Annoying Twit

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1441539641' post='2859588'] It is quite amazing what they put up for Spare or Repair, and the prices they ask, especially in light of the Thomann Deko thread. [/quote] They sell a lot of them. Don't ask me to explain that.

Surely a three string guitar could do both. You could play it as a melody string plus drones, but also play power chords with one finger. The strumstick doesn't have the full set of frets, which would make it harder to play some useful chords (e.g. would bIII bVI and bVII be available in the 'open' key) and also playing in different keys.

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1441494211' post='2859338'] I feel faintly guilty now! Anyway - I don't really have a particularly encyclopaedic knowledge of Arias. I can tell my SBs from my SB-Rs but beyond that I'd always recommend the great Mr Graeme Fyfe's [url="http://gfyfe.com/aria.htm"]Aria website[/url]. And acording to Graeme, [url="http://gfyfe.com/sb600.htm"]it is indeed an SB600[/url]. That'll be a post '81 set-neck version, as a opposed to an earlier bolt-neck. J. [/quote] Don't feel guilty! It's a very important thing to correct errors so that people know what they are buying. I have frequently posted basses on here assuming that they are the model they are listed as, and they haven't been. I sort of rely on you to correct errors, otherwise it could be me that would be feeling guilty if someone bought something and found it wasn't what it was described as!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-by-Gear4music-Damaged-RRP-94-99-/351502929700?hash=item51d7350f24

Adverts no longer available.

Shiny SB600. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aria-Pro-2-Custom-Body-Bass-Guitar-SB-600-/231677472089?hash=item35f10dad59 (I'm mentally prepared for Jon to come along and tell me that it's not actually a SB-600 but some other obscure model, as often happens

Happy New Deko Bass day. BTW: There is a deko ukulele up on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ukulele-bass-Ubass-/331647055093?hash=item4d37b474f5 The listing does say that it's a 'deko'.

[quote name='Maude' timestamp='1441475851' post='2859149'] Not sure I totally understand what you mean but would Fleetwood Macs 'Tusk' be the sort of thing you mean? [/quote] Good choice. It's close, but there is a vocal line too. If it had been made as an instrumental, then it would be a perfect example of what I'm looking for. And it has significant sections which are exactly what I'm looking for. Any others?

Can anyone think of examples of tracks where the track is conventionally tonal, except that the lead line is played on a more or less non-tonal percussion instrument? I don't mean a drum solo, because typically they are played ... solo without other instruments. I mean something where the backing track is fairly normal, but the lead line itself is on a percussion instrument. I ask because I may have accidentally created such a track. (long story deleted). Or at least a start of a track which could go in that direction. I'd like to hear similar tracks, but can't think of any. Hmmm.... Are Ed Mann's solo albums on Spotify? EDIT: The lead lines on his more conventional (non-gong) albums are typically tuned percussion such as xylophone.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1441384527' post='2858559'] I've sold a few dekos now. But always listed as such and listed as used including the stamp mark on the back.. And I list what work I've put into it. I've seen the ads on eBay your referring to and i didn't think I would be bothered but I think it's a blatant attempt to deceive!. Especially with the dodgy chip/mark wording for the d stamp. However saying that I don't see any legal wrong in it and I doubt eBay will take action despite what might be said. Technically he is doing nothing illegal. [/quote] It doesn't need to be illegal, it only needs to be against eBay's policies/terms and conditions. eBay may feel that the items are not accurately described. @theButler - congrats on your getting something done and your free stuff - result! What has actually happened on eBay, and what has Thomann done? Could you give us some more details?

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1441369301' post='2858330'] I don't think I've ever seen a strumstick on a music video before. [/quote] I wasn't familiar with a strumstick. It's a bit limiting being in one key, unless you do the harmonica thing and buy 12 of them. When If first saw them, I assumed that they would be a three string guitar tuned to a power chord. They are (generally) tuned to a power chord, but they don't have a full set of chromatic frets. Surely a three string guitar would be similarly easy to play, but more flexible.

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1441369480' post='2858335'] Nine out of ten times that's the norm , we are already handicapped in our choice so if we finally find something we deserve to pay more for the exclusivity . The most common told argument coming from manufacturers is that it is more expansive to fabricate lefthanded instruments due to smaller production runs and mirrored machining, clamping and whatever else is involved in the process. [/quote] Personally I think that a large company such as Thomann could ameliorate the additional costs of left handed goods across all sales, and have a single price for both. I'm also unimpressed that their range of stock doesn't include left handed versions of all their mass market own-brand instruments. When the deko versions are still different prices, that takes the cake I presume that bean counters have been on the case. @Twincam Happy NDBD. If you have the standard Jazz bass, I really like how it sounds in the Thomann web demos, and in fact like the sound more than the '75 jazzer with Wilkinson pickups. I haven't heard either in real life, so that may just be differences in how well the demos were created (and anything sneaky such as extra compression or EQ or something). Left handed P-bass still available. @Blablas, surely you could turn it into your version of a Spear Flextool....

Left handed P-bass. http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_20bk_lh_standard_se_deko.htm Why is it more expensive than the right handed one? They're £18 or so aren't they?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1441314746' post='2857944'] I'll simplify this and I'm a huge MJ fan. No Beatles, no MJ. Blue [/quote] Music wouldn't have stopped if the Beatles hadn't existed. It would have developed, albeit differently. Michael Jackson would still have been a musician. The roots of The Jacksons success was Joe Jackson's failure to make it big, both as a boxer and as a musician in the 40s and 50s, before the Beatles. His personal failure led to him vicariously living his dreams through his children, and the famously strict way he made that happen. There was plenty of R&B before The Beatles, see how much The Beatles themselves were influenced by it. There would have been plenty of source of inspiration for The Jacksons and Michael Jackson's careers. It would have been different, just the same as how it would have been different had there been no Les Paul. But to just say "No MJ" is taking things too far. Clearly if we take any of the links out of history, then things would have been different, even if the link was quite small. E.g. if Buddy Holly hadn't died, how would music have developed? Who would have made it big or not made it big? We can't answer that. But music would still have developed in their absence. If we look at the innovations of The Beatles, much of what they did would also have been discovered by others had they not been there. E.g. in terms of the use of the studio, Frank Zappa was active and doing experimental music/recording before The Beatles became known. Similarly for Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. Both had the capability of making the same innovations as The Beatles did, but of course The Beatles got there first. In terms of songwriting, again many people would have been able to take advantage of harmonic and show tune music theory that The Beatles introduced into popular music. Lyrical innovations were really done by other people, e.g. The Beatles move to more sophisticated lyrics was influenced by such people as Bob Dylan. The world would be different if there were no Beatles, but the world would be different if anybody from history hadn't been born or hadn't done the notable things that they did. But to say 'No Beatles, no <anything really>' is exaggerating their importance because others would have taken the opportunities that The Beatles had to make the changes they did. There would still be music, there would still be electric guitars. There would be detail changes, e.g. perhaps there would be less use of sitar in western music, though it could be that there might be more after Neil Diamond's fateful meeting with Ravi Shankar and the stream of crossover hits that followed. In another post you say that 'it is happening, every time someone goes on stage with electric guitars'. Well yes, every one who goes on stage nowadays there will be some element of Beatles influence, possibly transitive or cumulative. But the same applies to Link Wray, Chuck Berry, Junior Barnard, who developed the sound and playing styles of electric guitar that influenced later artists (including The Beatles). Blue, I think the simplistic way that you post claims without supporting discussion is getting people's back up. Particularly when you make a hyperbolic statement such as 'No Beatles, No MJ'. The Beatles didn't invent music.

You're sorted for now, and asking on bass chat seems a good way to find someone. But, if you did want a student do fill in in the future, approaching colleges and universities that have Music Technology courses and asking to speak to the course leader of Music Technology (or other) courses will probably see you introduced to a student who would like a bit of work.

Happy NADBD (New Acoustic Deko Bass Day). Good luck to everyone else with instruments currently on order.

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1441300203' post='2857762'] When I was gigging back in the late 60s - 70s I made the most of what I had, saved up my pay from weekday paper round, Sat. butchers round & Sun. papers until I had enough for my dream of a Ricky! It turned out my illusions were shattered when I tried playing one & then a lot more but I ended up spending my hard earned on a brand new Gherson Jazz bass - because it played better & sounded better than anything else on sale in the whole of THAT LONDON at the time [/quote] You still have a Gherson Jazz Bass. Same one?

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1441294883' post='2857700'] For me - it's "Rumours", entirely because in music's primary role of enjoyable entertainment I do enjoy "Rumours", though I'm not a fan of FM, whereas Sgt Pepper bores me to the point that though I own a few Beatles recordings I've never listened to Sgt Pepper all the way through. That may be heresy to some ............. or maybe I just don't "[i]get it[/i]". [/quote] Hmmm... I think something can be enjoyable but not as important as something else. A fair sized proportion of today's serious music is not enjoyable. But in the long run it may be more important. An album being enjoyable is down to the subjective experience of the listener. Whether an album is important may be more to do with what the album motivates it's listeners (note plural) to do.

[quote name='the boy' timestamp='1441293358' post='2857680'] Almost there.... I think it needs a bit more penis. Also if you find a word that rhymes with penises it would be a hit. [/quote] Powdered animal penises From animals of many genuses.

I wonder how many bands have bassists who play Squiers with Fender labels on the headstock.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1441292198' post='2857648'] Who was bigger? The beatles or Michael Jackson *runs and hides [/quote] I do realise that your joking, but I'll say: The important bit is not who was 'bigger', but who was more innovative and influential. Which was the more important album, Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' or the lesser selling 'Sgt Pepper's'?

But these are the lyrics that I've written so far!!!! Go grab your bagpipes Bring all your Scottish friends No need to wear anything under the kilt We're gonna party 'til the night ends We'll get some haggis made from Powdered animal penises Powdered animal penises Your mum says it's good for you Powdered animal penises Powdered animal penises

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1441290448' post='2857618'] Who says it isn't up to the job? It's not about the drill, If you can get a job done with it, that's what matters, is it not? [/quote] One factor is how long the drill will last when it's being used on a daily basis. It's not just one job, but perhaps a lot of jobs. The same would apply to an unreliable bass that failed a lot, but I don't think this happens with many cheaper basses.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1441288304' post='2857581'] Well there are people who say that they're tools of the trade, and a builder wouldn't go on site with a Lidl drill, so why should they go on stage with, for example, an SX? [/quote] Because the Lidl drill is not up to the job of being used by a professional builder, but an SX bass is up to the job of going on stage?

There are quite a few musicians who are primarily known for playing other instruments, but will also play bass. E.g. Steve Winwood and Bob Mould who both IMHO do a good job of it playing appropriate stuff for their genres. And Tom Petty who, IMHO, needs to be more adventurous. But, are there many non-bass players who say that they really love playing bass? I saw Andy Partridge from XTC saying that he loved playing bass (http://xtcbackporch.forumup.com/about60-0-xtcbackporch.html) which he does on his demos.