thumperbob 2002

Rang Mark at Bassdirect yesterday- was thinking about ordering an East Pre-Amp for my Fender MIA Jazz 5 Deluxe. The bass sounds great as it is but I would like it to sound fabulous- I am never satisfied I know! He advised me to purchase a set of Nordstrands - the split coil ones - as he said the standard Fender items could be improved upon and this will give more tone than a new pre-amp- The fender is Active anyway. They were delivered and fitted today. I am frankly amazed at the difference- more clarity, midrange, bass- fantastic tone when the bass is EQ`d flat. They were expensive at £210 but really worth it. Can`t see my self buying the East pre-amp now unless someone on here has some further advice!! Cheers Bob

I think most of the time 4 stings are all you need- but try playing in a big Soul band where most songs are in Eb - you need those extra 5 notes- saying that I only use the low B once on Try a little Tenderness. It just gives you a bit more scope- dont like fiddling with drop tuners Bob

[quote name='ped' post='711745' date='Jan 13 2010, 06:55 PM']I always have a touch of reverb - it really 'lifts' the sound out of the mix a bit I find. Only really subtle, and only above 3K Here is a sample which shows how subtle it is! [url="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/85432/USB%203/Canti%27s%20Wrap.mp3"]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/85432/USB%203/Canti%27s%20Wrap.mp3[/url] or even [url="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/85432/USB%203/Sticky%20Situation.mp3"]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/85432/USB%203/Stic...20Situation.mp3[/url] Cheers ped[/quote] Great Sound Ped!! I use a tiny bit of reverb to fill things out a bit- so little that no one would know its there anyway- but when I turn it off I can tell. Cheers Bob

Recently got a Jazz 5 American Deluxe from another basschatter- Initially I thought ( after my Warwick Thumb was almost damaged on a gig ) that a "gig" bass was the way to go. If anything happened to it- the odd ding or drop- I wouldnt really be bothered. However after setting it up properly I absolutely love it. Plays great- much better ( easier ) than my Warwick, is light enough for long sessions, looks fabulous- sunburst, sparkly white scratchguard, rosewood fretboard. Sounds fantastic through both my markbass and marshall amps. It doesnt have the tonal range of my Warwick but fits really well in a band mix. I play in a 7 piece soul band and it really looks the part, much better than my Warwick I think- more classic bass. Cheers Bob

Looks like I have a busy year ahead- my band soul patrol www.soulpatrol.org.uk has already two monthly residencies and it looks as though we have another two, one once a month, one 3 weeks a month!! As well as the many functions we have already booked! Initially I only wanted to play twice per month! I am trying to get the band to include more funky songs- shake everything you`ve got- Maceo- Brick House- One nation under a groove etc as I get bored easily. Quite getting into my new bass, Fender American Deluxe Jazz 5 string- I think I prefer it to my Warwick. Bob

Had a Zoom 70811 for a couple of years and never really used it at gigs ( and almost never used it anyway- but it was cheap ) Just recently got it out to use as a tuner for gigs and really got to get into it- re-programming the unit which is simple once you get used to it. The patches are just too much so I have really calmed them down- I use Mirror which is a Marcus sort of sound and Funk which is a bit fatter- the Wah effects are pretty good. Overall, after I have changed these patches there is not a great deal of difference in the tone but a little goes a long way. Cheers Bob

[quote name='ezbass' post='703978' date='Jan 7 2010, 11:52 AM']Ha Visconti is known for that, Trevor Boulder's (very under rated player) early move to the chorus in Jean Genie where you can hear Bowie say "get back on E" is another example. That b5 on Decadent Days is pretty nasty though Steve, but who is one to argue with Tony Visconti? Yes, a million times yes and don't be sorry. Me and a bass playing buddy are both of the opinion that he played what George Martin told him too, which is why his post Beatles line are totally different (see lame). Of course opinions vary with regard to Macca, especially in the US where he is revered and any mention of a bad word against him gets you branded as a troll. [b]What abou tthe bass line on Silly Love Songs- I wonder how many on this forum could come up with that? Crap Song though [/b] So.... Under rated Trevor Boulder Over rated Sir Paul Smug Bugger. To the OP John Taylor....................................................(wait for it)...................................................is a mighty fine player, end of.[/quote]

Hi All Just bought a Fender Jazz Deluxe 5 String from SpectorNick- really good guy. The bass hadnt been used for a while- strings dead and the action was really high. I set it up with Warwick black labels- lowered the action and raised the pickups- I am amazed at how well it sounds and plays. Even the B string is OK- My new workhorse - certainly fits better in my soul band than my Warwick Thumb!! Feels like a different bass guitar!! Cheers Bob

Yeah- I try to keep my bass in good nick- not too anal but clean it regularly- Once a month? It is in perfect nick- I bought it new 2 years ago and used a Marcus Miller for most of that time but a Warwick Thumb NT should be used really so I have gigged it every week for 6 months. On Saturday I caught my foot on its lead after I had put it on the stand and what happened- over it came- crash!!. Luckily the stage was carpeted and the stand caught most of the impact- result no damage- not even a nick or a scratch- amazing. I am now looking for a jazz bass for our more "rougher" gigs. Bob

[quote name='silddx' post='678427' date='Dec 8 2009, 08:32 PM']That's [b]45[/b] dear boy [/quote] Ha- you would not believe what I do for a living!! Must be late in the day when I posted- I mean, I was born in `62 Bob

Only had one Precision before and that was a 70s Fretless ( in the 80s I owned it ) never really fancied one again- but I do now!! Fantastic Bass= looks much too good to be 35 yrs old- mojo!! Bob

Yeah- I`ve still got my VBA400- sold the 4x12 cab and bought a schroeder rig- a bit more hi fi but a lot lighter!! Fantastic Amp- really fat old school sounding-press the high button and it becomes a bit more modern sounding but I use it totally flat- with contour on 3. Bob

I dont think you you should join or be in a band with people you dont like- It`ll end in tears. But if your living depended upon it thats different. But what if you liked everyone in the band and then started gigging all the time- say 28 nights per month ( happened to me )- just the way someone eats a Mars Bar will get you so wound up over a period that you`ll want to get Mediaeval on their Ass!! Doesnt make for good friends ( anymore ) Bob

[quote name='kennyrodg' post='670724' date='Dec 1 2009, 08:22 AM']I can't quite get my head around the fact that some people on here,a Bass forum,think James Jamerson is overrated. Even if you dislike Motown,with the number of hits the label had you'd have to say that he is the most underrated Bass player that ever walked the planet.[/quote] Strange thread this- like what is overated?- seems to me this thread is about technique not musical ability. Theres a quote on here that says Jamerson would be a better bass player if he played with two fingers- no doubt some bright spark will say he would be better if he slapped or double thumbed. Both suggestions however will miss the point its not how you play but WHAT you play. There will never be another as successful as Jamerson and his music will be listened to in 100 years- same as the beatles and mozart. Can you say the same about Level 42 ( I still think Mark King is a terrific bass player though) - but its just chops. Bob

[quote name='ahpook' post='668023' date='Nov 28 2009, 09:33 AM']the first band i ever saw were a funk band called zoot and the roots...at the astoria in leeds i think - about 1986 ?[/quote] I did a couple of tours with Zoots about that time- in a band called the Mighty Strike My first Gig was Elvis Costello and the attractions / Richard Hell and the Voidoids and John Cooper Clarke in Manchester- `77-`78? Great Gig Bob

Yeah I was 15 and played a school opening day with some pals- a couple of which are still my best friends- in a 4 piece doing 60s songs and songs of the late 70s ( modern ones at that time )- a couple of them went to front / play with the housemartins / beautiful south and other bands. I however had a chequered career doing all sorts- but usually played in bands 4 nights per week. Went on to become pro for a few years and then saw sense starting my own business which is going OK. Still play 4 nights per month though. Amazing - I`ve been playing for more than 30 years- when you think about it its quite scary!! Bob

[quote name='Eight' post='665442' date='Nov 25 2009, 06:42 PM']Hahaha, I started thinking about Jamerson and hit the same problem - too many great lines.[/quote] I think too many people worship technical gods like Jaco, Wooten, Miller and forget its all about the music!! Jamersons bass lines are world famous- who cant forget you cant hurry love, get ready- and on and on and on. The average man off the street can, not just bass players. If you listen closely to most of them tunes they are genius!! Bob

Forgot Bootsy- Sex Machine

James Jamerson- for once in my life-Stevie -heard it through the grapevine ( Gladys Knight version ) + 1000s more!! David Dyson- quickwitted Victor Wooten- u cant hold no groove Jaco- Barbary Coast Larry Graham- thankyou for letting me be myself again Bob

Roadrunner- Junior Walker- sounds simple enough but Jameson does some surprising things on this tune- as always!! Great Song- hope our sax player gets it. Bob

We Do Soul Christmas- graham parker and the rumour and Back Door Santa- old soul one- four chords each Bob

[quote name='crez5150' post='659345' date='Nov 19 2009, 03:49 PM']yeah I always use Keef O'Toole - Comedy Genius[/quote] Our old chinese percussionist used to use Fook Yu