SpondonBassed

Score two...

Score one point for MAJ...

Shall we settle this once and for all with a Bass-Off? I nominate two bands each comprising three bassists thus:[list] [*]In the red corner - SMV (Stanley Clark, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten) [*]and in the blue corner - MAJ (Mark King, Adam Clayton and Jaco Pastorius) [/list] Let the grumbling begin FOR REAL...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1470758046' post='3108232'] I certainly don't hate Adam Clayton. But I [i]am [/i]jealous of him for being in the right place at the right time. That's it, really - his playing is really neither here nor there, he does what is necessary for the song, as said. I think virtuoso bass playing is highly overrated. In my view the electric bass is not a solo instrument and I like it best when it is supporting, firstly a really good drummer and secondly, a great band. Try finding either. Bah! [/quote] Plus one. Well put.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1470687034' post='3107707'] Look, it's no exaggeration to say that it's even better than the Grateful Dead, and even Schubert..! There, I've said it..! [/quote] Oh I dunno you know. I do like a bit of Trout.

I think the term "over-engineered" might be appropriate. Back in the day, there were less bean counters to account with and you didn't have to build down to a price so much. Now stuff seems adequate for the job in the main but once out of warranty... it's a nice trick that can mean the difference between being able to continue with a viable business or not.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1470743257' post='3108053'] Chancers...I suppose that they must still get away with it otherwise they'd have given up on it by now..eventually everybody will be computer savvy enough not to fall for this sh1t. [/quote] I don't think it matters if you are computer savvy or not. I know I.T. people who are gullible too. There is an opportunist for every walk of life, technology hasn't changed a thing.

Yeah man. I've been grooving my nut off since this thread went up. Good one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RjuC9YeXg

[quote name='itsmedunc' timestamp='1470659941' post='3107391'] Thanks for the advice everyone. Quite a bit to mull over there! I'm swaying towards blend and EQ at the moment. It sounds simple enough and I won't need to acquire more gear that the Mrs can see! Any other suggestions would also be greatly appreciated. [/quote] Perhaps hire a secret storage unit so that the Mrs doesn't know just how much you have indulged your GAS?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1470675604' post='3107562'] Interesting story, I've finally learned that the pub, bar and even fair and festival gigging is different in the UK than in the US. Overall, I think it's harder for bands in the UK at the pub/ bar band level to get consistent bookings. You just don't have as many places to play as we do over here. Blue [/quote] This guy gets it

I worked in the airline industry for many years on the technical side. I left because of the ridiculous price wars that some operators embarked upon in the eighties. Flying a vehicle that is heavier than air whilst carrying passengers is a massive responsibility and passengers must accept limitations or fly unsafely. It costs even when offering a stripped back service to passengers. More seats mean less freight capacity AND less cabin space per passenger for hand luggage. If it goes in the hold the weight of your luggage doesn't go away either. Low fares meant that everyone took a pay cut except the "investors". I left when Ford garages were paying [i]car[/i] mechanics more than British Airways paid us aircraft "mechanics" after they took over Caledonian Airways just before the nineties. My next few contracts got paid a LOT more for writing about aero engineering than doing it and I bought a house. I would not work for the industry again for any money. Pay peanuts, get monkeys. Now, what were you complaining about?

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1470656947' post='3107345'] The good news is they liked us enough to book us for a paid gig. [/quote] Result, I'd say. Good man well done.

Thud, Welcome.

[quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1470652864' post='3107303'] Ah but the thread title uses the word 'bassist' to also include upright and Chapman stick players, and not the word 'bass' which could include tuba, church organ, Bryn Terfel.. [/quote] Thanks for the clarification.

Slappers? I might be a bit young for exposure to that sort of thing.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470386009' post='3105597'] It would be nice to see a few more names on the list and a few more basses that I agree with, I'd like to see more people who want an introduction to upright to come along too. [/quote] I was thinking it's not too far from home. An introduction to the instrument would be of great interest although it is not one that I plan to take up for the foreseeable. It is just that as one who only plays EB I feel I should absorb some of the DB culture to round me off a bit. I'll have a better idea nearer the time as to whether I shall attend and will add my name if so decided.

Bump. Is there no-one? I was hoping to get to the open mic night stage with a lickle band this year but...

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1470584218' post='3106895'] Jaco was not actually that technical; he was funky as fcuk. [/quote] Funky definitely. Technicality is relative especially to an amateur like me. Before looking closely at Jaco, I had no idea that you could make artificial harmonics. I suppose there are other examples out there but for me, that technique came from observing Jaco and listening to clipped interviews. Posthumously I might add. Is that not impressive?

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1470574346' post='3106793'] ? [/quote] I can only think you are wondering what "Heeheehee" means... It's just that I h8 using acronyms, abreviations and initialisms such as lol and I dislike txtspk generally. Sorry for any confusion but I thought what you said was funny and I larfed.

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1470573123' post='3106781'] Look mate... [/quote] Heeheehee.

...and Marmite

Just caught up on this. Well done Neil Hannon! Marc Almond... very odd how he kept sharpening the high notes. He hasn't improved except that maybe he looks a bit more like Liz Taylor than before. J Cale, didn't seem to have practiced much. He struck me like those "walk-on" guests that turn up in the likes of "I love Lucy". The audience recognises them for an achievement that was made in a previous generation and the enthusiastic applause promises a performance to remember but that's the ONLY thing going for him. Still and all, I appreciate that they loved Bowie too and that is what counts in a tribute. I loved your work David. Thanks for keeping us interested to the very end of your life.

I started off enjoying this thread...

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1470520787' post='3106565'] If you put the Land of the Giants headstock back on that (for show) it would be the ugliest thing this side of the black stump. In fact a black stump with strings would be prettier. [/quote] "Land of the Giants headstock" Priceless! The ugliest motorcycle I ever owned was a black 1995 Triumph Tiger. It was PLUGLY (plug ugly)!. Bear in mind that I had had TWO CX500 Hondas before that. I loved my Tigger. Its looks were bizarre but strangely functional. It may be controversial to say but I think ugly is the new pretty in cases like this. Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that.

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1470499993' post='3106428'] Turns out Cort were reading this thread for inspiration, then jumped into their time machine and popped back to 1985 to create this: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/Random/CortHeadlessP_zpsgrgxb6eb.jpg.html"][/url] Including genuine Steinberger-licensed bridge! But yes, looks are very important. Fortunately I like basses in general so can find something to love in most styles, colours and designs. Not seen too many singlecuts that I like, but I think that's down to trend-led aesthetics rather than the underlying concept. There is no intrinsic need for a singlecut to look like the misbegotten offspring of Snoopy and a sperm whale. But most of them somehow do. Jon. [/quote] Oh wow! Thank you for that. The only modification I'd make to its appearance is to fit a second strap button so's it is more stable when leant against my amp.