Golchen

I have never owned or player a Rickenbacker or a copy, but I just want to say that I love that bit in the title of this thread: 'Rampant Rickenbuggery!' - makes me laugh every time I see it come up again. It's such a daft phrase but it keeps coming to me throughout the day ...... maybe I need to get out more.

Doh! I'd have been interested ................. oh well, c'est la vie.

I was actually quite a fan of Wham back in the day because of the bass playing of Deon Estus. And that was even before I touched a bass myself.

I never really get what a compressor is for?? It sounds like it will magically improve my playing and if so I NEED one now!

That video was horrible. Sound quality 1 out of 10, worth of video material 1 out of 10. Can't be bothered with that!

I've done a couple of strat necks with just wire wool and always been very pleased with the results. I did take the necks off but I didn't bother with any masking. Just rubbed the back down well with a few grades, polishing off with a soft cloth inbetween to see how it felt. I kind of graduated it a bit up to the back of the headstock so that there wasn't a 'line' of any sort.

I'd either phone for a chat or email and ask. They must get that sort of general interest enquiry all the time.

Lats summer I decided that I really wanted another bass, usual story - the quest for an 'ideal' instrument, one that felt great, looked great and sounded great. I had no idea what I wanted other than 5 strings, so I spent many months looking around shops, checking out the internet etc etc. It seemed like a good idea, so I made the Basschat for sale section my internet log on page and spent around 10 month scouring it a couple of times a day. Well, as you'd imagine, I saw a couple I nearly went for but missed them due to brief procrastination, and saw a few beauties outside my (pretty big) budget. But lo and behold, I eventually bought a bass that is everything I want! (FleaBay) All is well and good, but I never go to the for sale section any more as funds have gone, and I'm really missing it! There is a great frustration to having a pot of GAS money and not finding something to spend it on, but there is also a bit of a hollow feeling once you have 'done the deed' and finally bought something. I am 100% happy with the new bass, this is a side issue. GAS is a two edged sword that cuts both ways!

Personally I don't get people who don't get it. Decent ones look cool and feel better to play, so what's wrong with that? I don't like shiny new instruments, and one is always worried about getting a scratch/mark. For me it's played in, pre-dinged instruments all the way. What I'm not so keen on is: i) Fender roadworn where they all have identical wear and ii) all these DIY twats who try to flog their appalling guitar rape on eBay like they have 'upgraded' it Note: To be honest, as far as the whole relic thing goes, I think that it looks amazing on a Strat, but not quite so good on other brands/instruments.

Greetings. Another Zappa fan and multi-instrumentalist here.

I need to change my vote! Haven't touched my Status since I bought a Fender Reggie Hamilton Jazz, and it feels like 'the one'.

I like both. I like active for upbeat songs, especially when I'm slapping a bit (or a lot!), and I prefer passive for the slower more mellow stuff. I'm really lucky as my bass has a push button to switch over! (Reggie Hamilton Jazz V)

I only know the singles that have been in the charts, but I pretty much like all of them. And as mine is the most important opinion I say that most of you are talking out of your arse here (IMH*) [note: and my opinion is the most important one]

I only ever play/practice standing up. Recently I've taken to leaning up against something, but it's a pretty bad habit!

Great stuff! I really liked the videos.

Dunno, but it Bites were a great band. I love the two albums that you mentioned. Haven't followed the new incarnation, it just seems like a tribute band without the excellent Mr Dunnery.

I've been to central london twice in the past 6 month specifically to look for basses, and both times I was extremely dissapointed. Couldn't find a single 5 string Fender Jazz anywhere. Personally, I'm beginning to think that the music shop has had its day.

Seen him before. I thought that's a REALLY weird way to play, but he certainly sounds good!

[quote name='maxrossell' post='473111' date='Apr 27 2009, 08:22 AM']I'd say work on improving your ear. Get a load of your favourite records, and using nothing but your bass and your ears figure out all the basslines. A great ear is one of the most valuable tools you can have as a musician.[/quote] Thanks for the advice everyone. I really don't know how you guys work out basslines from recordings, I have a real job picking out the bass, let alone trying to play it. I really struggle with what's going on. Maybe it's because I've spent decades not really listening to bass??

Er, yeah, well I've been playing seriously (relative term) for quite a long time now, and I feel reasonably OK with following chords using root notes, octaves and 5ths. Can slap a bit, which is great fun when appropriate and use all fingers OK. So I was wondering what I should be aiming for in terms of improving. For some reason I just can't seem to get on with tabs, so I'm looking for other places to go in terms of playing around chords. Any suggestions?

I never understand this anal thing of having a perfect tab to copy, surely if it pretty much sounds OK then that's good enough for a gig? How many people in a standard audience are going to give a toss?

A bit more expensive - I got a Japanese strat a few years ago (not Squier) and it is totally amazing! every bit as good as my American strats.