cybertect

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1441726849' post='2861255']PS. When I bought my Ashbory second-hand, there didn't seem to be any for sale in the UK [/quote] Fender (who owned the rights via DeArmond) stopped making them in July 2012

I assume it's second hand, if it's in good order that's a fair price for a US built L2000. I would perhaps expect to see it closer to £800 or more.

Looks like it was well worth the effort

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1441469398' post='2859102'] Lovely! Stick some La Bella Black Nylons on it and use the piezo for some ace almost DB sounds. [/quote] I feel some experimentation with strings coming on…

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1441472788' post='2859122'] That is nice - I hear pau ferro makes a really growly sound for fretless too! [/quote] Yes - it's utterly different to the VM Jazz with its ebanol board, which was a lot smoother, though I did have Chromes flats fitted to that.

So I'd been looking for a new 5 string bass better than my OLP MM3, and was also thinking about a new fretless to upgrade from a VM Jazz. Then Wunjo Bass on Denmark Street in London got this beauty in which seems to cover both basses (forgive the pun ) MM Stingray 5 with a piezo pickup, pau ferro unlined fretboard, apparently about a year old. The previous owner had it new as a custom build through Wunjo and then decided he didn't get on with it or something. I'd rather always had a hankering for an unlined fretless, so that was a bonus. Coincidentally, I already own a natural '79 MM Sabre that I bought in the same shop on Denmark Street, back in 1993 when it was the Bass Cellar. I'd gone in to look at Stingrays, but they were a little out of my price range and it was love at first sight with the Sabre anyhow. In the intervening two decades, I still hadn't managed to acquire a Stingray and this was the perfect opportunity. As soon as I got my hands on it, I decided it was the one, and a little negotiation with Laurence and Tom got me a nice price. Tempted to name it 'Louise' in honour of Lou Duffy-Howard who played a black fretless Stingray with the Red Guitars when I was in my teens back in the eighties and made me want one of my own ever since. I had a brief exchange with her on Twitter before making the purchase and I'm blaming her for egging me on to buy it. It took me a couple of weeks to get the money together and now the bass is mine. Spent yesterday evening putting it through its paces with headphones at home and I'm still chuffed. Rehearsal with the band on Tuesday.

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1439473002' post='2843141']Which he freely and openly admits, and - to paraphrase McCartney, (or was it Lennon?), he's not even the best bass player in the Foo Fighters, as both Dave Grohl and Chris Shiflett are very handy.[/quote] It was neither Paul nor John, but actually Jasper Carrott who came up with the line in 1983.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1428588835' post='2742760'] That shop had a Revelation LP bass in today. I had a go on it, and I liked it a lot. Not perfect but a nice action and it was comfortable to play. One of these: IMHO it looked nice up close. [/quote] I just had a play with one of those at Hands Music in Kingston-upon-Thames. It's a nice little bass for the money and certainly something different to another Jazz or Precision clone. As you say, comfortable to play. I wasn't convinced that I'd be able to use all of the tone options it offers, but the ones that worked, worked well. The example I tried seemed to have an intermittent earthing problem, though, which was a shame. Not that I really need yet another bass…

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1441290283' post='2857615']They are great for folk who are starting out and want to 'have a go' but for, people who are experienced pros, there are better ways to spend your time and to make connections.[/quote] Maybe, but we've picked up quite a few proper, paid gigs off the back of our appearances at open mike events and it's a low-pressure space to try out new material in front of an audience. And you can have a couple of beers and not worry too much about it

[i]Free For All [/i]by Michael Penn - Mr Aimee Mann and brother of Actors Sean and Chris Penn Far less successful than his debut, [i]March [/i](RCA's lack of support for the release led to a bust up that kept him from releasing anything else for five years) but it's a beautiful study in great songwriting [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxqekFB9lZs[/media]

FWIW as I happened to be in Wunjo bass on Tuesday, I asked one of the Toms if they ever carry any Ampeg gear these days. He told me that they dropped them a couple of years ago because they simply had too many problems with their quality control. Apparently, the numbers coming back with failures of one kind or another was getting ridiculously high, more so with the cheaper end stuff, but even with the SVTs. To compound the problem, they weren't getting any support from Ampeg's UK distributors over the issues they were experiencing; nobody was replying to their emails and telephone calls. From what he was saying, that was before Polar took over UK distribution in 2013, so that latter aspect may have changed since then.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1441236395' post='2857231'] I'd not call this a modern phenomenon, either. Classical, orchestral works were (and still are...) seldom played with the exact make-up that the composer specified, and so were re-arranged to fit the bill of the day. That's part of the job of the conductor/chef d'orchestra. Similarly with folk, and most other idioms, such as theatre pit orchestras or palm court tea dances. No different today, I'd suggest; if the players aren't there, adapt to suit what's available. If one gets close to the original, all well and good; if not... Well, that's the way it goes. It'll be different, won't it..? [/quote] Quite. People like The Stones and Clapton directly took old blues songs and riffs and put them into the context of what became blues-rock with electric amplification. One of the covers that my four piece band will slip into a set in ELO's Mr Blue Sky. Nobody complains that we don't have the orchestration of the original; it's always very well received and we've even been asked several times to play it again straight after or as an encore.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1441145028' post='2856514'] All valid points once again, but I would like to say straight up that I'm not going to invent any circumstance that gives the impression that I'm otherwise engaged or unavailable. I've been straight down the line with this and have told him how it is. If he bails because he can't be bothered to have reasonable discussion around it, then it's all on him, not me. [/quote] I think that's probably the right thing to do if your decision is based on principle. If you make up an excuse, then it may appear that you're otherwise prepared to do the gig for nothing.

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1440785977' post='2853916']Did you see what I did there? [/quote] It was a bit Belew the line, but I suppose it did Levin up the thread

[quote name='scalpy' timestamp='1440694288' post='2853077'] Johnny Cash, ring of fire. A case of guess when to change chord. No verse is quite the same! [/quote] Dylan's 'Mr Tambourine Man' is like that. Listen carefully to the singer if you can. The Byrds' version is much shorter and more regular.

Use CD/DVD envelope sleeves to keep them in, perhaps? http://www.amazon.co.uk/CD-SLEEVES-100-DVD/dp/B000N8FIL0

IIRC the majority of the stock on display in Wunjo bass is Mark Bass and they have a few Aguilar amps and other odds and sods. A couple of weeks ago the owner, Brian, mentioned to me that they get Ampeg gear in occasionally, but apparently the turnover doesn't justify the floor space for lots of amps. Hanks has a small selection of secondhand amps, and IIRC there *might* be an Ampeg among them, but I can't be sure. I could pop in and check if I remember next week as I pass by every day. I can't think of anywhere else on Denmark Street that would carry Ampeg. Edit: Red Dog look like your best bet. They do share a space in the Relentless shop on Denmark Street, but it's mostly electronic music gear.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1440750600' post='2853451'] Am I right in thinking this concerns people uploading commercial/licensed music to SoundCloud that they don't own the rights to? This is prohibited in SC's terms & conditions of use, but of course very difficult to police in practice. The very same issue applies to YouTube and I'd guess that PRS are having - or have had - a similar discussion with Google (YouTube's owners) about such matters. Just had a quick search in they do in fact have some info on it here... [url="http://www.prsformusic.com/creators/helpcentre/pages/youtubedealhelp.aspx"]http://www.prsformus...bedealhelp.aspx[/url] [/quote] Because this is about publishing rights, rather than mechanical copyright, the one example I've seen is that of a composer of music for brass bands on a site dedicated to the topic. http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=18080#.VeBCerRiD9M [quote]The ‘Piracy Unit’ also confirmed that it had been contacted following performances placed on Soundcloud from the recent Butlins Mineworkers Championship at Skegness. "In general, unless specific and very clear written confirmation has been given from the venue, organisers or the composer, then any individual recording a performance for this purpose from a brass band contest is doing so illegally," they said. "It is a form of recording and broadcasting piracy. Although Soundcloud and other digital platforms are not yet licensed within the PRS framework, we would reiterate that it is still illegal to record music in this manner. If it is reported to us we will contact the appropriate people to get it removed - and we will strongly consider taking further action." [b]Theft[/b] They added: "This is simply a form of theft - and many composers are losing out of what should be their legal entitlement for a performance payment. Brass band contests, concerts and general performances are not exempt - and we are aware of a growing problem in this area." [b]Sparke's view[/b] Composer Philip Sparke certainly has strong views on the matter. "Although I’m aware there are mixed opinions about the issue, I feel strongly that these illegal recordings are having a very damaging effect - and not just financially for composers. I’m certainly unhappy that many of my works are illegally recorded at brass band contests. But it also means that it denies the composer the opportunity to have their work properly commercially recorded, especially on CD - and that damages the future of the whole of the brass band movement."[/quote] Given the specifics of the wording, I'm guessing it's the performers who are uploading their performances of the composer's work without his permission, but I suppose it could also be member of the audience.

[quote name='Vinny' timestamp='1440688669' post='2853005'] Did the Wrecking Crew use DB and electric together? [/quote] I think Deuteronomy 22 may be relevant here [i]Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.[/i] [i]Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.[/i] [i]Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.[/i] Feel free to use this as a Scriptural basis for him not to play with you

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1440687436' post='2852993'] yes but everyone know the lord prefers electric bass... especially slap and tapping. [/quote] Ah, but the Devil has the best tunes [I'll get my coat]

[color=#141414]Well, the piece about Brian of Wunjo Guitars is now online[/color] [color=#141414][url="http://streetofsound.uk/stories/street-stories-brian-rowe-wunjo/"]http://streetofsound...ian-rowe-wunjo/[/url][/color] [color=#141414][/color]

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1439900321' post='2846588'] The Members sang "This is the Sound of the Suburbs". Frankly I'm struggling to see much Sound going on in London Suburbs. [/quote] [quote='The Members']Every lousy Monday morning Heathrow jets go crashing over our home Ten o'clock Broadmoor siren Driving me mad, won't leave me alone ... Saturday morning family shoppers Crowding out the centre of town Young blokes sitting on the benches Shouting at the young girls walking around Johnny stands there at his window looking at the night I said, "Hey, what you listening to? There's nothing there" That's right! This is the sound of the suburbs[/quote] Um. How much has changed since 1979?

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1439568746' post='2844074'] Blimey, that's the downside of forums; everything is dissected and analysed to within an inch of its life. At school we got some guys together, formed a band and got some gigs. The weaker players fell by the wayside and we just got better. And it's how it works for me fifty years later. I just go out and play gigs, don't for a minute stop to think why I do it. [/quote] I'm still playing music with a mate from school nearly 35 years after we first started rehearsing in his living room. We've been in a variety of outfits together over the years and I switched from rhythm guitar to bass along the way. Still pretty much the same formula - learn a few covers and write some of our own and go out and find some gigs.

[quote name='jonnythenotes' timestamp='1439630758' post='2844496'] Just a thought on this thread / Denmark St. discussion..... Are there any folks reading this who work in any of the shops on the street. It would be great to get some of your views or opinions, and maybe a bit of insight into what may be in the future. It seems pretty apparent that people who have contributed to this thread, and Basschat in general have a genuine soft spot for Denmark St, and we really do want to support the shops along it, but when the experience falls short of the expectation it creates a disappointing and almost sad feelng considering how it used to be.. I always seem to spend maybe a £1000 or so on all things musical every year, and Denmark Street used to be where some of it went. Nothing would please me more than a trip 'down the smoke' again, and leave some of this money behind me in a couple of the shops, but will it ever happen again ? I hope so... So if you work in one of the stores, tell us something...give us a bit of hope... [/quote] [shameless plug] As it happens I've recently started a documentary photo-project gathering the stories of people working on Denmark Street. The first in the series was an interview with Graham Noden, who has run his repair shop in the basement of Andy's/Hank's for the last 30 years http://streetofsound.uk Brian Rowe of Wunjo coming soon...

Glastonbury has had a Dance Tent since 1995…