Chris2112

Looking very nice, as usual for an ACG!

Not particularly impressed with any of Flea's basses post Modulus, frankly.

Having owned headless and headed Status basses in the past I'd go for headless I had a choice but I'd be more than happy with a headed Status bass too.

Sadly those soundclips of the Thumb don't seem to be working anymore.

What I'd really like to hear is a Streamer with an ACG/East preamp. After all, there was a bloke on here with an ACG preamp in his Thumb and it sounded amazing. Can't find the page now EDIT: got it http://basschat.co.uk/topic/3919-acg-bass-pre-amp/

Bartolinis are the ones for the SS1 streamer IMO. SD's aren't really the best in Warwick basses, as far as my tastes go. They colour the sound a lot and emphasise the highs and lows with a pretty plain midrange. Whereas a suitable pickup should be giving depth and vibrance to the mids. My Streamer is all maple with a walnut slice through the middle of it and an ebony board. It should be as sharp as a razor, yet the two Bartolini soapbars in it mellow things out nicely and give it a really rich, musical sound. Crisp, defined highs that aren't shrill and piercing, a tight bottom end sound and a very musical midrange. Quite simply, it sounds bloody fantastic. I'm not sure if it's 'special' because its a limited edition model, but it sounds far better than the usual fare of Streamers with MEC's, EMG's and SD's. Next year I suspect I'll buy a Thumb NT with Barts.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1324635283' post='1476424'] Mahavishnu '84 was my favourite. [/quote] Yep, it was fantastic. 'Adventures in Radioland' was pretty good too. Much better than the 'old' Mahavishu.

[quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1323891150' post='1468464'] You're right. I'm studying music. I've chosen to not promote myself and audition for gigs as i really want to get my chops together before im (hopefully) out gigging most days of the week. Im only just 21 and my student loan keeps me alive while i practice. I thought after just completing my exams i would have a quick look on basschat and you've ruined my nights practice of transcribing and latin grooves [/quote] And I wish you all the best in this, you've made a brave decision and I hope it works out for you.

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1323890854' post='1468458'] But if everyone thought like that nothing would ever progress, and we certainly wouldn't have most of the bands that are considered 'all time greats' today would we. [/quote] Another point, which I couldn't be arsed to make before but I will now since you've danced around the matter, is that making it big in a band is definitely not connected to studying music. That seems to be more a case of right place, right time and a whole lot of luck. This seems to be another sweet nothing whispered in the ear of those who are considering studying music at a higher level. How many students are these places churning out year after year? To be fair, it almost seems as though the era when musical superstars played instruments is nearly over.

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1323890553' post='1468450'] Think of it as a nice experience which will allow you to harbour loads of nice memories to get you through 5 decades of burger-flipping [/quote] Edward, I'm not used to you speaking such sense, or in such a humour manner but I think you've hit the nail on the head there. By all means, I enjoy music in my spare time but it's a brave man who expects it to put a roof over his head and food on the table! Well, if you're expecting more than a cardboard box and a pot Noodle, anyway.

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1323890276' post='1468439'] Your giving a perspective from what i'm assuming is a man thats sat behind a desk looking at a computer screen for 30 odd years. [/quote] That would be hell. I wanted a job that got me out and about, giving me something different every day and a chance to use my loaf. Add to that good prospects for promotion and sideways transfers, so if I get bored of doing one thing I can go and do another. No, I wouldn't be signing up to look at a computer screen for thirty years unless they paid me a great sum!

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1323890267' post='1468438'] I suspect your qualm in all of this is your opposition to Universities in general as opposed to having any subjective view on what these institutes can offer you[/quote] I suspect you haven't been reading what I've read, as I must have said 'get a good degree' in one way or another 100 times already in this thread!

[quote name='spike' timestamp='1323880959' post='1468202'] From last Sunday's rehearsal Drummer - " I'm broke so I can't pay my fiver towards the rehearsal room " Keyboardist - " Neither can I, I'm broke too " [/quote] Seriously, how hard is it to get £5 together? Thats, what, the cost a McDonalds? A pint and a half at the pub? Good grief.

[quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1323889930' post='1468424'] so your not a professional bass player then... think that pretty much sums up how relevant your posts are [/quote] I could be snide and make a comment about how your illiterate posts give me some idea of why you're working as a string plucker these days but I won't. You probably think I'm being mean spirited and a killjoy, I'm not. I'm just giving some real world perspective on this matter, in stark contrast to the usual back-slapping cries of "f*** the jobs market"

[quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1323889417' post='1468405'] chris 2112 i would love to know your background. You sound like a bitter old git in these posts [/quote] Bitter? No, A realist, surely. I studied at uni for a year and left when I got a job with a 35 year contract. I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade or make their dreams sound silly but the real world is a tough, unforgiving place and the competition is more numerous and better qualified than ever. You owe it to yourself to give yourself the best chance.

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1323889178' post='1468395'] This isn't true, and with the greatest of respect, spoken like someone who obviously has no understanding of what a lot of the good musical institutes are designed for. That goes for all the people harping on about how the degree at the end of it means squat. [/quote] What they're designed for? Making money, as Mr Thunes so rightly pointed out? Universities are obliged to award you a degree that is actually going to get you anywhere in life, they're just there to make money. Using your loaf is what will get you something out of university, and that means picking a degree that could get you somewhere. Fancy that you finish university, and lo, you did not turn out to be Anthony Jackson in disguise and your phone is not ringing with offers of gigs and work. You put yourself out there looking for a job. Sadly, the pro players got there first and so did the other thousands of people who graduated with a music degree this year. You now have to look into the real world and get a CV out there. It says 'BA Hons Music' at the top, a nice succinct summary that lets an employer throw it straight into the bin without having to worry they're overlooking someone of value. You, on the other hand, are left trying to work out how you're going to see off over £10,000 worth a debt. It's harsh, but it's true. I was lucky to be bailed out of university with a 35 year contract for work after my first year, so I never accumulated too much debt. If I were faced with the same decision again, I'd probably not go to uni this time around. I certainly wouldn't go to study something as frivolous as music.

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1323888902' post='1468382'] With the job market as it is, and the fact that there are so many students, just having the degree doesn't get you as far as it used to. [/quote] Correct, and exactly why you should be making the best of the one chance you get, rather than frittering it away on a music course. By all means, study music in your own time. It is something that is immensely satisfying to do. But it won't get you far in the real world, and you could find yourself busking in a dole queue sooner than you'd like to think!

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1323888568' post='1468363'] What your missing is that when studying music it's not about the piece of paper at the end of it. It's about developing yourself as a musician in a place with like minded people. [/quote] Unfortunately, the rest of the world does not think or work like that and so places a great deal of importance on the piece of paper you receive at the end of it, and in these days of recession and job cuts, will probably not be overly enamoured to receive a CV that says "degree in music studies". I daren't say employers aren't looking for self indulgent types, but they are looking for people with skills and knowledge they can use. Being an expert at [i]solfege[/i] does not mean much in the real world.

I'd just get rid of the TB basses.

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1323888347' post='1468356'] Maybe a sensible idea would be to have some form of 'backup plan'. I.e. some form of qualification or something that you could fall back on in the event it doesn't work out. [/quote] Like a degree, you mean? Tends to come in handy when you're looking for a job.

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1323888203' post='1468352'] What absolute drivel. I think that's the silliest thing i've ever read on this forum! [/quote] It must be great having your head in the clouds. But when you get to the real world, an employer will have no problem chucking your CV straight in the bin. There are still people going after proper degrees these days, after all. Well, you might not get a career [i]per se[/i] but a music degree may get you a job. There will always be toilets in need of scrubbing and burgers in need of flipping, I suppose.

The day of the session musician is long gone, especially for high profile players like Anthony Jackson etc etc. They're lucky to have proved themselves and can ride out their days based on their name playing jazz gigs as they see fit. I say this all the time, but studying music at University has to be one of the silliest ideas going these days. It's a lovely thing to do if you have no aspirations to own a house or get a job, but in the real world, a music degree is as much use to an employer as as a wad of used toilet paper. You might enjoy indulging your hobby for a couple of years but beyond university and the meagre pickings of the music world you'll not have much to show for the colossal debt you've accrued.