The Funk

Very interesting article. I wonder who he was referring to when talking about his major competitor with the valve sound... Ampeg?

Hah, then I can't help. I sometimes kick them off the kit and show them. I was told how much fun this can be by my old drummer who's now a singer/frontman.

I slap and pop - always through valves. What does that make me? Myself.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='69729' date='Oct 4 2007, 09:53 PM']Then again if you can't count whilst playing it can be a nightmare trying to communicate difficult syncopations when you've written a new song and someone's just not getting it. Alex[/quote] Just get the drummer to give you a kick on 1 and a hi-hat on 2 and 4 (if it's in 4/4) underneath what you're doing.

I've dabbled on drums for a few years. I can play funk and break-beat grooves. As with guitar, I've incorporated a lot of the licks into my bass playing. With drums, it obviously hasn't been notes but syncopated rhythm licks. I don't think it's helped me lock in with the drums any better, although understanding what's happening on the drums does allow you and the drummer to play around with sharing a few accents here and there. You can get a better appreciation of the different drums which make up a kit either by playing or programming drums - on top of just listening to them closely.

There you have it.

The last maple necks were available in 1959! WOW! If you don't know what you're talking about, just don't say anything. Again, WOW!

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='69431' date='Oct 4 2007, 11:53 AM']This thread got me wondering about the now-seemingly extict species of bassplayers that I used to see a lot in the 70s & 80s: the ones that instead of foot-tapping do a sort of chicken dance with their necks in time with the beat while standing bolt upright and otherwise motionless. I haven't seen anyone do that for ages. edit: oops - just seen Jack's post above [/quote] Should I bring the chicken neck back?

Ah, yes. I think you're right. Mind if I say D'oh, even though it's your catchphrase?

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='69417' date='Oct 4 2007, 11:18 AM']I just watch the drummer's chest [/quote] I was going to post a clever reply but that just floored me It sounds like you have no trouble finding the groove when it comes to your playing - just your foot. So take the foot out of the equation and just let your fingers do their thing.

Someone's selling a pair of these at the moment. I think he was doing two for under £500.

Hmm... if the drummer you play with can't keep time, then you won't find the groove no matter how hard you look. "The groove" and "time" aren't exactly the same thing. Some grooves require you to play in front of or behind the beat. And if you try to play straight 4/4 over something with a swing-funk feel, you'll wonder why you're not grooving along. And if you play a straight 1 when it's a 1 with a push, you'll wonder why you keep missing the start of the note even though you're playing bang on 1. If you just can't keep time, that's something else. Practice with a metronome - eventually you'll get there. Tapping your foot just doesn't come into it. Drummers don't tap their feet. I've seen a fair few musicians play completely in time together but have their feet tapping hideously out of sync. It also really annoys me when I see singers tap their hand against a microphone "in time" with the beat. It looks daft - especially 'cos they're always out.

As the great Boris Johnson once said, "I couldn't fail to disagree with you less". Don't tap your foot to keep time. It's a hindrance.

Tell 'em why, otherwise it looks a bit blunt.

I don't think you'll get any top end sparkle. But depending on the bass and rig you can get a big, deep sound. Hence all the guys above with a P or MM bass strung with flats pumping through a 15".

I think my Warwick fretless came with flatwounds on it. They're still on there - and sound great.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='69193' date='Oct 3 2007, 06:07 PM']That wont fix the wobbly pots [/quote] I like the idea of an all-valve head but that thing weighs more than my cabs. So I won't be buying it, ripping off the badge and getting a tech to change all the pots. Still, I do wonder how it sounds.

Can't you just take the badge off?

[quote name='gypsymoth' post='69116' date='Oct 3 2007, 04:16 PM']that aside, there is a new Laney 400 with eight KT88's[/quote] [url="http://www.laney.co.uk/show_prod.php?prod=nexus-tube"]Click - it looks interesting![/url]

What time is it on? I'll swing by after work. I actually popped down to a gig you guys did back in some basement bar in Kensington or somewhere. It was the one you have a few video clips from. Had company with me so didn't introduce myself. This time I will. The Thumb/SWR combination sounded fantastic.