risingson

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1389741455' post='2337548'] I'm generally considered a fairly busy player but I've never understood why people have issues with plodding basslines. But maybe that's because I'm a songwriter first and whatever suits the song is the most important thing IMO. AC/DC could be said to have plodding basslines but anyone who thinks they need busying up is barking up the wrong tree entirely. [/quote] +1, it's been discussed in the past but there's nothing wrong with the way someone plays an instrument providing the music being produced is of a high quality and sounds good. In fact it's a pretty shallow means of judging music, unfortunately too many people do it.

[quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1389533066' post='2335128'] Also, did I spot a guy playing DB at 3:06? Is that not a bit redundant with Sting plonking away? [/quote] That's Christian McBride I think, certainly moving round like him.

I've got two relatively worn in basses right now that are simply a product of their (35 and 40 year old) history. It's probably a pretty 'fashionable' look to have at the moment and yes they are cool. I'm not always sold on the look of reliced instruments but that's because I kind of consider it cheating!

I don't think the vid posted previously is the kind of clip you can watch to be thoroughly entertained by a bass player doing what he does best. Anthony Jackson (at least as far as I'm concerned) is nothing short of a musical genius but you can't help feeling like he's been worn down enough by the kind of people that stage these bass workshops to finally turn up to one and play. He deserves to be recognised so much more than what he does in that very short clip, it's kind of beyond him to be doing it having worked for year and years to become a true virtuoso of the instrument. It's a shame for him to be judged by the original vid.

I met him in April last year at after the Hiromi gig, Simon Phillips kindly introduced me which was a blessing because he's notoriously shy. Predictably the words failed to leave my mouth as I attempted to make conversation with (and this part is purely my opinion), probably the greatest living bass player on earth today. He has total command over the instrument to the point of total disbelief. His technique is obviously flawless but he executes everything with such musicality that you're left wondering whether the guy is truly superhuman or not. He was really nice, very humble. When he's interviewed I originally thought he came across as a little arrogant and maybe aloof but he's just very sure of his position on music, plus he really does give credit where credit is due and to some unlikely bass players - he counts Joe Osborn and Jack Cassidy amongst some of his favourite bass players which sits nicely with me too. He really bigged up Pino to me as well when we spoke. He's a capable solo bass player but I'm not always drawn to clips like the one above. He's not outside his comfort zone soloing, he has a very unique phrasing that's unlike any other bass player but I think he just truly shines as a sideman and I think it's always where he looks most comfortable and at home. Anthony Jackson and Pino Palladino are my very favourite bass players just for their sheer musicality. Anthony really is the man though!

They're great, Joe Dart is so funky.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1388452220' post='2322258'] Wow that's all pretty impressive! Your cuz is terrific! [/quote] I shall let him know Lord Sausage on here recently did the Rent tour with my cousin too which was also great, we met up after the show in Liverpool. Another great bassist in our BC midsts.

[quote name='bassman344' timestamp='1388444436' post='2322171'] Does this mean that if you have tried ampeg and weren't impressed then the sansamp is not for you? [/quote] Maybe that's true of me, I think the Sansamp does lend itself to an Ampeg-type sound. Others I'm sure will tell you how much success they will have had with theirs though, I'd just say try out before you buy.

That's my lead singer and cousin playing Simon. He played Jesus in Adelaide and Sydney whilst Ben was unwell, to really good acclaim as well. We did the aftershow party in Liverpool on the last leg of the UK tour, we ended up playing with Tim Minchin for about 4 hours onstage. Top guy, Chris Moyles even got up and ended up playing drums with us, but we were just about destroyed by then! The Oz tour was Phil Mulford on bass who is just unreal. Not sure about the UK tour because I know Phil couldn't do it. Ben was cracking as Jesus and another lovely chap.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1388433556' post='2321977'] One guy latched onto me during a break and asked how I was going to fill the room with just my 'little' Trace Elliot 15" cab. Then he spent most of the break asking me how to get Cubase working on his PC. How random is that? I couldn't get rid of him. Luckily by the end of the gig he had disappeared. Probably when found out my Trace rig was big enough after all. [/quote] People love to talk. If they're not on stage then they'll overcompensate by trying to impress you in other ways and I've always found it far too painful to deal with!

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1388094722' post='2318553'] IME, the Sansamp is very, very coloured, and will make a remarkable range of basses sound very similar. If you like that sound, it's a Godsend. [/quote] This is the exact reason I don't use Ampeg, it leaves a massive toneprint with whatever instrument gets used, at least generally speaking. If you dig that sound then the Sansamp is for you though.

Mine is my '78 Precision that I bought from Lozz196 earlier this year. I was a Jazz bass player since I was 14 or 15, stayed like that until I was about 21 before I got another P-Bass and over time my preference has changed completely to Precisions. It isn't a light instrument but I love how substantial it feels. Almost everyone who's played it says how intimidated they are by the thickness of the neck but I've never found it to have hindered me and I love the feel of it. It sounds massive, it fills a mix brilliantly just where I need it to. I still like Jazz basses, in fact I've just bought a 1974 Jazz that I'm really enjoying playing but it would be the first to go if I needed to rid myself of one of the instruments I currently own. But there is something very right about a P bass that I'm not sure can be topped by any other bass I've played. I've used quite a few high end instruments but I always come away thinking how much they don't really say that much about me. My P-Bass is very personal now and I doubt I'll ever get rid of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp-PyzscBrs

More modern stuff. If you've not checked out D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Bilal, Roy Hargrove etc. etc. then do that, and then listen to these guys. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-0JZlrk4xA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLFzdcWVZjo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxsRB4a0G2o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2t4nnGfudI

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1388257678' post='2320134'] Fender = Could be a Mondeo, could be a Mustang. Alembic = Perhaps a dated supercar, but a supercar none-the-less. [/quote] I was just lending a bit balanced opinion to the argument, the car thing might be a bit far fetched! Although if the comparison is apt then we should have seen a lot more race car drivers have historically significant success driving exclusively Ford Mondeos

There are loads of different sounding flats so I can understand why you'd want to string expensive basses differently. The majority of flatwounds might be a little more limited in frequency range, but then some bass players will like the sound of flatwound strings on high end basses which I think I can understand. Flatwounds will also sound different from instrument to instrument. [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1388217974' post='2319502'] Fender = Mondeo Alembic = Ferrari [/quote] Fender = Mustang Alembic = Dated supercar Just my opinion too of course. I've played many instruments and never felt like the difference between a very high end bass or an 'off the shelf' Fender has impeded my playing, in any way whatsoever. It's a myth I think it's kind of pushed around by companies that are looking to sell more expensive instruments, and by the players of said instruments that might be trying to justify playing them, maybe some just critical of Fender. Your instrument shouldn't hinder you and luckily Fender has never hindered my playing.

In: 1978 Fender Precision 1974 Fender Jazz Fender Starcaster semi-hollow Out: Musicman Stingray 5 Fender Starcaster semi-hollow… the same day I bought it. Horrible thing! [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1388021263' post='2317975'] [b][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]In[/font][/b] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Bergantino CN212 [/font] [/quote] Do let me know when that's going 'out' Chris!

I've owned both but I've kept my P-basses. I love Stingrays but they do leave a less versatile tone print on stuff, whereas P-Basses are easy to sit just about anywhere.

I have small hands but I've never had a problem… in any way But seriously it's no excuse! Pivot from your left hand thumb on your bass neck so jumping around on your neck isn't a problem, I see plenty of bass players jumping about when fretting and things are so much easier when you limit the travel in your left hand. You should never feel a real strain playing bass even if you have the smallest of hands, if you do then it's worth consulting a good teacher to assess your technique.

All the Steves, Steve Jordan, Steve Ferrone, Steve Gadd.

If you like the tonal characteristics of a Stingray but want the slimmer neck then check out the EBMM Sterling.

[quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1387204294' post='2309271'] I am amazed at how few Warwick basses are seen being used by pro's in the spotlight. OK same could be said of Wal basses, but Warwicks are produced in many more numbers. Good basses too. Fender still wears the crown I guess.. [/quote] Aesthetics and price are probably the answer to this. Warwicks just ain't fashionable right now!

Oh and if you haven't checked out Derrick Hodge with Robert Glasper then do that as well!

Don't know if this guy's working yet but he seems to be something of a prodigy musician, I stumbled across him a while back. Actually phenomenal bass playing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMFZktICGw4