Wil

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1331911291' post='1580823'] Amusing - but it's essentially a stuffed badger wrapped around an ordinary theremin. [/quote] Indeed - if you were expecting a faithful electronic emulation of the dulcet tones of a badger being played acoustically in the wild, prepare to be disappointed!

I bought a Braguesa t'other day: [url="http://www.hobgoblin.com/bigpicswebsite/gr3614.jpg"]http://www.hobgoblin...site/gr3614.jpg[/url] It's rather nice! 10 strings in courses (3 octave pairs and 2 identically tuned pairs), and traditionally tuned CGADG - this tuning didn't really appeal so I've since retuned it DGCFA (D standard guitar tuning minus the high D). Soundwise it's somewhere between a mandolin and a 12 string guitar, and it packs a remarkable punch for such a small bodied instrument. I'll be using it on the album me and a friend are currently recording, so once I have some recordings I'll be sure to post them up if anyone is interested. Has anyone else delved into the world of slightly obscure acoustic instruments? If so, what have you got?

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNEMzH7pOZ8&feature=player_embedded"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNEMzH7pOZ8&feature=player_embedded[/url]

Unbelievable bargain.

Should mention I bought a Rat off Oli (via facebook rather than BC) a few weeks back and as usual, he was a gent to deal with.

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1331557298' post='1574665'] Not sure about these, but I still want a fretless with a granite fingerboard: [/quote] To me, that just looks like a kitchen worktop...

Stainless steel frets are apparently are right bugger to dress, due to the hardness, so I'd hate to think what these are like. I've got SS frets on my warmoth guitar, no difference in sound and not much difference in feel (the main advantage is it reduces the chances of my nickel allergy flaring up). I also once had a P bass refretted with SS - on this instrument there was a noticable increase in fret clatter. So, I'd say, if your hands are ok with nickel... stick with nickel.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZspqjtG2k"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZspqjtG2k[/url]

Beatles, for sure. McCartney has a gift with melody, no doubt about it, but he needed Lennon's cynical edge to reign in the twee factor. There were still plenty of Beatles tracks where he edged over the borders of good taste, though... Honey Pie, Maxwell's Silver Hammer... urgh.

Does anyone know of a good free Harpsichord VSTi?

I have an Aaron Armstrong wound bridge soapbar in my bits bass. It was originally intended for an ACG I think. It's very well made, cast in resin. Sounds good - thick but plenty of top end detail.

Thanks for posting that - Cass is one of my favourite players. Not sure about the bass but looks pretty neat if nothing else.

I wear whatever I'd normally wear at home. Jeans, trainers, usually a band T shirt of some kind. I prefer to let the music do the talking, to be honest.

[center]What about a volume pedal between the guitar and amp?[/center]

It depends on the band and the song, really, but I always prefer a well rounded bass sound that will sit in the mix and compliment the kick drum. Some high end definition is nice but I don't like aggressive use of mids in order to make the bass prominent if it isn't naturally so - if you're having to do that and want to be heard better then then maybe the guitars/other instruments are taking up too much space in the first place.

Martin bought my bigsby B5 copy - smooth and pleasant transaction all round

It's all about emotion. Music done right moves people, and technical correctness doesnt necessarily equal a moving performance, it's all down to the note choice and feel of the musician playing the part and how they react to what they hear. You can approach music from a purely technical aspect, sure, but if you don't feel emotionally affected by what you play first and foremost then I doubt your audience will either.

[quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1330007455' post='1551315'] what if they want some funk thing in A minor? If you don't have any stylistic awareness then how are going to know that they want something most likely 8th or 16th note based and probably using A dorian and chromatics? Your making it sound like you think you don't need to know because you've got something in your soul that makes you a good player. [/quote] Who says playing with soul negates any theoretical or technical knowledge? I don't believe in any etherial soul, btw, but by the term I refer to the creative spark that leads to good music which some people have, and some people don't. I don't think it's something you can teach, either.

[quote name='umcoo' timestamp='1329916332' post='1549596'] I think Mick Quinn is a really amazing bass player. Different strokes I guess, but Supergrass and Blur always had great basslines imo. It wasn't the best performance to be fair, but I think it improved as it went on. I was saying to my ladyfriend when 'Song 2' was on, that I only really like the album version....I've never heard a live performance of it that I thought was any good. [/quote] +1. Supergrass had some cracking basslines.

Ignoring whether the brits performance was up to scratch or not, I've been having a Blur nostalgia fest at work. Tuneage: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ7nAux8LIM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ7nAux8LIM[/url]

Enjoyed Blur actually. Albarn's vocals weren't great, but I don't think they ever were live. I love Coxon's playing.

On the subject of classical music, Elgar's Cello Concertio in E minor, when it hits it's peak, has a staggering emotional impact. Rachmaninov's piano concertio number 2 in C minor does it for me too.

John Peel approved Welsh folky strangeness. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5fkJ5Ppn-k"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5fkJ5Ppn-k[/url]

For me, Johnny Greenwood.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1329396084' post='1541751'] For me there's a moment in Firth of Fifth (by Genesis for the uninitiated ) where the song moves into a sweeping keyboard (I know, I know) passage that for me really creates the whole atmosphere of the song. [/quote] Only recently discovered this album, but I think I know the bit you mean. After the big piano intro when the organ comes in? Fantastic.