Mykesbass

[quote name='LITTLEWING' timestamp='1499711394' post='3333091'] I've always said that people who have to read music to play have no musical soul. A bass guy, keyboard or guitard who've learnt 300 or more toons in their lifetime and can rattle them off with the odd little inaudible mistake, then play an improv solo from somewhere inside their heart - THAT'S a musician. I've seen guys on cruise ships backing mini stars that have to read to play and actually sound great and spot on, but I often wonder if they could really hold their own in a jam situation. [/quote] What complete and utter tosh

[quote name='KingPrawn' timestamp='1499642362' post='3332726'] That's what I thought. Aside from making the musical transition. There's a huge environmental change. We playing traditional Irish/ Celtic folk music, which is a passion we all share. I'm thinking it's such different worlds. [/quote] Then I would say let them read. If you and the singer know your parts then all should be good. I can't see this as being like the rock bands with music stands debate personally.

What do the orchestral players play? Why can't they read (for the time being)?

Guilty pleasure time...[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nooeMrCws-A"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nooeMrCws-A[/url]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1499108422' post='3329263'] I learned to love my ER15's. [/quote] Thanks Chris. From this, can I take it you got used to the lower volume? It is feeling a little alien right now.

Recently decided it was time to get some moulded plugs - tiny bit of tinnitus, and disappointed with the non moulded pair I have been using. I've now gigged twice, rehearsed three or four times, and been to a big gig wearing them and they are incredible. Nothing is lost (well, I'll come back to that in a second) really excellent full range reduction of volume. Exactly what they are supposed to do. The gig I went to (Kraftwerk at the Brighton Dome) the sound was exceptional. Now the but... they seem to rob a lot of the energy from our performance. I've never been one to equate volume with energy - I've always given Elvis' That's Alright Mama as the perfect exmple of something not needing to be loud or fast to be energetic, but this has been a bit of an issue for me. I'm using -18db. The -10db don't meet certain regulations so are not recommended by the audiologist or manufacturer, but we are not a massively noisy band. Has anyone on here used this type with the lower rated filter, and what's the result? Thanks, Mike

[quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1498991728' post='3328369'] One thing I noticed is that this is a path that is hardly unique. Gary Moore went from rock to blues. [/quote] Gary Moore's journey was nowhere near that straightforward - he was playing Jazz (or at least Jazz-Rock) early on in his career.

Wouldn't that be to stop your arm from dampening the resonant quality of the soundboard? edit - or is that what you meant by muting, as I guess it could be?

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1498657921' post='3326165'] Make sure it's right. My son works in Japan and obviously speaks Japanese. There's a trend for Western free spirits to have 'Free' tatoo'ed in Japanese. Unfortunately the tattooists aren't fluent and have branded them free, as in cheap/good value. The Japanese are of course too polite to comment, but have some fun at our expense. [/quote] Luckily, Ambient comes across as a good guy. Can't see him scoring out Agadoo as a cruel joke!!

Had a Marshall MB 410 combo go up in smoke at a jam night in Saxmundham. Probably the most exciting thing that had happened there that year In my record company days, I was at a Nazareth gig that we were filming - Garage, Glasgow I think. Someone had decided they didn't need to bother unreeling all the cable for the lights. Had to move all the audience away and the director had to choose some careful camera angles until it had been extinguished. Band didn't miss a beat!

Some fabulous editing (and playing). Overall, I have to say, I preferred the Fodera. Lindo came in second, as, apart from when the tone was rolled back, and when he went up the dusty end, I really didn't like the sound of the Jazz. Another great video from this guy.

Been watching this from the start (silently) and, to be honest, with a large element of "what the...", but similarly expecting something quite amazing to reveal itself. Well it certainly has done. That picture with it strung up and with the acoustic bridge in place - that is one very special instrument. Amazing work. And well done Mick for the brave and bold vision.

Loved the set. I can see why some were not so keen on the bass sound and style, but personally, I just got caught up in the exuberance of the performance. Fun, brash, in your face, over the top excellence. (Just came over all Len Goodman there)

Mazel Tov!

Ooh, look forward to catching up with this.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1498382621' post='3324161'] Fair point! Hmm... Not sure if buying a strap, albeit a vegan vinyl strap, from a company specialising in leather goods is in the spirit and ethos of vegan..? The Californian Couch straps look to be about as vegan as they come. Worth inquiring as to availability, for those interested in cruelty-free, no sweat-shop, vegan products, maybe..? Not bothered, myself; just sayin'. [/quote]

Here's another source - looks like quite a popular movement: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/306518-righton-handmade-straps-spain/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/306518-righton-handmade-straps-spain/[/url]

There's also the non-playing ownership to consider. I knew the artist rep for Gibson UK in the 90s. He told me a huge number of their guitars were being bought by well paid professionals to hang on the office wall. Guys (always guys) who had longed for a Les Paul in their youth but couldn't afford it were buying them as trophies. Gibson were at that time trying to align themselves as the third iconic American brand. Ride a Harley, drink JD, play a Gibson. I'm guessing the guys reaching this point of their career now don't have the same interests anymore.