OT: Flea and Modulus done?

[bovinehost]

I actually had a Flea bass and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I probably should have thought it out better - um, yes, don't particularly care for Flea's recorded output (mostly), really don't care for the tone he gets...."I think I'll get a Flea bass!"

Yeah, yeah, a stroke of genius.

I think I was drawn in by the graphite neck.

Well, it seemed like a good idea.

For about an hour.

There are people that like those basses, though, and I certainly don't hold it against them - I just don't understand it. The Q5 is a much better bass. (But no Bongo.)

Now a Vinnie Moore Dean.......I'm just gonna keep my mowf shut.

 

[Beth]

Actually I dont think that the Flea bass was a winner on the sales front. Look at the artists that leave desiring a sig model....Anybody beating down the door for the VInnie Moore Dean?

I know someone who might be....

 

[koogie2k]

Actually I dont think that the Flea bass was a winner on the sales front. Look at the artists that leave desiring a sig model....Anybody beating down the door for the VInnie Moore Dean?

A bit OT but....I played one. I will tell you about it in a e-mail pops...

I tried a Quantom before...friend of mine has one....we switched basses while jamming. He is a phenomenal bassist and graduate of Berkley. Just a great player....yet...he saw my bongo and did not know what it was. I told him....it's a different animal...try it. I had to threaten his life in order to pry MY bass out of his hands. He was completely floored. So much so, we went to guitar center and he bought one on the spot. That is all he uses now is his bongo. He still has the Quantom...uses it once in a blue...but...he loves that "funny looking but hell of a sounding bass". He still calls it a Bango....lol.

 

[bovinehost]

I know someone who might be....

Wow! Pure evil!

Seriously made me laugh out loud.

Bad girl! Bad!

 

[RobertB]

Interesting timing, considering this thread, but lastnight when channel surfing on the tube, I ran across a fairly recent RHCP show on MTV, and Flea was playing his '60-something Jazz ... the entire show. They also played a few RHCP vids after that, and he was playing the Jazz in those as well. So maybe there IS a grievance from Modulus' side after all. I don't get it ... I could barely hear him, and I've heard the same from folks who've heard him playing it live. In fact, my Modulus dealer friend (who as I mentioned is buds with Flea's bass tech) once told me that Rick Rubin was at a show where he played it & let him know after the show that by comparison, he could barely hear him. Flea, if you're gonna play a Jazz, atleast know that they DO come in active models these days.

 

[fidooda]

Robert, i don't understand. Are you saying that the reason he coudn't be heard was because he was playing a Jazz bass? if so, i never heard that one before. I played 2 jazz basses and it was quite the opposite. that being said, now i prefer my balls

 

[KennethB]

I think Modulus should rename it the "Sonic Hammer", like it was before it became the "Flea bass" hahaha. Personally, I don't care for graphite necks. They make the bass sound a little sterile and characterless for me.
And about Flea's Jazz bass tone and not being able to hear it: That has a lot to do with him playing it with both p.u. wide open, and it's a light alder/rosewood combo. I don't understand why he does this. It'd be better if he turned the front p.u down and little and got the low mid Jaco- esque "burp" going, then he'd be heard.

 

[RobertB]

Robert, i don't understand. Are you saying that the reason he coudn't be heard was because he was playing a Jazz bass? if so, i never heard that one before. I played 2 jazz basses and it was quite the opposite. that being said, now i prefer my balls

Yeah, for sure the generalization "Jazz basses can't be heard" wouldn't be true. It's more so that compared to Flea's usual in-your-face sound and presence in the mix, hearing him play a passive Jazz is quite different.

Gotta say though, and to me it's one of the hallmarks of players who truly have their own distinctive style & technique ... it still sounded like Flea. Just kinda muffled and more dull sounding.

 

[DTG]

what's the deal with all the "flea" bashing. like him or not he is a bass player (one of us ) and a very very good one at that. I am not a huge fan but I can see why so many kids see him and want to become a bass player.

I just don't understand why nearly every post is down on him ?

should he get his name on the sting ray.....no, no way. but like him or not he is a fantastic player and ambassador for bass,give the guy a break....thats all.

 

[Big Poppa]

Actually I agree with DTG....Im willing to bet that flea would win a bass off on most forums that bash him to death..... I like his playing especially in the early days a ton of energy

 

[Colin]

Flea did inspire me to hang a sock off my catroons...

 

[Psychicpet]

Robert, i don't understand. Are you saying that the reason he coudn't be heard was because he was playing a Jazz bass? if so, i never heard that one before. I played 2 jazz basses and it was quite the opposite.

that really is the "official" reason why Flea stopped using the vintage J on tour. Wasn't cuttin' the mustard live for him. A lot of possible reasons for that. anywho, given his style/etc. no doubt he went back with the butane* Sting Ray




*wasn't it Bobby Hill who quoted his dad Hank as saying that butane is the ba$tard gas compared to propane??


and yes, Flea is an amazing player, his earlier stuff is better in my opinion as well, but the solo he does on the recent Stanley Clarke DVD "Night School" pretty much blows away every other player on stage. period.

 

[ashiin]

Actually I agree with DTG....Im willing to bet that flea would win a bass off on most forums that bash him to death..... I like his playing especially in the early days a ton of energy

This pretty much. I love his basslines and I think he's one of the better bassists. Sure he's not the best but he sure can play with his balls.

 

[RobertB]

... the solo he does on the recent Stanley Clarke DVD "Night School" pretty much blows away every other player on stage. period.

Wow, hadn't heard about that. I'll have to check it out. I'd imagine the other players (besides Stanley) would've been guys like Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, maybe Steve Bailey. I'd love to see Flea holding his own with "technicians" like that.

By the way, kind of O/T, but speaking of Stanley Clarke, I found my favorite Stanley tune on the tube. You can hear why he influenced bassists all over the spectrum, from Flea to Claypool to Miller, Wooten & the jazz guys. This tune's got something for almost everyone ... funk, jazz, and an undeniable classic rock element. (Ok, no punk, emo, or industrial goth). Guess that's why he's called a "fusionist".

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW0-1TQBH3M"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia] enjoy!

Edit: don't forget to crank it. Great everything in this tune ... drums, boards, guitar ... and of course, Stan the man on bull fiddle.

 

[bovinehost]

what's the deal with all the "flea" bashing. like him or not he is a bass player (one of us ) and a very very good one at that. I am not a huge fan but I can see why so many kids see him and want to become a bass player.

I just don't understand why nearly every post is down on him ?

should he get his name on the sting ray.....no, no way. but like him or not he is a fantastic player and ambassador for bass,give the guy a break....thats all.

If I appeared to be "bashing" Flea, then I misspoke.

I think he's a very talented and hard-working guy.

And probably a lot of fun.

 

[tkarter]

Yeah lots of fun. [ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bnz_Bnd-MaQ&feature=related"]YouTube - RHCP - Stone Cold Bush [live][/ame]


tk

 

[Psycho Ward]

Hey Flea and I wear the same underwear!

I take more crap about it though...

 

[Oldtoe]

<--studiously avoiding Chuck's possible double entendre about crap and undies

 

[oddjob]

Chuck, as long as we don't SEE you in Flea's undies it's all good

 

[Slingy]

Flea did inspire me to hang a sock off my catroons...

I was unforunate enough to see quite a few bands in the late 80's inspired by this trend, some with no socks at all. Gotta love Flea though and that Dave Navarro guy is pretty good too.