Wil

I don't think I could pull the trigger without hearing one - SRs seem to have quite a unique tone and I'm not sure I like it. I wonder how much of that is down to the body shape or if its the electronics.

Today I noticed the SRT series basses - wow. I've always been put off the SR because of the pickups, but the SRT looks to have everything I like in a bass! Neck through, curved back, EMG 40DC pickups, ovankol and bubinga in a natural finish... Ding dong! I've got serious GAS.

All quite, quite hideous.

[quote name='risingson' post='1020410' date='Nov 11 2010, 05:14 PM']Absolutely. To be honest that makes it all the more impressive, the album itself just stands up as one of the most seminal and historically significant music of all time in basically every respect: songwriting, arrangement, engineering and production. It's very easy to say you don't like the Beatles, and of course everyone is entitled to an opinion, but there is no denying the cultural and historical significance of something like Sgt. Peppers because it's just so, so good. I can't imagine Brian Wilson was doing himself too many favours either at the time either, what with the gargantuan amount of drugs he was taking.[/quote] Very true. Burning the toast would probably have been enough to give him a breakdown. He has a serious mental disorder though, he hears voices telling him he's worthless to this day, every day apparently. He sings to drown them out. The production is incredible on Sgt Peppers, no argument from me there. I listened to the stereo mix earlier but I intend to listen again in depth to the best mono one I can find.

My favourite track after listening today was bizarrely the one I thought I hated, "When I'm 64". Brilliant arrangement. [quote name='risingson' post='1020374' date='Nov 11 2010, 04:46 PM']I love the Beatles but Sgt. Pepper's isn't the first album I'd pick either. I prefer to listen to Abbey Road or Revolver. It's still an unbelievable album though, Brian Wilson more or less had a nervous breakdown when he first heard it because it was so good.[/quote] Yeah, those damned Beatles are one of the reasons SMiLE got cancelled apparently. Although most of it was Mike Love doing what he does best - being a c*nt.

I said overrated, not bad. Is it so strange that I think the Beatles made better albums? Clearly it was an important album, but looking at it objectively, I wouldnt pick it over Revolver or Rubber Soul. Some great tracks, some mediocre ones. And they left off Strawberry Fields - insane...

I actually really like the first track, but it needs real drums to give it some life, it sounds too rigid and flat. Great bass tone and playing, and I like the interesting timings, they make my ears prick up.

I've always had problems with dry skin. E45 is one of the better creams I've tried for actually keeping your skin from cracking. Aqueus creme I find irritates my skin. Most of the time I use a moisturiser called Dermol, which you can buy off t'internet. It's similar to E45 but also contains a mild antimicrobal agent so its ideal for use when your skin has cracked - the last thing you want is infected hands, especially as a bassist.

I'm just listening to Sgt. Peppers. As it was always on the stereo when I was younger (dad is a big Beatles fan) I've never actually paid it much attention. So far, Macca's bass is the highlight - not really getting on with the album in general though, bit overrated I think. I've been spoilt by Pet Sounds. Great bass work though.

+ 1 on using the whole hand.

I really like this - your singer sounds a bit like a cross between the guy from Fallout Boy (or maybe the Urgency) and the guy from Billy Talent. Good solid bass work. Really like the middle 8 in Grace. Nice job!

[quote name='silddx' post='1018822' date='Nov 10 2010, 02:20 PM']This is more like a bass shovel [/quote] Are you sure the pickups aren't wired out of phase with each other? IE, swap the hot and cold outputs of one of the pickups around and see if you get the same issue? Sounds like exactly the issue I had when I first wired up my parts bass, it sucked all the low end out and left me with a very twangy, thin tone when both pickups were on full.

[quote name='silddx' post='1018796' date='Nov 10 2010, 02:01 PM']Yeah, that's what I said in an email to John. I asked his advice but said it could be the spacing and I'll have to live with it. Even Fender Jazzes had that problem. Cheers.[/quote] Happens on both my basses too, although I find it to be more of a mid scoop when both pups are on. It adds more tonal options I suppose.

Great playing as always Nige.

I'm doing the same, although I hadnt pinned it down to a year as such. It's more a case of re-aligning my thinking - I own a setup that I would have killed for several years ago, and yet still lust after more gear. I've come to realise GAS will never go away no matter what I own, so I'm trying really hard to keep what I have and get the best out of it, while putting money into savings (for rainy days and a house deposit one day, not more basses!).

Cass Lewis - note choices and attack Stuart Zender - timing, legato and muting Myself - general cack-handedness.

Hideous. Probably very comfortable, but... yuck.

[quote name='icastle' post='1017464' date='Nov 9 2010, 01:19 PM']I go for the most awkward method I can think of. I pick a youtube video at random, play along with it then pick a "related" tune and play that and just keep going. In a two hour session I can start off with the Hollies and end up with 10cc via Fleetwood Mac, Mike Oldfield, Lindisfarne, Joe Jackson and obscure spanish bands (hey, don't ask me - I just click on the pretty pictures!). No cheating by missing songs I've never heard of or don't like either... [/quote] I like that method. If I ever am in the mood to practice at home, I tend to play along with the music on television. Advert breaks can be quite hectic

I do this occasionally, it saves shifting back down the neck. Being able to play across the fingerboard in one position is certainly something I miss when I pick up a 4 string.

Nothing, really! As you said, with bass, less often is more. My technique and creative faculties are more than good enough for the music I enjoy playing, so I leave it until band practice most of the time. It's when I'm in the practice room with the band that I'll experiement with note choices/rhythms etc, but more often than not I find locking in with the band and the whallop of my rig while playing simpler lines far more satisfying than chasing after ever more evolved techniques. The song is more important than bass pyrotechnics. I did a lot of shedding when I was younger and I had the time, these days I'd rather spend time doing other things after work. Band practice is an extra treat when you've not touched your bass in a few days too (thinking about it, my bass isnt even at home, it's still in the back of the band van, where I left it after the last rehearsal!)

Sounds like you need a re-fret with smaller fret wire. It's a lot of work so £160 sounds about right to be honest!

Ruffle. It's ruffle. Sorry, I had to say it.

From what I've heard of Lakland 55 series basses, they're very modern sounding. Very clean and articulate. Too polite in fact for my liking. A G&L will have far more character, for want of a better word, and would be sonically more capable of doing the P thing while still having it's own sound, IMO. Have you considered a Spector? Mine is a 35" scale and the B is very tight. Although it's far more modern sounding than a P it's not overly polite sounding.

Cabs, for sure. You could have the nicest amp in the world but it wouldn't make a difference if your cabs can't handle it when you have to compete with a full band.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1010266' date='Nov 3 2010, 01:37 AM']If I have one issue with the Bongo it's knowing that the body is basswood. Still, they are well finished in a variety of attractive finishes and they sound good so it's not a massive issue![/quote] It's a great sounding tonewood IMO, it's just not very pretty to look at. I suppose that's why we dont see any translucent finishes on Bongos. Nice and light too!