Josh

[quote name='Golchen' post='467811' date='Apr 20 2009, 08:18 PM']I feel such a newb with this sort of thread. I wouldn't have the faintest idea what a Precision or Jazz sound is???[/quote] And you've been playing how long?

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467839' date='Apr 20 2009, 08:53 PM']Is the bi-amp thing even a massive deal? I think thats what I was thinking![/quote] Nope, just a nice little extra feature if you choose to get GK cabs.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467779' date='Apr 20 2009, 07:42 PM']My conclusion is....I cant get any more cabs. Ive got an Ampeg 8x10 for BIG gigs, an Orange OBC 4x10 and an Orange OBC 1x15. All three cabs care capable of some pretty high volume.... So...now Ive got my Orange AD200b for recording and more pro gigs, I want something I can use for smaller gigs or gigs when we have little room. A lot of the time it will be house 8ohm or 4ohm cabs....so basically its got to be good through other cabs and my cabs. Hmmm....this is quite a mindfield! It has to be able to do rock....if It cant it will not cut through. Ive heard volume issues with the Shuttle 6.0 which is annoying as I thought it might be the right head for me The GK might be a good idea....but I wont be getting GK cabs....ive got too much gear. Its more like a 'second head'....between £500-650 max. Anything will be considered![/quote] I hope this doesn't sound condescending in anyway but playing the head through a different isn't going to make it sound bad at all man, just go with the head that you think will give you the punk tone your after.

[quote]I was commenting about the learning style that is specifically working for me. Everyone has a different background. I didn't suggest sitting down with music to learn a new song. I suggested that learning theory develops you as a musician. For example, learning intervals, scales, modes, arpeggios etc makes it easier to start recognising musical "patterns". I think listening and analysing music written by other people can be a much more valuable tool than spending hours trying to play certain pieces of music.[/quote] It's always going to be split down the middle on this one really, I'm aware of enough theory that when I hear it and understand whats going on, I smile. [quote]I think music teachers steering students down the path of learning primarily other people's music is a travesty.[/quote] Well if they didn't there wouldn't much of an appeal to learning bass. Listening to other peoples music has helped so many other musicians it's beyond comprehension, the greatest composers played each others music down throughout the ages and created their own genius from it. If teachers didn't encourage open mindedness when it comes to music, we'd all be theoretical robots, or worse, Jeff Berlin. [quote]Balance is good.[/quote] I fancy a bowl myself thinking about it .

[quote]Good example. There's plenty of these guys around and whilst they tend to be technically good, there's no feeling whatsoever in their playing.[/quote] They have feeling, but it's not their own, they've devoted ridiculous amounts of time to buying the exact bass and amp and playing that persons fills, basically everything that makes that player a hit out of the park, but one persons nuances can not be replicated into another persons original playing repertoire without making it blindingly obvious. It takes creativity and time to fully create your own voice. [quote]Anyone can learn to become a "technician" by playing someone else's basslines in the same style.[/quote] And a good amount of the time players will stumble across the mechanics behind it, so then they gain a rough understanding of whats going on. Even in my own playing I'm coming with things I'm not 100% has made them sound good or where is the next best "Theoretical" placement for me to go and the reasons behind and the options it brings, if someone enjoys what I'm doing and I'm being asked to play for different people then I can't see the point in worrying over the theory too much. [quote]A player with fantastic phrasing beats a "technican" hands down, every time.[/quote] And the ones I've seen with great phrasing and feel have all been players who are not exactly 100% on their theory, or hardly 50%.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467684' date='Apr 20 2009, 05:55 PM']The shuttle seems to cover a lot of problems Im having. But...is it going to be loud enough?! Ill be using it mainly at 8 ohms....what does it do when you are going too loud?! The GK seems great...not sure Ill be going down the cab route for them...so Im not 100%. Maybe I even need to start looking at other amp makes for a fairly lightweight head. Any suggestions?[/quote] Well if the Shuttle is loud enough to make the crowd not laugh at Josh3184 for being left handed then yeah I'd say it's loud enough. Mark-Bass are another sought after brand which specify in light-weight heads. P.S. Josh you know I love you really.

[quote]I started out by learning a few basslines and quickly concluded that this as a learning style is not really conducive to player development.[/quote] Everyone learns differently, if I had to sit down with a book of sheet music to learn a new song every time I would've thrown in the towel ages ago. [quote]I've dumped learning other people's basslines and now spend hours writing/developing my own basslines and learning theory/technique stuff.[/quote] If their being put to regular use other than home practice I fail to see the use. [quote]It takes a lot of discipline to step away from learning basslines, there are countless basslines I would love to sit down and learn. But what will I really gain in terms of musicianship?[/quote] You will gain insight into how certain modes/scales work, phrasing, your ear will improve vastly (Mine sure has), you'll develop a knack for melody and harmony. Basically mostly everything that's in the basic of theory books, but the example is far more entertaining . [quote]Anyone can be a bassline jukebox if they put the hours in, but being an actual bass player is a different proposition.[/quote] That's a bit harsh, so really any bassist who is happy playing covers isn't an "Actual" bass player? Regardless of wether the person is aware of the mechanics or not.

I tried learning most of the "Essential" bass songs, I gave up half way through most of them because it was more irksome than it was fun and I noticed that if I carried on being infatuated with the one player I would no doubt turn into that which I disdain the most, and that's a clone. Truth is, there are going to be plenty more bassists who will sit and learn trick after trick after trick until their blue in the face and are 30+ and playing Level 42 for a hobby, but at least the videos/recordings are there to also help players, sometimes all a player needs is to just see one video of someones creativity to start exploring their own. Also, the videos will also help music become more interesting to some players as well, some guys won't ever be interested in the mechanics behind it and some will want to have sheet music between their ladies legs, I aim for the middle.

Received Gary's Siggery Road-Bass 5 String today, the man is an absolute hoot and would/have happily chat to for hours. Thanks for everything Gary!

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467592' date='Apr 20 2009, 04:13 PM']That looks like a nice rig. Totally different sound to the more old school rock cabs and heads I normally own, but maybe it would be a good idea to have two totally different amps.[/quote] As Marcus has said, they do the "Rock" tone just as good as the renowned rock heads, a GK head is what you want it to be, it's the perfect definition of a "Tool" amp, it really is versatile enough to cover most bassist's needs, it's just that unfortunately GK's quality control has let a fair few products slip through which has kind of hurt their former standard.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467551' date='Apr 20 2009, 03:33 PM']How you finding the neo GK 2x12s? They look pretty good! I dont own any cabs like that at all...and it might be something for me to look into if I get a GK so I have an entire arsenal of different cabs! Ive never had neo-cabs...ever. Thanks[/quote] It's odd, I've got 2 but I only actually run through the top one, I love the tone regardless, it's just the perfect amount of punch mixed with the smooth low end response and sizzle. Smooth I guess is the perfect word for them, and pretty damn light as well so hauling them around isn't as much of a bother anymore. My tone is pretty the same as in this clips: It's probably not what your aiming for tonewise, but it shows what it can do when you know what your doing, it can easily rival all of the boutique amp makes without breaking a sweat, some just can't/wont accept it.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467536' date='Apr 20 2009, 03:22 PM']Hmm The more I hear about GK the more it seems it would suit me. If any of you are a fan of NOFX...they have extremely fast and fluid bass. Its very clear and defined. With a little 'growl' over it. Another Q...how would an Ampeg SVT III Pro compare to the GK 1001? Ive heard they have serious volume problems. Its only 450w compared to the GK's 700w![/quote] Waynepunkdude would be the man to turn to for this one. Still, I had a muck around on a precision through my rig to see what it can do, and having once been in a punk covers band I whacked out a few NoFx songs for a giggle. and it easily nailed Fat Mike tone.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467477' date='Apr 20 2009, 02:22 PM']Im mainly a passive guy apart from MM Stingray. Im looking for a good rock tone basically....with some hi fi as an option. Only thing is, I wont be using GK cabs....I cant afford yet more cabs.[/quote] Before I got my Neo's I was running the head through 2 EBS Proline 2x10's and sounded great, still had the right amount of Hi-Fi sizzle to make my MTD sound amazing. Many other guys on here have 1001RB's running through different cabs and enjoy their tone.

[quote name='josh3184' post='467419' date='Apr 20 2009, 01:20 PM']- Weighty[/quote] Must be a left-handed thing as even in the flightcase it's lighter than the TD650 . Musicman20 I'd say if you can try each then do that and then decide, because otherwise I'd say go for the GK, IMHO all this Shuttle fuss is a little OTT, alot of the guys who raved about them 2 months down the line moved them on.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467085' date='Apr 19 2009, 11:06 PM']Please let me know what the GK is like [/quote] Well I much prefer it over my previous head (EBS TD650), it is just so easy to control the mids and to cut/add the hi-fi sizzle to the overall tone as well. It's a extremely versatile head and is very well renowned for it, and the price is brilliant. It can give you the classic Jaco growl, but without getting stupidly muddy at higher volumes, and it can easily pump out a pure Precision tone as well, and everything in between.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='467076' date='Apr 19 2009, 10:49 PM']Hello As below, I need to decide quickly on a backup head/more portable head. What do you guys think with these totally different amps?[/quote] Josh3184 would be the man for this. I can only help with the 1001RBII.

The modesty on here is getting silly. To be fair, if you ask most pro's if they feel they deserve their instrument, I'm pretty sure you'll get a similar answer to one in this thread. Probably not Jeff Berlin though. Still, I see expensive basses as an incentive to up my game and luckily I have and am having fun doing so and will continue to do so.

[quote name='molan' post='461205' date='Apr 13 2009, 01:48 PM']You are too kind young sir [/quote] Barrie you make grey look suave, older guys who try to do so deliberately fail with a hernia and a bus pass.

[quote][b]What [/b]made you the bassist you are today?[/quote] Persistence and drive/passion. I'm 100% certain that I want to make a living out of my hobby, and not be one of the 40+ year olds who wind up on the pub circuit reliving old glories. [quote][b]Who [/b]do you think had the biggest influences on how you play now?[/quote] Dave Savage. The man showed me in person how strong "On the One" grooving really is, and out of all of my lessons with other teachers and other sources his teachings still stick with me. [quote][b]Where [/b]do you think you want to go from here?[/quote] I just want to get the certificate to say I'm a Professional Bassist so then I can instantly try and hunt down a position and try and make a name for myself. [quote][b]Why [/b]do you think you want to go there?[/quote] As said, I can't see myself doing anything else...well unless someone offered me an acting role and became uber famous by default. [quote][b]Do you believe[/b] you have a "personality" on the bass?[/quote] I do, but it's taking it's sweet time to have it fully make it's presence known. [quote][b]Specialist question:[/b] [i][b]What [/b]is it you love about that 1971 P-Bass?[/quote][/i] I'll throw the curve ball. Why the P-Bass? Of all the amazing/interesting/clever/pretty basses you go for the Kathy Burke of all basses. P-basses have one tone, and thats a dull thud with oomph, or less oomph if it's made in Mexico (Which is ironic considering it is the home of the Burrito).

I want another Sadowsky at some point, but my Siggery will do the job for the means, both in looks and tone. Great basses.

Why did he have to go and ruin the video with Brian Fox?

[quote name='molan' post='460843' date='Apr 12 2009, 10:30 PM']Not quite 50 yet but only 6 months to go [/quote] Pfft, 36 more like.

[quote name='liamcapleton' post='459990' date='Apr 11 2009, 04:09 PM']Nah. I think Ben's got a heavier groove than Dirk and appeals a bit more to me.[/quote] Nothing Ben has done thus far has come close to Dirk's heavy grooves on Science. Ben doesn't even play most of Dirk's slap lines live as it is and just generally has a softer approach, I enjoy him as a melodic player though, as opposed to a groove player.

Just stumbled on this clip of Dirk recording for his current band: I actually quite like it, but still it's nice to get a rare glimpse of Dirk playing post Incubus.