Conan

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1087013' date='Jan 12 2011, 06:36 PM']Then, sadly, in 1993 Geddy went back to his jazz bass. It was suggested to him by a bloke called Kevin "Caveman" Shirley, who I think was a studio tech or something for the Counterparts record. This was at a time when Nirvana were big and grunge rock was the "in" thing in America and he thought it would help the band go for a rock sound that would appeal to American audiences of the time. Geddy tried the jazz bass and sadly he's been using it ever since! It's a nice sounding bass but it can't hold a candle to his Steinberger or his Wal basses![/quote] I don't much like his Wal sound. I like what he plays on it, and some of his lines on Power Windows and Hold your Fire are classics - but I think it's those loose, flappy funkmaster strings he used at the time. Far too light. No tone at all. And I know, coz I used them around that time too!! I love his Jazz tone, but I think it's got a bit over the top now when played live. A bit TOO clangy for me I'm afraid. Still my all-time favourite bassist though!

Well, first of all I wouldn't be buying new! Have a look at the amps and cabs for sale section on here for starters - some great deals to be had and some very knowledgeable sellers who will help and advise you... You will get a lot more for your money too!

[quote name='grayn' post='1086654' date='Jan 12 2011, 01:31 PM']Then I though, for that money I could just get another Cube-100. Then having 2X12 and 200 watts. Does this make sense, or should I just get a much larger combo, when required? [/quote] How would you link the two combos together? Line out from one into the input of the second one? A Y-splitter to run the signal from your bass into the inputs of the two combos separately?

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1085043' date='Jan 10 2011, 11:52 PM']sad to hear two really great human beings being rubbished like that due to personal tastes[/quote] Isn't that what you've recently done to the Chilis?

[quote name='2wheeler' post='1086547' date='Jan 12 2011, 11:54 AM']Absolutely. I would say this is a lesson from a master on how to get away with a bum note.[/quote] You think he got away with it? Somewhat ironic that such a howler takes place in a track called "Best I Can"!!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1086543' date='Jan 12 2011, 11:52 AM']Personally I wouldn't say he's deteriorated, but I think from around Counterparts, when he started doing that flamenco thing, his lines have become less interesting. Also, on the newer tunes, there's been more pads going on during the solos, and less room for him to groove. Freewill... Camera Eye... Distant Early Warning.... Marathon.... Vital Signs... Digital Man... Turn the Page.... (obviously, I could go on) all great, memorable lines.[/quote] Yes. I would agree with that. Also add to the list my personal favourite - Middletown Dreams. TBH, the whole of Power Windows! Even though I don't like his Wal sounds as much as either his Ricks or Jazzes...

[quote name='crplumb' post='1086529' date='Jan 12 2011, 11:37 AM']He is one awesome bass player - maybe not as good as he used to be but still great![/quote] Eh? In what way do you think he has deteriorated? Technically? Sound? Style? I think he's probably become more 'tasteful', and I would probably say that he is now more of a 'singer that plays bass' rather than a 'bass player who sings'.

I love him really.... But listen to the guitar solo section at around 1.48! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhYLQ4DWaos&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhYLQ4DWaos...feature=related[/url]

I misread the thread title, and was wondering who this "Dean Entwistle" was...

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1085565' date='Jan 11 2011, 02:56 PM']the only real good look you get is at 1:24 - 1:27 - hard to see any logos - 1980 seems a bit too early for it to be a modern Ibanez which it resembles. Got me stumped!![/quote] The headstock doesn't look right for an Ibby either... and they were pretty much just doing Musicians, Blazers and Roadstars back then weren't they? Reminds me of one or two of those lower-end basses like Tune or Bass Collection... again though, it might be a bit early for them. Who's the bass player?

[quote name='dlloyd' post='1085552' date='Jan 11 2011, 02:43 PM']Being 'known' is over-rated. Having fun is where it's at.[/quote] Depends. Known by whom? If I overheard Geddy Lee saying "Man, that fat, ugly, bald Geordie bass player is pretty tasty" I'd be rather chuffed!

[quote name='essexbasscat' post='1085515' date='Jan 11 2011, 02:11 PM']As for becoming a good, or better musician/bassist (or for progressing at many things FWIW), it seems philosphically sound to open up future possiblities in a spirit of exploration, rather than limiting things with definitions and absolutes.[/quote] What he said. I think...

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1085510' date='Jan 11 2011, 02:05 PM']I also think Fish and Chips is completely overrated =[/quote] Me too! It wasn't a very good example in hindsight... but I was hungry!

[quote name='Doddy' post='1085508' date='Jan 11 2011, 02:02 PM']There are a lot of very good musicians around who do copy parts everyday-be they in some form of tribute show or theatre production or whatever.Many of these are top players-just because they are not creating new music doesn't make them any less of a musician. As far as mediocrity is concerned,there are an awful lot of mediocre musicians and bands about that are touted as being 'genius',which causes many younger players to aim for that level and not push to be better.[/quote] Totally agree!

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1085427' date='Jan 11 2011, 01:05 PM']I always think that the best songs are made up of great music and great lyrics. Good Times is essentially two riffs which are 4 bars long, both rifs are against the same two diatonic chords a perfect fourth apart. Probably the first chord change anyone with a guitar ever learns? The only thing that is even credible is the bass line and that, whilst it is iconic, is three notes on the beat followed by what is essentially a dorian minor scale (EF#GABC#DE) followed, in turn, by a slightly more interest lick on the A using the sixth and dominant seventh. The singers are [i]really[/i] lightweight (would never have made boot campm on X Factor) and the whole thing is just not very interesting.[/quote] In the same reductionist manner, fish and chips - widely regarded as one of the world's classic dishes - could be described as "Marine protein in a gluten-based coating, submerged in hot lipid and served with fragments of subterranean tubers". Doesn't sound as appetising does it? But it's the same thing. Sometimes, the whole is more than the sum of the parts, and it doesn't stand up to analysis.

[quote name='essexbasscat' post='1084915' date='Jan 10 2011, 10:02 PM']Whatever happens to the desire to improve and become better players ? instead of going in with the attitude of 'That'll be good enough for the Dog and Duck', why not set out with the aim of becoming known as a good bassist ? it can only enhance your career.[/quote] I both agree and disagree. To actively seek mediocrity is disappointing and ultimately unfulfilling. However, how will you ever be known as a "good bassist" if all you do is perform carbon-copies of other bassist's lines? Surely there is more to it than that?

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1085427' date='Jan 11 2011, 01:05 PM']My view on Good Times? Its the classic problem with dance orientated music. 'Great' line (is it?) but the tune is actually bubble gum.[/quote] But Bilbo, you hit the nail on the head there. It is [i]dance[/i] music. It's all about sex and having a good time struttin' ya fonkay stuff dude. Most whirling dervishes and cavorting medallion-men will not be listening to the lyrics at all - except maybe in the chorus sections. Why is that a problem? Of course, It's OK to not like "dance music" [i]per se[/i], but to criticise it's content (or lack thereof) based on how complex its composition and lyrics are comes across as pretentious and small-minded IMV. Not that I would accuse you of being either of these things normally! Horses for courses, innit?

[quote name='Doddy' post='1085426' date='Jan 11 2011, 01:05 PM']I know a lot of people who don't like Primus. But for me,they were one of only a handful of bands who blew me away the moment I heard them.[/quote] Me too. They just sounded so original - like nothing else I hade ever heard. I think I've probably grown beyond them now in terms of my musical taste, but I still really enjoy the odd listen and they often bring a slightly wistful smile to my face! I also love the fact that my wife and kids absolutely HATE them!

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='1085218' date='Jan 11 2011, 10:02 AM']Indeed. That said... that thing would be absolutely beasting into a Vintage. And it would help compensate for my tiny penis.[/quote] If it goes down to 2 ohms we could pool vintages.... Hmmmmm. I have absolutely nothing to say about your second comment however.

[quote name='JTUK' post='1084633' date='Jan 10 2011, 07:01 PM']I have more of a problem with any suggestion for cabs getting the same repsonse...and suggestion. Most of which isn't qualified.It is more the one line suggestions of use this, or use that.[/quote] Sometimes, to be fair, those type of responses are given by people who are trying to help but maybe lack the technical knowledge of other forum members. If someone has used a particular piece of equipment (or seen/heard it used) in a particular situation and knows it to be suitable for what the OP is asking - then I'm not sure it's strictly necessary to try to justify that suggestion with a load of techno-speak. I for one wouldn't understand it anyway! The original post managed to be both vague and specific at the same time, which makes it difficult to be helpful in a meaningful way. Some of the suggestions made are therefore of a speculative nature to try to draw a bit more information from the OP. I think. It's certainly not worth falling out with people over!

[quote name='fretmeister' post='1085054' date='Jan 11 2011, 12:07 AM']Big bands need less power in an amp. They have monster PA systems. Just no need for it anymore.[/quote] Yep. This is getting into the realms of penis envy...

[quote name='TimR' post='1083295' date='Jan 9 2011, 04:57 PM']Because in most cases you only need to do quarter of an hour and it's clear that some don't even do that.[/quote] Depends on the track as well If I am already familiar with it and know the arrangement, nailing the bass part may only take one play through. If it's a track I don't know it might take many listens until I am comfortable with its arrangement. That's what takes me the time in my current band, because we play a style of music that I don't actually spend much time listening to, therefore most of the tracks I am totally unfamiliar with.

Why do the speakers have to be either tens or twelves? Thunderfunk and Aguilar? What exactly do you mean by "brittle" with respect to Hartke? I certainly don't find mine brittle (if I understand what you mean by that word).

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='1083281' date='Jan 9 2011, 04:47 PM']In many cases protesting that you don't need to play a part note-for-note is more of an excuse for being too lazy to do your "home work".[/quote] Possibly in some cases. Again it depends on the gig. If you are a pro or semi-pro then I would agree, but for those of us with full-time day jobs that play in a band for recreational purposes I think the law of diminishing returns holds. Why spend three hours getting one bass line note perfect if you can do a "good enough" job (so that nobody will notice the difference) in half an hour? Unless you are a perfectionist of course...

[quote name='willyf87' post='1083098' date='Jan 9 2011, 12:57 PM']Would you reckon that the compact through one channel of my lg1000 would be just as loud as me putting two sepertae 112's into each, I know there would be less watts but with the extra sensitivity etc..[/quote] Maybe PM WaterofTyne? He played through two Bergantino 2x10s very happily until he tried the Compact... I certainly didn't hear him complaining about any lack of volume or tone! Michael, what do you say to these comments about Compacts being "boomy" or unable to throw out decent volume levels?