bluesparky

Forgive my ignorance if it's an obvious answer or a silly question, but would there be tension issues with the neck if all strings have dropped tuning down to a C and kept that low? Or would adjustments to the truss rod or special strings overcome any problems?

ROCK!! I'm not actually in a full time band, we're just a bunch of mates who hook up when we're all in the country at the same time.. A couple of the guys in the band are beginners so nothing too complex, but it's fun Usually Led Zep, sabbath, etc.. I also occasionally meet up with a few guys and blast through some cool funk / jazz / fusion (and pretty much anything Dave Weckl has done - thanks to the drummer!), but that's not very often at all. Any excuse to make noise really!

Hot Water - Level 42, i stumbled across my Stuart Clayton book and had a thumb through (as it were)..

I personally enjoy playing slap. I always wanted to be able to play it when i first picked up the bass, Flea was and is my favourite player so naturally loved slapping. I did go through a mid-teen phase of slapping ALL the time, every soundcheck and whenever i picked up someone's bass after saying "gis a go mate!". I grew out of that phase after a year or so and now only really play slap when the song needs it / has it in the original - or if the set includes a cheesy solo from everyone, mine would consist of all-slap-no-smash nooddling. Personally i don't mind it now, people do go and see Level 42 or marcus miller to see them slap and they know what they expect. What does annoy me is if it's out of context and needless, such as, i dunno, for example the Kaiser chiefs having a 2 minute slap solo in the middle of it - it doesn't really go and that would annoy me. Also people may actually be slapping a bass in a shop on a saturday morning because that's the type of music they play so they need to hear what it sounds like and feels like - i doubt it though! I know i'm probably just writing what everyone has said before but i thought i'd mention that i'm watching Blackadder III on DVD, and the closing titles for each episode has a blatantly comical out of place slap fill in the middle - definitely tongue in cheek!

Ouch! All the best, and speedy recovery!

[quote name='obbm' post='398261' date='Feb 2 2009, 08:06 PM']I would have thought that an Alesis SR16 would do what you want. You can programme your own patterns and use the patterns to make complete songs. They go quite cheaply now. In fact I have one I don't use any more.[/quote] Yup, i would have said the same too. I've got one, it's been going strong for 13 years and has never let me down!

i usually spend most of the time keeping an eye on the drummer as he's usually looking at me 'cos he can never remember the songs!

I tend to have the straps on my axes to be as long as they can be, but they are medium length ones and i'm not the shortest person in the world. This leaves my bass across my hips which i find comfortable to play pretty much all i need to and also isn't too high or low for me. Not the most informative of answers, but it suits me!!

Peal Jam - EIO ha ha ha brilliant, don't care if it's in the wrong bit that's brilliant!!

Me got: Leatherman, Small alan key set, Fuses (3,5,13 amp) wind up extension lead 4 way block 13A- IEC cable 13A - fig 8 cable 2 spare patch cables 2 spare instrument cables (main travels in bass case) 1 spare speaker cable (main cables travel in amp rack pocket) bar towel - needed after jumping around in front of lights! Spare pedal board PSU & cables Clothes pegs - sometimes needed to secure set lists or music to stand outside! Set of small watch makers screwdrivers Small polish cloth for bass Batteries of different types Pens, paper, pencil, rubber, manuscript paper Sharpie marker pens Spare velcro straps to wind up cables with tuner (for when pedal board isn't there) RCD device Gaffa tape PVC tape 2 new sets of strings (and usually and old set too) Torch I need to get a drum key, sounds handy! It all fits beautifully in an old computer bag, lots of lovely compartments for it all to live it, and it has a pully-up handle and wheels too.

Personally i usually play simple stuff, nothing too crazy as i like to hear things as clearly as i can. If i'm seriously interested and looking to buy that bass that day then i'll wind it up a bit and start doing more interesting things and try and test my limits on it to see if I really get on with it, but still try to refrain from looking like a nob.. I don't really subscribe to the whole flash and no smash school of playing, but i did have to be a bit silly and throw as many fancy licks, taps and slaps in when i was in a certain bass shop in Denmark street and asked to try a pedal i wanted to buy that day. The shaved baboon behind the counter asked what bass and amps i had and i told him, his eyes looked skywards and he said: "of course you do, everyone says that", which annoyed me, then he said "how many months have you been playing" insinuating i only wanted to go in there to play on stuff i couldn't afford. Ooh, that annoyed me, so i had to show him i could play, in a cocky, subtle and nonchalant way... Tit.

I'm usually stage right, no reason, just am!

Cool, not really the news i need to hear when i'm trying to save! Dammit, some serious self restraint is going to be needed on my part now!

I always liked the bassline from "love is the law" from seahorses, the rest of the album has pretty cool stuff on it too. Lots of tasty little fills and runs from, i think his name is stuart fletcher.

[quote name='Rich' post='384834' date='Jan 19 2009, 11:53 AM']Extreme - Pat Badger (that solo in Cupid's Dead, ye gods )[/quote] Oooh yeah, now you're talking!

I spend a lot of time practicing at slow tempos, trying to nail the beat exactly. I noticed that with quick riffs and songs etc, you can flow through and make it sound good yet be quite sloppy. When i heard a recording back of something i was playing on i noticed that i was actually all over the place and didn't hit the notes quite as well as i should. This kick started me into really trying hard to sort that out, i find it a damn sight harder to play slowly than i do fast. I practice a lot like xgsjx suggested. Also, slightly off topic, In my limited experience of lessons (all 4 of them with a teacher who've a lot of respect for), i was taught that it's very important to be able to count on the 2 & 4, rather than the 1 & 3. This was whilst working on some jazz pieces and jazz theory where the 2 & 4 do naturally seem to feel stronger. Whilst playing more commercial rock 'n pop the 1 & 3 do seem to feel more dominant. I'm rarely right and don't really have much relevant advice to offer, but that's what i tend to feel whilst playing music!!

Is there truth in the rumour that it was Bakithi's birthday on the day of the recording of "you can call me Al" and Paul said he could have a blatant solo / fill in the song as a treat, hence the slapped fill? Or is it just an urban myth, either way it has fuelled many pub discussions...

[quote name='Rich' post='384698' date='Jan 19 2009, 09:27 AM']Thread will be locked IMMEDIATELY on the first appearance of a jellied eel or pearly king. :lol:[/quote] Or a jellied King or a pearly eel...

lump - presidents of united states of america. Just a good fun tune, from a good fun band. I'm off to see them AGAIN in April at the forum. Can't wait, you'll never have as much fun at a gig than at a PUSA gig!

I've stopped putting any of my gear on e-bay. I sold a bass on there last year and once the fees were taken off as well as other payments, i was left with a bit of a chunk out of the price missing! I sell all of my stuff on here now or on gumtree. It may take a little longer, but i'm rarely in a real hurry to sell stuff. Whilst on the subject, as soon as i can be bothered to take my camera out of it's holder, i'll be flogging my ashdown gear (see below) (I know i'm Cheeky - controversial wrong thread discussion expected!!)

signed

I think it's a shame that the world today consists of people who'd freely rip off and distribute other people's hard work. Anyhoo, Great idea, if we ever meet i'd tell you just how wrong it is and buy you beers! BTW my e-mail address is mark . pritchard @ shinylights . co .uk nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more! Top man!