SteveK

Having worked, in the late 80s, with many bands from the [i]Glam[/i] era, I came across BC's Sweet many times and got to know the lads a little. I have to be honest and say that watching BC on stage was not a pleasant experience. He was clearly not well. To the normal ticket buying punter he would look drunk, I had even heard that gig reviews would often refer to a 'drunk Brian Connolly'. He wasn't drunk, the fact was, he had been very ill and was on serious medication. During one of these shows Dave Dee (sadly also, no longer with us) and I were in the wings discussing BC and his performance, I remember saying, 'Jeez, he looks and sounds awful, he should knock it on the head...why does he still do it?' To which Dave Dee replied, 'It's that or the dole!' hmm, not too much to argue with there.

Sadly, my memory of Sweet is from 1989 (ish), somewhere in Europe, dragging Brian Connolly from his bed while the rest of the entourage (bands and crews) are on the bus waiting to get to the airport.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1322756720' post='1455513'] Alain Caron? [/quote] He's a great musician, a great talent...but, what I meant was, where are the [i]young, up-and-coming[/i] Robert Fripps of today? No disrespect, and it's not really relevant outside of this discussion, but Alain Caron's about my age...93! Whereas, [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1322758366' post='1455554'] It was when Fripp burst upon us, too. He was head and shoulders more interesting than anyone else. [/quote] RF was only 23 when he introduced himself with[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBfCzhYbWBk"] this[/url]

Couldn't read all the above, but whatever he says is all right by me. IMV the music world of today is sadly devoid of characters/musicians of Robert Fripp's ilk... where the f*** are the Robert Fripps of today?

Gauge does effect the tone of a string. If sustain and fuller overall tone are required, I would edge toward a heavier gauge string. Remember though that a change in gauge means you'll need to make adjustments to the bass: Truss rod, action and intonation.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1322307782' post='1449109'] I think the point people are trying to make is that posters with idiosyncratic habits like BBC give a forum character. And without those characters everything gets a bit bland. Ultimately if you get rid of the people who don't share the collective view on everything to keep the majority happy then the forum becomes an occasionally-used question and answer platform, with no discussion to fill the gaps, because there's no discussion to be had if you've banned everyone who disagrees with you. Conflict keeps people coming back, and in all likelihood the loudest complainants are enjoying it the most. [/quote] "What a load of sh*t." IME Those that "tell it like it is" invariably don't like to be told how it is. On a forum, such as this, the target of the inflammatory post will respond (perfectly natural), giving a little of what he has just received (again, perfectly natural), the thread escalates, and then before you know it the thread has been hijacked as the perpetrator's forum etiquette (or lack of) [i]becomes the subject[/i] of the thread. I'm sure there are BC members who would have liked to contribute to the discussion that Nigel linked, but would have been put off with that style of banter. Far from livening up a debate, that kind of 'repartee' actually [b]closes[/b] debate.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1322148085' post='1447234'] One of the first I saw was this one, I was hooked on BC from then on, and you know what, BigBeefChief was what made it so entertaining for me because he really was funny, and also had a great nose for bullshit. It was locked eventually of course [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/23404-students-squire-almost-as-good-as-my-mia-fender/"]http://basschat.co.u...-my-mia-fender/[/url] [/quote]I'm sorry Nigel, I know you liked him, but the guy didn't know how to behave. Re: the linked thread, I don't see what's funny about his opening contribution to the thread, [quote]What a load of sh*t.[/quote] or this comment in the same post, [quote]It worries me that someone with such a retarded attitude is allowed to teach music???? [/quote] Was this in reply to a sexist, racist. homophobic etc post? No, it was in reply to a fairly innocuous post about... (surprise, surprise) bass guitars. I didn't read the rest of the thread, but it's hardly surprising that it was locked. I'm not sure his 'nose for bullshit' was any keener than the next person. I think he saw an opportunity for a good scrap, lobbed his hand-grenade and, IMO, relished the fallout. My memory of him is of someone obsessed with Carol Vorderman's backdoor activities. We all like a laugh, but it did get tedious. BC is just a little bit more grown up without him.

[quote]he made a number of recommendations including lifting the p/up towards the string - measured my MM Ray - gap is 4mm - set the p/ups to this - works a treat. Seems that the optimum distance between string and p/up is about 4mm..[/quote] FFS That's his gig. Ask if you can have a refund for the cost of doing your own, albeit partial, setup. I would be less than impressed. Very shoddy!

Slightly OT Last Christmas is one of the most God-awful examples of Linn drum programming ever on a record. Not sure how you can make LC sound good, but to sound authentic you should at least make sure you play with absolutely no feel. Hope that helps. Sorry, you can probably tell that I'm not a fan of Wham and that record in particular. EDIT: Just found it on Youtube. My guess is that it is in C but speeded up to somewhere slightly sharper than C#

OK, I've been playing bass (4 string) for 40 years, give or take. Year before last I decided I'd give it a go on a 5 string. Decided what I wanted and waited several months for delivery. It finally arrived, it looked great and sounded awesome. Spent a few months at home getting used to it before using it in the real world... To cut a long story short...I ditched it! I wasn't enjoying playing it. It was a bit like living with and loving a woman for 40 years, only to wake up one morning with another...great fun to start with, but the novelty soon wears off.

Self indulgent? You guys talk as if it's a bad thing. We're musicians - we're allowed to be self indulgent. Some great music results from self indulgence. IMV we could all do with a bit more self indulgence. What you're really discussing is popular versus unpopular favourites.

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1319715027' post='1417570'] We used to call it "showing off" in the old days. [/quote]Isn't that what we all do when we hit the stage(?) Isn't that the point(?) Not my cup of tea...but, as Doddy says, "it was as much about entertainment and showmanship as it was about the actual playing". Duelling basses?...why not?

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1319568210' post='1415957'] The best example of '60s 'click-bass', but I'd reckon that Love Affair track is a Jazz. Curious - can I ask why you think it's a Rick? [/quote] My Ricky comment was in reference to the Labi Siffre track. I don't know why, there are one or two slightly less muted notes that just said, "Rickenbacker". Just a hunch, probably wrong

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1319478904' post='1414701'] SteveK, would the effect be so percussive with muting? [/quote] Absolutely, you get the immediate attack (click) with little or no sustain. Listening to it again, I'm thinking Ricky. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Le8bH3Y8U"]Here's a similar sounding bass.[/url]

Pick and heavily damped strings - foam or edge of the hand.

He died several years ago. He suffered mental problems in his last few years. Guess I should add that the drummer from UPP, Jimmy Copley, is now currently a band-mate. A fine drummer he is too.

Assuming that you're a half decent player and have got the music nailed... Smile, talk positively (ie, don't say, "He's crap", "That's crap" etc), nobody likes a bitcher and moaner. IME A positive personality runs a very close second to ability, especially with a gigging, touring band.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1318419316' post='1401827'] [url="http://www.starnow.co.uk/"]http://www.starnow.co.uk/[/url] Dunno if it's any good but it sort of fits the description. Also has visit-worthy sections for models, actresses, etc [/quote] OI YOU, behave! My daughter's got a profile on there

According to Lennon: [i]"It was a piece of garbage."[/i]

[quote name='jaybyname' timestamp='1317129983' post='1387105'] On a similar note, is there a specific reason why my individual bass bridges are in a stepped formation. If I was to adjust, what harm is there in lining them all up again to create some symmetry to the neck. That make sense? Im thinking of stripping and re-fitting the 7 individual bridges in line with eachother then correcting the saddles/intonation later. [/quote] If I understand you correctly, then, the reason they are in "stepped formation" is for correct intonation. If you line them up, the higher you play - the more out of tune.

Hey guys! Aren't you worried (what, with all the threads on the subject) that, with all this chopping and changing basses, [b]you[/b] won't sound like ...[b]you[/b]? Cos it's a well known fact that yer sound comes from yer bass. So, it stands to reason that if you change yer bass, then, [b]you[/b] won't sound like[b] you[/b] any more. Actually, I have a favourite that I keep coming back to, a 1985 Warwick Streamer that Warwick have recently reworked and given a new lease of life. A couple of instruments haven't seen the light of day for 5 or 6 years.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1316385605' post='1377533'] Despite not being a fan of the show (and its ilk) I was quite chuffed to get the phone call. The big question is - J or P? [/quote] X Factor winner?...Can't really see how it's going to make much difference.

[quote name='squire5' post='1371719' date='Sep 13 2011, 01:17 PM'][b]Bm with a G sharp?Hmm.[/b]That actually seems right.It works.my problem had been that we dont have keyboard in our lineup so we were trying to make it work with just guitar and bass.But that combo definitely works.What does the team think?I had thought that Garry's E7 might have been right.[b]PS how d'ya get the 'Sharp' icon on your keyboard?[/b][/quote]That'll be a Bmin6 then #=# er, I mean[i] hash key[/i]

[quote name='ojwethorns' post='1371649' date='Sep 13 2011, 12:24 PM']Yes. It is G#minor7. Cheers[/quote]Nope! Whether it's Bmin6 or E7, it's a B on the bass, so let your guitarist/keyboard player decide...on the night

Blimey, there's a lot of nonsense in this thread - James Jamerson; tin cans; crap hi-fi and [quote]I do get the sense that there is an undercurrent here of "I'm good enough a player to have nice gear, but I've noticed there are players who are not quite as good who also have nice gear, and somehow that's not fair"[/quote]I mean, wass that all about??? There's only been one bass that I[b] needed[/b] to buy - my first, a Fender P (in 1972), which I'm seriously thinking of getting resprayed and bringing out of retirement. The rest were the result of a whim, or gifts. There's nought wrong with buying new gear, we live in shallow times, it makes us feel good, but don't hoodwink yourself into thinking that it's essential. Once you've spent several hundred or more on one instrument, providing you've done a modicum of research, you should be sorted.