4000

Have to say actually that I really enjoyed Jeff at Bass Day last year. He played fantastically, was funny, open, and entertaining. Didn't come across as anything like the knob he often does in interviews. His live tone was nice too, although I have to say his recorded tone is what you find in the dictionary under "blah" IMHO. But I guess it works for what he does. If I could have a beer with any bassist it would probably be Tal Wilkenfeld. Why? Er, no idea.... I've met Lemmy a couple of times and he's a great chap. Wouldn't want to have a drink with him though, I'd be in the gutter unconscious after half an hour.

[quote name='chris_b' post='293830' date='Sep 28 2008, 12:26 PM']I think you are comparing apples and oranges, here. JH gets my vote for being one of the best bands around[/quote] Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion. However having spent most of my life listening to big bands of various types (yes I know Jools isn't jazz) I think they swing like a lame rhino. I love the programme, [i]except[/i] when his band starts.

[quote name='beerdragon' post='293559' date='Sep 27 2008, 07:12 PM'][/quote] Sorry, I was brought up on people like Oscar Peterson. I think Jools has limited technique and terrible time (not helped by his drummer, who appears not to understand the concept of [i]swing[/i]).

Exactly. An ex-girlfriend used to call my basses "the other women". I don't think they like playing second fiddle really.

Keane are one of my least favourite bands ever. They have absolutely no redeeming qualities IMO. I like Jonathan Ross though, has a lot of the same interests as me. As for Katy, just trying too hard methinks. Anyway, couldn't be any worse than Jools. Nice guy, but bloody awful pianist.

[quote name='cetera' post='292551' date='Sep 26 2008, 11:09 AM']Mine knew I was a musician when she married me.... my passion for my instrument was one of the things that attracted her.... therefore she knew what to expect. She is a musician herself (piano, clarinet, guitar & sax) so she also appreciates well made, good sounding instruments. I wouldn't be with anyone who didn't appreciate music or support me in my musical endeavours....[/quote] Mine also knew what to expect, but for some the thrill of being with a musician pales when confronted with accommodating their gear. Ironically her parents are both musicians but her dad only has 2 guitars and her mum only ever had one so I don't think she sees the point of more. Also, she's just one of those people who hates the wrong sort of clutter. I think if I was bringing in wads of cash it might make it easier but I don't play covers (and hence get few gigs round here and make no money in my band, and have never managed to get further with my songs).

I wish I had 57. I've currently got 6, although I haven't seen one yet as it's in the States being refurbished (and has been since I bought it). I don't gig with the Alembic or the Sei, mainly because the Alembic s uncomfortable weight-wise and the Sei doesn't work with the band I'm currently in. I use all the Rics though, depending on how I feel at the time, and I play them all (I actually play the Rics least at home). What Id like to know is what does the missus say? Mine goes apesh*t about me having 5! She [i]hates[/i] bass gear. Still, that's probably as much to do with me as the gear; just another thing to give me grief about!

I'll be there. In answer to the queries, I think it's well worth it. You get to see some of the world's top players and ogle/try loads of nice gear too. What's not to love? Just take ear plugs, just in case; several hours of punters all playing Teen Town (or whatever the tune du jour is) gets a bit mind scrambling in the end.

[quote name='tauzero' post='291399' date='Sep 25 2008, 12:54 AM']It isn't as if Anderson was alone in that - Bolan and Bowie wrote stuff that was almost as nonsensical. In fact, most song lyrics are pretty incomprehensible, or have some hidden meaning (apparently Radar Love is all about some dead bird, and for twenty-odd years I've thought it was about longing to get home to his missus) and the only straightforward writers I can think of off the top of my head who write straightforward unembellished non-allegorical stories set to music are Jim Steinman and me.[/quote] Bowie went through a phase of feeding his lyrics into a computer which randomised everything. Can't get much less narrative-based than that. I used to be in a band with Ian Wright (no, not that Ian Wright). We once got a refusal letter from a record company saying "no Arsenal players allowed".

Nice to see some guys with real taste on this board. Nice to see some more guys who've noticed Leigh out there too. Hey Nik, you getting this? Jake, yeah, you're right, Leigh was getting a shift on on some of those old tunes. Great lines too. I'd love a ProII, but all my attempts to get one seem to be stymied; they always appear when I've got no money and disappear when I have (which admittedly isn't that often). With regards to the 4000, as I say, I just crank the bass at the amp, although I'm not really a big bottom type of guy anyway (well, at least in this respect ) as you can probably tell by most of the guys I like. I guess every 4000 probably varies somewhat too.

[quote name='Jake_M' post='291278' date='Sep 24 2008, 09:38 PM']To be honest, i only mentioned the accident for the sake of a good anecdote. It was as good as new after JayDee finished with it. Still in excellent condition overall for a 35 year old instrument, hardly a mark on it. Its all just part of its "character" now. :-)[/quote] [i]We[/i] know what they're worth. That's all that really matters.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='291307' date='Sep 24 2008, 10:11 PM']It makes me well up everytime I hear the end section, after `farewell, farewell' where it builds and builds! I think the system at our crem is one of those old `falcon' cassette players with some wuff series speakers which of course, would be floored by Awaken! I know its a morbid subject to a lot of people but I actually `died' aged 16 - I have a serious nut allergy and during a very severe allergic reaction, I recall floating off somewhere - it felt amazing on the way there - but I came back very suddenly when the doctor pumped me with the syringe - what a bastard, I was enjoying the ride off the planet! Don't want to go just yet (more basses to buy!!) but its not the end, as far as I can tell![/quote] I start to go at "Master of Images"....by the time Rick & the choir really kick in I'm usually in floods. That's an amazing story, and not morbid at all. Having been a hospital porter for 2+ years a while back I have put many a person in the fridge come the end and I have to say that it gave me great faith in something else, as it truly is like the thing that made the person who they were has left the physical shell behind. Yeah, more basses to buy, but unfortunately even more to sell before I can even begin to think of doing that. Blast!

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='291163' date='Sep 24 2008, 07:08 PM']Awaken is my all time favourite piece of music - I'm having it played through a 15Kw Turbosound pa when I'm cremated!!! Saw Yes play it live at Wembley as part of the `Union' tour - it brought me to tears - most moving and very spiritual. Agree with the 90125 aspect - that album was very groundbreaking (some great tunes!) and without it, Yes may not have been able to carry on as it provided a major fiscal boost to the collective coffers!! Big Generator is awesome - `I'm Running' and `Shoot High, Aim Low' being particular faves! The Talk album is another often overlooked albums![/quote] Hey, I'm having that played at my do when I go too....hope I can manage to book a decent PA because I'm not having it go through the system at our crematorium! It has that effect on me too, every time. Genius.

As Chris is probably my favourite bassist I think in many ways I'd be over the moon to be compared to him, although it'd be nice to be told I had an "original voice" on the instrument. Bilbo's bang on about Jon's "impressionistic" lyrics, which are actually some of my favourites for that very reason. That's [i]art[/i], chaps. Even my mate (who doesn't really like Yes) agrees. Yes are one of my top 2 or 3 bands of all time, and personally I [i]like[/i] that overwhelming sincerity. Bilbo's also spot on about Going For The One, which contains arguably my favourite piece of music of all time, Awaken (well, that and Shine On... by Floyd). One thing though....less of the "and all with a pick stuff". Personally I think people who play with their fingers are just pretending the bass is their todger.

I've got a 73 4000 and although it could be argued they're light on bottom end, personally I feel that's what the bass control on your amp's for. Seriously, my 4000 has never been found lacking in anything I need. It does indeed sound as near to Lemmy as any Ric I've ever played (which is [i]loads[/i]); it's sooooo aggressive, and yet with a quick tweak of a tone control can be made to sound quite sweet. Extremely versatile, can slap to your hearts content on it, it cuts through anything; great bass. All my other Rics sound restrained in comparison. In terms of worth I'd have said around £750 before you mentioned the accident. Unfortunately they're not very popular which hinders their value. However to all those who want a great Ric for minimum expenditure, go and get one!

[quote name='Waldo' post='289993' date='Sep 23 2008, 02:25 PM']I'll have you know that I've got a custom made pipe organ on the way, with synth bass pedals, LEDs and everything! [/quote] Nice avatar....

[quote name='jamesf' post='290245' date='Sep 23 2008, 07:00 PM']I'd personally love a singlecut design, but would worry about the weight of it - anyone know if this is an issue? I think some people have just got it right when it comes to singlecut designs (Sei and Shuker spring to mind), and the shape of the flow of the solid upper 'horn?' into the neck really sets them apart from the stunted-looking ones. I mainly want one because of the neck stability and sustain, but they are unjustifiably expensive compared to many other excellent basses. I love the shape of my Bass Collection at the moment - any high end clones knocking around?[/quote] I have a Sei 4 Singlecut (the first Series 2 - was built for Alex at the Gallery) and it weighs no more than eight pounds, probably less. It's the lightest bass I own, and with the exception of a Westone Quantum headless (Steinberger-esque) probably the lightest bass I have ever owned. I wouldn't worry about the weight if I were you.

I think a lot of it has to do with what you get used to playing and the individual ergonomics, although obviously your own sense of aesthetics come into this. I was never a great fan of the Fender look at the start because everyone except the bass players I like (with the exception of Phil Lynott and Gary Thain) played them. The players I liked played Rics, and I loved what they looked like (I really like 50s and 60s American cars and that's what they remind me of) so that started me off. Of course once I got used to playing them most other basses, particularly Fender, felt funny; I have a nightmare ergonomically with the majority of Fenders. Always liked the looks of the Alembic Series basses, and of course when I first played one the neck felt similar to a Ric, so that was that for me as well. Also I'm not a huge fan of the bolt-on aesthetic anyway, practical as it may be; from a design perspective it's not really very complete. I'm also not really a fan of small bodied basses because I have terrible trouble with them ergonomically; the comfiest bass for my right hand is actually my Triple Omega Alembic (I'm 6ft). The downside is because I have back problems big bodied basses generally weigh more and I could do with as light a bass as possible, so it's a constant juggling act to get something comfortable. Regarding the Sei jazz, I know Martin was very reluctant to make them at first but was gradually talked into it by a client. Martin is very keen on keeping his own shapes, and I completely understand that. I prefer designs that I feel really make a statement and are not particularly derivative, but many like the Fender shape and want something familiar, hence the popularity of the Fender and Fender clone. One thing I'm not big on is fancy-wood Fenders. The 2 aesthetics just don't match IMO; same goes for fancy-wood Rics. I like a fancy wood bass to look very organic. I love the Alembic almost-Art Nouveau style.

Ok, I'll bite. Not usually big on negative threads, but this seems to have stayed good natured. Heavy basses, especially ones that you love to death but cripple your knackered back when played standing up; especially when they took you 20-odd years to get. Actually scratch that, it's life that ruined that part! The bass is wonderful....ok, every bass that I want but can't have because it's too heavy. No, that's still life that's the problem.... Marcus Miller. SMILE!!!!!!! IT'S EASY!!!!!!! Heavy gear, especially when you know you can get your ideal sound out of it for peanuts but can't carry it anymore (please step forward the early Trace pre-Kevlar 4x10s)...actually scratch that, that's life too. Grrr. I second hating "less is more", and for your consideration cheerfully submit the much more apt "enough is enough (is enough)". People who say you're not a bass player if you use a pick. Try having arm problems that mean using your fingers is an arse; learning to play with a pick in the first place has saved my playing life. Fender-type (wide) spacing. If I had hands like the Hulk ok, but I've got decent sized hands and it's still way too big. Aguilar GS112s. Will be for sale as soon as I can afford to replace them and work out what I'm replacing them with. Pants, I hate 'em. They have all the articulation of a stoned Chav. Tweeters. Hate them more than Marcus. One question; why does anyone want to sound like a bottle being thrown at a greenhouse? Forearm contours (on most basses). I'll have my bass without built in RSI thanks. Neck dive. Basses that sound great in the shop that don't work in your (my) band. How many times have I been caught out? Most of them. How much have I spent finding out? Double Grrr. People who cant accept that what doesn't work for them might work for someone else. I don't fancy Angelina Jolie. Doesn't stop Brad Pitt wanting to er, you know. And probably lots of other things......hmmmm. Gear I want but can't afford, that's the worst.

The Gallery is my fave; Martin & the boys are absolute stars. Can't praise them enough. Overwater has always been great too, lovely chaps. First time I went up there I had a wonderful (and expensive!) day; I've got all the time in the world for Chris & co. I used to really like the Bass Centre when it was in Wapping, and the Brum version was great too. Enjoyed the Manc version when Napper was there; he's a good lad. Also the old A1 Music when Nigel and Drew were there; Nigel's a top bloke, and it was nice to see him at Bass Day a couple of years back.

Just a Day by Feeder springs to mind.....