urb

[quote name='lateralus462' post='322659' date='Nov 5 2008, 01:53 PM']What a stupid f**king expression.[/quote] Um, not really - it's a good way of saying; "he's right in the groove" etc - it's been around for years and nothing to do with being a mega-muso - John Entwhistle had a great pocket groove, as does Paul MacCartney, as did James Jamerson, Jaco - Billy Sheehan can grind a great funky line as can Flea... Etc etc M

Um - not really sure if I should post this here as he kind of deserves his own build thread - but my real 'build diary' should really be entitled 'Benjamin Luke Flynn' - he's just turned six months old is and is pretty incredible: He's a lot of fun to play with, makes me laugh my head off and is about to get his first tooth - way more fun than any stupid bass, but then I won't be surprised if some of you disagree with that... Anyway sorry - no more baby pics - I just couldn't resist. Hope you guys don't mind Mike

I use 4 fingers a la Matt Garrison quite a lot but Gary Willis has one of the most refined and effective uses of 3 fingers (he uses his thumb a lot as well for downstrokes and muting) - he's just started a Youtube channel - here's one of the picking videos: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewB3V2sHSrE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewB3V2sHSrE[/url] - and here's my picking instructional thing - might give you a few ideas as well - but sadly I need to make another video covering muting - hopefully do that soon! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PigAe4VIMI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PigAe4VIMI[/url] Cheers Mike

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='314782' date='Oct 25 2008, 09:53 PM']That's going to be a great looking bass. From an idea to a body in about 6 weeks too, that's pretty good, what's the wait time for a Sei jazz bass ?.[/quote] I'm not sure to be honest - I think it'll be at least 9 months from now but I'm expecting it to be more like a year - things can progress quite quickly then nothing happens for ages... or at least that's what it feels like ! And Wal Bass Man - that's one lovely looking top there as well - I'm really excited about this baby will look - as well as how it will feel and sound. I jus had my single cut's frets re-stoned as there were a couple of rough spots after the bass had been settling in - it's 7 months old now - and it's playing like a dream - Sei's rule! I'll keep you all posted with any other developments - I'm really looking forward to seeing the neck sometime soon-ish M

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='314193' date='Oct 24 2008, 10:00 PM']kudos to him and all for being what he is but I didn't connect with it. If he played less notes I might have appreciated it more I think. I was impressed with Tal though, she's a good player. Sensitive and she's got impeccable timing. The runs she played with Jeff matched him perfectly.[/quote] Fair enough - but I actually think he plays waaaaay less notes than so many other lesser guitarists - it's what he can do with one note that impresses me - his tone, his amazing and his control is exceptional - he gets way more out of a simple blues phrase than a million shedders put together... just my take on it - if it's not you bag, it's not your bag. I'm not a fan of many rock guitarists - I love Bill Frisell, John Scofield and mr noodle himself John McLaughlin - but Beck is in a league of his own - sorry but I think he's stunning.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='314173' date='Oct 24 2008, 09:37 PM']I know this is a bass forum and there'll be plenty of comments re. Tal but it has to be said JB is one phenomenal guitarist! I can't think of many guitarists that can still cut it now as good/better than they did 'way back when'. I'm not saying he's 'good for his age' or anything ageist like that, he is fantastic; full stop but when you do draw comparisons with his peers you have to agree he is special... yes?[/quote] IMVHO - he's f***in' awesome - it's not what he plays - it's [i]how[/i] he plays it - so expressive and makes every note count - very rare for any guitarist. Vinnie and Tal are a great rhythm section - she's a really good bass player - just laying in that groove - while Vinnie is...well, ridiculous. M

live from Ronnie Scott's with Vinnie, Tal and Jose Stone and Clapton Vey, vey gooooood Mike

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='312198' date='Oct 22 2008, 03:34 PM']PS... have you got a name yet? In fact, have you got a name for any of your basses?[/quote] I don't really have names for them other than; 'my lovely fretless' or 'my super sexy Single Cut'... - I'm not really one to give them girly names (nothing wrong with that of course) but it's a sad fact that I (and plenty of other guys I know) tend to refer to their bass as 'her' or 'she's a beauty' etc - Billy Sheehan was quoted calling his bass (the pink Yamaha one) 'His Wife' - I guess it's a reflection of how much time he spent playing it- for me, being a new dad and really busy with work at the mo, my basses are more like my 'Mistresses' right now - I only get to see them on weekends (and for the odd hour in the week!) you get the idea... M

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='311712' date='Oct 22 2008, 01:00 AM']That neck pocket looks great for access. Whats happening with regards to the cavity? - and I presume the ramp top wood is going to be contrasting to the top? Looks to be really nice so far. Where is the jack socket going? Front or side? You tempted for a little burst ala the Fodera NYC in the Gallery at the moment? It looks pants on the website but in the flesh, it's pretty tasty![/quote] Hey dude - yeah that's one of the design features I like best about the Sei Jazz basses is the chamfered area where the neck meets the body - it's really erganomic (much like an MTD) and it looks stylish too. Regards the cavity on the back for the electronics I'm pretty sure that the piece of ash that was cut out will be used to create a matching cover like most of the other Jazz's. The ramp is something we've yet to make a final decision on, yes it might well be something dark (not ebony) brownish - or an off cut of the spalted maple, and it might even be one big ramp that completely cover the pickups, Martin had some other ideas that might be cool - I'll let you know when we lock it down. Re and kind of 'burst' on the finish (and that Fodera NYC doesn't look great in reality either sorry to say) I'd be loathed to touch this spalted maple as obviously it will look 'significantly' sweeter once the finish goes on - the difference in colour and detail on my Single Cut's buckeye burl before and after finishing was massive - so I can only imagine a deep gloss finish here will bring out eye-poppping details and all the various (four different) coloured areas to a much greater intentsity - so I'm definitely not going to try and tweak that in any way, and lastly I think the jack socket will go on the side. Thanks for the positive comments - I'm feeling much more relaxed about this bass than my first Sei, buut no less excited that's for sure! Cheers Mike

Hot diggity-dawg! Just seen my bass today and it's alrady taking shape - and damn that top wood and the lovely bit of ash for the body) are living up to expectations - it's gonna be unbelievable when the finsh goes on - even Martinis saying 'he can't wait' until he can see that spalted maple in all its glory - any way a picture's worth a thousand words so I'll STFU... More stuff when I get it M

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='309934' date='Oct 19 2008, 05:34 PM']Now we've got over the nakedness thing (Terri, put your tongue away!), I really liked the video. The chord progression was one of the Marcus Miller tracks, wasn't it? I seem to recall it being part of the "Miller Time" track on the live Victor Wooten Band album. The player had the Marcus Miller sound nailed as well! Rich.[/quote] It's off his first 'proper' solo album (i.e. there are a couple of dodgy ones before it) calld The Sun Don't Lie - it has the full version of MM's take on Teen Town - it's fantastic record and has one his finest recorded solos on six string fretless (a Modulus I believe) on a track called Moons - a great record and well worth buying: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sun-Dont-Lie-Marcus-Miller/dp/B00000363S"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sun-Dont-Lie-Marcu...r/dp/B00000363S[/url] M

[quote name='Prosebass' post='309866' date='Oct 19 2008, 03:34 PM']That looks a cool, fully featured piece of kit ,especially with the "pod" and the bundled software. Just checked with them and they only recommend XP with service pack 2 .......[/quote] Damn that's typical innit... that's why I decided to switch fully to using Macs as the audio software available just seemed to be better catered for, not that there's anything wrong with PC solutions in terms of quality, it's just things like Garageband and Logic (and Pro tools) all work on a mac... I tried using Cubase and it did my head in... though Logic has it's own set of quirks, I just can't afford Pro tools. OK, here's the updated one I used to use from Tascam the US 122 (which I had to replace as the old one didn't like the new Mac OS) this one looks ace and seems to like both Windows and Mac looks even cheaper than the Mackie, it works a treat as well, It's exactly £100 as well! [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/tascam_us122_l.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/tascam_us122_l.htm[/url] Well worth getting IMO M

I use one of these, and it's at decent price from Thomann £115 (see link(, it has the same quality Mackie drivers that are in the full Mackie Onyx desk that costs £1500 and is essentially a mixing desk without the mixer: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/mackie_onyx_satellite.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/mackie_onyx_satellite.htm[/url] [url="http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/"]http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/[/url] you can run powered monitirs from it and it has 8 inputs as well, including MIDI, it's damn cool M

[quote name='Archetype' post='309462' date='Oct 18 2008, 08:37 PM']no need to pull threads together. I will probably just write it up with input from other people. will help me rememeber it all, and revise fr my college exam Archetype[/quote] Cool, sounds good M

Yes, see you all there Mike

Hey I like this idea as well, I know I run this forum (sort of) but I've never worked out the full extent of my *powers*, I'll try and pull all the relevant threads together, which include stuff on audio inerfaces, best mics for recording and general tips on Logic/Pro tools/Garageband etc and then get someone to create a sticky section for them all. I've been making some slow progress with Logic and I just got a lovely Sennheisser mic based recommendations here so I think this forum is actually proving its worth as a source of info rather than jiust a place to share the fruits of our collective studio experiences. Anyway, if it fails to materialise in the next few days then I'm sorry as I'm crazy busy right now but I will try and get this sorted soon Mike

Yes I love them as well - I don't actually own many of their albums but they are a band that are constantly played places I go (in the Jazzwise office for one) but Aja is definitely one of my fave albums - they just write amazing songs with superb lyrcs - the dry sense of humour is exactly my bag baby! [b]I also love Walter Becker's guide to GAS - a must read for anyone suffering the perils of excessive gear ownership: [url="http://www.steelydan.com/gas.html"]http://www.steelydan.com/gas.html[/url][/b] For me Steve Gadd's drum solo/groove on the end of Aja is a timless piece of playing - gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. M

Good: Can groove in pretty much any style Good sound/good gear Can solo on the spot in a relaxed way Fluid technique - I rarely have to think about the technical aspect of anything I play Very quick at learning things Very good musical memory - can remember a surprising amount of tunes from my entire time as a bassist (24 years) Easy to get along with - bond quickly with other players - especially drummers Always focus on the pocket when playing in a band situation Punctual Organised Good communicator Feel very releaxed and comfortable on stage Good listener - responsive to dynamics in any given musical situation Can slap when I need to and do it sparingly Can slap 'melodically' Great finger style technique Use a few choice effects Good timing Can write original melodies and arrange parts etc Good intonation on fretless Bad Can't read as well as I'd like to Need to practice more odd meters - OK with 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11/4 - but not super confident Need to transcibe more non-bass music Need to play with better musicians than me more often and get my butt kicked more Can't score music - really need to start trying! Need to believe in my abilities more Need to play keyboards Need to sleep more Need to leave more space in my bass lines Need to make my lines swing more both solo and accompaniment Loads more bad stuff probably - think I suck at bass most days! Mike

Hi dudes Just popped by the Gallery today and got a first look at the very earliest stages of my bass - there are many months to go - but the guys cut out my facings from the spalted maple block and even in their roughest possible state they look amazing. The pic I got is actually reversed as this is actually the underside of the facings, the top side is protected by tape but even so they hint at just how stunning they will be post-lacquering: Martin's going to cut the body out soon and get the neck in production as well - so things are starting to take shape. Re Russ' questions above - I have Nordy's in my Singe cut and so far they seem to be working out - I get a good range of tones and all seems to be in order. One thing I'm sort of scared of is getting into the whole thing of trying loads of pups to find 'the' ones when really it's also about having a sound in your head, and hands, and being able to create that - so far so good with the nody Fatstacks and the Demeter circuit. However I am looking for something different with the Jazz, I am looking for growl and punch so any recommendations for that on the pickup side are welcome - and having seen John East's very clear and fascinating demonstration of both his J retro and his filter ACG circuit - I'm leaning towards the J Retro as I'm sort of favouring simple reliable results over infinite possibilities... but reading all the positive comments for the ACG makes me think it's worth a shot... any thoughts? Right that's about it for now - obviously shoot away with your thoughts and I'll keep you lot posted on any other developments. Mike

My 1990 Thumb was a kick ass beasty too - but like I said before it lost its appeal - mainly due to my back starting to hurt like hell after longs gigs and rehearsal - she had to go! But she's still a looker:

I loved my old Thumb base and still do even so other lucky bigger now owns it, by in my case familiarity bred contempt too as it's sheer weight and distinctly Warwicky tone began to really frustrate me. For me my Thumb was part of the original company that made really special basses to the one today where for me even the higher price models feel mass produced to me. As production line basses go they offer style and value for money but for me they don't feel or sound what I want from a bass, I'm not saying that they don't make good basses just that I don't think the basses they make bear comparison to those stunning early models. Just my two Euros worth, M

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='297471' date='Oct 2 2008, 12:31 PM']Man, that bass is ug-leeee![/quote] Aye agreed - but it does actually sound good - I'm not fan of tiny bodied basses - a.k.a. cricket bats - but I've seen/heard old Michael Manring use them on a couple of gigs and they do have a great tone (honest) - at the risk of more flaming and reverb-drenched-noodling - here's Mr M in action on his Zon: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKgsRFX5CPk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKgsRFX5CPk[/url] M

[quote name='dood' post='297357' date='Oct 2 2008, 10:38 AM']Hi all! I find a lot of these kinda threads interesting. I like to see what people have to say about other peoples playing techniques. Though, having been on the forum since the BassWorld days, I have always noticed a bit of a negative knee jerk reaction to posted videos that feature speed or the more 'dextrous techniques'. Now, I'm not saying that people can't have an opinion, but I sometimes can't help feeling that us Bass Players can be a bit..well.. set in our ways a bit? Tunnel visioned? Less willing to accept 'unnorthodox' playing techniques etc? I agree with OutToPlayJazz, in that I find the video interesting in that the guy is using a technique usually employed on a different instrument to great effectiveness. It might not be the tightest or cleanest, but it shows what you *could* do to make a song or piece of music interesting. I'm gonna try it myself. As for being the fastest.. well... As someone said above.. I dont think it can be quantified.. comparing playing styles for speed is like comparing apples and oranges.[/quote] +1 Dood - I think if it sounds good then it's good... fast or slow. Not the best additonal video but another Indian guy who's a brilliant bassist is Shri of druma and bass band Badmarsh and Shri. If you've seen him live you'll know he can play loads of different instruments - one being the tabla drums - and he uses these rythms on his custom made fretless to play an amazing slap style - this video is the closest I could find on Youtube - but there's a short snippet of him doing the slappy thing a couple of minutes in: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V7TWTUI7Zk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V7TWTUI7Zk[/url] M