samuelcroberts

Improvisation, noodling, messing about etc. are all improved by having more musical knowledge. To say that you don't need to learn any theory or that ideas are better when you don't think in terms of theory isn't true. The same is true of technique. You can think up the most fantastic musical ideas in your head, but if you can't sing them or you can't physically play them or learn them, then there's a flaw somewhere in the system. Improvisation, theory and technique are all incredibly important for any musician or composer, but ideas are equally vital. If you take music that only focuses on one specific area, it often lacks with regards to aesthetics, e.g. it doesn't sound that great or isn't 100% accessible. Someone like Victor Wooten is a prime example. Fantastic technical bass player with excellent ideas, but (in my opinion anyway... ) his music can often suffer because it focuses too much on, say, speed or technique, as opposed to create application of technique, theory etc.. That said, if you do noodle around and create a great, innovative bass line, it still has it's theoretical worth. You just didn't know it at the time! Meh...

Cheers mate

Thinking about it as well... If you're mainly worried about dust, dirt etc. and general bumps, just get a padded cover from Roqsolid or someone similar. I wouldn't suggest a flightcase unless you're lugging the cab in a van with loads of gear or if you're actually putting it in the hold of a plane. Flightcases are bloody heavy...

www.flightcasewarehouse.co.uk Simple!

Here's my main squeeze... Used to be a mid 90s Fender USA P, but a Warmoth neck, Bartolini pickups and some re-wiring, it's a bit different now! Fingerboard is goncalo alves, but cannot for the life of me remember what the neck wood is... Frets are for wimps! [attachment=146134:IMG_0770.jpg] [attachment=146135:IMG_0850.jpg]

I love TI flatwounds because they feel so much closer to double bass and cello strings. They sing too! Took a bit of truss rod adjustment and a new nut but in my opinion they're beautiful! Mind you, LaBella deep talkin' flats are just as nice... Ahh strings...

Hello mate. I'm based in Birmingham and can help with all the bits you need. I'm a professional composer and bassist, fully classically trained with lots of experience in contemporary classical, improvisation, jazz, fusion etc. I'm not a primo jazz man, but I'm always happy to help out if I can. May well be a bit late on the scene for this one if you're auditioning, but if you still need someone, do feel free to get in touch! All the best, Sam

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1381754862' post='2243144'] £50 and you can keep my penny fee for my thoughts on your original question... In all seriousness I've no idea how much you would get for it really, they never seem to show up for sale (which is another indicator they are quality instruments). [/quote] DEAL! ... Haha! Yeah, i really have no idea what it's worth. Was bought new for around £1300, but they don't make the solid walnut body version anymore so I have even less idea of the market value. I've seen a couple of Clover Xperion's and an Argo or 2 for sale occasionally, but not an Avenger...

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1381750629' post='2243074'] Sell the Clover to me for £50 [/quote] £50??? You're having a laugh. Minimum £60 + postage... Instinct, I agree. Think I'll hang on to it for a while. At least until I can afford to get something nicer! Camden, they sound good too! Very modern and versatile. If you want to buy mine, you'll have to beat TRBboy's impressive offer....!!!

Haha! Very true... Clover basses are nice. No idea why they aren't more popular... I suppose it might have something to do with going from being a smallish custom company to a massive, all hands on deck company. I think the older instruments are nicer, despite the new ones being pretty solid. Some of their hardware is kind of ridiculous though. The Clover bridge is unnecessarily complicated and the tuners on my Avenger were absolutely rubbish. Good value, modern sounding instruments though!

Yup... I'll keep the ol' girl. Camden, do you want your penny shipped UPS, FedEx or buried at a location of your choice?

Nice one man.

As far as I know, they work in a similar way to a harp with a pedal for each string or set of strings. Each pedal alters the pitch of the string (not sure by how much on a pedal steel, but on a harp it's generally up and down a semi-tone) so you can change note during performance. BJ Cole is the man for pedal steel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKo0mW8e96M

Ah ha... I'll have to seek out the 'one bass' thread for some opinion. Thanks discreet.

Very true, Truckstop... I suppose I can't decide if I want to sell or not. Bah!

Hey guys, I have a bass related dilemma and I'd love to hear some similar stories or get some seasoned advice... I've owned an 'old' Clover Avenger 5 (one with a solid walnut body as opposed to the walnut top you get nowadays) for a while now and, although I love it dearly and it's been through a lot with me, it doesn't get a play anymore *cue violins* All the music I play and write these days calls for fretless and my playing has morphed from loving shiny 5-strings with all mod cons to yearning for a flexible, organic and woody sounding fretless. I've come close to reaching the sound in my head with a heavily modified Fender P-Bass that I've had a very long time, but my dilemma is this: is it worth keeping the old Clover lying around, seldom used, sitting in a flight case? Should I sell her, swap her and disgrace her? My heart wrenches and I'm caught in several minds. Lord of bass help me with advice and stories! P.S. Here's some arbitrary photos for your praise and scorn... [attachment=146035:IMG_0846.jpg][attachment=146034:IMG_0842.jpg][attachment=146033:IMG_0770.jpg]