kevin_lindsay

I popped through to Edinburgh yesterday to see Chris McIntyre. We ended up just chatting, then grabbed a bite to eat. End results that we got nothing done on my bass! I've left the bits and pieces with him, and I'll now collect the finished instrument in the first week of April.

As for "What Is Hip?", you can see from watching Allesandra, the girl in the clip above playing it, that you have to push the accent when going through the bassline. It's not just a case of playing a straight 16th notes. You have to push and pull the feel of the line to produce the accents when underlining the horn stabs for example,. You also have to "pulse" the 16th notes to get a groove going, rather than simply plodding along. Pino Palladino is a HUGE fan of Francis "Rocco" Prestia from Tower Of Power. So much so in fact, that he had Rocco sign his famous Musicman Stingray. The only person to do so. (The pic below is one Pino's wife took of the bass just a few months ago). And..... Pino's son is named after Rocco as well!!!!

Yup! I was actually through in Edinburgh today with Chris. Lots of great instruments taking shape there.

I alternate between these two basses most of the time. The fretless however, just feels like "home" when I'm playing it - there's something special about playing unlined fretless.

You got it mate!

I found this in a cupboard at home. No idea where I got it from. Anyone want it as a freebie? Free postage in the UK too. Just drop me a message.

I'e been a customer of The Gallery from when they first opened. I've had 8 custom made Sei Basses built for me by Martin and the team since then, plus loads of bass equipment. They've always gone out of their way to get what I'm looking for. Great guys Anytime in in London, I always try to pop in to say "hello" (with a pack of Jaffa Cakes!). Congratulations on the quarter of a century milestone guys! Kevin.

I'e got a few days free next week, so I'll be able to complete the build then. Pics will be posted soon!! Yippee.

Available now for pre-rder via Amazon for £20 !!! (Amazon USA are quoting $49, so this UK listing is a steal!!) Check this out at Amazon.co.uk Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062747835/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_NHALAbCB5FHA4

Paul Turner was the house bassist a few seasons ago too. There's always a great selection of players involved in the setup.

Tony Levin's gorgeous double stopped bassline on Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up". http://youtu.be/pIsf8EEeTFc

Darth Vader bass!!! Looks cool matey!

Next step will be cutting the headstock shape.

The 5 stringer is an AV Bass made for my friend Paul Turner. I've nabbed it from him for my low string duties. Here' Paul using the AV Bass during an interview he did for iBass Magazine: https://youtu.be/xXhhkwG6NTs

I had ordered a set of LaBella 1954 "Jamerson" strings in the "through body" length. I'll decide whether to use those, or string the bass with DR Hi-Beams, once the instrument is complete. If I don't use the LaBella strings on this bass, I'll put them on my Shell Pink P-Bass.

I'e now received l the hardware I need - just need to finish shaping and sanding the neck (cutting headstock and getting the tuner holes ready, and "rolling" the fingerboard edges for a played-in feel), then spray the nitrocellulose lacquer. It'l take a few weeks to properly settle, and then I can final sand and buff it.

Neck work is now underway- yippee!!!

It's gonna look good!

Looking good!!!

The final parts have been ordered: Neck (which will require fettling by myself. String retainer, nut blank, bridge plate, period correct wax / paper capacitor. I'v also bought a set of "through body" LaBella 1954 Jamerson strings for some old school "thump". The tuning heads arrived today - I bought a set of Gotoh "Resolite" ones to minimise headstock dive. One thing I really like about them compared to the usual vintage style tuners (aside from the 40% weight saving aspect) is the way that the underside of the facing plate is made to sit flush with the headstock with no alteration to the headstock. The usual Fender style heads have protruding retainer lugs on the underside. This means you have to create divots on the headstock to accommodate these bumps. The Gotoh units are a straightforward fit - ideal!

They're expensive- $49.50 USA including delivery. However, Evan declares a tiny value on the delivery envelope, so you don't get any import duty or VAT at this side of the Atlantic.

There' no need to cut slots in the saddles. String pressure from the break angle keeps the str ings in place - they won't move anywhere once the bass is tuned to pitch.

Here' how the Webbteca slanted saddles look - ideal!