BetaFunk

I took my 1963 Burns Sonic bass to my local guitar shop in the summer. It was a bit of a novelty as most of them hadn't really seen a bass of that age and they all wanted to play it which was fine by me. I was really surprised that everyone in their 20s or younger just picked it up and gave a good old slap apart from one of them. It was a bit of a surreal moment seeing that done to a 50 year old bass.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1385421409' post='2288200'] But music today is just noise! FACT! [/quote] Music yesterday was just noise. FACT! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vjofqA2SNY

[quote name='bassist_lewis' timestamp='1385409477' post='2287982'] I'm talking about the Korean cross-dressing kind, I feel sorry for previous generations who maybe only had one or two experiences of such players. We really do live in a golden era... [/quote] Yeah, and silence is golden too.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1385400025' post='2287774'] I heard that on the radio. Was very sad how quickly he died after his last gig ...within 24hrs IIRC. [/quote] Yes very sad. He had a lifetime of drug abuse and his Riverside producer Orrin Keepnews said that he suffered from "a paralysing combination of perfectionism and self-doubt". Hard to believe that someone so talented would suffer that way musically but as we know genius often comes at a price and can be a heavy burden on some.

[quote name='timbass' timestamp='1385389966' post='2287608'] That's good, I have not heard this Bill Evans interview before - nice piece of filming too. [/quote] Yes it's a really interesting film. If you're interested in Bill Evans he was Composer Of The Week on BBC Radio 3 a couple of weeks ago. It's very rare for anyone else than a classical composer to be COTW so it was a bit of a treat. The edited version is still available as a download and is well worth hearing.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1385391688' post='2287640'] My faves would be Scott LaFaro and Danny Thompson. But this song ('Topplue Votter & Skjerf' by Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous and Jack De Johnette) is IMHO one of the most beautiful ever written and includes my favourite ever DB solo, so for that reason alone I nominate Miroslav Vitous [/quote] That's one of my favourites too. I've seen Miroslav Vitous live a few times and i'm pretty sure once was with that trio. Great bass player.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1385326441' post='2287004'] I was watching one of these on Ebay a couple of days back. Was very tempted but had a word with myself, as I dont get on with Jazzes [/quote] They also do a Precision style Power Bass.

Thankfully i haven't seen either the film or the play but good luck with it.

I think i'd rather listen to Kanye West. P.S. By the way, i'm not a fan of Kanye West.

This may be of interest to Shergold collectors.......... http://www.thelittleguitarshop.com/Bass.html

[quote name='kendow' timestamp='1385296832' post='2286483'] what would you say a rare bass like this would be worth ???? [/quote] Not sure what you mean by rare but if you're thinking of worth as in money it's like anything else, it's worth what anyone is prepared to pay for it.

[quote name='ash' timestamp='1385249163' post='2286193'] I contacted him with an offer after it ended but he declined. He told me the offer for it which I still reckon is still too high given the condition of it. My Marathon 4 is near mint and came with the original case, a strap and an old curly lead. It was under £410. These are great basses but don't pay silly prices for them, the really rare ones are the Marathon 6 and 8 strings now they are worthy of silly prices! [/quote] I agree. For me that's too much money for a Marathon in that condition that needs the binding repaired and also it doesn't have the bridge cover.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1385243262' post='2286128'] ....Christmas is a comin though so you maybe dont have to buy one at all ! ( been dying to use this avatar all year! )! [/quote] That's true. I'll send my letter off to Santa tonight but i don't hold out much hope that he'll come up with the goods. I've asked him for a KK Baby Bass KB1 so he should be able to get it in his sleigh.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1385232837' post='2285960'] You dont need any talent to buy one, as I found out! [/quote] That may be so but i really couldn't justify buying one with my (lack of) talent. [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1385232837' post='2285960'] Have you watched the isle of man great double bass race documentary on you tube? [/quote] Yes i have. Very entertaining,

I think i've just found one of the auction site advisors.......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkZdTHmX0TQ .......you don't want one of them there basses, you wanna get a very nice example from Matsumoko or a very collectable FujiGen you do.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1385234334' post='2285987'] Chuffin 'ell ! It does indeed sound like Geddy Lee and Patty Smith have had a daughter who is very , very angry at them for something or other [/quote] Sounds more like Lena Lovich than Patty Smith to me.

[quote name='Immo' timestamp='1385230047' post='2285899'] Yeah, but a guy who sells second hand bass with wear and dings at a new one's price may become worried that he won't sell his merchandise and maybe he'll do some research. [/quote] I still don't understand why that would bother anyone. Who cares what other people buy? Do these 'advisors' stand in shops all day (when they not trawling auction sites that is) and give advice to prospective customers there?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1385223128' post='2285785'] Gary Karr clips on you tube was the final bit of inspiration before ordering my Gedo, love him! [/quote] I can understand that. If i had a bit of talent i would do the same and buy a double bass. He always seems to be enjoying himself as well.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1385228887' post='2285882'] i quite like the look if of it [/quote] Me too.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1384932800' post='2282363'] However, there are auctions where the price is significantly out of whack. E.g. second hand items being sold for more than the new price. Items listed for double what they normally go for, or more. I just roll my eyes and move on, but I can imagine some potential buyers being frustrated that an item they would be prepared to pay a fair price for is 'available', but at an unrealistic price. [/quote] I'm sure that the salesman in my local Ferrari dealership can see my frustration when i look at those gleaming cars in the showroom at what i see as unrealistic prices but guess what? He won't reduce those prices.

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1385215411' post='2285689'] Why not? If you can put some doubt in the seller's mind, and secure the item at the price you want to pay, why not? In sport you'd call it gamesmanship. [/quote] That's what i thought. Time wasters.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1385226789' post='2285844'] There is another white one just popped up on eBay - 24hr auction, no bids yet starting at £400. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331072113585?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1423.l2649[/url] [/quote] http://basschat.co.uk/topic/222860-shergold-marathon-in-white/

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1385208189' post='2285587'] Here it is - just a couple of pics taken on my phone, still thinking about it, I haven't bought it yet... [/quote] ..... and if you do you won't need to use the photo of mine anymore to show what they look like.

Eddie Gomez. Bill Evans certainly knew a good bass player when i heard one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSmKGuuODKk

Marc Johnson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccNFvZR_AbY