Chris2112

Also, could you post some pictures of your Alembic please!

The little brother looks like the one I'd be buying!

It does sound like you're just playing some bad auditions at the moment. Hopefully things will get better and you'll find some people who are appreciative of your talents rather than seeing you as a "tick in the box" and an obligatory arse in the bass chair! It is disheartening to audition in situations where the bass isn't given the same weight and attention as other instruments. I've tended to look at it from Anthony Jackson's point of view, that it is just a big guitar. It sounds great supporting so naturally we play to it's strengths and support, but why do so many bands assume "support" is the most rudimentary way of doing things? Even being so petty as chastise you for playing the "wrong" D note! These situations tend to indicate to me that I'm auditioning for a band of lacklustre fools with no vision. I think things tend to work best when each instrument is given it's own voice and space (think Rush and you'll see what I mean).

[quote name='molan' post='968866' date='Sep 26 2010, 09:36 PM']Personally if I met someone with all of those expensive things you listed I'd assume they'd worked bloody hard, been very successful at their careers and were reaping the benefits - and good luck to them, that's what I'd say [/quote] To be honest, I think we'd all be so vulgar if we could afford it!

[quote name='silddx' post='967814' date='Sep 25 2010, 05:21 PM']The problem as I see it is that he is not a composer and doesn't really know what to do with his gift other than play fast over other people's Jazz music, and teach other people how to.[/quote] If I have just one observation it is that Jeff seemed to have a lot more to say musically when he was doing his old skool fusion stuff. However, that was over 20 years ago. He's been playing so long though that perhaps he has just got a different perspective to the situation as compared to me. But then, I'm not a huge jazz fan. I love fusion; I love how it's bombastic, electric and occasionally uses catchy melodies as a bass to solo over. Some jazz progressions just sound flat to me and don't really catch my ear, so even someone as good as Jeff blowing over changes wouldn't really interest me. It's much the same though, that I'd rather listen to the 8-Bit sound "Kind of Bloop" recordings that the original "Kind of Blue" etc etc.

I've always been extremely carerful with my gear to avoid such horrors as this!

There are of course many alternatives to Fodera through the old "Fauxdera" builders. R basses was the big one I think, saying as the luthier started off as renting space in the Fodera workshop, using their tools and wood stocks to make his own basses. IIRC the deal went pear shaped after a while; he was using Fodera shapes like the Imperial and Monarch and aparently the quality of his builds was so good that Fodera customers were coming to him! He did move on and set up his own shop in Puerto Rico which just drove his prices down even further whilst maintaining the same quality of product. In the end I think he started using his own designs but the heavy Fodera influence is obvious (saying as he learned his trade from Vinnie and Joey) and I think he'll still make basses with a Fodera body shape. Aside from that, there are many other builders across the world who will make Fauxdera basses for a fraction of the price. Chris Stambaugh and Nikolai Goliaev for two. You don't even need a Pope preamp, saying as the best sounding Fodera basses I've ever heard have had EMG, Bartolini or Hazlab preamps!

One thing I recall that was particularly prevalent at TB was people criticising Jeff for whatever reason and those who had met him or studied with him all loved him! However, the same naysayers couldn't fall over themselves fast enough to kiss his arse when he had Q&A threads. Whenever he wasn't there taking questions I'd be forever fighting his corner, along the lines of "when you're that good, you can do what you like". When I listen to Jeff I think that, quite frankly I'll never be able to play like that!

I used to have some .30's on my white Ex-Factor, that was a crazy time! Sounds best with .40's I reckon.

Stuart Hamm tends to produce the best bassist solo records. Kings of Sleep is a real high point, and he openly admits taking a huge Satriani influence was they were spending so much time together. Catchy, memorable tunes with a great 80's rock/fusion sound and frightening chops which never threaten to overpower the songs!

I'm really not sure which one to go for, saying as I've had a bit of both over the years! I had an Electric Blue Ashdown amp which I thought was good at the time but it didn't seem to hot when I got a Trace Elliot head and 4x10" cab. That amp is still in my cupboard, on hold pending sale because I bought an Ashdown MK500 Mark King combo. Thats also an incredible amp and has really raised my estimation of Ashdown - it is as good as any combo I have ever played. So in short, I can't really help! I've had good experiences with both!

I always thought the configuration on some Warrior basses was pretty good. A big MM style humbucker with a jazz bar at the bridge beneath it. As a Warrior owner once said to me "just think, when do you ever solo the neck pickup on a jazz bass?". Made perfect sense to me and I'm surprised more people don't use this configuration!

[quote name='Mark Latimour' post='965686' date='Sep 23 2010, 03:18 PM']We disagree with your general that Sadwosky basses are some kind of untouchable sacred cow that are imune from criticism. That assertion was, IMO, hyperbole.[/quote] And I think I at least agree with you on that one Mark! They are of course, open to criticism! Hence I shall wade in and be honest and truthful! They're overrated, under performing basses that are very middle of the road. They're not the best basses around, nor are they the worst. They are of course very popular, which if anything gives great insight on just how conservative bassists as a whole are, sticking with "old school" stuff like the jazz bass. Of course, they're a hit with session players, probably because session players are asked to constantly recreate a very small palette of overdone tones. I guess this is conservatism and stagnation at large in the American pop music world, which I'm sure we all agree has been in a state of relentless degradation for some time now. Quite frankly though, if you like playing what you play, then good. It keeps the great basses on the market for me !

Two Humbuckers does the trick for me. As long as there is something at the bridge to give the bass some cut and some honk then I'm happy!

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='965413' date='Sep 23 2010, 11:19 AM']Mine is for sale. nuff said. Bongo 5 HHP (Piezo option) It's mint, not a scratch to it as with all my basses, orginal MM case, pm me now.[/quote] Price? I quite like the Bongo. Having played a couple they've sounded great and played nicely. The looks are much better in person too; they look miles better strapped on! Probably my favourite bass in the Musicman range, although I do seriously question the use of basswood in the body, it seems like a bit of a cheapo option! I remember seeing Joe Satriani live being supported by some guy called Johnny A. Johnny's bassist played a white Bongo 5 HH and sounded absolutely dreadful, like he was behind a wall of pillows. The Dave LaRue came onstage with Joe playing a variety of Bongos which sounded consistently great! So the player has a lot to answer for!

[quote name='Musicman20' post='965594' date='Sep 23 2010, 01:51 PM']Im going to ring Soundslive in a bit. GuitarGuitar said they charge £5 for a used tatty box. No thanks.[/quote] That really is a poor show. However, I've known people to ring Sounds Live and ask for boxes and get a negative reply. Said caller, suspicious that the sales assistant didn't actually check the stock room crosses the road and goes to shop and gets a box! If you're going to cycle shops check Steel's Cycles in Gosforth or Edinburgh Cycles at the top of Shields Road, Byker, they're usually good for boxes!

[quote name='bubinga5' post='965750' date='Sep 23 2010, 04:06 PM']i guess im being a snob and its just fun after all? i just like what i like...[/quote] I couldn't say much about loudness that hasn't already been said, but dear me there were a lot of ellipses in that initial post...

I just any standard length string, even though the D string ends up with 36" scale a normal sized string fits into the bridge and is secured easily enough. I just avoid the ones with tapered ends and silk wrapped ends!