thepurpleblob

Don't do plectrum. Another good reason to learn

I'm a big big fan. One of the reasons I play at all. Seems completely mad and not everything he does comes off but he's turned out some of my all time favourite albums before we even get to his bass playing.

Well, ok, I'll see what happens. It was a wild night after several weeks of not playing that much for one reason or another so I'm hoping I just overcooked it. Back to sensible practice I think

I've been on holiday for a week, but the night before we left I played a gig which was the last of our then guitarist. I do think we may all have been a bit over-enthusiastic... However, during the last song my plucking hand gave up on me completely. No pain but no feeling either. My fingers just closed into a fist and that was that for about thirty seconds. It was rather as if I had fallen asleep and trapped a nerve - takes a few moments to coax the feeling back. I've never experienced anything like this. It was a bit of a worry... never mind just standing there like an idiot unable to play. Has anybody had anything similar??

In fact the cable capacitance only has an affect on *passive* basses. The affect is negligible on actives. AND, even then the effect is more to do with the cable length than the cable "quality".

[quote name='ern500evo' post='1374586' date='Sep 15 2011, 04:04 PM']Here you go, Rob Trujillo [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlW0gGsSPsU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlW0gGsSPsU[/url][/quote] I normally run a mile to avoid bass solos but between the mad-man look of the guy and the outrageous tone that made me smile

I'd have been completely screwed... who the hell is Rob Trujillo? All this competitive stuff is a mystery to me, but I won't be watching the Olympic Games either so that's probably just me :-)

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1374476' date='Sep 15 2011, 02:28 PM']I've found from experience that you can get away with ugly so long as you're not dull (but also you don't upstage the front person).[/quote] You're not making me feel any better - ugly AND dull

[quote name='Dad3353' post='1374444' date='Sep 15 2011, 02:01 PM']Do you mean that you would prefer to be fronted by a HOT short, baldy bloke..? Or is it the short, baldy WOMEN that are missing in your world..? Strange days... [/quote] These days...... I'll take what I can get

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1374413' date='Sep 15 2011, 01:29 PM']Conventional standards of attractiveness don't apply if your front person can perform and hold the audience's attention. Before Mr Venom the best front man I worked with looked like the worst kind of thug. Squat, bald and very unattractive looking. However stick a microphone in his hand and put a decent band behind him and he was a charismatic and tuneful singer who knew exactly how to work an audience. Since then I have always reserved judgement on the front person's suitability for the job until I've seen them perform in front of an audience.[/quote] I agree.... actually I once did play in a band fronted by a very hot woman but I ended up getting sacked for being the Shrek look-a-like. So, you have to be careful

Does somebody want to explain why you all seem to be fronted by hot women and all I get to look at is a short, baldy bloke??

Yeh - some of this sounds familiar. I *was* that guy in one band I played in. The rest of the band were booking every gig they could get and we were playing between 2 and 5(!) times a week. I just couldn't take that level of effort - I have a proper job too! I was reasonably enough to walk before it got nasty (followed 12 months later by the drummer for the same reason) but I can see that others might hang in there trying to control the situation. I'd be really happy if we could get £250 for a gig around here. Times are *really* tough on the pub circuit. We don't do it for the money but we are lucky to clear our costs a lot of the time.

I've been dipping into obscurity for a change... a couple of Teardrop Explodes songs, "Like Leila Kahled Said" and "Soft Enough for You". Not difficult, but seem to be drop-D for once.

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1355122' date='Aug 29 2011, 11:57 AM']Keep it up auld yins. [/quote] I'll translate. He means 'old ones'

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1355047' date='Aug 29 2011, 10:30 AM']You know what's coming ... ditch the Trace gear, buy an Orange Terror Bass and your choice of Barefaced cab from Alex. Sorted. There's a reason so many Basschatters have gone that route, y'know. If you're anywhere near London on Friday you can hear my rig at the George IV in Chiswick.[/quote] I just sent a "help, what do I buy" to Barefaced I also have a "spare" Ashdown rig with an ABM-500 head so I think I'm ok on the head front.

Coming up 48. My only problem is that a late night playing really takes it out of me. I've no idea how I used to play three gigs over a weekend. You just do what you can do and what you enjoy. I've been thinking about getting some lightweight gear but I currently play in a very loud pub rock band with vocal only PA. So the two 15s and 500W amp is kinda what it takes. Any suggestions gratefully received though.

Yep - I am in the happy financial position to have some nice gear and to have wasted money on lots more. However, I would still only describe myself as barely competent player. Beyond having the basics to make yourself heard it's about enthusiasm and dedication (and finding the time) not gear.

I've completely blanked on occasion. I just play nothing like I mean it. It's better than playing a completely wrong note. Usually the drummer gives it away by throwing a stick at me though

You buy the bass that gets the job done for you or, alternatively, that you want or can afford. I have four MusicMan basses and there really isn't that much to choose between the (cheap) SUB and the (expensive) Bongo. But the Bongo has that 'special' feel (and a stupid name). Frankly I've been mostly disappointed by the few very high end 'boutique' basses that I have tried but I think they are aimed at someone other than me. To finally answer your question, there's some very competent instruments that you could play anywhere coming out of the far east for just a few hundred quid.

Good grief.... what have I started this time I decided to throw all my eggs in one basket and am practising the line with a pick. So, a line I have trouble playing using a technique I can't do

[quote name='Acebassmusic' post='1339475' date='Aug 14 2011, 11:43 AM']Have a listen to Los Lonely Boys - 3 peice Texicana "blues" - 6 string bass - excellent.[/quote] Great song but that guy on the bass looks a bit weird playing a six

I think it depends. If you play blues in a pub band then you'll probably look a bit strange with a 6. If you play two handing tapping in a new-age jazz ensemble it'll look right at home. I've always thought that if you're not into chords and such then a 5 gets you out of most trouble. This is speaking as a five string owner that I very rarely play. Your band do sound a touch opinionated

[quote name='louisthebass' post='1339405' date='Aug 14 2011, 10:44 AM']It's possible to play this with fingers - did it for 18 months with a band. Even Foxton used a pick, it's possible to play all his lines fingerstyle. Town Called Malice - great track. As soon as it comes on the radio, volume in the car goes right up [/quote] I don't want to start a fingers/pick argument, but I'm pretty sure it's possible to play any pick line with fingers and vice versa. It comes down to what you happen to have the ability to do.

Unfortunately, a Town Called Malice was with a different bunch of guys who are all in good health