Len_derby

You've probably just got enough time to grow a beard like that Tom. Got to be authentic.

[quote name='clarkpegasus4001' timestamp='1329322277' post='1540653'] That is really sad, sorry to hear that Len. [/quote] [quote name='seashell' timestamp='1329147098' post='1537797'] Only just saw this post. What terrible news, Len. So sorry to hear about that. (( )) [/quote] Thanks friends. I normally have no qualms about public speaking, but I did that night. If there's any message we can take from it I think it's 'live life to the full while you've got it'.

A great progamme, well worth a watch. Did he really need those two Hartke rigs in that studio? No wonder the other musicians were looking slightly nervous! For me, the bits interviewing Ginger nearly stole the show. On the evidence we saw it seems such a shame that a man with his CV and who has been at the top of his profession remains bitter. It could all have been an act for the cameras though.

Hiya. There's loads of stuff on this forum around this topic. But as a personal summary..... Fender is a mass producer of instruments. Like all mass producers, most of their output is satisfactory but some are dogs. So, if at all possible, try before you buy. Personally again, and based on my own experience and preferences, if I was out for a bass and had a limited budget I'd go for these. Pre-owned (off this forum). A Squier or a Yamaha. Whichever model, depending on taste or availability. Generally speaking, and IMHO you will get much more for your money with those two brands rather than a Fender of any kind. I played a gig on Sunday and used 2 basses. One was a Squier VM Jazz the other a Yamaha fretless. And I've got US and Japanese Fenders too, that I left at home.

[quote name='Jayben' timestamp='1329219947' post='1538898'] Also Len, what's the problem with the tuners? Mine seem to work fine? [/quote] I'm just being a bit picky I suppose! Compared to the ones on my MIA and MIJ Ps and J they're a little bit rough round the edges and are not quite as precise. But, I've lived happily with them for 18 months so I'll just admit to being a bit anal.

I've kept mine just as it is. It could be a very rare beast in years to come. Jokes aside, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the tuners. It may be just mine, but I think they are one of the weak points of the Squier VM Jazz. Still, a lovely instrument. Probably the best £170 I ever spent.

Since I've nearly always bought pre-owned (usually off this forum). It's what's available at the time that I want to buy that decides my purchase. I'm a big believer in compromise. If you wait until something comes along that ticks all the preference boxes you could be waiting a long time.

[b]Welcome Mr P. That's a nice set-up you've got.[/b] [b]Have fun.[/b]

Strangely enough I've got a Precison that I don't consider a Precison. It's a MIA Fender Precision deluxe, bought new in 2003 (the only bass I've got I bought new) With the slim 'Jazz' type neck it's very playable and the two pick-ups and active electronics offer lots of tone variations. But......it just never sound like a genuine P to me. If I know I want a P sound I take out my MIJ '57 reissue P with the maple 'tree trunk' neck.

One of the bad ones, and not in a way that I ever expected. We play a once-a-month slot at a local pub and have built up a healthy crowd. Last night I had to make the announcement that we were a duo, rather than a trio, because the drummer's wife had died two weeks ago. She was 32 and collapsed and died at home, alone, due to a blood clot. Totally out of the blue. Craig, the drummer, is devastated, as you would expect. Particularly as they'd only been married 18 months. She always came to see us, and we dedicated the gig to her.

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1328885911' post='1534373'] Soloing! Damn, just get a groove going first. If you really must solo start simple - maybe with the chord tones or key notes from the melody and develop it. [/quote] Agreed. The best example I know of this in practise is on the Donny Hathaway 'Live' album. Willie Weeks (superb throughout) takes a bass solo on the last track. He starts really simply, playing a basic groove and builds it from there.

Thanks for all the feedback and info chaps. As someone said above, a lot of these players are still around and active. However, the longest serving bassist, Hugh Hopper, died in 2009. It's all great stuff. Very English and eccentric. Everyone else in the house hates it though.

I'm really enjoying listening to Soft Machine albums 3 to 7, which I bought for a £10 all together. They're in the 'Original Album Classics' series by Columbia. I haven't listen to some of the this stuff for nigh-on 30 years. Can anyone recommend any books about the band and the Canterfbury Scene they were part of?

Well done 'Shell. I remember your first posts last year. Onwards and upwards!

Welcome Dan. Have fun.

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1328453923' post='1527218'] What does great musicianship mean in the context of a tribute band? On the one hand, I would expect APF's guitarist to be able to play exact, note perfect, feel perfect, expression perfect renditions of Gilmour's playing. On the other hand, [b]if he's that good, what's he doing pretending to be someone else?[/b] [/quote] Making a decent living I hope! £30 for a 'tribute' band might sound steep, but it still sounds better value than most sports events.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1328390942' post='1526446'] IMO the ease at which music is available on the internet has completely devalued music and taken a lot of the passion out of it, a classic case of more is less [/quote] I disagree. Music has been around for a long time. Maybe since before humans could speak to each other. There was a blink of an eye, in historic terms, when producing music on recording formats was a viable industry and a cohesive social activity. Music will live on, and thrive. As it always has.

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1328363220' post='1525997'] At the end of the day, the rehearsal place is a 15 minute drive away and it's a couple of hours out of my life. Hardly the end of the world if it all goes pear-shaped! [/quote] Exactly right. Please let us all know how it pans out! I love following these sagas.

If you're a Facebook user you may find this interesting. https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cornbread-Banjos/253963047987661

Good thread revival! It's another gem of the Squier stable as far as I'm concerned. I tried flats but found the sound too muddy for my liking and went back to Rotosound rounds for a zingy tone. I bought mine pre-owned off this forum (or rather, the previous one)and it's all stock apart from a Badass II that had been fitted. It's in my avatar photo. I say it's 'mine', but I originally bought it for my daughter who was 15 at the time. She loves it and named it Gloria. At the time she was still quite short with little hands, so it's a testiment to the playability of the neck. I 'look after it' for her.

I've just bought a nice gig bag of Keith. A lovely bag, well packed up too. Good communications and an easy transaction all round. It was a pleasure to do business with him and I wouldn't hesitate to give him even more of my money.

Maybe the drummer isn't representative of the rest of the band regarding his attitude, but then again, you've got to be able to work closely with him. If he's being a bit squiffy, for whatever reason, it would be a bit of a concern to me.

I've fitted two Badass II bridges on to Fender Jazz bodies and they dropped into the existing holes perfectly. That's the info you wanted. Of course, there is differing opinion on whether it's worth doing it or not.....

Welcome Arnaud. We like noise rock here! Enjoy the forum.

Welcome Kev. Enjoy the forum.