EssentialTension

I arrived at a pub a couple of months ago to see a band. I knew the guitarist and used to play with him a few years ago. It was 8.30pm. 'Hello Carl' I said. 'Hello Dave' said Carl, 'Did you bring a bass?'. 'No' I said. 'Can I take you to get one because our bassist hasn't turned up?' said Carl. He explained the set list to me in the car - two sets, eighteen songs, I was familiar with two songs. We went on at 9.00pm. I got through most of them in a limited but usatisfactory manner but totally messed up several. However, audience and landlord were happy and we (er...they) got booked back. It turned out their bassist was in Norway and had the wrong date in his diary!

[quote name='Roland Rock' post='1074881' date='Jan 1 2011, 11:31 PM']I think he also has a black Rik, not sure what this one is though[/quote] The green bass played by the Vampire Weekend guy, the one that looks a little like a Rickenbacker 4005, is a Kustom K200D. Here's a couple of others for comparison: He talks about it [url="http://www.bassplayer.com/article/vampire-weekend-/May-2010/113939"]here[/url].

I like the Tech 21 VT Bass.

[quote name='scalpy' post='1074715' date='Jan 1 2011, 08:19 PM']Stick Dave Hood on the list as well! By the way if anyone can tell me who played Respect by Aretha Franklin that would be great, I've heard conflicting reports.[/quote] I say Tommy Cogbill.

[quote name='FlatEric' post='1074614' date='Jan 1 2011, 06:34 PM']Hi. Yep - I'm proud to say I was a big Slade fan. . . . . when I was a lot younger! Still love up to Nobody's Fools but after that, perhaps not. Somewhere in the atic, I have the complete "Flame". I would love to do some Slade covers in the band but Noddy's vocal range is way above what can be achieved by our excellent man on vocals. To date, I have never seen a Pub/Club band do any Slade covers. Do you? Cheers. [/quote] Used to do Coz I Luv U in one band and Merry Xmas Everybody once a year with many bands.

[quote name='Platypus' post='1074537' date='Jan 1 2011, 05:19 PM']I'd add Duck Dunn's book: 'What Duck Dunn' into the mix here too ('33 transcribed R&B classics as played by bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn')[/quote] Available from [url="http://www.bassisbodacious.com/"]Bass is Bodacious[/url].

[quote name='bluesman' post='1074046' date='Dec 31 2010, 10:23 PM']im really into this music.....listening to the coolest bass grooves that flow from artists such as aretha franklin, donny hathaway, curtis mayfield, the meters ect.....laying down these grooves the likes of jerry jemmott, tommy cogbill, willie weeks, george porter, chuck rainey, james jamerson, tommy mclure....does anyone share the same passion?? too me this is proper bass playing...i know that there are players who take the bass to new levels every day....but to me my bass heroes are why i wanted to pick up the bass....does the bass lose its role at times? or am i just an old stick in the mud? i listen to some modern players and i cant help but think theyve lost the plot....please dont crucify me its just my view....even the so called great jaco often leaves me cold...if you havnt heard some of the above guys check them out they too me really are the biz....cheers bob.[/quote] Those guys (and a few others) are the foundation for everything that comes afterwards.

[quote name='machinehead' post='1072672' date='Dec 30 2010, 01:10 PM']I'm trying to think of a reason why someone would buy the Lakland 51 P over a Fender MIJ 51 P which is more true to the original look - especially at the Lakland price. Each to their own though. Frank.[/quote] At US prices I wouldn't buy one either but some possible reasons for choosing one over the MIJ are: (1) More money than sense. (2) Better materials and build quality - e.g. quarter-sawn neck and graphite reinforcement bars. (3) Available in eighteen different colours - and I guess they'd do any colour you wanted if you asked. (4) Available with maple or rosewood fingerboard. (5) Available fretted, lined fretless, or unlined fretless. (6) Available in three different nut widths (1.5", 1.625", 1.75"). (7) Available with Swamp Ash or Alder body. (8) Choice of slab or contoured body. (9) Choice of single coil or split coil pickups.

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' post='1072686' date='Dec 30 2010, 01:26 PM']I personally think the bridge looks good on it [/quote] I'm fine with the bridge too but I don't like the stripy top or the four in a row controls. Not my cup of tea at all really.

[quote name='bigthumb' post='1072451' date='Dec 30 2010, 09:11 AM']But again wouldn't the fingerboard look better if stopped at the nut?[/quote] The fingerboard doesn't stop at the nut on any of my Fenders - and the thicker the fingerboard the further it extends beyond the nut. Are there basses (or guitars) where it does stop at the nut?

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1072501' date='Dec 30 2010, 10:10 AM'][url="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/yasmin21995/m.html"]http://shop.ebay.co.uk/yasmin21995/m.html[/url] Feedback of (0) - check Clearing a relative's stuff - check Not an expert - check Items to go to loving homes - check Value of items (even if they only sell for opening bid prices) - considerably more than £30k. I'm sure it's all totally genuine.[/quote] Jack, you forgot to mention: 'I will try and answer any questions in as much detail as possible'.

[quote name='KiOgon' post='1072454' date='Dec 30 2010, 09:13 AM']I can't see why they chose to fit a pick up cover when the matching bridge cover is never going to fit over that oval blob Why? Oh dear, I looked at their price list [size=3]3,800.00 USD = 2,452.22 GBP [/size][/quote] That's MSRP. Street price would be more like $3,000. Still best to wait for the Skyline version. I agree on the pick up cover but it will be optional.

[quote name='Sean' post='1072361' date='Dec 30 2010, 12:28 AM']I see that the 5 string is available as a 34" at no extra cost. I wonder if we'll see that option migrate to the Skyline range. I know that the 35" scale puts a lot of people off.[/quote] I think 34" five string is now an option on all the US five strings - I'd be surprised if it got to the Skylines any time soon. But maybe, who knows.

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' post='1072364' date='Dec 30 2010, 12:30 AM']Aargh they look so much cheaper aswell I've already ordered from thomanns At least I know for next time thanks how did I miss that though...[/quote] Well at least you won't be paying shipping from the US or tax when they get here - Thomann may be as cheap in practice.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='1072321' date='Dec 30 2010, 12:03 AM']Unusual because I think that it works for all their other basses... but that headstock, for me at least, just doesn't work with that body...[/quote] It's usually the bridge that gets the complaints. Oh wait a minute ... [quote name='KiOgon' post='1072337' date='Dec 30 2010, 12:10 AM']The bridge looks so wrong [/quote]

[quote name='tonyf' post='1072328' date='Dec 30 2010, 12:07 AM']Ooooooooooo no, it definitely works for me Apart from the headstock, it looks as though they've ripped off the idea of the Fender Mike Dirnt. Which, having owned one, isn't a bad thing to do.[/quote] I think the first (blonde translucent) in the picture is a 51 slab body with a single coil while the second (tobacco sunbust) is contoured with the split coil - like the Mike Dirnt. Personally I think I'd want the contours and the single coil. I imagine as it's a US they would do that if you asked.

US only at the moment - read about them [url="http://www.lakland.com/44-51.htm"]here[/url].

US only at the moment - read about them [url="http://www.lakland.com/44-55-AJ.htm"]here[/url].

Here they are at the Lakland site: [url="http://www.lakland.com/direct/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LD&Category_Code=4STRS"]http://www.lakland.com/direct/merchant.mvc...gory_Code=4STRS[/url]

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' post='1072145' date='Dec 29 2010, 09:00 PM']Im looking for the best replacement strings for my lakland skyline 44-01. The strings on it according to the lakland website . What type of strings do Lakland basses come with? A. Most come with Lakland custom stainless steel roundwound mediums, .045”-.105” (add a .128” for 5-strings). What would be the best replacements using these same specs. (4 string) Thanks in advance Alex[/quote] You could always get some more Laklands (which are actually made by GHS, I believe)

'Don't give up your day job.'

Looks very good and very neat on the £38.

I rarely use a pick but I have a handful of 3mm Dunlop Big Stubbies in my kit and occasionally pull one out - most often in a bad blister situation.

[quote name='icastle' post='1071177' date='Dec 28 2010, 07:02 PM']Well that works both ways it seems. I suppose in 'recourse to fairness' they did eventually stop chasing the 56yr old granny (cogent presentation of factual evidence supplied earlier) for £2000 because she was singing in her shop - but then I suppose that was 'fair' because she isn't your granny eh?[/quote] She could have tried [url="http://www.rfmradio.co.uk/about.html"]Royalty Free Music Radio[/url].

[quote name='bolov' post='1068368' date='Dec 23 2010, 11:32 PM']I gig with a stingray 5 and a recently purchased lakland 55-60. They have quite different signal levels so was thinking of using a tonebone to dial them both in to the same level for my amp.. anyone use a tonebone or know of any alternatives ?[/quote] I use a Tonebone to double EUB and bass guitar. It works fine for me. I previously tried an EBS Microbass which I didn't prefer - although I'm sure many would. However, someone will be along in a minute to tell you a cheaper way of doing it.