4 Strings

There definitely are tonewoods but for the acoustic instruments whose sound is dependant on their construction, but, in my opinion/experience, not relevant in electronic instruments. I've used the example of plastic cases on Fender Rhodes pianos and mahogany cases for Hammond organs. Surely the mahogany of the Leslie is more important. Perhaps the material used for bass cabs has more effect on our sound than the wood that supports the magnetic pickups.

I'm and engineer and a musician (well I like to think so). To be paid for either I am a necessary evil. People make money form buildings (engineering part) and my fees reduces what they can make they just have to have me to make anything. Similarly for paid gigs, the venue owner/agent etc would much rather not pay as it cuts his profits but has to as we help to bring in the punters. So the OP's question, yes, when its for money, my experience as a musician is the same as for anything else. As a punter I'm more than happy to pay to see a band. It goes nasty at the middleman.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1339675735' post='1692447'] If this is about who doesn't do it for you, I have to say that despite my love for some of the technically very skilled (e.g. Richard Bona, Jimmy Johnson, Stanley Clarke, Matt Garrison, Armand Sabal-Lecco) it's generally similarly technically-skilled types who do nothing for me, for instance Victor Wooten & Marcus Miller spring to mind. I think much of what bothers me most about them comes down to tone; if I don't like somebody's tone I find that very difficult to get past, however gifted they may be in other ways. To be honest though, I can think of very few bassists I actually don't like; however thousands just don't register. Have to add, speaking as a songwriter, that if was writing music like U2 I'd much sooner have Adam Clayton playing bass than Jaco Pastorius or similar. It's all about context.... [/quote] Yep, agree. (Are we allowed not to like Marcus Miller's tone? Cool! For me it's good in the same way two-tone paintwork on a car is good. Interesting result of a lot of process.)

[quote name='woodyratm' timestamp='1339673500' post='1692372'] Hang on - is she hot? this makes all the difference in how you should proceed! [/quote] Fortunately or unfortunately, this is likely to be true.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1339676580' post='1692470'] It doesn't matter how many gigs someone is offering I'll never strap a bass drum to my back and learn harmonica! [/quote] Paid gig? I would!

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1339744715' post='1693511'] Confront and ask him to be straight with you. If it's as you suspect and he just can't be arsed then I'd be tempted to replace him. That sort of behaviour makes you all look like fools, and is hurting you financially. Alternatively your mate could just fill in, but I'm a bit more hardcore when it comes to people swinging the lead... [/quote] This one. I'm with you about a commitment (just had to say 'no' to two paid performances at a theatre on a saturday that my unpaid Gospel band is playing an outdoors event - hurts sometimes!). If it's the case he doesn't want to do low paid gigs then its band meeting time.

Seems straightforward, don't know how these would be muddled. The sound is produced 'by' not 'via' electronics, but that's an irrelevant grammatical detail and pointing it out opens all my own writings to scrutiny it could not stand. My personal opinion would be to remove the final comment on solid boded guitars regarding 'additional tonal subtleties'. I have found no actual evidence of this but evidence to the contrary. But that's an old chestnut.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1339669716' post='1692245'] No-one's mentioned Guiggsy yet [/quote] Clip or he doesn't exist

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1339665028' post='1692101'] I know what you mean. Initially all I saw was YouTube vids of him shredding away like a lead guitarist and sounding like a very large angry wasp in the process. But then I was obliged to learn a Mr Big cover for a rock set, and having analysed this bass line, I've revised my opinion of his playing somewhat. He doesn't solo in this track, [i]but he always sounds like he's about to!![/i] \m/ \m/ [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHGv5FCS2j8[/media] [/quote] How's your bvs?

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1339667356' post='1692169'] Of course, he hires serfs to be energetic on his behalf, otherwise, what's the point in being a milti-millionaire? [/quote] Just like his guitar playing mate who hires a pedal button presser. Funny, never thought of U2 as ever being punk, not even in the very early days

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1339540047' post='1690401'] ...If its a fellow musician/bassist I might start talking about my gear or sound etc, and cross my fingers that they'll let me without getting too bored [/quote] Hence your signature on here!

I'll say it again, these are all professional bass payers with a wealth of gigging and recording experience under their belts and who have learnt to play accurately and in tune and remain in their jobs because the artistic side of what they do fits perfectly with the music their band plays. I'm envious of all of them. This is a bad bass payer: http://youtu.be/kx_XWq7dAQs (his drumming is no better)

Rick for me too, not sure why I've never played one, I suppose they're not really that common, always been expensive and no-one I've known has had one. Would love to spend some time with one. I'd be terrified I'd like it enough to be my no.1. Just look. Designed in the '50s doncha know. 'Mazing. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobenis/4393017812/"]http://www.flickr.co...nis/4393017812/[/url] and [attachment=110287:Rick.jpg]

Ice cream changes?

I'm afraid I'm on the majority bandwagon here. Haven't heard all those in the list but I don't see inaccurate/tuneless/toneless playing in those I have heard. These are mostly professional bands who do this for a living, despite how simple some of the playing may be you'll find the likes of Trujillo and Dirnt are no slouches.

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1339512231' post='1689594'] Maybe I'm in the minority, but my usual response is "I know". [/quote] As it was from another bass player I was thinking, 'yeh, top that mate!'

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1339502017' post='1689320'] Next time we get compliaments, why not say, "yeah, cheers. I mix the output of both pickups to a kind of low mid thump, with a dark overtone, then I let the compressor add a cool slam, boost 180 Hz by about 3 Db, add a notch of 7K, just to let the bottom end have a bit of air, then the signal is sent to the 4 ten inch speakers, with a hot DI feed going FOH". And then watch their faces change. [/quote] Absolutely, because they liked you before that!

[quote name='MB1' timestamp='1339443439' post='1688635'] MB1. Heres how i read it... "We really want to get this moving!" with a permanent reliable line up.....No Johnny Depps! [/quote] I think this too. I'm sure the OP is not an unreliable person but more than once I have seen second best musicians taken on because they can commit and the better couldn't - because they were good and in too much demand! Its up to you how you prioritise between your bands but those down the list need to know they are down the list and can decide accordingly. You may find they prefer someone they can depend upon and it sounds like they prefer the availability of your dep. Perhaps if your other projects are more attractive you can swap duties with your dep or, if you find your other projects are less attractive, bring this band to the top of your priorities and let them know. While you may feel like you're fulfilling your responsibilities by providing suitable deps, for the other band members playing with deps will be a frustrating interlude to progress.

If they'll use it at the jam night, donate.

Maybe less for a fretless. The pups and bridge aren't Jazz types which reduces its value. A noname Jazz fretless went on here for £50 and looks to be a lot better condition and components that the Avon I'm afraid. You could try for £50 but I think you'd be down to £30 before you found any interest.

Yep, but reminder is always good, thanks. Great site to root about and pick up some isolated tracks too. Invaluable when we were getting our Motown act together.

Am I allowed to do insufferable Dad bit and drop a vid of my lad playing bass in his band? I know I'm biased but I love this song [media]http://youtu.be/-wfFNCJEv3Q[/media]

Singer/bass player in school band wanted to just sing. Rhythm guitarist ended up with his (horrible Avon EBO) bass. Rhythm guitarist still playing bass 30 odd years later. First inspiration was John Entwhistle.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1339332718' post='1686910'] Have to say the last one is not the video you'd want to post. It has no pop or groove...... take 2...and counting................ [/quote] sounded closer to the original to me, the first has too many passing notes. It think I'd be pretty pleased with either of them.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1339230015' post='1685512'] It's in Stuart Clayton's book: [url="http://stuartclayton.com/books/nile-rodgers-bernard-edwards-funk-disco-grooves-for-bass-guitar/"]http://stuartclayton...or-bass-guitar/[/url] [/quote] I think there should be a small discount for such a terrible cover!