MacDaddy

[quote name='Doddy' post='986826' date='Oct 13 2010, 12:22 PM']It depends on how define as 'success as a bass player'. If you want a long term career as a player,you have to have your technique together. There are hundreds of players around who have had 'success' with their bands,who now don't play because they didn't have the ability to branch out and sustain a career after their band went tits up. Unless you are in the rare minority,if you want success as a bass player,or any musician, need to have your technique together.[/quote] so you agree - not necessarily

[quote name='jakesbass' post='986728' date='Oct 13 2010, 11:00 AM']My feeling is, why wouldn't you want to do something as well as you are able? So whether it's 'that important' is for the individual to decide, furthermore they will achieve accordingly... Citing examples of some of the instruments greatest achievers to justify the lack of need for any particular discipline is, in my view, not helpful to the endeavours of the mortal.[/quote] Pick with just your thumb and you too could become (arguably) the second most successful bassist in popular music too? That's not really what I'm saying Jake Just adding to the debate is all. The question is 'Is technique that important?'. Well for what? Playing the bass - no. Playing the bass with an increased technical ability - yes. To acheive success as a bass player - not necessarily. To avoid possible injury and negative long term health effects - definitely.

[quote name='Doddy' post='986254' date='Oct 12 2010, 09:15 PM']Riiiight.[/quote] i did make the point of saying arguably. He probably is though.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='986023' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:20 PM']I don't know who you are referring to, but I don't see that 'just using the thumb' is necessarily poor technique.[/quote] let's open this to debate. Has anyone here who teaches bass, ever encouraged a pupil who has full use and control over their picking hand digits, to use just their thumb to pick with?

[quote name='SteveK' post='986116' date='Oct 12 2010, 07:38 PM']I would very much doubt that MacDaddy is referring to Sting... ...at least, I hope he isn't [/quote] no he isn't successful though Sting undoubtedly is I don't think he could be considered the (arguably) second most successful bassist in popular music. I was referring to Bill Wyman.

[quote name='SteveK' post='984613' date='Oct 11 2010, 05:02 PM'] Apologies if I misunderstood your post. You seemed to be getting dangerously close to the [i]"yeah, but what about the legendary Jaco Miller - he never had a lesson in his entire life - I'm going his route"[/i] type post[/quote] no worries [quote name='chris_b' post='985095' date='Oct 12 2010, 12:37 AM']I don't know of any great bass players who have no or poor technique. Can anyone name one?[/quote] depends on your definition of great. I would say the (arguably) second most successful bassist in popular music could be considered great by that fact alone, but he has poor technique by just using his thumb to pick.

[quote name='SteveK' post='984365' date='Oct 11 2010, 01:05 PM']We can all name 1 or 2 great musicians that have never studied or had a lesson in their life - They are very few and far between. Safe to assume that you (or I) are not one of them and need to put the hours in.[/quote] I'm definitely not a great musician who has never studied or had a lesson in their life. I've had lessons

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' post='984117' date='Oct 11 2010, 09:53 AM']Bumpity. Has anything changed, or are the promoters at this venue still up to the same tricks? S.P.[/quote] was wondering the same. The band I've recently joined tend to gig there and don't seem to have any problems.

so what do we think of Jamerson? Appalling technique - no teacher would advise a pupil to just pick with one finger - yet we can't deny his genius.

having a good technique can minimise the risk of long term effects such as RSI's.

or maybe bassists who don't [i]always [/i]play on their bands records. It's not about outing people or being indiscreet and I don't mean like someone else playing bass for the Beatles while Macca played piano, but it's in the public domain that: Peter Tork didn't play bass for the Monkees (until Headquarters?). Rik Savage admitted in BGM that Def Leppard bass lines are often sequenced - no real bass. Gene Simmons doesn't care who knows it's not always his playing on Kiss records. Anyone else?

[quote name='oldslapper' post='968454' date='Sep 26 2010, 03:37 PM']In a chance meeting with another bass player, he offered me hi Shuker jazz bass with villex notch knob thing, for £500. It's immaculate as he is a collector and looks after his guitars. I rather liked it's construction and the neck was very nice and I don't usually go for maple boards, but this was good. (Block fret markers were quite retro looking. Anyway, is this good value? I have no idea, I don't really need another bass but it was very light compared to my 20 year old USA Jazz. Any love for Shukers?[/quote] that is [b]amazing [/b]value. And yup there is lots of love for Shuker around here. John doesn't advertise as such, most of his commisions are from word of mouth from happy punters.

Kustom Groove 1300HD? [url="http://www.kustom.com/product_detail.aspx?TypeID=6&FamilyID=76&ProductID=121&Tab=1"]http://www.kustom.com/product_detail.aspx?...D=121&Tab=1[/url]

please add myself to the list. Ta.

The Edge of Heaven - Wham! Like a Prayer - Madonna

[quote name='mikeselfinflicted' post='916145' date='Aug 5 2010, 04:18 PM']hey peeps!!! In about 3 months time i should have saved about 3k its taken forever!!!! I have a habit of runnig out and buying the first thing i see an that will NOT happen this time i want something for pretty much the next 10 to 20 years!!! been looking at the db751 an a gs4x12 but would like something a bit unusual at the same time. I know some guys who use mesa m6's an m9's that sound great but i'd like to find something a bit different. suggestions?[/quote] If you can, try a Phil Jones rig. I had one in my last metal band and it out-ampeged Ampegs IMO of course. Definitely 'a bit unusal' and 'a bit different'!

whatever pieces you play for the audition, have a couple of scored copies to give to the audition panel.

[quote name='Toddy' post='919965' date='Aug 9 2010, 07:35 PM']Nicccccccee[/quote] [attachment=56166:jazz220.jpg] really nice!

love the Guild B-301. I sold mine on here a few years back bcause the neck was a bit too chunky for my wee hands. They look and sound great, and mine was the best set up I'd had, the action could go ridiculously low with no buzzing or dead spots anywhere. Yours looks in better nick mine was a bit mojoed.

calling Cetera!

[quote name='steantval' post='918015' date='Aug 7 2010, 02:49 PM']I will be observing the bass player like a hawk[/quote] i tend to that at gigs as a matter of course :brow:

[quote name='OldGit' post='917915' date='Aug 7 2010, 12:48 PM']Just go to a gig or two and record the sets with a Zoom h2 or something like that. Put it somewhere near the bass cab and you'll know all you need to know about how they start, end and play the tunes.[/quote] was going to suggest asking for any recording of their previous gigs, but the above is probably better as you'll get to see how they are on stage.

2 plus spare strings. Although have taken just 1, but always with spare strings.

[quote name='Marvin' post='917780' date='Aug 7 2010, 10:23 AM']Idiots! Surely as a bass player the bonus of playing Alright Now is to have a break whilst not having an official break. As you say, have a quick drink and maybe rest those fingers. [/quote] unscheduled toilet break too