARSAL. You need to be ready.