acidbass

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='159648' date='Mar 18 2008, 02:34 PM']An interesting point, Funkydunc. I too went 4 to 5 to 4. Now I'm trying 6! Is it that the grass is always greener on the other side? My main observation so far, is this. Having more than 4 strings is more fun when twiddling at home on your own, but come the gig, the number of strings is less important than the on-the-spot response to the rest of the band and audience, Same goes with gear. Play at home with gadgets and have fun, but on the night, keep it simple. I know what you mean by 'freedom'. I call it Expression. When you can actually hear on stage all that you are playing, especially the [u]subtle things[/u], you start to want to go for 'feel' and improvising spontaneously. I know, I know, it's nowt to do with the number of strings. BUT I can't help link Simplicity with Soul. i.e. the more stripped down things are, the more you want to get out of what you are left with. I'll quit there, because I'm sounding like a tw*t[/quote] +1. This really makes sense to me. I've seen so many bassists in the past go over the top and lose the true essence of the music.

That thread makes for great reading - a lot of player vs instrument debates and the like. Personally I agree that without Jaco playing it, it's really only another bass guitar. It will however take pride of place in a Hard Rock Cafe somewhere undoubtedly!

IMO, Hiwatt are the be-all-and-end-all of valve bass amps! I'd love to own one, but as you say, they're incredibly expensive. Have you considered going for one of the 1970's DR series amps? Lots of bassists (as well as guitarists) have used these to great effect, and even at today's prices you can get a vintage one in good condition for a lot less than a used Bass 200.

[quote name='Phaedrus' post='155785' date='Mar 12 2008, 09:47 AM']Any gigs in the south coming up?[/quote] Yeah, I think we have one at the next leg of the Horslips Exhibition but I'm not sure where it is - somewhere in Meath perhaps? I'll let you know and if you're free it'd be great if you could drop in for a while! Thanks for your kind words on my band too! Cheers mate!

[quote name='Freuds_Cat' post='155668' date='Mar 12 2008, 12:01 AM']My SX has nothing under the pups and when I press a little to firmly with my thumb they move up and down on the springs. Anyone suggest what (and where) I can get "the correct " stuff to stop this happening. I remember years ago my Fender bass had like a little flat piece of brassy looking metal with some hard black sponge stuff stuck to it. Anyone got any suggestions? Also do any of you other SX players have the same problem?[/quote] The metal part may have been a ground plate to reduce the noise of the pickups, but it sounds like you're in need of some mounting foam as seen here - You can buy some at most online bass shops, I think basspartsresource is your best bet as they ship worldwide for pennies! Hope this helps, Danny

THIS IS BRILLIANT! I remember you posted this same thread on BW(?) and I saved the mp3 of that song because it was so good, then my harddrive got deleted! Much appreciated that you posted it again - amazing! Danny

I have a fretless Precision bass too and it sounds excellent! As you say, there's definitely something about the tone of the pickups combined with that fretless mwah - it really does make for a great combination.

The Four Tops - Reach Out (I'll Be There), another great Jamerson line

[quote name='cheddatom' post='154643' date='Mar 10 2008, 03:48 PM']I thought we were going to use marmite?[/quote]] It's not to everyone's taste

They're entry level basses, so I'm not sure it'll be an adequate replacement for your $$, but if it sounds good and plays well, then why not!

[quote name='madzombieguy' post='152434' date='Mar 6 2008, 03:24 PM']Can you suggest a bass with similar punchiness, in 24 fret form?[/quote] Check out the [url="http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0264500552"]Fender Jazz 24[/url]. I had the privilege of playing one recently, and the EQ can dial in any amount of punch that you require. A great bass for the money IMO if you need 24 frets!

Well you could probably upgrade any part of the bass that you wished (including body and neck if necessary), but recently I was in the same situation as you with a cheap Jazz Bass and I changed (or am in the process of changing) the following: - Pickups (Wizards) - Electrics (new passive circuit from basspartsresource) - Bridge (BadAss II) - Tuners (Hipshot Ultralites) - Nut (plastic to brass) - Thumbrest (added) - Added Straplocks - Neckplate - Pickguard (from white to tort - purely cosmetic) I thought the body and neck were fine when I got it, I gave both a good going over with steel wool though and polished them up nicely before taking it out to gigs though. Actually...I may well compile a thread detailing my upgrades, watch this space

Recently learned Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, took a couple of days to get all the little embellishments on the main riff learned but it's really satisfying to play! I also learned Jamerson's bassline to Reach Out (I'll Be There) by The Four Tops, it's always been one of my favourites so it was a crime not knowing it until recently.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='152097' date='Mar 5 2008, 11:19 PM']McCartney John Entwistle[/quote] +2

Brilliant set mate! 'I Can't Quit You Babe' is just 12 bar blues but remember to listen for the HUGE A-Bb in the last section! And 'Need Your Love So Bad' is one of my favourite tunes of all time, great bassline to boot! Try and find Gary Moore's version if you can, some really nice orchestral-style parts around the crescendo in the middle! Best of luck with the audition - with a set like that you're a lucky man!

Turn the treble way down for the beginning.... ...and as you move through the decades, gradually turn it up!

Just keep practicing, starting slow and ascending through the arpeggiated chord shapes are someone above said! I should think it would be more natural to sweep using a plectrum but I guess you could also use your thumb?

If you are prepared to save for a while and spend a little more than your suggested budget, I think a lot of people on here would recommend Mark Bass amps as the perfect companion for your MM bass. The two of them just seem to mix together really well, although I've not tried the combination myself. Although they can be quite expensive, the cabinets and heads are small and light enough to be used both in your house or in a live gig situation.

Tried both the NT and BO versions today at a shop in Belfast, Mark! It might be worth a trip up if you can spare the time? Both played extremely well and sounded great! The NT was truly beautiful but a bit on the expensive side though.

I used to stand stage right for purposes of keeping time with hi hats, but recently I've been standing stage left for the same reasons as Phaedrus above - it's easier to check your playing as well and make eye contact with the rest of the band.

I think a lot of BC members use (or have used) Marshall bass amps, and as far as I know they're quite highly rated sound wise! They are however notoriously heavy and a pain to lug around! I've never used one myself but I've heard a number of bassists play through them with great results every time. Hope this helps

I believe the user 'gafbass' bought a bass off that same guy so he might be able to advise you! I've priced a bass myself with the seller in the past and he was very helpful.

[quote name='Smash' post='148623' date='Feb 28 2008, 09:13 PM']Does anybody play acoustic bass here with acoustic guitars? any ideas?[/quote] I have done in the past. The one thing about acoustic bass versus acoustic guitar is that they'll never be heard at equal volume unamplified - the bass will always appear quieter. I'm not sure if this is because most actually are, but maybe because the tone of acoustic guitars is more piercing/discernable to the ear of the listener than the bass. Of course every guitar/bass is different - see if you can get a decent volume level when played unplugged in an ensemble setting before investing in anything bigger.

[quote name='OldGit' post='146580' date='Feb 25 2008, 01:56 PM']You can see the holes are at the top in teh thumb rest position .. but I want to know what "Scratcholate" is Is that a chocolate scratchplate as in "about as much use as a chocoloate scratchplate"? I guess you could lick it during long drum solos [/quote] That's the most surreal post I've read all week!