Chris2112

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1339189464' post='1685279'] That's because I changed it before I sold you it Chris! [/quote] Quite the handy man! I willbe recieving a bass in a few days with the neck off, would you be able to lend your skills in putting it together/setting it up? You'll get first go!

That colour has always looked grim!

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1339083530' post='1683405'] That's actually a well documented design features of Warwick basses (I love Warwicks to bits but lord knows how many jack sockets I've had to replace over the years... reflects badly on how many have passed through my hands ). [/quote] My one still works fine, touch wood! That said, I use straight ended jacks but I always loop the cable through my strap to take the weight off the end and stop me damaging the socket by treading on the cable. I should get some angled jack cables as I mostly play sitting down now, even live (what a joy that is).

[quote name='Johngh' timestamp='1338982348' post='1681882'] Its incredible that this happened and very stupid. Mind you I once went on the Ernie Ball forum and asked why my Stingray had so many dead spots. Big Boppa/Poppa or whatever his user name is was straight down my throat within a millisecond of me posting the thread telling me to take it up via a dealer. It didn't help when I told him my local dealer was crap and that was why I was posting on the forum to seek help as his Stingray was unplayable. [/quote] Stingrays have such bad dead spots/weak D and G strings...I think it's a case of "they all do that, sir". No fixing them, if they offered a replacement bass for every 'Ray that suffers these faults they'd probably be replacing 80% of all their basses!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1339169673' post='1684845'] I agree with your last sentence Edward, but I will NEVER agree that the bass has to play on the kick drum. The bass can do ANYTHING as long as the band agree it's musical and achieving the songwriter's vision. [/quote] Indeed. OP, I would sugges that paying attention to the drums is a good place to start, for now. Get a feel for the drum parts, just listening mainly for the kick drum, the hi-hat and the snare. The 'pulse' will probably be made out on the kick drum and snare with accents on the snare and hi-hat. Once you've locked in with the pulse, start accenting your phrases on the bass in time with the accents given by the drummer. It's not something that will come immediately, but when it clicks you will feel and sound locked in and the drums will feel like an extension of your bass. A tricky thing to write about or explain, though really the way to get locked in with those drums is just to sit and practice with music, and develop your ear. Eventually it becomes a natural thing, you'll be able to lock in with a drummer/drum track very quickly once you're used to it.

Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUNmgZZS-0E Only a 7 string but Bill has always been fantastic at using them. The DVD that video is from is excellent too, Bill is a fantastic player. He just sticks to that slap and fingerstlye mix, no silly two handed tapping arrangement. Despite all the ERB's in the world and all the OTT tapping stuff, no-one seems to be able to better what Stuart Hamm was doing 25 years ago!

As for Sandberg, I find them pretty good. Not spectacular, but decent dependable gear and their Ken Taylor models have impressed me with some big, punchy Musicman style sounds but without the weak D and G strings.

[quote name='Mr Fudge' timestamp='1338583774' post='1676942'] There is a great picture if you scroll down a bit of Geddy Alex, Neil and Pete Townsend at a recent event. What a great combination those 4 could be! [/quote] What would Pete Townsend add? He's got nothing to add musically and I'd hate for Rush to be sullied by associating with someone like Townsend.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1338465824' post='1674957'] I do like this version, but i find it a bit messy compared to the original. MM plays great though. Garry [/quote] I think thats what I like about it, it has a busy, vibrant sound to it. It grooves a bit more than the original.

Whilst we're on the subject of Michael Manring, marvel at this cover of Pat Metheny's 'Bright Size Life', surely the best version of the song I have ever heard.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG-qltNvjek

Hmm, those samples sound pretty pedestrian. I was hoping for some Equilibre style stuff.

Just remember, Anthony Jackson got turned down for a gig once because he uses a seat whilst he plays. If Anthony Jackson can be snubbed for a gig it figures that we will all be mugged off by an idiot band leader at some point.

Tonally, I know I can always rely on Warwick Streamers and Thumbs. They just never sound out of place in any mix, in any genre or situation.

I have had a lot of basses over the years but for me, I know I can buy a Kubicki bass and I will get on with it and enjoy it. Status are usually a safe bet too.

Some [i]Vienna[/i] style stuff would be great, with a touch of [i]Systems of Romance[/i] thrown in. Good thing Joe Dolce didn't release an album a new album and snub Ultravox for a second time.

Well, that sounded absolutely crap. But then it's a crap song to start with so I never expected greatness.