Mykesbass

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='802134' date='Apr 10 2010, 09:06 PM']I discovered the 'That's The Way Of The World' album when it first came out. Changed my bass playing life. I saw them live in 76 supporting my favourite band, Santana, and they just stole the show.[/quote] I REALLY must get my glasses updated - completely missed the t in this post and thought Pete had gone WAY off topic! Seriously, I'm so envious of those of you who saw them back then - I couldn't get tickets for one of the London shows then somehow missed them on subsequent visits. Did see Santana though - only gig I've ever left early!!

Just wish I'd got to see them in their heyday - incredible musicianship all round - great songs, amazing arrangements - don't you just hate 'em?

Way, way, way up there with the very best.

Don't know if lessons will get you sight reading in time, but if you're confident you will be able to play the parts from what you have heard, then sure, give it a go, a local teacher should be able to put you through your paces, and, if you do conquer the sight reading it is such a valuable tool when it comes to earning money from playing bass. Good luck - wish I'd done it!

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='800470' date='Apr 9 2010, 02:18 AM']The most important thing that you must appreciate about 5 string basses, which is largely overlooked by the un-initiated, is a concept that only those who own them and play them "get it" and that is not that a 5 string bass just allows you to play 4 notes below the low E [b]not at all[/b], in fact you are right very seldom it is required for a band playing ordinary songs to play below that, however the beauty of a 5 strings bass and what makes them really really clever is that if you are playing up the neck, say half way between frets 7 to 10 and you need to hit a low F, you would need to jump all the way back to the 1st fret on the E string to get that, whereas with a "fiver" you will save time and hand travelling effor by simply hitting that F on the B strings on the 6th fret or a G on 8th fret and so forth. Essentially, once you have trained your hand/brain (and believe me it doesn't take long, a month or two max) to travel distances across the strings rather than longitudinally across the neck, you will find it a lot easier to play, saving energy in fast runs, which in the end it makes a hell of a lot of difference when you are playing a 12 songs set every night. So in conclusion whoever was the first person that invented the 5 strings bass didn't do it for the simple benefit of adding 4 lower notes but to make life easy for bass players who are having to deal with such a long neck facilitating a new approach to a wider range of notes within a shorter space. On a 4 string bass a 2 octave scale will have you chainging posision almost every 3 notes whereas you can do a whole 2 octave major scale on a 5 string bass with one position change only! Once I got that concept registered in my brain it has been difficult switching back to 4 strings and I know I am not alone as all other 5ers I know out there all share my same feelings. Oh and best ever 5 string necks are Stingrays, no doubt about, no flappy low b, tight as f*** and plenty percussive resonance to boot.[/quote] Without thinking it through as eloquently as the Grand Wazoo, this is how I came to 5 strinq playing. I used to play rhythm guitar in a big band so loads of Bb, Ab, Eb -. When I returned to bass and started playing at jam nights I was completely b*ggered playing in open E - which let's face it, is every jam night guitarist's favourite key. With a five string I was much happier playing from the B string at the 5th fret. The other big plus key is D - on a four string you're almost in the guitar register and too far up the dusty end. Having said all that, after playing a lot of EUB recently, I'm toying with teh idea of giving a four string another go.

Harper Simon - boy does he sound like his Dad (not a bad thing of course).

Have you got the opportunity to try another bass - fretless, acoustic or even a very different model to yours, or plug in to a few effect pedals. Just fool around for a bit. Try some stuff that is not your usual genre (great current thread in Off Topic for inspiration) - I remember trying out the Country setting on a Fender G-Dec guitar amp and was amazed at the Country licks I could come up with. Sorry if none of this is of any use.

[quote name='Pookus' post='779937' date='Mar 19 2010, 05:03 PM']I dialled in some more cormorant - cutting though the mix nicely! [/quote] Can hardly bring myself to say this, but surely a Shag would do nicely for a big fat bottom end.....

[quote name='rhino' post='44711' date='Aug 13 2007, 09:40 AM']How about: Gordon Edwards - Atlantic sessions, Steve Gadd Band., Joseph "Lucky" Scott - Curtis Mayfield Rhino[/quote] Gordon Edwards with Stuff - Gadd, Richard Tee, Cornell Dupree, Eric Gale great live album/DVD from Montreux. Tommy Cogbill - Dusty Springfield (Dusty in Memphis) Two classic rock bassists that I've got as far as page 14 without seeing, John McVie and Roger Glover.

Is there not the chance you are mixing Image with Fashion - from the looks of you rgear list, image is extremely important to you - it's just that you have gone for a very personal statement - all those lovely woods for a start. As with the car, the Skoda does have a certain image - shows you're comfortable with owning a solid reliable well built car not a member extension, proving you're a bass player not a lead guitarist

My brother picked up a 1964 Epiphone Rivoli from a junk shop about 15 years ago for £35. Sold it lastr year in Denmark Street for £1200! I managed to pick up a lovely Jap Strat from Cash Converters in Ipswich for £180 - sold it 3 days later in my shop for £399.

Had some dealings with him in the past - absolute gentleman, will be greatly missed.

[quote name='OldGit' post='770490' date='Mar 10 2010, 03:00 PM']I'm not offended I just didn't understand why a shop would need to defend its discounts (unless the suplier was shirty about it)[/quote] This can be the case with some of the bigger brands and their punishing dealership systems. (Glad I'm out of retail)

[quote name='Jerry_B' post='769936' date='Mar 9 2010, 11:51 PM']How so? Surely groove and riff are part of the feel?[/quote] I know this is always going to be SO subjective, but I'm of the opinion that "feel" really counts when all the other elements are not there - someone just holding down a really simple I V or a walking bass but making it sound just right and being "in the pocket. So far, it's the reggae examples (plus Zappa) that are doin it for me - not to take anything away from the groove based examples but perhaps in those cases the feel is not the key element.

[quote name='silddx' post='769887' date='Mar 9 2010, 10:59 PM'] [/quote] Bang on the money - and a great track to go with it. 1982 - now they all want to speak like that - scary

Not my usual thing, but this is what I had in mind - no great Funk & Groove (although those posted are very tasty) just holding down a solid riff with some occasional decoration, letting the others get out there and make fools of themselves

OK, seen many examples of amazing technique then getting shot down in flames complaining of the lack of feeling in the playing but let's have your top examples of that magical, mystical quality, Feel, please.

[quote name='BIG.J' post='762470' date='Mar 3 2010, 01:31 AM']I tweeked the settings in the vintage mode and got a pretty good sound, Although the horns were wound up allmost to the max and with the Treble & Hi Mid pushing 3 o clock i could have still done with some more top end as my bass was rolled to max treble. The amp was quiet in this mode?[/quote] I use the BBT500 with just the 110 cab - enough for what I need. I've found that the settings, even in manual are really weird. Try getting the sound you like, rolling off the Master, switch off, switch back on again, then bring the master back up. Even in manual, when you select a mode it will go to that mode's default, playing around with it like this does seem to make a difference. Sorry if this is as clear as mud, its just one of those things you can do when the amp is up and running but trying to describe it doesn't really work! Mike

Spanish Guitar Center used to be in the side street opposite Selfridges - amazing specialist store, had everything from Flamenco dresses and shoes (not my size I'm afraid) and some really top end guitars - did a photo shoot there some years ago for a CD cover. As far as I know, Andysguitarnet is run by what used to be Andys in Denmark St - those of that slightly iffy reputation, but the website is some sort of third party deal so they are acting as a broker. If you can, contact the Spanish Guitar Centre direct.

Made on my 4th birthday!

Many (many) years ago (I was about 13, now 45) I was rehearsing in a big old hall in South London during a thunder storm. There was this almighty flash of lightning accompanied by a loud cracking sound from my (guitar) amp. I apparently had turned as white as a sheet and we decided to call it a day. Next day, I plugged in to practice at around 7pm and all I got through the amp was the theme tune to the Archers!! Managed to trade the amp, but I believe that the problem is possibly down to a capacitor somewhere.

Tour managed a Texan Blues guitarist last year - had loads of these, also watching every last move - the band referred to these guys as IBM's - Intense Bearded Men!

Sounds that way!! Let me know what you get quoted price wise - my mate is a Cort dealer down here in Sussex, always ready to do a deal and about an hour from central London by train. Mike