thumperbob 2002

When soundchecking in an empty room I always try to make the overall sound a bit trebly as when the punters come in they will soak up the higher frequencies letting the bass breathe. Amazing how it changes ( for our benefit though )!! However I really dont change my individual tone too much, just the level. Using a gramma pad helps too, especially on wooden stages. Previous post is correct- that great overall scooped tone doesnt work in a band environment- its all about low mids- think frowny EQ- not smiley!

For the majority of bass players I dont think knowing music theory well is at all important. Many pro bass players dont read and get by with their ears. However if you want to do different things with your bass- such as play with other bands- travel etc then it is pretty obvious that having a good knowledge of theory and reading skills is really useful, if not to avoid feeling daft when the drummer points out you are doing something wrong!! Jaco could really play before he started learning theory. I played professionally before I could read- and I still dont think I can read well but I can get by I suppose. Horses for courses this one. For me though there are many similar posts I have seen on here and for lots it is though learning theory is like going back to school learning algebra. It is not at all- music should be enjoyable and the theory side of it should also be enjoyable- you can learn this as you go and it is not too time consuming as this can be done at any time- not just while you are playing the bass. Learning something new is always worthwhile, and no-one can argue that you will not use this knowledge at some point, but probably sooner than you think.

Last year I have had almost every room in my house done in the same way- builder said 5 weeks- they started in June 2011 and left the house 20th December. Great job though. Were able to have one room at least available for my use so kept musical stuff in there. As long as you are doing something musical I dont think there would be a problem-brush up on your reading skills- you dont need a bass for that. Phase two for us this year when the back of the house that has the kitchen in etc is knocked down and an extension built. House has 7 bedrooms so why the hell we need any more room is more down to the mrs than me.

I love playing a four string at gigs- though have to use an octave pedal really for songs that normally need a low Eb. However my 5er does the job so tend to use that mostly, just play the 4 to keep me keen and interested. Dead easy to move from a 4 to a 5, you just have to have a few seconds thinking of hand positions etc - either at the end of the previous song or when the singers talking, you know what I mean.

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1325899829' post='1489748'] Hey Bob, am good thanks mate. Have to catch your band again soon - let me know where you're playing? Cheers,Pete. [/quote] Fusion Beverley - last friday of month- fusion Cott Road- first Friday of month. No doubt you will be out with the ELO lads fri-sat though.

I am sure most bass players can see a good player in Wooten- if not a brilliant one. I remember one clinic he did ( online ) when he was talking about showing off and said if you did this backing Beyonce you basically would be sacked! He knows what people want at his clinics- if you see him in a band setting-other than the solo spots where he has to twiddle like his life depended upon it- he has forgotten more about grooving than most of us on this forum know. You can blame the audience- I`m sure if they were giving great feedback at his more musical excursions we would see less of the super speed muted slap funkery he is (in) famous for.

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1325784302' post='1487677'] Also means I don't have to put up with some jumped up tossers in a day job, but for how long I'm not sure! [/quote] To be honest Pete my bandmates have to deal with a jumped up tosser in their own band ( me )- How are you doing?- couple of your old brass section did a dep for us a few months ago where the level of musicianship went up 100%- know what I mean?

Schroeder 2X12- very light- quite transparent with a bit of a mid bump ( which I EQ out to be a little more natural sounding- then EQ back in for a gig. cannot imagine how anyone would need anything louder- you would destroy your hearing first. If you are walking just use one of those potable trolleys from B and Q.

I have two 5 string basses- a low End Jazz which is 19mm and a Warwick Thumb which is 17 methinks. Much prefer the Low End as double thumbing etc is much much easier than the Thumb, though for fingerstyle the Thumb is very very good. Bs on both would murder any Fender 5. I also just bought a Fender Jazz 4 string which I love and I can easily go back to a four string but have to think on my feet in a band setting. Think it is better using a five than an octave pedal, sounds more natural- especially in a soul band with brass- everthing seems to be in Eb where that low note is really important. I hate de-tuning on the fly. I would go for it- changing your bass in any way makes playing overall more interesting- you can always go back. I do think that playing a four string- especially a classic bass like a Fender does look way way cooler than a 5 which sometimes seems like cheating.

I`ve had loads of Mexican and American Fenders over the years but the best I have had have been my CIJ Marcus Miller and my present CIJ 70s Re-Issue. Very high quality, after set up probably the best Jazz I have had ( or played ) Who needs a sadowsky? I think the main point with the Jap fenders is consistency.

Do I Love you ( indeed I do ) great piece of northern soul Breaking Down the Walls Of Heartache ditto.....

I have the Boss RC 50 and to be honest it is one of the best bass oriented things I have bought- I find it really useful for other things than looping- such as slowing down tracks to help me learn them- I use it as a sampler on stage too- and as a looper it is amazing- very very much overkill but if its good enough for Wooten.........

I`d be pretty amazed to find 4 strings the same neck pockets on some fenders I have played!

Everday People by Sly and the family stone- Your love is lifting me higher - Jackie Wilson no changes to either all the way through the song- all in the feel. Think someone on here said thankyou for letting me be myself- again all in the feel- but what feel it is!! I am amazed no-one has said Donna Lee!

attachment=95769:DSC05218.jpg] Just got this last week from a member on this very forum. Always had Jazz basses since the 70s at one time or another but went into stingrays, Warwicks ( presently have a Thumb NT 5 ) Also have a Low End Jazz 5 which is an amazing bass and has been my giging bass for over two years. Loads of others. However I used the Jazz bass which is a CIJ 75 reissue last night at one of our main gigs. 7 piece soul band- brass- all the old favourites etc. Through my Bass Pod XT Live this bass just sounded awesome- really old school - warm tone. Lots of compliments. Always felt that Jazz basses sounded slightly ordinary solo but in a band setting they work so well. Had to think on my feet from time to time as I have been a 5 string player but I do feel that a four and specifically a jazz is so small and so easy to play it is like you are totally in control of the instrument. They look great too.[

I use a Schroeder 2 x 12 and these sometimes come up pretty cheap - around £400. Mega mega loud and weight next to nothing. Tiny for a 2 x 12 too. Rated at 800w so any amp would do.

Funny- I quite enjoy the X factor as a karaoke contest- Dont think much to the contestants this year though, very second rate, though Mishab can certainly hold a tune together and is the only one with a somewhat distinctive voice. I must admit, Kelly Rowland was cringingly embarrassing and the reason why I sky+ it is to whip through it quickly- my family watches it in like 30 mins.

At the early hours do I start unpacking the car from the drive and bring this into the house- no! Only sometimes I`ll take my bass inside and amp/ gear etc. Just too tired. The car has great security mind and is away from prying eyes. I have had trouble with valve amps in the past though- if they dont have time to get used to the heat/ condensation buildup.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1323180209' post='1460173'] I have to admit that I a Pod XT Live and really struggled to get a sound that didn't come across as 'over-processed' but I only ever used the standard patches and didn't try to re-programme anything. Conversely I've tried a few Sansamp products and seem to be able to dial in a really nice tone (or variations of tones with the pedals that allow you to store 2-3 different settings) with very little effort or tweaking at all Just 'horses for courses' I guess! [/quote] I went the other way- from the Sansamp BDDI to the Pod. Seem to have spent my life programming whatever I had ( lots ). Cannot believe how anyone could use the standard patches- especially live where even the most conservative patch is too much. The absence of a mid control really did it for the Sansamp.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1323163271' post='1459846'] Thumperbob speaks the truth. You already have what you need. Of course the SansAmp is simpler to use, it does one thing, the POD does 1,000s of things. Spend some time crafting your patches and you have sounds for all seasons. I have a POD X3 LIVE, no amp or cab. I go straight to the PA. I simply can't imagine using anything else, except the next generation of POD. [/quote] What setting do you use pal?- I use mine going into my effects return on my Lm2 and take a DI out to the pa. Are you using in ears?

Too many to even contemplate but suppose initially people like Jaco, Bruce Foxton, Jamerson, Duck Dunn, Jemmott, Bernard Edwards, Pino, Larry Graham. Now I suppose Jamerson, David Dyson ( catch him on youtube with Meshell N ), Wooten, Larry Graham, Bernard Edwards. It changes quite a lot but the best ones do stay around about in my head