BigBeefChief

Hello mate. I used to have a Rockwood bass. I won it on a tv show! Lost it somewhere though. Is it red? If so, I want it back! Welcome.

[quote name='cytania' post='415001' date='Feb 20 2009, 08:52 AM']The idea of single cut is pretty simple. You get a stiffer neck and certainly my Spear vibrates like a rampant rabbit.[/quote] I've bought my girlfriend a rampant rabbit for her upcoming birthday. If she doesn't like it, she can go f*** herself.

f***. Too slow.

[quote name='Josh' post='414763' date='Feb 19 2009, 09:12 PM']Try The Police.[/quote] But make sure you call your local station and not 999. Learning new bass lines would be classified as a non-emergency.

I take it Noel Gallagher has been mentionned??!!

You should drop Ken an email. He's a lovely guy.

tombboy has invited me round to christen this over the weekend. I'll let you know how we get on.

I want photos.

I love the fireplace!

[quote name='bumfrog' post='412081' date='Feb 17 2009, 03:37 PM']imho fenders are very over-rated and overpriced. Some nice ones kicking about, but like gibson, they trade on their name and have done for a long time. Especially with the recent price hikes, it beggers belief to how much they charge for some of their standard instruments. There's so many better made and better to play instruments out there, but I suppose in a world where we are consumed by status, image and general sheep like mentalities, people will still champion them as the best of the best. Just not the case anymore imho.[/quote] I would have liked to have bought a non-fender, and have no allegiances to the brand. At the time of purchase though, I genuinely couldn't find another bass that played so well for the money. That's after looking at the Bass Cellar, The Gallery, GAK, Denmark Street and the American Guitar Centre - all of which have a pretty large stock of basses. For you, they're not worth it, but I think it's unfair to suggest they purely trade off the name. If it is just clever branding, they've got a lot of top musicians fooled!

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='411708' date='Feb 17 2009, 09:06 AM']I've never owned a Fender, in 23 years of playing. Other basses have done the job better.[/quote] Have you owned a fender copy CK? If not, you've done well to avoid their designs for so long.

[quote name='dlloyd' post='410957' date='Feb 16 2009, 12:25 PM']who heavily self-medicates with alcohol and cocaine[/quote] I hate this term. It suggests that there's some science behind it: "I will deal with my bi-polar/depression etc with a mixture of 2 parts alcohol and 3 parts cocaine" Whereas the reality is: "f***, I've got a bit of money. Time to do a load of sniff and role around on the floor eating mars bars".

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='409440' date='Feb 14 2009, 02:52 PM']You have to be a lifelong Beatles fan and scouser lik me to understand the emotions I went through playing Oasis shoit. My teeth were itchy and I had an expression on my face like I was having my scrotum shaved with a rusty, blunt carving knife.[/quote] I like you Al, you seem like a good guy. But having re-read your post, if you start insulting Oasis, I will hunt you down!!

[quote name='agoulding' post='409298' date='Feb 14 2009, 10:55 AM']that is f*ckin funny! my fave metal tune. some very nice bass playing[/quote] Why is he trying to make himself sound like a monster? Why doesn't he just sing? It's like be reciting poetry like a Pirate.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='409440' date='Feb 14 2009, 02:52 PM']Well, where do I start? I had my audition last Sunday, was given a long list of songs to learn followed by Friday's set list which arrived on Monday. Twice, I asked the guitarist if there are any deviations from the original versions (key / structure etc) and he said there was only two songs - Wonderwall and Long Train Runnin' - no problem I said so long as I know the script (sh*t - don't mention the script). Needless to say I didn't see much of my missus all week and that my brain hurts from information overload. My ears have also taken on the shape of my headphones too - which is deeply disturbing. I took Friday off (not cos it was the 13th) because I still had 4 songs to learn. Afternoon came and I drove to Oldham to meet the others, picked up their gear and went to the venue - a nice medium sized club (about 150 people capacity). So far so good. I set up and get my levels in the ball park and then we sound check with "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by The Script. Twenty seconds into the song - the singer stops the band and says to me "That's all wrong - the bass isn't like that" to which I replied (politely) that I was playing the correct notes. Never mind I thought, I'll do it their way even though it's wrong. So we run through it again and everyone's happy. So we try something else and that's all wrong too ..."We don't play it like that"..frustrated, I asked if there were any other surprises to which they said "there might be" so I proclaimed that the night was going to be a f*cking disaster and if it hadn't been someone's birthday bash, I would have walked. The drummer and singer stayed at the venue so we could run through the set. So we start again with "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by The Script and guess what? They said (the revised) bass line was wrong - "I know" I says and so they put the song through the PA using an MP3 player and I played the original correct bassline to it and they were a bit taken aback cos I was right in the first place. I get the impression when they learn a song - it's done at rehearsal from memory / collective negotiation so with few exceptions, every song they do tends to be an approximation of the original and there's genuinely nothing wrong with that IMO, so long as you're not the new bass player standing in front of 150 people. The first set goes well - we planned to do 45 mins but did 70 mins even after dropping two songs. Turns out the singer is not only an amazing vocalist but also an extremely funny bloke and knows how to work a crowd. I'm feeling a bit more relaxed and confident. Second set starts ok - we open with that f*cking song "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by The Script - I revert to the original bassline and it sounded brilliant. Then half way through the set, the singer asks if the audience like Oasis and, being in Oldham you can guess the reponse. No problem methinks I've learned Wonderwall (in the hastily revised key) and it goes down a storm. So...the singer asks if they'd like more Oasis... and sure enough the crowd calls out for more. I shout to the others that I don't know any more Oasis songs but they do more anyway. You have to be a lifelong Beatles fan and scouser lik me to understand the emotions I went through playing Oasis shoit. My teeth were itchy and I had an expression on my face like I was having my scrotum shaved with a rusty, blunt carving knife. I played along watching the guitarist's hands and winging it and although I got through reasonably well, I'll probably need counselling for the remains of my days. The singer's on a roll know so he leaves the set completely and decides to do some U2 stuff - another band of w***ers that I despise (sorry if you don't agree) So I wing Vertigo and it goes down a storm..So...the singer asks if they'd like more U2... and sure enough the crowd calls out for more. I shout to the others that I don't know any more U2 songs but they do more anyway. By now, I feel like a picturesque **** and inwardly, I'm as miserable as sin. I turn round, look at my kit and start thinking about that Harley Davidson I'd promised myself once more. Then...a revelation. I'd been dreading playing "Dance the Night Away" by the Mavericks all night but then, what else is there to lose. The guitarist starts with the opening strum and then, to my surprise the female vocalist whips out her trumpet and does the most amazing rendition of the song. The whole place was up on its feet and for the first time I could sit back with the mind numbingly simple bass line and enjoy myself. I hate the song but when it's this good...sit back and enjoy methinks. One more song and it was over. I came off thinking that they'll say thanks and bid me a fond adieu - but it turns out they were worried that I'd say no thanks lads - it's not for me. Turns out the last bass player was a root note strummer and they aren't used to proper basslines and they all said that they thought I'd done really well to learn as much as I did in the time I had. I think the band has huge potential - the vocals are stunning and they play nice stuff but I struggled with the lack of structure TBH but that's probably me being too anal. I need to simplify what I do on the bass too - even I was probably guilding it a bit but that's what I had to do in my last band. We got 3 other gigs on the back of last night - one of them a wedding too and I have a bit more time to learn their stuff and I'm looking forward to them. I think they realised that they need a more structured approach if it's going to reach full potential and I realise that I need to calm down, relax and enjoy myself a bit more. Sorry it's been a bit like War & Peace.[/quote] Good right up Al. I could never do what you covers guys do. Originals are so much easier! I would be a bit pissed off if I had spent a week learning the songs as recorded, then told to change it on the night, but it sounds like it went down well. Sometimes its good to just say "f*** it" and go with the flow.

[quote name='Russ' post='409232' date='Feb 14 2009, 07:16 AM']There's no greater insult in music than that... to get no reaction from a listener.[/quote] Although this isn't quite true.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='408991' date='Feb 13 2009, 07:47 PM']Try a TRB6II Big Chief,thats pertly why im looking elsewhere.. wouldnt want to play for 3 hours with one..and im sure there are heavier basses out there!![/quote] I see. I'm usually kicked off the stage within half hour.

How heavy can a bass be!!!!!

[quote name='sixshooter' post='408761' date='Feb 13 2009, 04:25 PM']Before [attachment=20250:Basses_f...sale_002.jpg] After [attachment=20251:DSC02345.JPG] Just my opinion but I prefer my 59 how it looks now than before when it was minus paint. My feelings are the same about that Jazz, nice looking Bass but somehow it looks like someone decided to "relic it" in a very unnatural way. With a bit of careful restoration it could look even nicer![/quote] If something has been refinned once, then sure, do it again. But any refin on a vintage bass in my mind is a bad idea. I just think you shouldn't f*** with things.

[quote name='sixshooter' post='408697' date='Feb 13 2009, 03:34 PM']I think this would be one case where a refin is justified, as it would look better but would not alter the value that much![/quote] No, no, no.

[quote name='Currrls' post='408530' date='Feb 13 2009, 01:14 PM']with the boiling method, i presume you just stick them in a pan of boiling water, but how long for?[/quote] I prefer al dente.