Clarky

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' timestamp='1349771815' post='1830179'] A third,would be wrong then, and a seventh completely,out of the question? [/quote] Indubitably. You could always try taking a 4th from a 9th to get a 5th but that sounds dangerous territory to me?

I fancy experimenting with one of these on my Kolstein. Plus I am struggling a little with getting a decent sound out of the BassMax thats currently on it (the A string in particular sounds a little too percussive and doesn't really cut through, when amplified). I know Realists can 'die' and be problematic if there is damage to the foil element so it must be in very good condition. So ... anyone selling?

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' timestamp='1349765789' post='1830094'] What's a 5th ? [/quote] I am told its a bit more than a 4th and not as much as a 6th. But I could be wrong

LaFaro's Prescott is still at Kolstein's in NYC I believe. I am sure Greg (gcordez) can answer with the full details but Phil P borrowed the LaFaro Prescott for the release of his tribute album and I recall seeing an interview that Greg did with Phil P and Sam Kolstein, so I am guessing Greg played it in NYC. Edit: here's the link http://www.philpalombi.com/2012/04/your-luthier-and-you-hows-the-happy-couple/ I would love to have a play on it, although I am a numpty when it comes to DB, just to see what Scott LaFaro was contending with when he made that wonderful music. Indeed, one of the things that drew me to my Kolstein Busetto travel bass is that it is based on a downscaled version of the LaFaro Prescott - so its my own little tribute as well as being quite lovely to play.

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1349717476' post='1829566'] Clarky, I can only imagine how painful letting a beloved Alembic go would be. Jazzyvee [/quote] Unfortunately it was the weight that forced the sale - as someone who has suffered in the past from a slipped disc and a rotator cuff injury to my left shoulder, I couldn't cope with the c.11 pounds that my Spoiler weighed. For over a year I had an items wanted ad on the Alembic Club forum for a lightweight Spoiler but sadly ... nada

OK thanks, mate! I've watched loads of Youtube vids of great players and they seem to effortlessly play fast passages with the stock side-of-fingers-at-45-degrees-to-strings technique but I have'nt really seen anyone play flamenco-esque passages. Electric bass-style works for me and - if the notes are staccato and fast - then I see no reason to worry about getting the 'meat' of the finger to work on the strings. Thing is, I look back at video of myself and it looks wrong!

Quick question for the seasoned DBers - how do you play fast passages with your right hand? I am specifically thinking of a couple of parts I play in my my band: 1. Fast alternating octaves (16th notes) 2. Flamenco-style, galloping lines (16th notes again) Try as i might I cannot do this any other way than electric bass style with fingers perpendicular to the board and playing with finger tips. I can sort of play the octave thing with first and second fingers at an angle but my timing is very imprecise and it feels massively awkward and unnatural. Any thoughts gentlemen and ladies?

Steve bought some DB strings off me and paid super-fast. Like all the comments above say, top man!

Lovely Distillate Enzo. I spotted this bass on the Alembic Club forum. I miss my Spoiler 32" bass!

My first band in phase 2 of my musical life, when I returned to playing bass and gigging at 42. Death metal band Nyx, a far cry from All The Queens Ravens! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uI3OsjAAIc

Yep, 1963 Precision - re-finned in oly white (all-original was out of my budget). Imported from US by BC's Si Clifton. Absolutely gorgeous, worn-in neck and rich woody tone. I just love it [attachment=120273:P1040190.JPG]

I think the sound is down to gut strings (Golden Spirals) and a very low action. I like it, especially in the slower passages on Village Vanguard when the lower register notes ring out but its a very different sound to steels.

The two Bill Evans trio albums that LaFaro recorded a few days before his untimely death are incredible - Waltz for Debby and Live at the Village Vanguard. Search on YouTube and you can hear them for free. Try Gloria's Step, the title track of Waltz, Milestones or My Romance. Fabulous stuff

You are in luck then as the guy has transcribed all of Scott LaFaro's solos from the Village Vanguard sessions and the book is available on import from the US Me, I'll stick to root- 5th - root - 5th thank you

Rock on! This is a great forum with a multitude of really well-meaning/helpful/empathic people. Love it. Good on ya Gareth and thanks for sharing kennyrodg (PS, terribly sad to hear of your loss)

Scott LaFaro is my all-time fave DB player and the Village Vanguard albums would be on my Desert Island discs. Here is a guy who is playing exactly along to the solo on Gloria's Step, and using the rebuilt Prescott bass played by LaFaro (it was badly damaged in the crash that took his life at just 25 and rebuilt by Kolstein in NYC). Wow! What amazing facility, given that the solo would have been almost entirely improvised by LaFaro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYY0o4qZ0o8

Paging Ricks Fine 52!