Born 2B Mild

[quote name='E_MaN' post='160224' date='Mar 19 2008, 01:32 PM']Probably why Precisions are so popular with so many people.[/quote] mmm had a fumble on Artisan's new Precision last night. Nostalgia and yearnings were stirred. Can't justify another axe right now, but if these SX basses are an acceptable substitute, I might GAS on to Rondo Music for a shot of simplicity.

[quote name='spinynorman' post='160814' date='Mar 20 2008, 01:56 PM']+ 1 for "White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s" Joe Boyd. Charts the development of British and US folk and rock. Boyd did a bit and saw even more. I enjoyed it.[/quote] +2 for [b]White Bicycles[/b]. I remember doing some demo's in the Sound Techniques studio in the late 70s (then Olympic). The thought of being in the same room where some fantastic records were born ...Solid Air, Nick Drake, Sandy & Fairport etc. Sends shivers down my back bone.

I have no interest or connection with Maplin Electronics, but I've just been in to my local Gadget Heaven and bought this [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97489&criteria=trolley&doy=20m3"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...ey&doy=20m3[/url] Just what I've been looking for, to wheel bass cabs around. So cheap yet strong and it folds away. And it's on offer right now, with a tenner off!

An interesting point, Funkydunc. I too went 4 to 5 to 4. Now I'm trying 6! Is it that the grass is always greener on the other side? My main observation so far, is this. Having more than 4 strings is more fun when twiddling at home on your own, but come the gig, the number of strings is less important than the on-the-spot response to the rest of the band and audience, Same goes with gear. Play at home with gadgets and have fun, but on the night, keep it simple. I know what you mean by 'freedom'. I call it Expression. When you can actually hear on stage all that you are playing, especially the [u]subtle things[/u], you start to want to go for 'feel' and improvising spontaneously. I know, I know, it's nowt to do with the number of strings. BUT I can't help link Simplicity with Soul. i.e. the more stripped down things are, the more you want to get out of what you are left with. I'll quit there, because I'm sounding like a tw*t

[quote name='elom' post='159269' date='Mar 17 2008, 10:28 PM']For something a little different you might fancy Julian Cope's autobiog Head-on/Repossesed. [indent]"[b]Synopsis[/b] Julian Cope's highly acclaimed autobiography and its long-awaited sequel in one extraordinary volume. Julian Cope shot to fame with eighties band 'Teardrop Explodes' during the Punk era. Hailed as a visionary by those people who recognise his genius and a madman by those who find him perplexing, he has become a cult figure in the music world. Head-On/Repossessed is written in Cope's own inimitable style and follows his journey through a time of incredible change within the music industry. Head-on is the highly acclaimed autobiography that The Observer viewed as "book of the year" when it was first released. Repossesed picks up in 1983 where Head On ends and continues up until 1989."[/indent] Probably the best music biog I have read. I just so happen to have a copy which you are welcome to if you want it - no charge. elom[/quote] Brill! If it comes so recommended, it must be worth a try. I like getting out of my comfort zone on music genres. On another day I'll share with BC how I'm discovering so many new artists for next to nothing with my Napster To Go subscription.

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='158609' date='Mar 16 2008, 09:31 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200208402179&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123"]Visit this eBay link[/url][/quote] For those more interested a darn good amp than the paranoia of A Well Known Auction site, do [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200208645817&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=010"]Visit my auction here[/url]

[quote name='Huge Hands' post='159228' date='Mar 17 2008, 09:15 PM']Try James Jamerson's biography (or is it autobiography) by Allan "Dr Licks" Slutsky. Was written in about 1985 and was a precursor to the "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" film which is about Jamerson and the other Funk Brothers - the musos behind the Motown sound. The book comes with half biog, half demo scores with 2 CDs to listen to, with other greats doing the playing. This guy was an originator![/quote] That does sound tasty! "Shadows" is my favourite rockumentary. I'll look out for Huge Hands.

I'm also convinced that eBay have fake buyers that contact you over an item to entrap you. I had this happen when I said the auction could be pulled if the item sells via being advertised elsewhere. I got a message asking me where exactly it was being advertised, gave a vague answer (actually it was my son's guitar and he'd put a notice up at school) and it promptly got pulled. They deserve some big competition these guys. I mean, I'm a real eBayer user, but they are starting to abuse their market dominance IMO.

[quote name='chris_b' post='159099' date='Mar 17 2008, 06:58 PM']Try Brother Ray, the Ray Charles autobiography.[/quote] I'd love to. Does it have a lot more than the movie 'Ray'? Books usually do, but I ask in case it is too close to the screenplay.

I don't take Bass Technique books to bed, or the loo (probably why I'm not rich or a brilliant bassist then) but I do like a good autobiography and the like, that tells the story behind great musicians and recordings. I'm looking for suggestions on what to read next, please. Doesn't have to be by a bass player. I have just finished an autobiography by one of the less obvious bass players of modern times, Tony Visconti. Fascinating behind-the-scenes tales of Bowie, Bolan, McCartney, Lennon, and more rock stars than you can shake an SX bass at. There's a paperback and a hardback, and it's called [i]Tony Visconti: the Autobiography: Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy[/i] Borrowed from Amazon... [b]Synopsis[/b] A name synonymous with ground-breaking music, Tony Visconti has worked with the most dynamic and influential names in pop, from T.Rex and Iggy Pop to David Bowie and U2. This is the compelling life story of the man who helped shape music history, and gives a unique, first-hand insight into life in London during the late 1960s and '70s. This memoir takes you on a roller-coaster journey through the glory days of pop music, when men wore sequins and pop could truly rock. Visconti's unique access to the biggest names and hottest talent, both on stage and off, for over five decades is complemented by unseen photographs from his own personal archive, and offers a glimpse at music history that few have witnessed so intimately. Soon after abandoning his native New York to pursue his musical career in the UK, Visconti was soon in the thick of the emerging glam rock movement, launching T.Rex to commercial success and working with the then-unknown David Bowie. Since his fateful move to the land of tea and beer drunk straight from the can, Visconti has worked with such names as T.Rex, Thin Lizzy, Wings, The Boomtown Rats, Marsha Hunt, Procol Harum, and more recently Ziggy Marley, Mercury Rev, the Manic Street Preachers and Morrissey on his acclaimed new album 'Ringleader of the Tormentors'. Even Visconti's personal life betrays an existence utterly immersed in music. Married to first to Siegrid Berman, then to Mary Hopkin and later to May Pang, he counts many of the musicians and producers he has worked with as close friends and is himself a celebrated musician.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='159070' date='Mar 17 2008, 06:02 PM']I should probably point out that I'm on a mission to build the ultimate lightweight bass cab - more details over here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=13344&st=40&start=40"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...40&start=40[/url] Alex[/quote] Well what about starting a Bass Chat own brand! there's enough of us fussy old farts wanting the ultimate lightweight cab! Be fun to come up with a brand name too.

Guess I ought to throw in my five. Chris Squire (Yes) Richard Sinclair (Caravan, Hatfield & The North, Camel) Dave Pegg (Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull) Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report, Joni Mitchell) Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash)

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='158609' date='Mar 16 2008, 09:31 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200208402179&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123"]Visit this eBay link[/url][/quote] Sorry, you can't visit it now, due to HeaveeeBay cancelling it. Why? Because I mentioned that it was in good condition due to being kept in a flight case ...which I may be open to offers. ...which means not necessarily selling through eBay. You'd think they could suspend it , ask you to revise it, then re-post. I've now got to reload the photos etc etc.

I wouldn't have minded keeping hold of the ones I bought in the 70s. My first (well, after the cheapies I first learned on) was a (1974) Rickenbacker 4001 black. I Had another in 78, which I got via a p/x - in cherry sunburst. I only remember buying brand new, a Precision, natural with a black scratchplate. Cost £275 from Norman Hackett's in Reading. In the dying days of the 70s I bought new (with my first student grant cheque), an Aria Superbass Pro-II 900. It had one pick-up, and a through neck. It was so beautiful in natural wood, I brought it in to uni when we were doing design critiques. Sadly it got nicked in a home burgulary 12 years later. Is there a forum section on BC for Gear Reunited? I'm wondering if old serial numbers can be matched up, and histories established. Last week, I went in to a Leeds shop and saw a Peavey stack (head, 2x10, 1x15). I recognised it as once being mine. It was unique, because I had it from about 1980 in Reading, as a combo, and had it chopped in to a stack, with flight case edging & grills, by a one-man gear shop in Scarborough in 1995! I can't recall how and when I sold it though, but it was probably in the late 90s.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200208402179&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123"]Visit this eBay link[/url]

It's going great, this thread ...fantastic players coming up so far. The evil bit was to keep it to only five heroes. With a decade that spans post-Woodstock, Prog, Soul, Disco, New Wave and classic rock etc., the choice is amazing. Keep 'em coming!

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='155729' date='Mar 12 2008, 08:09 AM']Jim Fleeting in Ripon, North Yorkshire, did a good job on my fretless.[/quote] ??? Maybe we are talking at cross-purposes. Jim sanded down the neck and applied lemon oil, plus made all the set-up adjustments and put some rotosound pressurewounds on. He's subsequently replaced the neck plate screws, re-magnetised one of the original pups and fitted a J-East Retro. It's feeling and sounding great now. It's a Japanese made Fender Jazz, sunburst and c.25 years old and was sold to me a couple of years a go by Richard Sinclair who bought in Japan whilst on tour. Never to be sold!

[quote name='dmz' post='155661' date='Mar 11 2008, 11:53 PM']Folks, I'm thinking of getting the fingerboard of my fretless Jazz Bass coated. I remember someone saying that they got a neck of theirs coated by a certain Mr Shuker. Would he do such custom jobs ? Anybody had similar work done and if so would you recommend the luthier who did the work. Cheers[/quote] Jim Fleeting in Ripon, North Yorkshire, did a good job on my fretless.

Just for a larf, list your favourite [u]five [/u]bass players who impessed you when they cut their mustard in the 1970s. i.e. they were around, gigging & recording in that decade. Why the 70s? Well it's a decade that some of us BC boys 'n girls have either a memory or connection with, AND it was a decade of change. McCartney to Vicious, Mingus to Sting, Jaco to Lynott etc. No rules ...any genre, any level of success or obscurity (and especially the non-obvious). The only thing is, PLEASE keep it to only five names, and in rank order [#1 being your favourite). It will help (me) for you to state which band(s) they were with. If this thread gets popular enough, I will compile the results and 'publish' the results ...for no other reason than it will be interesting to see WHO (amongst you conoscenti of the deep) deserve a mention in despatches in the anals of an 'interesting chapter' of modern music history.