skej21

I've always had a thing for basses with block inlays... However, the one that has always evaded me is a black bodied jazz (4 string) with a maple neck and white/cream binding and block inlays. I currently own 3 basses and can't REALLY justify the need for a 4th unless it comes in at a reasonable price, so I was thinking I would get a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass '77 (Black, Maple) and do some upgrading which (in theory) shouldn't cost much more than £500 in total (based on buying everything new - obviously second hand would be LOTS cheaper and I'm hoping this will be possible!). However, I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me their opinions on either this specific Squier bass model (particularly the parts that would be kept; i.e. the neck and the body!) or if anyone could suggest a better option for the money! Please help me to justify this in my head so I don't feel as guilty when I have to justify it to her indoors!

Was thinking of doing something very similar to this but with a maple jazz neck (with white binding and block inlays)... Watching this closely!

Don't want to be difficult, but would harmonics be a crazy difficult thing to add in?

[quote name='Evil Undead' post='1255028' date='Jun 3 2011, 08:24 AM']...it's possible that it may replace my pedalboard if I like the results![/quote] Haven't tried this myself, but I'd be interested to know how it fairs when you stomp on it to turn things on/off!

[quote name='plyguy' post='1254525' date='Jun 2 2011, 08:19 PM']2 separate 12's it is then! [/quote] £1069 at guitarguitar, which are not the cheapest by a long shot. As for buying 2 x 112s, I think that's a good move but like you said, they hardly ever pop up on here because most people who buy them, love them... and keep them! Good luck finding yourself the cabs and when you get them (and fall in love) let us know how you're getting on!

Do you have lessons? If you personally feel that you cannot push your playing any further, the best thing you can do is get a teacher and they can help you do it. Not only will they help you to learn new techniques (such as slap) but they will also make theory relevant to you and your instrument and show you how you can practically apply that theory, because they use theory on bass too!

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1254487' date='Jun 2 2011, 07:54 PM']PS - Both options are great. .....it literally is exactly what I want. Personally, I love the whole aesthetics/quality/tone of the Aguilar gear.[/quote] + 10000000000000 Aguilar make some great gear. I've got 1 x GS112 and 1 x GS112NT and have to agree, they are great. Lightweight, offer fantastic flexibility and give you everything you need whilst using 1 or 2. I went through the same decision when buying mine (1 x 212 or 2 single) and if I had to make the decision again, I'd get two singles. I'm constantly switching between using one or two, depending on size of venue, type of gig etc, but I've never found a gig I can't do. Either way, you're making the right decision by going for the Aggy stuff. I'll play devil's advocate and throw this into the mix! - [url="http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_cabinets_SL410.htm"]http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_cabinets_SL410.htm[/url] Only 4 ohms, but only 69lbs!

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='1254409' date='Jun 2 2011, 06:51 PM']I follow Fender Custom Shop on twitter... They've just announced an Adam Clayton precision bass, looks a bit pants, but nicer than the reverso! I know as a player he divides opinion, I think he suits U2 well, and it's a bit too easy to slate him, I appreciate his playing, just not his taste in basses, or his singer...[/quote] Have to say, that's a bloody awful bass. Also, nobody in their right mind would pay Custom Shop prices for that, surely?!

[quote name='silddx' post='1247713' date='May 27 2011, 11:18 PM']Personally speaking, and probably because I've been around for a while, I would be a bit disgusted at this approach and would be demanding the tutors and governors demonstrate for 45 minutes, their approach to teaching bassists.[/quote] You wouldn't have to makes such demands at the place I went. I had an hour lesson every week with a fantastic bass player and ALL of my recitals were marked by my bass tutor, the second bass tutor (who I didn't have lesson with) and a third member of staff who was a drummer. Never questioned that once, as I knew MY bass tutor alone was good enough to outplay and correctly judge me as a bassist. The other two were just there to ensure he wasn't marking due to any bias, i think.

Don't you mean Bass Recital... not Dissertation? I had to do 25 minutes for mine as I did performance as a minor (only 20 credits) module. I performed 4 pieces because they were all quite long and we had to talk and provide information to the audience in between pieces... We had to provide the audience and examiners with the notation for each one of the pieces (making the medley a nightmare!) all in a short programme. If you don't have to, that might be a nice touch. The pieces I played were; 1) A performance of 'Teen Town' similar to the Michael Manring one, with looper pedal to create a backing 2) A self-composed bass piece 3) 'Chromatic Fantasy' by Bach/Jaco 4) A medley of pieces from the Charlie Park Omnibook (Bass Clef instruments) I did quite well overall and they seemed to like the mix of groove/technique in the repertoire. Hope that helps and good luck!

Bilbo, just want to say that this thread is great to see (despite it's rather raw subject matter). There have been a lot of awfully boring threads popping up on basschat recently, but this is both relevant and engaging. First thread in a long time that has made me feel like my spare time (and lesson gaps) have been well spent! Thanks

[quote name='Rich' post='1252197' date='May 31 2011, 11:11 PM']Yes, you could call it The Root-Five Emporium [/quote] Or 'Low Down and Dirty', as there will be basses and groupies

Sounds like the bass equivalent of 'drummer at the wrong gig'

[quote name='dood' post='1250837' date='May 30 2011, 09:43 PM']The guitarist of a band I used to be in used to do the stage/monitor mix in a local venue. He had a row of coloured DFA's - each band member could have one of their own if they wanted ha ha!!![/quote] A mate of mine did a similar thing but when I referred to it as the "does f all" knob, he said "I always thought it was the 'deaf f**kin @rsehole' knob!"

Sounds like Captain Hook frantically trying to get the last Pringle out of the tube. Once you (slap n) pop, you just can't stop!

[quote name='ras52' post='1250738' date='May 30 2011, 08:30 PM']I was in the Bass Cellar yesterday and it was 1/2 empty of stock...?[/quote] Nah, it's actually a clever marketing ploy so that all the slappers and fretw***ers have more room to show off in. Apparently, when someone chooses to "demonstrate their skills", a gang of screeching girls appears from nowhere and flocks around the potential customer. This helps to support the customer's delusion that their "skills" attract ladies, in turn increasing the chance of a sale by nearly 150%. True story.

[quote name='Truckstop' post='1248451' date='May 28 2011, 05:29 PM']I used to tap all the time but then I realised that it must have sounded awful to the ears of the audience and must have looked pretty sh*tty too. Now I only ever tap to provide a harmony if it's too far to stretch. Truckstop[/quote] + 1 Good tapping sound? An oxymoron if I ever heard one... IME

[quote name='JTUK' post='1249894' date='May 30 2011, 08:58 AM']Personally, I don't buy the polarity issue..and I'd try and borrow another amp and see if that is any better. If you run 2 GS112's against a VERY loud drummer/band, you'll blow your ears before you run out of steam on the cabs, IMO.[/quote] +1 IME too.

Hey Jennifer. I also used to have this problem until someone mentioned Harvest to me. Fantastic leather straps available in different leather and lengths but all wide enough to take the weight of the bass off your shoulder. [url="http://www.harvest-guitar.com/en/Straps-for-Guitar-and-Bass/Strap-short-adjustable-from-102-127-cm/"]Harvest Fine Leather Straps[/url] It's an alternative to the more modern neotech etc and might raise issues if you're a veggie... if not, then I cannot recommend them enough

[quote name='Doddy' post='1249731' date='May 29 2011, 10:26 PM']Just take it steady and practice the semiquavers accurately.Speed will develop naturally.[/quote] + 1 to this Also (when practicing to build speed), try to alternate your playing and resting, rather than playing solid all the time... just to help your accuracy (and stop you from doing any strain/damage). Then gradually build up to playing solid at speed. For example, instead of playing a full bar of 16ths (bold [1] being the first beat of the crochet), like this; [b]1[/b]-2-3-4-[b]1[/b]-2-3-4-[b]1[/b]-2-3-4-[b]1[/b]-2-3-4 Try playing like this; [b]1[/b]-2-3-4-[b]R-E-S-T[/b]-[b]1[/b]-2-3-4-[b]R-E-S-T[/b]

[quote name='ahpook' post='1249555' date='May 29 2011, 07:40 PM']"aaaaah, you can't play bass unless you slap"[/quote] Cue a swift slap 'round the chops for him?

Before the gig, during the interval or after the gig (and packing away) - "That's a nice bass. I play a bit of guitar and/or bass... can I have a quick go?" *sigh*

I don't understand people who drink at gigs. If you don't get enough of a buzz just from being on stage or choose to ruin that by messing up your senses, you're clearly not enjoying the experience of playing enough IMO.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1247277' date='May 27 2011, 04:12 PM']Would Flea's riff in Aeroplane sound better played fingerstyle?[/quote] Not sure... it would have to be played well both ways first, so people could make a decision *oops, I didn't see that 'Don't Feed The Troll' sign... nevermind Back to the topic. I like slap done well, but the stereotypical 'RHCP - Higher Ground' root-octave stuff bores me senseless. Flea is a fantastic bass player when he plays fingerstyle!

Personally, I think if you haven't got a looper then it's probably not a great idea to go and try to inspire other bassists with equipment you aren't entirely familiar/comfortable with, in an environment you aren't used to. It probably won't help you to project any confidence if you're worrying/unsure about the looper. I also think, as a bassist, if i was going to a clinic it would be really refreshing and great to see the player concentrating on groove and explaining methods of how to lock-in with and/or play against a drummer. Maybe something like the Victor Wooten prosessions would be a good route to take? There are some great concepts and approaches in that. Maybe you could give similar tips but focus on how to play effectively with other musicians live? A much more valuable and interesting topic for a clinic IMO. Just an idea