risingson

[quote name='51m0n' post='1342346' date='Aug 16 2011, 08:05 PM']ROFL, fine, okeedokee, have it your way squire, no problem, silly old me, no idea about live gigs, only ever mix, thats me. Right ho! The point I am trying to explain is that what you are doing is burying bass in the mix, or having to have it way louder than it should be in order to hear it, to the detriment of the mix burying other instrumetns in its place. Which is a great way not to get rebooked! Presenting a well strutured whole with everything audible is the goal, not getting a fantastic solo bass sound at the detriment of the band. You would do well to read up a bit on mixing in general though, particularly frequency mixing, I think it would help you and your band to sound better as a unit. Dont feel you have to, after all you clearly know what you like, go for it knock yourself out....[/quote] My 2p on this subject. I think it's important to have some knowledge on what's required from you as a bass player in terms of what you sound like live. No good burying every other member of your band with a loud, mulchy bass sound and equally no point in having a bass sound that's totally lost in the mix. However you rarely approach both if you have a good technician to work with. I'm no expert when it comes to stuff like this but I just use my brain and come to a logical conclusion as to what to do with my EQ on stage. After that, my sound almost always gets D.I'ed pre-EQ straight to the FOH desk and if the soundguy is any good at his job then he'll do the best he can with the overall mix and hopefully my bass sound will sit nicely amongst everything. I feel that many bass players will work similarly to this if they have their practical heads screwed firmly on. I'm no technician, but I do know what works for me and my band and I never have any complaints about my sound. Most often though you're having to put your faith in someone else to come up with the solid dependable front of house mix, unless you're working by yourselves at a venue or event sans sound man.

[quote name='KiOgon' post='1340385' date='Aug 15 2011, 10:26 AM']Did he really say that? He's only bloody right you know [/quote] Yes he did, to Guy Pratt. The man is so good it really is untrue.

[quote name='4000' post='1340628' date='Aug 15 2011, 01:19 PM']Always wondered where stuff like Zero 7 (who I love) fit into this.[/quote] Zero 7 rode in on the 'downtempo' style jazziness that happened in the early 00's, but I think the labels that people try to tag on to them are insulting in a way because it trivialises their music and sees them pigeonholed with a lot of other bands that I happen to think are no where near as good. 'Ambient', 'downtempo' are just buzzwords that ensure Starbucks knows what kind of music they're playing, I think the same think about Acid-Jazz as well.

I had the same issue, my Eden rig isn't practical for practicing. My solution was to buy the Korg P4XD, it's got an aux in for practicing along to songs and all you need is a pair of headphones. It's brilliant, has loads of emulation possibilities, loops, is cheap, practical and easy to use. Easier than having a practice amp and cheaper than the options you're considering already if you're not too sure what to do.

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1340166' date='Aug 14 2011, 11:07 PM']Trying to buy tone is a never ending and futile journey that takes away the time you could be using playing music.[/quote] I'm going to have this put on my gravestone (or most likely in my sig actually).

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1149488' date='Mar 4 2011, 03:28 PM']Is it just me? I think (know?) its harder to play guitar and easier to play the bass. Now obviously the hardest bass parts are harder than the easiest guitar parts but, overall, the bass is easier. Its fundamentally one note at a time not several. Got to be easier. I have four guitars and one electric bass and one double. I can play the basses, I can make a credible go of gutiar parts but, of the two, the bass is by far the easier instrument to play, not just because I have played the bass more but because it [i]is[/i] easier. And less strings (normally)[/quote] Ehh?? No! I see guitar and bass as related in as much as they're from the same family of instruments but that's where a lot of the similarities end. They're different instruments and require different levels of understanding and skill. I play both but approach each one very differently.

[quote name='Bassman Sam' post='1339448' date='Aug 14 2011, 11:23 AM']I can ever understand the Guy Pratt bashing, is it jealousy? I wish I had his talent.[/quote] I was blissfully unaware that there had been any 'bashing' of Guy! Who ever was doing said bashing though clearly has no idea as he's a remarkably talented player. I spotted him playing guitar the other night on Rob Brydon's show with him and Sophie Ellis Bextor! Didn't expect him to be behind an acoustic.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1339847' date='Aug 14 2011, 06:09 PM']I've got to say, attitudes towards ERBs are much improved these days. I remember when Talkbass introduced a rule banning people from slagging off a bass just for being an ERB. Things are much more enlightened now, and that was only what, 5 or 6 years ago?[/quote] Ironically though most studio players seem to have fallen out of love with them, and there are still plenty of producers that will cringe at the sight of 5's and 6's. I don't know necessarily whether this has more to do with a lack of understanding about the instruments or whether there is a prejudice or an assumption made about the kinds of players that use them. Either way it's always a redundant point if the player knows their stuff.

There is always the suggestion of moving to smaller scale basses in threads like these. Fine if that's what you want, but you shouldn't have to purchase a whole new bass under the circumstances. I have small hands and have never found it to be an issue to play any kind of bass guitar, it's just a case of not over stretching when you play. Don't keep your fingers clumped together, space them out and use the tips of your fingers to fret notes. You shouldn't have to be stretching too much at all to play, and if you feel like you're fighting your bass then get it set up so that you're not having to dig in so hard.

[quote name='essexbasscat' post='1339742' date='Aug 14 2011, 04:39 PM']It was busked on the spot ! [/quote] The benefits of learning melodies and solos aren't to further yourself as a bass player, but in fact to wind other members of the band up in the case that they trivialise your position in the band by playing your parts! I agree with what BigRedX had to say. But equally it can be hard to find musicians to work with who you can trust implicitly to be aware of not intruding on what each other are playing in the band, so sometimes you've got to be the one who takes the matter into your own hands and explain to the offender that they're overplaying. If they continue to do it, then replace him or leave. There are many musicians out there that are happy to not perform that way.

He's a really unique player, a bit more like 'my kind' of Victor Wooten. Talented and very musical.

You're right about the potassium. But just like regular exercise, you need to warm up to get the blood pumping to your hand muscles before gigging. There are loads of scales you can practice, and if the cramp is localised in your fretting hand then I would also advise that you look at how your fretting hand is working. If you use the tips of your fingers as opposed to keeping your fretting finger flat against the fretboard when you fret a note then you're going to be less likely to seize up mid-song. Playing flat fingered means that your hands don't get the chance to space out enough and you'll always cramp up faster.

I love P-Basses with flatwounds. They don't work for everything but they just 'sit' so well in a mix, especially with more fundamental playing. I did have flats on my old P-Bass for a while and my band loved it, but I ended up restringing it with rounds because a lot of what we were doing just called for it a little more. But yes, I love the whole concept of it, you only have to listen to Pino Palladino, Willie Weeks and of course James Jamerson to understand why it's such a winning combination.

Pino Palladino said "as you get older your tone knob creeps down and your right hand goes further up the neck". Enjoy bass playing for what it is, simplifying doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your enjoyment of the instrument. I know you'll be well aware already but warm up before gigs as well, it makes all the difference having your hand muscles ready to play quicker paced stuff.

[quote name='essexbasscat' post='1338426' date='Aug 13 2011, 08:47 AM']Anyone else get this ??????[/quote] No, although in the unlikely event of this happening I'd reharmonize stuff and make it very difficult for the offender to continue to copy me! Jesting aside, my keyboardist will join his left hand with what I'm doing occasionally if what I'm playing is very riff-based. Stuff like this is fine and you should never get too annoyed at someone trying to help you fill out the low end with different kind of voicing like keys or organ if the song calls for it. But if it is a result of lack of spacial awareness then it's all down to lack of musicianship, and you should be letting that person know that them doubling what you're playing sounds ridiculous and that they're stepping on your toes... and ultimately making it harder to fulfill your role in the band.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1333665' date='Aug 9 2011, 03:01 PM']Key artists A Tribe Called Quest Brand New Heavies Brooklyn Funk Essentials Corduroy Count Basic D*Note Digable Planets DJ Krush Erik Truffaz Erykah Badu Funki Porcini Gang Starr Gilles Peterson Groove Collective Incognito James Taylor Quartet Jamiroquai Jazzanova Kruder & Dorfmeister Liquid Soul Ronny Jordan Stereo MCs St. Germain Thievery Corporation United Future Organization Urban Species US3 VASSY Young Disciples Azymuth The Asteroids Galaxy Tour Bernard "Pretty" Purdie Bird Blazzaj Blue Six Bonobo The Cat Empire Clazziquai Directions In Groove DJ Cam DJ Greyboy Dodge City Productions Dreamlin Drizabone D'Sound DZihan & Kamien Elektrotwist Fat Freddy's Drop Five Point Plan Freak Power Four 80 East Greyboy Allstars Gota Yashiki Heavyshift Jaga Jazzist Jazzhole Jazztronik Jestofunk Kanda, Kodža i Nebojša Koop Kyoto Jazz Massive Liquid Soul Luke Vibert [7] Los Amigos Invisibles Marius Kahan Mark Farina Medeski, Martin, and Wood Melvin Sparks Mojack Moloko Moodymann Mondo Grosso Monday Michiru Mr. Scruff Muki Noel McKoy Nicola Conte Nujabes Omar Lye-Fook OutKast Paolo Achenza Trio Paul Moran Phil Davis Praful Reuben Wilson rad. RJD2 Skalpel Smoke City Snowboy Soulive Swing Out Sister S-Tone Inc. The Cinematic Orchestra Wax Tailor Xploding Plastix[/quote] Wow, a lot of these guys couldn't be further away from what is collectively known as acid-jazz, I don't know where you got the list from but it ain't really right! A Tribe Called Quest were a Brooklyn NYC hip-hop collective, Erykah Badu was part of the Neo-Soul/Soulquarian group of musicians also based mostly in New York, Bonobo is a recent electronic artist on the Ninja Tune label (which did have some acid jazz artists on it but Bonobo isn't one of them), The Cinematic Orchestra are Manchester based down tempo jazz, The Cat Empire are from Australia... etc! I could go on, and whilst a lot of the artists on the list may have influenced/been influenced by acid jazz as a genre, the list isn't indicative of artists usually associated with the movement. [/pedantic]

[quote name='mike257' post='1337746' date='Aug 12 2011, 03:11 PM']The guy I bought my Sandberg off (the most excellent Mr Cougar, who I haven't seen on here in a long time... wonder where he went?) thought the coil tap switch was the active/passive, and got a right shock when I text him to let him know I'd found the push pull pot that actually did it![/quote] I thought the same when I tried their HJ model! Also in passive mode doesn't one of the EQ knobs become your passive tone?

I'll send you my home address if you don't mind so that you can ship this bass to me right away beautiful. Absolutely lovely.

Been listening to these guys ever since they started out and have seen 'em a few times, DJ sets and band. They're good!

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1332257' date='Aug 8 2011, 03:41 PM']I just don't get this gear thing. A bass is a bass. If I turn up and the bass player has a Fender I don't give a rat's a***. If he has a Ken Smith I may think 'ugly f****** bass' but I still don't give a rat's a***. [b]Its the music that matters.[/b][/quote] Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you! This is the problem with many gear-nuts, they think there are rules to what you can play and what you can't. There aren't. And to a large extent, the gear you'll end up using (whether it's a £10 bass or a £10,000 pound bass) will go by unnoticed both sonically and aesthetically.

[quote name='tiredolddog' post='1330367' date='Aug 6 2011, 09:27 PM']Was listening to Fort Knox Five 'reminted' most of the afternoon - now I'm listening to the Simon Bolivar Orchestra do the proms. Astonishing.[/quote] Love Fort Knox Five, great hip hop!

[quote name='ficelles' post='1331611' date='Aug 8 2011, 01:09 AM']Still not found a set of flats I like, they are all too high tension for me especially the G. Any low tension set recommendations? ficelles[/quote] Thomastik's are a lower tension, but often for this reason don't have the same cred as the La Bellas do for example. They're easier on necks as well.

I used flats on my old P and they were wonderful. Don't like them for rock as much but for hip-hop and R&B they're amazing.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1331299' date='Aug 7 2011, 07:48 PM']You seem to be missing the point I'm making, which is, as I often say, [i]different vinegar strokes for different folks[/i]. If you play in an Indie band a Fodera will be wasted on you. If you're playing Mustang Sally at the Dog and Bollock, you're not going to need an Alembic Series II. So it's always best to choose whats best for you, and what suits you. Of course, that is not always going to suit my tastes...but then its not my bass and I'm not the one playing it. That said, risingson, I know how you like to throw yourself on the pyre and take issue with everything I say so I expect you to miss my point entirely. Indeed, if you understood it how would you ever complain? [/quote] Not true at all Chris, it's just that the comments you make always male you appear like you have a big chip on your shoulder on certain issues. The point here being that you should be able to play whatever bass you want, regardless of genre or the band you're in. You're assumption that an Alembic would be ill-suited to a pub band is just a testament to this. Who in your mind sets these kinds of rules? Play what you want, if you think a boutique bass is suitable for your band then buy an Alembic.