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[quote name='endorka' post='1013015' date='Nov 5 2010, 09:51 AM']For the record, I do not believe one has to be able to read music or have a formal knowledge of music theory to create good basslines. [color="#FF0000"][b]On the other hand, if one looks deeply at good pop & rock songs, it is frequently the case that there is at least one member of the band who has a formal knowledge of music and/or who is really clued up. Not so pretty/more mature keyboard player syndrome anyone? :-) Failing this, there is often a collaborator such as the producer, musical director or arranger who really knows what they are doing.[/b][/color] Because of the peculiary British reverse snobbery attitude to "book learning", and consequent protestations of ignorance by many musicians, you sometimes have to dig pretty deep to find this, but it is often there. Jennifer[/quote] This is the most compelling, measured and sensible thing I can recall anyone saying on this subject. However, although I agree reading music can be extremely useful and important, for me it's theory and ear training that provide the most benefit.

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1012819' date='Nov 5 2010, 12:50 AM']f***ing marv Nige.[/quote] Thank you mate! I'm so pleased with it, it's a fantastic bass! Funny, works on here but YT have binned the audio. Probably a good decision given the mistakes I made on it

[quote name='purpleblob' post='1012686' date='Nov 4 2010, 10:37 PM']Congrats. not only does it look good but that's a really great sound. Fantastic job.[/quote] Thank you mate! You're lucky you heard it, YT have disabled the audio pending copyright queries. f***ing w***ers.

Video

Chris Squire, one of the most revered bassists in rock music history. He has very little knowledge of music theory and as far as I know doesn't read music notation. My question is, would his bass lines have been any more interesting, thrilling, suitable for the songs, or more accomplished, if he had been able to read music and had a good grasp of music theory? This is prompted by the age old rebuttal "Yes, but look how good you COULD have been, if you had learned to ... ".

[quote name='bobbass4k' post='1012343' date='Nov 4 2010, 05:41 PM']Pretty much my main bass idol, he knows how to play, and can do some pretty complicated stuff, but shuts up and sticks to the root when that's what's needed, he drives their songs, which is what good bassits should do most of the time.[/quote] Exactly, he's everything a great bassist should be and an example to us all.

What a player! And he has a wickid collection of basses. His tone is fantastic, suits the band perfectly. A mate of mine met him last year and said he's a really nice bloke, humble and has not forgotten his roots. Just thought I would big him up because he seems to get a lot of flak.

[quote name='cocco' post='1011645' date='Nov 4 2010, 08:28 AM']I've got a guy in Athens (Greece obviously) interested in taking my Aria SB II off my hands. I had a recent bad experience with parcel force which has put me right off them again so the question is who to use? If it makes any difference I'm a little west of Cardiff.[/quote] Greek shipping is the best, talk to one of the magnates.

[quote name='Marvin' post='1012149' date='Nov 4 2010, 03:09 PM']Perhaps you're going through 'the change' . Men do you know, we're just not allowed to talk about it . Do you find yourself asking for the heating to be turned down? [/quote] Yes! I do! I even had a hot flush about an hour ago, I think that was the mention of Alain Caron though

[quote name='Marvin' post='1012138' date='Nov 4 2010, 02:57 PM']You speak for yourself I'm the happiest person I know............what a minute. No that's wrong. I'm the grumpiest person I know. Ignore that back as you were.[/quote] I seem to have turned into a right miserable f***er lately. I can't think of any music-related threads I've contributed to recently where I've had anything nice to say, apart fom my build diary I must be in a fighting mood at the moment, verbally of course, I hate real fighting

[quote name='mart' post='1011799' date='Nov 4 2010, 10:53 AM']Actually that's quite ironic cos I realized I was possibly using the wrong terminology, and misunderstanding your proposals, and probably ensuring that nobody understood what I meant. On a Jazz bass you've got a pickguard (around the pickups), and a separate control plate (which the knobs sit on). And Jaco removed the pickguard but left the control plate. What I meant to say was that it looked odd just having the control plate, and that it'd be better to have no control plate at all, with the knobs fitted through the wood of the bass (like on Warwicks, for example). I'm guessing that might be way too expensive to machine, though. A metal control plate and a clear pickguard wouldn't look bad, but I personally think your bass looks better without any pickguard, and then the Jazz-style control plate looks out of place. Sorry for any confusion etc![/quote] No mate, that's exactly what I meant too. I understood you perfectly. BUT, what people love about fender types is the easy customisability with things like PGs, and they are so often swapped, so to save on the RRP, let them put one on if they want but not feel like they wasted cash on the one already on there. They also like that Jaco look, and the custom types with no control plate is too far from the Fender style for a lot of people. I think your decesions were excellent from a marketing POV

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1012107' date='Nov 4 2010, 02:36 PM']You can slag off whomsoever you choose Nige just remember that the range of responses from those that know and love you will range from to often via and ultimately people will think you're or Now I've run out of smileys I will have to explain that it's all said in the warmest of spirit mate. (now there's novel... using WORDS to convey ideas hmmm!!!)[/quote] You're so nice, Jake I'm only using dear Alain as a illustrative figure really, he is a totem. It is funny that until they become a Basschat member, most of us feel free to slag off anyone Then suddenly, we become a bit more respectful. Unless they are "Famous"! which often leads to either suspicion or over-reverence, and very rarely, downright rudeness in BBC's case. We are a miserable nation. We like to make people famous so we have something good to moan about, be rude about, and be envious of.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1011928' date='Nov 4 2010, 12:25 PM']I always think it's best to reserve one's own view of someone like Janek and his music for a time when you can be sure that you're observations are accurate, mostly because it's so easy to be wrong on the web. I think his achievements are utterly admirable and I'm genuinely pleased for the guy that the very apparent, incredibly hard work he has put in is bringing him success and happiness. I'm sure that he's a nice guy having had a few conversations with him and being a facebook friend, as well as having tons of colleagues in common.[/quote] Can I still slag off Alain Caron?

Same advice from me too, ensure the drummer has what he needs in his sidefill, or give him/her headphones.

[quote name='Mike' post='1011927' date='Nov 4 2010, 12:24 PM']Well, we pay for his music so it's not altruistic. He doesn't get paid for the podcasts. And it's not reaching out to the common man to promote himself - it's probably only downloaded by bassists and jazzers, who have possibly already bought his music.[/quote] At this point I will give up trying to convince you that it's a marketing and publicity tool ASWELL.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1011901' date='Nov 4 2010, 12:10 PM']No he doesn't. He's just been touring as MD for VV Brown for over a year,and doesn't solo at all in that gig. Also,his first solo album only had one or two bass solos on it.[/quote] Like I said, the guy needs to make money. He's not making much from his own albums where he CAN solo.

[quote name='blackmn90' post='1011902' date='Nov 4 2010, 12:10 PM']Why would he need to promote himself to us? He's already got his name with the right people all over the world and thats how he gets the well paid pop tours and thats his sorce (forgotton how to spell) of income.I think he does it for a few reasons but i doubt promotion is one[/quote]

[quote name='Mike' post='1011870' date='Nov 4 2010, 11:50 AM']I heard about him through other channels than his educational output. He does not get paid for making and releasing free podcasts that share his tips on playing and improvising which he has worked very hard to perfect - if anything he's sharing his secrets which have got him to where he is today. I'm not under the illusion that he does it because he loves his fans - but I think he's giving something back and helping share the knowledge - something he is absolutely not under any obligation to do. So I thank him for that.[/quote] It's mainly for publicity and promotion. He does have a career to maintain you know, he's not doing it like he's Mother Teresa. I must say, it's very odd you think he does it to "Give something back", like by making music he's not doing that already. Also, you don't get to the level he is at and be happy playing a one note groove. He needs to solo. I really should have a listen to him at some point, but that Jeff Berlin album has really messed my mind up and I never want to hear jazz solo bass again, ever.

[quote name='Mike' post='1011635' date='Nov 4 2010, 08:11 AM']I recall that Janek acknowledged that he had made a mathematical error in a magazine article regarding 'notes per minute'. People were getting after him for concentrating (in ONE article) on finger speed and dexterity. Janek's response was that whilst technical ability is second in importance to the ability to make 'music', he wanted to be technically able to play anything he wanted - he didn't want to be constrained by poor technique. This makes perfect sense to me! He probably did get defensive at some point because of a large number of idiots who just love attacking people for no reason - people who for the large part play in their bedroomand haven't achieved 10% of what he has. [b]Remember, he does free educational podcasts, clinics, magazine articles - he doesn't have to do this![/b][/quote] Hah hah! It's unlikely you'd have ever heard about him if he didn't do these things, he doesn't do it because he loves you I've got no opinion about him at all. I haven't heard his music, I just hear he's an incredible player. I did think he got a bit aggressive in some of his posts, and while it's fine for us nobodies to do that occasionally, if you are a musician of his status, it can be wise to calm down a bit with that sort of thing, even with the mindless baiting by a certain notorious ex BC member. Anyway, looks like you all enjoyed his demo/clinic, so that's all good.

Finished! The Hipshot part arrived today, well, actually they sent me the full set of four bridge rollers, 4 grub screws and 8 saddle height screws! Fabulous! Spares for life I got the electronics finally sorted. The bridge MM was seriously under weight compared to the neck SC so I pissed about with the wiring and worked out black was hot on the MM (it's red on the SC). Got that sorted and balanced the pups. Checked stuff, and re-checked stuff. I decided the DR Black Beauties would look better than the Orange Neons plus I was desperately impatient to get it all finished. The Neons will go on my white Corvette fretless and they will own the room. I've been playing the bass for a few hours and I adore it! It works, everything! It sounds fantastic! I can't get enough of it and I don't want to put it down. Full hand on heart review, sound clips and YT vid within the next week. Cheers all, you've been such great support, help and encouragement

Damn, this going to look good! I really like the idea of a project a bit like this. I am seriously considering selling both my Warwicks once my Electra is finished, then just getting some old interesting beat up bass and restroring it like this one has been. Superb paint job Rich, stunning!

[quote name='mart' post='1008855' date='Nov 1 2010, 06:49 PM']That prototype looks fantastic. I'm really not a Fender fan, but the flamed maple really sets that thing off beautifully. I personally don't like the pickguard - it looks like a bit of Jaco left over from another project! So I'd go for no pickguard. And definitely no ramp - I know it's contentious, but hey, I'm just stating my preference. At this rate I can see I might be parting with some hard-earned and adding a J-style to my stable. I'm really impressed![/quote] Totally with Mart here. I think your decisions re the ramp and PG are spot on.

[quote name='chaypup' post='1010660' date='Nov 3 2010, 12:49 PM']Thanks for the advice. Looking around the internet, it seems that ice massage is the best way to help this - anyone tried it and had success?[/quote] It will help reduce inflammation as it is a vaso-constrictor. But that is assuming what you have damaged has a blood supply. Ligaments and tendons, and cartilage has little or none. You have really not given enough info to go on, so I would suggest you see a physio, or at least your GP, if the pain persists. As as been said, it is not difficult to make an acute injury into a chronic one, so take it seriously.

[quote name='JPAC' post='1010656' date='Nov 3 2010, 12:45 PM']How long would fingernails have to be before they affect playing?[/quote] I think you win the prize for the weirdest most unanswerable question ever raised on Basschat

[quote name='danhkr' post='1010579' date='Nov 3 2010, 11:40 AM']Took the coating off some Elixirs once with FastFret. [b]Best bet probably just a quick wipe with a decent cloth after playing[/b].[/quote] +1