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urb

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  1. urb
    Hey man - good explanation and exaple video - it'd be cool to see you take a solo and just hear some of your ideas as well. I like to try and practice stuf like this but in the heat of the moment I'm damned if I can remember the exact way I did it at home - I actually try and think as little as possible when I solo in jazz and just aim for harmonic target points or just sing-and-play which is the best way to synch up what's in your head and getting it out onto the fretboard. I made a vid a while ago now wheere I managed to actually get as relaxed on Giant Steps as I ever have been when practicing - by this I mean I just played with my instincts and ear rather than thinking about technique or anything else - I'd love to incorporate some of these 'cell' ideas into my playing but they somtimes appear/occur naturally - anyway here's the shizzle: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SWoY-s6aqY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SWoY-s6aqY[/url] Keep the jazz coming dude - loving the Willis bass and the four-finger technique - it's all good. Cheers Mike
  2. urb
    Hey - great project - the bass already looks better IMO - I have a 1990 Thumb and so I know and appreciate the the early Wicks so much more than the ones made today - I'm puzzled by the body wood, it's definitely not ash, alder is a possibility - are there any specs available for the early Ws? Anyway I think the bass looks great despite the fact the paint had to be sanded off. I've thought I'd like to get my Thumb's finish re-done but it's has a 'lived in' quality that I really like and it's an old bass so I think keep it that way: [attachment=1937:mikebass.jpg] Keep us posted with any progress. Mike
  3. urb
    I just got one of these and they are amazing - if anyone is looking for a top notch bit of gear these babies and the mutt's nuts.. - truly wonderful amps - unbeleivably powerful and so warm they are the perfect amp for all fingestyle players out there. Bumpty bump - good luck with the sale Steve and sorry about your tax nightmare... tax is a nightmare fullstop! Cheers Mike
  4. urb
    [quote name='MileBG' post='50529' date='Aug 25 2007, 11:47 AM']Nice sound and technique! Is that Warwick Corvette you playing?[/quote] Thanks - the bass is my old Warwick Thumb NT 1990 - there are some old pics before I installed the ramp between the pups: [url="http://www.munkio.com/music/music_warwick_gallery.html"]http://www.munkio.com/music/music_warwick_gallery.html[/url] I just got this Epifani 502 amp and it sounds awesome just clean so next time it'll be a straight up bass and amp sound with no effects. Cheers for the feedbacking... M
  5. urb
    [quote name='ped' post='50198' date='Aug 24 2007, 03:43 PM']Nice playing. I like the slower groovy parts a lot. How did you mic up the rig, or is it the camera's built in mic? I tried making a vid with my digital camera and it sounded terrible (my playing didn't help) keep at it ;0) ped[/quote] Yes slower groove bits are better than the noodly rubbish here - nevermind - the mic I used on this was a seperate plug in mic that goes into the mic-in socket on the camera - I placed it near the speaker to get a 'closer' sound - the drums are still a bit quiet but they sound loud enough in the room - I use an old-ish Sony digi cam it's a DCR-PC120E - they are very good handycams. Thanks for the comments Cheers Mike
  6. urb
    Hello peeps Just wanted to share some of the progress I've made with the old 4-finger technique - I've been using this on a couple of gigs recently (only a little I must add) and I love the way it sounds - here's a little doodle over a drum loop with my new Epifani head and my EBS BassIQ doing a great job making wah-wah type noises. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e9DxNJ8svM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e9DxNJ8svM[/url] Let me know what you think. Cheers Mike
  7. urb
    [quote name='mybass' post='47456' date='Aug 19 2007, 05:57 PM']Very intersted in the Dyna Verb and even the chorus too. Still available?[/quote] PM sent - let me know Cheers Mike
  8. urb
    Nice one Alun - PM'd you back.
  9. urb
    Hey Guys I can't believe I'm actually selling my EBS stuff but I am - I still love it - it's still great gear - but I have fallen for and acquired an Epifani 502 and it's more the sound I want now. The HD350 head is a simply wicked amp - very powerful, with a hi-fi sound, suitable for funk, rock, jazz and just about anything in between - Marcus Miller likes to use two of them at once, because he can, and his tone says it all. Anyway they are very conservatively rated at 350 watts - this sound more like 450 or 500. It can drive two cabs at once so with a 2x10 and 1x15 you will have a very fat sound. The amp am selling is approximately 3 and half years old, I have gigged it a fair bit - not loads. but it's still in great condition, with minor nicks on the paintwork, but it still looks great. The fan has a bit of dust in it simply from use; this is not a problem when in use. I have never experienced any problems with this amp, live or in rehearsal, it's incredibly reliable and utterly consistent - and it's so powerful I have rarely needed to turn the volume more than half way up - it cuts through and has a ton of punch. It's a relatively lightweight amp as well for the sheer power that it packs. There's loads more info here [url="http://www.bassemporium.com/item.php?sku=HD350"]on the EBS site[/url]. but I particularly love the inbuilt compressor as it's so subtle and effective it's one of the best things about the design - the sweepable-EQ is great as well, so is the Drive facility for some serious rocking edge. You also get an incredible snap with the 'Bright' knob that is heaven for any serious slappers out there. I'm looking to get £450 GBP or a near offer - I'm based in London so it'd be great if there's a BC'er out there in need of a kick ass new amp based in London. I'd obviously have to charge shipping for anywhere else in the country but I'd estimate that'd be around £25. [attachment=1818:hd350_front.jpg] [attachment=1819:hd350_back.jpg] [attachment=1820:hd350_close.jpg] Last but not least I'm also offering two EBS Black Label pedals - a Dyna Verb and Unichorus. IThey are all in good working order and still have their original boxes. I simply don-t use them and want to get rid of them for something else - they are superb pedals and among the best on the market IMO. I'm looking for £70 each (they all retail around £150) or 120 for the two together, I'll through in a daisy chain and the EBS connectors for free. [attachment=1821:pedals_boxed.jpg] [attachment=1822:blacklabel_pedals.jpg] In the unlike event one of you wants the amp and the pedals - I'll do you the lot for £550 - new this would cost you £1160. [attachment=1823:hd350_pedals.jpg] Please PM me for more info and/or to give me a call (I'll PM you my number) if you have any further questions. Thanks for reading. Mike
  10. urb
    Hey Russ Digging the tune - not really my bag but that's not a criticism - my only gripe is I want more Sei bass in the mix! I think you're very brave to record yourself singing - it sounds cool by the way - I can carry a tune vocal wise but I'm a sh*t singer - i.e. I could never, ever sing lead vocals - so well done. More clanking, skanking bass in the mix (like in 5th Man Down...) and I think you're on to something. Maybe the guitars could be a bit 'drier' more crunky sounding - just to help with seperating the tracks out. Overall - very positive - good work - do some more, I know from experience that 'solo' recording projects are always a great learning process - and I always discover something new each time I record - so it's all about trial and error. Hope some of that is helpful - if not just tell me to f-off Mike
  11. urb
    [quote name='peted' post='44127' date='Aug 11 2007, 10:05 AM']I could look at those lines and curves all day and never get bored. Amazing detail in both the design and wood choices.[/quote] -Exactly Pete - that's why I ordered a Sei - these basses are elegance personified! Thanks for the comments M
  12. urb
    Hey - a quick update - my bass now has a lovely ebony board, with LEDs down the side - with 26-frets - plus the back has now been sculpted a little - the neck has also started to be shaped - it's still rough in places but there's definite progress... A few all important pics: [attachment=1697:bass_front_fretted.jpg] [attachment=1698:back_nec...inglecut.jpg] [attachment=1699:back_ear...tage_600.jpg]
  13. urb
    Rant alert...! I'm sick of my Thumb bass - they are way too expensive for what they are now! And they still weigh a friggin ton! ...please excuse me - this is based on 17 years of lugging my beastly Thumb bass to squillions of gigs, reheasals, jams etc - my back is hurting! IMO- based on the fact I have an original 1990 Thumb - the Wick's now are comepletely different from those being made in the late 80s and earky 90s - my bass still does great things on certain days - and on others I want to throw it out completely! Obviouly I would never do that - and I doubt I'll ever sell it.... ...but... I have wanted a Sei for many. many years - maybe 5 or 6 - I've ordered one finally and it's coming together just how I wanted it - I've played the majority of name luthier basses out there and with a few minor exceptions - I think Seis are almost certainly among the very best luthier basses in Europe, and also up there with the very best basses made in the world. I chose Sei forf many reasons but one of the major factors was Martin's amazing attitude, level head, unbeleivable craftsmenship and the fact these guys are in London - not NYC! I feel really happy to spend my money with them and know the end result will have some of that good relationship we have couting towards the end result. I won't be leaving the house for several days when it's finally ready and I get it home. More progress shots here soon: [url="http://www.munkio.com/music/music_seibass.html"]http://www.munkio.com/music/music_seibass.html[/url] M
  14. urb

    New Sei Build

    urb replied to BigRedX's topic in Build Diaries

    Excellent Red - look forward to seeing your bass progress - it'll take a while but it goes a lot quicker than you'd imagine - your design choice and specs sound very exciting - keep us up to date as things progress - good have another Sei basser round these parts. Cheers Mike
  15. urb
    Hi peeps Yeah Jamie - the scale will be shorter but I'm still keeping the string spacing farily wide - i.e. 18mm - so hopefully it won't feel like a smaller board just a slightly shorter neck - it will be quite subtle - and I'm planning it being B - G as I love the low notes and play them a lot (I will try is E - C to experiment) - plus when I listen to Willis or Hadrien Feraud - those guys pull off some incredible stuff on that tuning. I love the low B for grooving on as well - I do love soloing but it's not what I do in bands much - and even when I solo in my jazz band the high notes on a 26-fret neck still sound plenty high enough! I've just recently started playing through lots of changes in just one position - as a practice thing - and that's challenging but also starts to throw up new ideas in getting round all the changes - say in Giant Steps - in the space of just 5 frets - you don't need any specific tuning for this - just fretboard knowledge - that's the real deal! I should have some picks of the bass with the fingerboard on soon - I'll keep you posted on how it's developing - It's going to be a beauty... M
  16. urb
    [quote name='bassjamm' post='35912' date='Jul 23 2007, 01:58 PM']Very cool my friend...that got my head nodding and my hips jiggling...very nice indeed!!! Got to hook up some time man![/quote] Thanks I'd be happy to hang out - let me know when you have some free time in London - I'm only local, well Brixton based - drop me a PM if you are about. M
  17. urb
    Thanks guys - this was great fun to record and it was a good learning experience as well - I want to do more stuff with unison lines and create stuff that really grooves, sounds good and actually conveys a 'vibe' regardless of the licks, technique - whatever - I'm pleased that comes across over any one particular 'noodle' - that was my intention. [quote name='ShergoldSnickers' post='36078' date='Jul 23 2007, 07:40 PM']One Shergold Marathon and an Eden Nemesis NC115 for sale. Well, OK I might keep them but only so long as you promise not to produce anything that good again. A seriously fun track to listen to. Infectious. Incidentally, don't you find that GarageBand just invites you to dabble? It's just so quick and easy to get stuff done.[/quote] Regarding making stuff 'not as good' - I know you are kidding Shergold, but I want to aim a little higher next time I get recording. And yes Garage band is fantastically easy and fun to use - I did a lot of cutting and editing throughout this tune and it was down to the ease of use of GB that I was able to move things around and compose this thing as I went. Anyway - enough said - really glad you lot are enjoying it - more good bass vibes on the way...thanks for checking it out. Cheers Mike
  18. urb
    Hey people I got a on a serious funk tip the other day with Garage Band and I just finished it - it's a multi-part bass extravaganza with some silly overdubs and chops all in the name of making a fun tune which is all a bit OTT but hopefully grooving as well. The reason I've called this a little tribute to Wooten and Bailey is because they started the whole fretless vs fretted sound and it just reminds me of that - plus I dig some of their tunes as well. Anyway this is just a bit of funky fun and the end is just silly - so I hope you like the humour at work here and enjoy some of the playing too 'Flipouthefunk' - high-quality MP3 [url="http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=68864"]http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=68864[/url] For those of you who don't like/use Quicktime it's the first tune on my Myspace page: [url="http://www.myspace.com/flynnbass"]http://www.myspace.com/flynnbass[/url] Thanks for listening Mike
  19. urb
    hi Alun 5....
  20. urb
    Cool KP I saw AJ at Ronnie's and it was incredible - the best I have heard Mike Stern and Dave Weckl was off the scale - the band killed it and I personally think AJ was a total inspiration for the whole band - he played brilliantly as well, his solos were so musical and surprisingly technical, he was flying about all over the place - and it's well known that AJ isn't the biggest fan of taking bass solos for the sake of it - a brilliant gig all round - they even did an encore - unusual for Ronnie's. I know what you mean about the Passive thing though - I'm going to have mine so that I can run it both passive and active - just so when the batteries die it's still playable - and for the passive tone as well. Your bass looks great too man. M
  21. urb
    [quote name='EdwardHimself' post='31728' date='Jul 14 2007, 12:56 PM']wow 33" scale and 26 frets, hope u don't have fat fingers![/quote] Well I'm not exactly Mr Sausage fingers - my hands are quite small actually - but the 33" scale will make playing a lot of the low-end stuff that I do on gigs a lot more comfortable, I have 26 frets on my 1990 Thumb bass so I'm used to those dimensions - the slightly shorter scale just makes life even easier - I played a Matt Garrison Impirial Fodera and the 33" scale is actually really cool - it just makes the bass feel more compact and the neck scary fast! Cheers Mike
  22. urb
    She's all done - page four for pics of the bass - and I just sorted out these pics today - it really is amazing - and she should be at the BASH in a couple of weeks - there's also a short first 'road test' video for your enjoyment - so silly noodly slap and finger style sounds to show off some of the tones: [attachment=6622:front_long.jpg] [attachment=6623:front_close.jpg] [attachment=6624:pups_close.jpg] [attachment=6625:back_close.jpg] [attachment=6626:headstock.jpg] [attachment=6627:top_down.jpg] Here are the specs again: 33" Scale Ebony Board 26 Frets Maple neck with wenge stringers Ash body Buckeye Burl top wood - front and back Demeter circuit Nordstrand pups Ramp Piezo Bridge (Ghost system) Red LEDs on side of neck Black Hardware Active/passive capability Gloss finish... Mike
  23. urb
    Thanks guys - appreciate the criticisms and yes the drum track sounds a bit lame, though it did sound OK when I was jamming to it - next step is to record a new tune with some of this stuff - a video is always the 'lazy' option...i.e. it's far too quick and easy - recording takes a lot more time. Anyway you are all very kind, basically I find it interesting when I improvise that sometimes - like on this vid - the ideas just 'come out' so that while I am thinking through a line or chord change - the actual end result, i.e. the notes, just appears without too much thought... that's the goal anyway, to stop thinking and just play. Thanks for watching - I promise not to post any more vids for a while - just like getting some feedback on things I'm working on. Cheers Mike
  24. urb
    hello Just made a little vid from the 'shed' today - I hadn't played my fretless for a week and I got a little inspired by the new strings I put on it - and this is what came out - a 3-chord sequence going F-, G#- and B7 from a tune I wrote called Kitson - I've been working on my 4-finger grooves as well - let me know what you think. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqZo-NJzf6U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqZo-NJzf6U[/url] Cheers Mike
  25. urb
    [quote name='ped' post='30650' date='Jul 12 2007, 11:55 AM']Wish he did What Is Hip fingerstyle though! Would have sounded much better in my opinion! Does he HAVE to slap everything?![/quote] I agree the slap-everything with Miller is a little much - but wait till you hear this - it's f-ing awesome and sooooooo funky - I'm listening to it now very loud and it's rocking - he grooves so hard on the TOP tune and the slap is so in the pocket and grooving it's pure Marcus magic - honestly, it's utterly wicked...and his tone is just, damn fine! Ouch. Mike
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