EliasMooseblaster

I have a daft idea. Well, maybe not that daft. But a while ago, I conceived an idea of what my ideal custom bass might look like, and rather than splashing out a small fortune on a custom build to be disappointed by it, I wondered whether it would be worth building a prototype myself. With only limited carpentry experience, I'd aim to buy a neck. Easy enough to buy bolt-ons; I've built two basses this way from parts in the past. The bass I have in mind, however, is a neck-through design, and buying ready-built neck-throughs seems a little trickier. Anybody know of a place that might sell me one?

Is this going to go the same way as that 15-string monstrosity that keeps popping up on eBay, where every so often one of us will offer him £20 to put him out of his misery?

How's your EQ looking? If you're not already cutting the bass and opening up the treble a bit, that might be worth a try!

Depends how broadly you want to cast your net, of course, but you could argue that a storyline is sufficient, but not a necessary condition for a concept album. I'm sure some would contend that [i]The Who Sell Out [/i]qualifies as a concept album because it's based around a theme of making a studio album sound like a pirate radio station. Ditto Pink Floyd's [i]Wish You Were Here [/i]if one treats the whole thing as an extended tribute-to-Syd-and-analysis-of-the-music-business-that-chewed-him-up. [i]SMiLE [/i]and [i]Court of the Crimson King [/i]may also qualify under these criteria. Still, here's an example of one with a storyline, but which is definitely outside of the prog-rock umbrella that many fall under: [i]Hooverphonic Presents Jackie Cane[/i] (Definitely divided the fans; I loved it.)

[quote name='The Hat' timestamp='1454876492' post='2973873'] If I'm totally honest, I don't really like the look of it. I know that's really shallow, but ya got ya look at your bass and get excited ain't ya [/quote] Can't judge you for that - I liked my Warwick RB fretless until I saw a photo of me onstage with it and realised the small body looked like a child's toy on me! Promptly part-exed for a fretless Fender Jazz (which, to be fair, was also more to my liking in terms of tone).

A friend of mine seems to be very good at approaching bands after their set and chatting to them - she reports that Saint Jude were very friendly, as was Marcus Bonfanti (who played guitar with them for a while). I've not met many myself, but I do remember blues guitar virtuoso Matt Schofield being friendly and quite patient when I tried to discuss Albert Collins with him but mostly just looked like a squeeing fangirl trapped in a hairy bloke's body!

Rotosounds are particularly zingy, as rounds go - one of the main reasons I've used them so faithfully, though I do prefer the slightly warmer sound of the nickel-plated ones. A lot of people have suggested so far that it's part of the roundwound sound (underground, where the hounds abound), and I might even go so far as to suggest embracing it. Add a bit of grit to your sound and all the finger and fret noises can actually go some way to enhancing a nice, dirty bassline!

[quote name='GisserD' timestamp='1454588534' post='2971073'] it appears to have been sold??? best offer accepted.... [/quote] [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1454588683' post='2971076'] has it? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TENNESSEE-15-STRING-EXTENDED-RANGE-BASS-/291674941903?"]http://www.ebay.co.u...-/291674941903?[/url] [/quote] I told you he had a job lot of them!

Update: the trailer has been released! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zelOPA1Ou-Y

Some very nice entries so far, so I shall throw my hat in the ring: https://soundcloud.com/white_elephant/got-my-noodle-workin Hope you enjoy my dirty, dirty noodle.

It seems I'm not the only one who struggles to answer this question, due to not liking the output of both bands! I adore The Who, and it was The Ox's bass playing that made me realise I'd picked the right instrument. I've been blown away by the playing and tone of various bassists since then, but nobody else has had such a formative effect. Yes, on the other hand, I struggle with. I love a lot of prog-rock bands, I love the principles behind prog-rock, and I can see that Yes were doing some really exciting and challenging things musically...until they start singing, and I have to switch off. Which is a shame, because I can tell that Squire's tone and playing are excellent.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1454404756' post='2969311'] Agreed. There are loads of drummers out there which you havent played with yet, who may blow your socks off! However, if your band is in its final throws anyway,then you know what do do. [/quote] Also agreed - I say this as part of a band that's now had to change its lead singer twice. Each time we have managed to find someone who's actually enhanced our stage presence. Obviously we hope the current one won't leave, (because you never know when your luck's going to run out!) but it's proven to us that losing a band member isn't the end of the world.

Now I think about it, it must have been a few months since I last caught a gig, which is alarming. The last one I remember going to was Birdeatsbaby, at the Islington. Hana Piranha played the set before (who, it turns out, also plays violin for BEB); sadly I missed the opening set from Vienna Ditto. Apparently they were also very good, but we've got a gig with them coming up in March so I shall find out for myself then!

[quote name='4StringPete' timestamp='1454106984' post='2966632'] I regularly use a Trace RAH 150 into one or two 15s and never been short of horsepower. Trace watts are a different ball game I've always found. Recent (full band) jams, I used my old CTM15 with a Mark Bass 2 x 10, and it did the damage. The right speakers and a decent amp is better than an amp with a claimed 500 watt power rating. [/quote] You've either got a quieter band than me, or a much more sensitive cab!

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1453815244' post='2962985'] Main bass is a 5 but tuned E-C (not sure if that fully counts in the '5' for the vote, as you may have meant the usual B-G 5). I currently own 3 basses and I have 2 four strings and 1 five string. I have ordered an ACG which will be a 5 string E-C which will replace my current 'main' bass. [/quote] How difficult (and/or expensive) have you found it to get hold of replacement strings for E-C tuning? This thread has got me considering whether to convert a cheap fiver and give this configuration a punt, but I presume I'd have to chop and change with string sets.

All but one of my basses is a 4, and the exception is the 8-string. So, technically, you could argue that was a double-coursed 4. I can see the sense and, up to a point, the appeal of extending the instrument's range - though given my own playing style, if I were to invest in a 5er, I'd probably look to extend the range upwards rather than down (i.e., EADGC).

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1453634516' post='2961170'] The Hounds of Love - Kate Bush [/quote] Another vote for the above. Ms Bush must surely have been one of the most inventive UK artists recording at that time. For me it's a toss-up between [i]Hounds [/i]and [i]The Dreaming, [/i]but I think the former possibly edges ahead for Eberhard Weber's wonderful fretless playing on [i]Mother Stands for Comfort.[/i]

He has a wonderfully soothing speaking voice, don't you think? (Apart from his pronunciation of "balance," perhaps!) Beautiful bass, as well! That neck PU sounded really nice soloed.

I think I read something about a Japanese branch of McDonald's that has started serving fries with melted chocolate.

I will also second the awesomeness of the CTM100, and hope that you enjoy your '300 when it arrives. (Merton, old chap - do you mean to say you've bought another one?)

Nice one, thank you fellers. I'll give those a punt.

Denizens of Oxfordshire, lend me your wisdom. Can anybody recommend any radio stations or music blogs based in Oxford that are likely to be interested in some touring bands who'll be passing through in March? Only, I'm hauling Cherry White up that way, and any assistance on getting the word out to a local audience would be a boon. The genre is best described as blues/rock, a little bit prog (see https://cherrywhite.bandcamp.com/ for reference), which I gather isn't the most fashionable genre in the area at the moment, but I see no reason why we shouldn't at least try!

Saturday 12th March: Indie Noir are bringing their delightfully dark blend of music, art, fashion and film to Oxford's Jericho Tavern, and bringing my band (Cherry White) with them. Tickets available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/334382 In their own words: "Building on its success in London and Brighton, Indie Noir is proud to be hosting its first event on Oxford. There'll be the usual blend of incredible music, art, fashion & film, all curated by underground legend of the Brighton scene, Mishkin Fitzgerald. CHERRY WHITE - The elegant sound of contemporary classic rock, steeped in a barrel of blues, with plenty of attitude [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp7UAvkMf64"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp7UAvkMf64[/url] BIRDEATSBABY - Combining piano-lead power-pop with orchestral and melodic rock, Birdeatsbaby create something that sounds hauntingly original and delicate. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TafWo76nHt0"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TafWo76nHt0[/url] VIENNA DITTO - Captivating, eccentric and above all amazing to watch. Imagine Portishead doing a Tarantino soundtrack. [url="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DposRLnHd-04&h=nAQEJucXq&enc=AZP-czuJJ1LCgtD7GS5F0-KebFXgjmyy2SwyLEkXfeGM0nFDvVhDaAe56m478IjMXaY&s=1"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=posRLnHd-04[/url] More announcements coming soon." Facebook event deelie at: https://www.facebook.com/events/966142783445925/

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1452800731' post='2953676'] From the BMU website: [b][size=5]BMU MUSIC MANAGEMENT[/size][/b] [b]GET EXPOSED WORLDWIDE[/b] So their main selling point is EXPOSURE. Wahey! If I want exposure I can go to the end of my garden path and drop my duds. If I want worldwide exposure I can film it and upload it to YouTube. [/quote] http://theoatmeal.com/comics/exposure (Edit: linked out to relevant comic instead due to swears)

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1452784523' post='2953493'] BMU? ¿Qué? [/quote] Oh, not a subtle pun or anything; just bitter experience. A friend's band signed a contract with them and, against my better advice, paid a not-insubstantial sum of money upfront for their services. Every update I had from him seemed to be dripping with more and more exasperation. At one point they even contacted Cherry White, after our drummer answered an ad that 'looked interesting.' I went to meet some of them and one of their first questions was "so how many of you are there in the band?" (Followed not long after by "we can do x,y and z for you if you give us this much upfront.")