jazzyvee

As for the price. Nobody walks into a rolls Royce dealer looking for a new roller and says, "oh your cars are too expensive, I can get a Mercedes for a fraction of the cost". If what you want is a new roller then get one, if you can't afford a new one or don't want to pay new prices then get a used one when you find one in your budget. If you don't like rollers, the price won't matter even if it's cheap, buy a different car you like. There are cars for everyone and in everyone's budget. Alembic have been making basses since the early 70's and they have always been premium priced. They are still in business making and selling instruments. So clearly they are getting something right including their pricing strategy. Jazzyvee

There is a guy on the alembic forum called fc_spoiler who uses alembic spoilers and élan basses in his Metallica tribute band called damaged justice so I think that should give you confidence about the suitability of these basses for rock music. http://www.metallicabb.com/index.php?showtopic=156145 There is also an alembic Facebook group if you want to feed your healthy obsession. Jazzyvee

The lower end of the alembic range is still high end bass territory. In the lower price range the élan, which is not a current production model but you can still order one to be made, in particular is a phenomenal bass. I have a 1989 Elan 4 string bass with all maple body, top and neck, 2x p-style pickups, volume, pan, 1 low pass filter, 1 q-switch and bass & treble boost/flat/cut switches and it plays like a dream and sounds incredible. The thing that really works with this combination is that it has amazing clarity and punch, balances perfectly and the neck is a dream to negotiate. I bought it in 2007 and since then have gigged with it playing calypso, soul, rnb, funk, reggae, rock and folk music and the bass is at home in all those genres. A standard Elan does not have the bass and treble boost and cut switches. If you have a decent bass rig it will easily tame a loud guitarist as the maple helps it cut through. I have been gigging exclusively with alembic basses now since 2003 and the only problems I've had is when I get a backline bass rig that is unable to give me a decent sound. The filters require a bit of thinking to make the most of them as they are not as instinctive at first as bass and treble controls but they can be much more flexible in shaping the tone from your bass. You will find though that alembics are not for everyone and some have bought them and found them not to their liking and quickly sold on. Others have sold and regretted it then spent years trying to track down their old bass on the used market. With alembic you need to speak to the converted as many bass players are negative about them without ever having played one or merely dis-count them because of price. In recent months there have been more of the cheaper models on ebay than I have seen in years especially the Epic. if you really want to find out all about them and exercise your obsession with like minded people, the best place I have found is the alembic forum on their web site. www.alembic.com I don't have a video of mine but here is a well recorded bass that is similar to mine. [url="http://samroderick.com/2011/08/15/1990elan/"]http://samroderick.c...08/15/1990elan/[/url] A spoiler [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en-GB&gl=GB&v=rVB7ntr4ptA"]http://www.youtube.c...B&v=rVB7ntr4ptA[/url] Epic [url="http://youtu.be/PIcuqDaMQWI"]http://youtu.be/PIcuqDaMQWI[/url] Jazzyvee

I'm really lusting after an alembic short scale Series I or II bass. It's the bass I've always had my heart on since the early 80's. I have only crossed over from guitar onto bass as my main instrument properly in the last few years so I can look into satisfying that desire. Jazzyvee

Wow, I don't think I've heard of this band before, just checking out their stuff on you tube. Jazzyvee

After playing so many festivals and outdoor gigs in the 90's, experience has taught me that the most useful, unusual thing to take to a gig is bog roll. Even these days it is shocking the number of venues you play at where this simple item is missing. There is always a squashed flat roll in my gig bag and i've lost count on the number of people who have been saved with that secret stash. Jazzyvee

Thanks looks a good starting point.

Anyone know where I can get a wiring diagram or a set of electronics for a SSH set of lace gold pickups? I have only been able to fined SSS diagrams on-line. Jazzyvee

[quote name='Alien' timestamp='1194957388' post='87826'] One of my basses has a switch on it that's not wired to anything (never got round to it), but most people believe they can hear a difference when I flick it to a different position! Andy [/quote] Snap I had the same thing on one of my basses I just used to tell people that I had no idea what it specifically does but it is supposed to sweeten the sound. I don't have it on the bass anymore.

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1395085049' post='2398525'] I have a couple of minor issue with my PJB Briefcase combo that are starting to get to the 'must do something about this' stage. Firstly, the compressor/limiter is becoming 'noisy' with an audible 'click' when the LED illuminates. Secondly, and this is a bit of a strange one, it makes a farting sound when you switch it off. If you switch off using the front power switch, it makes this sound (like a capacitor discharging through the speakers) but if you turn it off at the wall, it doesn't make this sound? Any clues or is it time for trip to see PJB's recommended amp service centre (hang on, is there an amp service centre in the UK?). [/quote] I don't have a problem with the compressor it is in fact much better than anything I've used in-line with the bass. The farting sound is something I have but since it doesn't give me any problems in use, i haven't done anything about it. What does happen to mine is that sometimes when I'm using the amp the sound suddenly disappears and the light on the front goes red. I contacted PJB and they said it was something to do with the inconsistent nature of the mains to the amp. I'm not convinced. I need to contact synergy as i accidentally broke off the sliders on the graphic when it got caught on something in the back of the car. :-( Jazzyvee

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1395215638' post='2399737'] The occasions where I don't use my own rig are things like festivals where there is a hired rig, or multi-band lineups where another band is supplying the rig (a large proportion of our gigs are multi-band jobs) It's not a matter of my rig not being portable, but swapping rigs seems so much hassle in terms of stage space, extra time, and soundguy disapproval. [/quote] + 1 Even in the situations where there is a rig, it usually isn't something I find I like the sound of so I tend to bring my pre-amp and take a DI out to the PA and again depending on the rig I plug the pre-amp into the return to the power amp section of the head but it's never set up loud just a fill in for my monitor feed. Jazzyvee

I want to start recording my gigs from the perspective of where I am on stage. Do you know of a lightweight video camera that can clip onto the headstock so that I can record either what i'm playing or to my strap to record what is going on in front of me. I was thinking something like the ones cyclists clip to their helmets or bikes. I guess it's also possible to get a mounting device and use my iPhone but I've not found anything that seems suitable and non intrusive yet. Any ideas? Jazzyvee

[color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][size=1]I'm gigging again with Musical Youth at a Star (Standing Together Against Racism) festival in Preston at the Guild Hall this weekend Sunday 23rd March. [/size][/font][/color] [url="http://www.preston.gov.uk/events/details/2858/"]http://www.preston.gov.uk/events/details/2858/[/url][color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][size=1] [/size][/font][/color] [url="https://www.facebook.com/prestonguildhall"]https://www.facebook.com/prestonguildhall[/url][color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][size=1] [/size][/font][/color] http://www.loveetiquette.com/events.html#StarMusic At the moment we are on at 5:00 subject to change. [color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][size=1]Jazzyvee[/size][/font][/color]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1395067377' post='2398218'] Benny Hill = role model. [/quote] + 1 Any advice on how to get that clean Benny Hill Tone :-)

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1394822579' post='2395680'] Exactly. Isn't it time for Precision v Jazz or Flat v Round yet? [/quote] Maybe that will come after the "Are high end basses worth the money?" round. :-) What constitutes too much slapping is a personal thing really, but I couldn't listen to a gig where every song was slapped like crazy but if it was a section of a song that was using it in a musical way instead of " look at me i'm fantastic" then I can deal with that. I found it interesting that Yolanda Charles made the point during her set at LBGS that slapping doesn't keep you in gigs. There are other things about bass that i just don't get.... yet....., why someone would pay a lot of money for a decent bass and amp then use distortion on it which to my ears makes it sound the same as a cheap bass playing through a cheap rig. However I'm open to any insight into this that you can share to aid my understanding. jazzyvee

If you want a high end bag I can recommend a Harvest gig bag. I have two. My regular case:[url="http://www.harvest-guitar.com/en/Buffalo-Nubuck-Vintage-Brown.html"]http://www.harvest-guitar.com/en/Buffalo-Nubuck-Vintage-Brown.html[/url] I took this one with me on a few festivals last year and carried it round all day as I didn't want to leave the bass anywhere. I could sit down eat and drink with it still on my back. When I need to carry two basses or one bass and overnight stuff: [url="http://www.harvest-guitar.com/en/Cow-Antique-oxid-8.html"]http://www.harvest-g...que-oxid-8.html[/url] As both animals who donated their skins were waterproof, i'm sure these are too but I haven't carried them in the rain so don't know how waterproof the zips are. Jazzyvee

[size=4]I think this looks well dressed with a little gold [font=arial, sans-serif]accoutrement[/font]. The white maple tones down the impact.[/size] Jazzyvee

I am mature bass player and have capacity to take on some depping work. Styles interested in covering include. Reggae, Soul, Funk, RnB, light commercial rock. I have decent gear, my own transport and professional attitude to what I do and would not be interested in working with time wasters. I'm flexible with travel and rehearsals if needed and west midlands area is preferred although willing to travel further if expenses and fee is right. Let me know if you have anything interesting to help you out with. (I'm not a sight reader) Jazzyvee

I would read the small print. You will mostly likely find that your gear will not be covered for use at gigs. When I set up home I specifically asked the question and was told no I would not be covered if I used the instruments for doing public performances or gigs but if for example I was playing at for example for the odd family wedding for free then it would be fine. I think it would be a good idea to speak with them directly as probably don't think they will be used for gigs. Have you checked out specific musical instrument insurance for your gear? That will give you the best cover. Jazzyvee

[color=#333333][size=4]I'm looking to put a band together to work on a set of Return to Forever tracks and music by some of the members of that band like Stanley Clarke, Lenny White and Chick Corea. I'm specifically looking for a keyboard player, guitarist and drummer who are, as well as being capable musicians, able to get the feel of their respective players from this seminal fusion band. This would not suit players who just want to do this as a session gig, I'm looking for musicians who want to be a part of a band. At the moment there are no gigs and I won't be seeking to get any until we are a tight, confident and professionally sounding unit. If you are interested please contact me so that we can talk about the project and sort out meetings and a track to work on for an audition.[/size][/color] [b][color=#333333][size=4](1) Keyboard Player in the style of Chick Corea[/size][/color][/b] I'm looking for a keyboard player who has the flair and flavour of Chick Corea. If you are interested please contact me so that we can talk about the project and sort out meetings and a track to work on for an audition. Any gender, aged 40 to 60 from Birmingham, United Kingdom[list] [*]M/F, and for practical reasons it would be better if you were located in the Birmingham area, United Kingdom [/list] [b](2) Guitarist with a flavour of Al Dimeola [/b] I'm specifically looking for a guitarist who is a mature and capable and can get the feel of the electric guitar style and dynamism of Al Dimeola If you are interested please contact me so that we can talk about the project and sort out meetings and a track to work on for an audition. Please don't waste your or my time if you are an egotistical player full of flash rock licks and power chords, I'm looking for a creative mature individual who want to make music as a band and is responsive to the mood and style of the music. M/F, and for practical reasons it would be better if you were located in the Birmingham area, United Kingdom[list] [*]Guitar ability: Intermediate - Expert [/list] [b](3) Drummer with the power, style and control of Lenny White[/b] [color=#333333]I'm specifically looking for a drummer who is a mature and capable and can get the feel of the Lenny White the the power, control and flamboyance of his playing If you are interested please contact me so that we can talk about the project and sort out meetings and a track to work on for an audition. Please don't waste your or my time if you are an undisciplined brash player I'm looking for a creative capable mature individuals who want to make music as a band and is able to responsive to the mood, dynamics, and rhythmically follow the complex lines that are synonymous with the music Return to forever. [/color] [color=#333333]M/F, and for practical reasons it would be better if you were located in the Birmingham area, United Kingdom[/color][list] [*]Guitar ability: Intermediate - Expert [/list]

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1394195513' post='2388997'] I've read so many times, statements alluding to tone being "[i]all in the fingers[/i]". Eh? ... Do folk really believe that? Sure, "[i]the fingers[/i]", those endlessly minute intricacies and subtleties in touch and technique are huge in the equation ... but they aren't the whole. How could they possibly be? [/quote] I too don't believe it's all in the fingers. If that were true there would be no point in the various companies making amps basses, pickups outboard gear etc existing because you fingers would override all those technologies and sound exactly the same. I have the view that many people confuse tone with note choices and phrasing and so think things sound the same because they are hearing the style of the player. There are so many variables in the equation of tone and everything in the signal and audio chain between the physical impact of your fingers on strings and the sound reaching your ears affects what we perceive as tone. The fingers are merely one important component of that path.