JamesBass

It's rather beautiful! It's making me want to order mine right now!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1401843832' post='2467500'] They are that, but they're very high tension, or 'stiff' or 'compliant' or whatever you want to call it. Chromes are good, buy you may need to do a truss-rod tweak to accommodate them. [/quote] There is that of course, depends what you're after I guess! For what it's worth I have used and will continue to use Ti's and La Bellas, both have the right amount of "tension" "compliance" or whatever for me But they are pure flats and have that nice woody tone!

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1401865242' post='2467536'] I'd say they haven't been worth much for a lot longer than that - around the time that somebody thought getting rid of polytechnics, giving them university status & turning loads of non-academic courses into degrees was a great idea. Of course this had less to do with "higher education for all" & giving the less academically inclined the chance to get a "proper" degree than it did with massaging the unemployment figures for the 18 - 25's. [/quote] I think you may well be right there. It's a sorry state of affairs sadly and it's only going to cause more harm than good.

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1395945540' post='2408308'] I'm a recent convert to flatwound strings and particularly love the smooth feel. But I still sometimes crave the "bite" of rounds. Are half rounds a good middle ground in this sense? I'm thinking of trying inexpensive status halfs. I know people say some flats are bright like rounds (chrome?) but it's more about keeping a flatwound feel but a rounds type of sound and not spending a lot. Plus I'm going to be going to one bass so can't string one with flats / one with rounds. Thanks! [/quote] D'addario Chromes are supposed to be fairly bright still? However I have one bass strung up to use rounds and one using flats at all times. That way I get the best of both worlds and get to play all my basses at a gig

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1401832325' post='2467420'] The irony being that without the pupils that you spend all your time and energy dragging through a pass grade, the course would not exist for the hard working pupils! Then when the course does exist, they are overlooked as time is dedicated to helping those who can't be bothered rather than challenging and furthering those who want to truly achieve. It's a sorry state of affairs. [/quote] Indeed it is! There are some on my course who still don't know what a triad is and how to play even a major scale, yet they still pass. Sadly if they didn't pass we'd have even less funding and would quite probably have no working gear as no doubt the techs would be first in the firing line! The results driven funding model used is a very ridiculous one and is the reason for the downfall in teaching and why all qualifications are becoming less and less prized. I'm 100% that a degree isn't worth half in terms of kudos and indication about the person now as it was a decade ago.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1401829710' post='2467387'] Why would someone with a career as a performer give it up to teach? [/quote] Guaranteed income for not much work. To actually spend more time with family?

I'll also weigh in for the view point that the gifted and hard working students are often over looked by lecturers at times due to the fact they have to get the lesser people passed. Speaking from experience here, while I'm certainly not the most amazing bass player I like to think of myself as one of the most hardworking, I'm constantly practicing and trying to find new gigs and people to play with, however on my HND, a 2 year course of which I'm a matter of hours away from finishing, there's only 1 person who I can honestly say will have a career in the industry to a good level, the rest don't work hard enough nor have the academic prowess to get the non-playing roles in the industry. It's a frustrating state of affairs when 90% of the class don't have the drive or determination to actually work hard and succeed, this limits the effect a lecturer can actually have on their students. There are many factors that come in to play when discussing the pros and cons of music teaching establishments, same as any teaching establishment really.

[quote name='ukulelelab' timestamp='1400877552' post='2457907'] My '66 LPB [/quote] I've got serious P GAS again and REALLY want a pre-1968 feeling bass, to the point where I might be sending a "Build it" email to Mark at Limelight custom basses/cool and classic guitars! This LPB has made my specs go out the window! I really don't know what colour to go now! Do I go LPB, something I've ALWAYS wanted! Or do I stick to the 3TS and Tort look? Or do I go Fiesta Red and Tort? Or do I go completely custom colour wise and have a red in the shade of my beloved Sunderland AFC!? Damn you for this beautiful LPB P! While I'm posting, can someone kindly point me in the direction of how to upload pictures? Wanna stick my MIM Oly White P up!

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1401810373' post='2467117'] I am not altogether sure what I am posting about here but I know a lot of lecturers in colleges where Music is studied and awards granted at Diploma and Degree level. What I am told, and this is mirrored in other non-musical academic courses, is that it is pretty much impossible to fail these qualifications as there is enormous pressure on the lecturers to pass everyone so that the college/university performance statistics look good. I have performed with loads of musicians who have attended colleges and universities and, being blunt, I am not overwhelmed by the standards achieved. The great musicians I play with nowadays are as likely to be self taught as they are schooled and it is difficult to see what difference it makes. Certainly not £50K's worth. Just wondered what others thought. [/quote] Interesting premise. I agree 90% of courses are un-failable, unless people don't show up of course. The pressures of being an educator at GCSE-Degree level are immense and it's always results driven, not everyone is good enough to pass all the time and the way the powers that be, put demands on success is ridiculous. I'm just about to take my final degree year studying Music Performance at Northbrook College in Worthing, one thing it does for me is I'm always around music and able to focus on my music. As with anything in life it's down to how you apply yourself, if you don't put the hard work and effort in then you won't succeed at anything, doesn't matter if you're musically trained or not. However the fees to train at a music establishment and any degree are far too high.

So with my 21st birthday now only 3 months away, my parents have said they will get me one of these basses or something similar, however at £795 for the 1962 spec P bass I'm yearning for, I feel that's an absolute snip! So I'm now eagerly awaiting sound clips from Skej when he gets his and has the chance to up load it!

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1401654177' post='2465614'] The Glasto video looks like he's using a Classic '70s P bass. I really like this guy's bass tone. Reminds me slightly of JJ Burnel's sound. [/quote] It's also similar, but less aggressive, to John Entwistle, which is a very nice tone!

There are many choices open to you, boutique brands such as Bare knuckle or At The Creamery, more well known brands such as Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, and Lollar(maybe classed as boutique) or you can stick some Fender ones in there! You must remember that the tone you're after has also been produced and mixed in the studio etc etc. Good luck in your quest!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1401557097' post='2464744'] As always with these threads, the quality of the advice you'll get is directly proportionate to the amount of information you provide us with. Are you 17 or 70? Do you play like Jaco or like Les Dawson? Are you keen on bebop or punk? I'm sure you get the idea ... [/quote] 20, style somewhere loosely based on Chuck Rainey, Jamerson, and Pino. Though able and comfortable playing heavier stuff. I'm looking for anything that's interesting and fun! Sadly the last drummer was pretty naff! Yet to find someone who's able to swing it and rock it consistently!

So following more upheaval with bands, I'm yet again looking for a new band/project! I have several bands interested as well as some solo musicians but so far nothing has come of these over the past few weeks so once again I want to make a concerted effort in finding or forming a band, so where is the best place to look?

Changed from Rotosounds 4 years ago. I was using the SM66's, they were ok, however the rough feel and touch under my fingers, coupled with the way they died far too quickly meant I had to switch from them! I have since been using D'addario EXL170s and found them amazing! Gonna be stringing my next P Bass up with Flats, looking to use either labellas or TI's

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1401451298' post='2463761'] It is indeed. Spec is posted a few pages back I think! Don't want to post it twice. [/quote] Awesome will flick through

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1401446460' post='2463663'] I'll do my best to quickly get a recording up of mine when I have it. It might be a few weeks though! [/quote] Awesome, yours a P? If so what sort of spec you gone for?

Have emailed an enquiry off, though an automated response came straight back, seems he's on his holidays until the 2nd of June, he's gonna have a nasty load of emails to answer next week! Still really want to hear one before I commit to anything!

Looking forward to the results of this! String brand is something many people will want to know about also, well I would want to know anyway aha!

Recently put a set of these on my P, the EXL170s, while they feel nice, perhaps a little less stiff than my previous strings, I'm not sure there's any real benefit from them. Will report back as they bed in more and more.

Maybe going to Mark will get me the vintage P bass I want/need! Think he shall being receiving another email before too long! Though some sound bytes would be appreciated if the owners here can do that, that is!

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1401188522' post='2460885'] it does james. and it sounds awesome big growly E string. [/quote] Nothing beats a ric with a nice strong, deep E string!

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1401188522' post='2460885'] it does james. and it sounds awesome big growly E string. [/quote] Nothing beats a ric with a nice strong, deep E string!

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1401182086' post='2460792'] Grayglo and Jetglo together. [/quote] Now they are stunning! The Greyglo is exceptional, very different but it just works so well!

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1401172459' post='2460694'] Just got a new 4003 from the usa, turns out it is a rare bass indeed !! Grayglo aug 2007 there are only another 2 on the ric register my own bass is 2 digits away from one of the others. has to be seen in person to appreciate it and when you see it next to jetglo. [/quote] WOW! That's a lovely 4003! The fret board is beautiful! Be good to see a side by side picture with your jetglo