Hutton

I always thought that making constructive comments during rehearsal was all part of rehearsing. Nothing worse than a band mate like this daft guy. You've definitely done the right thing. All the best for the next band!

Focus was the first ever gig I went to back in the 70s. They were playing in Clouds Disco in Glasgow (no longer there). I was totally blown away and saw them several times during the following years. I'm glad that there is something up and running once again even although it is without Jan Akkerman. Thanks to the OP for the thread.

Sorry to hear about Music Makers. I have been in the shop many times as I have relatives in Lincoln.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='455507' date='Apr 6 2009, 02:42 PM']AAAAAAAARGH! If you want to know about jazz, stay away from jam sessions that play Canteloupe Island, Watermelon Man, Chameleon, C Jam Blues and So What! Sorry, Spike, I know what you are saying is probably true but these jam sessions are, in my experience, rarely attended by anyone that can actually play any credible jazz. Its a tragedy but most good players would either be gigging or practising at home. These tunes are horrible (I actually refuse to play the first two - ever - and the others are rarely allowed out). They are seen by many as a great introduction to jazz but they are enough to put anyone off, particularly when played by people with bad time, no technique and no credible vocabulary. I too often see people at these sessions who have not yet dealt witht he fundamentals of their instruments and who are, to all intents and purposes, delusional. Just imagine. If you were interested in seeing what jazz was about and went to one of these sessions as your forst experience; you would be put off it for life. Find something more worthy of your time. As for suggestions of what to listen to: look for my GOD, I LOVE JAZZ thread here. There are 100s of suggestions, from me and others.[/quote] Jams are a great way for musicians to enjoy themselves in a social and informal setting. Therefore, it doesn't matter if you are Coltrane or just a beginner. It is also an excellent opportunity for more experienced musicians to share their ideas with beginners, unless of course they are elitist and only want to play with "proficient" musicians. I wouldn't say songs like Watermelon Man and Cantaloupe Island are not credible jazz no matter who is playing them. Herbie Hancock's reputation speaks for itself, whether you like it or not is subjective.

[quote name='leschirons' post='455654' date='Apr 6 2009, 04:34 PM']Interesting stuff all this. Makes you wonder if Miles Davis wrote a tune in 4/4 time going from A to D to A to E to D to A, would people call it great jazz or just another 12 bar in A. I don't think I need to understand what people were trying to achieve when composing or playing. If it sounds good to me, then I like it, and therefore, is percieved good music to me. I went to see Andy Summers' trio at Pizza Express about 10 years ago. He played a number, talked about it's composition for 15 minutes, answered questions from a couple of guys in the audience about why he'd chosen to put an Ebm6+13b5+9E=Mc2 in at that point and spoke about how he'd got into Thelonius Monk at the age of 4 months. Some people really enjoyed it, great, but great, is in the eye of the beholder (or ear in this case) I can highly reccommend the four cheeses special. And, I like David Sanborn. Marcus Miller seemed to as well. Or maybe some think he was just paying the mortgage when working with him as it wasn't proper jazz[/quote] +1 again.

[quote name='leschirons' post='455356' date='Apr 6 2009, 12:58 PM']Ah the jazz argument. There are always going to be people who tell you "if you don't like THAT, your mad, listen to this , it's great, you like THAT? it's sh*te. Well at the end of the day it's all only music whether it's got 2 chords or 167 chords and 15 key changes. If you like something, it's good for you, if you don't, then it's not. Some think that jazz is some kind of deep philosophy. It's just music, some you can tap your foot to and some you can't like anything else. I love loads of jazz that others would call crap but who cares. Get some songs you like and try and learn them. Must be the place to start I would imagine. I don't think "Jazz" needs analyzing. Just my opinion. I'll now wait for the floodgates to open.[/quote] Never a truer word was spoken.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='455335' date='Apr 6 2009, 12:40 PM']Yeh - I just had a listen. Aren't they those "midnight at the oasis" dudes? If that's Jazz I give up right now... back to your elevator [/quote] No, that's the Brand New Heavies that you are thinking of. A great band and like the Crusaders consisting of professional musicians. These are people who love playing music and do not care about the boundaries of musical genre.

There is no need to have one verses the other. Go for both!

I really like the Mighty Mite stuff. I built a strat for my son with an MM body and neck. He now plays it more than his Fender deluxe strat. I am currently building a Precision for my other son. I am using a new MM neck (ebay £80) which is being fitted to a nice Squier body from 1979. On first investigation I don't foresee any problems in getting the two to fit pretty well. All the best with your build!

[quote name='tauzero' post='429444' date='Mar 9 2009, 03:14 PM']Some people even like Fenders, for heaven's sake.[/quote] Yeah, countless professionals since the fifties to the present day.

It doesn't matter what the title of the thread is. We so often get round to comparing basses and that's ok as long we always recognise that what one player thinks is a killer tone may not be what another thinks. Thank goodness there is a huge amount of choice out there to suit all tastes and pockets. IMHO there is no bass better than another. They are all different and if you find your 'baby' then well and good.

I would imagine that it is extremely difficult to get a 5 string M'man neck. I also think that it would look pretty weird stuck onto a SUB body. Every one to their own I suppose.

I've had both. For me there is absolutely no contest. Markbass every time!

[quote name='Hutton' post='411482' date='Feb 16 2009, 08:53 PM']Have a look here:- [url="http://www.mijfenders.com/frmBass.htm"]http://www.mijfenders.com/frmBass.htm[/url][/quote] Sorry to quote myself but these basses are 'not for export' instruments.