High score

[quote name='mcgraham' post='406040' date='Feb 11 2009, 10:03 AM']That's exactly the point. They themselves are just exercises, albeit musical ones. The point is they cover an aspect of playing the bass that is not typically covered by most parts written for a bass. They involve rapid and intermittent string skipping, use linear playing, together with raking, requires precise and accurate shifting, works out different fingers and different fingering permutations for each position, helps with efficient finger rolling/barring, and makes you work hard at efficient muting... I don't think I need to go on. If you already have that covered, fair enough. They are, at the end of the day, just a means to an end. If you don't experiment with them you're missing the point. They are simple, they're not songs, not rhythmically interesting at all. Most bassists will be able to handle them up to maybe 16ths at 100-120bpm. But making them sound clean, with good tone, no ringing strings or duff notes at 150, 180, 200, and beyond isn't great. Part of the difficulty in developing good chops is not knowing where to start, not knowing what will definitely get you said chops, and not being efficient with your practice time and your method of practice. Hanon will answer the first two questions, and the bumf I put in the email will help address the third. Mark P.S. I used them in my exercise routine a few years ago, now I use them as warmup to get up to speed quickly. Metronome goes up by 10-30bpm each time, and on each 'round' I use Hanon, chromatic exercise, four finger chromatics, and 9th arpeggios. 15-30 minutes on that and I'm warmed up and up to speed.[/quote] pm sent - can I get them please??

[quote name='spongebob' post='404254' date='Feb 9 2009, 01:12 PM']Linked to my previous post about getting a Ric 4004.... Has anyone had any experience of importing from the USA? I'm looking at used/nearly new. My concern is the customs charges - how they are calculated, and so on. Any thoughts or experiences on this would be great, I'm a bit worried that I might get stung![/quote] what Bremen said is quite correct: import duty at 4% carriage approx £150 vat at 15% on cost of goods + duty + carriage - and it doesn't matter if it is new or second hand UK carrier fee for duty collection at approx £15 but a few other things as well: - NEVER be tempted to ask a the supplier to undervalue your gear - Customs will know the estimated value and will hammer you if caught. - If it is through a US shop, get their bank account details and use your bank to transfer the cash. Only cost me £15 for currency exchange and money transfer and it took 48 hours to effect. More importantly, you are covered by the bank and your card details are not exposed. I should add that for my import it took three days to come from the Mississippi to the UK but two weeks to clear Customs and get it from the Parcel Force in Newcastle...................... Hope you get what you want...........

[quote name='Marky L' post='405082' date='Feb 10 2009, 09:38 AM']Thanks for the advice everyone. Personally, as I am going to have to chip in.. (which I still don't see as right, like did I get some band financial assistance when upgrade my amp??) I want low cost so used is the way I think we'll have to go. And yeah, how come they hold their prices so well?[/quote] It's my thread Stewart has given you the link to (so thanks mate!!) Mackie are pretty expensive to start with and would cost you around £800 for a pair of SRM350 like the ones I have advertised. They are actually 300w PA tops but lend themselves to being compact monitors. Check them out with Hellrazor who has left feedback for me after collecting a pair from me this week. As for you contributing to foldback? Well that is life as a band member I'm afraid...........

[quote name='escholl' post='404279' date='Feb 9 2009, 01:26 PM']Haha thanks, I appreciate it. I actually prefer hearing what people don't like about our music, as it give me (us) a better idea of what to do right and what to change -- our myspace is out of date, and we've recorded some new stuff recently which hopefully will be up soon. Our drummer has come a long way in the last 8 months or so (when those tracks were done) but I'll be sure to pay a bit closer attention to what he's playing -- he's generally pretty good but thanks for pointing that out, I'd not noticed it before The tracks i was actually referring to however were one's I'd put up as attachments on here, but despite a fair number of downloads seemingly no one could be bothered to post anything. oh well.[/quote] did I get it wrong? thought I'd followed the correct link. Anyway, would be interested in hearing newer tracks when you get them down......... Just one last comment, I am more versed in live than studio sound but for what it was worth, the drums were almost slightly too prominent in the mix ie at the same level or fractionally higher than the vocal. Hope this helps but remember you won't please everyone!!!! Good luck with the next tracks you lay down........

[quote name='escholl' post='396603' date='Feb 1 2009, 03:10 AM']39 downloads total and no constructive criticism at all? forget it then.[/quote] Surprise you don't have feedback - I like listening to what other people are putting down. Anyway, listened to your tracks. Slightly reminiscent of Cradle of Filth with the intro to Glory - which I liked. Liked the tracks but thought the drums slightly repetetive. That aside, felt tracks were tight and well put together. Would be a high energy live gig thet would be well worth seeing. Would I buy it? Probably...........

[quote name='The Burpster' post='402345' date='Feb 6 2009, 08:32 PM']Says sheepishly..... "I need another stand to do all 4 together so bear with me......." :blush:[/quote] ooo heard some excuses but that is good un.........

[quote name='The Burpster' post='402022' date='Feb 6 2009, 02:12 PM']HS, That is lovely and let me know if you ever need to part with her.... I seriously like the Swampy bodied ones.... I think I had better take a pic of all 4 of mine together now having a little group hug ..... BTW I have booked in the neck of my latest one to be epoxied by HG Thor, so now I just have to wait and wait.... BTW-2- I was quoted a deposit of $3k (when the exchange rate was waaaay better) before I could even start to spec a GG 5 bass, and then there was pretty much no limit ( a bit like buying a Rolls Royce, "if you have to ask how much it is, you cant afford it!"). P-O-T, I've not see a Chery Red one, I'm not normally a 'red' person but that is very attractive..... Dodge's Curly is perdy isn't it ..... :wub:[/quote] Must admit not seen many swampy ones either to be honest - knew you would approve of it. Yep - get yours posted on this thread - I know you have put them up already but be nice to see a collection growing - especially with the red, sea foam and curly top to kick it off - all of them quite striking. If the exchange rates do improve I might go shopping again in the US as well. Don't think there will be many new ones in the main stream stores now to be honest but there is a fair few appear as used in mint condition. So get your finger out and launch your piccies !!!!

[quote name='xgsjx' post='401880' date='Feb 6 2009, 11:17 AM']"Bass is cr*p", don't you mean you're cr*p at bass? I'm kinda the opposite from you, converted to bass from guitar (converted from keys to guitar before that) but I still play whatever instrument I can as it's good fun to be able to play several. I've looked at Soundslive before & never heard any bad reports about them so I may give them a try for my next purchase. I've no idea what that is yet tho![/quote] Yep crap at all them which is why I inherited sound desk Must admit, have seen a few live bands that play each others gear in the set for a laugh and it works well.........

Ah but you forget gitters are wired up differently from the rest of the band. Play lead even when they're not. Drive a sound man nuts cos they never stop noodling when trying to sound check someone else....... I play gitter as well but trust me, these comments are based on doing sound at hundreds of gigs..........

[quote name='Eight' post='401858' date='Feb 6 2009, 10:57 AM']Of course they're sound; they're Geordies. Shame on you.[/quote] Yep , used them a lot. Family owned with shop separate from their net business. Absorbed some good guys from the Sound Control shop that was just around the corner from them. Take their Customer service very seriously, maybe not the cheapest but all players and know what they are talking about

[quote name='power of ten' post='401825' date='Feb 6 2009, 10:13 AM']Yes, its solid red metallic, and i assume an alder body. its from august '01[/quote] hey mine born then as well !! Could be cousins!!!

[quote name='Dodge' post='401836' date='Feb 6 2009, 10:23 AM']Here's my 89 Curly Bass 4: [/quote] Sorry Dodge, but you are just showing off now!!! Don't think I've seen one like this outside a Private Stock. Seems pretty obvious from a lot of the newer PRS gear that high end woods liike yours are running out............lovely instrument and a real keeper.........

[quote name='power of ten' post='401682' date='Feb 6 2009, 12:42 AM']Seems we've got a it of a PRS thread going, Heres mine, doesnt get much use these days, but cant let it go! [attachment=19839:prs_eb_small.jpg][/quote] another stunner. Not clear from piccie, is the paint solid? What is the body made of?

[quote name='juice' post='401647' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:38 PM']heres a couple of quick pics, bass is signed on the rear cover and back of headstock as this was a custom order.... [attachment=19835:headstock.jpg] [attachment=19836:main.jpg] [attachment=19834:back.jpg] PRS did do some production 5'ers, If I was to order a Private Stock it would be a 6 string based on the KL series guitar or maybe the modern eagle 2 [/quote] looks lush - never really seen a sea foam outside of the Fender range - did you get it new? what are the pickups? is the third one significantly different? what would a Private Stock commission cost now?

[quote name='juice' post='401505' date='Feb 5 2009, 09:06 PM']love the burst on your prs, think I will have too keep my eye out for one of these to partner my seafoam green prs I am gassing after a 5 string prs though so might have to wait for another rocking horse to leave me a present all the best, Juice[/quote] ooo you got piccies? saw ones from Burpster and his are very sweet. there are a few PRS bass around but don't seem to hit the market very often. Did PRS make a 5 as standard or was it Private Stock only?

Sold him some of my PA gear - payment up front and all round gentlemen to deal with........ Iain B.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='400523' date='Feb 4 2009, 11:03 PM']Nice bass and I love the look of those pick ups; what are they?[/quote] Thanks, I have other PRS guitars and was looking for something else when I picked this up by accident and don't regret it. It was made in 2001 but I bought it brand new, sealed in the box, from the US last year for £1150 including all tax and carriage - absolute steal. Never bought an instrtument ''blind'' before but no regrets with this. The pickups are PRS own 'high output' passive units.

as promised to Burpster, thought I would share piccies of my PRS4. Swamp ash, rosewood fret, tobacco burst colour EDIT: bugger, just realised I attached HUGE pictures - may take a bit to load - sorry [attachment=19721:DSC00205.JPG] [attachment=19718:DSC00201.JPG] [attachment=19719:DSC00206.JPG]

[quote name='molan' post='398709' date='Feb 3 2009, 11:05 AM']I'm afraid almost all of the work was carried out before I took ownership Previous owner spent a frightening £24K in total (including the cost of the original bike). Over £13K was the engine & gearbox build alone! Poor guy did all the work including a complete nut 'n' bolt rebuild, rode it about 5K miles and was diagnosed with a long term back problem which means he can't ride bikes with such a raked out shape. He traded wwith me for my, more conventional, riding position HD. He's put pretty much the same engine set up in that one as well now Cost me about £12.5K I guess - bit complicated as it was a PX against my old HD.[/quote] Trouble with making something your baby like the last owner is that you lose track of what you are trying to do (and spending) and it becomes a project like the Forth Rail Bridge (ie you never stop) and lose sight of costs!! Anyway, fab machine and something you are likely to have a very very long time..........

Jesus, must be a 'Blues' engine - 60 bpm Love it.........want it............now where did I leave my total loss lubricated Triumph Bonnie.......... Obviously your baby, which is cool, but Harley extras not cheap so what has it cost you over the years?

[quote name='ogri' post='398173' date='Feb 2 2009, 06:41 PM']only them buddy. i got the gig three years back, EMAP (now Baur) are based at peterborough and use the same local tuning guru(mark brewin bsd) as i do. they had a big test coming up, hayabusa, blackbird, zx12r and the new fast beemer thrapping around the isle of man for a week, needed a fourth rider, asked mark if he knew anyone the criteria being 1) wont fall off 2) can keep up 3) knows loads of dirty jokes naturally, lol, he put me forward after that, i got called in everytime they were short, or needed a sort of "real world rider" test, the highlights being the nurburgring on all the sports thou's and the then new 1098 ducati, and best of all, calais to north africa, on my own, on a new zzr1400, in twenty four hours.. by the time i was on the ferry to morrocco 24 hours after leaving the hotel in calais i was buzzing so much that even after riding 1500 miles non stop i did another 500..that was a proper old adventure that was the job is fantastic, its just a shame i dont do it all the time, but there you go. i get paid well, but the best perk... it costs manufacturers two grand for a half page advert in "bike"..so instead of that they give the road testers there gear as its free advertising for them! have got leathers, winter suits, heated gear, helmets, boots etc all gratis..my favourite freebies being my lovely orange/black retro helston jacket and the black arai viper i got on the last job.[/quote] yep sounds like a cool gig. I had a small motor bike business years ago renovating classic bikes and all I got was heart ache trying to get cash from my Customers !! Was heavily into bike rallys for many years but dropped that scene when I started working away from home and going abroad. Still got some old bikes left over from my business. An old BMW 'Brick' K100RS. 1993 and still only 15K on the clock, few triumphs - old type. Needless to say they are in my ex wifes garage and I've not seen them in a lomg time. These are not in the same league as modern sports bikes though. Last biggie I came close to was a ZX9 but stuffed myself with points totted up over a three months period with the finale being caught ''significantly over the ton''. First exposure to an SP60. did not know what it was until I tried getting insurance. Lastly, not seen an OGRI book in years !!

ha ha ha at least you are down to earth and have a sense of humour......... What's it like working for a mag then? Who else do you journo for?