Chris2112

[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.

It just sounds like some very naff Return To Forever offcuts. The tripe they jam out but would never dream of putting near their albums. Too many hoary old key sounds, and a sort of naff faux-retro vibe. His tone is awful too. No, I don't really think much of this at all, and as a big RTF and fusion fan it pains me to say that. I would love for fusion to be re-invigorated and for some great players to really get active and refresh that genre. Sadly, I think it's cheesy rubbish like this that has done the genre in, because it was essentially watered down rubbish like this that spoiled things the first time around. Some of it also has a bit of a Level 42 flavour, as if Mike Lindup said one day at an early 80's soundcheck "hey guys, lets play some tuneless rubbish. Mark, you can do what you want but make sure you keep it meandering and aimless. If by chance an original sounding lick pops into your head, store it but don't play it here". What a load of dross.

He's a seriously talented player. Always used to stop and say hello when I worked in Newcastle. Back when I had my Alembic bass, and he was always asking me for a go of it! He's got a huge selection of his own homemade drum and bass style jams, he's a very talented player with a great sense of time and groove. Grew up in Manchester in the 70's, so always found it a bit odd when the police stood and watched him play, so he said. Nice bloke.

[quote name='gazhowe' timestamp='1314819054' post='1358024'] Here's my current set: (L-R) Spector Euro 4, Stingray, Status Series 2, Warwick Thumb (1990 NT), Overwater Aspiration 5 Deluxe. Currently using the Status (main bass) and Stingray for gigging although the Overwater may make an appearance soon (I've only recently picked up this one). [/quote] Love the Status and the Thumb! Very nice!

[quote name='Huwberry' timestamp='1323774000' post='1466762'] In rehearsals last week: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBbqKep4smI&feature=colike[/media] [/quote] Good grief, that was awful. I love Depeche Mode but this was not the 'Blasphemous Rumours' I was expecting or hoping for. Mike, the funky new tune above this post is great. The Sei sounds nice as ever.

Always enjoyed his videos, I hope he likes the new bass.

Love in Itself by Depeche Mode.

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1323470865' post='1463837'] I would always go for an ash body but then I am a Warwick afficianado and there basses generally are ash bodied. [/quote] No they're not. Well, not unless you're looking at the cheaper models. The top end Warwicks tend to have bodies of maple, bubinga or Afzelia. But not ash, generally speaking.

To the studio, I'll just take one bass if I know it's going to the be the right one for the job. Live, I try to take a backup. I've never had a bass go wrong at a gig, but I'd like a backup incase the worst happens. Or if I just fancy a different bass for a few songs.

I'd love to try one, I'm sure they're superb. But if I were set on owning a Fodera, I suspect I'd rather just have a plain Monarch with the dovetail neck.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1323377815' post='1462804'] Oh God no! I think what they're doing now, and have been since "Counterparts", is to try & distance themselves from all that over arranged, over orchestrated lame AOR they were producing on albums like "Hold Your Fire" & "Presto", and I for one am very glad that they are. I don't even own a copy of "Hold Your Fire" anymore - I binned it as I just think it's awful. [/quote] If Rush have ever made lame AOR it is definitely post [i]Counterparts[/i]. So many dreary songs, A/B/A style compositions. Some of it has been, I am sad to say, dreadful. Really bland album rock. They need to get back to the [i]Power Windows/Hold Your Fire[/i]way of thinking, ie: beautifully arranged songs, catchy melodies and albums so strong any song could be the lead single.

Jazz bass, new strings, tube amp in overdrive. Job done.

I hated anything about them, I wouldn't keep them!

[quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1323265682' post='1461225'] Richard may by doing half the gig with it. . . . perhaps! Cheers. [/quote] Before leaving on a stretcher!

Fantastic tone, fantastic playing.