Len_derby

[quote name='phil.i.stein' timestamp='1377202338' post='2184830'] having listened to your clips, Earth Wind and Fire, and some early Commodores stuff beats that hands down. [b]passion need not involve religion[/b]. in fact, i'm passionately anti. [/quote] I agree. I just meant within the context of the genre roughly defined as 'Gospel'.

I fully respect your standpoint on your religious beliefs, that's your business and no one else's But, as a church-goer and a player in a gospel band I think you're going to struggle to find secular music of a similar kind with the same passion. God-free Gospel is like alcohol-free beer. I'd be very happy to be proved wrong though, and I'm looking forward to hearing some bass-chatter suggestions.

Welcome Lloyd.

Welcome! There are some that say all P basses are crappy. But not me!

Welcome JX. This site is a mine of information. If you go to the appropriate sections and ask your questions I guarantee you'll get loads of advice. Enjoy

Welcome Dennis, enjoy the forum.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1376674926' post='2177927'] Interesting idea guys , but if you cast your attention between gigs 6 and 7 the baton had a bit of TLC by manchesterguitartech.co.uk I am not sure how often your own guitars get checked out but the baton just needs playing IMO . BCers doing their thing , pick it up and pass it on , high profile is great but , lets just keep picking it up, playing it and passing it on . [/quote] Correct on all counts.

Welcome Nick.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1376648273' post='2177251'] What are you thinking? [/quote] It was just a 'top of the head' idea. If a well-known and respected luther or techy gave the bass a once-over it could be a bit more good publicity. That was all.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1376643378' post='2177167'] That's what happens when you agree to meet strange men off the Internet at motorway services. [/quote] And my wife takes the photos. Sordid. We're just lucky the News of the World is no more. But, on the other hand - they say there's no such thing as bad publicity.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1376630796' post='2176998'] 17 people have played it. The majority of them for one song. It's being transported in a hard case. I played the bass on Saturday.[b] It works and has character. We should leave it as is.[/b] [/quote] I agree with Tim, but what if we could somehow make money for the cause out of it being 'fixed'???? PS - Both times I used the baton it was the only bass I took with me. I found it perfectly useable. But then again, my standards are low. Just look at the people I've been photographed standing next to...

Welcome Chloe!

playing the banjo

When I was a kid and got my guitars from the Bell's Catalogue I used to dream about one day, having an instrument that came with a hard case. I thought that was the sign of a 'professional'. Once I'd got one it only took one trip to band practice on the bus to realise they weren't the Holy Grail.

[quote name='Josh' timestamp='1376400920' post='2173347'] I'm quite happy with how it sounds so I think I'll leave the pick ups alone, but I've already got some vintage style knobs on the way and I've just had a quote from TheBassDoc on a tort scratch plate I just need to find a good bridge. [/quote] Yeah, the knobs and tort scratch plate will make a nice bass even smarter. I'm genuinely interested to know why you don't think the bridge is good. It may be different on the 5-string but I've found the 4 string bridge perfectly adequate.

[quote name='Josh' timestamp='1376392346' post='2173152'] I'm actually quite surprised with the pick ups, I'm not sure wether they're the same as the pick ups in the CV jazz or if they're Duncan Designed as they have no insignia, but regardless they actually have a very hot output and they sound just as good as the set of Wizard 64's in my Squier/Fender jazz. [/quote] My advice would be to hold fire before you make any changes. I bought a 4-string VMJ a couple of years back, intending to make a few mods. After trying it out a few times I decided to leave it just as it was.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1376391800' post='2173140'] LOL @ Peter! Yes, let's not forget that, while the stars do bring in glamour and recognition and good publicity, there are many not so well known bassists who have taken part in the relay and are no less talented or less deserving of praise than those who've hit the big time. [/quote] You're right Silvia, it's the 'little people' who've achieved the money collected so far. I just hope the 'celebrity' involvement translates into cash.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1376067570' post='2169349'] oops!! ...will just have to pick it back up on its way back up North !! [/quote] I'll take it out for you peter. But why would you want to cover up that lovely head of hair? (not jealous )

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1376054644' post='2169093'] Exactly my point. Just because someone has not sat down and formally studied from books doesn't mean you don't know theory. A five year old child understands the 'theory' or 'rules' (if you like) of English. They've never read a book but they know the alphabet and what words sound like and mean. Theory isn't rules to be followed, it came after the music to explain why what you play works and to enable you to communicate to other musicians more simply. It's not there to tell you what to play. [/quote] Good points. Victor Wooten expands on this (and other ideas) in an entertaining way in his book 'The Music Lesson'. You're right about so called music 'rules'. They were written after the fact, and perhaps should be called music 'explanations'. Anyway....I digress. (that will probably be written on my tombstone)

Baton collected from Peter (Ubassman) at Matlock station car park. The plan is that tomorrow I pass it on to TimR at South Mimms Services on the M25. It was lovely to meet Peter and Mrs Ubassman today for a brief time. I confessed to Peter Id' never even laid a hand on a double bass. He's offered to put that right...

Welcome Trevor.

Welcome Simon.

Welcome Harry, it's always useful to have a doctor in the house.... Give me live music any day too.

Right. The arrangements are that I collect the Relay Bass from Peter (ubassman) on Friday in Matlock and I pass it on to TimR at South Mimms Services, M25 on Saturday morning.

Welcome youngster It's never too late, and we're all of us learners. Just on a different part of the journey maybe... Enjoy the forum Len