OutToPlayJazz

I'd recommend the Birmingham Conservatoire as well, if only because Fred Baker is there. I had some lessons with him way back in the 80's and as long as you use him as a resource, you'll learn a lot. I've had pupils do the degree course at the Leeds College & Brighton and they seem to have come through very well, too. If anyone wants jazz lessons, either upright or electric, drop me a line

I'm lucky to have a lot of very critical friends... ie., I have a very distinctive sound with my MarkBass rig & people know what I usually 'sound' like. First outing of my Geddy Lee Fender Jazz was such an occasion where a friend said it sounded very middly compared to my Status/Warwick sound. Easily fixed with some onboard filter adjustment. I'm lucky enough to have a very powerful rig, so often don't need to DI through the PA. At bigger venues, you are of course, at the mercy of the sound engineers & luckily I've never had cause to complain. (Apart from of course when we were playing through a 40K system with 2K of personal monitoring each - Now where did I put my earplugs??)

For fast funk stuff, I like a 4-stringer best. There are jazz passages & even some of the rock tracks I play that need the bottom "B" but I couldn't cope with the Status KingBass' graphite 5-string neck, as the neck picked up the resonance of the B string even when you didn't even touch it. Hence my new Status this coming week is going to be a 4-string S-2 classic. I bought a beautiful Yamaha TRB-6 a few weeks ago from Mike (aka. Beneath it all?) It was on a bit of a whim at the time, but I consiquently played a show (with lots of wind/brass players) where it was invaluable. Playing in more complex "flat" keys, the extra range allowed me to work across-ways as opposed to jumping up and down the fingerboard like a loony Makes perfect sense! So I suppose the answer to the original thread question is that each has it's place. I like 4's & 6's, at any rate. Just not 5-ers with a graphite neck. *BOOM-BOOM*

I have a pupil who has a short scale Cort bass that came as a starter pack. Nice sounding bass and very easy to play.

Rob, Sounds like you need to get down to Colchester and get yourself a Status! Nothing like the growl of graphite Alternatively, have a look at a Warwick Corvette $$ like mine... Hugetastic sound & very modern sounding as well. Rich.

Thanks for the warm words, Ian I knew you'd love it! My new S2-classic in the same wood/colour/spec should be here by the end of next week Can't wait!

I'd say the second track is the deluxe active jazz with the flats. Sounds more "immediate" (ie. active, but smoother with the flats.) The first track is more old school sounding, but I like it. Don't know if it's the mix, but the bass just seems much more clearly defined.

HeHe... Remember the Lemmy interview in the late 80's...? "So Lemmy, what do you think of Jon Bon Jovi?" "Jon Bon Jovi...? Jon Bon B*****d!!!"

RotoSound Swingbass for me Just ordered two sets for my TRB-6.

Sound Control usually list a Steinberger XT2 Spirit on their site for around £200. That's passive & headless.

Ian is selling a lovely white spritfire 4 on the "basses for sale" forum

No mate, you're definitely not out of your mind. Once you've had a Status, you'll never look back! Although I've just sold my KingBass V, I'm off to visit Rob & Dawn at Colchester in a couple of weeks to pick up one new Status & order another. I've been a Status player for 19 years & always will be. Once you've had that ease of playing & the amazing graphite 'growl', you'll be hooked! I had an S2000 for a short time many years ago, and it was not unike the current all-graphite Stealth model. Amazing to play & very fast! There's a stealth headed on the forum for sale. That's more of a modern equivalent with the same basic sound, just different electronics. Although I love my wooden basses, there's something about a Status. Playing my wooden basses is nice enough, it's just like driving around in your Mondeo when you know you have a Ferrari in the garage

That is absolutely stunning! I played a Goodfellow for a few months back in the dark ages (90's) & loved it. If I wasn't blowing all my money on a new Status, GB would be next on my list!

Yes, sounds like a huge job... How about a Yamaha TRB5-P or a Status Electro, etc.? Something that already has the piezo system built in?

I run the MarkBass mini 15 combo with a traveller 2x10 on top. Sound is amazing & it's all the lightest weight it could possibly be!

MarkBass all the way

I seem to remember reading that Marcus Miller uses DR strings. The standard guage Fender ones are 45-105, but I'd put RotoSound Swing Bass "66" on there - Probably a set of 40-100 or even better 35-90. I've got the 35's on my Geddy & it sings

[quote name='neilb' post='90133' date='Nov 18 2007, 09:29 AM']it will probably be as popular as the Line6 variax......[/quote] Yes, but without the cables, and hopefully attached to a decent bass this time

Hey there, everyone! For those of you who haven't seen or heard one, have a look on YouTube or the Fender website for the videos on the Fender VG series strat. It's a tone modeling guitar with an extra Roland digital pickup, capable of different sounds (guitar types), different tunings, etc. All looks pretty amazing... SHALL WE PETITION FENDER TO MAKE US A BASS VERSION!? I for one would love one!

Unfortunately, the Geddy only comes in black at the moment, same as the original colour of Geddy's '72. They are looking into an updated version with new tuners and bringing in the wine red colour of Geddy's custom shop jazz. They definitely have the thinnest neck I've ever seen & the pups/badass II make it sound like nothing else, with a sort of three dimensional growl. Highly recommended! I've had other Fenders over the years & have always traded them on (I've always been a big Status nut) but this one is so good that I'll be keeping it for a long time!

From what I've seen & played (and own), I'd go Japanese every time. I've owned an MIM which was thankfully a nice one, but then sold that to a pupil. I've played quite a few MIA models & I don't know whether it's the factory setup or the basses themselves, but they just don't feel fast or nice to play. The most recent MIA's I've played also feel half finished with rough necks & varying quality control. I've currently got (well documented on this server) a Japanese Geddy Lee signature. It's gorgeous! It has the best finish of any bass I've played this side of a Status! Pickups are the US vintage models which hum a bit, but the sound is exquisute! I'd love to boost the output, but don't want the full J-retro treatment (it'd spoil the perfect looks!) Just turning up the gain on my MarkBass rig seems to be enough to get it to equal my active instruments. Japanese = Quality! Nuff said

The supposed "Stick Master" is Steve Adelson. I donloaded his album from iTunes & it is amazing Now I've got the hang of (and found the usefulness of) my TRB-6... Hmmm... 12 string stick & tapping... Phone the bank manager!