doctor_of_the_bass

One of my very good drummer pals and I were considering putting together a Summer Rock School type project here in Cambs, however, the main problem being that we both work pretty extensively for a theatre summer school which takes up a number of key weekends in July and August, coupled with gigs etc. means its pretty tight time-wise! I'm sure something could be put together....

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='708201' date='Jan 10 2010, 09:09 PM']I've just finished five weeks' worth of professional pantomime at the Sheffield Lyceum theatre & it's suddenly dawned on me that the daily 120 mile round trip to Sheffield I've been doing since forever & perpetual life in a dark orchestra pit is now at an end and I'm going back to my old life tomorrow morning, instrumental teaching in schools as well as my other professional playing commitments. It's a sort of weird feeling, as I've been doing nothing else but getting up and going to the theatre & coming back to sleep for the last few weeks. (Weather permitting!) The panto was excellent & although Toyah Willcox was the big name, Damian Williams (the new guy on "Are you smarter than a ten year old?") kept us on our toes and laughing our heads off for the whole run as the dame, "Nurse Nellie." The whole crew from Sheffield Theatres and Evolution productions were excellent, apart from the constant problems we had with the sound engineers, but that's to be expected when you put your sound into the hands of incompetent morons, I suppose. The playing new year is looking rosy with a lot of shows in the diary, sixty big band jobs leading to a tv series already booked & a repeat booking for the same band on next year's production at the Lyceum, Peter Pan. Has anyone else got an exciting bass-playing year coming up? Rich.[/quote] Allo Brother! I'm in a very similar position to ye, having just completed five weeks of Dick (Whittington!) with Patric Kearns as Sarah the Cook (who as you know is good mates with Damian)! Luckily, my theatre is only 2 miles from my gaff. Just been asked to play some sessions with Murray Hockridge (son of the late great Edmund Hockridge) on fretless and eub - he's currently working with Pink Floyd sideman Dave Kilminster so hoping this might lead onto some more work - its all about networking! Hopefully got a production of Footloose coming up in Feb and some rock work with two bands. ATVB! Nick (didst thou getteth mineth pm-eth?!!)

[quote name='antti' post='709062' date='Jan 11 2010, 05:02 PM']One q, which nut you prefer - Standard or Brass nut and then whats the difference between standard brass nut and brass roller nut?[/quote] The standard nut is white plastic I think, the brass roller nut has two tiny ball bearings inset into it in the slot for the G string - I used to own Mark King's red JD (the one on the Live at Wembley dvd) and that had such a nut - nice for doing the string bends behind the nut!

[quote name='antti' post='708729' date='Jan 11 2010, 12:33 PM']I am about to pull the trigger. At the moment it seems Jaydee is a good bass for that money. I got Mark King mkI in my mind. What you think, worth of money ++ or just one "good" bass or just leave it and save for Alembic?[/quote] Allo! Its a personal thing - build-wise they (JD and Alembic) are very similar - now that JD's are `one-offs' as opposed to semi-production models, the attention to detail is excellent, only thing might be the waiting list! Let us know what you decide! Cheers! Nick

Here's an interesting tale! Allegedly, Jerry was thinking about leaving Elvis at one point in the mid '70s and my good mate Alan Jones was asked in person by Elvis to take over the bass chair!! Alan was playing with Tom Jones at the time in Vegas and Elvis would occasionally join Tom and his band on stage! After one such gig, Alan was packing his bass away when he was tapped on the shoulder. He turns round and yes, its Elvis! To cut a long story short, Alan had to turn Elvis down since he had already signed a 4 year contract with M.A.M records (Alan was their in house bassist and worked for Tom Jones, Englebert and Gilbert O'Sullivan which, at the time gave Alan a very lucrative package etc etc) but he does own a photo of him playing bass in Vegas behind Elvis! After Alan left MAM, he went back into freelance session work and then joined The Shadows in 1977.

Allo! Just got back from a meet with John in order to reunite him with his lovely Fender! Top. top chap - as noted, shame I had to beat the snow on the way back!!! All the best! Nick

Aww! Thanks John! Really great to see you again - shame I had to dodge the weather! All the best! Nick

[quote name='The Burpster' post='697940' date='Jan 1 2010, 01:52 PM']Oddly, this place keeps me motivated as I have to log on every day. There have been days this year when I really couldnt be arsed to think about basses. However coming into the new year I'm into a new pimping project, I'm desperatly hoping my time has come for one of my necks to go on holiday to the US and come back fretless and superb. I have made a pact with my geetarist to play more and maybe record some bits... (oo er missus!) I am going to start jamming with a couple of guys from work too and see where that goes...! All thanks to this place...... Being a mod can be a PITA at times but you know what..? Its impossible to be negative for long around a community such as this! So I absolutely empathise with you Rhys, and I genuinely share your optimism![/quote] Yup! The great thing about BC is that no matter how crap the real world is, there's always something interesting in the For Sale areas!!!! But in all seriousness, this is perhaps the best bass community in the universe! Love to all! Nick

Allo mate! All the best! Nick

[quote name='jamieariss' post='693679' date='Dec 26 2009, 12:55 PM']It fascinates me when i see people with a perfect ear.. When i ask them, they say they have always been able to do it .. does anyone know anyone who has achieved this skill through practice??[/quote] Hallo son! Good to see you `ear! Hehehe! Nick (you did not mention me in the above topic quote!!!!)

[quote name='robdeadstereo' post='688669' date='Dec 18 2009, 07:48 PM']any solo recording artists or bands in cambridgeshire looking for an bassist to help them record an ep or otherwise, im looking to take on some other projects, so if you are interested drop me a message and we can talk [/quote] Me too!! Hehehee! If anything comes my way that I can't cover due to schedules, I will let you know! Nick (just up the road)

Just to add that I've just bought Ville's superb Tobias bass and a fine transaction it was! Thanks Ville! Nick

These have been discussed before - there are many people who don't like them and many that do - its your money so if you really want one, buy one! I still have my heart set on a fiesta red Jazz but if I had the money, I'd buy an example of each model in the range (s/burst J, red J, red P, s/burst P!!!). It really doesn't bother me where they are made, a good instrument is a good instrument at the end of the day!! And all the ones I've seen are very good! Nick

Prepare to be severely punished boy! Nice one Kol! These are superb basses, the ebonol board does the biz - honk and much mwah! Ciao! Nick O Twa nkey!

[quote name='Jam' post='677439' date='Dec 8 2009, 03:09 AM']That is a lovely looking bass for an 11 year old. Generous parents![/quote] Indeed! Very nice people - all their kids are into music in a big way and they wanted to get young Peter the best possible instrument they could afford - he has been playing since he was 5 years old and imho, is already grooving very nicely! He liked a couple of Spectors and then tried the GMR and fell in love with it!

[quote name='lowdown' post='674699' date='Dec 5 2009, 06:12 AM']Ask Martin about the Drunken MD and the night club residency we did in Rotterdam in the early 80's... Should give him a few shivers.. Say hello to him from me.....[i think he should remember] Garry[/quote] Hi Garry! Martin sends you his very best regards - yes, scary story that! He said that he ended up calling his Dad who was on business in Paris following the `alarm clock/bottle/mantlepiece' incident...! Cheers Nick