BassTractor

[quote name='Punkpappa' timestamp='1398954452' post='2439383'] [font=times new roman,times,serif][b]Larry Graham Louis Johnson Bootsy Collins James Jamerson[/b][/font] [/quote] ...and here's me thinking he was simply called James Lee! A belated welcome then, Paul. Enjoy more of it! Bert

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1398934708' post='2439096'] Is it anything like the "Gizmo" that 10cc pioneered before Godley & Creme left? [/quote] Yeah, it is in that you have one key (button?) per string. The Gizmo had tiny wheels that functioned like the bow of a violin, whilst this one here seems to have hammers only - although maybe it can come with picking devices as well, Idunno.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1398930067' post='2439044'] Guys, the previous thread was closed due to it veering incredibly close to bullying towards Brent. [/quote] I have no real problem with the thread being closed, even though, as Beedster said, it cut off Brent or Jon from getting back with a better effort. However, I think the thread was closed not because it was veering into a direction, in which case a mod could simply say that the thread is closed due to veering or possible future posts, but because of a perception that the written comments were already bullying. (As said previously, I don't think that that was the case.) [quote name='charic' timestamp='1398930067' post='2439044'] While we like "organic moderation" we sometimes have to make a gut call as moderators. We understand that you might not agree with the decision being made but please remember that the decision is always made with the best of intentions. [/quote] [b]Appreciated and supported![/b] That said, also Jon Letts has the best of intentions, as have Shockwave, CamdenRob and Dudi (the ones who had ordered), [b]as well as[/b] the people commenting in that closed thread. Personally, I try to understand where mods are coming from (I don't always succeed though) and try to be loyal to what decisions the BC team comes up with. It's not my forum, and not my rules. It would surprise me if not most people on here have that same respect - - of course given that we all have our reference frames and our crosses to bear. [quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1398935207' post='2439106'] If just one person posts a negative response, it is all to easy to dismiss that person as a whinger. But if 5 people - including neutral observers with no personal stake in the issue - tell you that you are out of order and that this is exactly how not to talk to your customers, then maybe you are going to listen up and take note - and maybe rescue your business into the bargain. [/quote] A nail. A head. BANG! Edit: Written "before" Charic's last post.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1398896834' post='2438919'] Which is exactly why I closed it down. What possible good can come out of a bunch of people, most of whom aren't even waiting on a bass to keep stating the bleeding obvious? It's already a matter of record that some people have had problems and are unhappy, it's a matter of record that one of Jon's employees made a mistake. It's just coming across as petty now. [/quote] When a "bunch of people" who "keep stating the bleeding obvious" are "coming across as petty now" in your mind, then you're following one notion amongst many possible notions. Whilst that notion certainly might be correct, I for one hold another notion, which is that caring, intelligent people tried to create an effect as quickly and effectively as possible for the sole purpose of helping Jon Letts to make wise decisions, extremely quickly. I see NO negative intent towards Lettsbasses at all, and certainly no pettiness. All I see is people who care enough to use their time to try and steer this in a positive direction (yes: positive!) It's only sad that Jon would choose to first follow the thread intensively before disappearing altogether.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398856254' post='2438270'] Is that what it's all about? [/quote] Aye, in my case, right now, it is. We don't condone it though!

One can also go the other way, and have a double band totally based on the fact that not everybody can be there always - just doubling up every role, I mean, but only one of each has to be at a gig. I was in one such a setup during the 80s, and during rehearsals, any number between 4 and 8 could turn up. The rule of course was: at least one of each. This was with classical musicians who tended to lead an irregular life with lots of small jobs in lots of places. IOW you could never totally depend on them, as they had to survive. So this double band seemed like an OK solution. There are implications of course, but the band as a unit can guarantee customers that a complete band will be there and will play at a certain level. Don't remember how it went in our case though. They probably threw me out for being present too often.

[quote name='Diablo' timestamp='1398855727' post='2438258'] the 1-in-another-1-in approach [/quote] Sounds brilliant! Teach me! [color=#ffffff].[/color] [color=#ffffff].[/color] [color=#ffffff].[/color] Oh, wait. I need to learn 1-out-another-1-out.

Ah! What I say: a good person. (No, don't know him, and have never had any contact with him. Stuff just breathes.) Best wishes, Jon!

What has been said in this and similar threads seems to indicate that a bass builder and good person is in deep trouble right now, and sees his world falling apart. In case this is correct, no factual legal or felt moral rights the customers have are gonna change that, and I think the only thing that will help is if Jon is allowed to slowly crawl out of his deep hole, whether that be "just" or "unjust".

Thanks, folks! I now have a much clearer picture. So it's "all of the above" then.

[quote name='Audiokostas' timestamp='1398770156' post='2437354'] I do believe that the 112EXT is an excellent piece of gear at a reasonable price [/quote] From what Marc told me, it's the most detailed 112 they make, so if one doesn't need the volume of the others, then the EXT is the one. [quote name='Audiokostas' timestamp='1398770156' post='2437354'] Marc (Vanderkley) is a wonderful guy to deal with. [/quote] I believe so too.

How about thick, foamy double-sided tape and some velcro to attach a standard ashtray? As well as adding to the height, it will also help in fast string shifts.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398799195' post='2437756'] Uh-oh. I think I must be the only one on the entire forum who doesn't like Snarky Puppy. [/quote] Until this vid, I thought I was the only one. Now, you are.

Even as a complete noob and tosser, I can recognise the power that is in the Bongo, and I think that that should tell something. You don't need advanced, experienced bass ears for it. I remember noticing two drawbacks to its design, one of which I can't remember right now (I see some bog seat remarks coming in), and the other being that it does not sit nicely on your lap. I've decided to live with that. [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1398773148' post='2437414'] For my taste, the problem with some of the ones in flamboyant colours is that for me, the novelty wears off pretty quickly. [/quote] Good point, and one that one might easily overlook in phases of GAS. For me personally, them colours on them designs scream happy to me, and I like that sooo much more than a sunburst P. [quote name='ern500evo' timestamp='1398763936' post='2437264'] I also like that Dargie's Delight green they do. [/quote] Just some pedantry so no-one gets confused: Dargie Delight green they [b]did[/b]. See, both Dargie Delights were lim.ed. runs that dealers had to pre-order, in 2006 and 2009 respectively.

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1398756008' post='2437170'] i like this vid of snarky with the look on shaun martin's face in the keys solo [/quote] STOP THAT VID IMMEDIATELY!!! I CAN'T BREATHE!!! Thanks for posting, fellow catman! I thought Snarky Puppy kept me lukewarm. Then this...

Seriously. I've always wondered. Never played one, never even heard one. I did once ask somebody, but got a half answer. What I do understand is what AMM Music did in the sixties, and what guys like Evan Parker would do, as in quite experimental new music where you start with nothing and then someone emits some sounds and others respond in hopefully musical ways. But a jam session at the local Dog and Duck is an unknown to me, and I expect some rules must be established beforehand? Like a chord scheme and a style? How about duration? And how many people would really impovise and how many (if any) would provide a solid backdrop to play against? Would one strive to make a rounded off song, or would it be more like endless noodling over repeating patterns? I hope you get the drift of my questions. Thanks beforehand for any enlightenment of my brain cell.

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1398698237' post='2436686'] I have small children (including one born yesterday); I would kill for regular jam sessions [/quote] Congratulado Mucho! Hope everything goes well for you. And I know what you mean. My small children too were quite irregular with the jam. Getting my coat, and will ask what a jam is in another thread. As a tender classical boy, I've long wondered.

Haven't seen it on BC yet, so here goes: [url="http://www.korg.com/us/news/2014/0217/"]http://www.korg.com/us/news/2014/0217/[/url] I'm sooo getting that. Long ago, I almost got my parents to buy one, but I stumbled on some electrical wires on the shop floor, and, landing on the Odyssey, got bleedingly hurt on its sharp edges. After that, no sensible words towards my parents of it being OK, and I could love getting hurt everyday for that matter, were of any use. My mom was not having that devil's child murder machine in da house!

Welcome, Ricky! Dunno about how many use self-teaching. Certainly not everyone, as there are many threads about teacher searches and about experiences with teachers. As to hints, there's already tons of threads in the Gear section, so my advice would be to find all the "beginner bass" and "budget bass" threads there, and ask more specific questions after having read some of them. Search keywords would be Squier Classic Vibe Jazz, Squier Classic Vibe Jazz, and Squier Classic Vibe Jazz. However, if your budget is very tight, you could do a search for "second hand Squier Classic Vibe Jazz". Other than that, I don't think there's a need to limit yourself to Jazz basses. Oft mentioned good budget basses are Vintage, Cort, Yamaha, Ibanez and probably some others I can't remember right now. Enjoy! Bert

I think you're on to something. Composers like Burt Bacharach are very good at what they do. One might not like the style and one might puke at the conformistic, non-provocative elements of the easy listening genre, but some musicians have put quite some quality into the genre. Personally, I still prefer the raw imperfections of a Thin Lizzy track, but that's just my preference. Then again, I own zero Thin Lizzy tracks, but do own some Easy Listening, Maybe I've been deaf always, and not merely only recently! BTW, for a great modern take on easy listening, Swedish pop band Komeda made a fantastic album called "What Makes It Go?" in the mid nineties. Not music for the Millions, that - - more like Music for the Few. Here's a track: http://youtu.be/zI6GW4RSzrU

Welcome, Nige! Bert56

Sorry if it's already been mentioned, but a regular job doesn't have to be a full job. Taking me as an example: for two years, I studied almost full time (as in roughly eight hours a day) alongside alternating between 40% and 60% of a full job for one year, and a bit more irregular working the other year. The question probably is if you can survive off little income, and my guess is that that depends as much on where you live as on other things.

Whilst it would be easy for me to sit in my sofa and believe that I'm one tough bastard who would've done the same as you did, I must in fact be honest and realistic, and presume that in real life, I'd probably haggle the train fare down to £89.

Me! Whilst it took almost an hour before the Wikipedia page I wrote about myself was deleted, my bands' pages vanished within minutes!

FWIW, my brother-in-law adores Him, probably praying before His statue every morning and every evening - - bareknee-edly so.