skej21

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1327872358' post='1518133'] Companies don't appear to value customer loyalty like they used to [/quote] Equally, customers don't value the service and advice though. They turn up in shops, take up an hour of an assistants time and advice and try the instrument for free, then threaten the shop with a 'if you don't price match I'll buy it elsewhere/where its cheaper' line. I saw a guy in my local music shop try to barter off £70 from a sub £200 guitar. The assistant said £50 was the best they could do, plus £10 worth of in store vouchers through a loyalty card scheme and the guy walked out claiming he was a loyal customer who was being betrayed by the shop because they wouldn't be held to ransom. If it was me, I would have payed the extra ten pounds.

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1327870356' post='1518081'] Argh, I heard that it was Pino on this tour, and just wanted it confirmed!! Seeing him in London this friday (03/02/12), can't wait! Si [/quote] The man himself... should be a killer gig!

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1327869072' post='1518048'] In theory it should be funny. [/quote] That simple pun is funnier than the 'joke'

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1327861834' post='1517850'] Then A comes in, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. [/quote] Is it bad that when I was reading this bit I thought 'the bartender shouldn't worry. A is a major 6th up from C so is perfectly legal'... Better to be safe than sorry if he wants to keep his job behind the bar in the current economic climate though

[quote name='mrdreadful' timestamp='1327857949' post='1517749'] I liked from the text "moderator myself" as that is the site on which I am a moderator, partly as a shameless plug but mostly because I'm demonstrating that I know what the hell I'm talking about. [/quote] Yet you link to external sites without communicating to other users what the link is and whether it's safe or not? Whilst also showing that you're only interested in a shameless plug hidden under the guise of pseudo-concern for the OP. Not exactly a great example of your moderating/communication skills IMO, not that you're a moderator here anyway so it's irrelevant. Regardless of the opinions expressed by us and the OP, there is still no-one from ibass to defend their actions so this discussion should be done privately or with sides involved.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1327829837' post='1517203'] Like that. Well played. Garry [/quote] This ^^^ Great job all round!

When you join a function band and they say at the start they just want you to play bass. You think it's too good to be true and then a few gigs/rehearsals in and you get; 'Can you do a couple of backing vocals' to which you agree. You then get 'this would be great with some backing vocals *glare at bassist*' every time a new song is introduced to the set. Then you once they know you're a pushover you get; 'these songs would be great with double bass. Why dont we buy one from the band funds!... And you can pay us back out of your share' How about 'NO!'

[quote name='noteman' timestamp='1327767026' post='1516519'] Josh got a lot of requests for a tutorial from his original video, so here it is. [url="http://interactivemusicteacher.com/blog/2012/01/28/dont-stop-believin-tutorial-solo-bass-party-trick/"]Don’t Stop Believin’ TUTORIAL – Solo Bass Party Trick -[/url] [/quote] Can i request that josh gets a haircut and uses some clearasil... oh, and also ask him to stop making crap "tuition" videos!

A preview of some material from D'Angelo's upcoming album - James Rivers... 12 years in the making and sounds worth the wait. Pino on top form as expected http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMy2iF7jD8o&sns=em

[quote name='mercuryl' timestamp='1327777078' post='1516693'] Why? Well, it was okay, but could have been better given the media options available. However, when I criticised IMHO a rather lame "Bass Chat Competition" they rather hurriedly put on here, they blocked me from commenting again without even talking to me. Hey guys at iBass, if you don't want to here what I say, then I don't want to hear what you say. Don't go on forums if you can't handle critique. [/quote] Have to agree with bubinga5. PM would be best to resolve the issue properly. A one sided rant is just as cowardly and unfair as their supposed blocking of your comment. Two rights and all that jazz...

I'd stick with my jazz. It's the bass I learnt to play on and has sentimental value beyond the value of every fodera put together. No contest for me. Ps shouldn't there be a poll?

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1327719232' post='1515939'] what about his tone do you not like.. im not disagreeing with you im just interested in opinions... is it the active jazz, or just a jazz bass..? [/quote] It tends to be very trebly and in your face in active mode and in passive mode, it's so lifeless it just sounds like a cheap jazz with really dead strings. It also seems to lack the growl you expect from a jazz and doesn't have that little bit extra when you want to dig in... Just not to my taste at all...

Must admit I agree with cd_david. Great player and technically/musically I think he is awesome, I just find his tone is not quite right. Also played one or two of his signature basses and found them to be quite bad when it came to flexibility of tone, particularly in passive mode.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1327582430' post='1513659'] Buy second hand and save yourself even more! [/quote] The price increase also tends to push up the value of second hand instruments slightly. It is insane that the new American Select Jazz Bass retails for around £1800 when you could buy a second hand vintage Fender for not much more!

Just had word through at work yesterday that Fender are increasing some of their prices again (as they do once a year). Only a small number of products required an increase, but from previous experience it's likely that other product prices will soon follow suit and have an increase too. It also seems that they will not be waiting for the end of the financial year as they sometimes do and the increase looks to be around 10-15%. So, a small heads up for the BC community... If you're thinking of buying Fender in the near future, do it quick and save yourself some money!

I accept defeat. This is clearly just another thread that will continue to descend into cyclic arguments about the conflicting philosophies of bass playing. I'm off to actually play the bass instead... Let's just hope it's tasteful playing

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1327533878' post='1513166'] I don't think technical ability is any more or less quantifiable than taste. [/quote] It is. You can either execute a technique or you can't. There's nothing subjective about it really.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1327532793' post='1513142'] So should musicians should be 'quantifiable'? Why do so many 'musicians' seem to WANT to be 'quantifiable'? [/quote] Musicians should definitely NOT be quantifiable. But when you have a limited knowledge of the intricate elements of music, such as feel, dynamics, taste etc it is easy to simply appreciate the elements that are obvious and quantifiable, ie technique, speed of playing etc. Im not saying its right, just easy for beginners with a limited knowledge and others who rate technical ability as the highest element of music for appreciation.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1327532094' post='1513127'] All of which can be executed with TASTE. [/quote] The problem is, technical ability is quantifiable... 'taste' is highly subjective. (although I agree that I would much rather see the latter over the former... But good luck trying define it!)

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1327530724' post='1513100'] Why can't we value TASTE over technique? Is it because we think it requires no tangible effort? [/quote] It's because we all have an opinion... Which is different. Some people value 'tasteful' playing, some enjoy technical displays, others prefer complex chord sequences and others like a straight forward rock song. If we all valued music/musicians in the same way we'd live in a very boring world... Or North Korea.

If the bass line is the bit in the song that people know, play it. If not, do your own thing! Part of going to see a live act is that you want to see how that group works together and their musical chemistry. That might mean seeing how they compose new material or cover classics, but the point is to see how the individual musicians handle their craft as musicians and performers and bring their individuality to the music. If punters can't appreciate musicianship and want to hear it exactly like the record, they should go and see a tribute band or sit in the house in the dark and listen to the recording IMO.

I have students who come to me all the time complaining that they get sore wrists or can't play quickly at the bottom of the neck or have issues with cramp and fatigue. Then they get the idea that they'll get a teacher to sort it out, turn up for a lesson and get their bass out. 99% of them then proceed to get their bass out and I ask them to put the strap on and stand up. Surprise surprise, they have the bass practically around their ankles and wonder why they have problems. Either that, or they practice sitting down without the strap taking the weight of the bass, meaning they alter their technique (for the worse!) because the bass is slipping into odd angles or they're responsible for taking the weight of the neck and trying to practice. I simply suggest that it's a good idea to ensure you avoid such pitfalls. Both of the aforementioned problems can be solved by simply adjusting your strap so that it holds your bass in a sitting 'on your knee' position whether your sitting down or not. This then means your muscles are being worked the same way when you sit down to practice AND when you're gigging.