Pete Academy

Going back to The Nightfly bass parts, the title track certainly doesn't seem a mixture of players...it sounds like Marcus all the way through (to me, anyway). A bass part I never seem to be able to play smoothly is 'Mellowship Slinky' by the Chilis. And for the life of me, I've never ever heard anyone crack the slap solo in 'Stomp' by the Bros Johnson. That is a totally unique sounding part.

Carrying on from the BGM thread regarding expensive bass reviews, are boutique models worth the hefty price tag? I've owned quite a few basses over the years, and have worked my way up through the ranks. I've also worked in music retail for over 30 years, so I've seen the vast improvement in far-Eastern instruments. However, I have to admit that boutique basses are worth the money. I've bought a few basses that on paper have the same spec as say an American Tobias or Stingray etc, but in reality just haven't come close, especially in a gigging situation. I recently treated myself to a Roscoe, after much research, and I have to say it's (in my opinion) unbeatable. I'm sure many will disagree, though.

I think the latest issue of BGM is brilliant, especially the feature on session bass players, which is worth the cover price alone. I'm really glad it's a monthly now. I have to agree about the amount of expensive basses on review (Guitarist mag seems to be doing this lately), but this might have something to do with keeping the advertisers happy, possibly.

[quote name='rjb' post='527428' date='Jun 29 2009, 08:47 AM']Yes, I heard this - utterly shameful. Makes me all the more grateful for the NHS.[/quote] How can a major talent who played on some of the most famous albums of all time die penniless, yet some sh*t-for-brains talentless idiot can earn millions? Sums up our culture, doesn't it?

Freddie Washington is currently on tour with Steely Dan, who are playing Birmingham tonight. Incidentally, David Williams died recently. Apparently he was so poor he couldn't afford to pay for treatment. How sad is that?

I know the drummer has usually been Ricky Lawson in the past.

Imagine getting that gig?!! Would have been a nice earner.

Does anyone happen to know who the band members were for the 02 concerts, especially the bass player?

So, these Phish guys? Tell me more about them. Are they influenced by sole, maybe Salmon Dave or the Codfather himself? Blues with Walter Trout? What scales do they play? What tuna does Mike Gordon use? Does he use Trace Halibut amps? We need to know these fins.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='524797' date='Jun 26 2009, 12:55 PM']I dont think hes over playing in the last two vids.?.Just awsome groove! VW seems to have a bad rep when it comes to flashy playing, but i guess thats what seels the tickets to his shows...I very much doubt Victor would over play, in the context of a song..At the end of the day he is a solo artist who plays bass!![/quote] I totally agree. VW is the finest. Everything he plays with The Flecktones is supportive. It's bassists and drummers overplaying in general that I find annoying. I could start a whole thread about drummers that overplay!

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='524708' date='Jun 26 2009, 11:01 AM']Best bit is at 1:07 where he completely loses it, lets his hands drop for a quick shake of the head ... and just picks up again like nothing happened. There's a guy comes to my local jam, name of Jovan, who is like a pub-level VW. He's technically far in advance of any other bass player I've ever heard in any pub, and his chops are truly awesome (as his his brisket). Trouble is, he never plays what the song needs. Why play one note when you can fit in 17? Is the guitarist soloing? OK, I'll play a bass solo underneath him in competition. Just like with VW, I'd love to have even a quarter of his ability - but I'd never use it like that![/quote] Bassists and drummers that overplay can ruin a song entirely.

Love it! Another example of why the bass is the most versatile instrument out there!

Nathan East?!! Adam Nitti?!! I'm there!!!

I never really liked Phish and his band, Marillion.

I use an Ashdown Superfly 500 head with a Classic 4x8 and a Classic 1x15. Love it. Plenty of power and punch, and no reliability issues after almost 5 years.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' post='521792' date='Jun 23 2009, 03:37 PM']Cracking show in Leeds the other Sunday: as a fellow bassist pointed out to me, you played your new Roscoe at the New Roscoe! I take it Steve did not really leave the Band after the gig?[/quote] Cheers mate...Steve? Nah, he's all talk

If you don't fancy paying £57 for a Steely Dan ticket at next week's gigs, then why not try Nearly Dan at the Manchester Academy 3? This Saturday 27 June. Show starts 8pm. www.manchesteracademy.org Tel 0161 275 2930

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='518903' date='Jun 19 2009, 10:10 PM']I flogged my akai deep impact for £80 [/quote] I traded mine for £50 against a Boss Octaver. (

I bought an Alembic 20th Anniversary in 1989, and it took 2 years to pay of the loan for it at the time. I sold it for a small profit because I needed a good 5-string (I bought a Tobias Classic 5). I still wish I hadn't sold it, but I just couldn't raise the extra funds. I saw one on ebay a few years ago for £1500 and wished I'd bought it now.

A few years ago I was looking for a nice s/h Musicman Stingray 5. After a long time trawling the shops and ebay, I finally gave up. Then one day I happened to go into a local small shop and spotted the perfect one - 1997 vintage sunburst. maple board, played like a dream, absolute mint condition. I got a great deal on it. I couldn't believe it. Then about 12 months later, in a fit of total madness, I sold it to buy an orange Bongo 5, which I kept for 5 minutes. I've regretted this ever since. Why do we do these stupid things? Anyone else done this, or simply bought something because it looked a bit 'different'?

Youi can copy a bass part but you can't copy the original bassplayer's feel and mood on the day. Makes us all unique.

There are certain bass parts that seem quite easy to play, but when you actually learn them they just don't sound right, no matter how long you study them. For me, a prime example is 'Sex Machine'. A few simple notes, but you try to make it sound and feel like Bootsy...impossible. Another one is Steely Dan's 'Kid Charlemagne'. I've been playing this song for 12 years, and I've studied it note for note, but I can't for the life of me get it dead right. The feel is unbelievable - funk/reggae. Chuck Rainey freely admits it's probably his finest moment. Anyone else have an example of this phenomenom?

The interesting thing about this album is the number of major bass players they used. Each player could have easily played every track faultlessly. Whatever though, it's still an absolute masterclass.

I also have a Tribal Planet top-of-the-range gig bag. They have pads that you can velcro on at strategic points.

Did someone mention The Nightfly album doesn't swing??