urb

[quote name='4000' post='356642' date='Dec 17 2008, 08:50 AM']Urb; that is stunning. I want one![/quote] Definitely hang on to the Melt bass - that's a cool one that - lovely bit of decoration and she plays great as well - and yes, my Sei seems to have that effect on a lot of people, I was at the Gallery on Monday and another Sei owner was there commissioning a Single Cut with Buckeye on it and he laid the blame for his lack of will power to resist squarely with me and my Sei - Neil you made the right decision! It's so good all round that I am still discovering its joys both aethetically and sonically on a daily basis - it really was worth waiting a few years tobe able to afford one, and the pain of the build time melts away in seconds when you finally get your hands on one of these killer basses.... joy. Mike

Agreed - IMHO Sei's are the most beautiful basses around - and they sound amazing and are pretty incredible to play too. Anyway here's my lovely, lovely bass.... My Sei Jazz is in progress too so hopefully early-ish next year I'll have some more progress shots Wishing a Happy Sei-filled Christmas to you all... Cheers Mike

+100 for all the great advice here, I definitely agree with the little and often practice routine, one small thing I'll add is that while it's great to really start practising regularly and with genuine motivation and with some real goals in mind it's also good to get out and play with people who are better than you, it's amazing what unspoken lessons you learn in the heat of the moment. Obviously don't put yourself in a stressful situation but if you can find a jam session that has a good drummer etc that's a great way to find out what's working and what isn't in your playing. I just just got the new Victor Wooten Groove Workshop DVD and while some people may think he's just about fast slap bass should check this out, as it's over 5 hours of really insightful musical advice and instruction. He tackles everything from harmony and phrasing to technique and a brilliant section on time keeping. I highly recommend this. Lastly my one nugget of advice kind of echoes what Bilbo and Mat have said already, is just think "how do I want my playing to sound in a year's time?" Or five years time? Etc Improving as a musician, not just as a bass player, is a life long mission and the longer you work at it the more rewarding it will be, so it's great you are heading out on that jouney no matter how long it takes you. Mike

OK one of my albums of the year is by a brilliant double bassist called Ben Allison with his band Man Size Safe, the record is called Little Things Run The World. It's packed with ace tunes and brilliant arrangements, great group playing with touches of folk, African, Americans/alf country. It's not fusion, no one shows off and there's a cracking cover of Jelous Guy, Google him and check his Myspace out, this is my kind of jazz right now. The band I'm heavily tipping for 2009 are TrioVD from Leeds, and they don't even have a bass player... they are in the Death Jazz side of things, but it's just really high energy music played with real passion at top speed and top volume. They are all great players, two teach at Leeds College of Music, but they are creating some really original music that isn't really jazz or metal but just great On a bass guitar tip I actually really dig Vic Wooten's last album Palmystery, it's killing. Happy jazzin' y'all

Hey Tim Great advice from every one here, Kiwi particularly, and I'm sort of in the same boat as him as I do get to do some great pro gigs from time to time but I'm also a music journalist/website manager. But being in London really helps all three aspects of the work I do. I lived in Oxford for two years, then Brghton for 4 years before moving to London, yet I was up to London at least once a week for thos 6 years to either play gigs or write about them! What I have found since I made the move is that just being able to network with some of the best people in the country (well a lot of them) has meant I've been able to establish myself in the different areas I work in. When I first moved though I was renting and I literally had ONE freelance job to keep me going and I went through some rough times with very little dosh. But I survived, worked some weird jobs and got through and now I've just had my best year yet... and I now own a flat and have become a dad! My advice is do it but be prepared to tak temping work, function gigs, whatever you have to survive - there's no sense in turning work down right? Get out to jam sessions and open mic nights and meet other players, there are loads of these all over town, and if you play well and get along with some of them then they might remember you and that you can start to build your network of musos. If you can find some other job that isn't soul destroying then it'll take the pressure off solely earning money from music and that way you can try a few more 'creative' projects - but hey if you can find yourself a good 'commercial' gig with a pop/rock band then that's another option. Lastly I hear Walthamstow is the now muso central - even though it's the last stop on the Victoria line... - it's a nice enough area that's still affordable and thanks to the Olympics is (as they say) 'on the up' - so you could look to rent there. I love the area I'm in - Brixton/Tulse Hill - if you can find somewhere with a park and a good 'village' atmosphere it makes life in the big city a lot more bearable. If you have any specific questions about moving here then PM me. Good luck Mike

That's actually my worst bass nightmare come true - I'm so sorry for you man - just glad it wasn't any worse interms of a pile up etc - hope you can get her repaired M

[quote name='Peaty' post='348573' date='Dec 8 2008, 01:31 PM']Really nice, hauntingly melancholic but very catchy. Personally I didn't find the fills too much and I especially liked those between about 2.00 and 2.30. Maybe save the fill at 1.27 for a bit later when the emotion has built up a bit more, but that is nit picking. Really very good indeed. Will this be avialble for purchase some time. Pete[/quote] Thanks for the positive comments guys - and the criticisms too - re the fills I made a point of actually working something out that wasn't some w***y triplet run and also was in itself quite sparse - it's all in the key and is (hopefully) melodic/musical - we literally improvised the backing over a couple of takes and that was it - this is the bass line as I played it in a singe take. Had anyone in the band felt we should have changed it in any way or edited it then I'd have been open to that - they didn't want anything changed and felt it was cool and so it stayed as I played it... I did TRY and be tasteful... you can't please all the people all the time. Re it being available - we are looking to release it via a label as soon as we can but we need to find a label first. The singer is off to New York over christmas and she's got some great contacts there so we'll see how she gets on - an industry mate of hers is really excited about this stuff so we'll see. lastly there's another track on my Myspace page now which is called [b]'Rather Make Believe' [/b]which is a sort of house/funk tune - NO SLAPPING - just some good ole finger style grooving - have a listen to that and let me know what you reckon - all the stuff we've done is really varied so the slappy thing in context is just one aspect of it - there's some rocky-ish stuff, dancey stuff etc - it's all really lovely Cheers for checking it out Mike

[quote name='kennyrodg' post='347788' date='Dec 7 2008, 12:08 PM']Nice one Mike, quality stuff as always. [/quote] Nice one man, thanks Mike

Hey Just been mixing tracks for a new band/singer songwriter project - we're about half way through - anyway I've used the Sei on all these new tracks - the one you can listen to is the first one on my Myspace is a deep funk slap-based thing - all recorded live including the vocal. I recorded the bass direct and it sounds wicked - I brought in the Piezo bridge pickups and it adds just the right amount of sizzle - I'd be interested to hear what you think of the music and the playing - and thanks as ever for the feedback: Listen to 'Return To Me' here: [url="http://www.myspace.com/flynnbass"]http://www.myspace.com/flynnbass[/url] More stuff on the way soon - it's really varied musically some rock stuff, bit of latin, some funk - really good tunes and grooves - I'll keep you posted when more music appears on our proper Myspace page. Cheers Mike

I hate bad or inappropriate slapping as much as the next man but tastefully done and with actual musical content and groove present and correct I don't see/hear anything wrong with it. I played a fast funk tune on my gig last night at the end and got a chance to so solo, I started with finger style and then half way through I switched to slap but instead of trying playing anything flash I played the equivalent of a very busy but grooving bass line. At the end I slapped the chords of the song but still held the groove and it worked really well. I play 99% finger style on my gigs but I do use slap just to vary the tones I use, I always try and hold the groove and make sure whatever I play fits, as long as other players follow a similar approach I think it's cool, Yolanda Charles is a perfect example of this because she both extremely musical and extremely groovy in her playing. So don't throw the baby out with bath water... Cheers Mike

Well I did my first gig in ages last night at a quirky little venue behind the Vortex jazz club in north London, it was with my funk band Groove Digger but we had a dep drummer and sax player. Problem is with even some of the simpler James Brown stuff there are lots of hits in the drum charts that our regular beast of a drummer normally nails perfectly, but our dep really struggled with even a ska tune that starts with a guitar riff that accents the off beat, so it was up to me to find the f-ing '1' for him! Anyway the crowd were really into it and our few dodgy endings didn't stop everyone enjoying it. I was finally able to use my all-Epidani rig which delivered in spades giving me shed loads of tone and power and through a UL210 with the 502 head, the Sei bass supplying loads of amazing tones as well. I got loads of lovely compliments afterwards along the lines of great groove and really strong playing which was great as in spite of our slightly altered line up we still grooved. Best bitof the night though was the bass and three percussionists jam I had after, I got to stretch out using some of my Wooten bass line and chords/picking and even then got people up and dancing. A pretty good but late night M

Great to see you guys showing Doug lots of love, I went to one of his solo bass clinics at the Old Bass Centre, I got there early and as I was with a bassist he knew we were allowed to sit in while he set up which was great. I was humming a Tackhead tune from their great album Strange Things and he said "you like that tune?" and I said yes. To my amazement later on during the clinic he said "I'm gonna do something I haven't done before", after which he programmer a new beat into his drum machine and then played the killer bass line from the tune I was humming earlier! At the end he pointed at me, I was in the front row, and he said "that's for you man!" Truly gobsmacking I'll never forget that, I was 18 at the time so Doug became a big hero of mine, love that guy... Cheers Mike

[quote name='Josh' post='331026' date='Nov 17 2008, 09:08 PM']A Boss RC-20 if I recall.[/quote] Thanks Jay - it's actually the Boss RC2 - the newer looper - the drum beat is part of the built in drum machine on the pedal - I have an RC20 but it deveoped a fault and I never managed to get it fixed within warranty by Boss, partly my fault as I never got round to sending it to them...! BUt I have t say the RC2 is a cracking loop unit and really works well - you can erase previously added lines and also sample MP3s via a line in - so it's really versatile - anyway enough of a sales pitch!!! Cheers for listening/watching Mike

[quote name='Josh' post='329739' date='Nov 15 2008, 05:32 PM']That bass has brought out the best in you Mike.[/quote] Nice one Josh, thanks. I know it may sound obvious but having a great sounding and playing bass does help Cheers for listening M

Hey peeps It's been a while since I posted anything here - I have actually been recording an album with a cool singer, drummer and keyboardist and we are mixing it soon (start of December) so hopefully I will be able to share that with you all soon. It's kind like Massive Attack meets Goldfrapp - funky-ish but great trip-hop ish kind of vibe - with lots of good grooving bass lines. In the meantime I just got myself a new Epifani UL210 speaker and it makes the whole rig + Sei bass sound amazing - so I just made a little loop jam to celebrate! I hope you enjoy some of this: Cheers Mike

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='328621' date='Nov 13 2008, 07:38 PM']Can't believe Bilbo has not mentioned London Jazz week. Richard Bona is playing [/quote] Erm, I wrote all the stuff here ('cos its my job): [url="http://www.timeout.com/london/music/features/6122/London_Jazz_Festival_2008_preview.html"]http://www.timeout.com/london/music/featur...08_preview.html[/url] - and I swear there is something listed over the 10 nights that will appeal to even the most cynical jazz-hater - there are simply far too many good gigs on - I'm seeing Herbie Hancock on Saturday night among other things. M

[quote name='Wil' post='325966' date='Nov 10 2008, 03:05 PM']Basically, what it boils down to is, if you don't appriciate jazz there is something wrong with you, you'll never be a great musician and you'll spend your life a mere shadow of your potential.[/quote] OK here's the thing... Most people's perceptions of jazz is that it is A. elitist, B. stereotyped and C inaccurate based on the previous two. What most people who say they don't like jazz, hate it or misunderstand it is that have never actually had a positive experience listening to it. Personally I saw a jazz quartet play when I was 16 years old. And I thought it kicked ass. I had been a big fan of Slayer, Living Colour, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Faith no more, Anthrax, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elvis etc etc before that and to me as a young bass player I heard something in jazz that I hadn't heard in other forms of music before that. Improvisation. That's the one single difference between 'jazz' in all its hundreds of forms, and 'other' music. As soon as you realise that improvising is a skill that be used in any genre of music, as a universal music skill that goes alongside all the other skills in devleoping a language then suddenly a whole universe of musical possibilities opens up for you. it's not about right or wrong it's actually about having the most direct means available to you of expressing yourself - and as jazz musicians have ben doing this for all their musical lives sometimes that expression can get pretty extreme - but there are a hundred different shades of jazz - some take in metal, rap, funk, soul, electronics, swing, folk, blues - it's so huge that to dismiss it is to miss out on one of the richest and most rewarding musical art forms known to man. There was a very good article in the Grauniad last Friday about Alexis Petredis (top rock journo) going on a voyage of discovery, i.e. he always hated jazz but wants to give it aother go - it's weel worth reading here: [url="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/07/london-jazz-festival"]http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/0...n-jazz-festival[/url] Also - if you don't like what hadrien feraud is doing don't worry about it - no one said you had to! I hope some of that is useful - it really doesn't matter if you don't like jazz or have no inclination to get into it - just don't think that it's all something mysterious and elitist it really isn't - most people who play it are very down to earth individuals who make huge sacrifices to play it because they love it so much. Cheers Mike

[quote name='BigRedX' post='325915' date='Nov 10 2008, 01:49 PM']Great day! Good to be able to put some more faces to avatars and screen names. Urb's Sei was outstanding as were Alan (ACG) and Robbie's (RIM) basses. I have severe gas for an ACG and the RIM upright now. TM Stevens was totally awesome and I'll be buying some of his CDs ASAP! Had to miss the last two acts due to amount of time it takes to get back to Nottingham on the train. Maybe next year I'll get a hotel room so I can stay until the end.[/quote] Great to meet you too man - I really had fun - it was great hearing so much great playing (less slapping next time would be a bonus) I caught up with some bass pals - big hello to Jon Thorne and co, MISTA BEN (!) Dave Marks, and Mike Isaac (great to chat with Janek and hadrien as well) - and also met some new faces all of whom were, as they say in Manchester, "Sound!" Thanks to Ped for letting me abuse his Bergantino cabs, very impressive ad I promise I didn't slap at all...honest. I thought our old man style commentary during the TM spot was one of the highlights of the day lucky we were in the backrow. Made me chuckle anyway. So many nice basses around as well, I was really impressed by a gorgeous Marleaux Single Cut - I almost regrestted taking my bass but then so many people seemed pleased to be able to try and see it first hand I felt like I;d done a public service... Rich B was utterly wonderful and having seen him a good 5 times live, I have to say just hearing him play some solo stuff was sensational; bit like this See you all next year M

Cool man so am I - me and the misses and baby are staying with her auntiy just down the road in Didsbury - I'm posting this on my iPhone...! On the very comfy sofa;) if you spot me say hello and we'll get to abusing my Sei... M [quote name='Alun' post='324967' date='Nov 8 2008, 08:15 PM']Hi Mike, I may need to demand to see that Am already in Manchester, making my traditional weekend of it - currently abusing the hotel's wi-fi Cheers Alun[/quote]

Damn, I knew you couldn't resist, I was actually going to use that bass to show Martin how I want my ramp to work on my Jazz, as those wooden pickup covers are superb on this F bass. But it's also one of the most playable instruments I have EVER played, a truly wonderful bass and while the looks aren't 100% to my liking I know I would learn to love her in no time, really awesome instrument so big congrats matey! M

[quote name='BigRedX' post='323649' date='Nov 6 2008, 06:37 PM']Just got my ticket. See you all on Sunday![/quote] Hi man, I'll be there, gonna take my Sei and stash it in the backstage bit, I'm writing up a piece for BGM on the whole thing so do come and say hello if you spot me, should be a cracking day out. If anyone else spots me come and say hi Cheers Mike

I'd also like to add I just that I just acquired an Epifani UL 210 which paired with my UL502 sounds, to my ears anyway, like the EXACT sound that I have been looking for, for a few years now.... it sounds simply incredible, I'm going to pair it with a UL112 so I have a sweet little mini stack and more than enough volume for pretty much any gig I am likely to play at the moment. I'll try and write a review of the Epi stuff as I know many people here either have the head or speakers but the two combined are a match made in heaven... I find it hard to stop playing once I'm plugged in now, and with the Sei and my fretless it is just pure joy...! M

Hi Gwil Lovely to bump into you as well, I was thinking you might have reported back here with you findings, but damn I'm very happy for you and your purchase, I'll add my thoughts on the F Bass on that thread it's a beast of a bass and an absolute beauty to play... congrats Cheers Mike

OK guys simmer down, this mod needs his beauty sleep after a late night last night and an f***ing busy day today, if we can all just chill a little that would be lovely, we can all be friends here right? I really have to get some shut eye now so if you could be super cool dudes and leave all that silly bitchy stuff until tomorrow then I won't have let the side down essentially you will make me look better, and not a complete arse... though some of you may already think that of me! Big thanks to you all Mike