WHUFC BASS

What John Martyn songs? The ones that John Giblin played on?

Noooo ... someone once tried telling me that was the inspiration for the Black Sabbath song "Lady Evil". I'm still laughing about that now.

IMO The Shadows were absolutely amazing and Hank Marvin was truly inspirational to a generation of guitarists, among whom Eric Clapton, Tony Iommi, Andy Summers, Syd Barrett, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Brian May, Mark Knopfler, Peter Frampton, Steve Howe, Roy Wood,Pete Townshend, Ritchie Blackmore and Jeff Beck all cite him as an influence. Now I don't know about you, but I reckon if someone can influence a list of influential guitarists like that, they must be doing something right. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of guitarists who try to emulate Hank Marvin's sound too. Oh, and his name is also a phrase used to tell everyone how hungry you are. Now if that isn't a legacy to live up to, then nothing is!

I need bleach for the ears after listening to that .... Una Stubbs in her younger days though ... ❤️❤️❤️

I know. It's depressing. In all seriousness, I'm not knocking anyone's taste and all that, if they get pleasure out of Cliff then more power to them. But ... jesus wept. It's Cliff. I'd rather castrate myself with a plastic fork than listen to anything by him.

Listen to him. You'll go far !

Faith in humanity restored. Well done mate!!

... on Cliff Richard records?

Ah, but do you look like Dot Cotton's god-bothering, tennis playing, younger sister though?

If ever there were proof needed to vindicate the old saying "a fool and their money" it's right there.

I'm not counting that song as it would be the equivalent of bashing up a five-year old. Les Dawson at his worst could have sung that and it would have sounded great.

Here's a little factoid about Cliff. In his life he has made ... 45 studio albums 11 live albums 15 compilation albums 146 singles 7 soundtrack albums 46 EPs. and do you know what ? NOT ONE GOOD 'EFFIN SONG!! NOT ONE! Not one decent song among that cavalcade of bollockydogwank. I respect him for that. It takes some doing. It's like choosing the numbers "1,2,3,4,5 and 6" for your lottery numbers and "7,8,9,10,11, and 12" being the winning numbers.

I recently saw Steve Earl live and his bass player used one. The tone (for the style of music) was horrendous. Dunno what he was thinking but he almost ruined the set with his sound.

Just keep playing how you want to play. Every time he frowns on your improvisation, just do this ...

At least the jack and lead will be protected and let's face it, if you're playing Jambalaya, Blanket on the Ground or something by Coldplay or Dire 'effin Straits then it can't be a bad thing eh?

Worried about stepping on your lead and damaging the jack / lead ? Get one of these ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SNAP-JACK-15FT-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-CABLE-LEAD-STRAIGHT-TO-STRAIGHT-JACK-PLUGS/253771424800?hash=item3b15f4a420:g:xL0AAOSwoRBajY4D:rk:1:pf:0

In the early 90s I used to have a GP7 1x15 combo which was rated at 100w and it was insanely loud. I played a Status 6 String at the time and the two sounded amazing together. I'll always remember the huge bottom end especially how it handled the low B string. Was quite portable from what I remember too. Looked like this ..

If I remember correctly, the 80s Trace Elliots had Fane speakers loaded in them.

They're available here. There's 9 available apparently ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bugera-BV1001T-Ultra-Compact-2-000-Watt-Class-D-Bass-Amplifier-with-Tube-Preamp/263408206918?epid=1267586896&hash=item3d545a4446:g:u-8AAOSwWsxbBrXs:rk:7:pf:0

Stanley Clarke (of all people) came out with an absolute diamond piece of advice once in an interview. He said "Learn all you can about theory and then forget about it". I didn't really get that until years later. It basically means learn as much theory as you possibly can, but just play what you think sounds best, regardless of what you think will impress.

For me, that statement is probably the best advice any musician and certainly every bass player should take on board. I've had a lot of years experience in playing live and in the studio and have really come to live by that statement. In my younger days, I'd always be looking to make the baseline more interesting and to showcase my chops, when the reality of it was that 99% of the time, that was the exact opposite of what was required. It's knowing when to play and when not to play. It sounds simple but so many bass players (myself included) didn't (and still don't) take this on board. Thankfully now, I think I've struck that balance and feel much happier playing - even simple eighth notes when you can hear the overall effect you're having on the song.

Good shout. The lead guitar sound and guitar solo on that track probably go down as my favourite of all time.