funkypenguin

Hey people The jazz trio i play for have been in the studio recording for our drummer Abbi's recording elective portfolio, and ive just been sent some of the results Time was incredibly tight on this session so the delivery isnt 100% perfect, my solo certainly isnt the greatest thing ive ever recorded, but overall im fairly happy! Have a listen and let me know what you think all feedback/critique welcome! I recorded using my Warwick Streamer LX6 direct into the desk. Im not 100% sure what processing has been applied, i'm going to find out and update this Cheers! Ben http://soundcloud.com/funkypenguin-1

Hey guys Im seriously entertaining a complete rig overhaul in the next month or so and ive been looking into a whole variety of gear (see previous thread about the EBS heads). The Vanderkley 1x12s have really caught my eye, but the Epifani heads have really piqued my interest. As per the title, what do people think about them? How is the preamp voiced? warm sound? versatile? relatively lightweight? If anyone in and around manchester has an epifani head i could have a look at/play through i would appreciate it very much!! Cheers! Ben

Extended range basses have their place, in the same way that the Fender P has its place. If you play music where the bass has more freedom/more room in the mix (such as a Jazz trio or Quartet or perhaps a progressive rock band) then the 6 string gives you more options in the upper register to solo or chord, and more options in the lower register when playing a supportive role. Both are really effective when done well, chords on the 6 string sound so different and so much richer than chords on the guitar, and the low B string adds a new dimension when supporting a pianist/guitarist, or adding weight to distorted rhythm guitar. If you're playing in a band with 2 guitars AND a keys player then you will naturally end up staying in and around first position, because the frequencies/space in the upper range of the bass are already taken up in the mix. The low B string will still be completely relevant in adding weight to the ensemble however. Here is a perfect example of the 6 string being played by an absolute master of the instrument, Mr Anthony Jackson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd349Df1Ows

Aaaaaaand again.......just for good measure, and my personal favourite! AJ is one of my 3 favourite bass players and biggest influences as a bassist and musician http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd349Df1Ows

Thanks guys, im having a really serious think about overhauling my rig in the next few months. If anyone in Manchester has ANY EBS amps (not necessarily the Fafner) i could have play through i would really appreciate it!!

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm really liking the sound of the fafner! If anyone in Manchester has one and would be willing to let me have a play through it I would be extremely grateful!!

I got the honey blonde 50's P about 5 months ago and its the best precision ive played bar none...... and I hated P basses before i tried the one i have now

[quote name='pantherairsoft' timestamp='1335286803' post='1628696'] Soon-ish... No specifics at the mo. I think we are looking weeks rather than months now. [/quote] Awesome news bud, that buckeye will look amazing with finish on it!!

Hey guys, Im interested in hearing peoples opinions on the EBS Fafner head. Im not looking at changing my rig anytime in the immediate future but the EBS gear has caught my eye and im thinking of a potential change for after i graduate in a month or so...I do like my trace gear so it would have to be something pretty special to make me part with cash, but i'm maybe thinking its time for a change...who knows, i might not...Anyway, what are peoples experiences with them? Whats the preamp like? Are they a really 'bright' bass head? Im after warm midrange rather than a really trebly sound (ideally with the EQ set flat). The only Fafner Ive seen is the one Henrik Linder uses in the Dirty Loops videos, and his sound is much brighter than what i would generally go for. Is that typical EBS? Thanks people! Ben

I use an old AH300SMC with one of the newer 1048 cabs. Love the sound of the rig with no EQ and a little compression, so much warmth and projection there, specially with my warwick 6. Ive used the same rig for nearly 5 years and havnt tried anything thats convinced me to change it yet. Horses for courses though

+1 for getting your degree first, then splurging as a reward on the GAS front though, what will your new purchases do for you that your existing gear wont...and if you have to sell to buy will you regret selling what you already have....critical questions to consider

Bad luck with those guys going out of business!! but its great to know theyre very much committed to the highest quality of manufacture! Hope progress is swift from now, really cant wait to see this completed!!

[quote name='JD1' timestamp='1334342508' post='1614994'] I'm with Chris 2112. Janek and some of the other guys mentioned in this thread are supposed to be the "top" players - operating on a different level to mere mortals like me. They've found their "voice" etc. (don't get me started on the beanie hats and the ramps though). But none of them are really making a massive impact or raising the bar and making a benchmark recording. I've not heard his latest album and I don't intend to - but an improvised jam???? Come on Janek (and the others) lets have a proper statement worthy of your talent. [/quote] What do you have against ramps?

Having read the thread on talkbass, ive got alot of admiration for the way Janek has gone about talking about his music/music in general

Is there any plan to have a Yorkshire bash this year?

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1334172864' post='1612116'] I was only joking mate [/quote] fair play I saw a peformance of it at the bridgewater hall in Manchester with the BBC symphony orchestra and the BBC voices. One of 2 or 3 performances of any type that have left me speechless

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1334158604' post='1611802'] Bach and Beethoven are sh*t. Mahler's yer man, he shits all over Bach and Beethoven. If you don't agree you don't know sh*t, man. Seriously. [/quote] You obviously havnt been at a live performance of Beethoven's 9th symphony

[quote name='Faithless' timestamp='1334069725' post='1610455'] I think some guys are missing the point about this album with discussing 'creativity' and 'compositions'. Janek didn't compose pretty much anything at all on his latest release - all he had was a few sketches and rough ideas to derive the stuff from. What followed next, was an impromtu jam session. So if you're blaming him for not having the right creativity, then you're equally blaming all the other guys that were featured on the album, which includes Mark Guiliana, Jojo Mayer, Tim Miller and Justin Vasquez. Are you sure? Kjb is right saying that nearly everyone has the right to [negatively] criticise others' work, not to mention that no one has anything better to offer. Saying that one 'lacks creativity or his stuff is 'dull, derivative pap' and not point out why, is not a constructive criticism. I'm not arguing about taste, but saying that the stuff is dull, is just unbearable, IMHO. [/quote] Writing music and being creative are the driving forces behind releasing an album of your own music as a bandleader, Therefore looking at it from a creative and compositional perspective is completely valid. Its an album of improvised music yes, but Janek will have brought sketches and leadsheets to the table and his (stellar it has to be said) band will have brought those to life. regardless of how little, there IS composition and lots of creativity in there. Im not having a go at the players, Janek is streets ahead of me as a musician and as a bass player. That doesnt mean i have to like what he's putting out there as a composer and bandleader. Im not being overly negative, it just doesnt gel with the way i approach writing and performing music. thats not to say i can do better in this medium, im not a match for any of the players on this album, but in my humble opinion, the compositions are sketchy as opposed to refined, and are fleshed out with improvisation. I prefer the mix to be the opposite, more like the way Hiromi writes for her band. Thats not to say its better, i just prefer it. As ive already said, I like Janeks playing style, he's one of the most lyrical bassists out there, I just wish his compositions were as in depth and as refined as everything about his playing

Any news on this one shep??

[quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1333842658' post='1607364'] Jawohl mein Pengiun Kommandant. [/quote] Danke herr bigjohn in retrospect i was a bit sharp there, joys of posting after an unproductive rehearsal theres nothing wrong with having a chilled atmosphere in the rehearsal room (especially if its for your own pleasure) but time is (literally) money, and you get much more done when sharp and sober. At the end of the day, if you want to drink, go down the pub. at least you arnt paying by the hour there

You're in a rehearsal to rehearse, not to drink. End of, especially if you're paying for the rehearsal space.

I liked Janeks last album 'Space in Between' but i'm pretty underwhelmed with his new one. I really like Janeks playing style. and his instructional videos are outstanding, but his compositions, IMHO, always seem lightweight and lacking in substance, especially in comparison to Matt Garrisons work. His latest album with Human Element is stunning

Having seen similar threads on here, all that will happen if you do this is that you'll regret selling it, especially if you're happy with the sound/feel of your existing gear

Anthony Jackson with the Michel Camilo Trio - From Within http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd349Df1Ows John Myung with Dream Theater - Scarred (not such a fan of some of his sounds these days, i love his chorus bass sound rather than his distortion) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xJumDqKBRQ Geddy Lee with Rush - Cold Fire Matthew Garrison's sound in general ranks among my favourites

If you're used to the sound of B-G on a 5er then E-C will seem less full across the range at first. I would definetely recommend heavier gauge strings, 100 E - 30 C is a good starting point. I would also look at your EQ, how do you have your onboard EQ, Pickup pan and your amp set up at the moment?