Count Bassy

Went to see RC and the Shortlist at the the Robin 2 last night. Now, I know that I am biased, but I've still got to say that, even by his standards, the gig was absolutely brilliant. Was anyone else there?

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1409155391' post='2536917'] Surely those very loyal fans who have probably spent a fortune on tickets, travel and accommodation in London and waited all this time deserve to hear those as an absolute minimum. [/quote] Wasn't there, and never a fan as such, so I have absolutely no idea, but could it be that after 35 years she might have struggled with some of the notes?

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1407538536' post='2521714'] Bandstand was a return to form after a few hit and miss albums but with only Chapman and Whitney left from the line-up of that great debut LP of four years previous. [/quote] Errr, and Rob Townsend !!!!

Agreed that it's more about timing/feel than the tone (though tone helps). Putting the emphasis on the 3 is a good starting point to get into the feel.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1408711946' post='2532837'] That is true.... but I did say that EB aren't alone in this. It is a business decision of many many companies to ship build from the Far East. This isn't about better QC..it is about CHEAPER QC as those places are cheaper to build in. Simple. Now, some companies might split and have an entry level line and a U.S/western build line so this does, IMO dilute the marque. I don't think a £600 far east product is necessarily poor in itself, but they make far more profit selling a £600 bass made in the far est than they do made in the West, paying western salaries. You can outsource pretty much anything, but sooner or later you are going to put a lot of people out of work getting it made cheaper elsewhere. This is why I say it cheapens the Marque as the MAIN beneficies are the 'Shareholders'. I use the term shareholder loosely as it may well be a privately owned company..so consider that a euphermism for 'MAXIMUM PROFIT' But back to the core point, it is not solely EB's fault, I apply this thinking to all my kit and I don't own any amp, cab or bass made in the Far East. [/quote] Possibly "Cheapen the Marque", but probably does wonders for sales, and encourages people to take dip a toe in the EBMM lake.

[quote name='bigd1' timestamp='1408611208' post='2531708'] I posted saying if you don't like something, then don't buy it. I can't see the mileage in the "I like/dislike coz" debate. The great thing about the human race is we are all different, and have individual likes/dislikes, that's what makes the world go around. Slagging this Bass against that Bass is pointless, it is just your opinion/taste. [/quote] Well, as per the name of this site, we are here to chat about basses. Discussing likes and dislikes is surely what it's all about. I don't think that anyone is slagging any basses off here (well maybe a few are), but just asking what makes some people like one bass and other people another. You're right it is totally down to individual choice, but as this is a discussion forum let's discuss things. Just pretend you were down the pub having a chat with a load [size=4]of bass players; I'm sure this sort of discussion would occur and be welcomed in those circumstances.[/size] [size=4]I have got used to playing Ibanez SR series, and love the thin neck. By contrast the few Stingrays I've tried have necks like a tree trunk, and I know which I prefer, but people who play and like Stingrays probably hate Srs, and worry that the neck is going to snap at any moment![/size] [size=4]No rights and wrongs, just different, but no reason not to discuss those differences (IMHO).[/size]

If you're also responsible for scheduling tell the bands that their time starts 15 minutes (or what ever) after the last band finished, irrespective of whether they've started playing by then or not.[size=4] It will concentrate their mind on setting up quickly. Sadly it won't make the band just finished clear the stage any quicker!![/size]

I think the truth is that is it doesn't matter too much how you coil a cable, [i]as long as you uncoil it by the reverse process[/i]. The problem occurs when you coil it say round an elbow, but uncoil it by just pulling it straight. The beauty of the methods in the vids are that it allows for the fact that you are going to pull it out straight.

Coil it properly (as seen in vid) then I put two velcro ties opposite sides of the coil. Generally works- but doesn't help when other band members don't bother. (of course being the bass player I end up supplying all the PA kit!). We have two boxes for cables, one clearly marked Instrument & Mic leads, the other speaker & power leads. It would seem that most band members can't read either.

Clout John Wetton over the head and take his.

That's why they call it show business! (Unfortunately the rest of the band is awful.) And I think that people keep posting this, not because they think that they are the first, but because it perpetuated the joke. The challenge is to sneak it in under the radar so that people don't realise what it is until it is too late.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1407968475' post='2525973'] but can quote stuff like Stravinsky in his lines (where I lay my hat). [/quote] Cover version, hence worthless!! [size=4] [/size]

Well, I couldn't swear to the details as it was 35 or so years ago (Yikes!), but it was definitely Grolsch and it was definitely cheaper than Heineken at the time. However I didn't realise that Grolsch made different grades, so it may be that I was comparing one of their cheaper ones. Even if it was one of the cheaper ones it was still one of my favourites at the time, so no disrespect for Grolsch here (except that I'll stick with a 'proper' straplock). I also recall that trip because we got to try real 'live' Heineken in their Amsterdam brewery (since closed I believe), which was a real eye opener after the fizzy pop we got (and still get) over here.

Lovely basses. I have a Mex and a US one. Sadly moving towards fivers these days.

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1407847905' post='2524584'] I questioned my want for 'better' gear recently when I borrowed the headline bands gear. Behringer amp and the most roadworn 112 I've seen . It sounded good and the band are booked to be on Jules Holland next year. Gear is a means of playing, doesn't matter what it is as long as it does the job [/quote] And remember OP, that people go on about Behringer's poor reliability, but a certain amount of that reputation is undoubtedly (IMO) due to the fact that they sell so much stuff. If you sell 10000 units a year with a 1% failure rate that is 100 "Behringer are crap" posts on the net. If you sell 1000 units a year with the same failure rate then that's 10 "XYZ" are crap postings. Unfortunately people who have no problem with their gear tend not to post about it.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1407838583' post='2524446'] Glad you enjoyed it. I don't care for these sort of things much myself, always been in bands and miss the structure and defined people in defined roles, too self critical to allow myself the (inevitable when you're winging it) bum notes and too much of a control freak to go into something not knowing exactly what I'm doing. It would be nice to let go of that, like you seem to have no problem with it. Perhaps I missed a step before piling into a band. [/quote] You took the words right out of my mouth. It must have been while ....... oh help. Let's not go there!! But seriously although I enjoy going to "Jam" nights I only join in on stuff I know, and generally when I know the people playing. I feel very insecure if called upon to actually "Jam" in the true sense.

Just a +1 to all those saying "It's not about the gear". As long as you have something that works and is loud enough for what you want to do, then that's enough -- As a general rule audiences won't know (or care about) the difference. As has been said, there are some real bargains out there at the moment (particularly with amps and cabs). As long as you're not desperate for the latest thing (e.g. light weight cabs and amps), and don't care too much what name is on it you can pick up decent second hand gear for not very much. [size=4] [/size]

As an aside, the first time I went to Amsterdam (must have been 1979/80), Grolsch was the cheap beer that you'd get at the supermarket, about 2/3 the price of say [size=4]Heineken.[/size] [size=4]A few years later it was launched in the UK as a "premium" brand lager.[/size]

I think a bit of flexibility and give and take is called for , as long as the "Take isn't "Piss taking". My wife is a piano and Sax teacher. For new pupils, or ones who just forget, then she tend to charge the full amount. For someone she's been teaching for a year or so, or who is genuinely ill, then she'll waive it. If you're too soft people will take the piss, if you're too rigid then you'll disenchant and lose your pupils. Getting the balance right depends on you and your relationship with the individuals. I am having singing lessons at the moment. My teacher knows that sometimes I can't get away from work on time, so I have the last lesson of the day. That way if I can't make it she's not twiddling her thumbs, but can go home. On the other hand there have been occasions when I've got home and had some sort of crisis, and had to cancel with only an hour or so's notice, and I insist on paying her anyway.

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1407735090' post='2523375'] Sharay's clip is cool - jamming along to a jazzy gospel track. In comparison, here are album credits where Pino has played bass. Bear in mind that this doesn't include his live performance credits: [url="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pino-palladino-mn0000292499/credits"]http://www.allmusic....0292499/credits[/url] [/quote] A bit disingenuous, if I may say so!! A quick check on the net shows that Sharay Reed is credited on around 60 albums, including his solo one. I could easily have posted a youtube video of Pino Palladino playing a cover version (e.g. where ever I lay my hat - and we all know the low opinion that some people here have of cover artists), and then put in a link to Sharay Reed's credited albums. It's all rather silly anyway. It's not a competition. Some prefer Pino, some Sharay, some love them both, some hate them both.

[quote name='Raymondo' timestamp='1407578118' post='2521906'] I love Family. The first "proper" gig...ie by tickets ...go to large venue (De Montfort hall Leicester) was them in the early seventies . I also saw them at a few festivals,and the streetwalkers later in the seventies. Unlike most fans I actually really like "It's only a movie" .....just as much as Dolls house and Bandstand. [/quote] There's something good in all their albums, every one has their favourites, but there isn't really a complete duffer. Even "Old Songs, New Songs" (half re-mixes & half new material for the uninitiated). Personally I really like a Song For Me, which often seems to get forgotten about. Some people slag off Anyway, but "Holding the Compass", and "Part of the Load" are both cracking. I've mixed feelings about the 'reunion' Family (to say they'd reformed would be putting it too strongly). On one hand I've heard some of my favourite songs live for the first time, an they are all excellent musicians who work together really well. On the other hand the family "reunion" is comprises Chapman himself, 3 ex family members, and 5 current Shortlist members.It can (to me ) feel more like the "Shortlist" with special (very special) guests, playing Family songs, obviously Chapman is there, as is Rob Townsend (but the Shortlist's drummer as well), and Poly Palmer, who was a key influence for a few years. Jim Cregan is there playing guitar, but he was only briefly in Family (and then played bass).... If only Whitney had taken the bait ......., but he's happily living in Greece somewhere.

Yep, Chapman is my all time hero. Been a fan since my brother sent me to the shop to buy "The Weaver's Answer", when I was around thirteen. Never saw family the first time round as I was only 16 and living in the depths of Shropshire, so getting to somewhere like Birmingham to see them was not going to happen. However saw Streetwalkers about half a dozen times, "Roger Chapman and the Shortlist about thirty times (so far), and the reformed Family three times so far. If anybody's interested The Shortlist are playing The Robin II on 17th September, and the "Y theatre" in Leicester 12th December, and the Norwich Blues festival at some point. More Info available at WWW.Chappo.com . Thoroughly recommend trying to see them if you can.

I'm big and I like bands. Does that count?

I have an Ibanez 605 (Fretted) and an Ibanez GWB35 (Fretless). Apart from the obvious they are very similar to play. Ie neck profile & size, body size and shape practically the same, they hang the same (despite the the rear peg on the GWB being about 100mm higher (ie not on centre line). Obviously sond different (otherwise what's the point ?). I got the GWB first, and got the 605 because it looked as close to the fretted equivalent as you'd get, and I was not disappointed.

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1407423791' post='2520386'] I did, i'm just trying to clarify what's the main question here. I see people answering to things as "doubling the speakers you half the impedance and get more output" and i don't think that this was the OP's question. [/quote] +1, I don't think this was the OP's point either. Obviously if you half the impedance, and the amp is capable of driving that impedance, then it's obviously going to be louder. I think his question was if the impedance you're driving remains the same, but one cab has two drivers (total impedance 8 ohm), and the other has one (Also 8 Ohm), then is the 2 driver cab louder and, if so, why?