spongebob

I think we can agree that 2015 was a bad year for the bass community - just from memory, we lost Andy Fraser, Chris Squire, and of course Lemmy. Big influences on so many...and I'm sure there's more. It got me thinking to if I was starting out now, who would inspire me to play? Once we lose all the players of the 60's-70's, who's left? Who has come up in the last 20 years that has made you take notice? I'm genuinely interested in thoughts on this. As the players from the 60s and 70s (and even the 80s) either pass on, or retire, all they'll be is the records. When I started around 25 years ago, I'll fully admit to being more inspired by 'older' players, but of course they were still gigging, so you could go and see them in the flesh, so it still felt current. Maybe it's the fault of modern recording techniques reducing bass to a dull throb, or a floor-shake. I'm sure we've got good modern bassists (I like Jenny Lee Lindberg from Warpaint, for example - love her solo record too), but it saddens me to say, I can't see her inspiring a generation of players like the 'big' names that we're losing.

Got it recorded, will get on to it this week....

Looks fantastic, Ms. Undead - headstock is the biz - don't ever sell it, it's 'your' bass!

Thanks Chris, I'll check those out. You haven't converted the Luddites stuff to MP3, by chance? Can't get it anywhere as I've not used vinyl in some years!

Somebody recently linked me to this programme - it's a 'Tube' special from 1983, based around the Hull scene and it's bands. There's some interesting stuff on there. I was particularly taken with The Luddites - did a bit of research, and apart from the drummer joining The Beautiful South, they recorded a Peel session and some EP's, and then sunk without trace. I managed to get some of their audio from YT - like it. Very Post-Punk in it's style, a period I've always liked. Can't find anything else, though. I was just wondering if anyone on here ever saw them/remembers them, or could link to anything else of theirs. Nice to dig out a 'lost' band. Here's the show - [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4u5kmIUqMc"]https://www.youtube....h?v=B4u5kmIUqMc[/url] I'm digging the white 'phone boxes too - are they still there?

I hope to pretty much continue my current path. My main band has been together since 2012, and with a new drummer in place, we are booking for the year ahead, and will record our 3rd EP of originals (with another one from me!) during the Spring/Summer. I've also got the possibility of some gigs with another band - just some covers stuff, but it's nice to get out and play with as many people as possible. Gear-wise, I'm sorted. Only thing I'm looking forward to is getting my earlier Ricky back, as it is currently undergoing some resto work.

I too have had a tear in my eye over this tragic news. Like so many, Lemmy is the reason I picked up a bass, and started my lifelong fascination with Rickenbackers. The sound, the look....it was all there. Has a bassist ever looked cooler than Lem and his Ricky? Bought my first 'Head album at 13, in 1987. Saw them a few times (even as a 4-piece - although we've sadly lost Philthy, and Wurzel a few years back too), loved the albums since. Bands and tastes come and go, but I've always been, and will forever remain, a Motorfan. RIP, to the man who defined rock and roll.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1450718386' post='2935191'] Just goes to show we`re none of us past the point of learning something, or simply making a chnage we already knew about for the sake of our bands. [/quote] +1!

Fender Flats. Been a D'addario Nickels player for years - tried the odd sets of other strings, even some flats, but never gelled. Stuck a of these on earlier in the year, and it was amazing. Just added power to my tone, and everything felt more playable. Whereas our my mids were too biting and brash, the strings kind of smoothed out my sound. Still ballsy and quite edgy, but with an added dollop of vanilla!

A massive +1 on Johnny Mathis' 'When A Child Is Born'. The best Christmas song IMHO. Seasonal fans are might also be interested in the soundtrack to 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' - amazing stuff from the legend that was Vince Guaraldi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AZAo3Ia7DE

I thought this was to be a thread about Bobby 'Rubber Ball' Vee.....!

Nightmare to get - Amazon have now pushed the release date back to mid-January. Amazon US are out of the Blu Ray as well!

Dave Allen, Gang Of Four. His work on their first 2 albums is massively influential for me. ...and JJ Burnel, naturally, one of t[i]he[/i] players of the last 35 years.

Love it all. Pushed the bass to the front, but could also groove like a mutha when required. Often wonder what he would be playing now, given that his last release was a few years before he died.....wonder where he'd be at, musically, given the changes in the landscape between then and now? Either way, genius in my book. Can never have enough Jaco in your life.

Off the top of my head.....The Stooges - Search And Destroy - especially the Iggy remaster. Rock and roll! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nRJFsdUvqA

I would personally say that anyone used to a 'modern' bass would probably prefer a 4004. Saying that, it's a 20+ year old design now....but still a 'modern' Ric, and quite a modern bass. They are easier to play, they do IMHO have a stronger output....there are many benefits. In a modern band setting, they are a corking bass that 2nd hand, you can usually get quite reasonably as they are still a bit of an anomaly. Paul Weller's bassist plays a 4004, Lemmy's sig bass is a 4004(LK)....there's plenty to love about these basses...I'm glad I tried them....mine were very light as well!

I've owned both a Laredo and Cheyenne (ii) 4004 at various times. As said above, I can concur that the Laredo is the brighter sounding of the 2. Nice basses, but I am one of those weird players that actually likes a non-curved body shape. I like a bass I have to grapple with!

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1449236085' post='2921826'] Didn't Hooky play a Shaftesbury in Joy Division? From what know, the Shaftesbury's were on a par with the Ibanez/Cimar/CMI/etc copies, as Bassassin says. If it's in good overall nick and you can afford it, get it. [/quote] Hooky played a Hondo copy in JD. He has said himself how bad it was!

I've always thought that 'Relayer' is perhaps their best album, a route I kind of wish they'd persevered with, alongside Patrick Moraz. 'TGOD' is almost certainly my favourite Chris Squire moment. Sheer class throughout.

I used to have a Fender guitar practice amp that I bought from Glenn Tilbrook out of Squeeze. Even tried it out in his house before buying!

We keep losing drummers at an alarming rate - always through work/personal stuff - we've been very unlucky. Have just recruited our latest one, ironically through the ad for the previous one. I had luckily kept the details of an interested party who had missed the boat by about a day when we found the last guy. Turns out he is was still free and interested (it's only been about 6 weeks!), and hey presto, we have a new drummer!

Quite envious of the BC'ers that saw the Mk.3 line-up. I do like me a bit of DP - always had Ian Paice of the most under-rated drummers around. Never have seen them - although too young (and not actually born!) until '74....so missed out in the sense I would have loved to have seen them '72-76. 'Come Taste The Band' is a masterpiece in my book! I've always thought what a rare master-stroke the band underwent when the developed into Mk.3 - how many other bands could lose 2 key members, and then put out one of their strongest (it's probably my fave) albums? Glenn Hughes on his Fireglo Ricky? Immortal!

I'd have liked to have been present at one of Teddy Pendergrass' 'ladies only' gigs. Really!