silverfoxnik

[quote name='mrcrow' post='698149' date='Jan 1 2010, 05:40 PM'].....because you aint worth it [/quote] Excellent! So, Ped should include this in all his marketing materials: "[b]Basschat - the kiss of life for old bastards. .....because you aint worth it![/b]" Obviously, with due respect to all the younger & properly parented Basschatters amongst us, etc, etc!

That's genius! Very enjoyable thanks...

[quote name='grapevinebass' post='698629' date='Jan 2 2010, 11:45 AM']Interesting thread so far. General conclusion seems to be that some knowledge of theory helps you as a bass player. Now my son is looking at University courses in music. There are courses where you spend 3 years learning music theory! So perhaps a better question is: 'what elements of the whole music language are most useful to a bass player'. Since I cannot spend 3 years learning music theory, what nuggets of theory are most needed for an average bassist? Even better, are these nuggets collected together in any one book, or website? Is a new thread called for, called 'Helpful Music Theory and Tips'?[/quote] Good idea, though the [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showforum=31"]Theory and Technique[/url] Forum itself is very useful as it is..

Great looking bass; I bet it sounds good too!

[quote name='oldslapper' post='697388' date='Dec 31 2009, 06:01 PM']Pete you are a darn fine player having checked out your vids, and SD bass lines require good feel/timing/technique which you have a'plenty. I have known plenty of fantastic players who don't have a clue why what they do "works ,it just does. I was in the same camp up until about 3 years ago, when someone gave me simple some pointers on "intervals/diatonic charts/scale structure". And I have to say that even some basic theory knowledge opened up my playing, it was a bit like a door opening to a new world (sounds a bit poncy, but only way to describe it) and things started to make sense. I now know why what I do sounds the way it does and I'm able to articulate on a different level with other musicians, particularly in new situations. Certainly gave me confidence to go out and start playing again after a 15 year break. I'm 48, not a 19 year old just starting out, and wish now I had taken this stuff on board years ago. I think I'd have been a more confident musician. But look, if you don't feel you need to know theory, then don't worry about it...you're obviously doing ok without it. You're in a working band, and well respected as a player from what I see on this forum. Happy new year, John[/quote] +1 That's pretty much my situation too.. I don't think there's any amount of theory that can teach you to how to 'feel' and understand music, nor how to play well with other musicians in a working band situation..or how to know how to play in a way that is best for the song. IMO, that comes with experience and also depends on whatever talents you were born with. Having said that, I've found that my lack of a better understanding of musical theory has definitely hindered my personal progress as a musician and may have led to me achieving less as a working bass player. And it's also been quite frustrating knowing there's more out there to learn in terms of what I call 'musical vocabulary'.. I can only describe how it feels to me as a player whereby, over the last 30 years or so, it's like I've been trying to speak English but have only had a quarter of the words in the dictionary at my disposal..if that makes any sense? This year I already decided that I'm going to have some lessons to change that, and I can't wait! Going back to the OP, I don't think it matters if you're 'pretty clueless' as far as theory is concerned, provided that you are happy with what you're doing as a bass player.. If you're not though, then maybe it's best to do something about it!

[quote name='RhysP' post='697545' date='Dec 31 2009, 08:13 PM']When I joined the forum in March this year I was at a make or break point with my bass playing. I'd been a bass player for 30 years but hadn't really touched it for 10 of them, concentrating more on learning to play guitar & keyboards. I came across the forum by accident while searching for some bass related topic & decided to sign up & see if my interest in bass would be rekindled or whether it would prove to me once and for all that it was time to sell the gear & give up playing altogether. Fast forward to 31st December and I'm the incredibly proud owner of another Zon, have joined a band for the first time in years due to contacts made on the forum (thanks Matt!), and am also about to go into the studio to record a bunch of songs with another old muso friend who contacted me last week. Most importantly I am enjoying my playing in a way that I honestly never thought I would again, which is just such a great feeling. I honestly think that I would have sold all my bass gear by now if I hadn't discovered the wealth of knowledge & the genuinely fantastic bunch of people who make this forum such a useful & valuable resource, as well as just a great place to spend some time (probably too much time actually!). Thanks for breathing new life into this old bastard - I really appreciate it. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.[/quote] Great story! I think many of us would say the same actually..Basschat is a remarkable community! So, Happy New Year to Basschat and to everyone here who helps make the place what it is!

[quote name='barneyg42' post='682174' date='Dec 12 2009, 02:11 PM']Had a flying visit from James for him to pick up a couple of cabs.... Top bloke to deal with, good comms and a bundle of cash too! Cheers Colin[/quote] +1 I had a meeting with James a couple of days ago, somewhere off the A1/M25 interchange, to relieve him of his Ashdown LG1000.. Great comms, pleasure to deal with again (this being the second time I've dealt with him) ..all in all, highly recommended! Thanks James

[quote name='bassplace' post='696855' date='Dec 30 2009, 11:50 PM']Although the pic doesn't show it, it's trans-white, based on a Precision I saw at a store in the 70's but could never afford.[/quote] That's definitely a good reason to show us some better pics!

[quote name='bassplace' post='696077' date='Dec 30 2009, 03:42 AM']As do I [/quote] I used to love that bass...

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='695628' date='Dec 29 2009, 02:47 PM']+1 Awesome looking bass.[/quote] +1

[quote name='bassplace' post='694663' date='Dec 28 2009, 06:18 AM']And while where showing appreciation... here's my ProIIe, rear-loaded no less. It's the only one I've seen pictured. If I recall Pete said he made 2 or 3 this way. It was originally a natural finish and fretless. I made the changes back when I got it around 1985. [attachment=38914:PICT0022.jpg] dunc[/quote] Love that bass!!!

IMO, bass mutes are a brilliant tool to have if you like that sound (which I do)..But with a bit of effort, the effect can be replicated using a right-hand damping technique (or left-hand if you play left-handed). Just takes a bit of practice..

[quote name='lowdown' post='695582' date='Dec 29 2009, 01:51 PM']I am really good friends with Jeff. Infact just spoken to him recently. [he is living out at Clacton] Not doing any Bass stuff at the moment. He built me a couple of Basses in the late 80's [one was a great 6er, also his repair work was great] If you want to speak to him PM me your name and number, and i will pass it on. He likes his privacy these days. Garry[/quote] Always wondered what happened to him myself.. A very fine luthier indeed!

Go for the Roscoe Beck!! Then re-start this thread...

[quote name='YouMa' post='694539' date='Dec 27 2009, 09:31 PM']Yeah shes a cracker,thick as sh*t though.[/quote]

Thanks folks, that's really helpful.. The Amon Tobin stuff is really cool too! The Culture Show clip made me laugh when Squarepusher spoke about being somewhere 'creatively between a ciche and a monkey'.. Having looked at quite a few of the YouTube clips now, I think his bass playing is less exciting than what he's doing with his electronic music, though you can hear how the bass is also a key element at times.. (Going completely off-topic for a minute, is it me or Lauren Laverne really quite luminously beautiful? Maybe I had one too many yesterday...)

Hi Folks I was recently watching the 'Lost in Translation' movie and loved the soundtrack so much that I ordered it from Amazon. Amazingly, Amazon got the CD here before Xmas so I've been listening to it a lot these last few days. Turns out one of my favourite pieces of music from the film is by 'Squarepusher'; a beautiful but short track called "Tommib" which reminds me of Erik Satie, Debussy and Steve Reich amongst others. It's quite stunning! I can't find the actual clip from the movie where it's used but here's a YouTube cover.. I knew from threads on here of his quite considerable bass playing talents but it seems that there's a lot more to Squarepusher as a musician than I realised. Is anyone else a fan, and what else of his catalogue should I check out..? Thanks Nik

[quote name='alansanderson' post='394526' date='Jan 29 2009, 01:26 PM'][url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Iny3ABEjshY"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Iny3ABEjshY[/url][/quote] Nice one Al! Enjoyed that and actually learned something new too...

[quote name='jdt' post='693328' date='Dec 25 2009, 11:33 AM']Nice present from my wife and kids,a red jag, would like help with what dose what. Also looking for lessons mid wales area.[/quote] This springs to mind..

[quote name='wombatboter' post='692936' date='Dec 24 2009, 01:37 PM']Not sure which sort of wood this is...it's not mentionned on the inside. Bought it from Duncan (based around New York) and apparantly this bass seems to have a connection with Howard Jones ? Sounds great though it has only one pick-up and the output is amazing (more than some active basses) [/quote] Very nice and as you say, that's quite an unusual facing.. I've always found Wal basses, passive or active models, to have a really strong output. Mine is the 'hottest' of all my basses.. Merry Xmas by the way!

Me too! Nice bass playing and a very lovely fat sounding Lakland...