Wonky2

Ahhh guys, Pete ! Thanks for the info, I got distracted by the crimbo ! I will check it out tomorrow.... Are the concert strings such as Spiro tied differently ? I once played a bass owned by an old guy (70 plus) who had a fantastic feel to his set up... his secret he said was to chuck away the e string and fit A DG strings in position 123 then fit a high C in pos 4 but tune it to G. I mentioned it on here s while back and it seems it's highly unusual but a couple of older players said there was a period in 60's when this was the done thing, it even had a name which I can recall ??? Sounds idiotic but I tell you it felt and sounded divine. But these strings are just too dear to "have a go" with.... I might go pay him a visit and take another look! In the mean time, I also used a bass which had strings that looked like a yellow weaved texture, no idea what they were ? Are they the roots ?

Hey guys I picked up a sweet aria swb eub last week... one problem I have is that the tail piece/spike is too short. At its full extension the bass is still a good foot too short for me when stood up Has it been cut down perhaps ? Where can I buy a longer one ? I play sat down anyway as my back is well, ruined.... but I do occasionally like to stand up, even if just for a short while. Does anyone else have an aria swb, if so, what strings are you using ?

That sounds like a real pain in the taters Pete ? Any strings come made for eub ?

Been playing evah pirazi weich on my acoustic db for the last12 months and I'm happy with them... But I've just picked up an aria swb eub and I'm not sure what strings are on it... what I do know is they feel heavy and a higher tension than I'm used too... I'd like to go light weight and easy on the fingers, I hear good things about innnovation honeys but I'm clueless with what works for eub What do you recommend ?

Ive got a focusrite idock for sale if anyones interested ? Very intuative to use as it docks an ipad and so is touch screen.... Works with many platforms such as garageband but i use auria with it and its essentially a 64 track desk with multiple plugins ,effects and filters etc.... Toch of a button to export tracks to wav files and drop into drop bax etc..... I just dont get time to use it... Its the studio kit , boxed, as new with studio qual headphones ,mic, leads etc.... Ready to go... Anyone interested give me a shout....

Grahamd, I shall check it out Thanks for heads up I posted this originally thing id get little feedback since I've never heard anyone mention them on here before.... So glad there is so much love for them!! A long standing personal bass playing fantasy of mine is to have played with them.....

Wowzers spoombung ! Epic !!!

I'm Trying to teach my eldest son (10) the trouble is, I can't be sure at this point if he wants to learn or just wants to be like dad ? He's doing great, but I have to encourage practice as apposed to him choosing to. The reason for this is as follows ..... I've taught him the alphabet.... I've taught him to use the alphabet to make words.... But he has to put the time in now to learn how to contstruct sentences, find the right things to say, what to say or not to say. After that comes learning how to be softly spoken or shout, talk in the correct meter etc etc.... There is a lot to take in, but once you get so far in, things become self explanatory, things translate , patterns emerge.... I've downloaded an app which is a game which has a bass fret board on it... It asks you to name notes, hear notes and point to them etc etc, I would highly recommend it. There are a few like it so just have a search. Finally, what's works as s basic method for a beginner , just to get a feel for playing, buy a tab or guitar book of an album you like. Something simple, let's say for example (horrible example) oasis, deffo maybe . Put the album on and follow the words in the book. Look at the names of the guitar chords, they usually have a tab chord pic and the name of the chief above the lyric text. Pick up you bass and just play along playing the root note of that chord , so for example, if it say A minor, just play an A, if it says E minor, just play an E.... And so on. You will find you will be able to begging to follow changes, coordinate your hands etc etc.... Most if all, have fun and enjoy the huge grin on your face when you get it right. Little wonky is currently working on the verse parts of sir duke, he got so frustrated over it but when he cracked it he was chuffed to bits. (So was I )

In regards to bass playing, dots and loops (rob Harrison on bass '97) it's great.... And yes, loud is a must. I remember purchasing some expensive maudant short hifi speakers at the time and putting dits and loops on for their first whirl..... Just epic! Laetitia's "something shines" is outstanding , with that same bass sound in places, but as always the socio politic theme driving a message through the Beauty... Another one I play alot is ping pong off mar's audio quartet .... The message still relevant today as was back then.... I also like French disco pop band "Air" , the virgin suicides just epic, great film to... But the backing band for air went on to become Phoenix.... Not keen on their latest album but everything before great!

MBA... That's very cool indeed, and yes , I'd imagine quite a treat to behold live... There is s honesty to the music, the socio politic still remains and the music not only has a crafted beauty about it, but some definate worth in its lyrical content. Milestone, you would not regret purchasing something shines blind and on my recommendation alone . I am quite sure you will become very attached to it. Ironically, I did type out this original post at length with lots of history/detail etc but when I switched to search links for songs to drop into the post came back to the page for it to be refreshed and gone ! I initially did this, not once, but 3 times! I figured it's likely Obscure and I may In fact be a very small minority so relented and never posted up..... That was prob 12 months ago. Tonight i felt compelled again to reach out to other fans and unbelievably did it again ! Hahaha the last attempt I posted the links up first then bs k filled with the text! Rediculous I know but still... I'm glad I did as amongst all the people I know I don't know any other fans , Considering such great bass tones I wondered if the things I loved were an attractant to other bass players. I could not stop listening to miss sadiers latest album Try this one: https://youtu.be/C9hTiqts5Ms

They will do if you play them in time Play them like a doosh and they'll hiss whilst your drummer has you in a headlock.

Excellent ! I have a plus 1!!! Yes, I have all the albums and love many, sound dust , mar's audio quintet, emporer tomato ketchup and on and on ..... Just not as keen on the velvet undergroundy sounding early stuff, I prefer the more bass orientated stuff... I assume you have a copy of laetitia sadiers "something shines"... It truly is an exquisite work of art!

The bass lines are subtle but through go hifi gear have a great great tone... See here. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jKhxkbBAn_k https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2tIEf4hq6n8

From laetitia's latest album... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yAWhJKUi63Y https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RjyEeF5lEzY

My all time fave band, never seen them mentioned on here..... Formed in the early 90's with a French / London based synth influenced krautrock/ lounge/ 60's pop euro chic.... In the early days, a lot like the velvet underground sound... Repetitive drone based guitar riffs and socio politic lyrical content.... I like it but it's not the stereolab I like. The stereolab I like came about in 97 with a new bass player (Richard Harrison) and the release of dots and loops. A different sound for the band, hints on jazz, more relaxed feel with more retro synth / moog and retro sound experimentation... The bass more to the fore than before. Tim gane and front lady laetitia sadier went on after backing vox Mary Hansen's untimely death ( bicycle/Lorry accident in London)... But they never fully recovered I guess.... Understandably. Laetitia sadier went on to do some great songs lo and collaboration work, with her recent album "something shines " being just truly outstanding. I urge you to at least have a listen, it's seductivley inspiring. It is an aquired taste for sure and I know it won't appeal to the masses, but me, i will always have a soft spot for the French disco/pop sound of bands like stereolab, air, and Phoenix. So, any other fans ? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VNyCK9Xb1SI https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6zuZL3j-r0w

[quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1470688539' post='3107741'] I really wouldn't say that; if the US guys think you've been working illegally they'll probably kick you out even though you're leaving, and you'll not be welcome to return! [/quote] Work ? Paid? ............. Tell them you played for handjobs. That will distract them.

The issue here isn't the players ability..... It's the fact they have managed to emerge from the lowley status of "bass player" to "band member with name".... Not only that, a house hold name many might quote as a "bass player".... It may be their technical ability or persona itself that has brought them such notoriety or promenance in the band they are in, but that's I relevant to many. For some, the size of the name doesn't match the ability or lines they have wrote..... How many non musicians would know who Bernard Edwards is, or Steve Harris , or Michael manwering...... Not many I'd guess. It's got little to do with playing ability, more so the character they have created. For some, the size of character doesn't ,in their opinion, warrant the playing ability..... Which is just plain silly. Take mark king and put him in u2, it would be "interesting" but I'd imagine not quite right. Horses for courses. Van morrisons bass player on the other hand, he's poo.

Cheers mark.... Thump till you slump... That's the way

My god, how hard is this to conceive ? It's a great tune. Not disputing that. Many of you play it, but likely do so with impeccable timing, and yes, I'm sure your crowd love it. Most listeners will enjoy both your version and the original. It was a simple point.... I was familiar with the song but had never really "listened" to it as apposed to just hearing it. When I did ,and as a musician typically would, I listened to the bass part to see what the original player actually did...... When I did this, I was surprised at the small but clearly noticeable nuances and flaws in the peice , namely timing and apprehension. I thought I'd point it out as it's likely some here will have taken the tune on earshot as I had always done and would likely be surprised at just how "off" it is...... I can't believe it's really that hard to consider ? We are all bass players here and one of the fundamental parts of what we do is timing.... Whether that's on, behind or crossing over etc, but Deffo not apprehension. Of course I can accept it as it is and have no doubt of its success or ability to please the listener.... Point being, I was shocked at a song so successful being so shoddily played. It doesn't "bother me" , I'm not loosing sleep, it doesn't make it any less of the tune than it is... I just listened and thought wowzers!!! 1664.

Ok... Not disco in the strictest terms.... But whilst we're on 80's uber bass lines.... http://youtu.be/MdC2jPPxAwk

Im with pete.... Body on one case , neck in another.... Safely packaged in clothes..... If they do ask, tell them you took it there with you to play a gig with friends during your stay Go on, live a little

yes yes yes.. Im quite sure i said in the op its a great tune, point was ive never listened closely. To be fair, the general masses are unlikley to deconstruct songs in the way a musician does and will likely take most on earshot as a while peace. But for the musician, who cannot help but listen without isolating parts or focusing on particular bits, it was a bit like waking up next to a kronenburg bird the morning after..... You know 1664..... "She looked 16 from behind but when she turned around......."

Blue, raymondo,mark... Playing bass and even more so, performing, with chronic pain or/and chronic fatigue is so very hard. I'm a little further down the road I gather and for a time things seemed impossible. The concept of this was literally soul destroying. Poor health has taken so very much from me, I cling to my music as the last bastion of all that is ME. Things slowed down for me (band/session) work wise and I welcomed that as the late nights, standing or sitting in one spot just wasn't possible anymore. I'm lucky that I have found a band which suits my needs perfectly. They are out there. Drummer and guitarist play full time in a function band for day job, but the rest of us now just play for the love of it. We don't have a heavy scedule and work around the other guys gigs. They love moonlighting with us playing original material as it breaks the constraints of their usual covers. I'm fortunate that they understand, I just turn up plug in and play.... But I'm not bad so they allow me the good grace... Haha even help me with my gear. Point is.... When you think you are ready to hang up your gloves , don't panic, there will be plenty of truly fantastic musicians out there who just do it for the music and no other reason. Ok, blue, you might have issues as technically you'd be unemployed , but the late nights and 4 hour sets 3 nights running.... You may find an easier way to make a few quid. No, that's not a pleasant thought, but you may find before long it's a choice which is made for you by your failing body bits as It was for me . Enough with the gloom ! Turn it up load and get your bass face on !

Glad to hear she's doing well.... Where your friend has gone from wheelchair to bass, I have recently gone from bass to wheel chair! I'm not full time in it, I use crutches mostly but for longer periods of time and anything further than "the car to a chair" , I'm beginning to make the change. It's been a tough decision but one I hope will allow me to get out more with the kids and not be desperate to find a seat or just go home. For the first time in a long time I can go out for the whole day and enjoy it! No issues with bass as my chair has no sides, but that's not the problem. You could not begin to imagine just how uninviting or unthought out some places/events/gigs/pubs etc are for Wheelchair users.... Honestly, it's shocking. I fortunately CAN get up out of it and use my sticks if I have to but for those who can't, it's rough. The day I have to be lifted onto a stage I'll pack it all in, shame as my hands work just fine. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a whinge about the injustice etc, just pointing out that a bass suitable for a chair is the least of her problems.... Just think about your last few gigs and imagine it......sure, learn to play, play for fun or the love of the music, take it as far as you are able and enjoy... But i know without the support of good mates and some serious consideration or forward planning, its difficult to say the least. I dont mean to sound negative or in anyway saying its impossible, no far from it, i applaud the effort and commend your support, but just pointing out we all take an awfull lot for granted and the daily obstacles im coming across are an eyeopener... Good on her for getting out there, it's admirable..... Maybe I'll get used to it over time but right now .....

Frigg the notes! he can't play in time ! And no, behind, to the side, underneath, a week next Tuesday... Doesn't count. It's not intentional meandering, it's plain slop.!!! pAHhhh! Mr Morrison , I bid you and your bass monkey good day sir! (Waltzes off in a girly blob strop)