Stingray5

Very nice indeed! I totally love the contrasting neck and body. And the grain on both parts looks fab. Have fun!

Andy's OP reminded me to check this online mag out again as apart from the sporadic 'Bass Gear Weekly' email newsletter, of which I've only had a couple -- one on March 23rd and another which was emailed yesterday -- I'd all but forgotten about this mag. Must admit I don't have any problems viewing it with the choice of viewing modes (list, book or slide). Click on the 'full screen' button and/or zoom in to taste and it's sorted. Only real problem is it's just not regular enough (certainly for anyone who's paid for the print version). I mean, issue #1 in August 2008 followed by issue #2 in January 2009!?! Maybe things will improve in time........? Steve

Hey, congrats on your 1,000th post. I subscribed last year to the free pdf of bassgearmag. Very slick with the different screen views. And what other print magazine would go to so much trouble to publish a full and complete version online for free? At least I assume, at 116 pages, that it's the full and complete version. Do you or any other BC'ers subscribe to the print version? Steve

Where's the coin slot? I just want a can of coke!

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='460201' date='Apr 11 2009, 11:03 PM']I didn't know there was a connection to Bobby Moore - did he own it, or just drink in it?[/quote] He owned it for a time though I can't remember the exact years (mid to late 70s?). It was actually renamed 'Mooro's' for a while.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='460111' date='Apr 11 2009, 08:44 PM']Time to tidy up my attachments (oo-er Missus) so I've deleted all these scans. They will remain available for the foreseeable future at [url="http://tinypic.com/useralbum.php?ua=Ifp6rJezD9eUkDszkd8k%2FQ%3D%3D"]http://tinypic.com/useralbum.php?ua=Ifp6rJ...zkd8k%2FQ%3D%3D[/url] and also through my signature (below).[/quote] Ah, The Salmon & Ball. Bobby Moore's old pub. I see in your sig you're playing there. I'm playing the same night otherwise might have paid a visit. Have a good 'un anyway!

Maybe not... but finding bargains might be!

....and breathe!

Totally +1 That man had a voice in a billion. My all time faves have always been 'No Regrets' along with 'My Ship Is Coming In'. I love the Jaques Brel stuff too. When my bass grows up, it wants to have a 'voice' like Scott Walker's!

Well done, that man. Now get the kettle on - all 119,165 friends are coming over...!!!

Yeh, nice finish. Is that an original Blade neck? Or maybe a retro-fit? I only ask as it doesn't seem to have the usual Blade headstock I remember. Steve

[quote name='RhysP' post='457757' date='Apr 8 2009, 07:54 PM']How can I possibly refuse the request of someone who has "In the court of the Crimson King" as an avatar? I'll put some Blade piccies up in a new thread.[/quote] Cheers, Steve

Well, after due consideration, m'lud, I voted 5-string (...but would add 'mainly'!). Similarly to what Rich said, I do use my 4 and 6 string basses just as much. Depends on the situation really. My SR5 has been my main bass for about the last 12 years since I got it and though I always take a 4 for backup, I tend to feel naked without that low B. I play in two bands in particular that are both quite keyboard-heavy and the B allows me to 'compete' with them too. Not to mention not having to faf around with dropped D's etc. For one of the above bands, I would usually take a 6, a 5 and a fretless 4. Bottom line (no pun intended) if I could only ever take one bass, it'd probably be the 5. Cheers, Steve

Looks a nice one there. Nice natural finish. Might we see the Blade now?

When I grow up I want to be Tony Levin. And I want my boss to be Peter Gabriel.

Yeh, Prog on, xverminate! If you guys are down this way when you start gigging, I'd come along and support you. Hope you get the keys sorted soon as poss.

WAL's are sooo nice! And here was I hoping I'd gotten over my GAS problem...

I recently played a gig with my function band for a local Royal Naval Association dance and I'd say the average age of the audience was about 70+ (I kid you not). With an average age of at least 20 years younger, we almost felt like a bunch of kids and thought we'd better go easy on the audience. After a rather gentle first set of ballads, standards and waltzes, we let the audience know they could make any requests to which there were shouts for the Queen. I'm not talking the National Anthem here. Let me tell you, Freddie lives - the second set we tore the roof off the place!! Yeh - 'granny be good'!

Starting at a grand??? Somehow, I don't think so missus! I'll be watching with interest too. Sold mine years ago in the 80's - a white Ned Callan Cody bass which I had de-fretted plus added a DiMarzio pup (see pic). [attachment=23308:ned_call...ody_bass.jpg]

Ok, Kiwi and Ped, ya got me too! I only just saw this thread but must admit I'm well relieved to know it was just an April fool (ya little burgers!! )

Veeeery nice! I love the natural finish too.

[quote name='Hamster' post='454088' date='Apr 4 2009, 02:03 PM']It was thanks to The Oscar Peterson Trio with Ray Brown and later Joe Pass & NHOP that I was drawn towards the darkside that is jazz [/quote] Reckon you'll remember Oscar Petersons TV chat show then...?

[quote name='The Funk' post='453821' date='Apr 4 2009, 02:25 AM']I watched Jazz 625 on BBC Four earlier tonight and was absolutely blown away by The Oscar Peterson Trio, featuring the legendary Ray Brown on bass. I couldn't believe just how fluid and swinging they were and Ray Brown's playing was simply superb. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out on iplayer - you don't have to be into jazz to like it. I feel a bit stupid now for having revered James Jamerson, Jack Bruce, Stanley Clarke and Jaco as revolutionaries. It's not that they weren't great or important players - Ray Brown was using the bass as a melodic instrument while holding down his rhythm section duties in so much more of a sophisticated way than any of them. I'm worried now about what I'm going to find if I start checking out other upright players like Scott LaFaro. Am I going to switch to upright and defect to jazz? Can any of the jazzers explain to me why none of the big name jazz bassists today sound like they're influenced by Ray Brown? They all sound to me like widdly, gimmicky, watered down, common denominator musicians who aren't really funk, jazz, rock or R&B and who wish they were Jaco. And they all play behind the beat, like driving with the handbrake on. And so many of them double the horn lines on the heads unnecessarily, as if trying to prove that bassists aren't crap musicians by virtue of being able to play the same line as a horn player. I think jazz bassists (along with other jazz instrumentalists) today spend too much time thinking about harmony and not enough time thinking about contrapuntal melody lines. Anyway, not sure how that ended up as a rant. So, who else here digs Ray Brown and what other stuff should I check out, either by him or by other jazz bassists?[/quote] I've also been watching the re-runs of Jazz 625 -- great stuff (have to say I remember the original showings - eek!!). Ray Brown has always been a top notch player in my book, whoever he was/is playing with. You might want to also check out Nils (Henning-Orsted) Pedersen, another of Oscar P.'s regulars and a brilliant string bassist (imho). I wouldn't 'feel stupid' about revering the likes of Jamerson, Bruce, Clarke and Jaco; they have all contributed so much to bass in their own way too, even if it did spawn a wealth of clones as a result! Of course, Stan Clarke is no slouch on the upright too. I also watched another old fave of mine, the Modern Jazz Quartet. Bassist Percy Heath may not have been quite as 'flash' as the above-mentioned, but he does show just how to keep the bass solid and tight in a supporting role. Incidentally, no prizes or anything, but I'll leave it to other BC-er's to say where the title for the programme 'Jazz 625' comes from....

A friend emailed this video to me a few months ago. Here's the back story: "...Film-maker Mark Johnson traveled around the globe getting street musicians and others to record part of the track for "Stand By Me." Using battery powered equipment and a pocket full of Frequent Flier miles he got tracks from dozens of performers. Each one was able to wear headphones and hear what the other performers had done..." The website is: [url="http://www.playingforchange.com/"]http://www.playingforchange.com/[/url]

Around 76-77 I was taking double-bass lessons and my teacher at the time advised me to buy 'The Bob Haggart Bass Method' which I duly did. I learned that Haggart was a founder member of the Bob (brother of Bing) Crosby Orchestra and Bob Crosby & The Bobcats (1935). Years later (mid-80's) I got to see Bob Haggart & Yank Lawson -- aka The Worlds Greatest Jazz Band! -- play the University of East London and I was able to chat with Bob after the gig. Of course, I brought the book along with me and he was happy to sign it for me. He was a real gentleman, probably about 70-something at the time. He died in 1998. There's a tune going round at the moment being used on a TV/radio ad (can't remember which one) called 'Big Noise From Winnetka'. Features someone whistling through their teeth over a bass line. This was originally a hit for Bob Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc back in the late 30's. And I bet you thought Drum 'n' Bass was a more recent thing! Check out the 'sticks on strings' near the end: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4vlmYd9KYY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4vlmYd9KYY[/url]