Bassfinger

I've never experienced it, but I torque the screws to manufacturers figures rather than simply eff'n tight like most folks are inclined to.

Our drummist got interviewed in the local chipwrapper last year. They didn't choose him to interview for a profile on the band because he's the most interesting band member (that would, of course, be me, the bassist) but rather because he's the only one of us that doesn't speak in grunts and punctuate each sentence with a small fart. Parp.

I'm sort of in the middle. As a young sprog I had proper piano tuition, so can read music to a useable, if not supreme, degree and have a moderate grasp of theory from the lessons I endured (seemed like torture at the time, but nearly half a century on I wish id paid more attention.) But as a practioner myself I have learned never to underestimate a good musicians infante understanding of, and feel, for the subject, even if they couldn't necessarily vocalise it to answer a question. They know what sounds good for any given structure, timing, or progression. Good authors read a lot of books, and good musicians listen to a lot of music. All the theory knowledge in the world won't on its own make you a good musician or songwriter without significant time spent playing and listening as well. Radiohead likely know that for good musos the needle doesn't reside at one end of the scale or the other, but sits somewhere between the two extremes. The harmonious balance of musical ying and yang, if you will.

Last year our mob were asked by a punter to do Airport by the Motors, with two days to go. I sort of knew the song so had a quick play and thought I had it pretty good. Sounded good on the night. Afterwards I downloaded the music and I was miles out. A simple bass line but some nice little mini frills at the turn of each section.

It's easy to learn RHCP stuff. Flea never played any bass line remotely the same way twice, so I provided I'm moderately familiar with the song can trot out any old sheet and no one is any the wiser.

Indeed, and the transition models even less so.

My favourite. Mint = damaged in some way.

The great man said words to the effect that Jaco wasn't a musician, he was a dilettante.

Jaco. Personally I think Lemmy summed his playing up very well.

Nope, defines the figuratively, as in reference to a metaphor.

Some kind of reference to the gun safe and fetching my keys.

Aaarrrrggghhhh! He said 'literally' when he meant 'figuratively.' I can't watch any more.

Amazon Prime music. For no other reason than that's what the Missus pays for. The plus side is its the highest quality output and when I'm listening to music I pipe it through my hifi. I don't walk about with headphones on, although I do stream it in the car as well. But if Mrs B suddenly stopped paying I doubt I'd have the motivation or energy to sign up with another myself.

I've found that while inexpensive systems can work well (I used the Xvive), you still need to spend £150 of more for the earphone doobreys if you want a decent bass response. Cheaper ones are fine for guitar or mandolin, but bass is fairly demanding on the earphones.

About half hour for me. That puts me in range of two large towns and one smaller settlement. I'd go further for gigs, but not for rehearsals or the like.

Indeed. As you know, I'm a terobvell typistic.

Bug ran of Retrovibe gear, in particular their pickups.

Ah, not a gazillion miles from me, will check it out. Thanks.

I like your sig John. If Sir Douglas had obeyed the rules he wouldn't have lost both legs and later ended up as a POW.

Team, Been playing the standard Mando for a couple of years and I'm now looking to get either an octave mandolin or an Irish bouzouki,the latter of which I would play both GDAE and GDAD. I'm really torn over which to go for. So with that in mind, do you fine people that have trodden this path before me have any experiences, thoughts, tips, sage words of wisdom?

Years ago I was in a certain music shop trying a few basses with a view to buying one when in walked Mick Abrahams, ex of Jethro Tull. He was friends with the owner and just used to tootle in and chat. Having a couple of his solo albums I recognised him and said hello, shook his hand. We had a chat and he ended up grabbing an acoustic and we played All Tore Down as a duo. My closest brush with stardom, unless you count meeting Robert Plant at a party, or seeing Ozzy Osborne in the VIP lounge at Heathrow (to my eternal shame my Dad, who was with me, thought he was jn Iron Maiden.)

I seem to recall for a while there were two Asias. Asia, and Asia featuring someone or other, or someone or others Asia. They should have stopped at the second album.

Even Harley Benton would baulk at putting a bridge that crappy on their MM-alikes.

And strings can make a massive difference to tone.

I'm happy for them. Just wouldn't be for me at that stage in life.