dclaassen

I’m pretty much a one bass guy right now, but she’s a knockout!

It is absolutely true…

I would never criticise Fodera or the person who buys/plays one, I have friends who are military musicians and always play these kind of basses,and they are all a lot better than I am. I’ve been around instruments and musicians for over 50 years. A vintage Selmer sax plays better than just about anything. Same for a Bach Strad trumpet.I have a decent flattop, but would grab a D35 in a heartbeat. most people would find that better instruments cost more, and play better, even in this era of CAD/CAM. It’s okay to say you don’t care for something, but that doesn’t mean someone else can’t see value in it.

Being an old guy, I am also a bit put off by the "coffee table" basses. I do like seeing nice wood on an acoustic guitar. I have 2 with lovely Honduran mahogany sides and back...love the look and the sound. I have noticed that most folks posting gig videos or pics are playing something that looks like a Fender...

Teachers EARN whatever they are paid. "always complaining about everything"......sounds a bit like you are trying to be offensive. Perhaps you would like to home-school your children? Yup, I am a teacher, with a Master's Degree and lots of experience. I don't complain about what any skilled worker or professional earns.

I do think all this is mostly inside our own heads. I'm playing with a band now (just rehearsing for the moment). I started off with my P bass, just to be one of the cool kids....nobody said a word. Oh, and it's a Mexican P, so maybe they looked at the headstock while I wasn't looking..:) Now, I am bringing my MPV, and the guys had no idea what it was. I explained about Michael Pedulla making them in a shop around Boston. "Ah, American..." was the reply...that was it. And this is okay with me. I don't really care if anyone ever comes up and says "Cool bass"....I DO care it the guys I play with like and respect what I bring to the group musically. I just feel I can do that a little better, and have more fun, on the "fancy" bass. Plus, it makes me smile.

Having basically a p/j configuration, I start with the mids pretty much scooped out, and mostly on the front pickup, then roll the bridge pickup on to help cut through the mix without really adding tons of midrange, which I feel muddies the sound.

Kinda looks like many ads on that site….

Nice job! It takes some serious mojo to do that type of medley with a trio.....

Just remember to use a #7 a whole bunch....you will be fine

Really ,really love that album...thanks!

I got lucky with my MPV....I picked it up almost by accident. The previous owner had beat it up pretty well, but it still has lots of life in it. I wouldn't pay the going price for one now, even though a pentabuzz would be cool. Thinks I really like about it vs a "lesser" bass... -Ebony fingerboard...best feel ever -access to upper frets -tone on the low B..all the way up and down the neck -subtle tone control -the bridge Most of all, the more I play it, the more I find to like about it. I'll still keep the P bass around though..just because.

This.... When I play a clunker on my Pedulla, I have only myself to blame. I have become a much cleaner player due to this, I think.

Playing in a trio is more difficult, because both of these things may be true depending on the song, guitarist, drummer, etc. When I am in a larger group, I don't really have to be concerned as much with filling in missing parts. When with a trio, it's something that is always lurking out there....it IS lots of fun, though!

Consider jazz saxophonists. Lots of them throw a huge amount of notes into a solo, trying to sound like Coltrane. Most don't have the skills, understanding, or musicianship to pull it off. I cannot play like my heroes...Ron Carter, Stanley, Jaco, Jamerson, etc. I don't have to if I remember my job, and listen and feel the music carefully. If I can make a good drummer smile, then I think I've done my job pretty well.

Play what you want. When I spend time with a really good instrument, it makes me a better player…inspires me to work harder, play more, and learn new things.

Tou folks really have a significant amount of hate….

I don't think it is an either-or. I read pretty well, and enjoy working out exactly how someone lots better than me plays something. I also love jamming to great songs. Both are valid.

"Vegetarians are cool. All I eat are vegetarians - except for the occasional mountain lion steak."-Ted Nugent Sorry he triggers you....do you need a plush toy to cuddle now?

I personally think it is more important to make sure the crowd is enjoying themselves. This is often best accomplished with the energy you get from feeling and reacting to the music, and altering what you are doing musically to help that whole process along. For me, this means a good jam on a great song. I cannot imagine doing something like "Freebird" exactly the same every single time. You do need to give a shoutout to some iconic licks, like Clapton's intro to "Wonderful Tonight" or some Merle Haggard songs, but, other times, the crowd will love it, and I love playing it, even when it is not close to the original.

This is accurate. I had an unlined, maple P Bass made in 68 or 69. I wish I still had it, but the fretboard was getting rough even then.

'63 Jazz, Sunburst with rosewood finger board...best playing bass I have every even picked up...period. Sold to finance life at one point...stupid! '68 Fretless P bass..maple FB...sold to finance the next one.. Gibson RD Artist...Maple with Maple FB. Heavy beast but a fantastic gigging instrument. You could get a great sound out of this no matter the room or the amp. Downside was the shielding...it tended to pick up radio signals in the middle of a gig. Also sold to finance life. Honorable mention goes to how stupid I was to sell a MusicMan Head....SS with tube preamp...lovely bit of kit.

Enjoying the comments. I think I will keep it as is for now.

Okay, this is going to be difficult. I am, by and large, a Classicist. Your response suggests to me that you embrace postmodernism. So, we are already seeing different truths. However, the general assumption I have seen expressed here is that anyone who is not offended (not ever sure what that term even means to you) and who does not blindly label anyone associated with a symbol, flag, statue, a subhuman hate-monger is just too stupid, backward, and detestable to be in the presence of all this moral superiority. Here’s an idea…if you don’t like the guitar, don’t buy it. I support your right to think and believe however you wish….right along with everyone else. As a bonus, you might want to read up on all the fine Englishmen who supported the confederacy.

I guess I am more concerned with ideas than symbols. Doc Martens used to be skinhead wear…I’m not offended by a pair of shoes, but will happily work to combat ignorance and blind hate. The fact that you are reacting to something you know almost nothing about concerns me as well.