Huggy and the Bears

[quote name='poptart' post='216948' date='Jun 11 2008, 03:17 PM']Couldn't of put it better myself [/quote] As quoted previously I really find it difficult to differentiate between better/worse music as it is down to your own values and beliefs (in terms of integrity). If we are to take this arguement to extreme, could it be suggested then that because I didn't invent the bass guitar (or make my own) (i.e. my own musical instrument), then I have no artistic integrity? Additionally could it be said that you have more integrity to play a 6 string than a 4 string? I believe anyone who plays because they mean it has integrity!

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='215395' date='Jun 9 2008, 01:07 PM']There is intelligence and there is wisdom. My brother has written two books and has all sorts of letters after his name yet he is one of the most closed minded, concrete thinking numpties I have ever met. I have met MANY people who have natural wisdom, people who have what is sometime referred to as 'an old soul'. I know who I would rather commune with.[/quote] That is quite an accurate perception and I agree with you. I work with many Academics that sound similar to your brother in that they are almost not able to be open minded about others' views. I too know who I would rather spend time with!

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='215379' date='Jun 9 2008, 12:49 PM']I'd respectfully beg to differ on that point too. As far as I'm concerned, it truly is a testament to Basschat and it's members that this post [b]hasn't[/b] degenerated into insults and/or name calling. It is self evident that this is a subject upon which people have deeply felt and wildy differing opinions and we should be proud of ourselves that, thus far at least, everyone has behaved with dignity and - dare I say it - integrity. [/quote] In terms of true art, if we look back in history at the periods of great artists (particularly the Impressionists and Renaisance painters period), great debates (similar to this) were held (in coffee houses at the time) that were sometimes controversial, sometimes not. I think it is interesting to observe people's behaviour and I am pleased to be part of such a discussion. Also, it is not a crime to be intellectual - and you don't need a PHd behave intellectually.

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='215358' date='Jun 9 2008, 12:30 PM']Oh, I dunno. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a bassist of very high repute who is well thought of around these parts, and who worked with Mark Ronson on his covers both in the studio and live. Am I to assume that he no longer has any integrity? [/quote] If you understand integrity to mean having some consistancy between your internal values / beliefs and your actions then it is legitimate to claim musical integrity if you personally believe it to be true. Each of us will have different values and beliefs as none of us will have experienced the same things in life. I would therefore only be sacrificing my musical integrity if I believed that was indeed what I was doing. I give no credence to others judging what my beliefs are.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='213224' date='Jun 5 2008, 02:07 PM']Legitimate point but what are the criterion you are using? I was under the impression that this was a thread about function bands and integrity. I would, thus, from the comfort of my own a***, consider that, in terms of integrity, musicians that play their own music (in the broadest sense) are a cut above those who imitate others, however accurately. Those that do both are obviously compromised but I am in no way critical of them because they are living in the real world and not that of aesthetic theory. If the discussion were function bands vs staying at home a doing sod all, which it often is, function bands would win hands down. Or if it were function bands vs djs, I would vote for function bands every time. But the debate is about integrity and I don't think people who play in function bands (myself included - did I say that already?), as opposed to doing originals, can win any arguments on integrity. To attempt to do so is little more than a justification.[/quote] Hmmmm... That is one way of looking at it. Another way could be that integrity could have more than one definition. In which case, playing in a function band could mean that one has integrity.

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='213221' date='Jun 5 2008, 02:04 PM'][b]Precisely!! [/b] [/quote] I agree entirely! Si.

[quote name='Bassmurf' post='213172' date='Jun 5 2008, 01:11 PM']Bugger! Why didn't I think of that. Cheers Bilbo, that's got me a-thinking![/quote] Gosh, this is terribly interesting from both a musical perspective and from a social science perspective. I think that the 'what is art' debate has been hammered throughout time and I doubt very much (despite us bass players potentially being super-beings) that we will all agree on a definition here. I can see a degree of musical 'class snobbery' occuring here with original & jazz stuff being perceived (by some) as being higher up the food chain than some pop. In a similar way, I could be perceived as being middle class because of my job, lifestyle etc. As a human I don't believe I am better that the next man. Musically, I have my own preference of taste, style and choice of music but I would be hard pressed to define one type/style as being 'better' than another as I think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If anyone can define a criteria that league-tables genres of music, then I believe that they would be slightly deluded and quite frankly - up their own ar#e??

[quote name='ianrunci' post='212493' date='Jun 4 2008, 02:08 PM']So where does that leave us then? we have all pop and rock music which is shallow nonsense, Classical music which is mostly people playing covers, and Jazz music which is mostly people playing covers and a few people playing out of tune nonsense and calling it aventgarde. So whats left that actually has any integrity at all?[/quote] Well regardless of what i'm singing/playing, I sincerely mean it and it is always from the heart. I think its great that we all have diverse views and opinions. The bottom line is is that it is all art, be it original or a copy. Not all of us have access to or can create original art. If we want to make out that there are degrees of being an artist then i think that is being a bit fickle and pedantic.

[quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='212438' date='Jun 4 2008, 12:56 PM']Oooh, now there's an offer :brow:[/quote] I guess it is isn't it!

[quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='212375' date='Jun 4 2008, 11:19 AM']Yep, OG keeps his special collection of BCR pics at the ready, just in case an opportunity should present itself to sneak them into a thread C'mon now Si, get out yer tartan and sing along.......'Well we sang Shang a Lang........... ' [/quote] Hey as a kid I actually liked the Bay City Rollers as my sisters were into them and used to bring their pals round to listen to them. They were all 3 years older than me and by knowing the words to them got me in the gang! Whoo hoo... good days! So Mrs. Tinman, I'm game for anything!

[quote name='chris_b' post='212320' date='Jun 4 2008, 09:37 AM']It's only my opinion, but your opinion that they are garbage is a bit harsh. So a lot of people don't like the Bay City Rollers (me included) but millions thought they were very good and in their target market they were very successful. Good on 'em.[/quote] Wow! Ive just spent ages working through this thread and the common denominator throughout is passion! I play in a band that plays a mix of covers and original stuff, however, I did not write our original tunes so really, I'm covering someone elses music. I tend to think of playing your own stuff as 'the good life' ie Tom and Barbara - if you can manage that lifestyle, I think you have it made and that would probably be my fantasy, however in my world, I need to work and be in the rat race which includes playing other peoples music and buying food from the supermarket. It's good food but I can't get the satisfaction from growing it myself, however I cook it well! In terms of function bands - I live near Blackpool where the bread and butter of work is functions etc. Ive worked with such talented people in these situations and I would not swap those experiences for anything - regardless of the tunes played. Interstingly I think it is about keeping function sets fresh. If you go to some parts of Spain for example (in my experience and stereotyping), the hotel entertainment is often similar to every other hotel in town i.e. some duo playing a Bontempi style keyboard knocking out 70's and 80's pop. To me it seems like some musical architect in 1971 set the blueprint in Spain for holiday entertainment and that model is still used today. It is extremely tired and dated but it fits a genre that has been around for years. What we as musicians need to ensure is that we don't create a 'function band genre' that becomes trapped in a dated, cliched timewarp. That would be a travesty for all including the punters. I think its all about values, beliefs, epistemology and our individual cultures. Its good to have contrasting sub-cultures in music as long as they are not counter productive or harmful. I like the opinions expressed here! Keep them coming! Simon.

[quote name='Galilee' post='211938' date='Jun 3 2008, 05:03 PM']You made me curious, what does it do then?[/quote] Its a vocal harmoniser. Basically you can make it sound like you have the Eagles or the Beachboys on stage singing with you (sort of thing). It is amazing beyond belief. Check out the link for the Vocalist '2', the Vocalist '4' which is what I saw and have ordered does 4 part harmonys and does not need a guitar going through it. Cool as!: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH4s-1OwsOc&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH4s-1OwsOc...feature=related[/url] Simon.

Hi heard a band using one of these (Digitech Vocalist Live 4) on Sunday night for vocals and it blew me away! It's the future... Anyway, I have ordered one today as I want to get a better harmony sound. Has anyone got any tips or tricks on setting it up? Cheers, Simon.

Cheers guys. This is handy info so i'll have a play.

Hi, I'm using my MM 3EQ stingray through MarkBass LMK & Aguilar GS212 and wondered where people generally had their Stingray EQ set on the guitar. I seem to like the sound set with just a touch on of top, middle and bottom. Are there any top tips in terms of Stingray EQ? Cheers, Si.

For what it's worth, and having read quite a lot and tried quite a lot, I think I am now entirely satisfied with my rig! I can't imagine changing unless there is some super-new technology that comes my way! I've ended up with an Aguilar GS212 cab with a Mark Bass LMK head. My fave bass through it is my MM Stingray 3EQ which has basically made my Jazz and P redundant. It is an excellent compromise that returns the sound I want in a variety of shaped rooms. The cab (which is near enough two GS112's in one box - but lighter) is on wheels which aids mobility and doesnt make any disernable difference to sound (I keep removing the wheels to try both ways!). I can fit it all in my XK convertible hood up or down which is an additional bonus! I'd recommend the set-up to all and I can't imagine you would be disappointed. Hope this adds to the mix of ideas! Simon.

[quote name='MB1' post='166342' date='Mar 30 2008, 02:57 PM']MB1. Ocean Colour Scene? Great cab as described,Great Communication,Great Transaction,Nice Chap to deal with would buy from Simon Again! Many Thanks Martin.[/quote] Fantastic dude to deal with. Agreed price and paid/collected when arranged. Would highly recommend as one of the good guys! Cheers!

I have a Gherson Jazz bass that belonged to my Dad (no longer with us) that he bought new in about 1974. He was a pro player but used that over pretty much the choice of anything else. It has an ultra slim neck and a great sound - I can see why he got it and played it for 30 years. Anyway, this thing looks like it has been to Afghanistan and back and I'd be interested in aquiring another. Anyone ever heard of one? This is natural with pearl block inlays. cheers Simon.

[quote name='far0n' post='164218' date='Mar 27 2008, 02:09 AM']I'm torn between my 'cheapo' Cort Funkmachine bought for £286 off ebay and my mate's Columbus Jazz bass, utterly crap yet somehow sounds so good !![/quote] For my money, a Jack and Danny Jazz or P bass is unbeatable. The Chinese can certainly copy things better now than they could in the 70's & 80's. You can get in to a brand new one for less that £100 delivered. They sound ok and the necks are pretty good for a cheap thing. I got one and used it for about 2 months (I was curious as to how it would stand up) then sold it on the Bay and got my money back. Cheap and very cheerful (in my opinion). Simon

Yes, it was a surprising discovery! Done a couple of gigs in same place with both amps now which has confirmed that they sound quite different. Ciao for now. Simon.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='163804' date='Mar 26 2008, 02:54 PM']Cheers for that Simon - I've just acquired an LMK in a trade and initial impressions are good. I haven't gigged with it yet but I used to use a LMII so it will be interesting to compare when I do. I need to master changing channels before I do [/quote]