Spoombung

Yeah he's fussy and pedantic to the max, but I always thought that Walter Becker ( the Dan guitarist and writing partner for those that don't know) is one of the finest bassists (and best kept secrets) around. Great melodic, dynamic playing with lots of space and economy.

Congrats! Looks great

Well, it's going back a bit, but Gastonbury '87 sounded like a wall of guitars and was very uncomfortable: Then there was this one on the south coast somewhere supporting Aswad, of all people. I look uncomfortable again: Then Vienna as a an electronic laptop artist with Ticklish - which was a gas (perhaps because I'm not playing a bass):

YIKES!

[quote name='supabock' post='584408' date='Aug 29 2009, 12:22 PM']Its not really about hype, its about quality and reliability, and maintaining a solid reputation. I think the parties including myself who have been privvy to such information are just as excited about the situation as we all are (well Wal owners and players), and i think the information is just little and sparse, and i am sure that Paul is not telling people and then swearing them to secrecy. Time will show what the new Wal have to offer and i think they can only get better with any of their product in time. Wal certainly are not Apple Mac but really are right up there in terms of top bass builders etc.[/quote] A schedule or an ETA from them would be good.

[quote name='supabock' post='584389' date='Aug 29 2009, 11:51 AM']I'm not sure its as easy as that. I am sure there are plans in place to get things geared towards production before making a big announcement then have the order books rammed and not have the ability to deliver the product. As Wal bases are so desireble i am sure they just want to be ready......I dont think its a double top secret, but a case of just getting things in the right order.[/quote] I'm sure you're right, but I think the practice of offering limited tit-bits of information through second parties and then asking those people to be discrete at the same time can be annoying . I mean... Wal are not Apple Mac, are they?! It may not live up to the hype!

All this TOP SECRET SECOND COMING OF WAL STUFF is [i]really[/i] beginning to get on my nerves! Exactly how difficult is it to post a few pictures up on your website and tell people what's going on and provide a few details? My 10 year-old can do that.

[quote name='simon1964' post='578579' date='Aug 23 2009, 09:28 PM']First, JJ Burnell's early Stranglers tone, eg Hanging Around, No More Heroes etc. Aggresive, gritty, and unique. Great example on the Stranglers cover of Walk on By:[/quote] I've always loved that tone.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='578462' date='Aug 23 2009, 07:42 PM']No probs, mate. Here's the sound I've been chasing forever: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g6bUe5MDRo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g6bUe5MDRo[/url][/quote] I don't think I've ever heard anyone sound like him since

I like it quite a lot - it's [i]my kind of thing[/i], I suppose. As people have already said...it's very Ritter influenced. Not keen on the angled pickup though and I think it's a bit over-priced.

[quote name='pete.young' post='577369' date='Aug 22 2009, 09:24 AM']I'll try and get some sound samples up once my recording engineer wakes up![/quote] That would be great if you could manage it. I've always been interested in thee basses...

[quote name='Changles' post='582021' date='Aug 26 2009, 11:23 PM']Yah, I noticed he is in summer garb there isn't he! Maybe it gets hot in there.. make allowances for the guy. By the way Spoombung, I hope you don't mind that I stole the exact woods from the bass Mike made for you! Oh, he was enthusing to me about how beautiful your bass was, and I checked out your build diary and I just had to request those woods![/quote] Of course I don't mind - I'm looking forward to the commission fee Mike promised to pay me if he got any business from my build thread.

Jesus, I've never seen Mike's studio looking so squeaky clean; it's amazing what our Polish brothers and sisters have accomplished in their brief time on our small island - and indeed, in the darker corners of Essex itself! And can you have a quiet word with Mike concerning the breach of Health and Safety by the wearing of sandals while operating heavy machinery in a hazardous environment.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='571502' date='Aug 17 2009, 12:07 PM']I loved Squire from Yes and Time and A Word right up to Drama but went elsewhere after that. I love his sound in all its guises but, more importantly, I love his pure creativity. He doesn't sound like anyone else at all and his playing is almost entirely unique. And all with e plectrum! Yes could not be Yes without him. He is one of the greatest British bass players in our history.[/quote] Yep. I stopped listening to him around '76 but I think he's one of the greatest, without any question,. Incredibly melodic lines with an astonishing, fat, monstous, vibrating sound.

[quote name='Matte_black' post='566175' date='Aug 11 2009, 07:45 PM']Spoombung, I'd be really glad if you could put the video back (even the audio only) as I find you playing style really really interesting. [/quote] Hi Matte Thanks for your interest in my playing style (I'm aware it certainly isn't to everyone's taste). I'll get around to posting another video playing the Iceni bass in the future. I've got to take it back to Mike at some point (he offers a follow up service when the wood has settled down after a few months). I'm not very happy with the fretwork at the moment so I'll be glad when that's sorted out. In the meantime here's me playing my Wal - which I play [i]almost[/i] the same as a fretted bass, anyway!

Actually, I thought the bad feeling relates to the subject of Methany's album, [i]Bright Size Life[/i]. There are several quotes from someone close to the band that found it 'disappointing' compared to the tour they did together shortly before it was made. Also I'm sure I remember the book claiming that Metheny wasn't convinced about Jaco's electric style and that he originally wanted an upright player for the recording - but changed his mind in the end.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='549419' date='Jul 23 2009, 09:33 PM']Ah i thought they were some of your basses. Some stunning ones on that site though![/quote] I think the basic model for those kind of basses is the all-influential Carl Thompson. It's just nice to have a good looking instrument that balances with the centre of gravity in the middle.

[quote name='Prosebass' post='548041' date='Jul 22 2009, 07:39 PM']Hi Kev found this the other day...... [attachment=29412:Echo_2.JPG] could almost be brothers....[/quote] Hi Paul - yes that's very similar - and a bit like the new one I'm drawing up at the moment. Any details?

[quote name='crez5150' post='547300' date='Jul 22 2009, 08:51 AM']Is that because of the missing trousers...... [/quote] Jeez, Crez, what are all those adverts doing under your posts? You're a bassist- not a formula One driver.

[quote name='Changles' post='547068' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:04 PM']i never got to see the vid![/quote] You didn't miss much. It was just my usual bollox.

[quote name='Matte_black' post='545573' date='Jul 20 2009, 06:26 PM']Video removed![/quote] Yeah, I know. The lack of trousers on the vid was bothering me.

Yep. I love 'em.

I think we all understand Jaco's influence. However, when you see someone clone [i]everything[/i] about the man - the sound, the tone, the approach - even the little inflections and personal characteristics and the little hooks and riffs - well you end up thinking it's just a homage. There's nothing wrong with homages; '[i]a public show of respect to someone to whom one feels indebted'[/i] as wikipedia puts it. It's a sincere form of flattery if ever there was one. But when someone does it over and over again and they are also part of a culture of hero worshipping clones you are bound to ask 'What are you going to add to it? Can you change the context so it seems fresher? Can you modify it and extend it? Can you do [i]anything[/i] to freshen it up? Of course many have done just that: they've moved on with new techniques and new approaches looking for their own voices. But not this Bireli fellow, it seems.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='542300' date='Jul 16 2009, 03:10 PM']Sounding like Jaco is and always was a fool's errand (even when I was trying it). Yes it's great but it was great because it was fresh and exciting. Now its superficial and tranparent. Birelli should know better. I prefer his playing on The Super Guitar Trio cd[/quote] I agree.