geilerbass

[quote name='The Funk' post='222140' date='Jun 19 2008, 01:45 PM']Part of gigging life is learning how to deal with all the BS and overcome it. My way is to expect everyone else to be a total d!ck: unprofessional, unhelpful, discourteous, impolite, with no sense of punctuality. I always act the opposite way at gigs. On the other hand I know if I lend someone from another band something, they will either damage it, complain about it not being right or forget to return it at the end of the night. And if I offer to do sound for their soundcheck to get things rolling 'cos the soundman's an hour late, I know I'll hear nothing but whingeing and complaining. You can chat away with them and compliment them during the gig and after their set only to turn around at the end of the night and see them bitching to the promoter about your band. This is what musicians are like. They are selfish c*nts. They are your enemy. Sure, there are some exceptions. But so what?[/quote] This is pretty much my experience. I'm always friendly, considerate and professional, though I'm always of the assumption that other bands aren't going to be. At least that way I'm never disappointed. And it's always a pleasant surprise when you find out that some bands out there aren't total dicks.

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='221300' date='Jun 18 2008, 12:21 PM']Personally, I'd do whatever it takes to [b]avoid[/b] seeing a GP. "Jack of all trades master of none" in my experience, although I'm sure there MUST be a[b] few[/b] good ones out there? Aren't there?[/quote] Unless you go private, a GP is often the only way to get serious issues looked at. Sadly, that often involves an uphill struggle against bureacracy and apathy. I've actually got a pretty decent GP right now, who seems genuinely concerned about my well-being and appears willing to refer me when necessary. Unfortunately, I'm having to move in the next couple of months, so will probably have to find a new GP I think there are some good ones out there, but they do seem thin on the ground.

Go and see your GP. If this proves unsatisfactory - i.e. he/she doesn't want to investigate or conclusively diagnose, then try going to a physiotherapist, though make sure you get a recommendation from someone. They know a lot about nerves, bones, joints etc and would probably be able to figure out what it is and possibly give you some treatment, if necessary. If they think it's serious, they should also be able to write a recommendation to your GP for further investigation.

[quote name='lowhand_mike' post='220680' date='Jun 17 2008, 03:46 PM']just a shame you cant see the headstock as that would help.[/quote] It's the same shape as mine, but the body wood is different (doesn't look like Mahogany), the bridge is like one of the newer BTB ones not the monorail that you get on the SRs and it appears to have a maple/bubinga neck, which is similar to the SR1000 range. If it is an Ibanez, it's definitely a custom shop job, though I didn't think that existed anymore? And what the hell is going on with his hat!?

Really does look like an Ibanez. Would obviously be a custom if it's Steve Bailey's. Though I thought he was endorsed by Aria?

Likewise, I've never played one but with the MM style humbuckers, it's going to have much more of a growl to the sound, probably similar to the Stingray or perhaps Bongo bass sound. It'll sound pretty different to the mellow tone of your SR. I got the impression from another thread that you're a Dream Theater fan - there's a fair chance that the SRX will have a closer sound to John Myung's recent tone than your SR. His Yamaha JM2 signature had an MM style pickup and was intended to emulate the sound of his old Stingray that he used on the first album. He's now using the only Bongo 6s in the world, so is clearly a fan of the MM sound.

I did experience a similar thing with my Ibanez in one rehearsal, but haven't experienced it since. Could be a battery clip thing, since my Ibanez has the same type of battery compartment as the SR500. Anyone have any ideas?

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='217294' date='Jun 11 2008, 11:49 PM']For project managers like myself, this is the total sum of the working day. Project delivery dates get broken down into stages, stages get broken down into milestones, milestones get broken down into progress reports and each week meetings set out the achieveable for Friday. Each day should have its own set of tasks to be completed. Very soon you lose your will to live under the never ending onslaught of deadlines. Unless you can find some personal challenge in there somewhere. I've managed to make even the most mundane tasks like specification writing and fee bid proposals have some aspect of interest.[/quote] That pretty accurately describes my professional life too. Fortunately I have my musical life outside of work, which enables me to put things in perspective and find a justification to it all. When financial necessity forces you into a 9-5, learning songs through reptition becomes far more appealing.

[quote name='Stewart' post='217069' date='Jun 11 2008, 05:49 PM']Both, unless you're in a *very* cold place...[/quote]

[quote name='Galilee' post='216721' date='Jun 11 2008, 11:22 AM']What happens at these then? Do people just bring along cool stuff for other people to try in a non-judgmental way? Or is it a testosterone-filled w***-fest for people to look down on your gear and your talent? If it's the latter, count me in. [/quote] If that were the case, it'd have to be renamed 'guitar-bash'.

[quote name='dood' post='216090' date='Jun 10 2008, 12:43 PM']ok... I'm done geeking for the moment.. this is almost a seperate thread altogether![/quote] That certainly was an impressive geek-out! Though seriously, it sounds as though Google Apps has lots of potential - no doubt we'll be seeing the Microsoft equivalent real soon, featuring lots of poached ideas and features.

[quote name='dood' post='216075' date='Jun 10 2008, 12:29 PM']It's a fantastic tool! My notation skills have improved no end! The guys in my band and I (as we live so far apart) can't really play an idea to each other - over the phone, for example - so we share a GP file and write each of the guitar, bass AND drum parts into it, so we can hear what it will sound like. For sharing, I have set up Google Apps on my domain with the file and document sharing facilities. I really like this way of working, as we can export the MIDI from GP in to say, our pro tools set up and trigger superior 2 or other virtual instruments, without having to spend ages replaying the parts! (not that I fancy trying to paly one of our drummers parts myself!!!) So yup, I think it's a great way to learn bass lines and at the same time improve your reading and timing skills too.[/quote] This is pretty much how we work in one of the bands I'm in. The guitarist writes stuff in Guitar Pro and sends it out as midi for us to learn/work on. I don't have Guitar Pro, though usually import it to Cubase and set up some basic midi sounds to get an idea of how it will sound. Seeing as how my notation reading is far better than my ear for picking up basslines, I find I can learn stuff far more quickly using this method. I've been thinking about getting Guitar Pro myself, since it's pretty cheap for that kind of product and has some great features such as the speed training. It's also a lot less hassle than creating a new cubase track each time. The only thing is I find tablature very off-putting, so hopefully it's got a tab-free mode.

I always use the ones on the side and, in fact, only one of my current flock has markers actually on the fretboard. My first bass didn't have them on the fretboard, but I don't recall having too many problems with getting used to using the ones on the side.

Due to the type of gigs I've been playing, I've generally been forced to use borrowed/hired backline and when DI-ing out of the amp, I've found I'm getting ground loops, causing a hissing/buzzing noise to come through both the backline and the FOH/monitors. As such, I've been forced to go through a DI box, rendering the backline somewhat superfluous. Which is a shame, as I don't have a Pod or Sansamp/equivalent and only have the basic compression and eq from my old Pandora to rely on, meaning my sound is far from optimum. If I use my own gear, I'll make good use of backline, since my Trace head has both ground and earth lifts and sounds great. Though a Pod/Sansamp may still be a worthwhile investment, particularly if I keep having to used borrowed/hired gear.

[quote name='Wooks' post='213657' date='Jun 6 2008, 09:38 AM']Billy is on satge just before Paul Gilbert, makes you wonder if they will get together to do a bit of Mr Big together??[/quote] Oh don't, please... The prospect of that blows my mind...

I was thinking about heading down. More than anything just to check out some gear.

[quote name='cetera' post='212386' date='Jun 4 2008, 11:37 AM']It is GREAT fun, but very hard work.... Yep, I've met him quite a few times..... that pic was taken when he asked us to appear on his TV programme 'Rock School'.... The firebreathing is actually quite easy when you know how.... but it's still VERY dangerous. I was taught by a stuntman/circus performer.... Makes for a novel way to light the BBQ at parties! lol! [/quote] It wasn't the second series of Rock School was it? That was filmed in my home town, which may have meant that you got the opportunity to visit sunny Lowestoft. It was so bizarre seeing one of my bass heroes wondering around the town that I grew up in...

[quote name='cetera' post='211203' date='Jun 2 2008, 04:30 PM']Yep, we wear the 'Love Gun/Reunion' era outfits (7" heeled monster headed boots etc) and I spit blood & breathe fire! Tis GREAT fun...... and da laydeez LOVE it! See here: [url="http://www.dressedtokill.org.uk"]Dressed To Kill - Official Website[/url] Or here: [url="http://www.myspace.com/kisstributeuk"]Dressed To Kill - Myspace[/url][/quote] That's too cool - looks like so much fun! And judging from your profile photo, you've met the man himself? Kudos for the fire-breathing - must take some balls to do that!

[quote name='Basszilla' post='209564' date='May 30 2008, 12:57 PM']It's gonna have to be south of heaven or hell awaits![/quote] These two are good suggestions - not insanely fast, but very satsifying to play. Angel of Death is the classic track, but I recall that being pretty fast - though not un-playably so.

[quote name='BOD2' post='208975' date='May 29 2008, 03:36 PM']Since this has gone a bit "philosophical", can I ask if there actually [i][b]is[/i][/b] a correct way to pronounce a name like that ? Is the correct way not just the "local" way ? So...does the correct pronunciation not depend on where you are ?[/quote] No, Yes and Yes to your three questions. It's contextual - if you want to be understood over here you say Pa-ris. If you want to be inderstood in Paris, it's probably worth saying Pa-ree. If there is a [i][b]true[/b][/i] way to pronounce a name, logically it should be in the pronunciation of the language from which it was derived. But since there are different ways of pronouncing words even within a single language, a correct/true pronunciation is rarely going to be of any relevance.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='208929' date='May 29 2008, 02:52 PM']"Eye-ban-ezz" appears to be the most common pronunciation - anyone want to try going into a guitar shop & asking about an Eee-ban-yeth, just for a laugh?[/quote] A good point - it depends where you're shopping. Obviously for most people, it's going to be a shop in England, so they're going to understand the English way of saying it. If you ever get the opportunity to go bass shopping in Tokyo and happen to have a penchant for Ibanez, then maybe you'll get a different response. But then again, you'd probably just point at the bass you want to try, rather than messing around trying to make yourself understood.

I also studied Japanese for a short while and was trying to figure out what the Katakana would be, but since I'd never heard a Japanese person say the word, or seen it written down in kana, I had no idea what it would be. Interestingly, Spanish and Japanese are very similar in terms of their vowel sounds, so it would make more sense if the Japanese pronounced it the Spanish way... though this doesn't appear to be the case.

[quote name='cetera' post='208732' date='May 29 2008, 12:01 PM']Yep, I do.... amongst other things. More 'classic rock' these days..... ....and I've been playing 'Gene Simmons' in Europe's #1 KISS Tribute Band "Dressed To Kill" for 18 years.... [/quote] That would explain all the Gene Simmons models in your signature Seriously, that's such a cool gig - in terms of costumes, do you cover the full range of eras? Gene's Destroyer and Dynasty outfits looked pretty difficult to play in! Do you do the full fire/blood thing as well?

[quote name='dood' post='208762' date='May 29 2008, 12:27 PM']I never put 2 and 2 together !!! I have chatted very briefly with Julie and your guitarist from To-Mera! Awesome band. I know you guys recently changed your keyboard player and a good friend of mine applied for the position. I must admit, I hadn't been keeping up with recent news, other than the MySpace updates. Excellent band! excellent! I was meant to come down to London last year to see you guys and Linear Shere together.. couldn't make it at the time.. Grrr!![/quote] Glad to hear you like the music, but I can't really take any credit as I've only been in the band since the start of the year after the previous bass player resigned. Done a few gigs with them so far and all seems to be going fairly well... I have to say that I'm having a lot of fun playing with these guys - they're all stellar musicians and the music is suitably challenging. We're playing the Underworld on July 24th (another shameless plug) with Anchorhead (featuring Charlie from Linear Sphere) and Tesseract, who are probably going to out-prog everyone. Hopefully you'll be able to make it along to that one.

Ee-ba-nyeth would be correct if you were pronouncing it as a Spanish word (which it appears to be). Though I don't think it's incorrect to say Aye-ban-ez, since it's an internationally recognised brand. Here's the same discussion on a guitarist forum: - [url="http://www.vai.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=46561&sid=89afe5c6f6c82418e49521f714306e6d"]The Ibanez Question[/url] I'd be interested to know how the Japanese say it...