EssentialTension

There's loads being mentioned that I haven't got the slightest idea about the bass line, I don't even know the song, and sometimes don't even know the band.

It's not a 'one off', look:

[quote name='mercuryl' post='1030830' date='Nov 20 2010, 08:19 PM']I played bass (2010 USA Jazz and 1994 Warwick Fortress fretless) through a Mark Bass combo for the second time last week. First time was a 1x15 combo at a rehearsal venue in Brighton. Last week was a 2 x 10 combo in a similar place in Worthing. I just can't get a decent sound out of them that I like. Very muddy sounding. Things got better when I stuck a Line 6 X3 live in front of them - but, on their own, I just hate 'em. As I'm going to have to make do with them at rehearsals, I need to get on with it and see how they go. Anyone got any advice?[/quote] I like them. I had a LMII that I was very happy with until it went to pay for my Mesa. The 1x15 combo at Electric in Brighton always sounds fine to me, but what you call muddy I probably call thump.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1030833' date='Nov 20 2010, 08:20 PM']Alright Now[/quote] Verse or chorus?

[quote name='Doddy' post='1030802' date='Nov 20 2010, 08:00 PM']I wouldn't say people would know 'Word Up'.[/quote] I don't know it. [quote name='Doddy' post='1030802' date='Nov 20 2010, 08:00 PM']Maybe 'I want you back'? Then again,maybe not.[/quote] I know that one but I've played that bassline to other musicians and they don't recognise it. So, then again, maybe not.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1030800' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:58 PM']Not necessarily.[/quote] I didn't mean necessarily, I meant actually.

[quote name='Monz' post='1030787' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:54 PM']Come together (Beatles) Love Cats (Cure) Word up (Cameo) Can't think of anymore right now but I bet there is loads[/quote] Who are Cameo, I've never heard of them.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1030774' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:47 PM']When you play the bass part to a song, most people don't recognise it. What bass lines would you say the average non-musician could recognise? Billie Jean Peaches Good Times/Rappers Delight The Chain/Formula One theme Another One Bites The Dust What would you say is the most recognised?[/quote] I think you are way over-rating the ability of the so-called 'man in the street' to recognise a bass line.

[quote name='jonthebass' post='1030775' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:48 PM']The Clash - London Calling?[/quote] My guess would be that most people have never heard of The Clash, let alone know a bass line. Someone played that line at last years south-east bash and I didn't recognise it.

Here we go: Kay K5970 Jazz Special Electric Bass Guitar (Re-issue)

[quote name='merello' post='1030752' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:27 PM']Are you suggesting our greatest living artist was so rooked after the Beatles that he had to go to a catalogue? [/quote] Yes.

The one on the left:

Kay?

[quote name='Mikeg' post='1030394' date='Nov 20 2010, 01:25 PM']Capital letters scare me [/quote] BOO! ... sorry

[quote name='zero9' post='1030540' date='Nov 20 2010, 03:51 PM']I suppose it's original...[/quote] Didn't seem very original to me, sounded like a load of noise I've heard a hundred times. Awful.

The only time I've played in the dark is at a gig.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1027177' date='Nov 17 2010, 06:53 PM']Pearloid pickguards shouldn't be allowed, they are foul.[/quote] -1

[quote name='silddx' post='1027208' date='Nov 17 2010, 07:20 PM']There's no Olympic White so I can't play.[/quote] +1

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1027060' date='Nov 17 2010, 04:51 PM']Always thought funk was a 'feel' thing as opposed to any particular technique or sound employed. Anyone agree that Andy Fraser could be considered a funk player (on an EB3 ffs!)?[/quote] I'd agree Andy Fraser was funky but I'd probably use 'funk' to refer to a particular genre and 'funky' to refer to a particular feel - so, on that account, you can be funky without playing funk.

[quote name='Fat Rich' post='1026786' date='Nov 17 2010, 12:23 PM']I thought James Jamerson invented funk on a P bass? Maybe I dreamt it.....[/quote] I dreamed that too ... and the P bass was called the Funk Machine and the band were called the Funk Brothers ... must have been a dream.

I prefer a higher action. It gives a better tone in my experience.

So, it's not the first beat of the bar that you are looking for?

Boss TU2 - it's a tuner. Artec SE-SWB - it's a switch box for my fretted and fretless. K&K Pure - it's preamp for my EUB. Radial Bassbone - it's a switch box (for bass guitars or EUB) and second preamp for my EUB. So I don't think of those as pedals really, even though I sometimes tread on them. Which only leaves: Electro-Harmonix Black Finger. Tech 21 VT Bass.

I've been doing about 25 to 30 gigs a year recently but only 11 this year.