tobiewharton

Hi Twincam, What a great place Basschat is - there are so many encouraging points and useful ideas above. The fact that you've come here to seek advice seems to say a lot about how much you value bass playing. One thing that I would add is that [i]style[/i] is so often overlooked in favour of proficiency. I have been playing for almost twenty years and I'm far from a great player. However, I have my own unique style, as do you. Nobody can take this away from each of us, irrespective of a lack of perceived skill or indiscipline in practise. I would also reiterate Bigjas' point that there is a great deal to be gained from the journey. I find that practising [i]perseverance [/i]can benefit many other things in life. I still take lessons when I hit a plateau and explore all the great resources available online too. All the best, Tobie

JapanAxe - I agree with on that track. A memorable melody alongside a sharp horns arrangement always gets me!

Definitely keen on pursuing this. Any update on our brief discussion Stuart? I'm more than happy to help out. Cheers, Tobie

The Ibanez 505 and 605 are nice, but I'd plump for a Cort A5 if it was me. I would imagine the Ibanez to be lighter though. All the best with the decision - it's always a nice one to make! Tobie

I have recently acquired one of these too and I'm really pleased with it. Like doc40hz, I'm inclined to run it mostly flat with the enhance off. The clarity is great and I'm certain power won't be an issue for me. I haven't yet gigged it but it sounds big and clean through a single TC RS112. I may choose to add a second 112, but doubt it will be truly necessary for me as I never really play without PA support. The case is indeed brilliant, both protective and comfortable to wear, with storage enough for a power lead and two speakon cables too. I wanted a 'single-trip-from-the-car' setup that could give me hi-fi for gospel that I could dirty up a bit for old RnB. This ticks the boxes. An added bonus is the bass boost with its reggae, subby goodness, although I'm loath to use it at home as the foundations of the building could be in jeopardy! I picked mine up from the marketplace here for £250, so a £300 retail price sounds like a bargain. I believe Eden have recently introduced a couple of new lightweight amps, so I suspect these are being sold off now. Highly recommended. Cheers, Tobie

Love the green burst and pearl! I have a dark green bass - they're not too common and have an understated finesse IMO. Whatever you choose, enjoy! Tobie

Just received this album (Lemar, The Letter) as a birthday gift. I think it's excellent - have liked his unassuming voice for a long time and these song choices and arrangements really seem to suit him. Tobie *Failed quote. I'm not quite sure why I can't get it right...

Great response! I realise I never actually submitted my thoughts...I'll take them all (Motown, Stax, Muscle Shoals and Atlantic) gladly, but if it came to the crunch I think I'd miss Stax the most. Tobie

Cheers all. I decided to go with the TC and took delivery of a single 112 on Friday. I'm yet to blast it with the band, but all the signs are good. The Eden sings through it! Tobie

I am looking to complete a lightweight rig and, after some deliberation, have decided on the 212 modular route. I will be using an Eden WTX500, with an active fiver (steels) and am aiming for a hi-fi sound (I play mostly contemporary gospel) that I can alter with effects (for the soul stuff I play less often). I don't want to spend more than £400 on a couple of cabs. I have tried the TC and liked it. Is there enough power in its 200w for rehearsals and small gigs? It's very unlikely that I'll get to try the Eden. Does anyone have experience of both cabs? If so, how do they compare? Cheers, Tobie

I am extremely happy with my Yamaha TRBX305. Great build quality, playability and available sounds. Have received many positive comments on it. I've also found the Cort fivers to be excellent. I don't believe the hype that you need to fork out many hundreds for a 'useable' instrument. Tobie

Wise words Trevor. Appropriate, creative expression, yes; distracting performance, no. I wonder whether the notion of every team member being a leader (as an example to follow) gets lost in translation. Perhaps bass, amongst other instruments, can be undervalued in worship as a result of that. Tobie

I know it shouldn't be asked really.

It’s great to read about your experiences guys. I have had similar experiences in my own worship team and alongside occasional frustrations, have certainly developed as a player in this ministry context. Davo – thank you for an excellent list of tips, with which I agree whole-heartedly. It’s amazing how 10 is so often overlooked… One thing I would add is that whilst the majority of music used for praise and worship is constructed around a pop format, there are some instances where it isn’t. Some gospel styles for example, often involve extended breaks, impromptu modulations and changes in time signature and as such effective communication by the MD is vital. In my church, we use the Nashville Numbers System as there’s no music and often no rehearsal. This has proven invaluable. What I’m particularly interested in though, which I didn’t make terribly clear in my original post, was how members of worship teams have experienced the act of worship whilst playing bass. I also lead vocally and find this experience can be more obviously expressive, both as a worshipper and as a leader. Less often, I play guitar as accompaniment or on the worship team. The guitar seems to lend itself to expression (melodically, for example) more readily and thus it too offers a different experience to playing bass. Now I don’t believe that the bass offers anything less as an instrument of worship, in fact quite the opposite, but that perhaps people aren’t always seeing it as such and certainly not talking about that enough. I suppose I just don’t subscribe to the ‘simpler is better (or even essential)’ tagline for Christian bass playing, as per Gelfin’s link. Surely, creative expression should be encouraged, but not at the cost of distracting others. I would be really interested to hear your thoughts… Tobie

Some of the best teaching I've seen is by Richie Blake at music college tv. Thirty-odd succinct lessons cover basic theory and technique through useable drills and analysis. I imagine there's something of value to most there. Tobie

Thanks JTUK

There's some serious cheese-sniffing going on in that jam!

JTUK - where exactly in Bass Gear? I'm from St. Albans and will be visiting family next week. Would like to check it out if there's time. Cheers, Tobie