Davo-London

There's comfort in repetition ...

I like to watch it to see how many Precision players there are per show.  Plus, methinks you're all being a bit harsh.  True, Jools can't interview for toffees and he does have some spectacularly awful acts from time to time.  But hey, since Old Grey Whistle Test - what has there been?  Bring back Whispering Bob.

Davo

I never touch the truss rod - I'm too scared ...

Luxury Brands don't fare any better.  I was trying to buy a Louis Vuitton bag and there was only one in the country in Birmingham according to phone calls and online inventory.  When my wife got there (we live in the SE) it was, of course, no-where to be found.

The really surprising thing was their lack of interest/concern.

Peace

Davo

I read that the James Jamerson high action is a bit of a myth.  He had a broken truss rod and never got it fixed!  Is this true anyone?

Spare bass?  - See other thread!

+ Money (for beer obvs)

Davo

I usually practice with my bass plugged into a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface into my mac with Logic Pro fired up.  I use my in-ears and my 1964 Precision strung with DR Sunbeams.

My favourite tone is essentially straight but with reverb set to kick in above ~ 1000 hertz.  I find I can play really smoothly or dig in and get a really lovely aggressive P-bass tone.

So what's your favourite practice tone??

Peace

Davo

I think you're all missing the most interest aspect of this post- we're in decline since 2000!

Davo

Hi

what is the weight of the bass and what wood is the fingerboard?  Do you know?

Regards

Davo

Drummers are normally OK too in my experience.  It's drums n bass versus the rest ... gotta have sympathy for drummers with setting up and down.  In my experience singers just turn up and say ... can we do a sound check?

Peace

Davo

Madness!

I do like the idea of an ashtray mountain.  One in Europe and one in America.  James Jameson didn't take his off though ...

Do whatever EBS_freak tells you.  He knows his IEMs.  I have benefited from his knowledge.

Davo

Now now.  The original regulation is welcomed if it works.  Has it been effective?  We know we've been affected but has it made a material change to the real problem?

Regards

Davo

Can you import bass parts without duty?  If so you could make up a Precision (the most widely available) from parts.  Indeed, even if you can't import parts you may find bargain bass parts in India.  5 or 6 string may be a stretch!

Cheers and good luck

Davo

I'm not a fan of any bass solos.  Bass solos in Jazz tend to be from the how-many-notes-can-I-get-in-a-bar and lets-play-notes-at-the-end-of-the-fingerboard school.  It's never exciting, emotional, rarely connected to the song etc.

Try playing the melody but in a disguised way with few notes.  Make sure the drummer is still with you.  Then you might have something notable.  If you are playing an URB, then the beauty of the URB is in the tone of the instrument.  Play less so you can hear the tone.  If you are playing an electric bass are you playing it straight or are you making any tonal nods to an URB?  Or focus on an interplay with the drummer as this is more interesting for the audience.

Sorry to rant

Davo

Making a bass would be fun and informative.  However, you want to make a keeper.  In my opinion, the No 1 part of the bass that defines whether I buy/keep it, is the neck.  Therefore, buying a cheap neck might not be the best way forward.  Well, it could be if the neck feels good to you.  I'd be tempted to buy a used neck if it were me.

Peace

Davo

I have installed a K and K  pickup on a fretless acoustic bass guitar (Godin A4).  I found it here:

https://www.gollihurmusic.com/category/7-UPRIGHT_BASS_PICKUPS.html

But I can see that the one I ordered is no longer available.  Thing is, what are you trying to do because a small microphone might be a better choice.  I've noticed that on my ABG that a combination of the acoustic bass pickup and a microphone gets the best upright-like tone.

Also, if blending the piezo PU and the Precision PU there may well be a big difference in output!

Peace

Davo

Has anyone tried any daft punk songs?

We have tried and failed.  They sound so boring and samey we keey ditching them!

I play mostly worship so I had a double dose Yesterday (morning and evening) and in the Worship Minister's words, we smashed it.

I had two folks mention my playing, one said you're enjoying yourself too much and the other said I really love it when you play.  So whilst I keep it really simple and straight - there's space for improvisation so I can really play tight or really fluid.

I have gotten into playing with my thumb and palm muting mainly because I'm near the sub and oh my, palm muting really does do things to your insides.

Marvellous.

Love those playlists - I've always wanted to play Teenage Dirtbag.

Davo

I can't argue with the No 1 choice but most of the rest leave me cold.  The thing that makes Comfortably Numb so brilliant is the guitar solos feel an integral part of the song rather than, "eh up, here comes the guitar solo".

I can't stand guitar -w&nkery.  This is why Hendrix, Billy Gibbons, Gilmour, Clapton, John Mayer are top of my list.  And the Isley Brothers Guitarist ...

Davo

Has anyone ever got close to Chris' sound?

Oh and Chris Squire's Fish out of Water is wonderful too.

Great post BTW.

I have a deep love of Tales from a Topographic Ocean.  There I said it.  I totally admire the construction, the complexity and the sheer admiration for producing such an album.  Go back and listen again it is incredible.  That said, I saw Yes several times in late 70's and early 80's but never thought them much of a spectacle on stage.  I prefer their albums.  I agree with many that The Yes Album and Relayer are fantastic.  I never really got into Close to the Edge and Fragile.  So I'm going to give them a re-listen.

Peace

Davo 

If you listen to Jaco and Joni Mitchell then you realise the rest of the band are accompanying them.  This is a nice switch round.  However, this requires you to play like Jaco!

Oh

Davo 

I play bass and drums to almost the same level.  I play mostly at church and if it's one or the other the worship minister always picks drums. 

Funnily enough, last night we were three.  Female singer, guitar/singer and me.  In this scenario, I get to play a Cajon kit, which is Cajon as a bass drum (kick pedal attached), hi-hat, ride cymbal and snare (wooden or travelling conga.  This way we stand/sit nice and close and generate an "acoustic" set.

Sometimes the guitar and bass are too close sound-wise to really make it worthwhile having the bass.  The drum or Cajon is a completely different sound and so I can see why the leader might prefer the Cajon.  As it is, I really don't like the Cajon, I think congas are 10 times better to listen to (and play).  However, the Cajon works surprisingly well as a bass drum though!  The only Cajon player I like has the Cajon elevated on a stand and so he plays it standing up.

This band are nuts by the way ... the guitarist is fabtastic.

I have heard it said that bass is more important than drums if it's one or the other.  The sad truth is most folks don't see it that way and to a large extent, I agree.

The fretless is a good shout (or acoustic bass) as they do sound more of a contrast to an acoustic guitar.

Peace

Davo

I find jams for bassists very unfriendly, regardless of genre.  No clues as to what key the song is in.  No clues about the chord progression  ... "What do you mean what are the chords to Steeley Dans etc".  I'm an experienced bassist with a half-decent ear and I still find it difficult just to join in with no info whatsoever.  It's like they want you to fail.  Funnily enough, it's different for drums I find.  You HAVE to play the house kit and all you need to guess is the BPM.  All the rest is improvised anyway and so with a half-decent knowledge of basic rhythms, you can make a go of it. 

Davo