xilddx

I'll be at the ZPZ gig and the audience with. Scott's my bass hero. I saw him with Zappa in '88, and with Dweezil and Ahmet, he was great, amazing. I ended up with his dirty blue towel somehow. Finally chucked it away last year, I hadn't washed it either

Having a bit of a 'mare finishing this damn body. The grain filler is oil based as Bloodaxe has pointed out which could cause a reation with the nitro, and it hasn't filled the grain anyway. After sanding back the coat I gave it last week, I gave it another coat yesterday and there are grain pits all over the shop. I got impatient and thought I'll just over-spray and it might fill the grain, Nope, it just curtained and made a mess. I hasten to add I am using the nitro as a sanding sealer at this point. What do I use for a grain filler? The grain filler on sale at Tonetech is spirit based and all their paints are nitro. This goes against what I've been told about applying nitro over oil (spirit is oil isn't it?) as a complete no-no. It's starting to become a pain in the arse and I'm not enjoying the build any more. EDIT: Quick update. Although I only sprayed it yesterday, I just wet sanded with 600 and it's made a huge difference. It's looking ok and I reckon a flatting it back and giving a few more thin coats and flatting back again might do the job. I'm feeling a bit happier now EDIT: Well, I am amazed! Encouraged by the above 600 wet sanding, I progressed through 1000 wet, then 2000 wet with a bit of Fairy liquid, then a little burnishing cream, then a final polish with Gibson guitar polish. It's smooth and glassy and very, very shiny! It's not even been 24 hours since the horrible thick curtaining coats of pre cat nitro I put on. I'm feeling very happy now, so I will cut it back for a key, get some more nitro, fill any pits and imperfections and off we go again. Result! You can see how crap the other areas I haven't touched are. Here it is with the bridge and strings on the other day, so I could set it up and see if there were any problems.

Polls like this are only about who's the most popular, not "the best" because there is no such thing, as we have debated countless times.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='967768' date='Sep 25 2010, 04:28 PM']One thing I recall that was particularly prevalent at TB was people criticising Jeff for whatever reason and those who had met him or studied with him all loved him! However, the same naysayers couldn't fall over themselves fast enough to kiss his arse when he had Q&A threads. Whenever he wasn't there taking questions I'd be forever fighting his corner, along the lines of "when you're that good, you can do what you like". When I listen to Jeff I think that, quite frankly I'll never be able to play like that![/quote] But nothing you have said there has anything to do with music, it is about people who love Jeff Berlin and people who don't. We all have a million things we can learn from Jeff Berlin, I doubt many of us would deny that, but god help us if all it teaches us is to play like him. Which is why I wonder why you said [i]"When I listen to Jeff I think that, quite frankly I'll never be able to play like that!"[/i] As a statement of fact you could say that about any highly skilled bassist. But there is much more to your statement, what is it? What do you mean? Most musicians with ability and enough motivation and time could, if they practised hard and long and intelligently enough, mechanically operate a bass in the way Jeff Berlin does. BUT, and its a big BUT, what would you choose to do with that level of facility and knowledge? The problem as I see it is that he is not a composer and doesn't really know what to do with his gift other than play fast over other people's Jazz music, and teach other people how to.

[quote name='Doddy' post='967174' date='Sep 24 2010, 09:36 PM']Not really,because the things that you liked about it are still good whether they are standards or originals.[/quote] But I tend to rate musicians on their compositional skills over their monster chops, I don't get excited by monster chops anymore, I've grown up a bit. I want to hear MUSIC. But since these are Jazz Standards, all I can rate Jeff on is his monster chops. Some of his note choices and runs are nice but most of it seems to be athletics with very little thought for the intent of the composition. It's a very unemotional album, and it seems Jeff just wanted to demonstrate a new approach to improvisation and technical application on the instrument. I listened to the whole album today and found it very dull for the most part. Any initial exuberance for it has worn off at a second listen. I do like the last track though, there is some interesting stuff going on in there with crossed timing. Aside from those few nice bits, it's very samey, I got the point after one song, to be honest. The rest of it is the same approach with different notes. It doesn't give me pictures, it doesn't speak. There is so little space in it, it's breathless. All I see when I listen to this music is Jeff Berlin playing the bass, and all he is saying is "Listen to this! I can play bass in a fast and complicated way because I have studied theory and technique for many, many years." There is no passion, the music is reduced to a mere challenge to the musician and the listener.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='967061' date='Sep 24 2010, 07:32 PM']Just a couple of points- [b]it is a record of jazz standards [/b]so the fact that a lot of the chord changes are jazz cliches is probably to be expected. As far as I can tell none of the tunes are original compositions so blaming our Jeff for the titles is probably a bit harsh too The cover is horrendous though. Glad you didn't hate it as much as you thought you would though. You'll be listening to Alain Caron before you know it [/quote] Jazz Standards?? I didn't know that. What a lazy swinehunt. That's rendered my review far too complimentary and demonstrates that he is one of those "artists" who takes other people's beautifully made boozy fruitcakes and covers it in crap icing from Netto and draws stupid faces on it with cheap glittery things. Alain Caron? No my friend.

Ok, I listened to a selection of five of Jeffrey's numbers. I was actually pleasantly surprised for the most part. There are some genuinely pleasing sounding compositions, albeit with some standard jazz clichés - certain modulations and progressions, and one does form the opinion it's a vehicle for virtuoso bass and not much else. However, it does satisfy that male need for being amazed while watching The World's Strongest Man competition every new year. What makes me uncomfortable is the nadger-shrinking under-developed humour of the dedicated jazz musician. Cheeky call and response phrases that sound like the soundtrack to a Top Cat run-in with the local stray terrier, the awful song titles, the lonely-insurance-salesman-with-the-sad-smile cover. Then there is the bass tone, mostly it is over-chorused and typical of the genre, chosen for its clarity and nothing else. God only knows why the tone in "If I Were a Bell End" exists. It sounds like a very dodgy engineering mistake it is so distorted, I can't believe he approved that sound. Although some of the bass playing sounds like a drunken scat singer, I can't deny this guy makes some good music and some great ear-twisting bass runs. But it's really best for a live situation and a few stiff gins. In the home it feels like an unwelcome visit from a spider monkey during Sunday Tea.

[quote name='Doddy' post='966982' date='Sep 24 2010, 05:59 PM']I'll just say that I think that Jeff Berlin is one of the finest electric bass players....ever. He swings like mad,has brilliant chops both technically and harmonically and I do actually like his music. Also,when I met him he couldn't have been nicer.[/quote] Did his moustache tickle?

Oh dear, it seems my home PC doesn't mind downloading High Standards from Amazon. I was hoping it had the good taste of my German one at work and would refuse to so I had a good excuse. Never mind, it's my own fault for not keeping my Norton Anti-Bad Taste Bass Players up to date. The Amazon downloader just said, "Now downloading If I Were a Bell End, by Jeff Berlin" so that was nice. Review later.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='966888' date='Sep 24 2010, 04:24 PM']Aye, they managed to get it sorted to have it picked up on Monday. [b]Ah well, what's next? [/b] [/quote] Squire VM Jaguar of course!

[quote name='4-string-thing' post='966117' date='Sep 23 2010, 09:17 PM']The mighty "Iron Python" Hairwick Solid: Guitar, Vocals. Houdi Lovemuscle: Drums. Randy T. Rousernake: Bass, Vocals. Hate Hades: Vocals. Jonny Strongbone: Guitar, Vocals.[/quote] Great Scott!

[quote name='urbanx' post='966764' date='Sep 24 2010, 02:49 PM']How much fun am I having?! [/quote] Great shot!

Last night: Drilled the neck socket and used a countersink tool to make the holes for the bushings. Drilled the neck holes and fitted the neck. Fitted the Hipshot Ric replacment bridge. Put strings on. Ten minutes giving it a quick set up. Plays really nicely and with a few adjustments will be spot on. Now I know it all works, I will strip it down again and lacquer the body. I sent the pickguard drawings and the mirror blank to Jon Shuker a couple of days ago. All looking good so far.

[quote name='51m0n' post='966277' date='Sep 23 2010, 11:49 PM']Does it sing as well? [/quote] Yes! It can do the whole of Fish Out Of Water on its own!

[quote name='purpleblob' post='966627' date='Sep 24 2010, 01:03 PM']Totally makes sense now, fair enough I wouldn't be surprised if the OP might be glad if this one gets pulled although eagerly awaiting silddx's review of the album.[/quote] I had a problem with that mate. I had to order it from Amazon Germany, as all our internet connections go through Germany, however, after ordering it, I couldn't download it, it said there was no connection, but there was. I'll have to order it from home. PITA. I'll probably end up paying double for some horrible bass solo, but I will take the chance

[quote name='Johngh' post='966436' date='Sep 24 2010, 09:58 AM']Chris, the last thread was pulled because of unofficial advertising. I was asked to pull it. I'm away on holiday at the moment in London and logged on via internet cafe and being as a few other mods have contributed to this one I guess it's OK to run. Sorry if it's caused a bit of confusion.[/quote] Weird that the Glass Onyon PR company has tried again with this thread isn't it! Will this one stay?

[quote name='Clarky' post='965776' date='Sep 23 2010, 04:20 PM']Careful Nigel. When you play his CDs backwards it says "Hi-tops, Hi-tops, Hi-tops ...."[/quote] Whereas I'll probably just say "STOP! STOP! STOP! ..."

[quote name='Jase' post='965726' date='Sep 23 2010, 03:53 PM']Hahaha, nice one silddx Aha, been buying some pop prog have you?? Or Prog pop...He's a talented bloke that Charles. Still, I had to move on and all that stuff. Yes, BBC...he used to drive me nuts!! My apologies if I offended you [/quote] I never take a fence I wish Mr Charles would lose the Vai-isms and the music seems a bit emptier on the album than on the ep. Very good though, beats the sh*t out of that Porcupine Tree rubbish and the like. Cheers.

The Redundant Apostrophe's

[quote name='Jase' post='965627' date='Sep 23 2010, 02:24 PM']I can't believe that idiot BBC has got a following, hahaha![/quote] Yes you can But BBC has never been an idiot so maybe it's mistaken identity. Anyway, I'm not a follower, it's not in my nature. I was just paraphrasing one of his funnier moments. BTW, I quite like the Godsticks album, but it's not as interesting as the ep you played on. Dunno why though

[quote name='Baskesman' post='965527' date='Sep 23 2010, 01:00 PM']I think I'll return to Guitar mags after this subscription ends.[/quote] I know what you mean, I may not actually buy any magazines unless there is something specific I want from it. But, like I said in my OP, I like having something to read in the bog, and I would like it to be a bass magazine that's on the money and makes me think something other than "I'm not buying this again".

I want to know what I'm talking about here because this album sounds like a load of w*** from start to finish from what I've heard, and he has a horrible bass tone too. So I'm downloading this right now from Amazon for £6.99. I will report back with my findings later To paraphrase big beef chief .. glassonyonpr, if this is a waste of my time I'm flying over to Clearwater FL to bum you.

[quote name='BigAlonBass' post='964873' date='Sep 22 2010, 08:16 PM'](a) would definitely be my choice as well. Never EVER issue an "it's them or me" ultimatum to Musicians, because you put them under pressure, look like a pr*ck, and they always get rid of the pr*ck. As for the sneaky tactics scenario, the same rule applies. If people realise what you're doing, you'll look a pr.............etc. etc. If you bow out gracefully (citing the Singer as the reason) they will probably look harder at the singer, and may even start noticing the things that annoy you. Stay friends with the guys, they may be giving you a call sooner than you think. [/quote] I doubt it's possible to express my opinion better than this, so I won't.

[quote name='purpleblob' post='964870' date='Sep 22 2010, 08:15 PM']How strange, I could have sworn I left a comment on this one previously. Maybe I'm getting old or have I been censored ? [/quote] Me too =/

I'm hoping my Chris Squire Electra tribute will be ready in time.