White Cloud

[quote name='The fasting showman' timestamp='1392716231' post='2371821'] I think starting bass playing back in the '80s has forever altered my perspective on '70s Fenders, much as I like them they will always be a £300 instrument to me. Also I'm always more attracted to EBMM 'Rays due to the impact they made on me as a kid when they burst onto the market around '87 with their boiled sweet finishes. [/quote] I totally agree....I just cannot get excited over Fenders for the same reason...ever. The 80's were such a special time for me. On reflection so many boundary's were being smashed in all aspects of traditional British life. The youth of today have no concept of the massive impact that Colour TV, Video players, cremola foam and micro wave ovens had. I still have a laugh when I remember my Fathers disgust when seeing Boy George singing "Karma chameleon" lol. Musically this emerging technology was weaved into a willingness to push the envelope to new heights....just think of Yes breaking their prog shackles and releasing "90125" & "Big Generator", and Geddy Lee brandishing Steinberger & Wal basses and tearing it up on "Power Windows". Odd that here we are 30 years later ...and everyone wants to play mass produced 1960's passive basses.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1392670287' post='2371497'] Yes, quite. I can't really tell if it is because I have become more blase` about the whole thing , but guitar shops are nowhere near as alluring a proposition as they once were. The depressing uniformity of both the stock and the establishments themselves bears little or no relation to the tantalising excitement of going to guitar shops in my youth. One long-gone little independent shop where I lived when I was growing up regularly had basses from JayDee, Ashley Pangbourne , Overwater, Vigier ect, as did its' competitor on the other side of the town centre, and both shops had staff who were bass players and were as enthusiastic about basses as you were. It was a thrill just to see those kind of basses in the flesh, even if I couldn't afford to buy one at that time, kind of like looking at sculptures in an art gallery. Even if you don't have one at home, you could enjoy the beauty and experience some joy from that. [/quote] I can totally relate to this observation as I had almost the same experiences. As has already been asserted already in this thread it seems that the current generation of cool young players find individuality and innovation uncool....that is not cool (from my uncool perspective).

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1392671690' post='2371524'] You are welcome to drop in any time you are in the area. After the London show there will be instruments to try out. [/quote] Thanks Alan...that was my next question!

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1392665714' post='2371380'] I am very familiar with the Wal pre-amp which I think is great. So in re focusing my own agenda it leans more in the direction of the Wal. [/quote] Which is why I want one in my life My pal has a 1970's Alembic series 1 - but for me the Wal pre is so much simpler (and sounds every bit as good).

[quote name='Mook' timestamp='1392664171' post='2371335'] I would like to publicly apologise to the bass playing community as during a wedding gig at the weekend I did indeed overplay. I was guilty on the evening of a flagrant use of 16th notes, slapping and harmonics. I know I have let down my fellow comrades [/quote] Speak for yourself....I play this way every weekend!

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1392663781' post='2371328'] Jazzy you need to try the latest version of the pre-amp the 03 which has been further refined to produce much more control over the all important mids. The push/pull low mid and hid mid controls make a big difference as does the reduced range on the lowpass filters. Having spent years trying to be all things to all men I have had a rethink in order to produce a more focused pre-amp to use with the MC Series of pickups. If you get to London please drop by to hear the new pre-amp. This obviously applies to anyone interested and down at the show. [/quote] I cant make the show...but as an ex Wal & Alembic owner this pre sounds like the stuff of my dreams! (incidentally I preferred the Wal pre to the Alembic)

Subscribed. Cannot wait to see this one.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1392484758' post='2369324'] There were two Mockingbird standards & a Mockingbird supreme, two Biches, an Eagle supreme, a Mockingbird bass, a Bich bass & a Bich 8 string bass..... and that was before I noticed the Deans & the Hamers. They also regularly stocked basses by Manson, Pangborne, Jaydee, Alembic, Steinberger & Wal. You can probably see why I don't have much interest in going into music shops much these days. Some of the best days of my life were spent in that shop. [/quote] I sincerely feel your pain. I remember that era...music shops were an exciting day out. Today music shops are generally full of Fenders, Squiers or Fender variants.......B O R I N G.

I'm wondering if the price quoted for the Vigier graphite is a typo?? They have seriously underpriced it if not (unless there is something wrong with it).

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1392570349' post='2370155'] That's exactly my point. You HAVE to close your eyes otherwise your brain overrides the other information with the information provided by your eyes. [/quote] To be honest you make a fair point...

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1392568754' post='2370115'] Take the McGurk effect test. Posted on another thread, I'm not taking the credit for it. [media]http://youtu.be/G-lN8vWm3m0[/media] [/quote] Thanks for sharing Tim. It is a very interesting video...and I don't doubt it's validity & it proves the point you are making well, however very often [i]seeing is not believing[/i]. For example whilst undertaking the test...all you have to do is close your eyes and[i] really listen [/i]to remove any ambiguity. It's simply a case of trusting all of your senses...

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1392565948' post='2370069'] It's pretty much accepted that humans rely on our sight more than any other sense. Our brain will override anything we hear, smell, feel, taste in favour of what we see. [/quote] This is a generalisation. Many people (myself included) are not particularly visual and more inclined to experience experience from a kinaesthetic or auditory bias.. Regarding placebo...so much to say....not enough time...fascinating subject....pervades most of our lives to some degree....

Very interesting indeed. I'm in!

We usually play 2 x 90 minute sets with a 30 minute break. I personally think that is reasonable break for 3 hours of music. Seems to be the done thing in our neck of the woods.

As an aside, I have been reflecting on this topic. When I saw Ozzy Osbourne live circa 1988 (ish - my memory aint what it was) at the Glasgow Barrowland Geezer Butler was on bass...what a treat that was! On that occasion he played....a Peavey Dyna bass...and it sounded great.

A work of art. Super impressed!

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1389640094' post='2336468'] Do you know what prolapsed discs are? Scoliosis? Trapped nerves? Shoulder subluxations? Arthritis? Have you ever put a bass on and felt intense pain throughout your rib cage or spine, or had your legs go numb? I have or have experienced all of these, and I'm sure many others have at least one of these problems. Up to the age of 35 I could have worn anything; I used to carry a 100lb cab one-handed with ease. Then my back problems started and now my 30lb combo is heavy and I really struggle to wear a bass over 9lbs. It's an absolute must for me, knowing how heavy a bass is. [/quote] This! I have the T-shirt. Having said that I own a reasonably heavy Yamaha BB714BS (Billy Sheehan) that tips the scale at 10lbs. I vowed never to go there again...but, for some odd reason it just feels so right!

I play with a light touch...I cannot even recall chipping the finish on a single bass I have owned over the years (including gigging regularly in some, ahem..choice establishments!) I guess this makes me a sissy wuss!

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1392398249' post='2368271'] Oooo you're going straight to hell for that one, they're coming for you! [/quote] Lol!

Don't own one yet...but seriously aim on putting that right in the future.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1392324949' post='2367513'] Geezer is also on record as saying that the neck on that bass subsequently bent like a banana , unfortunately. A not uncommon problem on JayDee basses from that era . Hence he went looking for a replacement and discovered BC Rich. [/quote] Now now...you know I get punchy when banana necked Jaydee's are mentioned

Hi, and welcome to the forum! Personally I would not mess with your old and faithful bass (I am a big Ibanez SR fan). If you really must have the P bass vibe why not keep your eyes peeled for a 2nd hand Squier? There are plenty of P bass derivatives that have slim jazz like necks (for example the Lakland Duck Dunn)...but most aren't cheap!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1392318326' post='2367364'] I'm all Geezered out! Too much trivia! [/quote] Sir, I bow to your magnificent knowledge of Geezer...and the fact that you played his Eagle (my dream bass of the early 80's). The Jaydee is outrageously gorgeous looking...as most Jaydee's are!