Pete Academy

Since buying my Fender Jazz our singer keeps asking me why I don't use it in our set instead of my five string. I told him I would, but I would have to detune on certain songs, as they feature basslines lower than E, and that, although I don't have to, I like to use lower notes in certain songs as it makes them sound a bit different and adds weight to certain sections. I ensure I don't overuse the low B, but it's present in some form on at least 10 songs. Why, after 13 years of being in the same band as him, do I have to explain this? Also, some time ago, when I asked our sound man what the bass rig would be on a shared gig, he said: 'Why? Bass is bass, isn't it?' Further proof that we are just seen as the bloke at the back going 'dum-dum-dum'.

I've played the preview clips but it just sounds like the blandest record ever. Nothing new. This is why I don't buy albums anymore. Just my opinion, folks. BTW, I'm a massive Stanley fan.

[quote name='Kev' post='845313' date='May 22 2010, 08:04 PM']Was in there this afternoon, bought a second hand Warwick Corvette Proline 6, great experience and Mark even offered me a ride home, try finding that at soundcontrol.[/quote] Just thought I'd introduce your cat to mine. [attachment=50326:claude.jpg]

There have been many threads praising this guy and his emporium...deservedly so. It must take some balls to stock the high end stuff he does.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='843022' date='May 20 2010, 12:26 PM']'Local' music shops have served no purpose for me for over 15 years. Like local record shops, they are for people that have a superficial relationship with the industry. For anyone with an even remotely specialist interest, local high street shops just don't deliver anything of value. Its all lowest common denominator stuff.[/quote] I had a "mate" ring me up for two Boss pedals, which we had in stock. He asked me to price match the internet, which I did. He then asked for more discount, as he could get the pedals online, delivered next day. I said I couldn't, as the mark up was below our minimum. He then said: 'What incentive can you give me, then, for driving over to your shop?' How about supporting your local store, my job, and our customer service? He bought online. Lowest common denominator, indeed.

[quote name='crez5150' post='842826' date='May 20 2010, 09:34 AM']Unfortunately Pete.... some people think that being the cheapest is good value..... People moan like f*** about Tesco's stores popping up everywhere but still shop there rather than go to their local.... Musicians are the same[/quote] Guilty as charged, m'lud.

At the end of the day a retailer can sell a product for whatever they want to, but it's frustrating, as a shop needs to make a certain mark-up to survive. Last week I was asked to price match Thomann on a Boss Me-50B at £173. Roland have ensured that shops advertise all their products at the same price online, which has worked well, but the retailer will still reduce that price. We have had to stop doing Yamaha keyboards because of silly pricing. We were lucky to make 10% profit on a £2000 Clavinova trying to match the likes of Normans, etc. Good news for the buyer, I have to admit. Worrying for the likes of me.

[quote name='Clarky' post='842804' date='May 20 2010, 08:45 AM']Thats a bit harsh. I bought the gigbag and strings from Thomann as I could not source them from a UK retailer. They do have a very broad range that is not on offer at any UK shops or online retailers. Plus if you look at most basses, say a Fender Am Std Precision Thomann are actually more expensive than UK retailers (£960 vs £899 at GAK and SoundsLive), albeit this is probably due to the disadvantageous Euro/sterling rate.[/quote] I'm sick of trying to match their prices over the years. There are lots of smaller music shops going under lately.

I've no doubt their customer service is excellent. But so is their ability to put small shops out of business with their ridiculous pricing.

[quote name='silddx' post='842559' date='May 19 2010, 09:35 PM']Good luck and great fun for tomorrow night Pete! Have a wonderful show. I'll be playing with Kit in Islington at the same time. Really looking forward to the JC though. Cheers mate.[/quote] Have a good one, Nig.

For me, the term 'you are what you eat' translates in bass playing terms to 'you are what you listen to'. For most of my bass playing life I've listened to soul and funk, therefore I always tend to syncopate everything I play to make it sound funky. As a result, I'm sh*t at playing rock stuff. I've played in bands where the set list consists of everything from rock to reggae, but I naturally try to make it sound like me. I never usually think about if the groove is in front or behind the beat...it just comes out the way I feel. With enough gigging and practice, you should be able to suss this sort of thing automatically.

Work this out...a track by War. Magical. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsJWWN6dChs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsJWWN6dChs[/url]

[quote name='Marvin' post='841298' date='May 18 2010, 07:47 PM'] And T&T has always been the respectable end of 'town'. Tend to agree with silddx, the bass is uncomfortable to listen to. [/quote] I see what you mean, but to me it sounds right for the tune and feels natural whenever I play it.

[quote name='crez5150' post='841188' date='May 18 2010, 05:48 PM']Man watch it all the way through...... [/quote] The people at my local car wash don't look like that.

[quote name='crez5150' post='841184' date='May 18 2010, 05:46 PM']Just me that gets distracted by that babe then.....[/quote] I never watched the video. It was just the first example I found.

[quote name='crez5150' post='841180' date='May 18 2010, 05:43 PM']See my edited post [/quote]

[quote name='crez5150' post='841177' date='May 18 2010, 05:41 PM']Sorry but I watched that video 3 times so far.... every time I seem to miss the music completely.....[/quote] How do you mean?

Leon Sylvers' bass parts are amazing.

Listen and play along to this track for a good while: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNDRs0Iiv6Y"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNDRs0Iiv6Y[/url] It's a perfect example of playing behind the beat. Quite tricky.

[quote name='Platypus' post='838539' date='May 15 2010, 11:46 PM']Just noticed that Me'shell Ndegeocello is doing three nights at the Jazz Cafe in Camden on Sunday 13/06, Monday 14/06 & Tuesday15/06 Tickets from Ticketmaster - just got mine for the Sunday [url="http://www.myspace.com/officialmeshellndegeocello"]http://www.myspace.com/officialmeshellndegeocello[/url] Anyone else going?[/quote] That will no doubt be an amazing show.

[quote name='molan' post='839178' date='May 16 2010, 08:05 PM']Lots of roadworks around there at the moment - watch out for travelling times [/quote] Thanks mate.

It looks a bit too posh for us northeners.

[quote name='The Funk' post='839071' date='May 16 2010, 06:26 PM']I haven't been but it looks like a cool venue. Not sure how easy your load-in will be though! I'll hopefully be able to come along and finally check you guys out![/quote] Be great if you could make it.

We do indeed have these amps.

Nearly Dan play The Pigalle Club in London on Thursday 20 May. First time there. www.vpmg.net/pigalle/ Anyone been there/played there before?