4 Strings

Build diary here, one piece flame maple neck and solid British sycamore body. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/209972-ruach-utility-bass/ Sycamore is, apparently, of the maple family and has been uncommon use for classical instruments for many years. Heath, at Ruach, is an enthusiast for it's use in bass bodies. As rubbish for syrup as it is good for little helicopters.

[quote name='tbonepete' timestamp='1410589502' post='2550996'] Bernard Edwards. ray4 into?. That's my stingray tone heaven. [/quote] Into the desk I would have thought.

[quote name='bottomfeed' timestamp='1407893946' post='2525167'] Something I did a while ago with a couple of mates.... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQvbbIiL23o[/media] even though we came from very different places, We met here!... really enjoyed it... [/quote] Me too.

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1408120353' post='2527355'] A video clip from our festival appearance at Bestival 2013. You probably recognise the song. :-) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWp7EE6NNis[/media] [/quote] I'm a sucker for anything with live brass, but thanks, I really enjoyed that!

I remember when I was very, very young, at a holiday camp with the March of the Mods being played, and us all marching round as you did, I was fascinated by the bass. Still young, I often went stock-car racing and the whistley tune they played as the cars paraded I remember the bass line (and can still sing it) more than anything. Equally young I used to mime to Happy Jack in the living room, but playing the bass - not that I really knew what it was. It seems I have always been fascinated by the bottom end as I have been playing bass for over 30 years now, even both my sons play bass - very well too.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1409124130' post='2536434'] An apostrophe in a domain name? [/quote] No, I was talking about their real name.

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1409123780' post='2536429'] I had no idea hyphens were old fashioned! so dots are considered OK or will they age to? the reason I ask is my business has a hyphen in it's domain name. [/quote] Probably underscores are the real dated ones, from a time of less flexible naming. If the real name has a hyphen no problem with the domain having one.

The real name has an apostrophe. I know it's fashionable and tiresome to rail against these, but if it's your name it should be right. Does the Explosion belong to the 60s? In which case the ownership involved would require the apostrophe. Or is it an Explosion of the 60s? In which case the plural would require apostrophe be taken away. Personally, I wouldn't like 'sex' in the name either, but of the three I'd go for 1, its your name.

Portugal, out in the mountains (about half way up, nearing Spanish border), Fretal, tiny little town of 600, and it was Festas (and 200 turn up!) with live music every night for a week and they do this 4 times a year. However, it's latin music, not with lovely rhythms but drum machines banging out euro style boom boom with auto-bass fifths on the keyboard (think Y Viva Espania but slightly different). Everybody enjoyed themselves, most people dancing and singing along. I wouldn't have thought anyone would ask for a band with proper bass and drums as they would no longer sound 'right' and find it hard to belt out the beat the way they have come to expect it. Not an English or American song in sight (which I found quite refreshing!) (The dancing, by the way, was always in couples, mostly 2 girls with one taking the lead, but when the guys joined in they were very good, both young and old. All in the hip movements, but pretty innocent, just dancing because they love it.)

Don't know if this is of interest, here's the guts of my lad's e-bay Selmer TnB. Not great condition, worked but made a shocking noise if you put too much bass through it. Had a few mods done, had the common screen resistor changed for individual ones, had a modern kettle lead put on and a good service. It is now earth shockingly loud, no problems and brings in a satisfyingly warm grind to the tone when it's allowed to stretch its legs (so the lad says anyway!) It's now a prized possession. Point to point looks, to be honest, a bit of a mess, but seems reliable enough. [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/2013-11-19135159_zpsf8da8f9b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/2013-11-19135159_zpsf8da8f9b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/2013-11-19135032_zps6dabc12d.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/2013-11-19135032_zps6dabc12d.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/2013-11-19135053_zpse4b91349.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/2013-11-19135053_zpse4b91349.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/2013-11-19135125_zpsdb646dcb.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/2013-11-19135125_zpsdb646dcb.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

For what it's worth, I'm with everyone here, save some more for what you want, even if it's s/h (they're over £500 new, right?), one will crop up. They seem a lot cheaper if you're prepared to import yourself. I would doubt you'd match your Ampeg sound with just a bank of eq. Bit like trying to match the complexities of taste in Whisky with a bank of artificial flavouring. Might get close to tasting like Whiskey but you're looking for Laphroaig. Why not ask the rehearsal studio of they're willing to sell?

Plenty of ideas for Barefaced, they were thinking of pa speakers, I understand, I think a keyboard combo would be good. Our keyboard player used my Midget T + Streamliner for a gig last night, it sounded fantastic, much, much better than his powered keyboard wedge.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405334907' post='2500833'] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Une palourde, peut-être..? [/font] [/quote] [size=4]La Palourde Ivre?[/size]

Talking of fanbois, I hope my Streamliner lasts for ever! Thanks for the review, I've wondered more than once 'what if...'. I've currently got this in mind: http://www.bugera-amps.com/EN/products/bass-guitar-amplifiers.aspx (fanbois, should that be pronounced 'fanbwah' and is french for a culinary delight?)

If you've got a couple of hours! (I'm privileged to be able to have it on while I'm working) http://www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/free-seed-on-soho-ep-10/

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1404899691' post='2496742'] Berry Gordy only wanted sales and it's a wonderful accident of circumstance that inspite of this his company was putting out a quality of production, writing and playing that has hardly been matched since. On the other hand the Funk Brothers had a very poor view of the quality of some of the stuff they were required to record. [/quote] Totally agree with your post, except this bit, Berry was right on top of quality, part of their weekly meetings. The Stax guys thought of Motown as being the polished end of the scale. And it was. Stax musicians were largely blues based, Motown jazz based. I love both equally.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1404821129' post='2495976'] Great isn't it. If you haven't already it's worth checking out session guitarist Dennis Coffey's website. He goes back to the Ric-Tic days and has some great stories of those days at Motown and being a Detroit session musician. [url="http://denniscoffeysite.com/"]http://denniscoffeysite.com/[/url] [/quote] Great, thanks, on it now!

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1404809595' post='2495820'] Bob Babbitt on what happened regarding recording credits and payments (who played what). "War" is an interesting little mess.....lol.... [url="http://bobbabbitt.com/Bob_Babbitts_Site/Whos_Playing_Bass.html"]http://bobbabbitt.co...aying_Bass.html[/url] [/quote] Really interesting, thanks. Clears up who played on 'War' at least! Now he's mentioned it, Bob's playing is a little cleaner than Jamerson's and was more disciplined (in that he repeats accurately, whereas Jamerson seems to be able to play something slightly different every repeat!) exemplified here. I would take whatever Bob said.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1404809423' post='2495818'] I don't think people do forget that Motown was a factory as every book i've read or documentary i've seen mentions the production line methods of Motown as a major part of it's success. I agree that there was a lot of cash-ins and a lot of filler especially on LPs and also Motown artists recorded numerous versions of the same song time and time again just to fill space on albums. Here's two Detroit production lines in full flow........... [media]http://youtu.be/17yfqxoSTFM[/media] [/quote] Just fab! Bet you wouldn't be able to do a vid like that nowadays.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1404806758' post='2495783'] In the book Standing In The Shadows Of Motown - The Life & Times Of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson by Dr Licks 'I'll Be There' is listed. You've obviously spent a lot of time on these basslines but wondered if you've played 'Darling Dear' by the Jackson 5. It's in Dr Licks book and is my favourite Motown bassline of all time. [media]http://youtu.be/076hAabSqN0[/media] This was on the 3rd Jackson 5 LP released in 1970. [/quote] Thanks for this, I haven't, def Jamerson, let loose a little! I'll be There may have been recorded after they left Detroit (I don't know) hence sounding rather different. I could be swayed either way on that one, happy to accept Dr Licks as knowing more than me!

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1404809037' post='2495814'] In your opinion - still formulaic and trite throwaway pop music as far as I'm concerned - and that goes for ABBA too. [/quote] Formulaic, throw-away, both. Neither trite, though. (Not that keen on ABBA, but still recognise them to be great songs and very well performed).

Isolated version of Can't Help Myself Note the bass drum pattern varies. Not the most interesting song to play live(!) but note the rhythm is 'and one' with the pronounced dynamic on the 'one'. (Couldn't attach the track, but here's Suchow's copy on You tube which, rather oddly, starts with a picture of James Jamerson Jnr) [media]http://youtu.be/5ZUFGe06Ylw[/media]

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1404740816' post='2495245'] Here's the full list... 20. Jimmy Mack – Martha & The Vandellas – 1967 [color=#ff0000][i]Jamerson upright[/i][/color] 19. Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder – 1966 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson. [/i][/color][color=#ff0000][i]Weird timing[/i][/color] 18. Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone - The Temptations – 1972 [color=#ff0000][i]Not Jamerson, plectrum anyway.[/i][/color] 17. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye -1971 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] 16. My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder -1969 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson (just listen to it, expert playing!)[/i][/color] 15. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) – The Four Tops – 1965 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] 14. My Guy – Mary Wells – 1964 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson upright[/i][/color] 13. The Tracks Of My Tears – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – 1969 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson - I believe, but not typical sound[/i][/color] 12. Reach Out I’ll Be There – The Four Tops – 1966 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] 11. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5 – 1970 [color=#ff0000][i]Wilton Felder - just as amazing![/i][/color] 10. Stop! In The Name Of Love – The Supremes – 1965 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] 9. War – Edwin Starr – 1970 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson?[/i][/color] 8. Baby Love – The Supremes – 1964 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] 7. I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5 – 1970 [i][color=#ff0000]Doesn't sound like Jamerson to me[/color][/i] 6. The Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – 1970 [color=#ff0000][i]Bob Babbit (UK version)[/i][/color] 5. My Girl – The Temptations – 1964 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] 4. Dancing In The Street - Martha & The Vandellas – 1964 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson (mainly by assumption)[/i][/color] 3. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross – 1970 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] 2. What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted – Jimmy Ruffin – 1966 [i][color=#ff0000]Jamerson (sound is a little different but would put money on it, the playing, grace notes etc very Jamerson)[/color][/i] 1. I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye – 1969 [color=#FF0000][i]Jamerson[/i][/color] I suspect a fair chunk of these feature James Jamerson - can the Motown bass boffs here provide a definitive list of those that definitely do (or don't?) [/quote] I'm not a Motown boff, but I have spent a long time on these basslines and, I think, know a Jamerson when I hear it, so above are my suggestions of which are his. Of these I would grant Carol Kaye could have played on Papa Was A Rolling Stone, but none of the others. Would welcome any other suggestions.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1404744488' post='2495305'] I've read a lot on 'who played on what?' but i don't think there is a definitive answer. If there is i haven't found it yet. Of the records listed Bob Babbitt always said he played on War and Tears Of A Clown while Carol Kaye is thought to have played I Can't Help Myself. Wilton Felder was also around at the time of the later recordings. I think it's fair to say that the majority were played by James Jamerson but who knows? [/quote] Bob Babbit played on the UK version of Tears of a Clown, Michael Henderson on the US version. You can get both on Spotify, you'll recognise the UK version. Henderson's sounds a bit messy to me in comparison. I asked the great man himself while he was alive and manning his website about the two versions and he was kind enough to reply. I have an isolated version of Can't Help Myself, while it's a written type bass line with virtually no space for timing/fills etc (Carol Kaye territory) it is definitely Jamerson. The sound, the strange dynamics, it's all Jamerson and sounds nothing like Kaye's playing - although that's no proof. Edit> Just found the message from Bob, he notes Tony Newton as playing on the other track, not Michael Henderson, my mistake.

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1374961172' post='2155354'] The salesman said they'd bought it from the bass playing brother of a fairly well known British jazz guitarist, but much to my embarrassment I've forgotten who it was. [/quote] Was it Seth Govan (bass playing brother of Guthrie Govan)?