EB/MM Basses and Solo Players

[boomer074]

I had the pleasure of seeing Victor Wooten preform last night. I think he could make a squier sound great. It was an awesome show. And for as great as he is a bass player he was even a nicer person. I think he signed an autograph for everyone at the show.

 

[Figjam]

I agree that musicmans generally dont have a tone that is as 'sweet' or 'soft' as a lot of jazz and gospel players would want. I could see marcus miller playing one, though, seeing as his tone is similiar to an aggressive musicman tone, say, a sterling in single coil mode, etc. As far as his fretless, im not sure it was a pedulla. Ive seen him playing something that looks like a fodera, not certain though as it was a long time ago.

If i was a solo musician, i probably would want something that sounded a little different as well. Ive already had the epiphany that musicmans are the best sounding basses for playing in a band setting; period. Especially for the stuff I play. I have yet to find a bass that I would like for solo stuff, though. MTDs, Ritters, and Jerzy Drozds come to mind.

 

[Mr Light]

Marcus Miller

Hey guys,

For clarification, Marcus Miller plays a Fretless Fodera Emperor 5-String

 

[Figjam]

Ha, fig ftw.

 

[Bill]

Bernard on his Ray....

Gotta love the '70s!!

 

[KennethB]

Hey guys,

For clarification, Marcus Miller plays a Fretless Fodera Emperor 5-String

I've also seen him with a Modulus 6-string fretless. He played one at the North Sea Jazz-festival with that "legends"-band he put together with Eric Clapton.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I agree that musicmans generally dont have a tone that is as 'sweet' or 'soft' as a lot of jazz and gospel players would want.

Paul Denman and Bernard Edwards are two players with 2-band Rays that prove the sound is there. That's why I love 2-band'ers so much.

 

[Mr Light]

Paul Denman and Bernard Edwards are two players with 2-band Rays that prove the sound is there. That's why I love 2-band'ers so much.

There you have it!

 

[AnthonyD]

Hello,

I love Victor Wooten, but unless Fodera gave me one of their basses for free (as endorsement), I wouldn't buy one. Even if I had the money! The prices of these so called "boutique" basses are out of control.

I love Sadowsky, but why should I pay $2200 for a bass, when I can get a Fender Marcus Miller signature for half of the price???!!!

I think the prices would be different if these companies (Fodera, Sadowsky and others like them) manufactured somewhere different than New York. I think people are really paying more to help them keep shop there than paying for the cost of the instrument/craftsmanship, etc.

Along the same argument: Why would I pay GC $4000.00 for a vintage MusicMan when I can get a one fresh off of the line at less than half of the price. At least I know the history behind the instrument---I'm it's first user! I say this even though I'd love to have an old MusicMan for keep's sake, but I can't afford it.

Big +1!

Excellent points...

Also, there's no "vintage draw" for me relative to EBMM. Unlike other brands that have made changes resulting in reduced quality, EBMM instruments are getting better each year with true improvements being introduced (the wheel, the battery box, the 5 or s bolt neck, the compensated nut, etc.).

I can understand wanting a "pre-CBS F*nder" for example - the logic does not apply to EBMM instruments IMHO.

BTW - Marcus Miller plays a Jazz Bass because Jermaine Jackson did - his signature model is the result of Sadowsky installing active electronics.

 

[Mr Light]

Paul Denman and Bernard Edwards are two players with 2-band Rays that prove the sound is there. That's why I love 2-band'ers so much.

You know, I hate to admit it. Even though my four-string stands out and is individual to me. I am tempted to sell it and get a natural 2EQ with black pickguard in honor of those two as well as Louis Johnson...

 

[Mr Light]

Big +1!

Excellent points...

Also, there's no "vintage draw" for me relative to EBMM. Unlike other brands that have made changes resulting in reduced quality, EBMM instruments are getting better each year with true improvements being introduced (the wheel, the battery box, the 5 or s bolt neck, the compensated nut, etc.).

I can understand wanting a "pre-CBS F*nder" for example - the logic does not apply to EBMM instruments IMHO.

BTW - Marcus Miller plays a Jazz Bass because Jermaine Jackson did - his signature model is the result of Sadowsky installing active electronics.

Thanks. I'm glad you're feelin' me.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Even though my four-string stands out and is individual to me. I am tempted to sell it and get a natural 2EQ with black pickguard in honor of those two as well as Louis Johnson...

I always say, if it's a great bass don't sell it just to buy another. I'm sure your can find a way of getting yourself that natural 2-band.

 

[Aragorn35016]

Bernard on his Ray....

That was pretty cool! I love that intro riff!

 

[silverburst]

I've been dealing with Rufus here for awhile (trying to sell him a vintage J Bass), and he can solo out pretty awesomely. Mostly an Ibanez guy. Of course he gets them for free...

You can check a video of him here: http://www.rufusbass.com/lessons.html

It starts slow but sure picks up.

 

[bovinehost]

they find it being more associative with pop rock funk etc than jazz. and they re right - arent they?

No. They might believe it, but that doesn't mean they're right, and it doesn't mean you should buy into it.

Music is also a business. Why does Jeff Berlin play a Dean? Hmmm.

 

[Kirby]

Good point about Jeff Berlin. Always wondered why he chose Peavey/Dean and endorsed Crate amplifiers for a while. Yes, the business end pokes it's head through now and again, but then again it has to otherwise we would have very few choices and very few quality instruments.

 

[Kirby]

I always say, if it's a great bass don't sell it just to buy another.

I could not agree more! My wife sometimes does not understand, but I love the subtle characteristics that each of my basses has to offer. As Sterling said in one of his videos, many guitars can be made from the same tree, but each will sound different and that is the beauty of it in my opinion. That is why I find it hard to part with a bass once I have decided to purchase it.

 

[Mr Light]

I always say, if it's a great bass don't sell it just to buy another. I'm sure your can find a way of getting yourself that natural 2-band.

Yeah, you're right.

 

[Mr Light]

I've been dealing with Rufus here for awhile (trying to sell him a vintage J Bass), and he can solo out pretty awesomely. Mostly an Ibanez guy. Of course he gets them for free...

You can check a video of him here: http://www.rufusbass.com/lessons.html

It starts slow but sure picks up.

Yeah,

Rufus is a cool bloke. He visited my school a couple of times (LA Music Academy) and taught our bass masterclass. He even shared with us this really cool transcribed solo by Jeff Berlin. I'll have to find it in my stack of sheet music.

 

[Mobay45]

Yeah,

Rufus is a cool bloke. He visited my school a couple of times (LA Music Academy) and taught our bass masterclass. He even shared with us this really cool transcribed solo by Jeff Berlin. I'll have to find it in my stack of sheet music.

I didn't realize you went to LAMA.

Lynne Davis is just awesome! She taught at SOBII and she really has a handle on how to teach theory.