AdamWoodBass

Just received a set of what we think are Haussel jazz pickups from our very own ead after a very pleasant catch up in my local boozer. What a legend that man is! Now to dig out my soldering iron, or maybe I'll leave that till tomorrow as this IPA is quite potent!

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1497590149' post='3319240'] low enough to get fret buzz when digging in hard. Listen to isolated bass tracks from Geddy and JPJ, fret buzz is actually good. [/quote] For a Jazz bass, my thoughts exactly. Low enough to get that gritty buzz when you dig in but not so low that it chokes a note. When I'm playing fairly busy or technical stuff I use a Jazz so the lower action is appropriate. If you push down the string on the first fret with your left hand and then use the little finger of your right hand to push down the string on about the 14th fret the distance between fret and string around the 5th or 7th fret should be about the width of a credit card. That's how I have mine setup anyway. For a P-bass I have a slightly different philosophy on action. I have it a bit higher to achieve a kind of "bouncy" feel but that's because I use a P-bass for a very different sound to a Jazz bass, mainly for when I'm playing less "busy" stuff and more basic groove stuff. Also important to consider pickup hight when adjusting action if your pickups have exposed pole pieces. The sound of a string clanging off a pickup pole is something that really grates on me! I tend to try and keep my pickups low enough that when I do dig in even when I get super excited they don't clatter against the pole pieces. You lose a bt of output especially on a passive bass but at least you don't get that nasty pop.

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1497590470' post='3319241'] oh, so you're just pretending to be an originals band then? joking, sort of. Rely on the strength of your own body of work. This from an originals band member for 36 years. Certainly play the cover at gigs, but don't record it. imho ymmv of course, just my 2 cents worth. [/quote] Yeah it's only early days yet for this band, we're planning to record an EP of sorts in the near future. We don't have enough original material to fill a 12 track album yet and have filled out the live set with a couple of covers which we play in "our style". There's one which we're pretty proud of so thought we'd investigate the ramifications and potential pitfalls of recording it.

[quote name='musicbassman' timestamp='1497536265' post='3318950'] ... all the tracks on that album were composed by Michael League. What a talented guy. [/quote] One of my all time favorite bass players/composers. Back in the early days of Snarky Puppy ("The World is Getting Smaller" and "Bring us the Bright") Mike would meticulously write out all the parts for the tunes and distribute to the band. Now he just comes up with an idea and allows much more creative input from the rest of the band. I really like one of his arrangement techniques for Snarky Puppy where he would record a midi file of a tune which he would send out to the band members but have every part played by a Fender Rodes so none of the band members had any concept of which part was a guitar part and which part was a horn part etc. The idea was that all members would learn every part for a tune so when they came to rehearsal sessions Mike could tell the horn players to play the "guitar part" and the keys players to play "the horn part" and they would just know it.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1497540119' post='3318979'] ∆∆∆ I think you will always need permission to record other folks published music, live is different of course. Adam, some excellent info here. [url="http://www.makeitinmusic.com/licence-cover-song/"]http://www.makeitinm...nce-cover-song/[/url] [/quote] Good shout, cheers mate!

I think this very scenario is good enough reason to renew my MU membership actually. No doubt back in the day there'd be plenty of chancers that would just record it and get away with it but now music is nso freely available on Spotify etc it would surely only be a matter of hours before your crimes against copyright are brought against you. Just not worth the risk, I want to make sure that whatever we're doing we're doing it properly.

Hey everyone Apologies if this has been covered before but I tried searching and couldn't find a topic that answered my question. I'm looking for some advice on copyright, specifically how to legally go about recording a version of a Jazz Standard without the heavies turning up at the door and a subsequent legal a*se kicking being visited upon us. Here's the scenario: In the same way that for example Jamie Cullum did a cover of Radiohead's "High and Dry" which is very different to the original, my originals band have been working on an arrangement of a Jazz Standard which again is in a very different style to the original. It would be really cool to be able to record it but I recognise that this is a potential legal minefield. In terms of the Jamie Cullum example I recognise that the record label will have deployed an army of lawyers to ensure no copyright laws were infringed. It's also possible that Jamie Cullum's label and Radiohead's label are owned by the same legal entity so technically the rights to the song are with the label. Hence Mr Cullum can do his best Radiohead impression until the cows come home with no fear of getting a spanking from a lawyer because his label already technically owns the copyright. I also understand that in my very limited knowledge of legislation and copyright in the music industry my analogy could also be complete b*%$*cks. The problem is I'm not a solicitor, music solicitors cost a fortune and we're an unsigned originals band so I don't really know where to start in terms of finding an answer to this question! Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? As always, you advice and guidance is very much appreciated! Cheers Adam

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1497526222' post='3318852'] That sounds fantastic [/quote] It really was mate, as a first outing for the band goes it couldn't have been better!

My new band played a 2 tune guest slot at the Indigo Jazz Jam in Manchester last night. It was our first live appearance and we were really looking forward to road testing the band to a crowd that would "get" us. We opened with our own arrangement of Actual Proof by Herbie Hancock, it's more of a hiphop groove than the original and instead of following the form it riffs around the Cm for solos. We intended it to be as stanky as possible! Very well recieved and the crowd was bouncing! We moved quickly onto a similar hiphop based rendition of Billy Cobham's Red Baron, our drummer keeping it dirty with a "sloppy 8's" hi-hat groove. Awesome solo's from everyone including a few other horn players. Finished the set on a massive high with people cheering, amazing feeling considering this was our first outing as a band. Lost of people coming up to us afterwards wanting to get to know more about the band. Probably the best jam night I've ever been to to be honest, it was a proper "jam" in that people would just get up an improvise. The house band were incredible, the crowd were super enthusiastic and the beer was excellent! What more can you possibly need? It should be noted that the caliber of musicianship there makes it practically criminal that you can see this for free too, even if you don't get up to play it would definitely be worth going down just to watch! All in all, an awesome night!

Hey everyone So I've been busy working away with a new band Akudu for the last few months and we're finally "gig ready". I'm going to be using this thread to mention any live appearances in case you fancy coming and seeing us. We're a contemporary jazz/funk originals band drawing most of our influence from the likes of Snarky Puppy, Funky Knuckles, RH Factor and Hiatus Kaiyote. We will hopefully be recording some demos in the very near future. We're hoping to play live tonight (Wednesday 14th June) at the Indigo Jazz Jam in Withington Manchester. Check out [url="http://akuduband.com"]akuduband.com[/url] for more info. Cheers Adam

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1496155515' post='3309184'] I'll consider this once I've worked out what Reason can do for me that Reaper can't, and I have €369 spare. That may well not be next week. [/quote] I must confess I'm also in this boat now, I used to swear by Reason but once I discovered Reaper I just haven't really used it. Sometimes use ReWire to use it as a plugin for Reaper but that's only when I know that I have an old sample in Reason that I want to use on a track and can't be bothered to find a VST version of it. Don't get me wrong, I really like Reason and I used to be a very heavy Reason user but I guess I just fell out of love with it when I realised that Reaper opened up so many more functions.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1496664816' post='3313037'] but sometimes (many examples) you really want to take advantage of an open D... so I'd even detune to D on a 5 string. [/quote] Agreed, some Tool basslines would be very difficult without the open D.

[quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1496340951' post='3310736'] Oohh....well played sir! I like that explanation. Unfortunately I was adding tension for the whole of the first verse! [/quote] If Miles Davis could get away with it so can you!

That's why I love playing jazz. Start a solo in the wrong key? Hey, it's jazz man! Seriously though I've been there more times than I care to remember. It's a horrible feeling but sometimes you just need to have a word with yourself and move on. Chances are most average audiences won't even notice as long as you manage to correct your mistake quickly. I had one experience we're we were opening the second set with Stevie's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" but last minute the singer wanted to do it in a different key because they weren't feeling well, fair enough. Got to the intro, 1-2-3-4....... total mental block, I played a string of 6 completely wrong notes having tried to correct myself on each beat in the bar and just making it worse! I managed to correct myself when the guitarist turned and shouted "It's in G you *&%^£!" We laugh about it now but at the time I wanted to fall through a hole in the stage and hide until the gig was over!

Only time I've used side fills is many years ago in an originals rock band. The frontman ran a really high end PA hire company so we were able to get on the bill for a lot of festivals and outdoor gigs. I'd say they are very useful because they fill the stage and you really get a sense of atmosphere to the gig, we also had wedges at the front but that was pretty much just for vocals. For the band it feels very natural and seems to add a little something to the gig. For the guy doing the front of house mix it's a nightmare from what I understand because they have to ensure the side fills don't bleed into the mix for the FoH system. Typically it's really useful outdoors where accoustics of a room aren't a factor but in a theater or something it can be a pain.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1495782258' post='3306466'] An eminent BC member rocks up to my local Blues Jam last night. He gets up and plays a couple with the regulars. Then HE ASKS to do Mustang Sally!! I think he should now be given the opportunity to come along here and explain himself. And to beg forgiveness from the BC collective [/quote] Hahaha! Oh dear!

From what you've said you've pretty much covered all reasonable bases, if it is stolen I can't see how the original owner could prove it's actually theirs unless they've marked it with smart water or something. As a side note, very decent of you to go to the lengths you have in case it might be stolen. Plenty of people wouldn't give it a second thought.

Here's a pic of the 5 string Mako I was playing, absolutely stunning bass!

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1494942451' post='3299795'] In the previous clip the guy talks briefly about the "Floating Thumb" technique. [/quote] This is something I'm trying to consciously work on at the moment which requires a relaxed hand/wrist to properly achieve it. Technique is one of those things that if you've been doing it a certain way for so long (20 years in my case) it becomes very difficult to change it! I've been trying to properly evaluate these aspects of my playing due to the fact that my new band plays pretty challenging jazz fusion stuff, bad habits are going to cause injuries here so I need to get this down! [quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1494944476' post='3299831'] Might sound daft but do you use a mobile regularly and do you use same hand to operate it. I play bass with a pick but also admit to using my smartphone a lot and texting and scrolling with my right thumb. I started getting a lot of pain in my thumb and hands. I still use pick the same but operate my phone with my index finger and pain has gone. [/quote] This is a really good point actually and to be honest something I'd not really thought of!

[quote name='Bassmonkey' timestamp='1494943193' post='3299812'] Blimey - that prompted debate eh? Thanks all again for the advice and views. The best bit here is the flukey way I found out. A bassist colleague called me last week and we ended up talking amps. He is sick of hauling a big rig. I told him about my Orange Terror rig. (I bought a replacement) he went off to investigate. Then last night, he sent me a link to a local Cash Converters asking if the pictured amp was the same model - the amp in the pic was actually mine. I looked on their site and they also had my mic and other stolen items. What are the chances????? So.....here's the update: I went to the store as advised by the police. My amp was in the window. Orange Terror Bass 500W. Custom Orange wooden cabinet. Roqsolid cover £299. Bargain! I looked around and found the mic. Shure 87A, Sennheiser Freeport body pack. Mono Producer Bag. Half a dozen mic/instrument leads £99. Bargain. Spoke to the manager, advised him they're mine. He asked a few questions about how I knew (not difficult having non standard cases) he was satisfied. He said he'd take em off sale (and did do immediately) and he warned me to keep on at the police as they may be slow to respond. All in all, a thoroughly nice fella. I followed up the trip with an email to both him and the police reiterating what had been agreed. Next thing I got a call from the cops at 13.00. They've been in, recovered the items and will call me for a statement. Now that is impressive. I am waiting with fingers crossed. Sadly, my in ear receiver, ear phones, tool kit, Atlas mic stand base and iPod have gone but I have replaced em all already. Am hugely grateful to get anything back and hope that some thieving scrote gets their collar felt as a result. Time will tell. Andy [/quote] Glad things seem to be working out here mate.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1494940312' post='3299773'] This thread has got me thinking. Bass gear is nothing like a car. Cars have to have documents. Bass gear doesn't always. If I became short of cash and took all my gear to a CC, if anyone were to claim it was stolen gear, I have nothing to prove I've paid for any of it. I can see I'll be taking pictures and recording serial numbers. [/quote] Excellent point here and likewise I think I'm in the same boat, shall be rectifying that by photographing and recording my serial numbers now!

Another vote for Alpher here. Really nice guys and absolutely stunning basses, I think I played 4 or 5 of them at the Northwest Guitar Show on Sunday and was consistantly blown away. That dark red passive 5 string was unreal! I think there's a youtube video of Scott Devine trying out the same bass. For a passive 5 string the low B is absolutely monstrous.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1494868460' post='3299193'] +1. OP...this clip is worth watching. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIYuqTsUlyM"]https://www.youtube....h?v=uIYuqTsUlyM[/url] [/quote] I had a look at that and I can see how this is helpful. I may have to try and adapt this technique slighty though as I have an old injury on my right shoulder, I could imagine trying to do a whole gig like this will cause me problems. I messed around with my strap a little last night and I've managed to find an angle that seems to work, my right wrist is not bent at an extreme angle and my fretting hand is still comfortable. I'll try playing like this for a while and see if I continue to get pain in the hand.