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Guys - just thought you'd like to know Incognito are playing in June as part of BluesFest London, I've never seen them live and regret missing them at Ronnie Scotts last year; [url="http://www.bluesfestlondon.com/component/eventlist/details/2-incognito"]http://www.bluesfestlondon.com/component/e...ils/2-incognito[/url] Should be good Mike

New Piano Bass!!! It may look like a grand piano and have 88 'keys' but don't be fooled this is the must have ERB. Featuring extraordinary playability via its unique finger tapping facility this instrument will allow you hit that double low F# while still playing that Bach Étude with your right hand five octaves above! Warning! Do not attempt to play this 'bass' with a strap - please use the stool provided...

[quote name='Paul S' post='1200378' date='Apr 15 2011, 10:29 AM']I have watched most of your solo vids and, although I enjoy the technique and expertise, it isn't really my thing. But listening to your playing in this context has just blown me away completely. The apparent effortless funkiness of it is just completely infectious. Serious stuff, thank you for posting it.[/quote] thanks man - I have to say I love playing in a band - life is such for me right now I don't 'get out' as much as I should (I'm just seriously busy with work and family commitments) - but yeah creating a great groove and really feeling it is where I'm at with a band - all the solo vids are just me trying stuff out - my heart and soul are in good tunes and good grooves - no that easy to demonstrate minus a band or live situation. PS I have some gigs coming up - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=131290"]see the Gigs forum[/url] - I'm playing 25 April and 5 May in London Thanks for the kind words guys Mike

A couple of vids 'in the studio' filmed at The Joint rehearsal studio of me and my funk band Groove Digger Hope you dig 'em M

This is all good guys - I have to say I feel vindicated in my choice of Shuttle 9.0 a couple of years ago and I still love it - hopefully I'll get one of these Streamliners to review in BGM - at least that way I can compare the two. The 9.0 is a daily joy and is super flexible as well as seriously loud - and as I've stated many times before, the transparency of this gear just lets your bass breathe as well as remain really articulate, plus for all the hi-fi qualities there's a warmth there too that just spanks so many other amps around right now. I plugged into a 6.0 simply by chance in the Gallery a couple of years ago with my Sei and the bass just sang - I'd love to try one of the Streamliners - and the 9.2 Shuttle looks pretty nuts as well! Mike

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1199294' date='Apr 14 2011, 12:36 PM']Ive only had one MB cab but i hated it. it was one of the older 1x15 traveller cabs and no matter what i did i couldn't be much tone out of it. I had been using my MB heads with other cabs up to that point so i was well aware of what the head could put out. Maybe it was just the size of the cab. I ended up getting a Epifani UL115 and what a difference. Night and day. I tend to use my SA450 more or less flat, with a bit of VLE and VPF to suit but im beginning to think that maybe the MB tone is a bit boring and flat for me now.[/quote] Mmm, I have an Epi 210 and it's a killer cab - though if I had my way I'd trade it for 2 Genz 12s - but it's a monster 500 cab as it stands and it's more than enough for my needs right now. M

Rocking man - keep bringing it... it's ALL good

These might look small but they are very loud: [url="http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=krk&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=1Dh&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3a%6ffficial&prmd=ivns&biw=1173&bih=684&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=482086487615102634&sa=X&ei=irKlTfKEJY3F8QOptMS5Dw&ved=0CGgQ8wIwAQ#"]http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q...ed=0CGgQ8wIwAQ#[/url] The quality is really there so the extra expense is a good investment - and if you're ever in a position to invest in one of these you'll add a load of bass to your system: [url="http://www.krksys.com/krk-subwoofers/10s.html"]http://www.krksys.com/krk-subwoofers/10s.html[/url] These might be worth a look too: [url="http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=m-audio+studio+monitors&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3a%6ffficial&biw=1173&bih=684&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5091061099325111496&sa=X&ei=xbOlTduaCo_A8QOWl7S5Dw&ved=0CFsQ8wIwAQ#"]http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q...ed=0CFsQ8wIwAQ#[/url] Though I'd recommend what ever your budget going and listening to stuff before you buy it - these guys on Denmark Street are very helpful and I'm sure would at least try and match any legitimate price online: [url="http://www.londonproaudio.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=be7033429454e3e2b35d4a93e3ef1252"]http://www.londonproaudio.com/catalog/inde...35d4a93e3ef1252[/url] Hope that helps Mike

I had a similar experience on a gig a while back where the venue had a Jeff Berlin combo and initially I was stoked that it wasn't some burnt out Peavey or Trace Elliot that had seen better days (saying that I've used both Peavey and Trace amps as backline and they've both been fine!) - but I really struggled to get any kind of tone that worked. When I turned up the sound was very muddy and instead of pushing out a punchy tone, the overall boom just increased... not what you want on a gig! It was frustrating that a supposedly good amp was such a let down but then I did another gig at a different venue with another MB combo, a 2x10 I think, and got a very clear, punchy tone immediately. I think there are many factors at play with this kind of gear - rooms, basses, stages, combinations of speakers and amp heads, and or combos - so it can be very hit and miss. FWIW I'm still very happy with my Genz Benz Shuttle 9 - it positively blooms when you crank it up but sounds just great at low volumes too.

[quote name='Faithless' post='1196601' date='Apr 12 2011, 10:36 AM']Hey peeps, I'm after recording a Skype video conference based lesson, to help me come to later reflection on material we talk/work on, and I've been looking for a decent software that does it (records a Skype video thing..) I know a bunch of chaps are using Skype video thing, so maybe you're recording them and can suggest decent recording software? It'd be highly appreciated, thanks Laimis[/quote] Hi dude, I use this one - I recorded one such lesson and the quality is as good as call quality is - with Skype this can vary depending on your Internet connection - anyway try this it's free and works: [url="http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/"]http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/[/url] Cheers Mike

Pretty much - love my Seis, and fretless, very happy with my Shuttle 9.0 - just thinking about cabs now, but what I have (Epifani 210) will do for now... though in an ideal world I'd also love a [url="http://www.marleaux-bass.de/bass_consat_custom.html"]Marleaux Consat custom[/url], but it can wait for now - I'm too busy trying to play good to think about gear!

Hello all, Lordy, it's been a while since I posted anything here so I'll keep it short and sweet - but it'd be lovely to see some of you London BCers down at either one of these two gigs - first one is on [b]Monday 25 April[/b] and the corking new south London venue Hideaway (same place Janek G and Gary Husband played last year) - it's a cracking club and I'll be there with full 8-piece jazz funk unit: [url="http://www.hideawaylive.co.uk/groove-digger-2504"]http://www.hideawaylive.co.uk/groove-digger-2504[/url] - there's a pro-level jam after our first set so you can get in cheap and sit in if you're up for it I know it's a bank holiday but there's usually sod ll else doing on the Monday so come on down... Secondly we're on again at the equally cool [b]Spice Of Life near Soho on 5 May[/b] - there's also a jam element to the evening that night as well - so please feel free to come along to that as well - [url="http://www.spiceoflifesoho.com/music.htm"]http://www.spiceoflifesoho.com/music.htm[/url] And this is what we sound like: Hope some of you can make it Cheers Mike

One of the nicest basses I've seen around these parts in a while - congrats man, she looks beautiful Have fun! M

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1194730' date='Apr 10 2011, 04:25 PM']..what about this one?? [/quote] Awesome stuff - not really bothered about the bass solo, but what a band and he's a great bassist too - just class. Nice bit of audio-sunshine to start the day - love the radio clip as well - just shows you don't need a drummer to groove! Thanks for posting Mike

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1188072' date='Apr 4 2011, 06:17 PM']Every buyer I have dealt with bought and paid for the gear in one sitting, every trade I have made went smoothly, every bit of gear I bought without seeing has been as described and was sent as soon as payment was made (or even before) Must be lucky[/quote] Same here - I've only sold amps and pedals and bought similar stuff and all has been fine - I've pretty much always used Paypal and every deal has been straightforward. I will add that personally speaking, if I'm browsing here, or any web shopping site, I now always take a more measured, less impulsive, look at things and so am less prone to making offers I can't actually make good on - I think that kind of thing is not cool and not a good way to make friends around here. Take your time, sleep on your 'I simply have to have yet another bass/pedal/amp' impulses and only make serious offers, it saves everyone a lot of time and energy.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1193231' date='Apr 8 2011, 07:57 PM']That new Markbass valve amp looks interesting.[/quote] Yeah I didn't actually get to hear it but it's insanely lightweight for its size and has 4 actual valves My pic of the show - Doug Wimbish in the crowd playing bass with some guy's wine glass... [attachment=77003:DSCF2146.JPG] Good to be home now!

I'm quite literally on the Heathrow express having just arrived home, I had a great time this year Doug Wimbish + Tackhead last night were awesome, hung with him and Interviewed him today, great gear, loads of awesome Marleaux and Mayones basses and some killing amps - feet sore but very satisfied with the contacts I've made - saw Dave Swift at Aguilar and loved the press hotel - did it in style this year M

I'll be heading out there on Wednesday and will be around until the Friday afternoon Be cool to see any of you out there - I'll be bassing in the bass hall for most of the time That's it I think Mike

[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' post='1171151' date='Mar 21 2011, 07:30 PM']I finally got round to buying this a week or so ago, so I've had plenty of time to live with it and mull it over. Here's what I think: I'm finding great difficulty in searching for anything to criticise, and shed loads to rave about. Great hooks and melodies, the way things knit together with the chordal structures and accompanying tonal 'dabs' from all instruments blending beautifully. I find I'm listening to the music rather than the performance, and this is the mark of really well constructed music to me. It just puts a big smile on my face and I couldn't say that for all the musice I've bought. Great variety of mood, tempo and feel. Some of it makes me grin from ear to ear This is not a bass player's solo album in the typical sense. It's a complete album that has been made by someone who happens to be a bloody great bass player. Big difference. Yep, the way some of the hooks pan out is just so fresh and unexpected. (Sing your own Anthem for example) When I do listen to the performance, there is little wrong and another shed-load that is right. All the instruments are played to staggering levels of technical proficiency in the main, with great feel and 'bounce' in the rhythm section. The last track is probably the one that's the weakest, but that's a relative term - weakest in comparison with genuinely excellent is still good. I think I've detected a couple of slightly rushed sections on the bass, but as I've said, I've had to be ultra critical to find faults, but I'm judging from the perspective of how I would judge this if it were a big label, big artist release - no holds barred. In any case it's so far in advance of any bass playing I could even imagine never mind actually play. Oh bollocks to this - it's just a f*cking great album and I'm chuffed to bits I've bought it.[/quote] Thanks Ian, very humbling words, thanks so much. I'm hoping the follow up will be much better - but this will do for now Just to respond to your comments about 'listening to the music, not just the bass playing', that was and still is my goal overall, and it remains a priority in the new music I'm working on now. Thanks again for such amazing compliments - it's not why I do this stuff but it's great to get such encouragement to keep doing it! Cheers Mike

HI Fragility The specs you're looking at are way enough for recording with - I'm another Mac user and would go the extra mile for one of the latest MB Pros - the one thing as well and I know it's not the coolest of programs, but the latest version of Garageband is bloody amazing, and it's free with any new Mac with iLife installed on it - plus you can grab a few 'Jam Packs' for better loop and instrument libraries, but it already comes with a ton of useable loops and all the VSTs and effects pugins are pretty snazzy too - plus they've given the interface a makeover too so it looks cooler and is er, more logical, probably more so than Logic! I just used it again today for the first time in ages and it's so easy it's amazing - lastly I'll say from experience - I can't do drum programming in front of the TV as it's far too absorbing and TV is the actual distraction - my advice is turn the bloody thing off and make music instead M

Love my Genz Shuttle 9.0 - I know there are tons of great amps out there but this is the one for me - it just sounds great, is stupidly loud and is small enough to fit in my gig bag... I'm still GASing for an Uber 410... I just don't need one! Well, of course I need one, but well, the misses or my bank balance wouldn't approve.

Let me rephrase the OP: do I need to learn how to put words in the right order to help other people clearly understand what I'm saying? Yes, obviously. Music is no different, it's a language, a framework that needs to be connected in certain ways to 'work' - how you say what you want is up to you - but without having the very words to do that you'll be left mumbling to yourself.

[quote name='Truckstop' post='1172238' date='Mar 22 2011, 03:57 PM']Lovely work and tone yet again! I think a lot of people would be happy with how that came out. You must be one of those ultra-irritating perfectionists! Truckstop[/quote] Thanks mate - I am very self critical as it happens - I just made a few mistakes that's all, nothing major, I'm glad you dug it - I can't wait to start working on some new tunes soon, but I'm pleased you enjoyed this one. Cheers for checking it out M

Hey all I've been meaning to make a little vid of me playing along to one of the songs from my album Homespun - probably could have played this better to be honest - but hey it's still pretty cool Hope you like the tune Mike