Bilbo
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Everything posted by Bilbo
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Another lovely Haden part, this once from the next Scofield album from 1992, 'Grace Under Pressure'. The track is called 'Honest I Do' and is in 3:4 time. Not too difficult but a gorgeous tune nevertheless. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/honest-i-do-john-scofield/
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The pickup is old and I was given a newer one for my 5-string by my luthier who is the kindest of souls. The Spirocores were on the bass at point of purchase (that's what it said on the website). It is definitely a bargain, though. I just hope it is cheap enough to turn the head of someone who is up for 'having a go'. -
Another photo, this time full length.
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Here is a link to a video of the bass in action.... https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EAvVVMXuo/
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My own 5-string double bass was severely damaged in 2022 and I was without a double bass for over 3 years. The cost of repairing the 5-string was so high, I was dithering about whether it was financially viable but I was missing playing the instrument so, on 15th October, 2025, I bought this Thomann 111BR 'Jazz Club' Double Bass. It cost £811 (plus postage). Absolutely worth every penny. I have since got the 5-string repaired (it didn't cost as much as I expected even though it got a new bridge, tailpiece, full set of strings and a refinish) and don't need the Thomann bass any more. I dithered about keeping it as a backup bass but swapping between 4 and 5 on the double bass is confusing, especially as I tune it EADGC. There is also the storage issue! So this is now for sale. It comes with a copperhead Realist pickup (I think that is what it is, I bought it about 10 years ago) and I have a very flimsy case (dust cover 😆) and a spare German bow you can have as part of the deal too. It is pretty much unmarked (some very tiny marks if you really go looking). I have done three gigs on it and it sounded great but I have not had it looked at by a luthier since I bought it so an early set up is recommended as the action is high when you get up to thumb position. It is strung with Spirocores, apparently. Collection only. I have not got the box it came in!! Sorry
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Some simple Charlie Haden; the tune 'Let's Say We Did' from the 1990 John Scofield album, 'Time On My Hands'. Beautiful tune. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/lets-say-we-did-john-scofield/
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The separation is not brilliant on that one but I will have a look later on and see what I can do.
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Can you believe that this is the first Dave Holland tune I have transcribed this year (the last one was published on New Years Eve)? This is the complete Dave Holland part for the tune 'Miles Ahead' from the 1993 Joe Henderson masterpiece, 'So Near, So Far: Musings For Miles'. One of my all-time favourite albums, I have bought it three times (cassette, CD and download). I know every note on this whole album - it's just perfect. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/miles-ahead-joe-henderson/
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I am on a Garcia-Fons buzz at the moment. This is the tune 'Bahar Zamin'' from the Derya Turkan/Renaud Garcia-Fons 2014 duo recording 'Silk Moons'. Not impossible but there are a lot of challenges in the read due to the changing time signatures and the 8va sections. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/bahar-zamani-derya-turkan-renaud-garcia-fons/
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Another one from the same guy (he helpfully composes some simple short tunes amongst the epics!). This is a tune called ‘La Demoiselle De Ceret’ (‘The Lady Of Ceret’) from his 2010 recording ‘Méditerranées – A Mediterranean Journey’. A short but relatively simple piece with a lot of his signature grace notes. It is playable pizz. but it’s beauty is in the bowed note. The whole thing should be played 8va. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/la-demoiselle-de-ceret-renaud-garcia-fons/
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I have been wanting to get some of this guy's stuff down on paper for a long time (I have an excerpt on here somewhere). I came across this one today. It is a duet with French lute/therebo player Claire Antonini. The important thing to note here is that Garcia-Fons plays a five-string double bass with a high C (not a low B) so that means there are some very high notes and a lot of the chart is written 8va. For transparency's sake, I should tell you that I tune my own five-string double bass the same way as RGF which is one of the reasons I am drawn to this guy. Also for the record, I can't play this in tune (yet). https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/nove-alla-turca-renaud-garcia-fons/
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I had to 'repair' 'Prelude/Angry Young Man' when a website user noticed an error. There a many. I correct when I see them and if I can (older charts are not available as editable scores).
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I understood that Berlin is playing/recreating Clapton's solo on that, Dave, but I may be wrong.
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Another sedate tune from Duke Ellington, the wonderful 'Isfahan' from the 1967 album, 'The Far East Suite'. Simple but stunning. You don't need to be Mohini Dey to pull this chart off!! https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/isfahan-duke-ellington/
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I have been working on the Patitucci part for 'Spain' of the Akoustic Band record but I have abandoned it for now. It's just too hard. I went to this because it was the antithesis of 'Spain'. Jimmy Woode's bass part for 'The Star Crossed Lovers' from the Duke Ellington masterpiece 'Such Sweet Thunder'. All the notes are on mostly minims on the beat - easiest thing in the world to read - this one is simple note recognition of beginners. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/the-star-crossed-lovers-duke-ellington/
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Can't get enough of that band. I always say they are the one band I would play in a tribute band for 😆
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I am working on a another monster at the moment but wanted to keep things moving so here is another 'easy' chart (easy enough to play but there are challenges in the reading). From the 1972 Deep Purple album, 'Machine Head', the complete Roger Glover bass part to ' Maybe I'm a Leo' (actually, I am....) https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/maybe-im-a-leo-deep-purple/
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Back from the break and a stinking cold, this is a very simple chart to get back into the thing. Ray Drummond's bass part to the tune Duke Ellington tune 'Melancholia' from the 1983 Wynton Marsalis album, 'Think Of One'. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/melancholia-wynton-marsalis/
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I have been a fan of Neil's playing since the National Health and Colosseum II days. Here is my transcription of my favourite NM track, 'Down To You' from the Colosseum II album 'Strange New Flesh'. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/down-to-you-colosseum-ii/
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I'm going to get me one of these.
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Thanks for the reply, JPJ. I will put this on the shopping list along with a suitable replacement for the dying amp.
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I have a problem and it looks like this piece of kit may present a solution. I have long been using an Acoustic Image Clarus using both a pick up AND a microphone for my double bass. My amp is looking like it may be on its way out and, as we all know, AI are no longer operating. I have various options for replacing the amp but none of them have two channels I can use to continue with the pick up/mic approach. This looks like it may do the job ( I have used a Fishman pre-amp to date but that is getting old now as well). Can anyone confirm that it has phantom power on the mic line and whether you can use both inputs simultaneously? It looks promising but I am an idiot when it comes to tech so need the help of a grown up. Many thanks.
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I have just noticed that it happens even if there is no instrument plugged into the amp and if the mute button is on or off.
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I got a reply from the son of the manufacturer with some snagging documents I have shared with my repair bloke. I will let you know if we get an outcome.
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I will check and let you know. I am watching Asia as we speak!
