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[quote name='Wil' post='1018814' date='Nov 10 2010, 02:16 PM']Happens on both my basses too, although I find it to be more of a mid scoop when both pups are on. It adds more tonal options I suppose.[/quote] This is more like a bass shovel

[quote name='4000' post='1018741' date='Nov 10 2010, 01:31 PM']Am I alone in thinking that in the first pic the figuring on the top bout of the bass looks like a dark haired girl sitting on a rock with the already discussed sea/sunset behind her? Regardless, that figuring is amazing.[/quote] I can see that! Good call mate. Amazing looking bass isn't it. Totally not the sort of bass I would ever want, but I sort of wish I did if you know what I mean.

[quote name='Wil' post='1018705' date='Nov 10 2010, 01:02 PM']Great playing as always Nige.[/quote] Cheers Wil

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='1018651' date='Nov 10 2010, 12:17 PM']That's not likely to be the pre's fault! Most preamps would display that behaviour... even a passive set up. That's physics in action... sounds like you have unfortunate pickup spacing [/quote] Yeah, that's what I said in an email to John. I asked his advice but said it could be the spacing and I'll have to live with it. Even Fender Jazzes had that problem. Cheers.

[quote name='webby' post='1018675' date='Nov 10 2010, 12:38 PM']Thanks for the input. Well, I've only had 5 rehearsals with the band (drums, guitar, bass, singer). I don't know how long they've played together. I think since around april, with a couple of different bassists. I'm still a novice really. I don't know about him as a frontman, but I don't think he's holding anything back to be honest. I think I should maybe stick with it for the experience as this is my first foray into playing bass with a band.[/quote] I agree you should stick with it. A problem with inexperienced bands sometimes is that the members don't give eachother a chance to become confident. Once the confidence kicks in then you can tell what's what more easily. Of course some people are never truly confident, but the may make up for that with talent. Good luck.

[quote name='Clarky' post='1018519' date='Nov 10 2010, 10:44 AM']Not compared to the pleasure I get from BassChat and the worthiness of the charities[/quote] Oh ok, you had better donate your Alembic then mate. The Orange seems quite a mean, churlish donation now you mention it.

[quote name='Patster1969' post='1018718' date='Nov 10 2010, 01:12 PM']It may seem like a ridiculous question chaps, but having never been to a Bass Bash before and having limited experience of all things bass, the venue is not far from me but:- 1) will there be things going on there for all levels of competence/experience, 2) can I only come for part of the day (as would have to disappear early afternoon), 3) would I get nothing out of it if only there for part of the day, & 4) would I need to bring my bass with me to get anything out of it? Sorry for the questions, which probably seem ridiculous for you seasoned bass bashers. Pat[/quote] I was just kidding mate. All of your questions have positive answers except 4), you have only to bring yourself. No equipment is necessary. Bashes are VERY relaxed affairs, where fellow bassists can chat, try eachother's gear, there's a raffle, some workshops, refreshments, etc. You will come away with a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart and have made some new friends. I can guarantee you'll enjoy even half a day there. Cheers. Nigel

[quote name='Patster1969' post='1018718' date='Nov 10 2010, 01:12 PM']It may seem like a ridiculous question chaps, but having never been to a Bass Bash before and having limited experience of all things bass, the venue is not far from me but:- 1) will there be things going on there for all levels of competence/experience, 2) can I only come for part of the day (as would have to disappear early afternoon), 3) would I get nothing out of it if only there for part of the day, & 4) would I need to bring my bass with me to get anything out of it? Sorry for the questions, which probably seem ridiculous for you seasoned bass bashers. Pat[/quote] Sorry Pat, I'm afraid the bash is for advanced and experts only and you must have at least one custom built bass, preferably a Shuker or a RIM, ACG is good too. It's possible you'll get let in with a GB, but it must be at 5 string at least. Do you like Alain Caron?

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='1018615' date='Nov 10 2010, 11:52 AM']I really love that shape. As I said before it looks better than any recent commercially available bass I can think of. Single pickup one with all black hardware for me please when they go into production. Ta.[/quote] That's a hell of a compliment mate, thanks! I was actually thinking of investigating the possibility of a production model but whatever it was called, CS would probably want a piece Plus I don't have any contacts in the industry really.

I only started this thread to see if anyone would say Alain Caron

[quote name='Bassassin' post='1017299' date='Nov 9 2010, 10:48 AM']Absolutely love it - it's a toss-up between this & Neepheid's Gibbo Victory restoration for BC Project Of The Year. Matching headstock face though Nige, surely! Jon.[/quote] Thank you Jon! I LOVE that Victory restoration too, it's gorgeous! And thanks everyone else too, it's really gratifying that you seem to like the look of this bass. No matching headstock though, I really like the balance and placing of the white, black and gold elements. If the headstock was white it would upset that balance for me. It might look like I keep poodles at home too

Thank you everyone for your really encouraging comments, I really appreciate them I played the bass at rehearsal last night. A little niggle was the jack socket kept coming lose but that's a very easy fix. The other problem is that the hideous Behringer bass head at the studio had a faulty power amp send return so I had to go through the preamp section, with the pod, never works and I couldn't hear what the bass really sounded like, but it is definitely got more top, less bottom and I perceive a higher mid range band than my Warwick Corvette $$. In short, very much more like a Rickenbacker tone. So, I need to adjust all my POD patch eqs to compensate. Another issue is the blend on the East pre loses so much bass freqs when the pickups are in equal balance. Sounds like a massive phase cancellation. 1 or 2 mm to the right or left and the bass freq boom back in. The pickups sound great, there is a useful difference in freq response between the two but it's not too pronounced, unlike my $$ which has a thin, nasal tone on the bridge pup. I know Jaco fans like that, but I detest that sound. I like to floor rhinos with my bass, not tickle tarantulas

[quote name='Clarky' post='1018379' date='Nov 10 2010, 09:06 AM']Nik, I would also like to add to the raffle list an as-new Orange Crush pix 25W combo that I simply do not use. Perfect condition and function. Looks like this: [attachment=63555:Orange.jpg][/quote] Bloody hell Clarky, that's very generous!

[quote name='webby' post='1018489' date='Nov 10 2010, 10:30 AM']Hi, I began playing in a band a few months ago. No gigs yet, just rehearsals, and while I admit I'm some way off being 100% on the bass, I AM getting there and will get there with more practice. However, I am less than impressed with the singer. He obviously thinks he's great, but he's not imo. What to do? Stick with it and soak up the experience and use it to improve? Or pack it in now while it's still early days? I guess the same question applies if you've ever worked with a crap drummer/guitarist/keyboard player.[/quote] You don't say what level of experience the band is at, but you need to see what the gigs are like first. Record them and make sure the whole band know you are going to record it. Most singers will not perform at gig strength in a rehearsal. They may be experimenting here and there, so the voice may swing off pitch a bit and have no conviction. But the main reason is that pop and rock singers are often not trained so they need to hold back so as not to wear out their voices in a three or four hour rehearsal. An untrained voice is usually not up to that level of stamina. Other than that, it's possible he's just a self-deluded w***er with no talent. But give him a chance to do a few gigs first, then decide. It's all good experience unless you're getting very depressed about it.

I think mine are, in order of who spring to mind, when I'm writing a bass line on the spot are .. [b]Scott Thunes Paul Simonon Geddy lee[/b] So who are yours?

[quote name='fingerz' post='1018193' date='Nov 9 2010, 09:58 PM']I agree. It seems the subject of READING is the focus here for many people, not THEORY as the thread states. Theory is the knowledge of music in a formal sense, reading requires theoretical knowledge but is not theory in itself. Theory is often taught in a "do it this way, the right way" fashion, and not used to enhance your own concept and knowledge. I fail to see how learning theory is negative if you get the opportunity to do so. It's not like it requires you to become all pompous and soul-less in your playing, that's down to the individual right?.. For the record I don't look down on those who know no theory, I find it hard to get my head around the Theory of Theory on here.. if you know what I mean?[/quote] I'm afraid if you really want to learn theory in any real meaningful way, you will need to read standard music notation because that's how it's taught. Like any theory, you have to manipulate it in a way that helps you achieve your aims. Your aims change over time. Theory generally speaking will go hand in hand with learning how to play your instrument with a high level of technical dexterity. As you improve either or both, you may get very excited and wish to play or write music which takes advantage of your new found skills. That is perfectly natural and many people are afraid of change. I think when people say they don't wish to be influenced adversely by learning theory, they mean they are afraid they may get excited and develop a want to be Shilly Beehan or Wictor Vooten, and lose their love of playing the blues, lose their band, and their friends. They may suddenly develop a desire to eat at Michelin Starred restaurants, or start hanging out at exclusive jazz salons and lose what they feel are their roots. It's all very personal and I don't think there are many answers to be found other than to go with your own instincts. One thing I know is that it is very easy to get sucked into judging others who are different from ourselves, lord knows I do.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1017590' date='Nov 9 2010, 02:30 PM']Can he read? I'm very sorry it was irrisistible [/quote]

[quote name='risingson' post='1017950' date='Nov 9 2010, 06:46 PM']You're not talking bollocks, in fact you've highlighted the key issue for here which is that if you're a toss musician then don't expect being a reader is going to make you any better. That fact really should be been cleared up the best part of 11 pages ago.[/quote] I cleared it up about 8 pages ago when I said a cabbage with theory is still a cabbage.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1013719' date='Nov 5 2010, 08:23 PM']I thought it was an aircraft carrier?[/quote]

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1017710' date='Nov 9 2010, 03:46 PM']Point is Nige I think most of the readers here accept you for what you are and expect you are probably a good player, I know you can play (having met you) and I'm sure that you bring something unique to your projects. I have always been of the view that music is for anyone that wants a go, if you want to be really really good then for most mortals learning how to be really really good involves study.[/quote] Fair comment Jake. I think a lot of the problems lie in that most people seem to think "really really good" means to be really, really versatile, and hence be able to make a passable living as a professional musician from depping, MDing, teaching, sessions, etc. That sounds like hell to me. Give me my day job any time When I was in my formative years, I just wanted to be in a successful rock band. But not in the way Steve Vai or Billy Sheehan might be, but in the way Alex Lifeson or Geddy are. So I sat for 5-10 hours a day learning rock music by ear, and playing it on the guitar. Read some theory books and got put off by how extraordinarily complicated they made it seem. I think the Garry Hagberg & Howard Roberts Praxis system is excellent though, but it's for guitar and is in notation so it forcedme to read a bit.

[quote name='algmusic' post='1017718' date='Nov 9 2010, 03:49 PM']This exactly the point I was trying to make.. I personally read the musicianship stuff as non-theoretical stuff.. well in my eyes, it's not, some might think it is though, which would be fair argument also[/quote] Run that by me again EDIT: I have a fence for sale if you want it.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1017611' date='Nov 9 2010, 02:41 PM']I don't think [i]any[/i] of the basschat advocates of the learned path has ever said that Doddy, that it is a charge frequently held up by the non schooled basschatters (at least those who make these points) [b]suggests that there is a feeling of that amongst them.[/b]It's a shame because we all can appreciate good bass playing however it is created, but for some reason our viewpoint is challenged time and time again as being somehow soulless. Read through again to find many examples of criticism of reading musicians but broad acceptance by the readers that there are plenty of good players amongst the non readers. If there were a study into the fairness and objectivity of the charges on these pages then I'm pretty sure that the weight of evidence would suggest that the reading lobby is much more accepting of all comers.[/quote] Mmm, it's interesting that, perhaps I've made it all up in my head. Had I met you 20 years ago Jake, I believe I would have taken the literacy path and be bloody good at it by now. Maybe even a pro, I don't know. But now, being 46, with a full time job/career, working toward my professional qualifications, having a lot of other interests, I am content to learn when the need presses. That usually means sporadic ear training, reading musically related stuff, and playing the odd new bit of music learned by ear. I might add that I am with two superb professional bands led by very talented and individual singer/songwriters who get great reviews, have great prospects, and musically that's where I want to be. I am pretty much happy. I get to write and play bass lines to some wickid music by wickid people, dress up and funk it up on a stage with other like-minded people. I made the choice to have a day job and not try to be a pro a long time ago. I have seen a lot of supremely talented people try it and fail. I took a more pragmatic approach because I quite like having some money for dinner and new strings.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1017595' date='Nov 9 2010, 02:33 PM']I don't recall ever saying those who don't want to learn were deluding themselves or had lesser aims in life.The only time I feel that people are vaguely deluding themselves is when they say that knowing theory/reading can be a hinderence. I do honestly believe that players, especially beginners,should learn how to read because even if you never use it with your band it is still a valuable skill to have and will open up a whole world of information that is unavailable to you otherwise,and I don't understand why someone would not want this.[/quote] I do truthfully understand where you are coming from, but there is a big difference in "knowing" and [b]being taught[/b]. There are plenty of great tutors out there who can make learning music notation and theory seem pleasurable and easier than it could be, because they understand the student. However, there are many who make it overcomplicated and daunting, and that can severely hinder the student's progress and possibilities. Other than that though, I agree with you, KNOWING can never be a hinderance, but a caveat is that you can never KNOW it all, there is an assumption that KNOWING means it can be applied.

[quote name='Mog' post='1017574' date='Nov 9 2010, 02:22 PM'][b]What else do you need outside of time sig, the notes, timbre. Its all there on a score. [/b][/quote] EDIT: You're not actually serious are you?

[quote name='Doddy' post='1017553' date='Nov 9 2010, 02:09 PM']No,I was just going off your comment.[/quote] Oh ok. I'm not having a go mate. I'm just trying to establish what it is you are trying to achieve. Not so long ago, you seemed to be as rigid as Bilbo in your insistance that we should all learn to read, and those who didn't want to or who didn't feel the need were deluding themselves or had lesser aims in life. Should you wish to dispute that, you'll win because I can't be bothered, nor care enough, to trawl through all this sh*t to prove it. Someone else might though so be careful Cheers.