Doddy

[quote name='Count Bassy' post='755617' date='Feb 23 2010, 10:50 PM']Unfortunately, by their nature (i.e. they're made of metal and you hit them) cymbals have a limited life.[/quote] If you play them correctly though,they can last for years.I play with people who regularly use cymbals that are 30 or 40 years old,and sound great. As far as letting people play my bass.... If I hand it to you,you can have go,if I don't you can leave it alone. A drummer I work with regularly(who has a nice Stingray too) knows he can pick my bass up if he wants,but still always asks. It's the same if I want to play his drums. That's how it should be.

[quote name='MythSte' post='755915' date='Feb 24 2010, 10:57 AM']Quick question for you, In the Chorus Section of 'Peg' by steely dan, Is it double thumbed or just a very fast "normal" slap technique on the doubles?[/quote] I don't think Chuck Rainey used a double thumb on 'Peg'. I'm pretty sure it's a standard thumb technique. It's not that fast-it's just a matter of controlling the rebound of the thumb.

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='754978' date='Feb 23 2010, 01:26 PM']I'm quite astonished (only quite, though ) at the way "thumb up" is winning. I hadn't even considered it as a sensible option for slapping. You've got to have a [b]seriously[/b] short strap to pull that off, surely? Is it just that Basschat's just littered with Mark King wannabes?[/quote] Why the surprise? I think that it's a better way to play than thumb down. I find that it gives you way more control and accuracy if you have your thumb either pointing up or parallel to the strings. I've found that having your thumb pointing down pretty much limits you to playing octaves. You don't need a super short strap either-I have my bass at the same height standing as sitting. And I don't particularly like Mark King.

Can't you just drop the E string down a tone and keep the rest in standard tuning? All the notes are still there in standard tuning-except for the low Eb and D

I wouldn't bother with a powerball personally-they fall into a similar catagory as hand grips,to me. You are much better off studying correctly and then practising slowly and accurately.If you are doing it right,you will gradually and naturally develop more strength in your hands with no pain.If it hurts,you need to step back and look at what you are doing wrong. Only a teacher will be able to tell you exactly where you are going wrong.

'Valley Girl' by Zappa is a great track-Scott Thunes' tone is awesome. How about something like 'Everyday People' by Sly and the Family Stone? Larry Graham only plays one note,but it's a bugger to make groove hard. Or try 'If you want me to stay' again by Sly and the Family Stone,but with Rusty Allen on Bass. What about some old Michael Jackson? 'I want you back' (Wilton Felder) and 'Rock with you' (Bobby Watson) spring to mind.

[quote name='2wheeler' post='753806' date='Feb 22 2010, 01:50 PM']People spend £5000 on a car to get to and from gigs and that car will be worth nothing in 10 years time, possibly 5. After 30 years, this bass could be worth more in real terms and certainly won't have lost that much value. If you're a professional and it helps you do your job, there is nothing wrong with the price.[/quote] For me,the car thing is a really bad analogy.A car is an important part of your gigging equipment. As I've said in the past you could drop a fortune on an instrument if you want,but it's useless if you can't get to the gig. As far as being professional and helping you do your job,again for me that's not a good argument. I totally understand wanting a good instrument,but if you are looking at the instrument to help your playing,something is wrong. I said in a similar thread ages ago,if you feel more confident and inspired by dropping a fortune on a bass,then do so,but I believe that what you do is more important than than the instrument itself.

[quote name='yybass' post='753267' date='Feb 21 2010, 09:16 PM']Yes![/quote] Not necessarily. I noticed that you have some very expensive instruments so you obviously believe it,but lets look at things slightly differently. I've played some expensive basses,including Fodera,and they are very nice instruments,but are they really 5K better than,say,a Shuker or GB? I have to say no,I don't think they are. Just out of interest,and from looking at your collection, are you a pro player or are you more of a hobbyist/collector?

Bear in mind that an acoustic bass is not overly loud when played acoustically-an acoustic guitar will blow it away volume wise. Also,if your plugging in to an amp,I'd recommend buying a solidbody,especially for a beginner.

[quote name='OldGit' post='753052' date='Feb 21 2010, 06:08 PM']A couple of lessons from a (human) tutor will be a lot better than any book and get you on track a lot faster.[/quote] I was going to say that but didn't for fear of becoming predictable. But yeah,taking lessons will do you more good than a book alone.

If you approach scales as just a series of patterns,you are missing a lot(all?) of the important information that they contain.

You don't need a specialist electro/acoustic bass-I don't think there are any. I like the Hal Leonard Bass Method by Ed Friedland as a good starter book-especially if you can get the complete edition. CanI ask why you are going for an acoustic bass guitar rather than a solidbody?

I bought my Genz Benz/Bergantino rig from Mark.I initially placed an order with him for a Berg HS410,and when it arrived Mark was happy to let me try out a couple different heads to go with it-again,before he had his shop. I need to take a trip to his new shop.

Any Theory book will do,no need to be bass specific. Theory is the same for all instruments.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='752028' date='Feb 20 2010, 06:35 PM']If I was full time perhaps I'd justify a more expensive bass. I'd worry about it being knocked or stolen more though[/quote] Even then is it worth spending 5k on an instrument? I'm a pro player and I'd never dream of spending that much on an electric bass. I own some expensive instruments,but have never paid stupid money. The secondhand market is great-I've never spent over a grand on a bass guitar.

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='751910' date='Feb 20 2010, 04:38 PM']True, when comparing one player to another. However, I know I've progressed when I come back to something I couldn't play for love nor money 6 months ago... and it's suddenly easy. That's when I find it a useful measure.[/quote] I'm with you on that point-it can help you see your own progression. But the opening poster was asking if a certain song could determine your skill level,and I don't think it can.

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='750819' date='Feb 19 2010, 12:58 PM'][/quote] [quote name='BottomEndian' post='751108' date='Feb 19 2010, 04:49 PM'][/quote] The funny thing is,there are people who don't know what these mean. The problem with using songs to attain skill level is a song that someone thinks is really hard,someone else may think it's simple. For example,Iconic mentioned 'Rio' as expert level,yet I learnt it in about 10 minutes. I'm sure there are lines that people can play with ease,that I'd have to spend a bit of time with. Also,what is more skilled-practicing until you are able to play 'Teen Town',or sight reading 'I want you back'? Using a song to determine ability just doesn't work.

[quote name='Jamesemt' post='751883' date='Feb 20 2010, 04:04 PM']Ermm got one of his in the building stages...this is to tide me over [/quote] Ahhhhhh. Good choice

Why not give John Shuker a call? My Singlecut is a great versatile bass and is not that heavy.

3 of my 4 Fenders are Japanese-They are always my first choice. As far as the Marcus Bass goes,it is totally not just a slap machine. It does have a great slap sound,but I also use it regularly with fingers and again it sounds great. You just have to be a bit careful with the treble as it can get a little harsh,but get it right it's really crisp and clean. It's a really versatile bass.

I use both techniques depending on what I'm after. I tend to bounce for more aggressive, triplet type things-where I do to thumps and a pluck. I also think that each note has more definition and consistency when you bounce. I go 'through' the string if I need more speed as it facilitates double thumbing,and I find the motion more relaxing. Usually I use kind of a hybrid of the two.

[quote name='mep' post='728179' date='Jan 28 2010, 10:20 PM']I had to transcribe Pino's bass line on Paul Young's Whever I Lay My Hat. I couldn't find anything on the tab sites. I wanted to teach it to a pupil who I had lent my fretless to. I tabbed it out, does that still count? It's only the first (really well known) bit of the song.[/quote] Opening a possible can of worms-but I'd say that it doesn't count,because of the lack of any musical information.There are no notes,rhythms,key or time signature. It could be anything. For someone like me,who doesn't really know the song that well,it is pretty useless. [quote name='Faithless' post='751411' date='Feb 19 2010, 09:58 PM']There are loads and loads of transcribed solos on the net, let it be the same Miles, or other chaps, so, I thought - what are the [i]musical [/i]benefits of transcribing a solo, rather taking it already transcribed, if it makes sense? I'm not talking about technical side of transcribing.. I mean, what, do you think, you get musically from transcribing?[/quote] I think by transcribing pieces yourself,not only are you improving your ear and writing skills(with regard to pitches and rhythms),but you are also likely to be transcribing things that inspire you personally. If you are inspired you are more likely to study the piece closely,and you will absorb the ideas more thoroughly. Having said that,playing(reading) from a chart that has already been transcribed is a whole other skill. You'd be surprised how many people can transcribe an accurate score easily but would have major trouble sight reading a chart. They are two different skills.

[quote name='yorick' post='749896' date='Feb 18 2010, 03:56 PM']From what i remember, rosewood gives a slightly warmer/mellow sound, and maple is a bit punchier/toppier.[/quote] Apparently...... To be honest,in a live situation you won't hear any major difference,if any. I'd go for the one you prefer aesthetically. Having said that,try them both-you may prefer one to the other.

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[quote name='HoweDy' post='749798' date='Feb 18 2010, 03:00 PM']I really need a new case for my jazz bass as i have just bought it to find that it doesn't fit in my old hardcase if anyone has one going cheap could you let me know! tar[/quote] ahem............iGig. [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/IGIG_Bags.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp.../IGIG_Bags.html[/url] Shameless endorsement plug over. Seriously though,they are the best.