OliverBlackman

You'll need to brush up on your fusion playing and slapping triplets There's; Hideaway Monday, Hoxton jam night wednesdays, Ronnie Scotts Weds, Sewage (Kilburn) Thurs, and Troy bar (the best one) on fridays). Theres a bar on denmark street that sometimes has a blues jam on sundays I think.

Gutted I missed this, and the gig! Hopefully Overwater will visit again

cant make this anymore, unfortunately I know work on sundays

[quote name='gilmour' timestamp='1347523783' post='1801878'] I literally have no idea what that means? I emailed the address above (in Crez's post), they never replied. And I do drive [/quote] sorry I meant they messaged me back, and just thought I would mention to other potential applicants, if you don't drive, don't bother

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1347623612' post='1803172'] nobody has any hartke gear on the list - would it be worth having a hydrive cab there to demo so fellow basschatters can experience the total lushness of hartke hydrive 4x10? [/quote] No need, someones bringing mark bass gear and after owning both, markbass is just better

that really makes me miss my fretless Warwick! Nice playing though, also really enjoyed the 16th note groove

[quote name='gilmour' timestamp='1347227827' post='1798357'] They never replied to me [/quote] I did, turns out a car is also essential

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1346582424' post='1790718'] Sorry I should clarify - I need a lift rather than being able to offer one - hope that's cool M [/quote] Would also like a lift if anyones already driving from London.... Please

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1346612519' post='1791237'] A bit closer to home: Charlie Chandler in Hampton Wick or the Chandler shop at Kew. Over the years I've used both and they do excellent work. [/quote] I've had a setup at Charlie Chandlers and although they were friendly and the setup was good, it took a while, 4 days I think. This is of course no fault of their own, you can tell by the amount of guitars in for repair, that their services are in demand. However, Bass Gallery have before done it by the next day and they to are excellent.

[quote name='swanbrook' timestamp='1345815785' post='1781934'] Back when I started out there was no Internet forums ( Jasus I feel old now ) the only way to meet other musicians was at clubs and gigs and hope somewhere you might get a spot to play. Open mic nights where great My first gig came from a friend of mine, his dad played in a wedding band and I sat in for the bass player, I was 14 and was pretty sh1t. But word got around and by 16 I was gigging by 19 I was touring and by 23 I was driving a new car and living in my first new house. If its what you want you will find a way or it will find you. A lot is luck a lot is on that list and a lot is hard work. I don't do religion but I am thankful that I get to go work and have as much fun as I do. [/quote] The first paragraph is still the same today. Although I've started developing a website because some artist management want to see and hear your you play in their living room. But jam nights are still where I meet people properly, and the move to London was so I could go to more jam nights and meet more people. As "swan brook" has shown, if you capitalise on any luck you may have by having the skills and punctuality you should be able to make a success out of it.

[quote name='shizznit' timestamp='1345807553' post='1781766'] Another contentious discussion I have with pro musicians is the sticky topic of reading music and theory knowledge. Is it necessary? [/quote] I think now that so many music students have the opportunity to go to schools where the curriculum forces you to read and know theory, the standard in reading and theory knowledge will improve. However, there is the argument that many young musicians lack the musicality and feel that the older players possess. Sorry for going off topic a bit.

[quote name='swanbrook' timestamp='1345805291' post='1781714'] Work gets you work, getting one gig might lead on to another and then might lead to some recording and so on. I don't think anybody has ever picked up a bass today and became a pro session head tomorrow. But before any of that happens it helps, well helped me to have these "rules". I don't think I am a great bass player by any means but I have made a good life from music playing bass. Am I ever going to get a dep gig for jamiroquai no but I do provide a good life for my family from music. [/quote] But what I'm getting at is how did you get that first gig that got you all the other gigs? Thats what pro's rarely talk about because it usually shows how lucky they were to get the first gig. However, you need those rules that you pointed out and the skills to work as a sessioning bass player to keep getting gigs.

[quote name='pault' timestamp='1345800728' post='1781645'] I've had a Tokai Jazz Sound fretless (Jaco copy) since new in 1985. I put EMG's on it - as we all did then - and it's a great instrument. Getting a bit tatty now, mind... [/quote] let me know if you ever think of selling it

Am I right in thinking that the actual "50th anniversary edition" came with a flamed top in sunburst and gold hardware? I seem to remember looking it up a few years ago as one came on ebay. Anything else in standard colour with the stamp on the headstock just meant that it was made in the year of Fenders 50th anniversary and wasn't different in anyway. The same happened with the 60th anniversary. Mine is a 60th anniversary in Blizzard Pearl (the only colour they did the mexican anniversary model in) and it has a special neck plate. There were lots of other MIM and MIA Fender basses with a 60th anniversary stamp on the headstock, but these were in fact just standard models made in that year. http://www.stratcollector.com/images/50thcollection.gif

[quote name='swanbrook' timestamp='1345679869' post='1780548'] I have done a fair bit of session work, would have done more if I could read ! This for me gets me work 1. Be prepared 2. Be respectful of yourself and others 3. Be punctual 4. Play what's required 5. Have a good attitude 6. Acknowledge that we were given a "gift" and be thankful for it 7. Excercise good people skills [/quote] Firstly point 6 kind of suggests you think you were born a bass player, and didn't have to practice.... If thats the case you are a miracle and there is no one else like you. Secondly, these points tell you how to maintain getting sessions once you have already had a session. How did you get your first session? Did someone contact you, did you know them? Thats the information thats really useful and 9/10 it's either, "yeh I knew him from school" or "I met him at a party." Do you see what I mean, and then from the guys I know that are doing it, it's the same guy that keeps calling, or it's one of his friends, or someone they did a session with in the past ect.

I found this ages ago, its worth a read. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct98/articles/sessionmusic.html

[quote name='DeanBass' timestamp='1345647834' post='1779980'] I can read music to a certain extent as I used to play the flute before I discovered the bass guitar, however, I've not learnt how to read bass cleff. [/quote] Its a different ball game. And I shall tell you why. Yes its ok just simply being able to name keys and notes on the stave. But you've got to know where those notes are on the bass, what shape is best to use and you've got to know this as you fly through a piece. Try going through musical numbers, they're good fun to use as reading practice. In terms of networking, become a regular at jam nights or venues where you know lots of musicians hang out. For example one is the friday night jam in Hoxton where Rick James plays.

[quote name='gub' timestamp='1345491698' post='1778181'] Would love to get some , don't know of any in Cornwall though ! [/quote] wish I knew some off the top of my head. I met/ played with some great musicians down in Falmouth and Newquay.

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1345477968' post='1777932'] Glad to hear you have a bass you're really happy with and will never sell! Those 80s Japanese instruments really are very well made. Although if their website is to be believed they are the best musical products in the world. Which makes me somewhat dubious... I'm not sure they make the Jazz Sound any more, and I'm not sure they make them in Japan any more either! The Jazz copy on their site is £350 though, I'm not sure its the same one as your Jazz Sound, it has an Agathis body! [/quote] No I wouldn't buy a modern Tokai but they come up on Ebay and on here form time to time.

[color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]1. Hamster - Fender Hotrod P/J, Bareface Compact, Auralex Gramma Pad, SFX Thumpinator; either Markbass 800 Tube or Ampeg PF500 Portaflex[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]2. BigBeatNut - Rob Allen Deep 5, Status Electro, Lakland 55-02 Fretless, Markbass CMD121P, a selection of SFX micro pedals[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]3. Stingray5 - Musicman StingRay5 and Stingray fretless, Tune TWB-6, Trace Elliot BLX-80 combo, Boss GT-6B fx, Gramma Pad, (+ raffle bits & freebies).[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]4 OBBM - undecided on basses but Schroeder cab(s) and mini-rack Mk2 (+raffle bits)[/font][/color] [i]5. Charic (tentative) - ACG Finn 4 (Drop C tuning), Yamaha RBX6JM, Modded Fender MIM, TC RH450, 2 x TC RS210, Line6 DL4 (delay pedal), Behringer Chorus Pedal[/i] [color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]6. Happy Jack - Ampeg Baby Bass and (just for OBBM) at last I'll bring along a Hofner Verithin. If there's enough (any) interest, I could also bring along a Fishman Fusion pedal plus a rig to play through.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]7. Macdaddy - custom shuker or custom Iceni Zoot or Hamer Blitz + raffle bits [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]8. Billyapple - Gibson Thunderbird, Un-Finished Wishbass Lobe, Matamp GT200 Head, Matamp 212 Cab, DHA VT1 Eq[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]9. Walman - ([i]assuming it'll all fit in the smaller car I got last year as I was cutting down on gear [/i][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]) Wal Pro1/Custom hybrid, 2 x G&L L2500 US, Tanglewater ClassicJ, Roland PK5 bass pedals w DSI MoPho synth, GenzBenz Streamliner 6, BF Super12T - alternatively a poll on which to bring may be required[/font][/color] 10. OliverBlackman- going to bring the Tokai as it seems in a recent thread not many have experienced the 80's Jazz sounds.

I think unless you learn how to analyse music, just learning songs or using books isn't always beneficial. Luckily I'm now at a point where I could get the most out of most books. I will always get private tuition though if I can afford it. I've been trying to find time for lessons with Daf Lewis for ages! Some people need tuition and others don't but I don't think it can hurt to try lessons with a few different tutors until you find one that really helps you.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1345409699' post='1777255'] "Custom Shops don't compete with the tones that come from the Tokai." each to there own, but i really doubt it.. [/quote] I've played 3 custom shop jazzes. An Oly White, Shoreline Gold and Dakota Red. All these sounded boring and lacklustre in comparison. My Tokai's got more growl, more defined mids, boomy lows and lovely low action. I will never sell it. Might have to take it to the south east bass bash at this rate.

is it just me thats played the tokai jazz sound? Forget american standards, Custom Shops don't compete with the tones that come from the Tokai. The philippe dubreuille jazz bass is the only bass I've played where I've thought, "yeh thats worth £1000 more" than the Tokai.

Tokai Tokai Tokai! Mine beats most jazz basses I've played in terms of quality and ridiculous tones. Psychoandy just sold one for under £300! I payed £360 for mine and it was completely worth it