ARGH

[quote name='7string' post='96627' date='Nov 30 2007, 12:53 PM']Very cool !! Great to see that you've made it onto here with that amazing 'Al Caldwell' Conklin. I've got to say, that your bass is the one that really got me seriously thinking about 9's !![/quote] awww...you hurt me 7string,and i thought you had only eyes for me.... (sexy conklin....) What are the specs Elros

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='96352' date='Nov 29 2007, 09:22 PM']Me and Si - dont think so. I've never been that bothered about 5 and 6 string basses although I dont like it when some of our younger members feel pressurised into getting more strings they dont really need or get the impression that having more strings makes them a better player, or want to progress to 5 and 6 string basses before they go out and start having fun with gigs and groupies - well gigs anyway. I dont like it when people say the 4 string is finished, out of date etc. I think I said quite early on in this thread that [b]I think[/b] it becomes a big wide tappy thing (aka ERB) when it cant be played like a regular bass and a 7 with tight spacing and fingers like bananas might be played like a regular bass. I dont think your 9 can be played like a regular bass though.[/quote] oh I get it.... things is I do care that you are wrong John? NO-ONE has ever said more strings makes you a better player..YOU have come up with that,we have said ,myself included, that more strings can make you more versatile a player,IF you can master them. jumping up a string to a 5 or 6 and doing it earlier,when young,might be an easier thing,the number of musicians that play erbs tend to say going from 4 to a 5 was the hardest thing..than going to 7+. John,I think... you have never played an ERB,so you dont know,by what you post,how you play one...or have probably never even tried. Regardless of "I dont want to" or otherwise. (clue....hands/plectrums plucking in the regular fashion...y'know,some of us have slapped our ERBs too)

Dan,have you ever said having more strings made you a better player....I cant recall,me or 7string saying this.... anyone else?

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='96352' date='Nov 29 2007, 09:22 PM']Me and Si - dont think so. I've never been that bothered about 5 and 6 string basses although I dont like it when some of our younger members feel pressurised into getting more strings they dont really need or get the impression that having more strings makes them a better player, or want to progress to 5 and 6 string basses before they go out and start having fun with gigs and groupies - well gigs anyway. I dont like it when people say the 4 string is finished, out of date etc. I think I said quite early on in this thread that [b]I think[/b] it becomes a big wide tappy thing (aka ERB) when it cant be played like a regular bass and a 7 with tight spacing and fingers like bananas might be played like a regular bass. I dont think your 9 can be played like a regular bass though.[/quote] I cant recall anyone doing that,If the 1st paragraph is to be taken as read. Anyone want to skype me and ask me to prove otherwise? (as in how the instruments played..or just a nice conversation..its good to talk) PM me

Well Thanks If thats what you think John you are typing out of your arse.

[quote name='dood' post='96211' date='Nov 29 2007, 04:40 PM']WOH! Could you imagine a 31 note scale temperament on a 34" scale! lol!! - Or how about on a violin lol![/quote] I believe somebody from Denmark made a Bass that could do that,Ive seen a few weird Bassnecks with strange numbers of frets per octave over the years.

[quote name='gypsymoth' post='96274' date='Nov 29 2007, 06:23 PM']if anything, Joe Q Public could give a ratsass how many strings you've got or what instruments you use, as long as the result is pleasing to their ears.[/quote] To be honest,from what Ive seen and heard,they dont.

Well thats 2 more strings you 'accept' as being allowed upon a Bass guitar than last year John. Didnt you and OG have a bit of a to do over him getting a 5 back on Bassworld? As a member of 'Joe public' myself as we all seem to be,as 'Joe Public' is everyone regardless of having instrument or not,they/we/I have a habit 'OF' using myspace and google etc to find what we like and want to hear. I have friends whose taste I dont share in music,I have friends that are waaaaaay more avant garde in their tastes than I am,one in perticular dosent play an instrument and barracks everyone for being so conservative (he plunders my Metal section once or twice a year,for blastbeats and drones),he REALLY really pushes me to further myself on my instrument.

Im actually in a similer position 7string, Ive a set of dormant basses now,each has a use,and has been used,and paid its way. Is it you thats requested the ACG 9 string?

First Bass was a Red Hohner HP Bass (P-Bass copy)ply body, Maple one piece neck,20 frets,white 3 ply scratchplate,black p/u cover, and that was bought for me by mum and Dad 16 years ago yesterday,I had stinking flu,and Dad wanted to get the Marlin Jazz copy in black,I demanded the P Bass copy "Coz Steve Harris plays P basses" and it was a bit more expensive..Dad bless him relented,he did have doubts I would just give up on it and it might be an expensive mistake..But Im still thumping away. Satillite P Bass is my most memorable College days Bass that I miss,Heavy as ...Ash body,Maple/teak Thruneck,MEGA bridge saddles,string thru body,brass nut,it was crude as hell,and to be frank,needed a new fretboard,but it was my 1st solid (not ply) Bass. Weighed a ton at 11.5 lbs.

So what is 'proper' music?

Its a difficult time esp round my way,if it isnt fuel or the interest rate increase,then its property. Example being Kingston upon Hull,our shop in the town is a grand+ down week upon week,and the bosses are going nuts,then it was pointed out 40% of the city was underwater a few months ago and %20 are STILL in a caravan park of some description. Im thinking of getting rid of a few instruments in the new year,maybe sooner? What do you think?

Chuck Norris has only 2 speeds Walk and KILL Back on topic SO,If the extended range is growing in popularity (more models/makes are becoming available) where does this leave the humble 4?

Good...

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='95376' date='Nov 27 2007, 10:48 PM']Does he take sugar and milk with his bitchslap?[/quote] Just a can of Whoopass

[quote name='setekh' post='95345' date='Nov 27 2007, 10:14 PM']so you mean that if I disagree with you I have no right to have an opinion? that "example" you just gave doesn't really fit the profile... that's what bothers me about your (and many others!) posts on this thread - you don't really try to see the other folks point of view..that doesnt really leave room for discussion now, does it? you're just exchanging blows.. [/rant][/quote] I do see other peoples point of view,but I cant comprehend any real reason to say something is pointless or a redundant idea of no value save 'stunt/circus/novelty after watching a couple of youtube vids.

...A Vowel please Carol...

I thought 'Vinny' had ultralite strings on say like 50-10 or something,god its been years since I worried about that sort of thing...well....alright days. If I perjump,along this line a little,the only thing I dont like is the 'Because established musician says,it then its fact' syndrome vs 'Small world syndrome'. But thats nowt to do with what this is. Im trying to tie up the ERB issue as a body of work and people,regardless of what is 'good' or 'bad' its ERB,Im a militant on this,Ive even pondered the creation of a new clef (not a popular idea given the good old 8va...but hey). If you genuinly believe that ERB is bad period,and dont want to find out anything more,then just stop,dont express any opinion,because its weightless,you would never allow such a statement on here saying " I think all Blacks and Asians should be shot because I saw one involved in a mugging on Crimewatch" Which would be absolutely stupid,a blanket opinion.... But some people form they're opinions on very similer lines.

f***ing hell.....

[quote name='metalmaniac' post='95151' date='Nov 27 2007, 03:55 PM']What do you use as a stand[/quote] Pillow laid down on the floor in the bedroom. Our relationship is going well.

[quote name='gypsymoth' post='95252' date='Nov 27 2007, 06:57 PM']I don't see the tag "bass player" as limiting - or ironic. I'm a bass player. sometimes I play a 4, sometimes an 8, sometimes slide, sometimes improv solo, sometimes pretty straight ahead tunes, sometimes noodling back up to my guitar/drum tunes (looping without the repetition?). still a bass player, and no qualms about it.[/quote] Dont you? I play a Bass,But I have more than 4 strings,and I thought then I didnt play Bass anymore... I was a musician. Well in the eyes of some.

[quote name='SJA' post='95244' date='Nov 27 2007, 06:42 PM']IIRC his fretted Zon headless (Vinny?) is in standard tuning and has no retuning options on it- it's just that his songwriting - chord changes and melodies are just in a totally different league to Steve Lawson's. SL relies on effects for variation, and frankly it just gets boring very quickly. and looping lost its novelty a long time ago, and now the limitations it places on the music just stifle it.[/quote] 'Vinny' was there and was used for the one or two dual bass numbers,IIRC but 'Son of Bub' and the HB was the most 'used' onstage (sorry incorrect English) for the performances I saw. Have to say,I sort of agree...Ive seen Steve start off intending to play a tune,and it then vears off in some direction,and Steves apologised to the Audience. But I like ambient music,but its a very very difficult genre to say what is good or isnt,even from song to song by any artist. Given that Ozric Tenticles have been guilty of doing something similer for years.

[quote name='SJA' post='95216' date='Nov 27 2007, 06:01 PM']sorry, I'm going to be brutally honest here, and if I get flamed for it, fine. I saw Steve play alongside Michael Manring (at the Troubadour in 2004), and sorry, Steve, Michael made far more memorable, stirring music, and happened to be using 4 string basses. maybe it's just that he's a far better composer, regardless of how many strings he uses. full marks for using the web for self-promotion though Steve [/quote] I remember seeing the pair in Petersfield.....cozy little number that was. You have to remember though SJA that Manrings Basses are VERY VERY modified,to call them straight 4 string basses ala a stock P would be misunderstanding. Manrings Technique is his WOW factor though all that tapping and slapping and chordial work..often on fretless is amazing to see. Very different performers though.

Im just looking forward to the day that the instrument is seen as a solo and ensemble instrument. Its come an awful looooong way in near 60 years of production in one shape or form from its stance as a background amplified alternative to the upright,to an instrument in expressionate form just breaking surface now,be it with x+ number of strings. Nothing is wrong with being "A Bass player",some of us just cant express ourselves as well on any other instrumental medium and the tag "Bass player" is ironic as we (ok some...)strive to become or already are soloists,ensemble players,leading,following etc etc. If you dont want the instrument to be seen with anything other than toylike ridicule,regardless of how uberw***y or minimallly dull the line being played is or instrument regards....Then thats a tad passe in these times,be it at a NAMM or recorded in front of bandmates. But the way you are percieved be it artist or Bassplayer,and how you react to that is a question only the musician can answer.

Sadly discussion is only as open as those around allow it to be open. The only real boarders are imagination and ignorance,one cant be measured,one is obvious,and this isnt a level playing field. Involving everyone is the only way forward,figureheads have only their own interests at heart,regardless of what they say... Quality is subjective,Ive seen instruments that someone paid 2 grand for and its only fit for the fire,a name means nothing...and that goes for music too....Saying that innovators last out,and good musicians adapt,multitasking is just one facet of such an example. You HAVE to slap,and tap and have a 5...etc etc to get on at gigs,performance..add vocal skills,and you are never out of work...Saying you do one thing and thats all you do is fine,but it wont get you really much further than at the bottom of the fishpond where most of us are,working stiffs..in the pubs and clubs (for which I am very much one). If you just wanna play for your mates thats fine,but some of us are just never satisfied. Musically speaking,the only thing we seem to have here regarding the ERB question is fear,a fear of change,its a percieved threat,lets face it its a versatile instrument,more so than a 4 or a 5,and its really very new,and quite shocking on the 1st time viewer. I have little time for traditionalists if thats all they want me to be,I pluck the instrument with my hands,I tap,strum etc etc...I have all the notes available to me on a 4 string bass,and more and its a nice feeling being the only one I know in the flesh,but its not an arrogance,I still have to play the thing,and make it earn its keep,maintain and modify,redesign and introduce concepts and ideas. I dont think I have yet met online any ERBist that looks down upon traditional players or derides them with the limp wit or sexual lambast that the reverse occurs,most are trad players to pay the bills as I am,except we are not satisfied,I feel we WANT to drive onward,to at the very least change things musically....harmonically,in a way that benefits MUSIC. I still think If Jean Baudin was sat on Youtube playing Bartok or Mozart not many people would bat an eyelid,alas utopia is impossible. (Faust rests)