JamesBass

The more I look at this thread the harder it becomes to not get the credit card out and order the 62 P bass I want in Lake Placid Blue RW and Tort guard with chrome hardware... 1, 2, 3, 4... breathe

As far as I know, they stopped doing the CTM30 in favour of the Drophead 30 and the LB30 both are essentially the same amp, however that doesn't help! I imagine it'll be similar to the LB30, if not then email Ashdown and they are ALWAYS helpful!

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1402590390' post='2475115'] I played for ages in bigger bands, and was quite content to be aa the back, Last few years, I stick to the trio format.....and you can't keep me from the front. I do all the leaping about! You'll love it. Make sure you give the Ricky some stick as well....my lot always hate it when I don't bring it, and we're all R'n'B and blues. [/quote] Once I've set it up and put some flats on it, it'll be with me all the time I'd imagine!

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1402592883' post='2475148'] Great Stuff, James - go for it and enjoy yourselves. A word from an old'n - keep it simple and leave space, loads of space and plenty of dynamics but most importantly have fun...... [/quote] Fortunately the drummer has INCREDIBLE dynamic control! Best I've EVER worked with, some of the stuff coming out of last nights jam was incredible! The way we were just bringing it down and up was awesome! Also plenty of space for everything to fit in. It was one of those times were it all worked well!

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1402577690' post='2474945'] You couldn't get a maple cap at that point normally, only athe standard one-piece as a special option. There were some other maple cap anomalies in the Jazz and Telecaster bass lines a little later. [/quote] In that case discount what I said aha!

[quote name='stingraybassman' timestamp='1402578855' post='2474965'] If a sonic blue jazz appears its going to be a problem. Have you played one? Sorry for the Hijack buy the way [/quote] Not yet, I'll be relying on other people's reviews mainly but it seems like it's worth the risk with these! Yes appologies for the hijack but if the OP is after a good bass then I've only heard good things about limelight!

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1402574060' post='2474900'] As a great man once said, "it's a strong feelings kidney, whichever way you slice it". I'm at work so can't check those clips above, but to my ears there is definitely an extra kick from the slabs - which weirdly was carried over to Frankenstein so I'm starting to believe it is all down to the neck. I've got Barry Matthew's Slab book and nearly all of the owners (or previous owners) interviewed seem to agree that they had that 'edge' tonally over the standard Precision of the time. There must be a way of organising some sort of test - same rig, EQ etc, standard Precision up against a Slab. Maybe suggest it to your friend Craig, Slab66? [/quote] You'd have to get a maple capped normal body of the same year and then a normal slab board of the same year again.

[quote name='stingraybassman' timestamp='1402570657' post='2474842'] I really need to stop looking at the burgundy mist jazz on there..... [/quote] I'm loving the almost Pino alike on there! I'm likely to pull the trigger in the next few months on one of his instruments, thinking I'll go for a Lake Placid Blue with Tort guard and RW based on a 62 P...

As everyone has said, you'll get exceptional Squires which blow all the Fenders in the shop out the water! You'll also find that Fender, Mex or American that feels utterly spot on! But then once you've narrowed your search down it comes to budget and what it is you want. Take a look at the Limelight guitars thread as they make custom relic'd P's for a less than a brand new American Fender and countless people on here have got either one on order or have got theirs and love them! Here's the direct website http://www.classicandcoolguitars.co.uk

Cheers everyone! Now comes the horrible naming part aha! The first jams have gone very well, some great ideas have been worked on, hopefully our next session will see us recording down some demos to hand out to get initial pub gigs and to work on our sound as Spoon has suggested! Spoon I personally love not being able to hide at all! It's more fun that way and makes me actually raise my game! Last nights jam sounded seriously tight!

So after leaving my previous band, I have as of this evening started a brand new blues trio! We are still finding out feet and working out what to play and whatnot but going off our jam tonight there's plenty of positives and LOTS to get excited for! Finally have found myself an absolutely peach of a drummer who's timing and groove is brilliant! The guitarist is awesome as well, so comfortable switching between more lead based roles and rhythm roles. This is something I'm EXTREMELY excited for now!

He's awesome! Very good player and a great tone!

P - 1.75" dots Lake Placid Blue - Tort pg? Is that possible? P - 1.5" blocks and binding Inca Silver

[quote name='Christian Houmann' timestamp='1402345962' post='2472538'] Next time I would like to add this http://www.classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/sold_basses/limelight00119sonicblue.htm Maybe with a matching headstock 😉 [/quote] I'm thinking of getting mine in LPB with matching stock and a tort guard! Based off a 62 P of course!

[quote name='AMS Birmingham' timestamp='1402312618' post='2471897'] JamesBass, the issue with audition standards is being worked over during the summer break, but thank you for raising it. To be honest this part of the recruitment process wasn't marshalled well enough by head office at the beginning of our Degree provision in 2009, so each manager established a system of their own. I know that doesn't paint a good picture, but I can say hand on heart that I wouldn't accept anyone under qualified onto the Birmingham performance programmes. It's a shame we couldn't help you out when you were making your choice. As for BIMM, ACM, ICMP, Tech Schools, they're a fair way ahead of us at the moment. My ambitions are to reach their standards though. We're definitely getting there! [/quote] You're more than welcome David, it's good to see it's being addressed. Hopefully you and your team can help lead AMS towards a better standard. Best of luck! James

[quote name='ukulelelab' timestamp='1402253165' post='2471399'] [/quote] Cracking collection you have! Loving the Slab P and the LPB you have!

Finding a good thick strap to help disepate the weight is also a great move! I've found the Minotaur leather straps to be great for this and are nicely priced and very well made and look good! As for light basses, as other have said the Squire VM Ps are a nice light weight for a P and don't sacrifice on the sound and tone! Best of luck finding what you want/ need and hope the back improves well!

Like others have said, get them jamming something with you, see how the react to a dynamic creative process. There are plenty of guitarists out there that can and will learn songs note for note but not all of these can be inventive and creative, most take this open creative process to mean "solo time" the guy I'd be most impressed with is the one who has the most sympathetic view to the song! Not all songs needs solo, some need a solid groove which is accented by some small runs, fills and counter harmonies and melodies. I'd also sleep on the sessions, if you're recording them then watch/listen to them at least twice, once you keep pausing it and discussing it another you all listen to it non stop and note things down, I'd personally do the non stop listen and note down first.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1402089184' post='2470051'] Not now I'm skint it isn't, no. [/quote] Haha poor Limelight not having a very close younger brother/sister

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1401617929' post='2465205'] [b]Please God No! More GAS - ACG Content[/b] Been spending far more time than is healthy on Alan's website and sent him a few tentative messages, which hasn't helped my GAS in the least - as you can imagine. Talking of imagine, this 0098 J-Type 5-String is [i]very[/i] nice indeed but I can't help seeing it with a maple fretboard and black (or mint - woo!) pickguard. I've only got one kidney left, so that's not really an option in this case. Boo! [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0098-j-type-5-string/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0098-j-type-5-string/[/url] Though to be frank it's probably just as well we can't afford every bass we have GAS for ...isn't it..? [/quote] I could have sworn just the other day that you had received a new custom Limelight Jazz, is this another one about to join it? A friend for it perhaps!

[quote name='AMS Birmingham' timestamp='1402058102' post='2469616'] Thank you JamesBass. We have had some success face-to-face at gigs, so naturally we'll keep on doing that. We also pay referral fees to our own students if they recommend a friend (better a 17 year old approaches a 16 year old than I guy in his late 30s I think!). I guess I'm really asking whether there are any online places (alongside Basschat) that are worth us using to promote ourselves? [/quote] Well for me as a still young bass player who is actually just finishing up on my HND and about to (October) start my top up degree year, I've based my decisions upon, contacts the uni could help me forge, the experience of the lecturers, the % of alumni in jobs/roles within a year after their graduation and a clear and defined progression in the teaching. Focusing on these aspects will automatically add a draw to students from further afield, though you are competing with BIMM, ACM and the various other colleges and university's that are more varied but with good music departments. I actually considered AMS Southampton very briefly until someone on my HND applied, she isn't a good bass player in the slightest and had failed auditions at other establishments and has received an unconditional offer. To me AMS just didn't seem to be thorough enough in candidate selection, nor did it give me the belief that I'd be pushed and helped to develop as a bass player, composer and business person. None of what I say is meant to be derisory, I'm trying to give a constructive view point of someone who has just recently been through this process so that you can better yourselves As for finding the local talent, have you formed partnerships/relationships with local tutors who have good students? Local studios and rehearsal rooms are great for finding potential students as well.

[quote name='AMS Birmingham' timestamp='1402056370' post='2469580'] I run one of the 8 branches of the Academy of Music and Sound, a contemporary music school running Performance and Music Tech BTECs for ages 16+ and Degrees for 18+. My question to the wise is where on earth to seek out new bass playing talent. In our 12 years working so far, it has always been an enormous struggle to find bass players about to finish GCSEs. We've exhausted the school careers fair route, sent flyers galore, run open events and attended countless battle of the bands/open mics for under 18s; but the cupboard is invariably bare. ANY ideas would be most welcome! I run the Birmingham branch. Thanks, David CENTRE MANAGER [/quote] My advice would be to go out on to your local scene and speak to people. Face to face is always good.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1401996116' post='2469128'] Mmm, no. I don't get on with them - they tend to be right where I want to play... That's good to know Mart, thanks... I'll do a review when I finally get my hands on it. Fnarr. [/quote] Well that's fair enough Mr Discreet it's not to everyone's tastes but it makes the bass look better

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1401957337' post='2468590'] Already there mate, but thanks! As soon as I saw the genuine 1960 pic I realised that a Spitfire tort pg would have to be next on the list! [/quote] Closely followed by the ashtrays of course?!

[quote name='bassist_lewis' timestamp='1401915845' post='2468356'] Haven't read the whole thread so apologies for any repetition. If you subscribe to Victor Wooten's belief system then everyone is self taught (see the Music Lesson) so wether you go to uni/college or not is almost irrelevant, especially nowadays with the internet providing all the information and lessons you could possibly want for free. What a degree does give you is time to focus on your craft and to gain contacts. On my degree course there was definitely the feeling among students that marks we're awarded arbitrarily, I knew people who worked 12+ hours a day for months in their final year on projects and performance exams and got mediocre marks while others threw stuff together haphazardly in the 3 days before the deadline and got merits. In my opinion music is too subjective to grade in any meaningful way (aside from the basics like technique, professionalism). Your music degree is what you make of it. [/quote] I'd argue even technique is too subjective too. I got reject from an audition for uni recently, one of the key focus points was that I had my thumb floating instead of resting on the pick up. Now I change my hand position often throughout a performance, it happens naturally for me, I have a good tone and get nice even notes no matter where I play, but because I move around I don't often rest my thumb for too long, yet the assessor said this was poor technique. Try telling Jamerson that! Not only that some of our most loved bass players haven't exactly got perfect technique. In my mind there is no right or wrong way to play the instrument, only a comfy way and a more economical way, especially right hand anyway. Professionalism and knowledge of the music is perhaps the only way to grade effectively cause even stage presence is dubious, we could take Mr Entwistle and compare him to Mr Harris, both amazing and both polar opposites on stage.