BigBeefChief

Personally, the issue for me stems from being taught "lessons" by people I have no desire to emulate, in an overly academic fashion. To some this is interesting - great. To others like me, its not. You may tell me that Janek played a stormer at the 2003 Luton Solo Bass Festival, but this really isn't my scene. I'd rather sound like Lemmy. As for style analysis, I learnt more from the full transcriptions in the Punk Issue than Dave Marks' articles. These isn't a dig at him, far from it. My view is that styles develop naturally through playing the bass lines of your idols, not through learning in a classroom. Again, personal preference. As for the reviews, I'm at work now so difficult to dig out some examples. But it often seems that the body of the text (which is often formulaic and lacks originality) is incongruous with the rating: ie "a very good bass for the money, well worth check out = ***" and "dissapointing, problems with finish and there are better out there = ***". Don't get me wrong, I still buy the magazine. This is just my personal opinion.

Thought so.

Its why I'm never a fan of these supposedly "famous" bass virtuosos. Without opening the "role of bass guitar" can of worms, I have no interest in the overly technical, usually solo, non musical crap that most of them churn out. Fair enough if others are impressed and find it satisfying, its just really not my thing. The best thing about the magazine is the interviews with bassists that have actually made it in a band scenario. People who have developed their own style and helped shape the sound of great bands. People like Duff McKagan and Glen Matlock. I doubt they could complete Janek Gwidzala's techinacl excercises, but I know who I'd rather sound like (and who's bank ballance I'd rather have). Or maybe thats just me making excuses for my technical inability??!

Silly Love Songs - Wings I just always f*ck it up. Just can't get the feel of it. Can't even hum it.

I'd take anything written in that magazine with a huge pinch of salt. Its mostly a load of nonsense. Its either musos showing off with excersises with no musical relevance or reviews that are to scared to give any product less than 3 stars for fear of upsetting the distributor. Style over substance, month after month.

[quote name='Thunderthumbs' post='151944' date='Mar 5 2008, 07:01 PM']I can generally spot Marcus Miller.[/quote] It's the hat.

Theodore Spinkle

I'd much rather buy in stores if possible, even if it costs extra. The only time I'd make an exception is for real budget stuff (under £150) where its worth a gamble. For example, I'd rather spend £700 in store than £600 online. There's a number of reasons for this. Firstly, QC - i like to play the exact bass I'll be taking home and I find quality can vary across all brands. Secondly, the desire to support retailers. I like music shops, I'd like them to keep trading. I demonstrate this by putting my money where my mouth is and purchasing from them! Thirdly, I like the personal touch. Its nice to be able to take something back to a shop if there's an issue. Fourthly, £100 really isn't that much in the grand scheme of things! Its strange really, a lot of people are very specific about the origins of products (buying fair trade coffee, avoiding using supermarkets if they can by the produce from a local independent store) but will happily use a music shop to try and then opurchase online seperately. I can understan why, but as I say, its not really my thing. As long as these people don't complain when a music shop shuts down, then I'm not really bothered either way. Sanctimonious?? Me??

I might go along and ask him what's with the nail varnish? Anyone else noticed that?

Welcome Iain.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='150991' date='Mar 4 2008, 12:17 PM']PS nice to see you back BBC. You into jazz yet?[/quote] Glad to be back. I've been off on a month long residential Jazz appreciation course. ...and I still f*cking hate it!

I don't get on with biscuits either. Not a fan of mixing drinks with food. Or maybe its just to many bad experiences losing games of "soggy biscuit" as an adolescent.

Welcome. I'm a fan of tea, but never really managed to get into cakes.

[quote name='jhsteel' post='150707' date='Mar 3 2008, 10:14 PM']Jazz with S1 switch. Nice warm p bass style tone without the big neck. I heard they stopped making them now though.[/quote] Yeah, they have. There's still some old stock knocking about though. Played the new MIA on saturday and it just seems your getting less bass for more money. +1 for a Jazz with an S1 though. Not quite as beefy as a P, but almost there.

No more lies - Iron Maiden

Welcome.

I'll try make it down. You won't be able to miss me, I'll be sticking out like a sore thumb. Wearing a suit to gigs usually does that.

What time are you playing? I work 10 minutes tube ride away. I might come along and shout "play Freebird" at you until forcibly removed by security.

I agree in the most part. But then maybe I'm just saying that to justify the fact that I don't practice a quarter as much as I should/need to. Unfortunately, my lifestyle (with work) doesn't allow me to realistically practice much during the week. Something that did interest me was the phrase "we have a responsibility to practice as much as we can". In what way do you mean? Who are we responsible to/for? (Mods - I'm not picking an argument, just exploring an interesting view!)

Gary "Mani" Mounfield's Rickenbacker 4005

With a gigging bass I think the "ding anticipation" (the time between purchase and its first ding) is the worst. You know its gonna happen, and you know a single ding looks worse han a few. Its just a waiting game.

I've A/B'd a USA and a MIM Jazz together to prove the point that there is very little difference and that the USA was overpriced. Not for the first time, I was proven totally wrong. I hate being conformist, but I loved the USA Jazz so much I went out a bought one. Damn Leo Fender and his amazingly playable but overly common designs! I even love the S1 switching. Not sure why they've been removed on the new USA Jazz. I don't think anyone could argue that it doesn't give you another option.