Chris2112

[quote name='Tait' post='558323' date='Aug 2 2009, 10:50 AM']i don't think i've ever seen a drop D tuner at the bridge before, aren't they usually on the machine heads?[/quote] Ibanez have been doing it for quite a while now. I remember having the 2001 catalogue with the AX series (I think that the name of them, the ones John 5 used to play) having the detuner at the bridge. Nice bass too!

I've always loved Claypool's playing (definitely one of the most talented guys to play to a mainstream audience in the 90's) but I've enver really loved Primus! They've got a few good tunes but I can't listen to them for very long, which is a shame.

I don't think you can teach it, but anyone with a reasonable capability on their instrument will soon learn to mimic "feel" and it's nuances.

[quote name='simondee' post='553335' date='Jul 27 2009, 10:49 PM']ruh roh! I have four wicks. [/quote] How does the Thumb sounds with Barts in? I've been thinking of sticking some in my Thumb for a laugh... As for the $$ Corvette, it looked just like that but with 4 strings!

I'm pretty sure it was ovangkol, it has that distinctive open grain and sounded like ovangkol with that burpy midrange. I remember being puzzled that the neck and body woods were exactly the same, as I hadn't heard of any model like this - unless it's been some kind of custom order!

I'm not sure if he still has his Wal, although it was years ago that he was using it...maybe he fancied a change?

Stuart is a brilliant player, yeah. Cottle is great too, though I prefered his tone when he was using a Wal bass! I remember when he had a couple of his albums up for free download from his website. Nice bass tone but the music never really grabbed me sadly...still a great player though.

Third from the left in the first row of standing basses, do I spy a Fodera Emperor?

I remember playing an ovangkol bodied and necked $$ Corvette in the guitar shop just off Corp. Street in Preston town centre earlier this year. It was a pretty nice bass, and would really kick ass in the studio. But since then I've not seen any with ovangkol bodies and necks - what the hell was this bass?

One of these! And I'll dream of how a Bartolini preamp and some Bart pickups might make my fretted Thumb sound...

As far as compact, ultra functional basses go (Steinberger XL, Status Streamline etc etc), the Vinnie is one of the coolest. But then they are a niche thing...they're all so cool!

[quote name='iamapirate' post='550696' date='Jul 24 2009, 11:12 PM']and if you're not hitting your note on almost every time that kick hits the skin, then you need to sort something out.[/quote] Mate, what if you're angling around a back beat?

I think it really helps to be on clear terms about what you want from your jam sessions, and discussing this first really helps to get the best results. It's likely that the drummer will know your level of ability, and hopefully you'll not be too far apart in terms of skill. I'd imagine Neil Peart would soon tire of jamming with Fieldy, just as Mark King would soon tire of jamming with someone who sucked on the kit. If you're planning to sit down and flex, make it clear before you start busting out the chops. If you're looking for a spacier session with more room to groove, tell your drummer that too. But remember, always listen to each other. Typically, I like the drummer to lead and give me a beat to work over and I'll go from there. The kick and the snare are my main counterpoints, and thats what I'll try and link up with. The hi hat can be useful for outlining the pace of the beat if it's a rather exotic piece. Play with your ears first and let your hands follow. I like to refer back to "Dara Factor One" from Weather Report's 1982 self titled album. It starts with what has been described as an "ass backwards beat" which Zawinul asked for. On top of that, Zawinul outlines a chord structure with his keys and Jaco starts grooving around that with some awesome improvisation and some of the most beautifully crafted lines I've ever heard, and Shorter compliments all of this with sparse but powerful ornamentation. And it makes you think, you can get a hell of a lot from just a drum beat!

Aside from the Modulus though, I can't make out much that suits my taste! A collection that largely leaves me cold!

[quote name='simon1964' post='550464' date='Jul 24 2009, 06:17 PM']Very nice. There is a real love/hate thing about Warwicks, particularly Thumbs, but you simply cannot beat them for tone. More than makes up for the weight and balance issues. Enjoy [/quote] Given that I don't mind the weight of this bass and that it balances rather well, I'm quite chuffed! It feels like a bit of a secret key to amazing tone. I can't think of any other production bass with the same wood combination, and it's a very specific pairing of woods...which means a tone all of it's own! Listening to the recordings I have made, it sounds incredible and very distinctive. I'd love to get it into the studio to lay down a few tracks!

Yeah, comparing the wenge against my mates ovangkol necked Thumb, the wenge seems to impart a bit more of a burpy midrange, as well as looking awesome. I just can't get over how honky these basses sound, it sounds amazing when played alongside Weather Report records! And the slap sound is very different to all my past basses (Spector Euros, Kubicki Ex Factors, Status Stealths and Matrix basses, etc etc), but with the right facial expression you can pull off a very convincing assault of muted machine gun 16th notes!

My 1999 bolt on (w/ Wenge neck):

I've had a good few days with this bass now and I've really settled down on it and I'm absolutely loving it! It's my first Warwick bass, despite the fact I've been after one for about 8 years now! I knew from the first time I played a Thumb that I'd have to have one at some point, and luckily the opportunity has finally presented itself! There is little I can say about the Thumb that has not already been said, so I'll just address the main talking points. It balances well, but I wear my basses high. I suspect this is the way that Hans Peter intended the bass be worn! It does weigh a lot, but it's hardly a concern to me. I'll put up with weight for [i]that[/i] tone! I like basses that feel solid though, and I love small bodied basses too, so this really suits me well. It's been loving the RUSH and Big Country bass lines and even a few cheeky Level 42 tunes! I've had a go of it at rehearsal volume with a little fusion trio and it performed excellently. I bought this bass on BC, from a guy who has it since he bought it in 1999. To be honest, it doesn't even look like it's been played! It's in incredible condition and the Wenge neck is a fantastic addition. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this one. So much so that I'm keeping my eyes open for a fretless....!

[quote name='whynot' post='546546' date='Jul 21 2009, 02:53 PM']The is not much info on these basses as Clover stopped production some time ago but soundwise there is a clip of Kai Eckhardt using the same model on You Tube that gives you an idea.[/quote] And quite frankly, they sound absolutely amazing! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsuYOg-KS3A"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsuYOg-KS3A[/url] Not just due to Kai's immense talents, he is a fantastic player! If I'm honest I wish he still played his Schack and Clover basses - or at least got more use from his Modulus Quantum!

[quote name='Doddy' post='546410' date='Jul 21 2009, 01:35 PM']Yeah it's a Modulus Fleabass. Does anyone remember that bass before Flea used it and was known as the Sonic Hammer?[/quote] Yes, although wasn't that bass discontinued and remodelled into the Flea bass? It's a shame, I like the Sonic Hammer basses! Part of the reason that EB refused to bow to Flea's demand for a sig bass was that he wanted the Stingray line renamed the Flea bass!

[quote name='bubinga5' post='545273' date='Jul 20 2009, 01:25 PM']Sei Jazz 5; too many of these being sold here lately, guess they look great but are too clean and polite sounding unless you play in a jazz-fusion trio?>>>QUOTE There is nothing overrated about a Sei Jazz![/quote] Indeed, I play in jazz fusion trios from time to time and I like my bass to burp and fart like Rab C Nesbitt!