thebassist

[quote name='Acebassmusic' timestamp='1389603795' post='2335893'] To hopefully add to the good ponts made above here's my 10p worth I made the jump to 5 string about 15+ years ago and have not felt the need to move back to a 4. I have picked 4's up and had a noodle but it just doesnt feel right anymore. Like others have said its not all about the extra low notes, it can be different tone, ease of playing a riff, full length thumb rest etc How hard it is to switch? I think it can be dependent upon what your left hand technique is currently ie: if you play a 4 with your thumb either over the top of the neck or "in line" with the neck then you may struggle to reach and place your fingers correctly. If so, a change to positioning your thumb in the centre of the neck, pointing "across" it will ease things. It may take a while to get comfortable with, but it's worth working on. A 5 or a 6? Depends on what you want to do. 6 gives you lots of options. I played a 6 exclusively for 5 years but went back to 5 as I am more comfortable on a 5, didn't use the C much etc. I found it harder to move from a 4 to a 5 (extra than from the 5 to the 6 - might have been the E string point of reference that initially threw me off. [/quote] Thanks a lot for your views. Very interesting indeed. And I see you've got a Fender FMT Jazz V. I had the IV version of that - wish I hadn't sold it!

I've had two Bravewoods and they were nice - I loved them for the very short time I owned them but I moved them on very quickly. The faked worn look isn't for me.

I'm leaning towards a 6-string. I've no experience of either and do like to solo so the more options the better maybe.

I was thinking about that. A 5-string strung E-C.

I've recently joined a jazz fusion band and after our rehearsal this week, one of the guys asked whether I'd ever played a 5 or 6-string bass. I said no and he suggested I at least try one out - he wasn't being a dick or anything and I must admit it's got me thinking. I've been playing for nearly 20 years now and a lot of bassists I like play 5 or 6-string basses (Matt Garrison, Evan Marien, Scott Devine, Christian McBride, John Patitucci, etc., etc.) but I've alway gone with the theory of "if 4 was enough for Jaco, 4 is certainly enough for me". Anyway - I'd be very interested to get other bassist's views and experiences on this? For those experienced with 5 and/or 6-string basses would you stick with a 4 in hindsight? Or, would you never go back to a 4 now? How easy or hard is it to switch? Would you go to a 5-string first, then to 6? Stick with a 5? Or go straight to a 6 maybe bypassing a 5? etc., etc.

I've heard good things about the Tanglewood/Overwater J-style basses.

[quote name='dan670844' timestamp='1389017027' post='2328790'] To me if you had to cover all styles of music if you had a jazz, precision and a ray you could do anything. [/quote] I totally agree with this part. I've currently got two Jazz Basses and will be buying a Precision Bass at the end of this month. A 2 band EQ StingRay will come after that. I much prefer a passive bass nowadays.

How long have you had it? Maybe you could contact the previous owner to see if they know?

Found this FYI all. Mind you, I'm not confident I'll be able to get this in 10 days. I wouldn't be able to put a timeframe on it but I reckon I'll need at least a month with this piece. http://trinityrockstore.fabermusic.com/Havona-Grade-8-Bass-b1014.aspx

Absolutely brilliant. Thanks a lot.

I've pretty much got Birdland now. Havona is so, so hard - I'll try my damn hardest but I'm not confident on this one at all.

While I agree, I'm simply not going to be able to learn to read music as quickly as I'd like which is why I'm taking my grades now - I completely understand that there are no short cuts to learning to read music but I do need to be able to play Birdland and Havona by next Saturday so needed the tab. I'll be able to learn and play the bass part while playing along to the CD.

I've found them online. Thanks.

3 band EQ or 2 band EQ?

That is why I'm doing grades but I'd like to play along to the CD now.

Thanks a lot gentlemen but I actually made the wrong request - I should have asked for bass tab. While my playing ability is OK from being in various bands for twenty odd years, my theory is at beginner level - I'm currently studying Rock School grade 3. I'd like to get hold of the bass tab so that I can play along with the Heavy Weather CD.

Does anyone know of any pdf files online showing Jaco's Heavy Weather bass parts?

Awesome and beautiful bass. It looks like two-tone sunburst - that is just so incredible.

I had a £200 Ibanez about 19 years ago when I was 16. It was the smoothest bass I ever had but I didn't like the way it looked so sold it on. I was so stupid - looks were more important than playability back then.

Yes thats the exact same case I have. Beautiful bass by the way. Does it play as well as it looks?