SpondonBassed

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1474968758' post='3141835'] One thing that you should be aware of, if you're not already, is that the [u]latency[/u] of a Skype conversation means that it is unsuitable for simultaneous playing. [/quote] I prefer the term "laggy" to latent. I accept however that lagginess is not proper English It's one of my biggest pet hates with digital. A very well known Derby musician's retailer tried to convince me that there was zero lag on a bit of digital kit that they were showing me. I think they actually believed it themselves. I don't deal with them any more.

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1485875225' post='3227405'] Hmmm. I think using the stage name 'Thundercat' might reduce his overall level of coolness somewhat though. [/quote] Next you'll be saying that this isn't cool... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcGNqrAtsgg I dunno, you whipper-snappers.

Abe Sr (bass) and Abe Jr (drums) are seriously good. On stage, the old boy jumps when he gets to his groove. Check him on YT if you can. It's so wrong to see a large man move that way that it works. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDwaAZp73tY[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnXKm-Pqqpo[/media] About two minutes in he goes for it

Who T F made Leo the boss of bass anyway?

All that rabbit finally paid off. (@ fellow grandads - We all know rap is just the fashionable name for good old cockney rabbit don't we?)

I saw a clip of a chap playing electric bass under his chin like he was plucking a fiddle. I can't for the life of me find the clip now.

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1485722844' post='3226182'] Excellent result Spondon Bassed. [/quote] Thank you. I hadn't realised how rare those were for my guitar. I almost considered a clamp to allow single ball end strings to be fitted but I didn't like the idea. First off, it would ruin the simplicity of my instrument. Second, neck dive would become an issue. Hubrad says; "Sadly the Picato factory at Treorchy was closed just over a year back". There is still a web presence for the company so, like Hubrad, I hope they can continue to make rare strings on occasion. 'Turned out nice again though. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0qyrnGLnsw[/media]

Follow up; Hubrad sent me the set of Picato flat 45-130 DBE stainless steel strings at a bargain price. I fitted them yesterday and have been enjoying the sound and feel of them quite a lot. They complement my Ashdown T300 combo and Trace Elliot 1818 extension very well. The thwack and tone are what I was hoping to achieve but didn't know how. Cheers Hubrad!

[quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1485646292' post='3225620'] So, when reading from a bass music book I really want to develop my notation skills (which are ok for a bassist of nine months) but, if the notation and TAB are both provided next to each other, I can't help myself from reading the TAB! It drives me nuts! Anyone else find this? I'm wondering about solutions (I clearly don't have the willpower to not glance down), but I don't really want to deface the books with permanent marker or black electrical tape... [/quote] Might be too much work but should help with the learning bit; Print yourself some blank ledger lines and transcribe by hand from the book for those pieces you like. Then use your handwritten copy.. Good luck. I wanted to do this but my eyesight is going downhill in a way that makes sight reading impossible. I can read okay when not playing. I use tab mainly with reference to score if it is there but I'm not going to waste time on getting familiar with the dots. At 54, life's far too short to distract from the actually playing. Also I am getting my ear in, as they say, so that I can jam better with others.

[quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1485553802' post='3224972'] Ref the pickup on my Stingray: it has two screw 'humps' on the top, which I sit my thumb between - when I've tried taking it onto the E or A strings & back again those humps seem to be in the way. Anyone else found this? [/quote] Sometimes. It isn't so often now but I found myself having to will my hand into staying at a set distance from the bridge for the tonal qualities more than for returning my thumb to its roost so to speak. Funny enough though, I was playing through something today where I sacrificed tone for attack by using the neck pick up for a thumb rest. The tune demanded a sustained staccato. The strings deflect more here too so it is important for consistency, I find, to anchor for those notes on the B. On the Steinberger the screw heads don't really get in the way but I can feel them easily to confirm by feel where I am when needed.

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1485555508' post='3224986'] Could someone define the meaning of cool in this context? I'm assuming we're all not just giving our personal heroes a name check, and that [u]'cool' doesn't have to mean supremely gifted[/u] either? [/quote] I agree.

Thanks Hugh. I just got some rare DBE strings from Hugh by post today. Within a week of posting a query about them on the forum Hugh sorted it at a modest price. Everything was concisely dealt with via PM and no children or animals were harmed.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1485542331' post='3224851'] If you want that dull thumpy flats thing just buy normal Roto rounds and play one gig, job done [/quote] [attachment=236750:Handbags.png]

[quote name='StephenYork' timestamp='1485533609' post='3224744'] Agreed, it's not normally what I'd listen to them for but I'll give it a chance. Album is out on the 31st March so not long. I do need that hat! [/quote] If you like the hat then you might also like this gimp suit, as seen on George Michael's Freeek promotion. All it needs is a couple of thousand LEDs tastefully set into it... [attachment=236734:Freeek.png]

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1485536737' post='3224788'] try here [url="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmPz2u6XVKsFdC8QJMCyxg"]https://www.youtube....XVKsFdC8QJMCyxg[/url] [/quote] Many thanks.

[quote name='ROConnell' timestamp='1485534206' post='3224755'] Can't believe nobody has mentioned Carol Kaye to be honest [/quote] Not cool. Not even. Very accomplished admittedly and I even like her stuff but the Jamerson controversy is anything but...

@ Lowdown - BIG wink Cool. I'd forgotten about the sovereign. Sorry Blue for the diversion but you wanted an education. The sovereign is a gold coin valued at one pound and it was in general circulation until 1932. Now considered bullion. Still admired by Cockneys and Essex lads alike. "Sov" is the same as quid and is used by folk who live within the sound of Bow Bells or who have migrated out to Essex. Just finished watching Eight Days a Week by the way. Nicely made. I noted that there was little sign of anyone trying to rip the Beatles off when they were in the 'States.

Bill Wyman. Cool to the point of dead boredom perhaps.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1485513033' post='3224460'] Hey, go for it! I didn't play a note until 55 went through the feeling foolish stage and within a year was playing with a band and paid gigs a year after that. Nearly ten years on I've been terrorising audiences all over the South West for seven years. Still feel as if someone is going to tap me on the shoulder and say 'come on you don't really know how to play that thing' but until they do.... [/quote] [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1485528319' post='3224674'] It takes time to find people - I had several weeks where I couldnt find anyone as everyone seem to be in a clique already, or that I had no confidence to do a solo spot (I feel bass IS an ensemble instrument), once people noted how bass filled out a performance (I really enjoyed upstaging those weedy solo acoustics), and once performers got a better response, it was easier to find people to play along with. Be patient is my advice, leave your bass out in sight of all and someone will invite you.Me? I absolutely loved watching people clapping or tapping or even just nodding. Lots of people told me bass made a nice change to hear. [/quote] Cheers chaps. The experience reflects what you have each said. I've been asked to go along to help set up at lunch time for next Thursday's Open Mic where we'll get to run through some stuff. I've also got a promise of some opportunities to practice outside of that. The goal was to play with a fellow living being and break out of endless, soulless play alongs. Score. Quiet though the night was also was it productive. All in all I'm happy with the results. Not bad for the first night eh?

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1485519076' post='3224542'] If you want to check out our FB page [url="https://www.facebook.com/PaulandWendyWarning77/"]https://www.facebook...WendyWarning77/[/url] there's 3 videos of us 'performing' at open mics, if it's your thing we could perhaps have a go at meeting up at an open mic, no Thin Lizzy I'm afraid [/quote] Cheers. I have issues with Facebook scripts and can't watch them in real time due to my script blocker. Have you a download site that does not pester please?

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1485513059' post='3224461'] If this is your bag, I can recommend the open mic at Matlock Bath, which isn't far away I guess. I can't remember the name of the pub, but it's billed as an evening with Molly May - she organises it and sometimes plays. We did it as a band (they don't usually do bands though) just after new year and there was even a good/friendly crowd even then. Good sound guy too. I was pretty surprised by the turnout. [/quote] I have a friend who sometimes plays there with Agent Utah. Cheers. It's now on my list. The Fishpond http://www.thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk/?event=a-night-with-mm-60

[quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1485511001' post='3224426'] This exactly - I play a semi-regular rock acoustic night with a guitarist and people have often commented favourably. I'm regularly stunned by people's low expectations...if it sounds vaguely like something they know then it's usually well received. Phil & I have often commented how good it *could* be if we actually rehearsed some of the tracks together! [/quote] I have Dancing in the Moonlight under my belt, so to speak. Lizzy and Phil were heroes of mine. I may do more as things unfold. I'm chuffed to see you have a tribute band. I looked you up and I will check you out soon seeing as you're often playing quite near according to your 2017 diary. Keep up the good work!

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1485506766' post='3224393'] I usually pick something on the night with my acoustic guitarist chum and we rough it out in the corridor then wing it. [/quote] I had hoped to do that but as I said, despite turning up well before the official 9pm start, the organiser was already on stage doing his thing and there was no-one else to do ensemble with. I am given to understand that last night is not typical of the venue. Being a weekly open mic and being in Derby, it has good catchment and I reckon it is worth sticking with for this phase of my development.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1485506217' post='3224391'] you are a braver man than me, I'm way out of my comfort zone playing stuff on the fly, or 'winging it' they never seem to play songs that I know (how to play, that is), at these sort of Jam sessions the same songs do seem to crop up a lot [/quote] Yes. It isn't something I'm comfortable with yet. I would have loved to have played some of the songs that I've practised as play alongs, just to bring them to life. Out of my list of 21 songs, none of them were familiar enough to the singer/guitarist for him to feel comfortable so I tried to brace his songs as best I could with very rudimentary lines. Lots of bum notes, odd moments of blind panic, that sort of thing. The "audience" was a party of three women; two were celebrating their friend's 72nd birthday with shots! At one point the old girl was doing the Can-can from her seat. I am so grateful that she wasn't facing the stage. For me the "discomfort", for want of a better word, is exactly why I'm doing it. At 54, if I don't take my axe out the bedroom now, I ain't never gonna get no wood chopped.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1485503756' post='3224375'] I'm planning a weekend of open mics with an old university mate starting tonight. Think we might be mixing Cake by the Ocean with Donovan's Intergalactive Laxative that'll surprise them. Not a pretty image [/quote] Is that the one with a long drawn out brown note solo? Hahahahaha. Funny enough we jammed Mellow Yellow last night. I have to say I wasn't quite in the zone to do it justice but once requested, always remembered. I am glad you mentioned the opportunities for meeting other musos. I prefer it that way than using social media.