4000

[quote name='Faithless' post='267419' date='Aug 21 2008, 10:15 PM']So, the bassist-one actually's a gu1tard!!!

At last, he was doing the whole thing with a pr1ck... umm, sorry, a pick - so, no big applause here...[/quote]

I really hope that's a joke. Squire and Entwistle use/used picks. So does Steve Swallow. So does Anthony Jackson. Do you hear Paco De Lucia saying to John McLaughlin "well you're ok, but to be really good you want to stop using that pick". Do you have to establish what kind of brushes Degas or Rembrandt used before you'd consider them great painters?

[quote name='teen t-shirt' post='269450' date='Aug 25 2008, 12:48 PM']the only reason i feel its mindless w***ing is because i aint in to the whole tapping thing be it on bass or a guitar...

nor am i all for speed...

i admit yes hat mr. masaki has brilliant technical skills but i don't see the need for the tapping or the excess speed...

and my comment was nothing against Paul Gilbert...[/quote]

I'm not a fan of tapping either but I would hardly refer to it as you do. Nice to know you're keeping an open mind.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='267422' date='Aug 21 2008, 10:19 PM']Was really curious as to what that bass was. Looks smaller and lighter than a Rik. Also, seems to have tape markers on the back of the neck, just like my reverse neck bass (dots were on bottom).[/quote]

This has been on Talkbass about a thousand times. The bass is a Ric 4000 with a replacement P-bass pickup. For those not in the know, the 4000 is an unbound, dot- knecked single-pickup version of the 4001. From 73-ish they had set necks. How do I know this? What's my username?

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='130065' date='Jan 29 2008, 04:30 PM']Michael Brecker's Don't Try This At Home - Itsbynne Reel!!
Pat Metheny's 80/81 - the dogs danglies![/quote]



No offense intended, but I can't stand Metheny or Brecker, although there is much jazz I do love.

My dad is a jazz trumpet player/big band leader. I was listening to jazz before I came out of the womb. No other music (except on the radio) was allowed in my house when I was growing up. My musical hero when I was 8 was Buddy Rich. My first concert was Stan Kenton (at Southport IIRC), and the next 4 were Buddy, Woody Herman, Louis Bellson and Buddy (although not necessarily in that order). My dad used to play with people like Don Rendell, who used to come over from the States and stay at our house, and I clearly remember being in a car with Pete King and having a conversation about playing bass. So instinctively & emotionally jazz, or certain sections of what can be called jazz (I don't think "jazz-funk", if we have to use categories, is anything much to do with jazz as I understand it at all, and I know my dad hates it; he certainly wouldn't class it as jazz!) are a big part of me, although my theory sucks . I will however say that my love of jazz became somewhat marginalized when I discovered the Beatles, then later Prog and what used to be known as Heavy Rock. Oh, and ABBA (and no I'm not joking...).

I now love all kinds of music, including jazz; in fact pretty much every type of music out there, although there are artists in many sub-categories (I too hate musical subdivisions when it comes down to it; it's all music!!!) which I don't care for - see beginning of my post for examples! The one thing I don't care for is "head music", even in jazz. For me it has to contain/convey genuine emotion. Obviously every individual's perception of that will differ; some might find John Scofield emotionally transcendant, whereas I just find him horrible to listen to. Obviously Bilbo has already hinted at a distaste for John McLauglin, who is an artist I adore (certainly in his peak phases at least). So ultimately it's horses for courses, and it's up to everyone to love what moves them. I would far sooner someone love music I hate than not love anything at all.

Although to second another poster, Trad Jazz.....ergggg! Not for me I'm afraid!

Oh blast. There goes another (how come no one wants to buy Ric CSs at the moment? Coulda woulda shoulda...). Ah well, glad you managed a sale; best of luck to both parties.

[quote name='ziggydolphinboy' post='263783' date='Aug 16 2008, 11:03 PM']hi everyone,
youve prob seen my posts on here,
i sem o have 3 decent basses
jazz 4 usa plus.
warwick sn 5 string dolphin
early thumb 6.
on my recent for sale post i noticed that the jazz and the thumb got interest and the dolphin sn didnt,
was cotemplating keeping the 4 and the 6 nd maybe changing the 5.
are mike lull basses the nuts and will it blow my 5 away?
many thanks
ziggy.[/quote]

I don't think any bass will categorically blow away any other bass; it's all personal preference. I've played all sorts of boutique basses that I have absolutely no time for, and several that I've thought were amazing. I've played lots of cheap basses I've had no time for either, and yet have also played several of those that are amazing. It's all about what suits you. You need to try an instrument before you can judge it, as it's all about how it fits [i]your[/i] body, hands and ears.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='262969' date='Aug 15 2008, 11:00 AM']Trouble is, he is with McLaughlin who is one if the world's worst/most typewriter orientated players - clearly paid on a notes per second basis. Most players sound better away from him![/quote]


Each to their own I guess....I also really like Matt G, although I can understand why he wouldn't be some people's cup of tea. Strangely I feel rather the same about Marcus as you do about Matt; I bought a live dvd a year or two back, watched it once, and was completely underwhelmed. Not my thing at all. I've rather gone off most "fusion" - whatever that really means - these days though.....

[quote name='jakesbass' post='262231' date='Aug 14 2008, 10:41 AM']I like to feel a sort of bristling excitement from players.[/quote]

+1000

I just clicked on the price list link and the website is completely different to the one I access when I Google Jaydee. It's obviously been updated, but when I Google it I get an old version. Weird.

[quote name='themoo' post='262874' date='Aug 15 2008, 01:52 AM']Hey Nick

I'm looking forward to seeing yours when it comes back... Very sexy bass!! You're right, Thom has (or had) lots of JayDee's but not the original Starchild. Would be interesting to know how many 'Starchilds' John has made!! Might just ask him!

With my Starchild I asked John to keep it as close to the original as possible. Only thing I really wanted was a 16.5mm string spacing!

So we'll see in maybe 2 weeks what she looks like!

[/quote]

Sounds like you've just created my perfect Jaydee, as that's my spacing preference too. One day; I've actually been planning to get one of these for years (or something very similar, maybe a bit more of a hybrid) but never got round to it. As there's not much left for me to go for maybe it's not too far off.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='263433' date='Aug 15 2008, 11:54 PM']Yeah, i turnd around twice in the past thinking it was shut. I can understand why they do it.
you just need ot press the buzzer.[/quote]

Best bass shop in London by a country mile.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='262066' date='Aug 13 2008, 11:39 PM']Absolutely spot on!

Apart from being a genius of a bass player, Leigh has always managed to get an amazing sound out his Wals.. He bought my very early JG series Pro2 back in 1998 and it's his main gigging bass these days, though he does still have his original that he did all the BowWowWow records with..

Though the Pro 2's are described as 'passive', they actually have quite a lot of circuitry in them, a bit like a Peavey T-40 in a way. So although there's no battery, the electronics do create a lot of distinctive tones..[/quote]

Ah, so he got it from you...good man! I've only corresponded via email; must've been nice to meet him (assuming you did). Seems like a really nice bloke.

He's one of my favourite players of all time, and criminally underrated; I think he gets some [i]incredible[/i] tones and his playing is utterly unique. I couldn't believe it when I found out his bass was passive; even with studio jiggery-pokery I'd have sworn that was an active bass. Whenever I'm testing basses out there are a couple of his lines I use; I've been trying to nail the tone on "Mile High Club" for years and never have (even my Wal Custom couldn't cop it). I was watching the Liverpool '82 concert last night and his tone on there seems to be incredibly thin and trebly and yet fat and growly at the same time. Great stuff.

The Starchild Jaydee is one of my all-time favourite basses. I'll never forget the first time I saw it on Whistle Test; my jaw just went through the floor. Of course Mark's playing was pretty impressive too; he was the first guy I'd ever seen slapping, and I'd never seen anything like Dune Tune (I think I'd been playing a year or two at the time, and things were different in those days!). Imagine , the first guy you ever see slapping is Mark King...

That aqua quilt is gorgeous as well!

[quote name='jtb' post='261895' date='Aug 13 2008, 08:30 PM']very versatile for a passive instrument - individual vol and tone controls plus master volume, 3-way pickup selector and series/parallel coil switching for each pickup. Hours of fun! The overall character of the sound with everything on 10 is VERY fat and round but there's plenty of mid-range bark on the bridge pickup if you want it and any number of variations between the two extremes. I found it easier to get a good solid tone with the passive rather than active version but that's just my personal experience.[/quote]

Leigh thought the same. He bought a Custom as a backup but ended up selling it because he didn't like it as much. I know because he told me! He now has another passive.

[quote name='BassManKev' post='261675' date='Aug 13 2008, 04:22 PM']not sure iv ever heard a passive wal before...how do they compare?[/quote]

Ever heard Leigh Gorman of Bow Wow Wow? Then you've heard a passive Wal. Almost all of the stuff he's recorded is done with one. Which is why I want one!

[quote name='BassBod' post='261572' date='Aug 13 2008, 02:31 PM']If there is one amp that isn't plug'n'play rock'n'roll.....its the EA. You can make them Rock, but it takes a few presets and some experience (and maybe a Sansamp... and a wobbly stage).

BB[/quote]

Absolutely. I have never, ever got a sound I like out of an EA rig. The amps are ok(ish) but I hate the cabs. I know Chris & Laurence and they're lovely, helpful guys, and the basses are beautifully made (loving the Evolutions and Perceptions BTW), but I just can't get to grips with what they sound like through EA. If I was trying one I'd have to take a different rig (and may do one day as I'd like one very much). EA are definitely not my thing.

[quote name='marcus bell' post='260553' date='Aug 12 2008, 01:51 AM']mad no rich yes, you must be to have all them basses, youve got to be rich to own just one alembic lol...[/quote]

I've got an Alembic and I'm not rich. Only in spiritual terms I can't afford new socks! I don't have a car and I had to wait 20 years to get it; unfortunately my back went sometime in the intervening period so I've never been able to enjoy it like I should have. Life eh?

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='260468' date='Aug 11 2008, 11:32 PM']My jazz band played at the UK launch of the Fiat Multipla at Fiat UK hq in Slough. And yes, it was ugly even then!

BTW, I love the look of the Bongo! Especially in that chrome orange. Yum![/quote]

Me too. I used to think they were hideous, but I really like them in Desert Gold (quick edit after reading post above!) .

[quote name='acidbass' post='260524' date='Aug 12 2008, 01:00 AM']I always consider this when admiring someone's tone. For example, people like Chris Squire and Bruce Foxton get some really great sounds from their 4001s, but in a Blues Rock band or orchestra pit, could you get away with it? I love hearing them, and I'd love to be able to make my setup sound like that, but I'm not sure other musicians would appreciate the cut-throatedness as much as I would!

Probably end up having to start a Yes/Jam tribute band called The Brixton Roundabout or something along those lines[/quote]

Nice band name!

I tried to sell my 4000 a while back (my clankiest, nastiest sounding Ric - like a cross between Lemmy and JJ Burnel) and our singer went mad. He loves that bass! Still, as we're playing original stuff (that I write ) it's not so much an issue. Luckily fate intervened; I've still got it and it's not going anywhere now.

Completely true though. Many of my favourite bassists could feasibly sound terrible in another band. Although as I once pointed out, Jaco would sound just as bad in Motorhead as Lemmy would in Weather Report...

Oh, and Dave Gilmour and Andy Latimer....Dave in particular is a giant. Not literally, obviously. If he was they'd need a lot more bricks in their wall.

Good grief, that's STUNNING.

[quote name='Thunderthumbs' post='258827' date='Aug 9 2008, 01:59 PM']Actually, thinking about wierd musicians, your avatar's just reminded me of something. I did a bit of TV work some years back, and after the last programme of the series, we set up in the bar and did a gig. We were joined by Uncle Peter (Woof, Bark, Donkey) on drums, and Fish on vocals, whilst being watched by Noddy Holder and Frank Sidebottom. Surreal.[/quote]

!!!!!!! Are you sure that wasn't a cheese-before-bedtime induced dream?????

[quote name='Thunderthumbs' post='258601' date='Aug 8 2008, 11:24 PM']To name but a few.....


I also really admire people like Neil Finn, not for being a great musician, but for being an incredible songwriter which in many ways is as important, if not more so, than just being a great guitarist/drummer, etc.[/quote]

Amen to that; far more important. A great musician without great music is nothing. I look up to someone like McCartney (despite him having written a few ropey songs in his time) or Ulvaeus/Anderson far more than someone like Jeff Berlin or even Jaco because of the songs they've written.

[quote name='Thunderthumbs' post='258637' date='Aug 9 2008, 12:45 AM']I'll never forget getting home late from a gig many, many years ago, very tired.

I sat scanning through the old German satellite channels and came across Paco, John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola playing acoustic guitars.

I chucked a VHS tape in the old video recorder and sat mesmerised. It was absolutely stunning and I completely forgot that I was tired. Just amazing.

I then went to Australia years later, and got hold of a copy of the CD of that night, on a market stall at a knock down price. Wonderful bit of business.[/quote]

The Meeting of the Spirits, the version of that with Larry Coryell (haven't seen the Di Meola version, although I've heard it) is possibly my favourite piece of live music ever. The music, the performances (although poor old Larry looks completely out of his depth IMHO); just transcendental. The beatific grin on John's face all the way through just says it all.

In addition, Buddy Rich (any truly great drummer, but he's by far the best IMHO). Saw him twice; greatest musician I've ever seen by an absolute mile. Incredible sense of time and drive, so flowing, so natural, but with so much energy and passion.

Anyone who plays the piano really well, be it jazz or classical, as to me it's like a great set of opposite coloured teeth! Oscar Peterson would be a good example.

Any great string players, particularly violinists; Sarah Chang being a good example. I saw Lucia Miccarelli playing Nocturne recently on one of the music channels and cried all the way through it. Next time it was on I recorded it, have watched it several times since and it reduces me to tears every time. Oh, and great classical or flamenco guitarists. I think for me it's about someone who can convey true passion and emotion through their playing.

[quote name='walplayer' post='259192' date='Aug 10 2008, 11:38 AM']Hi. I've weighed the bass and it's just under 10. I made it about 9.7[/quote]

Now that's more like it! Mine were about 14 and 13 respectively....hmmmm.