doctor_of_the_bass

[quote name='ped' post='301659' date='Oct 7 2008, 07:44 PM']Hi Nick, The logos/pickups/horn shapes were just transitional developments - the 'series' depends on the neck, though a very early series 2 is quite different to a later one, for example (but with the same neck) Cheers son ped[/quote] Ah! So how would I tell a Series III with a full graphite neck from a Series II?

[quote name='ped' post='301606' date='Oct 7 2008, 06:50 PM']Hi Mick, I am sure it is the other way round - the 1983 wooden neck (called the 'S.T.M neck) with a metal laminate was a precursor to the graphite models that began to be offered around '84 along with a slightly more streamlined profile (narrower horns) in '86. The series 3 was the introduction of the 10/90 in about 1989 where the 5 string was the first bass to have the system, and series 2 full graphite was still an option... I will get confirmation either way on this soon! Cheers ped[/quote] Allo! Does this make the `original' wood/metal laminated neck series the `Series 0'? As far as I'm aware, there was this series, then the version with the `full' graphite neck (wider horns as per the prev series) without the logo on the body; then there was the series with the slightly narrower body but still with the graphite neck and body logo-age (ala peds and mine thats just gone to Dave), then the Series 3s (10/90 with graphite option), then the new stuff thats just come out! Confused! Cheers! Nick

Hmmm! Having seen those pics of MK in Germany with the prototype, I was not sure about the new shape. However, I must confess the new bass is very delectable! I'm in Colchester on Monday so if I get time, I shall nippeth in! Rich - are u about that day???

A warm welcome Urban! Nick (two Alembics and a naughty Fernandes! plus another 54)

Nice one Dave! I've now got me Markbass `doom' rig at 90% complete - will see if I can beg a camera....!

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='300041' date='Oct 5 2008, 06:48 PM']I didn't know you're that young! I'm 6 years older then you, haha.[/quote] ..and I'm Grandad Smith - 10 years older than you boy!

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' post='299719' date='Oct 5 2008, 02:28 AM'][attachment=14348:Vigier_044.jpg][attachment=14349:Vigier_042.jpg][attachment=14350:Vigier_037.jpg]h ere's an early one, 1984 Passion I, serial no. 213. Was my main bass for 10 years but now in need of some TLC. The finish is falling off! Will never be sold. The necks on Vigiers are the best of any bass I've played, so thin and the wide flat frets make for a super low action[/quote] Lovely bass there! As has already been noted, the finish on my Arpege is literally flaking off; the back of the bass is getting very chipped - I liken the finish to that of a Smartie!! Funnily enough, the finish on the Passion I've now sold to Dave Anderson (hi Dave!) was much higher quality with a real depth to it!

I think the funniest bass player is that small red faced chap from The Grumbleweeds....! Nigel is a fine bassist!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='299739' date='Oct 5 2008, 08:51 AM']I used to be a Derby dweller & Foulds supplied my first cello with hard case & also my first electric bass way back in the mid 80's. I don't know who's working there these days, but the sheet music department has always been excellent. James Foulds (Chas' son) has always been a shrewd operator & they do always seem ready to cut a deal. 30 mins away in Nottingham there's The Music Inn. Bev & Carol are nice people & they'll always treat returning customers very well. An hour's trip away is Electro Muisc in Doncaster. Dave Ryan will always cut a better deal than practically everyone else. Excellent store! Rich.[/quote] Electro were once my main suppliers of all things porn - Dave is a true gent! Must tek a trip oop ther!

[quote name='7string' post='299683' date='Oct 5 2008, 12:14 AM']..and many have wanted to do something about Tylers headstocks Taking that point forward, ([i]and this is only my opinion etc, etc[/i] ) but Tyler (for example) have a reputation for fine instruments and so have Sadowsky, Sei, Overwater, Fodera etc. The Enfield basses would have to be something exceptional to tempt players away from the established brands and their excellent reputations and extensive clientele. While typing this I started asking myself this: At this price point, is it as much about buying into a brand as it is buying an instrument, or is it a chance to really buy something individual and different ?? Also does all that matter if the instrument ticks all of your boxes?[/quote] I just think that the Tyler body shape is fine, the head is too big (imho!)!!! I think that if a bass came along that really did stand out and deliver something really new and incredible in terms of tone, playability etc many players would pay that bit extra (even though the brand is a new one) - don't forget that many makers who are now firmly `established' in the marketplace were once new guys themselves; I can recall when Status were pretty new and the demand for them even back then in the early/mid 80's was pretty big! Remember Sei - fairly new really, only around 14 years old - recall many reviews back in Guitarist mag! I really hope that the Enfields play and sound as good as they look - the construction looks very good in the pics and I'm sure they will become another top end brand. Martin is a nice guy and I hope he does well. Nick

[quote name='kemra' post='299054' date='Oct 4 2008, 12:55 AM']Thanks for all the replies so far guys they have been great. The link stevie provided seems pretty good, just need some spare time to give it a look over. And yes Doctor you hit it on the head, thats exactly hat i mena! It looks like I have a lot of work to do... ...well no time like the present to start![/quote] No probs! Take your time, start off simply. I'd recommend you start off looking at rhythms first (just using a single pitched note!) and then build your exercises up. Scales are a good one - start off with C major and then run through the cycle of fifths (this is very important) - there's loads of resources online which fully explain the use of the cycle/accidentals etc - this is why scale practice is so vital in terms of developing a good understanding of notation. I'm not a natural reader (too many years lugging it!) and I have to work at it so I know where you are at but as a pro bassist for the last 7 years, I was literally dropped in at the deep end (theatre shows) so I'm getting there - still very rough sight reader but its coming! Do it everyday as well, if poss. The guys here have also mentioned about `geographics' and `reading ahead' - very important too! You will also start to recognise certain phrasing - I suppose its a bit like when you are a kid and have to learn to spell by building words up etc. - eventually you recognise a word and its there....music is very similar! All the breast! Nick

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='299147' date='Oct 4 2008, 09:41 AM']LOL! Sounds as if the 'special relationship' is good as ever! Is the KB2 being unveilled on the website this weekend as rumoured?[/quote] Dawn did not say anything specific but Rob will be doing some updates to the site very soon! Nick (your slightly younger bruvva!)

Love that one stringer - very `Dali' esque!

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='299032' date='Oct 4 2008, 12:05 AM']Roundwounds are fine on fretless basses, in fact you get far more mwah with rounds than you'll ever get with flats or grounds. Flats sound too much like a upright on fretless, that's fine if you want that sound.[/quote] Fully agree! Takes many many years to really wear out a fretless board using roundwounds unless its cheap wood! On saying that I destroyed an old Hohner Arbor fretless when I was 15 - should not have left it on the driveway like that!

[quote name='7string' post='299023' date='Oct 3 2008, 11:49 PM']Personally, I think they look awful !! To be honest, I really don't know who would buy one. At £3k the bass world is definately your oyster, you're looking at any number of custom builds from Sadowsky to Sei, to Overwater, Nordstand, Bee, Skjold anything you need. To me it would be a risk buying a brand new bass from a business which is essentially a spray shop and LED specialist. I know that you shouldn't really look at resale value when buying such an instrument as (for me at least) it would be a huge commitment, but how about the resale value? Enfield is an OK place which has the only Krispy Kreme donut store for many miles around. It's not a brand of bass that I would buy though as there's lots of tastier flavours on the same shelf.[/quote] I can't say yet as to whether or not I'd definitely buy one - I'd like to spend some time with one first obviously! But if it is an instrument that delivers a very capable range of tone and can give me the reliability/playability I desire from a working instrument then yes, I'd buy one! Agreed - resale value could be a future issue, but then that can apply to many instruments, even better known brands, espec. given the current fiscal situation - then again, if it is a keeper, I wouldn't worry about it! I personally think your Tyler's headstock is perhaps the worst I've ever seen on a bass but there you go (I hear that they are fine basses, if Neil Stubenhaus uses them, they must be fairly decent!!!). I've got a jigsaw here if you need it removing! Hehe! Nick

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='299011' date='Oct 3 2008, 11:23 PM']We're waiting with bated breath for the official release of the KingBass Mk2...... Any day now![/quote] Hi Rich! Spoke to Dawn today - Rob was on the other line talking to MK!!!!

Bring her down to my studio (as seen on BBC TV!!!)

[quote name='Geek99' post='296559' date='Oct 1 2008, 01:27 PM']I recall an interview with Norman in Guitarist many years ago, where he said that "many of the Blockheads played on the FGTH sessions" but I dont think he actually said that he played [i]that one [/i] specifically. I still have the mag somewhere, I'll look it up.[/quote] Folklore hath said that Norman went into the studio with his Alembic Series I (bought off of Luis Jardim who had two at the time!) played the relevant riffs (which Trevor sampled!) and got paid £500 for less than an hour's work! Nice one!

[quote name='kemra' post='297430' date='Oct 2 2008, 11:58 AM']I've been thinking a lot recently about expanding my knowledge, and it seems that being able to read bass clef (and treble clef to an extent) is important so I thought I would start there! Now I have a fundamental knowledge of where all the notes are on the staves themselves but I realised I'm not too sure how to transfer this to bass. What I mean is if I'm reading an E on my sheet music, how do I know which E this is on my bass? I have looked on the net for the answers (including doing a search here) and can't really find what I'm looking for. Can anyone recommend any good websites or books that would help me out with this?[/quote] I think I can kind of see what you are saying and all the guys here are correct! Obviously, many notes on the fretboard occur in different locations on each string; for example, lets use the E note one octave above the open E string. There is of course, no clue in the notation as to which note to actually play on the fretboard; using this E as an example; fret 2 on the D string, fret 7 on the A string or fret 12 on the E string itself are the same note and would all be correct for the note sat in the space above the middle line (D) on the stave. What I tend to do is to use my fretboard knowledge (and scales of course!) to decide upon the best `position' to play a certain piece, trying to avoid large jumps up or down the neck...hope this makes sense! I think the bottom line (pun intended!) in terms of practice exercises is to sit down and write out a number of pieces where you play a note from the stave in all its different locations on each of the strings - will help you memorise where they are and help your reading practice. Nick

I've got 3 Copicats at home somewhere - Dad used to use 'em!

I'm feckin' awesome at everything! I LOVE SLAP! In fact, I do it on everything, even soft, quiet ballads - just love blowing everyone else away! Wickety whack!!!

School Days - Stanley Clarke!

Charic! Nice one m8! Get in touch when you receive the bass - I'd love to see it! Green is my fave colour!