leftyhook

Thought this might be an amusing thread to start. Have you ever had a celebrity watching you? I think my weirdest celeb in the audience has to be 60's TV sitcom star Harry Worth (your parents will do the HW impersonation with a shop window if you ask them!) while I was playing a tiny night club in Singapore back in 1984! Won't bore you with former Bucks Fizz singers or football chairmen, or being on the same bill as TV comedians........ I am sure there will be some interesting and amusing Z-list stories!

2 different topics here! I love Musicman basses. Wish i had one. But, despite All right now being one of my least favourite Free songs, I love Fraser's playing more. Ditch the song and play Mr Big instead

er.. I was doing that back in '84........then I put notes in there...........= a slap song.............then Mark King did it with great songs!

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1327430540' post='1511152'] It's a bit easier to hear what Fraser is doing on 'All Right Now' on the 'Live' album by Free. For anyone not familiar with it, that's a brilliant album. [/quote] It is, groooves like hell. Getting really 'anoraky' here, but the live All right Now has a different line during the chorus. He hits a G,( pushed with the rest of the band) rather than sticking on an A through the chord changes. He also plays the low A rather than the middle during the chorus. I know, I need a hobby.

Ah..Andy Fraser. It's all about the tight short notes which I don't believe you can get with a pick. He used the bridge pick-up on his EB, but the guy had funky fingers. Finger style it has to be for Free. Listen to the bass solo on the studio version of Mr Big. "bo-bo-bo-bo-bo-bo-bo-...." the gaps are essential and come from the playing style. I analysed his playing from me being 14 years old and it has definitely been entrenched into my own style. The lead into the guitar solo on Alright Now (not a bass solo!) was created to fill out the song for the lack of keyboard/guitar when playing live. So you HAVE to play the open A whilst doing the noted up the top of the neck.!

[quote name='1976fenderhead' timestamp='1327414793' post='1510816'] I had the Ultra Fuzz for years and it was the best fuzz I had ever used on bass, but when I tried the SFX Micro Fuzz I sold the Zoom straight away Check it out, I don't get tired of recommending it. I wish I had a use for it in my current functions band It really nails the Death From Above 1979 sound to my ears, which is what I bought it for! [/quote] Headline reads: "Function Band Murdered my Creativity" My son bought me an MXR Big Muff Pi for xmas. can I use it on Amy Winehouse songs?

I just wish I could understand all of this. I just plug and play, though sometimes.....I really wish I knew more about it.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1327398659' post='1510423'] "Get out." [/quote] HAHAHA! Seriously though (in case you did not get my humour) I would like my lead singer see that with regards to other band members turning up at 6.pm and leaveing at 12.30 am, putting up the PA, lights, backline, sound checking etc etc.

I consider myself the ideal professional. I treat my fellow band members, audience and crew members with the respect that they deserve as fellow music lovers. Intended to be funny, but my feelings are hurt.

My Wal doesn't have front dots........I totally forgot about that. Get to know your bass better young man!

I posted about my old Ibanez Dan Armstrong plexi-glass bass a few years ago and didn't follow it up. Basically it's stripped of all electronics, knobs and the saddle on the bridge is missing.(and the scratchplate, the blue is coming off) It holds sentimental value more than anything and it's time I tried to get it up and running again, or to become a usable ornament! I will be pestering the BassDoc on this one ( sorry Howard, you know what I am like!) but I just thought I would post a pic of the empty shell. wish me luck!

I may attract more negatives than positives for this one... OTT? maybe so, but I love this. Such energy! I watched it twice in a row because it gave me such a kick. I'm not a big fan of flashy tapping/lead-guitar-style-bass-playing but this just blew my socks off. Turn up to 11 and feel the rush! http://youtu.be/_XT6SmzSvpc

[quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1327146228' post='1506908'] To me, this is what bass playing is all about. groove, melody, chord progression and expression. None of this 1000 x slap notes that just sound like a bag of bolts being shaken in a metal tube. Just my personel opinion of course. [/quote] great description!.............though I don't condone this kind of verbal behaviour..

I feel like I am playing C.O.D watching that basscam Gabriel video. Motion sickness...............Byyyuuuurkkk!!! Good stuff tho

Came across this. Headphones on, you can hear ever squeak...and a great tone. (is that Uriah Duffy sitting too?) [media]http://youtu.be/H9rBjOc-DRM[/media]

Take it easy! Don't knock yourself if you feel you should be progressing faster. We are all different. Go at a comfortable pace and watch how well you improve. Play along to youtube, but you don't have to replicate every note. Do your own thing over a song. It's good to listen to others, but let your own creativity guide you. Good things come to those that............................................................................................................................................................................................wait

[quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1327078781' post='1506163'] It doesnt really matter, IMHO, I play wrong notes all the time and no one really notices. The crowd won't notice unless its something major! If the crowd don't notice whats on the record they won't notice what you play live on it. I did 'Walk this way' and to be honest I can bearly make out what the bass is doing on the record, its soo quiet and undefined to my ears. So I make something up to fit, even the singer guitarist didn't know it was different to the record. As for mistakes? If you can mask them well and recover then you're sorted. Again all in my opinion. Dan [/quote] Wrong notes? I think you mean 'alternative' notes! AC/DC, it's mostly roots anyway.

Tis True, Youtube is full to the brim with bass lesson. i.e. Marlow DK is a top guy (sure he will have been mentioned) No need to sit in front of someone to learn to slap. We are so fortunate in these modern times! I am sure the more 'experienced (time!) can tell you that once upon a time, there was nothing but your vinyl albums and cassette recorders to learn from. I recall my ' bedroom days' when my amplifier was a wardrobe that was scratched to bits from my bass headstock pushed up against it, using it for its natural vibrational enhancements, Those were the days.....................not!

I bought a bass case (cheap from a mate, he took it back) to put my left handed P bass in only to find it didn't fit because of the shape inside the case. Thought I could just turn the bass around..............duh. I very much doubt I will get hold of a left handed internally shaped case for less than £80. I just want a reliable case that doesn't allow the bass to move around inside, Someone said Hiscox tend to fall over because of the closeness of the feet. Recommend something for no more than £80? many thanks

Naah

Great piece of Bass history from Howard. Actually,It is the third time I have heard that story. Howard told me once several years ago (had to prise it out of him..a modest chap our Howard), but I pretended that I hadn't heard his story before and got him to tell me all over again recently. Love it! I have a small link with the great man...ish . My Wal, then fretless, had the fingerboard skimmed by Chris ( I think) from Overwater around 10 years ago in Sound Control, Newcastle ( Was he mates with Neil? can't recall . He had done the same job for Pino previously. Good enough for Pino..... Rubbish bit of info compared to Howard's tale!

[quote name='Protium' timestamp='1326911631' post='1503685'] Depends entirely what cabs you are using. For example, my EVOII 300W through a schroeder 1210L is outrageously loud, whereas through an ashdown 115 it's not. The 500 should easily be loud enough for band practices. The LH500 is made by Hartke [/quote] oops!b slip of the mind.eyes/fingers! I meant an Ashdown 500. Venue rig. Anyway Hartke does the trick for me

I have a Hartke 350 and it is VERY loud. I set my gains ( tube and solid state at 1 0'clock and 11 o'clock respectively) and never have the Master volume past 3 o'clock. I do have to go through the P.A but the on-stage output is never lacking with these settings. Well, maybe in large venues such as a Haven holiday park I may push it up to 4 o'clock. oooh! There is plenty of headroom on these amps and with the right speaker config you will get a great sound. Ive also used Ashdown amps but can't say which model (500's yes) and I too have not been impressed. lacked oomph.