peteb

[quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1331553223' post='1574527'] Sorry but this is not true. You can play an offbeat note, playing a single bass note on the snare leaving the bass drum beat free of any bass guitar note in the same way a reggae rhythm guitar part is played. This creates a driving offbeat feel especially if the drummer plays 4s on the hi-hat. [/quote] OK...... I am happy to stand corrected on this point but would like to hear some recorded examples of how this works first! Certainly an unusual way of way of doing things and dunno if it would work but I would certainly like to hear what it sounds like!

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1331512240' post='1574110'] It might be worth noting that there will be little to none actual benefit of fitting a BA bridge ... unless of course you are addressing a known issue of spacing or alignment for example. Therefore a basic no-name alternative (equally high mass bridges are available for £10-15) will afford you a better budget for the more essential items - neck, pups, strings etc. [/quote] Won't cost me a penny - I have an old Badass bridge in my spares box!!

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1331506955' post='1574054'] It's entirely possible to put together a playable bitsa for well under a hundred quid. The components will be a bit iffy but it can be done. Thereafter, you can progress up the scale until you realise you've become your own 'custom shop'. If you don't want to get into refinishing, you need no more than a soldering iron, a couple of screwdrivers, a drill and a suitable allen key. You won't make your money back compared to buying the CIJ, but it's more fun. [/quote] I have put a low offer in for the CIJ - if I get it (a bit unlikely but you never know) I will upgrade it with a Badass bridge and some black schaller hardware I have hanging around and buy an EMG & a tort scratchplate, which should leave me with change from £350 for a giggable bass! Assuming I don't get it then I'll start searching thru ebay for a decent body and maybe a Warmouth neck (no rush) - it's got to be giggable, so I'm afraid £100 ain't really gonna cut it but I'm certainly not going to put a fortune into it Of course, there is always the problem that I might be creating a rod for my own back - turn up for a gig with a Fender P and certain band leaders are then not going to want to hear anything else, no matter how good my other basses are, such is the power and appeal of the image of the P bass ...!!

Dunno if it’s nostalgia or just getting old but I find myself thinking about getting a Fender ‘P’ bass again, years after selling the last of the ones that I used to own and swearing blind that I would never buy another one! This could partly be because the leader of the last band I was in seemed to continually want me to get my really nice ‘super jazz’ bass to sound like a precision or because they just look so cool but I have been thinking about putting a lowball offer on a CIJ precision on eBay or putting together a bitsa ‘P’ bass To my way if thinking, it has to look like an old Fender; i.e. sunburst or natural wood, with a tort scratchplate and preferably looking a bit knocked about ! Of course, I would put a badass bridge (or similar) and an EMG on it, just like I always used to do whenever I’ve had a Fender P bass in the past….. Has anyone got any ideas about how to put together a ‘bitsa’ P bass and how much it would cost? Unfortunately I’ve spent a small fortune on gear in the last couple of years, so I would want to put together a bass that looks, plays and sounds like Fender (preferably better), but not cost a fortune Any advice / ideas??

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331495766' post='1573810'] I have had one bass lesson in my life, it was with Jake Newman. I only needed that single lesson. Jake made one remark that stunned me, completely floored me, and that one remark was the essence of what it meant for me to realise my musicianship. And that the most important thing you can do, before all else, is to open your ears, absorb EVERYTHING you can, and turn it into music that reflects YOU. Develop your aesthetic in other words, develop your inner VOICE, then learn how to externalise your voice in such a way that they become one and the same. The object lesson of this is to then develop the musical and technical skills you need to reflect your inner voice with as much accuracy as possible. This is what I wrote on Jake's Bass Tutors thread later .. [i]"Never having had a bass lesson ever, I had my first lesson with Jake Newman (Jakesbass on 'ere) a few hours ago. All I can say is my mind has been opened like a bloody flower! I'm no newbie to this bass biznis but blimey, has Jake taken me apart. I feel like a musician all of a sudden but with so much personal expression to learn. We talked a lot of the time and this was a massively important part of the session.[/i] [i]My most enormous f***ing lesson for tonight was: [b]Sing what you hear in your head, then play it on the bass. Jake was singing me what he heard in his head, then playing it on the bass milliseconds later. I, being the competitive sort, had a bash at the same thing, Jake told me I was singing what I was playing, not playing what I was singing. He was absolutely right. I really thought I was playing what I was singing, but I truly wasn't and I instinctively knew that. A very humbling and exciting experience.[/b] It taught me a lot about myself and a helluva lot about why I didn't feel I was expressing myself musically. I am restricted by my technique, my repetitive patterns and my lack of/mis understanding of basic theory. I have some homework and I am raring to go! I can't believe how beneficial one lesson from a real musician (one making a living at it, one who has played with such notable musicians, and who is so accomplished at personal expression through a piece of wood with strings on it.) could be."[/i] I never followed the exercises Jake gave me other than a few cursory attempts. The lesson made me realise that I have a quite well developed musical aesthetic and that what I need to do is learn how to play the music in my head. It feeds off itself and I really do feel I am developing a style and approach unique to me. If I can't play what I hear in my head, then I damn well learn how to very quickly, because then I can express myself. I can't play Jazz, or Country, or Rock n Roll, or Funk, or Afrobeat, or Reggae, or ... What I can do, most of the time, is play ME. And thankfully, the bands I'm in appreciate and like what I do because, I believe, I have an aesthetic that includes the practical and emotional needs of myself, the other musicians, and the SONG. Sorry for the self-aggrandizing rambling post. [/quote] With respect, a lot of what you are saying is a bit 'Zen and the Art of Bass Playing' - what Jake said to you is great advice to someone who has been playing for years and with hundreds of gigs under their belt! The OP, who I assume is more of a novice, really needs to learn the bassics of how to play with a drummer to get some confidence knowing that they can really cut it in a band! I can't possibly disagree with "[i]Sing what you hear in your head, then play it on the bass",[/i] but first of all you need to know how to play a groove!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1331490364' post='1573674'] If a drummer can't drive the band..and I am not talking about ethereal pieces, then you'll have your train wreck again. Of course, everyone else can have a piece of that action, but the drummer cannot opt out if that is what the songs needs. [/quote] this

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331489853' post='1573661'] Why? What are you trying to convince us of? In one post you say the bass should cover every kick beat, then you say there are no hard rules and that that is only the basics? I'm confused as to your message. [/quote] [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1331489999' post='1573665'] If they can't hold time, then you have a train wreck. There just is no excuse for it. and you can't have a groove with time all over the place. [/quote] There are no hard and fast rules but the basics are that you play to the drummer I've played with a fair few different drummers in pick up house bands at jam sessions at blues festivals, etc in the past couple of years - the ones with good time and a solid backbeat are easy to play with, the ones with good chops but all over the place are a bleedin' nightmare!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331489566' post='1573651'] Again, this is nonsense. Drums can be a fluidly played set of instruments used for a variety of musical purposes beyond keeping rhythm and tempo. [/quote] I give up....!!

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1331488195' post='1573600'] I agree with Nige....I completely disagree with this. The bass does not have to cover evey bass drum beat,although it has it's place ...it can just as easily play off the hi hat or any other part of the kit-in fact it can comfortably play off any instrument in the band. Likewise,it isn't just the drummer who is responsible for dictating the pace.....it is everyone's responsibility. Sometimes it's certain members more than others,but the drums should be able to drop out and things should still be grooving. [/quote] There are no hard and fast rules but the basics are to lock onto the bass drum when the drummer is playing a backbeat - the bass player may well play to the hi hat playing jazz, etc However, every good band that I can think of tends to be driven by the drummer [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1331488705' post='1573622'] If the drummer can't set the pulse or tempo then he has no use whatsover. [/quote] Exactly!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331487506' post='1573587'] I absolutely and fundamentally DISAGREE with what you said. That is such an unmusical attitude that I can barely bring myself to want to attempt to understand why you would adopt such an approach. :S [/quote] [color=#222222]Because that is what works! Just listen to Led Zep, Rush, RHCP or any decent funk band - all different music but they all follow that basic principle[/color] [color=#222222][/color] [color=#222222]I am not disagreeing that the rhythm section should leave space to allow the music to breathe, but the basics are that the drummer drives the band and the bass player locks in with the drummer to create the groove…..[/color]

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1331478709' post='1573371'] Because lots of (particularly) rock players say in interviews that the bass should be 'married' to the bass drum....I'm looking at you Billy Sheehan Consequently,a lot of people think that if the bass drum is playing a dotted quaver- quaver-minim pattern then the bass has to play the same....it doesn't. [/quote] Some really bad advice here from a few people who really should know better! The basics are that you play to the drummer; therefore all good bands tend to have someone behind the kit who has good time & feel - generally the drummer should dictate the pace of a song and assuming that he is playing a backbeat (i.e. rock, funk, etc.) then the bass player should lock onto the bass drum i.e. every bass drum beat should be covered by a note played by the bass King Billy is, as ever, quite right! But then again, it’s pretty basic stuff…..

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1331390181' post='1572247'] Silly question, but have pics been emailed to all the Crack Coverters, etc in the area? [/quote] Not a silly question at all, but [color=#000000]apparently [/color]the first thing that he did

A hell of a lot of being a musician (or performer of any kind) is about confidence When I was in my 20s, I played with a lot of good musicians where I thought that I was never quite as good as them, which vertainly held me back. After a while I kinda realised that I was always in demand with these guys so I couldn't be that bad! This changed my perception of my own playing (as well as other peoples peceptions of me), which undoubtedly gave me more confidence and made me a better player!

Thanks chaps - please speread the word The amp is [color="#000000"]apparently [/color]the only Germino in the UK (any model)! Hopefully that will make it easy to spot if it comes up for sale anywhere......

Just to note that there will be a sizeable award offered for safe recovery of the gear!

[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' timestamp='1331383510' post='1572128'] Went to school in Ovenden. It I hadn't had my skull padlocked, chained and superglued they'd have stolen my brains. Severe shortage in some parts round there, yet in other parts you have the nicest most intelligent human beings you'd ever want to meet. I'll ask friends and family still there to keep an eye out. Hoping for a speedy recovery of intact gear. [/quote] Thanks for that Snicks - almost certainly some local scroat who won't know what he's nicked, so it might come to light if local people hear anything and pass on information Where he lives isn't too bad, but that just lulls you into a false sense of security cos there are some not very nice parts just around the corner

I know! He had just come back from a studio and was presumably knackered. We've come back from gigs at 4 o'clock in the morning before now and he would always unload the car before he went to bed. Especially that amp, which he loved Just goes to show, the first time you leave something in a car could be the first time some scroat is out on the rob.....

My good mate and erstwhile band leader, Paddy Maguire has had the following gear stolen last night from his car in Ovenden, Halifax in West Yorkshire:[list] [*]A black Fender Strat guitar – 1984 black strat with cigarette burns on the head stock, a 'paddycaster' name plate on the scratch plate and a Philip Sayce ‘Peace Machine’ sticker behind the bridge [*]Germino amp head – a LD55 Lead and has the serial number rockgrinder 1 (boutique copy of an old Marshall Plexi) [*]A large pedal board – including an Oxfuzz 2, a Jim Dunlop custom wah wah, Dunlop rota vibe, Hep Cat, Line 6 DL4, all in a powered flight case [/list] He is going to be devastated about this, especially the Germino amp, which is unique and used to belong to one of his heroes (Philip Sayce) and has appeared at on many albums and the Grammy Awards show on american TV, etc All of this stuff is pretty unique and any help in recovering it will be GREATLY appreciated! Please keep your eyes peeled………..

[quote name='TheDaivisch' timestamp='1331318059' post='1571406'] Ah yeah. I retract that comment. It looks the b0110cks! Cheers, dude. I think I'll have to get one I'll see what that plus the Nordys do to my sound. [/quote] Cool - look forward to the new video....!

Looks pretty good to my eyes when it has been fitted Mayones actually do fit it as an upgrade on their 'custom' models - see here for spec / photos: [url="http://www.mayones.com/en/katalog/jabba/jabba_custom"]http://www.mayones.com/en/katalog/jabba/jabba_custom[/url]

[quote name='TheDaivisch' timestamp='1331314781' post='1571338'] Cool, thanks. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_3d4_c.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...aller_3d4_c.htm[/url] This one? [/quote] No, not that model thru I have had that one fitted to a bass (many years ago)! This is the one that I've had fitted to my Mayones: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_bass_bridge_2000_4s_chrome.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_bass_bridge_2000_4s_chrome.htm[/url] Jon Shuker reckons that it is the best bridge on the market,,,,,,

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1331244712' post='1570361'] On sunday we went to leeds, which is where we'll be moving sept. I now understand the phrase "ooh it's grim up north" [/quote] Christ, if you think that it's grim in Leeds you had better not visit Bradford....!!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1331232833' post='1570059'] I guess the "wild west" days of Rock have gone (sigh)! [/quote] I miss 'em......

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1331227767' post='1569915'] As long ad it doesn't affect your performance it's cool with me. I know I can't play pissed but I like to have a few beforehand if im not driving home later. I just make sure it's not a few TOO many! [/quote] Same here - also seeems to apply to every pro band that I know....

[quote name='TheDaivisch' timestamp='1331060009' post='1567072'] So how did the bridge affect tone? One thing I think perhaps the Mayones Is lacking is a little sustain, so would be good if it fixes that. I'll let you know when I do the tone comparison with the pickups. [/quote] Exactly, massive improvement in sustain and a slightly more 'solid' tone with the Schaller (actually, I didn't think that the Mayones was that bad for sustain before, but you really can tell the difference) Actually, I'm getting a Schaller getting fitted to my Fender Jazz right now as the sustain is really poor in comparison to the Mayones now!