diskwave

As above, context. Whats the deal, whats the image? Real R&R/Pop is a young mans game.. where we didn't use music, or word prompts or anything, we rocked up so to speak, got up there and did it. But yes this thing where older "R&R" performers need prompters all over the stage to my mind just ain't R&R... kinda the musical equivalent of "Dad Jeans or Dad Dancing". Pit work, show work however is a whole nuther thing where because of the complexity and precision needed, charts and to a lesser extent word prompts is mandatory.

Very much enjoy tinkering with my instruments. The whole instrument Tech thing is totally unregulated and in my opinion inhabited by cowboys and chancers. In the past had several jobs done by "techs" and for the money I could have done a better job myself ... it really was shocking, and probably why I happily play el cheapo P basses, they are just so simple to fix or modify. Having said all that proper stringed instrument Luthiers go through a long and rigorous training programme at a number of colleges throughout the UK Europe and are highly skilled artisans.

How to remove "wooliness" on any bass. Dial back the bass knob and push the mids and, also treble but less so. Get the mids right and the bass component will happen naturally. My P bass wears dead Chromes thru Ampeg and I might as well be playing the bridge PU on a J bass.. only with more heft.

Hates a bit sriong but I vehemently dislike just about everything today that is devoid of interesting melody or chord progression. Chromatic key changes? "whats that".

Its not flippin rocket science, people need to wise up. Ive always been thin plus Ive suffered some persistent health issues for yrs so yes I look a bit ragged round the edges.. and beleive me stage lighting does me no favours at all. So I know I prob look older and less "beautiful" than the others.. and it matters, it certainly matters to me.

Thght I was pretty good at that. Bear in mind this site is predominantly inhabited by young musicians who are not allowed to say it like it is. Anyway there you go, looks like its me whos probably killed this particular thread this time.

Just dawned on me he was a News item across all the networks this week. How many bassists who weren't household names would that happen to...little to none I expect. Amazing.

Trying to nail this and listening too... Im a 70's chart junky, the cheesier the better but I do like my difficult jazz too.

I decided enough was enough when I realised in the vid playback how much younger everyone else looked. Say what you like, in entertainment it really does matter what you look like.

And DR played on Je'taime. Was an amazing time to be a session player.

Dont need to say anymore about the totaly original and hugely talented Sting. Grew up with him and Ive played all his fantastic music. But the day he started that pretentious soft thumb thing was the day quality bass guitar playing died... and now everyones doing it and it sounds like mush.

Ditto all the above, and dont forget, dial the bass back, dime the low mids a bit and crank the volume, and you'll have feet on the floor for ever. Good luck.

Sorry for the nerd assault. So is that a factory recall or was it refinished way back in the day?

I saw it too and left a nice comment. Impressive indeed.

Well well. Is that salmon pink underneath blue? Fascinating.

Aah.. Ditchling. Kinda Explains why I saw him at the 'Emsworth Food Fest', (yes the 'fete' above was a falsey to protect peeps but it was actually at the food festival about ten yrs ago), ...Wish I'd taken a photo now.. Herbie wearing a clear plastic poncho with the blue J bass.....in near torrential rain playing some very tasty danceable jazz funk. And yes at 59 I was still just a teeny bit starstruck..haha

Legend and a really humble guy too. Came across him a few yrs ago at a local village fete on the back of an old wagon.. three of them playing some funky jazz in the pouring rain! Twas very good.

Agree with the Doc. The shape and look have nout to do with the Wal mystique. The leccys are the secret sauce which no one sems to be able to replicate.

Bit of perspective. As a 17 yr old many, many moons ago, the idea of playing live in a band was beyond exciting and sadly thats why I royally screwed up big time on my very first public performance which was in a well known dingy night club full of serious young adults and we were supporting a well known very good local indie/punk band. Thing is I'd practised the tunes in the bedroom (Deni Deni was one) and then did a few run throughs at the leads house over a couple of nights.... great I thought, piece of cake, just need to sort my stage garb, cant wait. Well on the night the cold hard reality dawned.. First the darkness, couldnt see a thing, then realising we were using the main bands gear...Me, an Orange bass bin that u could not hear on stage and then the overal Noise!! I was seriously nervous to start with and then found I couldnt hear myself at all and between my terror and inability to hear much, got hideously lost. Guess the thing to take away from this tale is. That leap from the bedroom to the real life dance floor with stoney faced punters standing cynically two feet away from you expecting a show is a massive one. Taught me a heck of a lesson. Be totally prepared and thoroughly know what to expect.

This...Tho to place my comment in some sort of context. Its taken me many years to realise that for me and all the people I ever worked with there really is just one tone that does it all.. and I'll refrain from banging on about P basses cause you can probably achieve it with plenty other instruments. Anyway what I mean is. A hard punchy tone which is predominantly of the low mid variety will cover 99.9999% of all music. Ive even played Duran type material with the ubiquitos P bass and it sounded very close to JT's barky tone. The only tone that I might have struggled with is Geddy Lees but then that clanky scooped thing quite frankly doesn't sit well with me anyway, plus Ive never had to play any Rush ever. But everything else and I include Reggae too....a crisp low mid punch will always win the day.

This is always a grt topic as it happens for everyone in a different way. Might be good to know your age.

Totally agree. Everyone plodding thru the chart, going thru the motions and for me, the Proms is totally the wrong place for it.

Currently working up my 'difficult' jazz chops so my listening for the fun of it is 70's chart. Philly Soul, Bee Gees, even the Nolans get a look in... and all connected by.... great bass writing and playing.

My old Sq VM P bass. Kinda about the most boring instrument ever made. Perfectly put together, basswood body, feels like a toy, doesn't really have the Fender vibe but, with those Duncan factory PU's its all the bass I need. Nothings ever failed, fallen off or gone south.

Quite enjoyed TOTP2 last night on 4.. 1977. It was all so fun, musical and cheesy back then... great bass playing stuff. The Dooleys anyone?