spongebob

On the Van Halen tip - got to be 'Women And Children First' for me, their best IMHO. 'Fair Warning' a close second. First two albums are stone-cold classics as well, but I think 'W&CF' just clinches it for me.

We're going to recording an EP just after Christmas, and will be putting it out digitally soon after. Artwork all ready to go! My last band did the same, but the 'band leader' took care of it, so my knowledge is limited. I think he uploaded through Tunecore - seemed to be quite quick and easy, and the stuff is still up there on Amazon, iTunes, etc. Saw some of it for sale in some place in America last week! Because he dealt with it and we split up, I've go no idea how many were ever sold, and never received a penny! Has anyone on BC done this? If so, any tips on the best 'seller' to go with? They all seem to be in $. Do I assume that once you pay the fee, it's available digitally forever through the normal sites? Any tips and experience welcome. [size=4] [/size]

My own fave - 'Tyranny And Mutation' by Blue Oyster Cult. I must know every note on this one! [size=4] [/size]

I didn't know that! I wonder who's bass it [i]really[/i] is then?

4004's are much more comfortable to play IMHO. I've had a few - a Laredo and 2 Cheyenne 2's. I found that I could get a 4003-esque sound with a bit of EQ'ing. To me, there a bit like a Ric on steroids! However, to me they just weren't me. I just prefer the older look and slab body.....but anybody coming from a different bass perspective would probably love them. They can be a snip second hand as well, as they remain quite a minor interest to most.

'Heaven And Hell' is indeed a great album. My fave Geezer records - 'H&H', and the much (in my book) underrated 'Never Say Die' - amazing playing on that one.

Saw him live in 1988, with Joe Lynn Turner (famous wig-sporter) on vocals. Great player, very dull gig, Encores went on forever, with just one mega-solo wig-out (sorry JLT) after another. I've still got a pick of his (he threw a load into the crowd) which I grabbed off the floor when everyone was leaving!

I recorded and watched the Nile Rodgers one - missed the series up until then - doh! Hope they repeat the first few soon. EW&F should be good. Only thing I wasn't too big on with Nile was the missing of about 30 years from his career - from Let's Dance, Bernard sadly passes away, and it's 2013 - following about 45 minutes on the 'early' period. Thought they could have covered a bit more. Then again, I suppose all his big production jobs were back in the 80's, so maybe there was genuinely less to cover since then?

There was a MIA P in the classifieds recently for about £650 - seen a few around that mark. I'd personally save a bit of extra and go for one of those - going on your description, it would fit the bill perfectly, and if that's what you're after, doesn't get much better. Otherwise you run the risk of not getting it quite right, and having to sell what you just bought.....I think everyone's been there! [size=4] [/size]

Lovely bass, congrats! Love the look of a Jazz bass, just wish I could play one - I've tried with a few, but we just don't fit together. Shame as they look and sound fabulous.

Even as a Ric-fan, it's a bass which I always suggest proceeding with caution, as the feel is totally unlike anything else. I had a few months away from them this year, and when I got another, it was odd at first, and I've been playing them for a good while! Like Mart said above, it's a Marmite bass, in the truest sense of the word. If the OP struggles with Ric ergonomics, then I would avoid - they haven't changed them (I personally like the shape and feel). I haven't got an idea on the other options, as the only basses I stay with are Rics and P's! [size=4] [/size]

I know a Luthier who told me that out of the box, the 'budget' basses are often better set up than the more 'boutique' (ie more expensive) ones. A case of maybe as well detailed above - if it plays well, people are more likely to buy it off the peg. Whereas a more expensive item you maybe have to be in the market for to start with?

I've had a couple of basses and straps from Mark. In fact my tasty USA P came used from him. Always brilliant service, and a nice chat to boot - last time, about how I shouldn't have sold the previous bass I purchased! [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1385991282' post='2294350'] I'd drop one, from a great height [/quote] I dropped mine last week, albeit from a small height whilst sticking on my straplocks..... [size=4] [/size] Luckily the floor was carpeted, but still caused a mark on the headstock. Please don't all cheer at once! [size=4] [/size]

I squeeze all my leads and stuff in my bass case along with the bass itself - less trips!

I don't think I've ever met anyone who doesn't know who MK is or plays bass - normally followed by an air-bass impression!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1385913054' post='2293516'] When did the mainstream 'collectively wow' over any bass player? [/quote] I think a lot of people know Mark King - ie numerous 'non' bass players know him and that he's a bassist. The Jam were regulars on TOTP - I was a bit young, but I think he was pretty high profile - and played on very successful chart singles that featured prominent bass. Probably lots of other examples I can't think of now....!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1385899027' post='2293257'] ... cos I don't understand how this works. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Rider-The-Essential-Collection/dp/B00BQEHUUW/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&sr=1-1&keywords=midnight+rider"]http://www.amazon.co...=midnight+rider[/url] Buy the MP3 download for £5.49. Or buy the actual CD for £3.00 and they give you the MP3 download. [/quote] As a digital-only user, I always check for this first. If it's there, I buy, rip (to iTunes), and then sell the CD either on Ebay, or on here for a reduced price so we all benefit! [size=4] [/size]

The place or the 70's rockers with Sammy Hagar? [size=4] [/size]

I can +1 on much of the above here. I share the opinion that current records really lack prominent bass parts and mixing, even bands I like seem to have lost the art of recording their own bass players! Also agree that 'the scene' also lacks a bassist/s that people collectively 'wow' at in the mainstream. I can't remember the last time I saw, for example, 'Later', and was taken aback by a player who inspired me.

Rickresouce..... [size=4] [/size]

I agree that it's the demise of the bass tone and prominence that has affected things. Even bands I love with great basswork that have released records in the last 12 months - Rush, Dinosaur Jr., Motorhead - the bass recording just isn't what it used to be. I love Lemmy - but in recent years, his bass sound is just a low-end throb missing any dynamics that used to flourish. Same with Dino - Lou Barlow's bass on record has been sidelined to a large extent. Geddy's tone on record I like, but for me the mix is the issue - not enough space for it to breathe. Maybe it's age, but if I want to hear a good bass tone, it'll be on an older (ie before the 00's) record.

Trying to set up a Ric 4003..... The action wasn't too bad down the neck, but progressively higher and bad (for me) at the 12th. I did a small 'righty tighty' on the truss rods to straighten things out. However, now the lower frets buzz like bad, the strings are way too close. But at the 12th, it's still a little higher than I'd like! Any thoughts? Or is it off to my local luthier?