JamesBass

Never liked Warwicks, but this simplifying of things is great! Wish Fender would do the same!

I would suggest playing with a drummer and finding the pulse. That's more important than knowing exactly where each beat is. I'd suggest listening to songs with those sort of signatures and clap along, try to find a pulse to lock in with and you'll see progress. Also metronome work! Lots of metronome work!

Go for it! Play away, you'll learn as you go with the band! If work is limiting your availability to rehearse and gig in a band then maybe spend the next few months enhancing your knowledge of theory and genres etc. Then when it comes to being in a band you'll be at a place, hopefully, where you can dedicate the time to rehearse and gig?

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1423180472' post='2682059'] You may well need to lay down [/quote] What should I do if I'm already laying down?

[quote name='MarkW' timestamp='1423179764' post='2682038'] I use Karaoke Version: [url="http://www.karaoke-version.co.uk/custombackingtrack/"]http://www.karaoke-v...ombackingtrack/[/url]. You can drop the bass (or any other track) out of the final mix, and change the key. Pretty cool! [/quote] Christ some of the vocals on that are strange! The I Need a Dollar one sounds very staccato and just not right! Cheers though [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1423179914' post='2682042'] There is something called Anusol if you need the jazz backing tracks. [/quote] Awesome! I'll be checking that out when I get to the Jazz numbers I wanna lay down!

So I've recently got my audio interface and want to be able to make use of it by recording some new covers as a promo tool, but don't have the knowledge of where I'd find the backing tracks of these songs? Anyone able to help me out?

With the learning from pros thing, has anyone had a lesson with a named pro player? Cause I certainly want some! The pros are pro for a reason and if I can learn a little bit from whomever I meet of them then I'll be happy!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1423009704' post='2679658'] Stop that! Seriously, it all depends what music you're playing. I need a little compression on some gigs and plenty on others. Depends on the level of dynamics you need for whatever band. As amateurs I think we have to be more adaptable given that we will be using random sound systems and FOH people. [/quote] No don't stop the peaks and dynamics I have actually been looking to buy pedals and build a generic pedal board as the function stuff I do could use some pedals, even some compression every now and then aha I totally agree with your points on expressing and creating! Though we are there to lay the rhythmic foundations, we are also there as a melodic instrument. The way Jamerson connected the vocal melody to the rhythm through his improvised lines that were a take on a walking bass line, but funked up is what we should all strive to be able to do!

I'm striving to become a pro, whatever you define pro as, and currently gear doesn't bother me all that much. I want a couple of basses that cover most sounds that all have a nice neck and sound good and that's me done. Amp wise I want something I can move about with ease and sounds good, pedal wise, well I don't own any pedals at all currently! FWIW, I HATE compression in my live chain, I control my own dynamics

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1422923836' post='2678564'] Just put some of these in my Nate Mendel Precision... Wow. I was apprehensive and reluctant when I first saw the price, I'm so glad I've done it. Lollipop tuners from Madison's on eBay and maybe say goodbye to the BAII bridge and this is the Muhammad Ali of Precision basses. It was 7.8lbs when I bought it, and removing the duncan 1/4lb pickups has made it silly light, the badass is redundant in its role as I use flats on it. Magic stuff, if you're debating buying a set of these pickups, I'd highly recommend them. [/quote] How would you describe the tone of the Aggie? Been debating getting one for a while and never seen too many reviews on them?

John Entwistle live at Leeds! Pino always has an exceptional tone on everything he does James Jamerson is always someone I aspire to sound similar too!

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1422027445' post='2667948'] New amp prompted new photos: [url="http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/mattdigweed/media/a1_zpsioapxlya.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] What a rig that is! I bet it sounds as good as it looks!!

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1422276775' post='2670516'] I was checking the TB-10 through a Aguilar ToneHammer yesterday. Pick it up, and it's so light it feels like an empty box. How do they not jump off the cab? They've got a good selection of MarkBass, Ashdown and others there as well... [/quote] Funnily enough, that's exactly what I'm after! And even more funny is that when I used one live once, it did indeed jump off the cab!! Though that was more due to the sound engineers positioning of it, he had it right on the rear of the amp with a slight overhang!

Every time I visit the capital I make a point of going to Wunjo's! I LOVE it there, the guys are all utterly fantastic and their service is second to none! I've spoken with all the lads who work there about BC and they love it! Might have to get in touch with Wunjos about an amp soon...

[quote name='obbm' timestamp='1422274749' post='2670479'] We seem to have plenty of Jam nights around me - Aldershot, Ash, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Camberley, Guildford, etc. Almost every night of the week and that's on top of the Open Mic singer/songwriter nights. There is a house band who provide the backline, PA and drum kit, sometimes keyboards as well. All you need is your instrument or sticks. House band open up with 3 or 4 numbers. If you are new then you need to make yourself known to the leader of the house band who picks groups of musicians to play together. The group decides who is singing, quite often one of the guitarists, and agree three songs. If one or more doesn't know a specific song the chord structure will be shown/told and off you go. If you attend regularly then you get to know some of the popular songs, and no they are not all 12-bars. Depending how many bass players turn up will determine how often you get up. Sometimes bands will turn up and blast through 3 numbers just for the practice and to try and impress the Publican and try and get a gig there. Our local Jams are well supported by the local gigging community so the musicians are almost all of a very good standard so we've had some great nights. It's also a great way to network and get yourself known. I've been going to Jams on and off for about 20 years and as well as a regular punter I've done my share of house band duties and let others use my rig. If you don't mind it's a great way to hear what it sounds like from out front. Maybe I'm mad but I like being put out of my comfort zone and having to think and play on my feet. It's also very good for ear training. Quite often if I've played something that I'd not heard before so I'll go and find it and have a listen so that if it comes up again then I'm slightly better prepared. Long may they continue. [/quote] Cheers for the heads up, Guildford is no more than 40 minutes away from me so will venture up that way sometime soon, will likely drop you a PM if you don't mind recommending some of the better nights? I do agree going outside of your comfort zone is a great rush and a very good way to make you work harder and be better as a bass player! Was hoping to do that last night but alas most at the night were at a low standard where they were just about confident to perform on their own, having someone play with them who didn't know the songs/arrangements might have been a bit too scary for the beginners, while the more experienced players were showcasing for the landlord and their mates!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1422260832' post='2670304'] And then of course there's the alternative route. If you don't like the jams near you, or there simply aren't any, there's absolutely nothing stopping you from setting up your own and running it as you see fit. All you need is a suitable pub with a slack weekday night that they're looking to juice up, plus a few friends to get you started. [/quote] This is something I have in mind for a few years down the line, being a young lad (21) I'd rather not being the one organising the nights just yet, instead I wanna try and work my way round the area (Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, Brighton, etc.) then head to ones in London etc.

[quote name='Freddy Le Cragg' timestamp='1422232056' post='2670241'] I do one in Banbury once a month. We have a featured guest for half hour, a few open mic slots then jam to when ever we get to pissed/tired to play anymore. Last one went on till 2am! [/quote] Well that's certainly a different format to the one I was at tonight! The one tonight was a structured affair whereby it was more of a quick showcase gig/open mic night. Though I offered my services round only 1 person asked me to play and that was on a VERY re-arranged cover of Sultans of Swing!

Started to get in to going to these things and have had a real mixed bag, just got in from one in Fareham in Portsmouth, that was pretty good but, there was NOTHING other than your singer-songwriter type who can strum a few chords, great to listen to and get pissed but not so great if you wanna get involved and play! Maybe we should have a pinned group listing Jam nights? I know I'd travel for a really good night and I'm sure others would too!

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1422203280' post='2669800'] Haha, I've seen it used used up until 1966, the change might have come around late 64-65??? [/quote] Cheers, good to know Incase a vintage specimen comes across my path when I'm abroad, or on the net and GAS takes over!

When you consider the VAST amount of basses that are inspired by the Fender Precision and Fender Jazz, it's not hard to see these two basses as an "industry" standard. I've always been told to keep a Jazz and a Precision in my arsenal, and ideally to keep two P's, one with flats and one with rounds, as 90% of the sessions you do in the studio can be done with one of these three basses! Amp wise it certainly was Ampeg, but the two new(er) boys to the game are without a doubt Aguilar and Ashdown! You will never go wrong for tone using any of the above combinations!

Learnt loads there! Cheers fellas! But the other question I asked was when did Fender stop using Braz RW?

As many know this highly desired "tone wood" is restricted by the terms of CITES, but when did Fender stop using it? And how can you, if you really want to, get hold of it in the UK?

Spotify is great on the move and for sharing playlists for bands etc. However I can't use my phone in my car which has a 6 CD changer in the dash so I still regularly buy CD's, I don't intend on stopping using Spotify or CD's both have their place for me!

[quote name='kennyrodgers' timestamp='1421974046' post='2667430'] Hey Bud, Just searched for that list and can't find it ?? [/quote] The exact name should be "Best Bass Lines Evaaaaar" If not then I'll try and link you to it tomorrow when I'm back on the laptop