urb

Hi fellas - thanks for the positive feedback - I'd love to hire a real string section one day...mmmm, money! Jamie - I actually ran my bass straight into the old Tascam US-122 USB interface out the back of my SWR Baby Baby Blue combo - it has a lush sound - though the bass sounds very similar recorded direct. I did EQ the sound afterwards but just boosted various mids and tweaked the top and bottom end a little and added some reverb to separate things out a little - I'm pleased with the tone overall. And it's all bridge pickup. Nate - this is kind of how this bass sounds so it is thinner sounding than your classic Jaco tone, but I'm trying to avoid that a bit as well, there are some nice low notes on the latter half of the tune but I if it's not your preference no worries, glad you ennjoyed it. Cheers Mike

Hi Peeps Spent a couple of hours on a very wet Bank Holiday Monday with Garage Band and knocked up this little tune. I used a couple of string section samples and wrote the melody and chords to fit them then found a couple of nice drum loops - I really love 4Hero and really dig the beats with strings vibe, Zero 7 have done it great too - anyway this is the bass fusion version - let me know what you think: [url="http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=64359"]'Flunky'[/url] - MP3 Cheers Mike

[quote name='bassjamm' post='6948' date='May 26 2007, 12:51 AM']Hi Mike...in Nottingham hey, if the weathers no good, i might be over in Notts, it isn't too far from me. If not, i'll be sure say hi at one of these gigs...hoping to get the Stern and Jenkinson gigs!!! Hooray for hardcore bassage and other low end happenings! Just while we're talking bass player giggings...John Patitucci is in the UK in November, he's doing a gig up in Scotland with a Chamber band on upright, but will probably hit some venues for some hardcore bassage too...wicked [/quote] Hey man - the gig was fun but thrashing away on acoustic bass for most of the day has worn me out! We did get to borrow one band's PA and I got to use a vintage J Bass for one set and that went down really well - but this wasn't one of my proudest bass days! Patitucci is over in June at the opening gig at the newly done up Royal Festival Hall - I think it's around the 15th - but he'll in classical jazz mode with Mark Anthony Turnage - but definitely worth checking out too. Just saw Tony Grey with Hirmomi last week - utterly awesome - got to hang a bit with him as well after I interviewed him - such a nice guy and his playing is really getting pretty damn amazing, the band were incredible - sorrry I've said all this crap before but I am still buzzing about that gig... M

Hello Just a very last minute shout for my 'all-day acoustic set with my band Ludomix as we will be performing three 40 minute sets across the day today as part of some 'wrold' music shenanegans in Nottingham city centre - it's all acoustic so you can come and laugh at my lame acoustic bass guitar playing - I'll be hanging around loads between sets so come and say hello - think some of you know what my ugly face looks like - it'd be nice to meet any NOrthern bass types. The band's website is here: [url="http://www.ludomix.com"]www.ludomix.com [/url]- thanks for reading this... Cheers Mike

[quote name='dangerboy' post='6509' date='May 25 2007, 02:17 PM']Thanks for the Squarepusher tip-off. I can think of at least one female bassplayer who would consider that a dream date![/quote] Marvelous! Glad to be of service - the Urb Bass dating Agency.. not sure if I have time to run that site as well Nice one guys - let us all know if you get tickets to an of these nights - I'll be at Paresquasher - and hopefully the AJ gig at Ronnie's Have fun weekends - I'm busking in Nottingham city centre tomorrow with my world music band - on acoustic bass guitar! Come and say hello if you are about Mike

Hey - I'll just add this as I got one in New York when I was there and bought an iPod (my first) as I'd seen someone using a mic on one before and asked if there was anything that was compatible - and there is from Belkin - the TuneTalk™ Stereo Mic for iPod- [url="http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=277661"]http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage...oduct_Id=277661[/url] - obviously if you don't have an iPod then this is pointless, but I have one of the 30GB video ones and it works a treat, just stick it in the slot at the bottom and hit record. The quality is really good - you can transfer the recordings straight into iTunes and the edit them as AIF or MP3 files - and as far as fitting in your pocket, this vertainly does. Amazon sell them: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-iPOD-TUNETALK-STEREO-BLACK/dp/B000IZTCQA/ref=sr_1_6/026-2722678-3159614?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1180119383&sr=1-6"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-iPOD-TUNETA...9383&sr=1-6[/url] Just a thought Mike

As my luthier mate told a funny little story a while back - new bloke starts at Alembic and is working on a bass and he's routing a switch or something and he messes up, and the hole ends up being too big. Worried he's now due a bollocking he calls over his senior workmate and show him the damage, the guy says, "Don't worry, we'll just stick another laminate over it..." - this was years ago and I'm sure they don't do that now - but almost 16K GBP for one of those basses, I'm looking at Fodera prices in a new light now... Though I completely agree about the comments on exotic woods - they are short supply so it's increasingly the case that if you get a piece of something very special on your bass, chances are that's the last bit you will see - ever! M

[quote name='bassjamm' post='3764' date='May 21 2007, 04:17 PM']Hi all, Sooo...i'm going to make and install a ramp on my Ken Smith BSRB...i've bought myself a block of ebony, but haven't really got a clue what to do? I spoke with Ped and we agreed that for now, the best way to fix the ramp when it's constructed, is by using the sticky tap that you attach car number plates with, seems like a good idea, as i don't want to start having to make holes, at least with some strong tape i'll only ever have to give it a real good clean should i need to remove it! The wood, it's come covered in wax, any ideas on how best to remove this wax? As for making the actual thing, i guess it's just simply a case of making the measurements, cutting it to size, sanding down the cuts, and then fixing it...am i right? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Jamie[/quote] Hi Jamie I had ramps added to both my basses by the guy who made my fretless - the pic on my sig is pre-ramp - but you can see it here with the ramp - [url="http://www.munkio.com/jeffchapman/flynn_fretless.html"]http://www.munkio.com/jeffchapman/flynn_fretless.html[/url] - I think you have the right idea, if you can get it to match the height of the pickups that's ideal - so you have a continuous playing surface under your fingers. In terms of attching it I'd say go with the tape, as much as I cou;dn't live without the ramp on the Warwick, it was screwed in and I slightly regret that - but the end result should be a snug fit between the pick ups - let us know how you get on - and er, pics would be cool. Cheers Mike

[quote name='OldGit' post='5762' date='May 24 2007, 02:12 PM']Ah that's Ok. Hiromi is playing at Brecon this year and so am I so I'll get to see her for nowt OG[/quote] Cool OG Yeah man - get along to that - that band is sensational, absolutely amazing, Tony Grey is playing a 6-string Fodera (with a cool looking ebony top wood on it - I think it's a Monarch) and it just sounded wicked, and Hiromi is without question one of the greatest living jazz pianists around, she's amazing - I love this band - definitely get along to see them. Mike

[quote name='OldGit' post='5590' date='May 24 2007, 10:25 AM']Cos thats where the people are who are daft enough to pay such huge amounts for tickets (and houses )[/quote] You can always fly to New York and see Anthony Jackson for $15 at the 55 Bar... might actually be cheaper than a return ticket from Manchester to London (or equivalent) - tickets are pricey here but then again if you book early you can get cheaper tickets. Admitedly I'm lucky as a jazz journo to get freebies (one of the few perks of the job) but we went to Ronnie Scott's last night to see Hiromi - who was unbeleivably good - her bassist Tony Grey (who'e actually from Newcastle) was awesome - and my friend got a ticket for 26 quid, and for that he got to see three bands, one being a world-class act, two others very good, in a stunning venue, in all for about three hours of very high quality music - personally I think that is value for money... M

Erm, this is getting silly - Mike Stern and Dave Weckl band at Ronnie Scott's - July 12, 13, 14 - with ANTHONY JACKSON ON BASS..... the prices may be extortionate - but having just seen AJ up close at the 55 bar in New York I can heartily recommend his unbelievable abilities on the 6 string are worth any money it costs to see him - Stern and Weckl aren't bad either... Hope that's all for now - last one to mention is Medeski Scofield and Wood at the Barbican on July 15 - it's official July has gone mental for amazing jazz gigs in London. Cheers Mike

er...sorry and Living Colour at the Jazz Cafe the day before - too many good gigs in the same month, ahhhh!

Sorry - for the shouty title of this post - but this looks awesome - Mr Jenkinson doing his very FIRST solo bass show - with saxophonist Evan Parker - i'll be very Jazz but it'll be well worth seeing - I just bought tickets (they are a very reasonable £15 each) but they are selling fast: [url="https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/all-events/productions/tom-jenkinson-aka-squarepushe-16630"]https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/all-event...uarepushe-16630[/url] Hope to see some of you there - it's the day after my birthday so it'll be a quality birthday present! Cheers Mike

[quote name='Josh' post='3061' date='May 20 2007, 08:23 PM']Mike Sir as usual, outstanding! Sound's so nice and relaxed, and your tone really cuts through![/quote] Thanks muchly Squire - I made a Myspace page for our stuff - proper recordings will follow soon - there are two more tunes from the same gig and a very rough demo of a jazzy ballad I wrote - have a listen here: [url="http://www.myspace.com/flynnpillingproject"]http://www.myspace.com/flynnpillingproject[/url] cheers Mike

[quote name='Nate' post='4192' date='May 22 2007, 10:28 AM']Hey - thanks for all the kind words people! MIKE - I'm from the UK. North Wales originally but currently living in Brighton.[/quote] Cool - I used to live in Brighton for 4 years, moved to Brixton 3 years ago - do you know Franc O'Shea? - he's a good friend of mine and teaches at BIM - say hello if you see him, he's an awesome player and musician. Keep up the good work. M

Great stuff man - the point is regardless of the technique you made it groove - with great feel - and it sounded musical - I actually felt the funk - well done mate. Are you from the UK or US by the way? It doesn't matter, I just wondered - eiether way good to have you around. Nice work Mike PS you're a pretty wicked drummer as well... which is kind of not fair

Sounds wicked and tight - great tone you get there - nice work mate Mike

Good to see another friendly neighbourhood bassist - welcome Jase - nice one Mike

Thanks man - I don't do the Wooten-ish stuff that often but it's nice to pull it out for something musical rather than just noodling - hope that's case here anyway. Cheers Mike

Mike Flynn a.k.a Munkus Flynnius / Munkio - originally posted on TB as Urb_Munki (Urban Monkey) - shorted it to Urb - 'monkey' moniker dubbed through sister likening me to monkey (features) and a propensity for cheekiness.. not always a good thing. Now 34, has played bass for 22 years, always liked fast noodly stuff, but also loves to groove, started off listening to the Beatles, Floyd and Bob Dylan aged 7, moved on to pop, then metal, then funk, then jazz - not forgetting electro, thrash, Brazilian, ambient, electronica, post-punk and Norwegian nu-jazz, Chilis, Living Colour, Fishbone and Jaco. Fast tracked to art college after school, did well but decided against a life of solitary creativity. Worked in HMV for 2 years, joined the dot.com boom and bust, three years later made redundant (2003) and went freelance - works now as webmaster for big jazz labels and top jazz mag (fnarr), website consultant/art director, freelance journalist for Bass Guitar Mag and Time Out, talks too much, owns a video camera -started www.munkio.com to publish muso interviews and share some bass stuff - wants to be a much better musician than he is - only owns two basses (1990 Thumb original plus a lovely fretless 5 custom job), finally getting a Sei bass made - uses SWR and EBS amps - loves to goove, loves to solo - hope to make a bass-orientated album soon - owns a flat in Brixton, loves it there. M

Welcome John - and guess what - I went to Falmouth Art college as well - I graduated with a 2.1 in Fine Art, Printmaking to be precise - I really ejoyed my time there - it's a lovely spot if a little out of the way - the scary thing is I graduated in 1994! So it's all a long time ago - thanks for the kind words on the MP3 I posted, glad you like it - good to see another 'jazzer' here - please post any tunes you have, would be good to hear some of your stuff as well. Cheers Mike

...or something like that - I made it too, and kept my original tag - I've yet to find the time to do fancy avatar and signature things - "so glad you made it etc etc" - let's hope we can all get chilly and loose here and stop all this forum jumping - easy now. Mike

Hey - I've just started working with my amazing muso friend Tom Pilling - awesome keyboard player and very good flautist as well, he plays both on this tune. We completely improvised this on our first gig together (for about 2 years) - we were playing a mix of jazz and funk standards - but this was a nice surprise. It's definite;y a little Wooten-ish - Tom sounds a little like Jeff Coffin on flute as it goes - but this came out good - I hope you like the vibe: 'Sideways' [url="http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=63372"]http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=63372[/url] We'll be doing a very full on groove/nu-jazz trio project soon so I'll keep you posted - I might need some recommendation on distortion pedals... Cheers Mike