blue Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1495013483' post='3300380'] Sorry - I've never heard of him. [/quote] Me either. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 [quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1495022020' post='3300501'] Me, Im happy stuck in the 50's . You had to play Fender bass with a plectrum or you were considered to be a communist. [/quote] I'm also not impressed with any bedroom clip or any bass players sitting down playing along to a click or recording. You have to be standing up playing live in a band with other musicians to impress me. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1495041101' post='3300808'] I'm also not impressed with any bedroom clip or any bass players sitting down playing along to a click or recording. You have to be standing up playing live in a band with other musicians to impress me. Blue [/quote] The standing up is really important is it? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5CKoaIZJg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5CKoaIZJg[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 It's bass playing for sure , not my taste , but it's bass playing , why would it not be ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) [quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1495022020' post='3300501'] Me, Im happy stuck in the 50's . You had to play Fender bass with a plectrum or you were considered to be a communist. [/quote] I think you were more likely to be considered a communist in the 50s if you DIDN'T play an upright!! You were certainly unlikely to be considered a bass player anyway if you played a bass guitar, and in jazz circles probably into the 70s (though there were occasional exceptions like the MJQ). And if you're talking UK, the chances of finding anyone playing a Fender bass guitar in the 50s was virtually nil - owing to our war time heritage in terms of finances there was an import embargo until the beginning of the 60s - many of our 60s acts even, didn't play Fenders - Gibsons (especially EB2 type) were more common - and of course our most famous with his Hofner. I guess these guitars simply reproduced the upright thump better at the time (or maybe that was all that was available). Edited May 17, 2017 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1495018571' post='3300452'] One of these I believe... (but with four strings obviously...) [url="https://www.public-peace.de/maruszczyk-instruments/mi-bass/frog"]https://www.public-p...ts/mi-bass/frog[/url] [/quote] Looks great in that trans blue - reminds me of a friend's PRS guitar finish. I hear the comments about tone but this sound puts it on a par with the 80s slap sounds like Mark King (the sort of sound you can get from a Jaydee, Alembic, Overwater, BG). Edited May 17, 2017 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1495028806' post='3300622'] That's the point people are missing. [/quote] What's that clip got to do with the bass? Bright roundwounds, scooped tone...could have been playing that on any one of a zillion basses. Edited May 17, 2017 by Muzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 And overall, whilst it's clearly virtuosity of some sort, I defer to the best comment I overheard at a bass show: "Is that as hard to play as it is to listen to?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1495041837' post='3300821'] The standing up is really important is it? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5CKoaIZJg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5CKoaIZJg[/url] [/quote] Haha.... "Rhythmstick" album. It don't get any better than that. Sitting, standing. I think AJ can play standing on his head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1495045303' post='3300865'] Haha.... "Rhythmstick" album. It don't get any better than that. Sitting, standing. I think AJ can play standing on his head. [/quote] I'm sure I once heard that Al Jarreau sacked him for not standing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1495041837' post='3300821'] The standing up is really important is it? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5CKoaIZJg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5CKoaIZJg[/url] [/quote] In that setting and genre, I would say standing isn't that important. And your using a super star bass player as an example. Most of us can't and will never play like him sitting or standing. My opinion would be different for 3-4 man rock band. Blue Edited May 17, 2017 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1495043020' post='3300835'] I think you were more likely to be considered a communist in the 50s if you DIDN'T play an upright!! You were certainly unlikely to be considered a bass player anyway if you played a bass guitar, and in jazz circles probably into the 70s (though there were occasional exceptions like the MJQ). And if you're talking UK, the chances of finding anyone playing a Fender bass guitar in the 50s was virtually nil - owing to our war time heritage in terms of finances there was an import embargo until the beginning of the 60s - many of our 60s acts even, didn't play Fenders - Gibsons (especially EB2 type) were more common - and of course our most famous with his Hofner. I guess these guitars simply reproduced the upright thump better at the time (or maybe that was all that was available). [/quote] Nice! That's what I had understood. You guys just didn't have the choices we had over in the States at the time. I lived on the East coast 15 mins outside of New York City. So even I had more choices than the guy in South Dakota. BTW, here in Milwaukee we have Cream City Music. It's probably the coolest shop for guitars and basses in the Midwest. They specialize in vintage guitars and basses. They also have the largest Gretch showroom in the country. I recommend anyone looking for a new bass something unique or vintage look them up. https://youtu.be/94_nik_GE7Q We started to see all the Fender stuff in all the bands featured in our beach party movies. I'm not even sure how George got his hands on a Gretch. Maybe his sister got it for him? Blue Edited May 17, 2017 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyguts Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 Perhaps this more traditional approach is more relevant? Headphones advisory..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgFFNXahcg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 I must admit that I really don't 'get' most solo bass playing. So much of it seems to be technique for the sake of it and duller than dull to listen to. There seems to be an increasing number of videos appearing of guys playing solo stuff that just lacks any feel / groove / emotion etc. I remember seeing Victor Bailey once who was discussing the rise of the bass player who never played with any other musicians. He was pretty damning of the way they had developed and the 'music' they were playing and how potentially limiting it was for them in terms of musical development. Of course, this is just my view as someone who loves to play with other musicians far more than 'playing with myself' (an analogy Victor B also used - but in a more graphic way, lol). If people are happy playing technical solo stuff then that's great for them and I'm sure there are some people out there that want to watch it on YouTube and maybe even listen to solo bass albums - just bores me to tears I'm afraid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 what I don't like is the sound... ugh. I hate those "deep lows with ultra piercing treble, sir?" types of bass tones... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 (edited) [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1495094445' post='3301141'] what I don't like is the sound... ugh. I hate those "deep lows with ultra piercing treble, sir?" types of bass tones... [/quote] Yeah. To be fair, it kind of works in the scenario above (i.e. unaccompanied "showing off" playing) - but on stage with a band that tone tends to disappear. Equally though, a "honky" middly tone can grate when soloed... Edited May 18, 2017 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1495043485' post='3300843'] What's that clip got to do with the bass? Bright roundwounds, scooped tone...could have been playing that on any one of a zillion basses. [/quote] [url="http://youtu.be/N0Wf4RTMU5M?t=3m20s"]http://youtu.be/N0Wf4RTMU5M?t=3m20s[/url] And in the beginning you see a reference to the "Pi" that must be hi's nickname (try calling him mr.Pilichowski out loud). Also the video sub-title is "Bass Shot 2" and in the description of the video the model of the bass is refered to. The guy is just noodling on the bass, he's just like any guy trying a bass in a music store and gets carried away in a slap fest. He has it set with his own EQ and settings as (fom me) it is a signature model made for him, so it's expected that he demonstrates how it sounds with him. IMO, of course. Edited May 18, 2017 by Ghost_Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 It might not be 'proper bass playing', but 'proper bass playing' is all about supporting and fitting in with all the other instruments. This guy is playing solo, so the rules don't apply, just simply making music, with a bass. In the context of a band, he may well choose to pump out some standard root notes, but that would make a pretty boring bass solo video! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Not my cup of tea but I'm sure there were plenty saying the same 50 something years ago when Hendrix emerged. I'm all for people pushing the envelope - just don't particularly want to listen to much of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1495102710' post='3301254'] Yeah. To be fair, it kind of works in the scenario above (i.e. unaccompanied "showing off" playing) - but on stage with a band that tone tends to disappear. Equally though, a "honky" middly tone can grate when soloed... [/quote] It didn't even work for me solo. I can accept it's a personal taste thing, but I want a bit more substance to the sound: more mids. No need to be 'honky', but that's far too mid-scooped for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 (edited) [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1495106432' post='3301290'] It might not be 'proper bass playing', but 'proper bass playing' is all about supporting and fitting in with all the other instruments. This guy is playing solo, so the rules don't apply, just simply making music, with a bass. In the context of a band, he may well choose to pump out some standard root notes, but that would make a pretty boring bass solo video! [/quote] in his band he does much of the same but it seems to work, he does add 'lines' too Edited May 18, 2017 by lowhand_mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 [quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1495102801' post='3301256'] [url="http://youtu.be/N0Wf4RTMU5M?t=3m20s"]http://youtu.be/N0Wf4RTMU5M?t=3m20s[/url] And in the beginning you see a reference to the "Pi" that must be hi's nickname (try calling him mr.Pilichowski out loud). Also the video sub-title is "Bass Shot 2" and in the description of the video the model of the bass is refered to. The guy is just noodling on the bass, he's just like any guy trying a bass in a music store and gets carried away in a slap fest. He has it set with his own EQ and settings as (fom me) it is a signature model made for him, so it's expected that he demonstrates how it sounds with him. IMO, of course. [/quote] While I'm delighted he's got his own signature bass, he's not got his own signature bass sound there - you're right, he does sound like any one of lots of guys I've heard in shops and at Bass Shows (admittedly with more technique than most, but hey) noodling and slapping with a super-scooped bedroom tone. Still a rubbish demo of a bass: it's all about him. Maybe that's the hope, that lots of people will be impressed enough to buy the bass to sound like him. I wish him the best of luck with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 I thought it was pretty good. And I'm more of a traditional bass guy. I don't think the tone was amazing there was a little bit too much string noise. Although in any sort of mix it would of sounded awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Spiders Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 (edited) I quite enjoyed the first couple of minutes before he started to let rip and fill in any spaces with lots of notes. An Yngwie Malmsteen approach to bass methinks. I've seen tons of You Tube clips of session players like Bill Dickins doing similar stuff. While it impresses my brain it does nowt for my heart and gut. Bernard Edward's 2 note stabs in the opening bars of Le Freak do more for me than any hyper speed slap noodling. Edited May 19, 2017 by Barking Spiders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Just listened to the OP's link. Sounds like a bag of spanners being thrown down a fire escape. I get that there is a lot going on but, for me, one of the most important apsects of bass in terms of groove is timbre/tone. If the timbre doesn't work, the notes can be absolutely correct and it still won't groove (think some of the early electric bass playing with big bands). This guys clanking and fret buzz is so distracting, it detracts from his ideas. Is it bass playing? Of course it is. Is it good bass playing? Subjective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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