Chris2112

[b][i]For once, a P Bass that I actually want! So the manufacturer must be commended for that feat! The video of him playing it is great, the two sections of[i] Angle Park sound great.[/i] [/i][/b] http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nJL3nAUDyYk It's great to see Tony getting a signature bass. He is one of my absolute favourite players and I always think of him as the most talented UK bassist around, alongside Mark King. His lines are just incredible. I'm going to see Big Country live in February, which is great as they are one of my favourite bands. Absolutely awesome. Tony is the man.

Awesome to see Stambaugh still going! I haven't thought of Stambaugh in years, and then it just popped into my head. Definitely one of the basses I want to own one day!

Such a shame that even the Euro basses are priced so ridiculously these days. They used to be one of the best basses going in their price range. Now, they're good basses pitched against amazing basses in the same price range.

That was my first thought as well!

It should go to both! You've got to have good quality items as far as both are concerned. If one of them is expensive and the other is a stinker you'll be sorely let down in the end.

Luckily I've managed to avoid Christmas songs being on the setlist this Christmas. The earliest I've done was Saviour's Day by Cliff Richard, mid November.

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1320011298' post='1421350'] Not sure if it's still open, might have closed down years ago, but check out the Jazz Cafe on Pink Lane. Its uip a cut that is opposite the Central Station, running to the bottom of Westgate Hill. The entry fee includes grub, and there is always live Jazz. It's a really great dive, very old, and full of atmosphere. It's run by a guy called Keith who once booked The Rolling Stones to play at the Club A Go Go (in the now defunct Handyside Arcade). [/quote] I didn't realise the Jazz club did food! I've walked past it so many times but never think of going there. It tends to be trad jazz though, your chances of seeing a great fusion band I would suspect are pretty slim!

[quote name='benebass' timestamp='1320009274' post='1421313'] Chris - don't think the Dog & Parrot is a gay pub. Are you thinking of the place over the road that used to be called the Barking Dog? [/quote] I was always under the impression it was, specially given the location. But I see now I've got the names mixed up. The location I described is just 'The Dog', the D&P is across the road.

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1320003757' post='1421206'] It's all Carcass's fault. [/quote] I don't think so, Heartwork was just death metal back in those days. Back when every band did not require it's own unique genre.

Thats actually marginally better, as the dark colours hide how dismal the bass really looks.

Melodeath metal? These genre names are just getting worse and worse.

The Dog and Parrot is probably one of the busiest gay bars in the city. I had forgotten they had live music on, though when I think back to a past life I worked with an amateur stand up comic (as bad as it sounds) who did shows there so I suppose live music isn't a huge leap! The Northumberland Arms must be alright though, I've never known there to be trouble there. Imagine gigging at the Blackett Arms or the Black Garter

Wait, did someone say the [i]worst looking bass in the world[/i]?

I hear Squier might be doing a Surf Green Classic Vibe Jazz. Maybe hold onto those pennies...

Yes, I've played a few over the years, although they're no better than some of the other basses I've owned and played. As far as craft and construction goes, they are as stunning and as flawless as you would expect from a top drawer bass. But you could stand my ACG Harlot next to them and they'd be neck and neck as far as build quality goes. I suppose that speaks volumes for my ACG though! Similarly, my Zon is as well built as either. They're better made than some basses though. I've played a couple of Wals that felt a little more 'handmade' than 'handcrafted' if you catch my drift. (I've played plenty of fabulously made Wals too mind). I've never seen or played a Fodera that looked anything less than perfect. Though I've heard of some Talkbass users finding the rarest of things; namely shoddy Fodera basses! Personally, I don't think there is one Fodera sound. Not like 'the' Wal sound, not like 'the' Alembic sound. The best sounding Fodera I've played was a Monarch with, IIRC, a Hazlab preamp like Victor Wooten's #1 bass has. It was very dynamic and rich sounding. Some of the mahogany bodied basses have sounded very polite with SD pickups and the Pope preamp. It's a gospel studio dream tone though! Some of the harder woods give them a better sound, the ash bodied ones have a bit of back pickup growl which is nice. It's all down to what you like though. If you have the money for one, and like them, then enjoy it. I don't think there is much in it between a £4000 Alembic or Fodera and another boutique bass costing half that. When you're playing basses like that, your taste is as much the deciding factor as the price and you'll buy what you like.

Hmm, they're still not making the Slapper bass! Bring it back!

[quote name='bassman2790' timestamp='1312056948' post='1321717'] This is the sound I associate with Chris Squire and Geddy Lee but my 4003 doesn't sound anything like that. Does the action have to be quite low? What is the secret? [/quote] Geddy's Ric sound was much better than this and Chris Squire's sound! It's all about a well driven amp and some fingerstyle with a firm touch!

[quote name='weldermatt' timestamp='1320001341' post='1421136'] Just going off places I've played personally, there's also The Northumberland Arms, (opposite McDonalds, near the Monument), Trillions, (in amongst the shops, more of a rocking venue), The Dog and Parrot, (think it's on Scotswood Road)... Sadly, The Broken Doll shut years ago, always a good night there... [size=2]My unpopular downbeat combo;[/size] [size=2][url="http://www.myspace.com/drunkinhell"]http://www.myspace.com/drunkinhell[/url][/size] [/quote] Trillions is on Princess Square, just off Northumberland Street. Mostly a rock and metal venue, they get some fantastic professional bands in if you're into metal. The Northumberland Arms is on Prudhoe Chare, a side street off Northumberland Street next to M&S. That said, I've never known them to have live music on. The Dog and Parrot I believe is listed on Westmoreland Road, but really it's on the corner with Westmoreland Road and Scotswood Road. Again, I've never known that to be a live music venue but then thats not an end of town I go to unless I'm at work.

With regards to the Head of Steam, they seem to have a bit of a variable output. There was a band that my brother saw there, Kappernicus (now defunct) which he quite enjoyed. They have a lot of dodgy indie bands on too. The Cluny seems even more indie focused. I never go to either place for anything other than work now though. Which other pubs in Newcastle do live music? I remember someone saying The Ship (next to the Cluny) had an open mic jam night.