thisnameistaken

I've only ever done originals, I wouldn't want to play covers unless I was really desperate for the money. But then I don't listen to top 40 music or "classic rock" at home, so why would I want to learn a few hours of that material and go gig it to people who do like that stuff? People who like music just enough to turn on the radio at work and buy soundtrack albums or Jeremy Clarkson-branded CDs of "driving music". f*** them, I hope the last thing they hear is "Don't Stop Believing" as they plough into the back of a stationary gas tanker.

That orange finish is ace.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='973630' date='Oct 1 2010, 09:54 AM']Mine is the best one that money [b]can't[/b] buy......[/quote] Actually yeah the one I always wanted since I was about 16 was a Wal. So I agree with Bilbo.

I suppose if you're holding the bass the headstock is further away from you than the body and you get the illusion that it is normal-sized.

[quote name='TPJ' post='972999' date='Sep 30 2010, 05:59 PM']If you look at my sig and follow the [url="http://www.underdrive.co.uk"]Underdrive[/url] link to our set list you'll see all the tunes we cover. The format is acoustic guitar and double bass with cajon/percussion thrown in from time to time. It works, it isn't loud, and the punters seem to dig it.[/quote] We do old '60s rocksteady covers (and throw in our originals) with that line-up, three voices, also with the occasional 2-part kazoo harmonies, mine is boinging on a wire wrapped around my machines. We've been meaning to go busk all summer but circumstances have conspired against us.

It's mostly down to finding a neck you like and the fingerboard material. Ebony is my favourite, I think rosewood is a bit too dull-sounding, I think phenolic boards or the polyester finishes on Pedulla boards sound too bright. Some people swear by Stingrays but I never really fell for mine, I thought it was a bit lifeless.

The headstock on that first one looks massive. Is it the Brother Lee Love signature?

I don't like the feel of Ibanez necks, they're a bit too thin for adult human hands I think. I've always liked the Yamaha BB models, and my first "proper" bass was a Yamaha RBX-550M which I recall setting up and selling back to the shop I bought it from for almost the same price they'd sold it to me for, and getting a load of work from them setting up basses as a result.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='972968' date='Sep 30 2010, 05:34 PM']what the world doesnt need is generalisation's...[/quote] The whole world? Bit broad, isn't it? I don't know, I used to play in a big funk band for a few years, shortly after the acid jazz scene took off over here, but there is a lot of really soulless crap in that scene. For example I know Incognito are really popular on here but to me they were always the polite company dinner party version of funk. And what could be more awful than that.

ISTR Alex James using a jazz with a pickguard like that on TOTP in the early '90s. I wanted one.

Cheers man. We don't play Restless all that much any more because our singer doesn't like the lyrics (to be fair they are weak compared to his usual output), shame because it's a lot of fun to play.

[quote name='SteveK' post='972549' date='Sep 30 2010, 12:09 PM']And for a lot of gigging musicians notation doesn't exist. [/quote] Every so often I make an effort to learn dots and I like reading them and I find it an interesting challenge, but I never ever gig with anyone who can read/write so the only way to keep those skills sharp would be to practice them all the time at home, and I just don't have the time to dedicate to a skill I'll never use.

[quote name='EvilSmile' post='972232' date='Sep 29 2010, 11:38 PM']Great tracks Also small world man, i'm at york uni, guitarist of the ska/punk band i play in kept mentioning you guys as he knows suzy![/quote] Oh really? What's your band called? [quote name='lanark' post='972357' date='Sep 30 2010, 09:17 AM']Where and who did you go through to record these (and - if I can be cheeky - how much?).[/quote] Sorry man but we recorded with a guy who's moving to London in the next couple of weeks.

There are two types of bad bass players: 1) Bass players who you notice. If you notice the bass player he's doing it wrong. 2) Adam Clayton.

[quote name='bassace' post='971732' date='Sep 29 2010, 02:08 PM']Now, if thisnameistaken could bring his two friends........................................................[/quote] They don't like driving long distances, unsightly creases.

Whenever I see Jay Kay it makes me wonder why press photographers don't twat him more often, it must be really tempting. Especially now they know he goes down like a sack of spuds.

You should do it in the middle of the country to be fair to everyone. Like, Leeds, or something.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='971346' date='Sep 29 2010, 07:33 AM']So many saddos will harp on about it being out of fashion, old hat, tacky etc etc whilst thumping 8th notes on the root.[/quote] Whereas slap bass parts are only 90% root note.

How about buying a cheap ply DB and leaving it at your rehearsal space? I suppose depending on where you rehearse there's potential for passing numpties to mess with it though.

[quote name='Toasted' post='969433' date='Sep 27 2010, 01:27 PM']FWIW I'd rather cut my own ears off than use Line6 gear.[/quote] Did Line 6 touch you inappropriately or something?

[quote name='Fat Rich' post='970871' date='Sep 28 2010, 04:49 PM']Fresh roundwounds are probably all you need.[/quote] It can actually sound good on flats too. Very thumpy and vintage sounding but it's a good sound, not as invasive and annoying as bright, zingy slap bass.

[quote name='lowdown' post='970429' date='Sep 28 2010, 10:16 AM']A few good tips here from Stu Hamm. [From a sim post going on elsewhere] [/quote] And he magically manages it without any "floating thumb"-style over-engineering of his technique. But on the negative side he is looking more like my auntie Pam every day.

For an old-school funk sound you've got suitable enough gear, a P-bass with roundwounds and a compressor is all you need. If you want to sound like an '80s fusion slapper then you need much more expensive gear and a Bill Cosby sweater, but nobody wants to sound like that do they?

I don't think I've ever played anywhere that didn't have enough DI boxes, but yeah I come across venues that don't have enough XLR cables or working mics or - the best one - working channels on the desk. I should take my own desk like TaySte...