Chris2112

I was once selling a bass, offered for collection only. Someone got in touch with me, from down near London. When he asked where I was, I said I was in Northumberland, about twenty minutes from Newcastle Upon Tyne, ten minutes from the A1 D/C and fifteen minutes from the airport. He asked if I would post, saying I was "nowhere near anywhere". Good grief! I once had a bloke drive up from London to Newcastle to buy an Alembic off me. That is commitment!

Things were wild before 2008, marketplaces here and on TB were on fire! It's slowed to a crawl since.

He talks incessantly on Talkbass (and often talks rubbish or in a very cryptic manner so he doesn't have to qualify what he is saying). That said, he's tried loads of basses and seems to have some technical facility, but his playing mostly seems to be playing basses at trade shows. I've never thought he was great, not based on what I've seen. A great talker, musically devoid of good ideas.

Their version of 'Born To Run' is astounding, far more energetic than Springsteen's (even the later live versions which are the popular ones). 'Welcome to the Pleasure Dome' is a fantastic track too, loads of energy and a super tight bassline.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1371134470' post='2110284'] I get a lot of questions about the avatar picture . It's this maths genius and personal finance expert : [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqZ0ch2sHbY[/media] [/quote] What an awesome rack. She has always been a hottie too, as much for her mental prowess as those great chebs!

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1371148767' post='2110596'] Listening through crappy earbuds, I spotted the Tesco one, but got the Strad and the other one mixed up. The clips could have been better recorded - sounded like they were being played in the Ashmolean khazis... [/quote] Same here. I've fairly decent Turtle Beach earphones on...I should have got my Sennheisers out and spared my embarrassment!

[quote name='thehillscorporation' timestamp='1371154070' post='2110694'] i'd forgotten just how tasteful & tasteless Frank can be, often both at the same time! oh, and it's a Supernatural Series II [url="http://bassaxe.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/jay-dee-supernatural.html"]http://bassaxe.blogs...pernatural.html[/url] John [/quote] Nail on the head! He is a superbly talented player, but I find some of his lines so 'outside' that he takes it a bit far. When he is on form though, he is brilliant.

This thread has inspired me to dig out my old copy of Return to Forever's [i]Romantic Warrior[/i]. Only to discover I can't find the bloody thing! I might have to buy it all over again, it has long been one of my favourite records and it struck me recently that I hadn't listened to it in about two years! Especially crazy considering the amount of effort I put into learning songs off it! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa21WPH4_U4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa21WPH4_U4[/url]

Strange, I had heard that Al was always very shy and introverted, especially when he joined McLaughlin's guitar trio, playing between the famed McLaughlin and the masterful Paco! That said, it matters little to me if he is an arsehole, his music is great and his playing is superb. He was fantastic with Return to Forever, where I think his exuberance was tempered a little against the Clarke and Corea.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1371065973' post='2109467'] IME, if you're working with more than one guitarist then forget the acoustic bass route. Even with a good quality acoustic bass you'll struggle to be heard. [/quote] This. Even against one good acoustic guitar, an acoustic bass can struggle without some electric amplification.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRqQ6dL6ZJQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRqQ6dL6ZJQ[/url] It doesn't get much better than this. That bright, juicy Wal sound through a driven amp, played well.

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1370701170' post='2104607'] I'm must be getting bored with Basschat. [/quote] When you start worrying about the overlap between GG and OT, it's time to switch off your computer and go outside for a while.

Grab a good Hondo or suchlike. Given their ability to punch above their weight, and the general shoddiness of a real Ric, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1370994722' post='2108546'] Don't worry, tomorrow will yield another emotion [/quote] There will be another bass/car/project on the menu tomorrow, met with renewed excitement!

As much as I love Al Di Meola's electric fusion stuff, I always find him at his most compelling given a spare arrangement and an acoustic guitar! Though the electric stuff at the end of the show is sublime. I will be sitting down to watch this when I have the time!

This unbelievably tight and awesome sounding bass solo... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bt8wc_IS24"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bt8wc_IS24[/url] It's all about that Wal sound!

I've had the chance to buy back a couple of basses I've sold, but in all the years I don't think I've ever done so. I suppose I prefer to look forward rather than back!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1370697640' post='2104535'] PS I didn't get either job. [/quote] Never show up the Prima Donnas if you want the job!

Well, it wasn't very good.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1370297755' post='2098942'] I emailed Alex some time ago about this - it's wrong on all counts except possibly the Lemmy connection - but he didn't respond; too busy probably. [/quote] Or maybe, if they admit it's not his bass then they're stuck with a POS they can't sell!

I did read it for the first time in years recently (back when I regularly used Talkbass the saga was still going on then - seven or eight years ago!).

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1370269074' post='2098327'] Just had a chat with Martin at the Gallery & he's offered the following info:—[list] [*]It's obviously had a life; [/list] [/quote] Trade speak for 'it's f***ed'.