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paulbass

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Everything posted by paulbass

  1. I've gigged with a hohner bass for 10 years and although its not worth much it i'd never sell it. I've since had Warwick and Fender and what i've found was the sound produced from these basses are a different class altogether. It inspires you and the action is makes it easier to play. The best guitarist i ever played with uses an unbranded guitar and the action is stupidily high and yet he makes it sound awesome! He does use quality amps and cabs which helps but he is comfortable with his guitar. I did wonder if he was to use a higher branded guitar how much would his playing would improve...he's bloody good now,would it make him sound/play more awesome? Its not what you got its how you use it
  2. [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1411228700' post='2557728'] You humour them; meanwhile go back to your [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] local music emporium and keep looking at the ads. The good news..? You're gaining experience with these folks. The bad news..? You're not going to change them. Get what you can from it, but look elsewhere.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Just my tuppence-worth; and good luck with your projects.[/font][/color] [/quote] This gets my vote....you'll only end up pulling your hair out! Meanwhile try and get a groove going in the tracks that you are doing and try and lock onto the drummer. There is certainly no harm in actually learning the tracks note for note from the records as you may learn more from this and playing in different styles in a band situation and only improve your imagination and improvisation. Good Luck and enjoy your new found instrument
  3. Hi all, recently i watched ELO with Jeff Lynne at Hyde Park on BBCiplayer and noticed the bassist played left handed with the strings upsidedown.....how strange did that look! He did a top job and didnt play a bum note all night. It did make me think how difficult it must be to learn playing a bass like that,everything would be completely different. Fair play to him he did a fantastic job! I've never seen that before thought i'd just share
  4. I love going to auditions....you can meet some right characters! Always remember they are being auditioned too regardless how good or bad you may think you are. I go with my gut instinct and if the chemistry is right with those musicians i tend to follow it through if i pass the audition. You can of course meet some right nerds but thats just part of it. That guitarist sounds like he's one of them,if he was that good surely he would be in a band already?! Its a bit like going on a blind date!
  5. I play with my fingers as i have no nerves in my thumb due to an accident many years ago. I find it difficult to hold a plectrum. I dont have any issue sounding different with any of my fingers. I can only assume its your techinque. If you have long fingernails this may cause a problem....i bite mine so thats not an issue for me!
  6. Thats nevver worth £900 notes....it hasnt even got a head!
  7. Hi everyone, Do any of you know of any venues around the Worcester area suitable for a rock covers band? We are currently looking out for somewhere different to gig and havent done much around this area. We are willing to travel within an hour from around this area if theres somewhere that caters for rock music....might even be able to meet up with some BCer's if your in the area! Cheers Guys and Gals.
  8. [quote name='Bradwell' timestamp='1409416689' post='2539551'] I would reckon it's painted because it's probably made from more than one piece glued together. Still a solid block but the paint will cover up the join lines. If I had a solid lump of mahogany big enough for a whole guitar body, the last thing I'd want to do is paint it. [/quote] +1 on the timber being glued together. Having pieces glued together helps the timber from moving too much (cupping and bowing etc)
  9. I tend to focus on grooving with the drummer and providing we are doing our bits right the guitarist should be playing to us. If the guitarist doesnt sit with that i'd question him! I'm willing to listen to any positive input if it improves the track. If he is questioning the style of your playing maybe your in the wrong band and your styles/personalities clash. Dont deck him that would only get you a bad reputation.
  10. Hiya Guys and Gals, due to not having a gig tonight i thought i'd have a few swift halves and watch a live band.....who were pretty poor so i'm back home having a few swift tinnies as you do! Anyway do any of you have any superstitions or habits about playing bass or doing a gig? As for me i never play my bass the night before a gig...i dont know why but its something that i've always done. The guitarist in my band wont hit a note until someone plays a note first when setting up is another one. Maybe i'm the only one in a band with odd habits ....or are these damn beers are taking a grip!
  11. It looks like mahogany or beech judging by the picture.
  12. I'd be up for it as i've never been to a BC meet before...as long as i'm not gigging on the day.
  13. For me i started when i was 15. I had no intention or interest in bass and a few mates from school where trying to talk me into taking it up to join their Rock band. They even went to the extent in buying me a bass from an auction which was pretty awful to be honest and it wasnt even branded! I stuck with it and decided to get a marlin sidewinder from my mates mums catalogue and it was at this point i got hooked. The problem i had was although my friends wanted to play all the heavy metal stuff i found that i was drawn to the likes of Duran Duran and Talk Talk as the basslines seem more colourful and groovy and i had a knack for picking up their basslines really easily. This wasnt very cool considering i was supposed to be into hard rock! Alas that school band didnt last long and i auditioned for a 'proper' band when i was about 17 and i got through. The members of this band were all top musos in my area and much older than me but they saw something in me that helped me improve my confidence and ability. 30 years later i'm still doing it! Just for the record the lads that got me my first bass stopped playing when the band folded and i was the only one to carry on. Strange how it goes.
  14. Hi peeps have any of you guys and gals watched and supported a fellow member from Basschat play a gig? What did you think of their set up,sound and playing style? Were you left inspired or felt like packing up playing after watching them? Just a question for fun
  15. Hi, i'm very fortunate to have 'top end' gear...its taken me 30 years to get it but i got there. I also been in bands when my children were young and i had very basic kit...i even had to borrow some gear to see me through a gig just to put food on the table for my family as it was more important than having the best gear at that time. One band i was in the drummer we had sounded awesome and when i entered the room i saw his kit it was held together with gaffer tape!...probably the worse kit ive ever seen but he made it sing. It wasnt even a branded kit. I still have my first ever bass and i will never part with it,it may not be worth much but to me its priceless as its done 100's of gigs and been in many bands and never let me down...although it needs setting up and servicing now. That piece of wood has introduced me to many musicians and ive made many friends. Its not what you got its how you use it
  16. [quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1406928746' post='2516089'] 'One Way or Another' is another one... [/quote] God i hate playing this track! +1000000000000000000000000 on this!
  17. Well so far it seems like i'm going to be keeping the Warwick judging by all your kind comments . I just feel it should be used as it really is a top bass and i havent touched or missed it since getting the Jazz. Its an awesome bass to have as a second bass....i never thought i'd say that! But it has made me realise how lucky i am to 2 decent basses. I've always been a one bass man and a bit of guilt takes over i guess!
  18. Hi everyone, I got me a fender jazz bass about 3 months ago and i love it. Its got a great tone and i feel 'at one' with it when playing it...its a cracking bass and the action is spot on and suits my playing style. Now the dilemma for me is that do i sell my previous bass which is a 1997 Warwick Thumb bass Bolt On that is in very good condition again the action is very low and its nice to play and i do love that growl but out the two i simply prefer the Jazz. I cant justify keeping two quality basses as i do believe they should be played and i'm not a collector. I would be sad to sell the Warwick as it took me a long time to save up for it and get one but after playing it for nearly 9 years i wanted a change, hence why i got a fender jazz.....quite shameful really i've been playing about 25 years and never owned a Fender and after getting this one i wish i had got one sooner. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! What would you guys and gals do in my situation?
  19. [quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1406100895' post='2508236'] Lots of good tips there. I would certainly endorse:[list=1] [*]get their early [*]be pleasant to the staff - whatever their role (I wouldn't want their stress ever) [*]don't over-do the hospitality (until after the gig) - remembering point 2 above still!! [*]make sure you can use any of your gear before you just unload it - swapping over gear takes time - the sound crew will be able to refuse if you don't adhere to 2. [*]think about what you each want in your monitors so the monitor guy isn't wasting time while you all debate what you want [*]enjoy the experience, festivals are great fun and a brilliant atmosphere. [*]have a good one! [/list] [/quote] EXACTLY THIS ^^^ ensure your well reheased and your up to speed on your set. Be solid and strong on the bass and simply enjoy the occassion.....it'll be over before you know it! Its a good time to play and if the weather is good that will be a bonus! You can have a few drinks after and watch some decent bands. Let us know how you get on
  20. [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405859705' post='2505853'] Always carry a drum key, sticks, spare guitar strings, plectrums, spare instrument and speaker leads, plug and amp fuses, side cutters, screwdrivers, super glue, gaffa tape and so on and so forth - because your drummer and guitarist never will! [/quote] This sums it up to a tee!!
  21. [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1405896917' post='2506355'] As above, can't force him to sell but I'd be leaving feedback for sure! I'd have told him it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it [/quote] This!^^^^
  22. As long as you make this bassline bounce you wont go far wrong. Dont pressure yourself and play with the drummer. Paul McCartney is an fantastic bassist and vocalist and he makes it look easy...not many bassists could pull off this bassline and vocal at the same time.
  23. It could be the neck. Either there is a slight bow or twist in it OR it may need a shim to pull it back. This is assuming that the bridge is set up properly.
  24. Hi folks, i'm liking this track by the manics but is there an effect on the bass during the chorus? If so what is it? Its quite a full sounding effect and i'm guessing its a chorus of some sort. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nusymqINrSc&list=RDnusymqINrSc&feature=share
  25. Thanks BCer's for all your ideas and advice. There plenty to think about and some valid comments....food for thought! I have been spoilt, in some of the bands i have been in the gigs came to them....although we played some really cheesy stuff,cheese sells! The band i'm in now is different from anything else i've been in and the thought of changing direction in music just to get gigs seems to be defeating the object of being in a rock band, although i can see why some bands do it. I guess that one of the biggest changes over the years is that there are many more bands about now and fewer pubs providing alteranative music. Anyway chaps i'm off to make some phonecalls and knock on some doors to try and get some gigs....may even have a crafty pint or 10! Thanks for all your comments.
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