Len_derby

The world is by and large a much safer, friendlier and happier place than governments and the people trying to peddle us things would like us to think.

Just took delivery of a Power Bank from Ade. Fast, smooth transaction and very well packaged. You can deal with Ade with confidence.

Thanks for sharing that with us AM. It puts things in perspective. We lost a son, but he was a baby so it's a different situation, but I understand some of your feelings. I know and play that song by Matt R. Next time so I do I'll think about you. Len

Memoirs of a Geezer: Music, Mayhem, Life by Jah Wobble. Very entertaining auto-bio by a very interesting bassist and character. His musical areas have been mostly punk/reggae/world music, so it might not be your area really. But a good holiday read I'd say.

I play with a talented jazz pianist. He once said to me 'the more you play with the writen music the less you are able to play without it'. When we bring a new song in (recently 'Georgia on my mind') we play from the dots until we've solidly learned it. Then we put away the music, and in general[i] never look at it again.[/i]

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1323447890' post='1463566'] Yes, he did come across as a big moaner. He seemed to have nothing but humourless disdain for his fellow musicians - as if he just put up with them for the sake of it. I also got the impression he had almost no understanding of songwriting: the monologue was all about musical playing standards, chops, American versus British - and a belief that the British favour amateurs over 'professional' every time. What a crushingly, boring viewpoint... [/quote] The real low point of the Bill Boreford book for me was the almost naked comtempt he shows for the now-universal part of the job of meeting the punters and flogging CDs at the end of the gig. To be fair, he does show some humility and reflection about his time in Gong. He more-or-less says that he didn't 'get them' at all at the time but now realises it was his problem not theirs. I'd love to hear what they'd say about him (if they could remember...)

[quote name='rOB' timestamp='1323029162' post='1458485'] wicked, playing as a family must be great. You must be very proud. [/quote] Thanks Rob, I am. Playing with family members can be very fraught though. We argue like hell......and as we all live in the same house at the moment there's lots of potential for those door-slamming moments At least they've both got driving licences now, that's a big plus. They're pretty much OK with gear and instruments being left all over the place too.

I played a bit with my daughter's duo last night. They call themselves The Vixens (twins, both with Fox as their surname). They cover a lot of White Stripes and Black Keys but call me in for a few numbers. When the photo was taken I think we were doing Amy Winehouse's 'You know I'm no good'.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1322571100' post='1452749'] After two years of being unfavorably compared to the previous guy I'm out.. [/quote] That's always a rubbishy situation. whether it's in a band, a relationship or whatever. Why don't people get it? Once you move beyond a base-level of competence there's no 'better' or 'worse'. Just [i]different[/i]! From what you say I suspect they'll never get a new bass player they are happy with. Best of luck with all your future endevours.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1322308385' post='1449129'] Nice! I bet you really get down with it. [/quote] I try to, but often 'time is tight'

[quote name='Nibody' timestamp='1322299641' post='1448982'] Its a QUACKER!! Sory, couldnt resist it... [/quote] Ba-boom tish.......

This is my CIJ '57 reissue, known as 'The Duck'

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1322219569' post='1448038'] Aha! - that's the sort of thing. I'd be looking for 4 strings, passive, P-width neck and less than £200 though... Steve [/quote] If budget is a deciding factor have you considered getting an un-lined example and try some way of putting the marks on yourself? Or with the help of a luthier.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1322239140' post='1448513'] I wonder if a tendency to believe in inherited talent is itself inherited. [/quote] No, the research suggests that belief in inherited talent comes about through diligent hard work and years of practise.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1322222742' post='1448118'] I really hate solo bass, EXCEPT, if it's grooving, same with drum solos. [/quote] Exactly. The reason why (IMO) most drum solos are excruciating is they dump the groove of the song in about 2 seconds of starting the solo.

This is my lovely BEX 4, bought off Essexbasscat of this parish. This beauty always gets comments.

My 2003 USA Precision De Luxe. The only bass I've ever bought new. All standard, no mods. Currently strung with flats.

I've just took delivery of a Mono Producer bag from Gareth. Great bag, great service. No hesitation in dealing with him again.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1321378693' post='1438490'] How? [/quote] Via his Probation Officer, obviously.

[quote name='pickle' timestamp='1321378264' post='1438474'] what are they? [/quote] Here's a thread. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/80045-auralex-gramma-pad-marvellous/page__hl__gramma%20pad"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/80045-auralex-gramma-pad-marvellous/page__hl__gramma%20pad[/url]

I'm a natural sceptic like yourself Daz. I hung back getting one until I saw one going second-hand and then I jumped in and bought it. It does genuinely make a difference. Even the drummer commented I'd like to know if a home-made one is just as good, so keep us informed please! I know that I'm such a slow bodger at making things that I would really gain much by a DIY approach.

[quote name='fatboyslimfast' timestamp='1321366046' post='1438246'] I'm sure it's because I'm not picking perpendicular to the strings, more on an angle, but how do I fix that - any tips? [/quote] What helped me with this one was raising the bass by shortening the strap. This way my picking-arm elbow was lower in relation to the bass and I had more flexibility in the wrist. Could just be my natural limp-wristedness though.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1321356805' post='1438101'] Me too, posted a thread about this tone recently and am now about to add it to my repertoire. [/quote] I saw it! It inspired me to 'pick' it up. It's all your fault that my drummer said 'sounds too f****ing Nashville to me'. He is a miserable git though. He makes George Harrison seem like Timmy Mallet.

I've just started going the other way! After playing fingerstyle since about 1974 I've just started experimenting playing with a pick. I've always done a bit on guitar too, so (trying to do)the technique isn't new to me. I'm loving that 'clicky' sound with a roll of felt under the strings by the bridge too. I'll give you a wave as our trains pass going in opposite directions!

Second gig of the weekend last night. I was the bassplayer in the backing group for singer-songwriter Gill Battison. The gig, promoting her CD 'Journey' was at the Beeston Free Church. This is modern building right by the Nottingham University campus. So far, so normal. What made it different was that it was a 'ladies only' event. So apart from 3 of us in the band and the soundman, the other 200+ were female. It was rather strange, but not unpleasant! At least there was no queue for the Gents at the interval.... All went well apart from Gill launching off into one of her songs in a different key to the one we'd practised. All part of the job My Barefaced Bigone on a Gamma Pad made a very satisfying sound.