| Author | Message | ||
     Lemonchili_x1 |
It seems you can ask a question on just about anything on BadWeb and there will be some great knowledge uncovered... so... I'm thinking about getting a 5-string bass as it would make some of the stuff I'm writing easier to play, and hopefully it will take my writing in a different direction too. Since I haven't owned one before I don't want to spend a heap of $$$, so I was thinking of a Yamaha BB415(passive) or BB615(active).  Any thoughts or recommendations? I prefer old school passive bass's with chunky necks, but maybe for a 5 I should go active? cheers, chili | ||
| Xl1200r |
Can't speak about basses in a playing sense, but some of the sickest bass work I've seen in person was from a guy who plays 5 and 6 string models. There's something to be said for doing a lot musically with very little (I'm a drummer, so think John Bonham), but the other side of the coin is doing a lot with a lot (think Neil Peart). If you've already got fours, I'd spring for the 5 to allow to do something a little different. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"There's something to be said for doing a lot musically with very little" Definitely. "to do something a little different" That's pretty much my train of thought. | ||
| 86129squids |
Victor Wooten: A Show Of Hands. He regularly does backflips in the midst of playing for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Jaco Pastorius- there is a recent recording in tribute to his memory, "Jaco Pastorius Big Band". That'll cook yer noodle. Stanley Clarke. Nuff said. Actually, not quite- I saw him play live in Nashville at the Cannery as the third member of Animal Logic. Picked the best seats out of the reserved section with a bassplayin buddy, and watched an amazing show. John Pattitucci. Go buy Esperanza Spalding's first album. NOW. I love to listen, but I don't play. (Message edited by 86129squids on June 20, 2009) | ||
| Court |
Tough to top that list . . . Victor Wooten is amazing not only in his playing but the way he gives back to the art. | ||
| 86129squids |
+1, Court- his whole fandamily stays busy in Nashville playing various spots- not to mention "Futureman" and his Drumitar (TM)!!!! They're all good peeps. I must repeat: CHECK OUT ESPERANZA SPALDING. Cute lil thing was trained as a classical cellist, then got herself a good ole Doghouse- this girl can PLAY a stand-up bass! She was on Letterman a few months ago, if you can get the vid. One of my favorite CD's of late, to the point that my GF is quite tired of me playing it when she's home. Go buy her CD ASAP. | ||
| Court |
>>>I must repeat: CHECK OUT ESPERANZA SPALDING. I'll try. She's playing here in the park next weekend. | ||
| Halffast |
Try http://www.talkbass.com/ you should be able to find lots of info there. | ||
| Imonabuss |
Female bass players (now that the thread is slightly highjacked) check out Tal Wilkenfeld. A lot with a little. It's all about tone and feel. Kinda like the guitar player in her band.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIFFRHBCPzA | ||
| 86129squids |
Court: GO. I'd cancel most any plans I can think of if she's playing with the same folks on the recording. Take $$$ to buy all her swag. One thing I hate about where I live is that NOBODY knows jass. We had a "jazz" club here in Mur-vil for a while, it went under, what I heard on my one visit was prog-synth-jazz crapola. Turned out they didn't even know how to do a proper martini. I kinda regret not applying there as bar manager- at least I could've been in charge of the music. Gotta make it to some jazz fests- I'd LOVE to go to Newport one year. My $.02, worth something this time fer sure. | ||
| 86129squids |
Hawtt!! Blues guitar chick- Ana Popovic. Watched her walk onstage, which was plenty good enuf. Then she picked up her guitar, and I'd been satisfied to be blind. She's THAT good. If she EVARR comes within youn's travelin' distance to see live, GO SEE HER. I like chicks who can rawkkk. Who's that young hottie who played with De Niro in "Cape Fear"? She's gotta band too. $.04 y'all. | ||
| Xb12xmike |
Tal Wilkenfeld is amazing. I saw "Jeff Beck" with her on palladia HDTV. I would use the 5-string only if you needed to. Or just get like geddy and use some bass pedals as a synth. I keep it old school (4-string). | ||
| 86129squids |
+1 Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart: RUSH!!!! What a trio. My heart goes out to Peart, for what he's been through- I've yet to read his books. He's a rider. MY FAVORITE ROCK BAND. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I hadn't heard of Ms Spalding before. Wow. Just been checking out a few youtube vids, *amazing*. This one is very cool, has short sections of several songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15M62OtLrBQ The Tal Wilkenfield youtube link is very cool. Hadn't heard of her before either, very nice. The guitar player is ok too  "Victor Wooten is amazing not only in his playing but the way he gives back to the art" Very true. I'm not really into the bands he plays with, but he does a lot of teaching videos and interviews among other things. Though Wooten's basses receive much attention, his most frequent and consistent response when asked by his fans about his equipment (or equipment in general) is that "the instrument doesn't make the music ... you do". Hard to argue with that. The best musicians I've seen can always pick any guitar or bass or whatever it is they play, and make it sing. Myself, I'm more of a Jack Bruce fan, and Sting. Both bass player/singer/songwriters. Also John Paul Jones and Darryl Jones. And Flea. And Graham Maby (Joe Jacksons bassist). "Or just get like geddy and use some bass pedals as a synth" I have enough work trying to sing and play at the same time!!! Don't even think of bringing my feet into it! | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"I would use the 5-string only if you needed to." I want to give 5-string a try and see if it adds to my playing and my songs, but I'm guessing my 4-string will still be my main instrument. | ||
| Bluesboy |
I think Marcus Miller is a bass monster!I remember seeing Jaco with Weather Report in the late 70`s,WOW! | ||
| Chippy |
I'm personally not a huge fan of a 5 string for most stuff. But there certainly are times when you want to crush people's chests with a low b. Chilli, having listened to some of your stuff, I'm intriuged to hear where this'll go. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I've been listening to a lot of Seether lately ( Seether - "Fine Again" )... With a 5-string I can play down low but stil be in standard tuning... and it looks like we finally found the right guitarist, and he's definitely a blues based player (which is what I wanted)... So I'm kinda curious where it's going to go too... Hehehe  (Message edited by lemonchili_x1 on June 20, 2009) | ||
| Halffast |
Since you're a Seether fan, check this video. I especially like the second song, a cover of Mad Season "River of Deceit". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0Bf-3vYvmo | ||
| Jstfrfun |
I like old school AND portable,fretless acoustic four with a pig-nose. | ||
| Hughlysses |
As to your original question, I think the Yamaha will be an excellent choice. To add to Jstfrfun's post- if you want portable, get one of these:  Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T. 18 lbs, 175 watts w/internal speaker, 300 watts with an extension cabinet. I've been gigging with one for over a year now. It's easily the best amp I've owned. | ||
| Nik |
I really like my Fender Jazz V. A lot of people do double takes because it looks just like a regular Jazz. The neck width is about the same as a P. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
That Genz Benz rig looks really nice. Expensive? MarkBass have a similar small cube style combo with a single 12" which I'd like to try. It doesn't have the removable head feature though, which is neat. I currently run an Ashdown head (I love it!) and Hartke 4x10 cab. I have a 12" speaker and a pile of timber I've been meaning to turn into a custom cabinet that will fit into the boot (sorry - trunk) I've my Valiant... one day... Nik - Is your Jazz active or passive? | ||
| Chippy |
That fender jazz 5 would be my pick. Not as big and clunky, smooth and easy. Put some roto sound swing strings on it...most of those have active "noiseless" from fender. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Lemonchili_x1- That model goes for about $800 U.S. street price. They also have a version with a single 8" speaker for about $100 less. They have a more powerful version, the Shuttle 6.0-12T (1x12") that's 375 watts with the internal speaker or 600 watts with an added cabinet. Weight on that one is 31 lbs and the price is around $1200 IIRC. I honestly bought the 3.0-10T with the intention of having a nice practice amp or something for a small coffee house gig. I've paired it with a Avatar 1x12" enclosure and have gigged with it exclusively since. It replaced a Gallien Krueger 700RB head paired with an older Genz Benz 4x10 enclosure. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I should try out a Jazz 5, though I kinda like "big and clunky" The Fender Aerodynes look pretty cool too. There are some amazing small, as in physically small, amps around at the moment. No real need to haul around a 4x10 anymore  . They tend to be pretty pricey here though. Your Genz Benz rig is less than I thought it would be though - about $1700 retail here, I'd guess you could talk $200-300 off that. | ||
| Nik |
Mine is a passive MIM circa 1996. Unlike the current models it has all five keys in line, not the 4+1.  | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Mmmm, looks nice Nik. If neck width is about the same as a p-bass I should be able to play something like that reasonably easily I need to go and check a few bass's out and see what feels good and what sounds good. There seems to be quite a lot in the price range I'm looking at. Still not sure about passive or active though, 'til now I've preferred passive for the simplicity. I've been having a look around the talkbass forum, it's HUGE, so much info... and strangely like BadWeb... | ||
| Hughlysses |
Seems like 5-string basses generally fall into two categories: (1) those that maintain a close-to-4-string neck width which results in close string spacing and (2) those that maintain a close-to-4-string string spacing which results in a wide neck. Being a lefty I've only had the chance to try a couple of 5-strings, so it's hard to say which I'd prefer. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I've been digging up some info and prices. Fenders are more than I want to spend at the moment, and used ones hold there value well here, but there's a Squier Deluxe Jazz 5 that gets rave reviews. The other thing I'm looking at is OLP MusicMan style 5-strings... I'll post some pics later Big news is... I finally have a band! (I had to tell someone!) We've been looking for a guitarist for a few months now, and finally found the right guy last week. We did first proper rehearsal with him last night and it's working well . Gigs shouldn't be that far away... |
