4000

I’m just glad I got to see him (and the band of course) several times and got to meet him twice. The first time, I shook his hand and told him that in my opinion he was the best. He seemed genuinely touched.

First saw Yes on the Union tour. Was a bit disappointed, if I’m honest. They were far better the next few times I saw them, barring one gig somewhere at Liverpool docks, IIRC. That wasn’t the best either. The Symphonic gig at the Apollo was epic. EDIT; There was another gig at the Apollo which was spectacular and a friend filmed much of it. I still have the footage.

When you start complaining about “today’s music” you have officially become your dad. ‘Nuff said. 😉

We get videoed all the time and it really can be hideous watching yourself.

Me too! Unless I’m drinking....

For me it was having a very competent bassist and musician tell me I was the reason he took up bass. I was a little stunned TBH.

I’m the opposite these days because my back is screwed, so I sit down at gigs, rehearsals and practice. Right hand, right leg BTW.

Good call on Yessongs.

Arguably my favourite band (and easily my favourite bassist with far and away my favourite tone), and to be honest I’d be pushed to choose a best album. It’d probably be between The Yes Album, Close to The Edge, Relayer and Going For The One. My favourite track - indeed probably my all-time favourite track - is Awaken. I do however feel the production on GFTO isn’t quite as good as the others; it suffers a little from late ‘70s syndrome. I guess as a complete work I’d say Close To The Edge, probably followed by The Yes Album, but as I say, for me Awaken is the absolute pinnacle. I actually came to Yes pretty late. At school all the sixth formers we’re into them, and I always thought the covers and logo were awesome, but never actually listened to any. I think the first album I heard was Relayer, well before I started playing, and I wasn’t ready for either Sound Chaser or Jon’s voice/accent! Years later, when my playing style was pretty well established, I read that Chris Squire was famous for using Rickenbackers, my bass of choice and that of many of my favourite bassists, so I went out and bought Classic Yes and the rest is history. I remember being shocked at how dry the production was on those early recordings (this was the ‘80s so everything current was just a mass of delays, reverbs etc), but they’ve stood the test of time so well.

Most of our gigs consist of the above.

+1. I spend a lot of time up the top end and so far as I’m concerned they may as well not have the extra frets. Compared to the Seis I had at the time the ones I used were just so unplayable, relatively speaking. Access was way worse and the necks were three times the size. They didn’t sound as good either, IMO.

I’d be speaking to Alan, personally.

Moving Pictures & Farewell to Kings. Loved them at one time, but kind of lost interest after Signals. I think it didn’t help that I saw them twice (Moving Pictures and Roll the Bones) and they were underwhelming both times. Although the MP gig (Deeside Leisure Centre) was a bassfest, as all I could hear instrument-wise was Geddy’s Ric. Couldn’t distinguish anything Alex played on either gig, it was just a vague wash.

This is the thing I guess. In my case, there is no such thing really as “positive excitement” in any situation. In fact I can’t remember there ever being. Even butterflies are, to me, horrible. I just experience any adrenaline rush at all as highly unpleasant. A buzz is the last thing I’m ever chasing. Again, maybe this is linked to my ptsd, I don’t know. What I do know is that if I’m not relaxed, I’m not happy.

That’s actually not what I said at all; I’ve never played one at home. 😉But I have a very specific tone that I use and response that I require and a Sadowsky doesn’t do it. I’ve played enough basses over 40 years (literally thousands) to have a good idea how a tone translates to live. If you don’t then maybe you simply haven’t played enough basses. 😉 FWIW I don’t like Jazzes (super or original). I also don’t like Aguilar gear either, interestingly. Don’t like Spectors either and I’ve gigged those. They certainly cut through, but the sound they produce isn’t one I like. It’s not just about cutting through, it’s about the character of the instrument’s sound, especially when in context. I may be able to get a sound out of a Sad that you would think was great, but that doesn’t mean I’d like it.

I have nerve issues in my right arm and can’t play a great many basses these days because they cause me terrible pain whilst playing. The worst are the traditional Status shape and Jazzes. It’s just something to do with the body shape and how my arm rests (I can’t really float the arm because of the aforementioned nerve issues). I can get away with a P but not a J. It could just be a minor difference in how you hold your arm due to the body shape affecting nerves, tendons etc. (Or it could be something else entirely). You could try adjusting your hand position but depending on the cause it may not work.

It also depends entirely on what you’re trying to achieve with the mix and what every other instrument sounds like. And of course, what sound you’re after for the instrument. In addition, it’s not that long ago I was talking to a friend who’s a highly respected luthier who told me they had a client who had bought a Sadowsky and was struggling to get it to work in context. So, as always, take absolutes with a pinch of salt.

Have thought about this too, but not sure where to start. Any suggestions?

Does this scheme apply to semi-pro too? I certainly haven’t earned the bulk of my income from playing. 😉

Thanks for the tip. I do have trouble with ear plugs staying my ears so that could be an issue, but it’s a bit of a “suck it and see” unfortunately, short of getting custom ones made. In terms of the chiro, no, just a typical “ craaaaaack!” rotational neck adjustment. It wasn’t planned, just a very, very happy by-product. I have several prolapsed discs, lumbar, thoracic and cervical. The downside of the initial neck adjustment was that it affected the nerves in my right arm, which have never been the same since and which intermittently cause me great discomfort and also affect my playing and writing/typing/mouse work etc. I only go for chiro now when I’m really suffering because it can be a bit touch and go.

I’ll ignore the implication that I’m a bedroom bassist (been gigging for nigh on 40 years). I’ll admit I’ve never gigged one, but then as I don’t like the sound they produce I’m unlikely to. And I’ve never heard one played by a “working” player and thought “yep, that sounds great”. Just not my thing. It may come as a surprise that other “working” bassists don’t necessarily share your taste. Of course if they did, everyone would be playing Sadowskys, and they quite evidently aren’t.

I developed tinnitus many years ago which started to really drag me down; I had it for a good couple of years. Then when I first went to a chiropractor for my back problems, he adjusted my neck and it went instantly. In my case it was definitely neurological. My cervical discs are a bit of a mess and it creeps back occasionally, but an adjustment normally sorts it. I am considering getting some decent earplugs though as my hearing is starting to suffer at gigs, and we’re an acoustic band with cajon, no drums, so not loud at all. Anybody have any suggestions?

Bear in mind I do have ptsd, which I’m sure doesn’t help me. 😉

Garden party by Marillion?