thumperbob 2002

Yeah I agree with most here. Listening and working out by ear simply from the record is the best way- it will be difficult at first but you will get there eventually. The problem is there are so many sites on the net that make it easier- youtube for one- that you can be in a band with no ear at all! There will always be people that can do this easier than others- It took me years to be able to play by ear well- some bass players/guitarists can do it straight away. I can play along with a song and ( most songs ) know it by the time its ended ( in a fashion ). Wish my reading skills were better though they seem to be progressing. Bob

[quote name='JTUK' post='771454' date='Mar 11 2010, 11:59 AM']Of course certain songs have certain parts which have to be hit.. I mean you can't fundementally alter the bassline to 'I wish' that much but that doesn't mean everyone else has to ape the parts of the song. I maintain there is far more scope and enjoyment to be had from doing things your own way but you still have to get it across. There isn't much point if it doesn't work but if you want to hear the record, put on the CD. The best bands round here...IMV.. are the ones with players in it not the ones that play Queen's greatest hits or copy bands. We are a new band but haven't had any issues so far and will be putting in originals if they are strong enough. It is all about the tune and how is comes over. If you go down well and attract people, then that is all there is to it.[/quote] In my experience- done most of it -playing for more than 30 years- in loads of cover bands- + some name bands-touring Uk and abroad-if you are paid to entertain the punters as a covers/fuction band ( call it what you will ) the first time you put an original song in the punters will leave the dance floor in droves. Its all about horses for courses- just a little time taken to learn, say 30 songs, if you get the material right you will get gigs and get paid. If you dont- that means dont put originals in ( there are specific gigs for those )- any you will only have one chance - wave those cover gigs bye bye. I was in one particular original band who required gear and funds for recording time. We learned a full covers set and made enough money to fund the original band. We would never have put any of our original songs in the set. bob

[quote name='Conan' post='771254' date='Mar 11 2010, 08:46 AM']I know that I'd rather be gigging with a covers band than just "rehearsing" with an originals band, unable to get gigs! [/quote] Yeah Like myself you tend to start off playing original music- aiming to "get there" spend loads of time- though as you are young you have the time to spend. Then realise that really unless you are lucky you wont make a living out of it- then go into covers bands as semi and then full pro level. Then realise you want more from life. Then start your own business which does OK- then realise that you want more from life.....................and join a cover band on a semi pro basis- then think " have`nt I been here before? Bob

[quote name='JTUK' post='770746' date='Mar 10 2010, 06:30 PM']Covering a cover song... err, have to disagree here. I don't want to hear note for note from a gtr and I don't rip off basslines either. I expect the band members to have enough about them to be able to 'interpret' the song and get the point over. Nothing will turn me off more, than to hear a religous copy of a song and I doubt most of an audience would know anyway. If someone made the point that it isn't like that on the record, I'd offer to buy them the CD and they can f*** right off :ol:[/quote] I dont think this really works with covers- when you are playing covers if you can play them as accurately as possible that is a great advantage. The thing that makes the difference between a good covers band and a bad one is the accuracy of the cover itself. Sure you can always change it ( and we do ) but the core notes need to be correct- for brass, guitar, bass, keys, harmonies ( this is the thing that really sorts out the wheat from the chaff ). You can always take it to another level, change the arrangement, change the feel of the song but the cover itself needs to be accurate. I wouldnt say playing a Jamerson bassline correctly was ripping it off- because you will always sound different anyway as you are you. Playing in a covers band- whilst a lot of fun and can be lucrative- in some way you are prostituting yourself so you have to do what the punters want and not what you want- but with all things it is a bit of a compromise. Just my threepence Bob

I have two- a 1212 and a 1515 though I dont use them both for every gig. As long as you place them as far back as you can I dont see it really makes any difference. Great cabs with a surprising amount of bottom end- fantastic definition too.

A good idea for getting function - wedding gigs is to find a pub in a nice area of your city- where people with money go - and see the landlord. Tell him you`ll do gigs there for a small amount- we started on £250- but theres 7 of us. We are now on £300 plus free drinks- we play there every month. The main reason we did this is to get bookings for parties, weddings, functions etc What a great initiative for getting well paying gigs - weve had loads of them and also lots of great nights in the venue! really works. Bob

I have been looking for a vintage Jazz for a while and my opinion is that the majority are overvalued- investments do not always increase in value and are cyclical- just look at the classic car market- believe me this could happen to basses. If people think that the same growth attributable to vintage fenders will continue for another 30 years they are mad! Or misled by the 0verall market which is designed to appreciate- when demand subsides realistic valuations will appear rapidly. The question is will demand subside. If it is true that a 30-40 year old instrument will consistently have a better "tone" than a modern Fender ( which is a matter of opinion anyway ) then I can see the reasons for appreciation of price. I cannot see how a vintage instrument with degrading pickups- warped neck-truss rod problems- + the old chestnut cracks around the tuning peg- can sound any better than my £750 2005 American Deluxe Jazz 5 string. Its all a conspiracy designed to send prices souring for some wood, metal and plastic!! Not that I would refuse a good one though. Cheers Bob

Bootsy on Sex Machine is amazing- one of those songs that the more you listen to it- the more you realize is happening- incredible. He sounded better with a Fender though Bob

Yeah when I was a pro there were always gaffs going on- but really none that the audience would notice- depended upon how bored I was or how many pints I had had that night. Drinking and being bored are related. I think there are real differences between true pros like Out to Play Jazz who have a real solid reading background and someone like me who, whilst I think I am pretty good, would never think of doing one nights solid reading. Being in a successful band where your living depends upon it is a professional job, whatever the difficulty of the material.... However there are pros and pros. May I mention that I was pro for 4 years that was 14 years ago- wow!!! Bob

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='769381' date='Mar 9 2010, 04:22 PM'][url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Ashdown-Little-Giant-1000,-Ex-Display~ID~12596.asp"]http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~A...ay~ID~12596.asp[/url] Ex-display Ashdown LG1000, puts out 500w from each 4ohm output, £219. Will fit in most gigbag pockets too![/quote] +1- I have the exact same rig as you plus a 1515 - The LG 1000 is very impressive for £249 new- if you get another Schroeder or any other cab you can use jsut the LG or both amps for a killer rig!! Not that you need any more than you have got Bob

Such a broad subject and entirely subjective depending on who is listening. Was Lemmy a better bassplayer in Motorhead than James Jamerson? Probably- Would Lemmyhave been any good at Motown- definitely not!! Would Wooten have been as good at Motown- I`m sure he would have given his best but you cant really compare the two can you? For me its Jamerson- I think he always played what the song needed but not just that. He still took bass somewhere else. Wooten, Jaco etc - that style is all about chops but Jaco was certainly musical- if not a genius- who knows- lots would agree- lots wouldnt. Bob

I love my MarkBass LM2 but didnt like their cabs- so I bought a couple of Schroeders- just one 1212L will be the equivalent of your 4X10- they are that loud and punchy. I used to be a trace guy myself for years and the thought of making one trip into a gig was a bit alien at first. ( cab in one hand-bass over back in gig bag- wheeling a flight bag on wheels with amp in- leads etc ) soon got used to it! Bob

I too are from Hull- Welcome Bob

[quote name='Major-Minor' post='762551' date='Mar 3 2010, 08:22 AM']Bob - you have given me a great idea for my next Boot Camp Session. "Georgia On My" mind has a lovely chord sequence with lots of potential for making theoretical points, using substitutions etc and it can also be played in many different styles. So give me a couple of weeks or so (I'm fairly busy at the moment), and I'll present a set of bass parts for this tune, of varying difficulty. The Major[/quote] Thanks very much- really appreciate it- I have a couple of versions- the Ray Charles original and a terrific Maceo Parker version who actually sings it better than Ray! Its a lovely tune and will help my reading get a bit better i`m sure. Bob

[quote name='MythSte' post='761373' date='Mar 1 2010, 11:49 PM']Or a Schroder 1212 and Little Mark 2. Tried and tested, bloody monsterous.[/quote] +1 really you dont need anymore than this - whatever you do

[quote name='Jamesemt' post='762513' date='Mar 3 2010, 07:19 AM']Hello from the other side of the city - I'm in Hedon Playing at Highway Saturday night if you're around[/quote] Sorry pal I`m gigging- whats the lineup? Bob

[quote name='Stu1964' post='762322' date='Mar 2 2010, 10:07 PM']Hi Bob, I would have definately come but i'm on nights on thursday I'd heard good things from a mate who'd seen you a few months back and have been meaning to come down. Hopefully I'll get to the next one. Stu[/quote] bloody hell - someone likes us! hope to see you there stu but the tapas in wednesday market beverley is a great night! Last friday of the month-beverley is a better one to see cheers Bob

Hi Stu I also live in Hessle -in fact I play at the Weir most months in the band SoulPatrol- www.soulpatrol.org.uk- might see you in there-we are there on Thurs- if so pop over and say hi- Casapete might be there-you never know! Bob

looks pretty good bob

I am using a Sansamp into the fx return of either an LM2 or Little giant- depending upon the cabs I am using. It would be a great idea to find a 1000W amp that will do 2 X 4ohms that is light and cheap!! Dont know if they exist though- the lightness of it I think will be the problem. Bob

Great bass though- I`ve got one of these and its the best sounding bass I have had in 30yrs- with Nordstrands though. Get a small loan from your family and buy one secondhand- quite a few available. That way you wont lose any money and can always sell this for more or less what you paid. I particularly like 0% interest but there is a reason for it from the retailers point of view. I would rather pay a little interest on a good deal than 0% on a bad one.