Lowender

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1381519899' post='2240325'] Until that guy with the bow can produce something as well crafted/executed as this, then I have to say the OPs opinions will be the polar opposite of mine. Wooten would wipe the floor with that guy everyday of the week! [media]http://youtu.be/5BPwEPm90Gs[/media] [/quote] I didn't realize it was a competition. : )

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1381498118' post='2239909'] You talking bout yourself here, right? The fact is, you posted a video of a guy who played a pointless, soulless solo piece, and played it badly, you claimed he was amazing and better than Vic Wooten (who isn't my taste, but he's one of the most accomplished players on the planet) and now you're pissed off because people don't agree with you. Go and have a sh*t and a think. [/quote] Wow, you're really confused mate. I could care less about people agreeing with me. It's about knowledge and taste and understanding and appreciation. I guess you missed that point, but I guess you have to understand it in the first place.

This thread is so typical of so many message boards and a microcosm of mentalities. Anything unknown is almost never appreciated. Success breeds success. You can't argue with it just as you can't defend failure. And there's another emotion at play. Fear. When someone does something beyond one's capabilities, it creates a defense mechanism. There's an instant self protection mechanism that goes into play. It's called "finding fault." It allows us to rationalize the situation in our minds and convince ourself that there's no threat. It elliminates the need to think that there are others who exceed. If someone is famous -- they're a hero. We "know" them. They're friends. This is why people are so enamored of celebrity. But in all the time I've been on message boards, I can't think of a single time someone unknown was universally accepted, no matter how great they may be. There's always a few people who will find fault. I have no problem with critiqing. I do it plenty. But falling into cliche's to create distance in an effort of not have to appreciate something is just lame. This thread reminds me a guy I knew who said he was disappointed when seeing the Collesseum because it was "small." lol Look, I may not want Rembrandt pictures on my wall. That doesn't make Rembrant sh*te. The whole purpose of presenting this post was to share a moment of someone who so obviously has extraordinary ability-- at the thing we all do and claim to love. And what's the reaction? Noodling? W*nking? Unmusicial? Boring? That's not clever. It doesn't make you sound "above it. " That's just ignorance. Reinforced by the ignorance of others. Even if you HATE it, anyone with ears must know that the person's skill level is phenomenal. Even if you don't praise it, trying to knock it down just demonstrates an obvious insecurity. I see no need for that. I think some people need to reevaluate their role as musicians. If you can only embrace what is within your comfort zone you will neither improve nor most likely be very creative. Art is seeing beyond the norm. It's a vision of a better life. But in some cases, you can show someone the cure for cancer and they'll find fault with it. Not everyone -- but enough people to make it unpleasant for everyone. Lighten up. The next time you hear someone who you may not understand, or if you think isn;t as complex as others say, instead on getting on line and complaining about it. Pick up the bass and do some of what he or she is doing. Maybe share a technique or two. Contribute. Anyone can complain. THAT is boring.

You're all right. He stinks. What was I thinking? This might be more to everyone's liking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn2Fj3I-hkw

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1381416281' post='2238783'] Playing with a band isn't supposed to be interesting, its supposed to be part of the band being interesting, otherwise its playing in spite of the band. [/quote] Okay, that's absurd. You don't think James Jamerson or Chris Squire or John Entwistle or Paul McCartney or Steve Harris or Anthony Jackson or John Paul Jones play anything interesting? They play in spite of the music? Come on.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1381416179' post='2238782'] Seconded. Here's a newer one of his. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UyZm459eck [/quote] He's great. More lick-y than chord melody but great nonetheless. Wasn't he mentioned in that "Top 10 Best Bass Channels on YouTube" article?

[quote name='Ziphoblat' timestamp='1381415038' post='2238747'] Some of Victor Wootens stuff is great. He loses musicality a bit sometimes, but usually when he's playing by himself in some booth or something (advertising some product by playing a million notes a second, he's just doing it for the money). His playing Bela Fleck and the Flecktones is awesome. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrlpFA5BbuU[/media] And on a purely technical level I think he's above anything in that video you posted. [/quote] We can debate preference all day long but i have to disagree on the technical aspect. I know I can work out what Victor plays on that clip by the end of the day. It's mostly fast pentatonic stuff and I can play fast. But I wouldn't be able to do what the guy in that clip does if I practiced it 5 hours a day for the next 5 years. Now again, if you don't like it you don't like it.

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1381414199' post='2238734'] Not sure.... I don't know this guy but I found it completely un-musical...... [/quote] Okay, that's funny. Every measure was a melody. Are you familiar with the song?

Well, he is really really good. lol. BUT... he doesn't really do it for me. No disrespect. That's just my taste. His tricks are terrific but his playing with a band isn't particularly interesting. TO ME. His slapping is good but so is the slapping of thousands of blokes. So it comes down to his two handed tap/chord melody playing. That's where he's the master, right? Well, check this out. I believe what this guy is doing is so far beyond what Wooton has ever done. He's stupidly great. Never heard of him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2wuhDDhzoU

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1381407075' post='2238575'] I don't understand why these builders don't make a stock of items if they are a standard spec version with a clear demand? Our local chip shop look bemused when people come in at lunch time for chips, you would think after thirty years they would have a clue wouldn't you! [/quote] Agreed.

The 62' re-issue P's were great -- as close as you can get to a pre CBS if you got a good one. If I were in the market for a P, I'd look for a used RI.

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1381353898' post='2238132'] I'm self employed, my time has a cost. It is cheaper in the long run for me to take a bass to someone who knows what they're doing than spend the time learning how to do it (possibly badly) myself. It's the same logic by which I employ an accountant, an insurance broker and a lawyer. Steve [/quote] Right. Because it takes as much time to learn how to set up a bass as it does to pass the Bar exam.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1381323514' post='2237553'] Yes, [i]you[/i] think so. Even if people realised how simple it was, they may still prefer to get it done professionaly. [/quote] Fair enough. But I'm a professional and I feel bad taking money for it because I can teach someone to do it in 5 minutes and have. If they choose not to, that's fine. But that's the only reason -- because they choose not to. Not because it's a complex skill.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1381336679' post='2237839'] I have a friend who's an electrician. If I asked him to set his guitar up he'd cry.;-) Again, what you define as a setup may be simple, but I would include things in a setup, at least potentially, that you wouldn't. Unless your frets etc are perfect, assuming you like low action, you simply can't do a decent basic setup. [/quote] I can't? Well, golly, I'll be damned. : )

[quote name='aende' timestamp='1381319621' post='2237459'] Anyone gat a Stingray with the graphite neck made by Status? Would love to hear about how that sounds! [/quote] Probably insanely bright! Anyone familiar with the Squier Deluxe J bass with the ebonol neck? That has a top end to it that is very unique.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1381322548' post='2237524'] I fail to see the point of this thread. OP, you have the confidence and wherewithal to do a bass set up. Others may be lacking in one or both of the above, so prefer to get their set ups done by someone else. Everyone approaches things in different ways. What's the problem ????? [/quote] Who said there's a problem? The post was not condemning anyone , it was meant to be encouraging.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1381317253' post='2237390'] No, it's not that hard to set a bass up, providing that the nut is cut properly and the frets are properly dressed (and assuming there are no other factors like neck twist, truss rod not working etc etc). Therefore "nut cutting and fret dressing" are an essential part of any set up, even if they are not necessarily what you consider the setup per se. Semantics, ultimately. As you have pointed out, electronics probably aren't that difficult, yet you haven't learned them and don't do them. That's how many feel about adjusting necks etc. I'm perfectly happy adjusting necks but many of the bassists I know personally are terrified of doing it, partly because of the horror stories (often myth as much as anything) that they've heard, or because they simply don't know where to start. They don't feel comfortable with it or have no experience. Just like you with electronics. How is one ok and the other not? [/quote] Because if someone doesn't do a good set up, the bass will still work and they won't get electrocuted. : ) WIth electronics, you must know the specifics, with a set up, you can "see" if a neck is backbowed and you can "feel" if the action is too high and you can "hear" is there's buzz and the solution is obvious. I understand some people just can't do it. Some people can't fry an egg. Some people can't change a light bulb. My point is that I think a lot of people think it's a complex skill best left to professionals and it's really rather simple.

[quote name='bobbass4k' timestamp='1381276354' post='2236971'] A good set up does not take 2 minutes and 42 seconds, even a half-arsed set up involves more than turning an allen wrench. You're doing a simple set up to a (low) standard that you're happy with on your basses. That's fine, but not everyone is the same. As other people have said, a set up can include pretty skilled and delicate jobs like fret dressing, cavity shielding, nut cutting, some people simply aren't happy with doing stuff like that, and nor should they be. I used to live with a guitarist who once tried putting up a shelf by drilling a small phillips head screw into the wall with a hammer drill, 4" away from a light switch. Smart guy, excellent guitarist, but I would never trust him with any task involving tools. Some people just aren't practical. And yes, using an allen key counts as practical. [/quote] How do you know it's a low standard? Because I don't have "Professional Setter-upper" as a title? lol. Trust me, my basses are set up perfectly. it's not that hard. I don't do electronics because I never learned how. One can't "eye" electronics. But millions of people can do it so I'm sure if I learned it wouldn't be that difficult. Nut cutting and fret dressing is not a "set up."

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1381273873' post='2236953'] Sometimes it's nice to let a professional look after things for you. I clean my own car, but sometimes for a treat I'll blow £40 and get it completely cleaned out by some polish dudes in the next village. Engine bay, boot...everything! Same for set-ups. I know how to change strings and set string height and intonation, but a pro knows all the little things that makes a bass a wonderful thing to play and sometimes it's nice to give the instrument you love a treat. Truckstop [/quote] The former example is labor, a set up is not. The later is example is what I challenge. A "pro" isn't going to do it any better than any other proper set up. You don't need a professional carpenter to put a nail in the wall. : )

But you don;t need monstrous piano technique -- just a basic knowledge of where the notes are and all musicians should be able to do that. And with quantizing and such it makes up for lack of technique. The thing is, you play different instruments differently. I love that about going to piano or guitar. It may be limited but it forces you to be more creative. I wouldn't want everything to sound like my bass playing. And with devices such as this, I find the effect winds up playing ME. Just my 2 cents.

Cool stuff. But a bit of the tail wagging the dog. if I want those sounds I'll just play a midi keyboard. I want a bass to be a bass.

[quote name='6feet7' timestamp='1381251128' post='2236490'] My bass cost over £5K. I'm leaving it with the guy who made it - who happens to live only 10 minutes away. I'd never leave it in a shop. If I had something cheap and nasty I'd have no worries screwing around but not when it cost more than my car. I don't actually like the way those of us who chose not to do something, even if we can do it, are looked down on. It's a personal choice. Leave it at that. [/quote] I'm not looking down on anybody -- just trying to show that there's no need to spend money on something you shouldn't be afraid of doing yourself.

I don't understand the "i can't be bothered" or "they do it faster" argument. Yeah, it may be faster for the guy doing it but who cares? For you, how is taking it into a shop, leaving it and going back to pick it up easier than getting an allen wrench and turning it a quarter of an inch. You only need to do intonation once. Maybe a re-do if you make massive changes. Doing the neck takes about 12 seconds and doing the bridge about two and a half minutes How much of a hurry are you in?

What's the mystery? If you can use a screwdriver you can do a set up. Yet there's this notion that there are special people who do "good" set ups. Reality check... A "good" set up is like a "good" oil change. It's either done right or it isn't. There aren't variables. Bridge height is a matter of taste but other than that, the intonation is in tune or it isn't. The neck is either in a good position or it's too flat or too bowed. That takes a bit of an eye and I understand that some people have it and some people don't. Some people can't hand a picture straight. But that doesn't make picture hanging a special skill. I believe everyone should learn to do their set ups. You won't hurt the instrument unless you do something ridiculously foolish. Everyone should also be aware what is needed -- either neck relief or string height. Sets ups do not fix humps or dips or warped necks. They don't make an Affinity Squier sound like Fender MIA. It's really just a step up from knowing how to tune a guitar.

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1381189917' post='2235705'] Can't find it as a single track, but Pat Travers' take on Howlin' Wolf's "I Ain't Superstitious" is a killer. It's track 6 (22:13 in): [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ3-i6X4GhI[/media] There's an absolutely mental version of 'Mystery Train' in there as well (28:55). Another test of stamina, along with some great moustache & Wal action can be found here: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxPrIHnS2fM[/media] P. [/quote] The 10 years After clip is blues/rock guys trying to play jazz! it isn't really jazz -- the structure is pure 1/iV/ V 12 bar blues, but it swings and MAN they are SMOKIN'!!!