
xilddx
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[quote name='eude' post='1023890' date='Nov 14 2010, 08:19 PM']Yup looks really well proportioned matey, it barely looks like a 35" scale either, amazing bit of bass design there. Absolutely beautiful bass and I've really enjoyed following your build thread too - thank you for sharing! Eude[/quote] I second that!
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[quote name='chris_b' post='1026556' date='Nov 17 2010, 12:36 AM']Funk doesn't come from your equipment![/quote] Well said, of course it doesn't. It comes from your mind, and nowhere else. Funk started as music to shag to, look up the word "Funk" sometime. Therefore you could play it on a cardboard box and still be funky.
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[quote name='Skezza' post='1026592' date='Nov 17 2010, 07:06 AM']THe bass collection is still available over £600 when new its in mint as new condition. where abouts in the uk are you skez[/quote] Christ! Where did you buy it from mate?
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[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' post='1026606' date='Nov 17 2010, 08:25 AM']I only cottoned onto this thread recently - pennance is due... As the first real bassline I (almost) learned was 'Heart of the Sunrise', I have a natural affinity to things Yes and Chris Squire. I have to say that your bass is a monumental triumph of gargantuan proportions Nigel. Just superb. [/quote] I love Heart of the Sunrise! I think Fragile is probably my favourite Yes album, at the moment anyway. Thanks for the lovely compliment mate
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[quote name='Rich' post='1026600' date='Nov 17 2010, 08:03 AM']See what I did there? Aww c'mon gimme a break, it's still early.[/quote] Excellent! You are clearly with full complement of grey matter this morning, Rich
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[quote name='XB26354' post='1026538' date='Nov 16 2010, 11:58 PM']You said it! [/quote] Good work. However, you have not justified your remark with any explanation, rebuttal or theory of your own, so I will pay it no mind.
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[quote name='gilmour' post='1026500' date='Nov 16 2010, 11:04 PM']Thsoe Barrel jacks always go wrong - sh*tty things. I must've replaced the one in my Yamaha half a dozen times.[/quote] I heard this a number of times, but the MEC ones on my Warwicks have been faultless.
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[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1026483' date='Nov 16 2010, 10:40 PM']Much as it pains me to (possibly) differ with two good chums, I feel honour bound to point out my own personal perspective on a couple of bits of ancient history: * That thread culminated in an entirely co-ordinated bait designed to trap the BBC (who was being a bit of a tool). * I do not doubt Mr Gwizdala is a good guy as Pete says, but - IMO - he did throw a [i]serious [/i]flounce. And for my taste, he's a good player, but not a great one. I don't want the current thread to subside into trouble, so I'll happily acknowledge that others may view those dusty old events in a different light. I thoroughly respect their opinions though they may differ from my own. That is all.[/quote] I agree with all these points, but BBC didn't have to fall for what may have been a trap.
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A taste of honey with a hunny playing a jazz...
xilddx replied to bubinga5's topic in General Discussion
Good stuff! I don't really like her voice that much though. Good though! -
[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1026264' date='Nov 16 2010, 07:42 PM']I've read through most of the thread that BBC was involved in, and I was disgusted. To reiterate what other members said: We should be honoured that a player of his stature and experience be a part of this forum. Imagine the advice he would have given for nothing, just like Joe Hubbard has?[/quote] Agree completely, and BBC was a complete tool on that thread.
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[quote name='paul h' post='1022410' date='Nov 13 2010, 02:00 PM']So pleased you got it sorted mate...nice one.[/quote] Thanks Paul. I had another problem, the barrel jack was cutting out if I moved the jack plug. So last night I reamed out a bigger hole and fitted a standard Switchcraft using the black side mounting from the Rockbass body. The reamer wobbled so I has to fill in a bit of the hole, couple of mm, with Milliput. Anyway, tiny bit of a mess but the bass is now working perfectly. Played it in rehearsal tonight, blew my mind
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[quote name='Doddy' post='1026044' date='Nov 16 2010, 04:43 PM']I wouldn't call him a full on jazz player-in fact,he refers to what he does as improvised music and not jazz. I think his 'voice' is as much influenced by pop music,and being a sideman,as it is jazz. I also wouldn't call him a bass god,but I can say that from sitting two feet away from him,he has got almost flawless technique,and ideas just seem to flow from him when he's improvising.[/quote] Thanks so much for the clarification. I think I have indeed been labouring under a false impression. I think there are plenty of bass players in his league then, probably he just gets a lot of publicity so as usual people don't dig deeper and find some other maybe more interesting talent out there. OK cool, I now feel a bit better, I truly thought he was being hyped a the new jazz wunderkind.
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[quote name='Doddy' post='1025988' date='Nov 16 2010, 03:48 PM']Them three tunes do have pretty simple changes,but I really like melodies of them. If you want to hear a more complex piece try 'Time Stands Still' from his album 'Mystery to Me'. It has a more complex set of changes. You probably still won't like it though [/quote] Thanks mate, I'll try to check them although it's not on YT. I've just been going through various live Gwiz vids (four of them, not demos, live footage) and they all seem to be two or three chord vamps with solos in, no melodies to speak of, no heart-thumping harmony, just simple changes like you say. Why are people so defensive of him and get angry at criticism of him? He's doing very little if anything that is advancing modern jazz, I see no extraordinary bass skills, composition, no real energy. The trumpet player held my attention more than anyone in the band. He looks tired. Is he trying to be commercial maybe? I wouldn't blame him for that I suppose, he needs to make a living. I really don't understand what the hype's all about So many people seem to thinkhe's a bass god. I imagine he's a lovely guy with great physical chops and giant theoretical understanding, and a great teacher. But is this [b]REALLY [/b]his vision is of what to do with all these skills and knowledge? I mean, he has the knowledge and opportunity to REALLY compose. Why doesn't he? EDIT: I just had a thought, I seem to be labouring under the impression he is known as a full on Jazz player and is marketed like that, I think. Am I wrong? Is he as Jazz/Funk guy? That would make a big difference to my expectations of him probably. Still can't understand the fuss though. EDIT 2: Before people think I am being a cruel bastard talking about their music hero in this fashion, I have had nearly 30 years of people telling me my favourite band, Rush, are a pompous bunch of c**ts with a singer with a hideous shrieking voice and a huge conk. I swiftly learned not to give a sh*t.
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[quote name='lovetheblues' post='1024237' date='Nov 15 2010, 06:05 AM']Hey all! I am a newbie here but hope to be around awhile. I have seen this site referred to in a number of places so I thought I'd check it out. I like it. I have been playing acoustic guitar for around 35 years, but only started learning on bass about 2.5 years ago. Always wanted to learn, and my daughters gave me the motivation to take the plunge :-) All 3 of them are musical, and I taught all 3 of them to play guitar. 2 of them play the piano, one of which is amazing at keyboards - the other is awesome on acoustic and electric guitar - as well as saxophone. Oh, they sing and dance too... Anyway, to be able to spend fun time with them I thought that I could learn bass and we could all play together - which has worked out really well. We don't get to practice together as much as I'd like as we are all so busy, but we do whenever we get the chance! We have also co-written several songs together so far. I started out with a Squire P bass, which I do really still like to play, but then after about a year, I got an Ibanez SR505 which I Love to play! While I am still a beginner on bass, I can honestly say that I have practiced pretty much every day since I got the Squire - usually anywhere from 30 min to an hour or so each day. I can get along pretty well with rock, country, and gospel, but I most enjoy jazz and especially playing the blues! During my middle and high school years I also played trumpet, so I can read music, but often use tab with guitar (have been a bit lazy about memorizing where all the notes are on the fretboard well enough to play well reading - and tab is so easy to do.... ) We hope to perform together someday -we even came up with a name "Don't Fret" - but so far we've just performed at home for ourselves and family so far. We have an offer to perform at our church, so hopefully that will happen in the coming year. What I'd really like to do is be part of a band that gigs once in awhile. Time is the biggest factor right now - I have a day job, a wife, many animals, and 3 teen daughters who are involved in tons of things. But - they are getting older and will be off to college before long. Then, there is the fear factor. To be honest, the idea of performing live half thrills me and half scares me to death! But - I want to do it. [b]I do want to be sure that I am good enough too. How do you tell when you are ready? So many people I have read say to just go for it and expect you'll mess up but you'll learn from it and get better. [/b]I suppose that is true, but easier said than done... I am open to any words of wisdom or encouragement from those of you who know way more than I do about all this. In fact that's why I'm here - to learn - and contribute when and if I can. And judging by the posts I've read so far, I'll make some friends along the way... Looking forward to meeting you all, and learning as much as I can.[/quote] Hello mate, what a lovely introduction As for being ready, we are never ready, those people are right, just get up there. As long as you can actually play the songs with some measure of confidence you are fine to get on a stage. You won't forget everything when you are on the stage, although may firmly believe you have no brain at all before you go on. You will probably still mess up here and there, we all do, but just keep playing becaus no-one will really notice. Good luck!
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[quote name='Mike' post='1025654' date='Nov 16 2010, 11:27 AM']I think that some of his melodies from tracks like Mana, Four Brothers, That Stern Look etc are REALLY memorable - I like to quote them in solos sometimes, they sound great.[/quote] Here they are, and to me, they are not as you describe, sorry. They are simply grooves, with space for various solos, always a bass solo near the end then a big ensemble melt down for the last 8 bars. In two of them, we are lucky to have a brief type of middle eight as relief from the groove. I'm sorry but it's really quite monotonous simple stuff, and childs play for these guys who are clearly great instrumentalists. I thought he wrote complex compositions, I am sure I have heard that a few times and he has referred to stuff in his BGM column I'm sure. But people are linking to this simple groove/solo stuff he does. Can someone point me in the direction of his proper compositions please? Where's the orchestration? Mana Four Brothers That Stern Look
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Just play, jam along and play some notes to your records. Bubinga5's advice in post #3 is good. Play, make music, enjoy yourself. Make the music first, the theory and technique will follow. BTW, four fingers per fret is OK if it's nearer to your body, above the 5th fret. If you are doing that at the low end of the neck (1st position)where the strings are farthest away from you, it's not really a good idea, it can strain your fretting hand. Most bassists with normal hands find it difficult. I've been playing for many years and I still find that very uncomfortable. Good luck!
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[quote name='Sibob' post='1025713' date='Nov 16 2010, 12:09 PM']Exactly, tis what makes this all so interesting.....life I mean Si[/quote] I'm just interested in music that moves me, don't really care what it is, could be MIA to John Taverner.
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South East Bass Bash Year 4, Surrey, 27th November 2010
xilddx replied to silverfoxnik's topic in Events
[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='1025794' date='Nov 16 2010, 01:00 PM'] List updated Nig...[/quote] Thank you mate! N -
[quote name='gafbass02' post='1025068' date='Nov 15 2010, 07:35 PM']Another big fan of the hartke here [/quote] Me too, great bit of kit and quite cheap, does everything you want. And dude, if you have nothing Chinese, your home must look a bit bleak, either that or you've spent your cash on very expensive alternatives hence your lack of available funds for a programmable SSPBDDI
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[quote name='Mike' post='1025654' date='Nov 16 2010, 11:27 AM']I think that some of his melodies from tracks like Mana, Four Brothers, That Stern Look etc are REALLY memorable - I like to quote them in solos sometimes, they sound great.[/quote] I will check these out, I have a duty to I suppose. I think where I differ from the solo bass fans is that I see bass as a harmony and rhythm instrument, and melody as a distinctly small role. It hasn't the timbre for truly expressive melodic playing, unless it's a fretless, or maybe an ERB which to me, are entirely different beasts to a standard fretted four string. To me, an ERB is a guitar tuned lower and I don't like the sound. It's an "in-between" thing for people who like to play bass and guitar at the same time IMO. Which is great if you like bass melodies. I find the power of slinging notes under melodies that can destroy it or elevate the melody to great heights the thing about bass that is the most exciting, and i do get very exicited about that If I have the bass line written for me, then I can still get off on puping out dance rhythm, which is also very exciting.
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[quote name='mcgraham' post='1025567' date='Nov 16 2010, 09:53 AM']I like Janek's music, and will buy this next one (when I remember!), so share Faithless's love for his music. However, I can also relate to silddx's point. I found Live at the 55 Bar to be a more energetic album than Mystery to me, but I found it to be a little sparse on originality and catchy melodies. I'm not saying it was devoid of originality or melody, but given the length of the album and the quality of the musicians, there was relatively little music that made me "sit-up and pay attention". I did love the production on it though. In contrast, Mystery to me had a great deal of interesting music and I listened intently the whole way through... but only from a musical perspective, as I found that it lacked vibrance or energy from the band/musicians/recording as a whole. Also, I wouldn't say there were any musically intense songs - they all felt very moody and melancholic, and therefore very samey, to me. In fact, I'd even go so far as to say he gained energy and production quality on the Live album at the expense of originality and artistry. In short, I think Janek is a great musician with a lot to offer, but as yet hasn't quite won me over with his offerings so far. EDIT: Oh I should add I went to see him in Epsom a few years back with a kick-ass band doing 'covers' of various jazz standards, and their live energy and musical prowess (both technically, rhythmically, melodically and harmonically) was astounding. Great night.[/quote] I think you have made a very salient point that these guys really need the great standards to express themselves and be fully challenged. This is why they spend half their time transcribing John Coltrane and attempting to transfer it to the bass in an attempt to challenge themselves technically and theoretically. They have a great thirst for knowledge, and they are amazingly profficient, yet, this somehow rarely translates into music of any compositional intellect and emotion to match their instrumental abilities. They need cgreat composers to harness them, as I have said before. I'm speculating, but I really think a lot of them have a bit of a emotional disconnect (couldn't think of a better word, sorry!) when it comes to composing, I think it may be because they see themselves WITHIN music, not OUTSIDE it and can't translate their feelings into music very well. This I think is as a result of concentrating on music to the exclusion of other things that fuel the soul. So their life experiences are mainly connected with music. It's just people, we are all different. BUT they need people like Zappa, the great jazz standards, the great composers, to challenge and harness their immense instrumental and improvisational abilities. The fact is, most of Zappa's musicians have gone on to do very little after leaving the band. The trouble is, this comes across as criticism, and in a way I suppose it is. But the fact remains, certain types of people like what Janek does, but they are few, and they will largely have a love of an instrument. If you play an instrument, this record may provide you with a great source of knowledge and inspiration. Then you may get to a point where you are the new Janek hybrid. It's the same as what happened to the incredible guitarists of the eighties and nineties. They put mostly bland albums together as a way of guitar demonstration. And because there were so many guitarists in the world trying to be the same, the albums sold a bit. But where are they now? A few of them are session players, one or two are in decent bands making a living, some sell gear at trade shows and doe clinics and small club gigs for their long-standing fans. Survival of the fittest. The fittest appeal to a broader audience, possibly because they lead a different sort of life, possible more troubled as people, perhaps with slightly anti-social mores, or strange predilictions, or were just more connected with their world. But those things come through the music, and connect with people better. Anyway, i have rambled long enough, and some of the above is probably bollacks.
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[quote name='Skezza' post='1024915' date='Nov 15 2010, 05:42 PM']Ill sell you an active bass collection original 90s mint sgc nanyo for £180 collected absolutely mint 4 string I have 5 of them gig them every week dont use this one cus its mint I use my batterd ones skez[/quote] OP, you should seriously go for this, a friend of mine still has hers, bought new in the '90s, and she still plays it live with Transglobal Underground. Cracking bass! Amazing for £180!
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[quote name='Doddy' post='1025340' date='Nov 15 2010, 11:30 PM']If we're talking about Zappa let's not forget Arthur Barrow kicking ass on the Joe's Garage album.[/quote] Funny you should mention him given my previous post about feeling the musician, I never felt Arthur. I always thought the most interesting thing about him was his name. Great player, not much personality in his playing, in my opinion of course
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Dear Faithless, Let my try to explain where I am coming from. In terms of bassists, when I hear Tom Fowler, Viv Albertine, Sting, Scott Thunes, Patrick O'Hearn, Geddy Lee, Peter Hook, Vivian Weathers, Paul Simonon, Jimmy Haslip, Flea .. I hear their voices, I get a vision, rightly or wrongly, of their personalities, I see them, I hear them, I feel their humour, feel their family life, I LIKE them as people coming through the bass and how they augment the music they are playing with. Sometimes I read about them and I find out things I didn't want to know, which colours my picture of them and their music in a way that changes my perception of them in a negative way. BUT, their personality is in their bass and what they do with it in relation to the composition. I hear THEM, not just the bass. When I listen to Janek, I hear someone making a record. I get no impression of Janek as a person, I don't want to find out more about him. He doesn't speak to me. So forgive me if I spout some sh*t occasionally about certain bassists, I am just expressing my feelings with regard to my relationship with them. All the best, Nigel
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Don't worry about Faith, he gets a bit upset and defensive from time to time, he can be a little obnoxious himself too. But generally I respect him and I think we're ok. I understand where he's coming from.