EssentialTension

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='990795' date='Oct 17 2010, 12:48 AM']Had a go on one of these yesterday. It was truly terrible. Buy one and you will be totally disappointed. The intonation was shocking, absolutely impossible to tune up on open strings and play a note in tune. The E string was a non event.[/quote] This is surprising because all the other reports have been positive, for example: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=93168&hl=ukulele"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...&hl=ukulele[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=91933&hl=ukulele"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...&hl=ukulele[/url]

Hmmm ... I wonder if that works for the Jazz too?

[quote name='Telebass' post='990910' date='Oct 17 2010, 10:17 AM']Be grateful for any opportunity you get. Covers, originals - it's simply irrelevant. Just play![/quote] +1 - and, whoever wrote them, play good songs.

[quote name='jonunders' post='990865' date='Oct 17 2010, 08:45 AM']wow, thanks for all all of your responses, like you say, the only thing to do is to try each one and see which one sounds the best to you. flat rounds round wounds, is this to a personal preference?[/quote] There is certainly at least an element of personal preference in choosing strings. It's worth remembering though that just as not all roundwounds are exactly the same so neither are all flatwounds exactly the same. You have to try them out and with flatwounds that can get expensive.

[quote name='TimR' post='990520' date='Oct 16 2010, 07:28 PM']It's all about being immersed in a style of music. Eg. If you've spent all your life listening to rock but never listened to regae then you're going to struggle and vice-versa. To play a style convincingly you need to be conversant with the relevant nuances and this will probably mean listenenig and playing to hours of different examples. You could probably fake your way through one or two rock songs but gig after gig and picking up new tunes quickly? Doesn't this come down to the old 'feel' argument?[/quote] I don't believe there's any genre of music that can't be taught/learnt but, as you say, it requires knowledge and experience and practice in the genre.

Have I understood correctly? A US 62 P reissue guard fits a Squier CV 60s P?

[quote name='Clarky' post='989824' date='Oct 15 2010, 11:41 PM']Glad to hear the VT bass is working - fab pedal but I am lazy and wanted an XLR line out hence swapped for the sonically inferior (but still good) Sansamp Regarding the former, Metallica make me want to punch the air and shout "F8ck yeah!" whereas Coldplay make me want to punch a wall and shout "f*ck off"![/quote] Ha ha!, I appreciate that the two bands are unalike and that we agree about Coldplay. I believe some people rather like Coldplay.

[quote name='Clarky' post='989797' date='Oct 15 2010, 11:22 PM']Dave, please never bracket Metallica (my favourite band) with Coldplay again. Or we are through [/quote] My most sincere apologies Clarky ... however, it is the truth that I just don't do metal (and its derivatives) ... I understand that others, your good self included, do. BTW, I'm loving the VT Bass.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='989716' date='Oct 15 2010, 10:17 PM']I have no grades at all nor can I read music (the same for many musicians if we are still allowed to call ourselves that?) and recently spent an evening with a very fine classical player who came to a blues jam with me a couple of years ago and said he wished he could do that,I thought he was taking the piss at first but he wasnt and he got me to go and show him the basics of the 12 bar and a few simple licks to get him started. I was amazed at what he could play if it was in front of him and literally nothing without! It was like some kind of comedy sketch. You cant teach rock its not possible ...[/quote] A guitarist I sometimes play with was fully classically trained yet he is the most swinging finger-style blues guitarist I have ever played with. The reason for this is that he has studied and extensively played in both classical [i]and[/i] blues genres. Your guitarist appears not to have done this. [quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='989716' date='Oct 15 2010, 10:17 PM']... Look at cold play and all that stuff,Middle class mushy rockers cant do a full on Metallica thing ...[/quote] I can't bear to listen to Coldplay and equally I can't bear to listen to Metallica - for me, both dull as dishwater - and aren't some of Metallica middle-class too?

[quote name='4 candles' post='989541' date='Oct 15 2010, 06:44 PM']Guys, My op should have read I am very dissapointed in the way SOME musicians from leeds college of music turn up to a function gig, thinking that the gig is beneath them and not bothering to listen too or learn the set. When they struggle to play a simple 12 bar blues, or loose their bearings when soloing over mustang sally it really winds me up. The music is all charted out but still they struggle. Give them the pre dinner jazz and they are fantastic, but a pop gig!!! I just find it a bit insulting, when I put my heart and soul into ANY performance, regardless of the style Sorry for any offence[/quote] You still seem to be suggesting that it's because they had a connection to Leeds College of Music.

Although I never went to music college, I did live in Leeds for a year and I'm rubbish.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='986701' date='Oct 13 2010, 10:41 AM']let's open this to debate. Has anyone here who teaches bass, ever encouraged a pupil who has full use and control over their picking hand digits, to use just their thumb to pick with?[/quote] I'd be surprised to find someone teaching thumb-only technique but that's irrelevant to what I said. Monk Montgomery is a good example of an electric bass guitarist who effectively used a thumb-only technique. It's not standard technique but it's also not necessarily poor technique.

[quote name='JimmySims' post='986245' date='Oct 12 2010, 09:07 PM']In a band with Peta? What on earth!? I never new she was a musician![/quote] It was a long time ago and 'musician' may have been too generous a description for any of us. I had no idea what I was doing but we did gigs so it was a band.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='986190' date='Oct 12 2010, 08:27 PM']Now available in antique natural finish: [/quote] Hmmm ... not so sure about this now because the old finishes were 'trans black' and 'antique natural' but this pic certainly looks a much darker natural than what I had seen before.

[quote name='JimmySims' post='986196' date='Oct 12 2010, 08:30 PM']I'm a MASSIVE Ray Shulman fan, ever since my first girlfriend (who happened to be the daughter of Giant keyboard player Kerry) introduced me to Gentle Giant. I've even had the pleasure of meeting the man himself a couple of times. I've just picked up a 73 p-bass with a rosewood board just to try to get that sound. If you're into his grooves, check out The Face from the Power And The Glory album [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymf-QlLn8UU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymf-QlLn8UU[/url] Jimmy Sims[/quote] Well, it's small world because many years ago I was in a band with Kerry Minnear's sister-in-law. Gentle Giant even knicked our roadie who became Kerry's keyboard tech for one of the US/European tours.

Now available in antique natural finish:

I've never been much of a 'progressive' fan but I've found myself listening to Gentle Giant lately. I'm impressed with Ray Shulman's funkiness.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='985820' date='Oct 12 2010, 03:24 PM']I would say the (arguably) second most successful bassist in popular music could be considered great by that fact alone, but he has poor technique by just using his thumb to pick.[/quote] I don't know who you are referring to, but I don't see that 'just using the thumb' is necessarily poor technique.

Fender Precision

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='982088' date='Oct 8 2010, 10:13 PM']If I've got the story correct, Lakland is now owned by John Pirruccello (who was already a working for Lakland for many years and knows Dan Lakin from childhood) and Bo Pirruccello (who is John's brother and is boss of Hanson who make pickups for Lakland). Rumour has it that Dan is going to be working for Harmony Guitars.[/quote] For those who are interested: The story of John and Bo Pirruccello taking over at Lakland is in [url="http://www.laklandowners.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=59&func=view&catid=19&id=13047"]this thread at the LOG[/url]. I got the line about Dan Lakin going to work for Harmony from [url="http://www.laklandowners.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=59&func=view&id=17012&catid=25#17012"]this thread at the LOG[/url].

[quote name='lanark' post='984958' date='Oct 11 2010, 09:59 PM']And REAL Fender scratchplate screws, which are flush with the surface (funny, because my Squier screws on the CV are ALSO flush with the surface).[/quote] Yes, but I expect the Fender screws are MORE flush obviously.

[quote name='chris_b' post='984753' date='Oct 11 2010, 07:24 PM']The article has gone from Lakland's website, but it seems they were regularly bailed out by Dan Lakins dad.[/quote] I don't think this is the article you meant but it is the press release announcing the Hanson takover: [quote]PRESS RELEASE April 30, 2010 CHICAGO, IL-USA. Pickup and electric guitar manufacturer Hanson Musical Instruments,LTD, announces that a group, led by itself, has purchased the globally respected bass guitar brand Lakland Basses of Chicago. Former Lakland executive John Pirruccello has been named President of the newly formed Lakland Guitars, LLC, and will be responsible for managing the company's daily operations and future development effective immediately. John assumes these duties in addition to his position as head of the Hanson Musical Instruments guitar division. Pirruccello's background includes 11 years at Lakland as Global Sales Director as well as the company's Chief Operations Officer. He contributed greatly to the development of current Lakland products, including the "Skyline Series" line of bass guitars; and was responsible for expanding Lakland's dealer and distribution network around the world. “JP” is also a prominent Chicago musician that has performed, recorded and or collaborated with the likes of Keith Richards, Staind, Alejandro Escovedo, Wilco, and others. John will oversee the seamless transition at Lakland's present facilities in Chicago. Lakland Guitars, LLC is retaining current luthiers and support staff. Hanson Musical Instruments wants to thank Lakland founder Dan Lakin for his vision and stewardship of the Lakland brand, which he founded in 1994 with Hugh McFarland. Hanson Musical Instruments has been Lakland's primary supplier of bass pickups and preamp products since 2005. The principals of Hanson Musical Instruments, LTD were previously shareholders of Lakland from 2000 until 2009. Lakland is a manufacturer of high quality bass guitars and accessories. Website: www.lakland.com Hanson Musical Instruments is a manufacturer of professional electric guitars and of electric guitar and bass pickups and electronics.[/quote]

How much do you want to spend? What kind of music do you want to play?

[quote name='LawrenceH' post='984823' date='Oct 11 2010, 08:05 PM']It's a very American board[/quote] True, and a very Lakland board.

[quote name='chris_b' post='984782' date='Oct 11 2010, 07:43 PM']How do you mean?[/quote] First reply thought it was about pickup height, which it wasn't. Second reply took three paragraphs to say 'try before you buy' and then seemed to think the problem was OK because Jamerson's bass was a wreck. Third reply got the point of what was being said but maintained it was merely cosmetic otherwise Lakland wouldn't allow it. Fourth reply said +1. Fifth was me.