4 Strings

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1362502228' post='2000302'] The main enemy of flats is sound guys / producers who don't know how to mix 'em. [/quote] And those who mix the bass drum to have depth charge type sounds regardless of the music type and so operating at the same frequencies. Actually, that aggs me regardless of the subject matter at the moment!

Well? Old time Motown and soul, 60s rock, general studio use. AIn these days of ringy rock bass tones and bright slappy sounds does anyone use flats for more modern music? If so, what?

Currently: Bass player for the Motown Sisters Also in a gospel/soul band Also in a church concert orchestra playing huge american almost disney style arrangements Until a year ago also in a 'hybrid' metal band Weird, I'm blues first and foremost.

Its a good question. I'm in my early 50s and its more likely for me now than ever. When I was much younger I was far to cautious, no idea why. I then had a family, certainly no regrets about that but priorities and focus change. Funnily enough my wife always encouraged me to try an make a career in music, but I always felt too old and not good enough. Now I'm earning some pin money playing it's made me hungry. I'm still not really good enough but better at playing than I've ever been and with my two boys have both left for uni (doing music degrees and at a much higher level of music than I aver attained) and working freelance I am more free for playing bass than before. I would sincerely LOVE to earn my living in this way. Not just to be playing every day but also to be rewarded and recognised as such. However I would wonder that committing to endless hours of practicing has no point if no-one knows about you. I would have to commit half that time getting myself about.

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1362095182' post='1995890'] The last Precision I had was in the 70s - an Aria PB that I stupidly sold to get a Wal. I'm now looking at an 80s Tokai Hardpuncher to feed my P bass gas. [/quote] Kind of related, I had a 1973 black/black/maple Fender P was my first 'proper' bass, it was s/h, around 6 years old at the time. I traded it in for a then new Aria SB a couple of years later. Could only afford the SB600 model. It was a good decision at the time, wouldn't be now though.

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1361604428' post='1988095'] And,with the power of Google: [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=201783&d=1298775056"]Sheehan's Studio Rig[/url] [/quote] So we'll never really know what his bass actually sounds like!

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1361991604' post='1994172'] hmm these are all a bit good, here's my humble effort. I just like the flow [url="https://soundcloud.com/mole-music-1/caught-in-glass-v2"]https://soundcloud.c...ght-in-glass-v2[/url] [/quote] This is cool, I like the way the bass rhythm adds to the general percussion. As someone else has noted, rather Lou Reedish.

Difficult to have a chat about Precisions without mention of Colin Hodgkinson of Back Door. I think this example is beautiful, so bluesy. http://youtu.be/jRUjH1zAcZA

[quote name='Lee Carter' timestamp='1361976479' post='1993906'] mattcbass, black gaffa tape works a treat on the strap pin problem. [/quote] On my last gig bag, I had a couple of layers of cut up a bicycle inner tube as strong padding held on with gaffa. Lasted fine and worked.

[quote name='Mikey R' timestamp='1361971298' post='1993787'] Personally, I think it would be a real shame if Matamp went entirely down the hybrid route and we lost the GT200 from the catalogue. There really is something special about output valves. [/quote] Of course! And so long as the 'market' agrees they have a future. Otherwise we'll lose the likes of Matamp and only have valve amps made by firms who have a base sale of transistors (Trace, Laney, Ashdown etc).

[quote name='Oscar South' timestamp='1361963652' post='1993603'] Bit of crazy Latin style tapping in a fusion band with guest fiddle player [b]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxSw--2b-yY[/b] [/quote] That was great fun, very clever too.

Can recommend a Protec Contego (from here: http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Protec_Gig_Bags.html) Does what it says, seems to be pretty indestructible and protects like a hard case. Mine gets fairly rough treatment but is as good as new

Yep, he couldn't have been more helpful in getting my Streamliner to me for a gig.

Two points: 1.The classical world has almost reached that point, almost every classical concert is a performance of historic music and the classical music cd catalogues are largely re-recordings of the same pieces. If there was no more music in 'our' general genre of mainly electric instruments then there would likely be a similar focus on interpretation of re-recorded/re-played material and also a wealth of more obscure music surfacing as the old artistes and their repertoire come under increasing scrutiny. Even if you take away the occasional new entry the classical music world can be considered to be healthy and thriving under these circumstances. 2. When is music new? Re-working of existing material can change the overall feel etc almost beyond recognition (eg Dr Lonnie Smith's version of the Beatles' Come Together). Is it new? Much of popular music is played from feel and off the cuff as opposed to scores. Jamerson, Entwhistle etc rarely play the same thing twice in a song and, no doubt between performances. Is my playing of these, with different fills etc, 'new' or interpretation? Where would the line be drawn? It would, of course, be a very sad occasion if all new music was to come to an end.

Ok, thanks, Oli, that explains some. The difference the long plates make being..... ? (or is it just that being so old means 'better'?)

In messing about on the Genz I bought a fine Mullard valve from our own Mr Foxen at a good price. Of course I then just keep an eye open having entered a little world new to me. I put a silly bid on these and won. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-ECC81-Radio-Audio-Valves-New-condition-Haltron-Mullard-Ammerex-/110999758785?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=AsYgEWNYXxR8yMAVNgratqz4XP8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc A bit of a risk as they were untested but I got a Mullard and three other valves. They all work, one is a bit ringy and another has a slight background noise, the other two, including the Mullard, are perfect. Very happy, can play a little more and have some spares. I also spotted these. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-x-ECC83-VALVES-MULLARD-BRIMAR-/170990204577?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=AsYgEWNYXxR8yMAVNgratqz4XP8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc Didn't bid but happened to 'Watch' and was astounded at the selling price. They are sold untested (our own Mr Foxen will test valves he sells) and instead of ECC81s they are the more popularly used ECC 83s. Maybe this was an anomaly sale but seems a little extreme to me.

I also was one of those interested in the mini-bass amp, the Bass500 as they called it. I called them a few times over it, had long and interesting conversations each time and it seems they couldn't solve all the problems with matching their preamp with the outside sourced power amp; wasn't it a B&O offering?. (I know these guys are our friends but when the quote in the OP commented something as 'FACT!' I always have to think of how its not so.) One of the conversations was with Jeff, very nice guy, plenty of time for me (a stranger on the phone). However, I fear they may need to get products such as the B500 working and for sale, in small format as this seems to be the direction taken by more and more bass payers. Jeff makes cabinets with great efficiency, really loud for each Watt going in, but with Watts so cheap my BF cabs are a life changers in carrying them around most days of the week. Matamp are clearly are great to work with, excel at what they do and would be my first choice if I needed a monster valve amp and cabs. I just hope they move with the times too and remain profitable, would hate to lose them.

I thought this was to do with the massive output of all the Fender factories, bit like biros and socks. Where do they all go? Surely there's enough for a couple each for everyone by now isn't there?

You won't regret the Streamliner

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1361030850' post='1980059'] Your lad is a player , that's for sure . Some really nice creative ideas in that bass part . It may well be that I am out of touch with fashions for young people and all that , but why is he dressed like a Ghanain rug salesman ? [/quote] Good question! Actually he spend a couple of months teaching music in Nigeria and came back with a load of outfits he liked. His little theme I think. The sunglasses do not reflect his true persona, all three lads are really nice, humble boys!

[quote name='Green Alsatian' timestamp='1360974495' post='1979457'] An excellent thread - I've been watching the 'new replies added' going up while I was typing this! (Looks at clock) Will have to return to it! [b]4-Strings[/b] - that's a very catchy tune and your bassline is spot-on for it. Definitely Motown-ish. Haha, it worked then! Thanks mate, appreciate you listening and the comment. Of all my bass lines, its not the most complicated but, I think, achieves what it set out to most. [/quote]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1360971037' post='1979397'] I have two, the first is Kit, from the first EP of two years ago, and it came very quickly... http://kitrichardson.bandcamp.com/track/you-always-did &--#62;&--#62;Very nicely played, accurate to sounding like a programmed synth!, always like a bit of imagination in timing, also that you wrote the line to pre-ordered requirements, always more of a challenge. Not stressed in the context of the song, which it serves well. My other is the one I did for the Basschat composition challenge last December. I had great fun composing it, and what [b]I heard in my head pushed my playing technique to my limits.[/b] [url="https://soundcloud.com/silddx/you-cant-touch-me-now-or-the"]https://soundcloud.c...h-me-now-or-the[/url] &--#62;&--#62; Goodness, what goes on in your head! Love the wild bit in the middle. The proggy bit at the end seems to be more about the composition than the bass line. Great to have created a situation where you can release your mind into your bass! (Have to say this is one of those 'not my bag' songs, but I appreciate it nonethless.) Good work. [/quote] See, now I've said that I've had another listen!

Can I be proud of a made up bass line in a paternally related way? This is the lad playing bass, the first track is the one submitted here. Better than anything I can do, I love them as they are so imaginative (and, of course, I'm biased). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQZUizsC1tY

Here's mine. It's from an album I produced for a Missionary friend of ours who writes lots of songs. Her songs are very simple and originally plinked on an acoustic but, I think, endearing. This one we fancied having a go a Motown sound. For this we needed a bassline that was melodic enough to be sung on its own. I think it worked to some extent as I could play through the whole song on my own without any guide tracks! Also it was to make the most of the simplicity of the chords by playing little themes rather than just the root etc. https://soundcloud.com/echomusic-3/11-let-my-heart-beat

Loving my Streamliner, but never played a TC. Mr.Foxen's unsatisfyingly sensible advice requires you to go and try them both to decide but allows you to be delighted with either.