stewblack

5 albums for a tenner - oh my! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Album-Pack-Aretha-Franklin/dp/B003097AAG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_15_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C15AJH2E3XDPEDE9BYK8

I came late to the Jamerson party, first picked up the bass in the 80s, but all those who's style I love were influenced by the great 60's basses so it filtered through. Nothing like discovering the mother-lode though!

Without question. In fact why not get three just in case.

Thanks for that. Had to learn Footloose for a covers band recently and was blown away by the bassline. Incredible. I think that was my introduction to Mr East

Not that kind of Rogering. Tsk

Roger that

Learned my lesson. Laziness and time saving led me to copy a guy off youtube who plays it really well - certainly better that I can - but it's not entirely true to the original, and I want to get 'under Chuck's skin' so I'm starting again learning from the man himself.

That's great Chris. Can't believe the man escaped my attention. He's feckin' brilliant.

He's right up there isn't he? I'm struggling to keep up with the speed of some of his runs but it's his feel and timing which elevates the song.

OK, so I just took delivery of my Olympia flats £13.99 for the set. Going to lace up my Aria Pro2 with them this afternoon and take it for a twirl.

What a resource that site is. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thank you all for the comments, links and tunes. I love finding a new bass legend.

Gorgeous isn't it?

Okay, okay so plenty of head shaking from the experts and the knowledgeable, but I just discovered Chuck Rainey. I'm learning Rock Steady by Aretha for an audition and have steadily fallen in love with the extraordinarily splendid bass line. So I do a little research and discover that I probably haven't just discovered him as he has played on so much. I have actually been listening to him for quite some time, notably with King Curtis. I just didn't know who he was. The riff to the song is a joyous thing, rhythmically perfect, and perfectly repetitive with some little unexpected flashes. He then breaks into a few bars of pure inspiration before settling back onto the groove. Yum. It's beautiful. A little more research and I find he played with Steely Dan who were of course one of Bruce Thomas favourite bands and Bruce has always been my biggest influence. So there we go. Anyone familiar with Chuck's work who'd care to point me at other of his gems would render me eternally grateful.

Now this is the kind of info I like!

I'm auditioning for a few bands at the moment so can't be certain what if anything I'll be doing but I'd love to come along. Don't think I own anything anyone would be particularly excited to see or play but I could demo my homemade shoulder saver system which might prolong a few careers.

You're a splendid person, such open handed sharing of so much hard work. Thank you.

Ok then folks, let's have it. Favourite flat brand, size etc and why.

Thanks guys, interesting stuff. Despite the levity in the way I posed my question the difference between the flats and the round has raised serious considerations for me. As I've only recently returned to playing I have some pretty tatty old strings on a couple of instruments and am going to need to replace them. Sadly I don't know what make the flats I am using were as it was some time back I bought them. They definitely play differently after a couple of weeks of playing. No question. They were almost sticky when I started but are now as smooth and sleek as a Meerkat's smooth and sleek parts.