Chris2112

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!

Wish I could make it to the Stu Hamm day!

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='542300' date='Jul 16 2009, 03:10 PM']Sounding like Jaco is and always was a fool's errand (even when I was trying it). Yes it's great but it was great because it was fresh and exciting. Now its superficial and tranparent.[/quote] It would be hard to argue that Bireli is a copycat. After all, he has had his own musical voice since before he met Jaco. Jaco was not only a mentor to him but also a friend, and to me, this sounds more like paying a great homage. Playing anything remotely like Jaco seems to have gotten a bad name, but thats probably because there are so many crap imitators around. Bireli makes it sound utterly effortless and very classy, unlike the half baked attempts we usually hear.

Still playing, just apparently from the Philippeans!

Suspicious...sounds like one I remember playing at Howard's Bass Place. Funnily enough, I had the chance to play a couple of really CRAP FNA's there. And a Thumb with an overstraight neck! I remember being in there with Mark Palmer, and he concluded that the Thumb's neck was too straight and thus it was far from playable. Shame, as it should have been a cracking bass otherwise. Had a few marks on it and was priced at £800 (which was about right back in those days!). Probably would have bought it had it been set up right! Strange though, as Howard and Pete always did a good job of setting stuff up. I want to know which Guitar Guitar store has the 6 string Overwater bass. It's way overpriced IMO, but it looks fairly cool to me!

I know Schack have been hard to find info on for a good while now, but I believe you can still find Andy Schack's email address online. If you email him you could well get a definitive answer. I'd recommend buying the bass though, since they're fairly rare (especially if it has a graphite neck). Once you have it, you can pretend you're Kai Eckhardt for as long as you please!

Aye, it does sound fairly crappy. The Modulus Flea basses are awesome (another one on my "must buy" list). If you have the cash for one, grab it!

Having had a Status Stealth (all graphite) and a Matrix Series I (graphite semi-thru neck), I can safely say that graphite sounds amazing and plays brialliantly. I've taken a break from it for a while, but I will definitely go back to it at some point.

Flea bass as in, Modulus Flea/FU or the "Flea Bass" itself, the "buget" instrument for young bassists? If you're thinking of a Modulus, go for it without hesitation!

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='534313' date='Jul 6 2009, 11:51 PM']pic taken by previous owner, Mark Mannering-Smith from Fleet. I bought it off of Ebay - Mark had it from new - it still had the original strings on it from '89 when I got it![/quote] So, he either really like to thump or he hadn't played it much?