cetera

Gene played on 95% of the 70's KISS studio output and 100% of the live shows. He didn't play bass on his own solo album as he wanted to free that up for other better musicians and concentrate on writing and singing the songs. Gene played on probably 50% of the 80's KISS studio output and 100% of the live shows. His reason? He was busy with acting, running a record company, managing artists, other ventures etc and took his eye of the ball. He played on his own songs but often trusted Paul Stanley, Eric Carr or Bruce Kulick to play suitable basslines on songs that they had written. After all they'd often fully demo'd their own songs and the basslines were fine so it mattered not who actually laid them down in the studio... There are also other occasional cases where visiting session guys were invited to play during the 80's (the studios were 'social scenes' so friends were asked to 'give it a shot' and these ended up on recordings) e.g. Jimmy haslip played on a track on the 'Creatures....' album.

[quote name='poptart' post='1067299' date='Dec 22 2010, 10:31 PM']Well - that is always subjective, both cabs are excellent IMO - the Genz Benz Neox 212T has a little more upper mid, where as the Bergantino AE212 has superior high end detail.[/quote] Which is why I chose the Genz.... I love the upper mid 'grind' and don't need the glassy high end...

[quote name='poptart' post='1066902' date='Dec 22 2010, 03:50 PM']For you - there can be no doubt ;-) M[/quote] Well we got it right with the Genz Benz Neox212T before so I trust you with the Berg!

[quote name='poptart' post='1066863' date='Dec 22 2010, 03:18 PM']Hmm That will be 610 vs 412. 610 for the SVT810 vibe - punchier, tighter 412 for that Bassman vibe - smoother, deeper Mark[/quote] Oops! Yep, that's what I meant! Sounds like the 610 is the puppy then.... hmmmm....

Hmmmm.... NV610 or NV215..... choices choices. I've got till April to decide...

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1065842' date='Dec 21 2010, 04:02 PM']Well, they wouldn't be the top of my "to own" list, Cetera...[/quote] Fair enough, each to their own... You do play an Ashdown though.... j/k!

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1065788' date='Dec 21 2010, 03:38 PM']I've always found Mesa gear to have been a bit naff...looks like you've been done a favour![/quote] The more recent stuff maybe.... but you can'tt deny the quality of the older EV loaded 'Diesel' cabs ...

First: An Aria Cardinal Series CSB360 Bass through a Vox Venue 100W combo Current: Various bass (See my sig below) through one of the following 3 rigs: 1) Line 6 Pod Pro (via BBE Sonic Maximiser) into Ampeg SVTIIIPro powering a Mesa/Boogie 2x15 Diesel 2) Tech 21 RBI or RPM preamp into Peavey DPX digital power amp powering either a Genz Benz Neox212T or Bergantino NV610 3) Gallien Kreuger 800RB powering either a Genz Benz Neox212T or Bergantino NV610

[quote name='dood' post='1065595' date='Dec 21 2010, 12:51 PM']I've always liked Erik Satie's 'Gymnopodie No.1' as a piece of music that moves me. In the last week or so I've been delving more in to Satie's work and have found another piece that I didn't realise was by him too. This, Gnossienne No.1 just hits the spot - I don't know what it is.. the slight sense of despair or loneliness - but it is beautiful.[/quote] Agreed.... stunning!

For me it doesn't get any more sad/beautiful/poignant than the following: For anyone who thinks that KISS is just a dumb yank rock band... check this 'unplugged' track out, especially Paul Stanley's vocals... stunning... One of the best guitar solos of all time... middle and end of song... and this has me in tears EVERY TIME within the first 30 seconds....

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1065035' date='Dec 20 2010, 08:08 PM']Time spent out in the real world gigging & meeting other musicians [i]GREATER THAN[/i] Time spent in bedroom widdling over chord changes [i]EQUALS[/i] success IMO.[/quote] BIG +1 It's all about playing as many different styles with as many different groups of musicians as you can. Being a 'flashy' or 'technique-heavy' player is great, but ultimately it's not as valuable as being personable, adaptable, solid and fun to play with. Concentrate on grooves, locking in with drummers and supporting the music (whatever style it may be). Should you get a chance to solo/be more prominent then the exra technique could be handy but it shouldn't be the most important thing. Also, play along to any and all music you hear on the radio, in your CD/download collection and in your parents' collection.... Nothing is too uncool or too old to learn something from... Most importantly though... just ENJOY playing your instrument and the feeling when the group you play with really locks in and ROCKS!

I've never needed anything lower than a detuned D (and to my mind any lower isn't heard properly anyway)... so I'll stick with 4 strings. I did own a lovely 5 but it became surplus to requirements...

[quote name='lapolpora' post='1060935' date='Dec 16 2010, 08:02 PM']I thought it was a very good ad. Informative and specific. I ruled myself out on the time commitment bit. The ad saved my own time with me deciding not to jump through the hoops chasing this one. I think the picture is a good idea - shows whether I'm going to fit in - should I take a Precision or the Bootsy Star bass (I wish) I couldn't find any info on Shuga Management though....[/quote] ^This... I've looked Shuga Managment up in the 'industry bible' - the 'White Book' and they're not listed in there either. Nowt on the Interweb either... Starting to smell the usual BS from the ad sadly...

Quintin Berry

In my collection I have quite a few 'signature models' as I have found many of them to be interesting/different instruments and I don't suffer from the insecurity some people seem to have when playing them... My faves are: Jackson 'Kip Winger' - lovely combination of bodywood, fingerboard, shape and EMG's... Peavey RJ-IV 'Randy Jackson' & Peavey 'Rudy Sarzo' - both highly underrated basses combining lovely necks with superb construction, potent active electronics and a very easy feel... Fernandes 'Nikki Sixx Spectorbird' - classic looks with Spector-style crown inlays and a full on rock n roll attitude! ESP 'Masayoshi Yamashita' PPJ160 - signature model of the bassist of Loudness - unique 3P & 1J p/u looks with a vast tonal array as a result! Gene Simmons 'Punisher' and 'Axe' basses - unique looks, great build quality and growling EMGs... Fender Jazz 'Geddy Lee' - lovely 70's jazz looks with a sublime neck and tight tones! Wal Mk1 'Geddy Lee' - black with gold hardware and ebony board. Not strictly a sig model, but built to his spec... One day I'll get around to picking up a 'Steve Harris' P as well as the one I played recently was very nice!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1050764' date='Dec 7 2010, 05:27 PM']By the way, I recorded part of the rehearsal. I thought you might like to listen to how well the TC head fits in the mix. [/quote] Lovely wiggle on that blonde....

Yep, I sing lead in some songs and backing vocals in others while playing bass

You'd be amazed (or maybe not) at how many songwriters out there playing large festivals and venues, when asked if they are PRS members, answer "Er... I'm not sure... my Manager handles that sort of stuff..." What?!?! A writer's PRS income is one of the ONLY income streams that comes direct to you and is not subject to a Management cut! Songwriters need to take charge of this particular business side of their 'art' as it is an increasingly valuable source of income (what with record sales plummeting...). Leaving it to a manager... or getting people like Sentric to represent you (& take a commission) is lazy and stupid...

[quote name='redstriper' post='1050374' date='Dec 7 2010, 11:55 AM']PRS membership is not free - it was £25.00 when I joined about 30 years ago and I think it's about £100 now for life,[/quote] As I said before, it is free to join with the first £10 of your earnings taken for a one-off admin fee.

[quote name='DanOwens' post='1050300' date='Dec 7 2010, 10:39 AM']I highly recommend registering with Sentric Music for all things industry-based. They offer great advice, the industry blog is insightful for any artist plus they do all the royalty collection for a small commission as opposed to registering with the agencies and paying the full fees. They're revolutionising the unsigned/indie music industry at the mo. Plus, if you register you get sent all the requests for syncs (basically advert music). Dan[/quote] Quite the opposite!! I highly recommend NOT signing with Sentric Music. They get people signed to them by praying on the laziness of writers/musicians in registering their works and keeping their performance info up to date. You basically end up paying Sentric for something you could do yourself.... What are these full fees you mention? PRS membership is FREE upfront and you will only ever pay £10 TOTAL (one-off) from your future royalties... Of course, if you can't be arsed and want to pay them for doing hardly anything instead of obtaining your monies for free then that's your shout...

That is looking gorgeous. PM me if you ever decide to move it on...

[quote name='chris_b' post='1044551' date='Dec 2 2010, 12:55 AM']I don't understand why this underpowered thing seems to follow SVT3PRO's around! I used mine with 2 Mesa Boogie cabs and it was loud enough to match some very, very noisy guitarists I play with. In 10 years it was never not loud enough. I was in the house band for a jam and used it run a Boogie 115 and Epifani 410 stack, that's a total of 1400 watts, and it never missed a beat. When I sold it the new owner paired it with an Ampeg 410 Classic and he made my ears ring when he tested it out. Turn the Master to 3 or 4 o'clock and use the Gain to get your volume. There's also a volume slider on the EQ if you need more.[/quote] I've used mine with a 600W 2x15 Mesa Diesel for the last 5+ years in a heavy rock band and I have NEVER had the volume more than halfway....and that's in venues of 1000 people!

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' post='1049371' date='Dec 6 2010, 03:03 PM']'Ere ladies, want to see my inflatable santa? He only comes once a year. S.P.[/quote] But he's got a bulging red sack and he fills all the girls stockings....