thelowlife
New member
I play bass, mostly four string, upright and electric. Cut my milk teeth on Motown and R&B, learned to chew during the golden ages of rock and Funk. Studied Music Composition at Pomona to avoid Viet Nam, play professionally for a decade following in club and show bands. Made the Vegas-Reno-Tahoe circuit with Johnny Mathis and Trini Lopez. That road experience put me out on the road with small record labels with their new acts touring county fairs and small venues often with fading stars.
I think that these experiences shaped my career, as I do not like to record, preferring live performance, even to the point of keeping out of garage bands and studio rat packs. Performance music is my thing, and I'm a backup guy, a third row Shrek in a blue gig with Vans on my feet.
Play in a couple of different bands these days: a group of explorers who teach, record and perform in the LA area who get together perhaps once a month for some benefit or party and riff off classic rock and funk, probably the most musical thing I have done, ever; backup for wannabe American Idols, showcases, one 40 min. set, with drummer and kb, guitar varies; and straight ahead jazz, hard bop my fav, currently playing steady with Lil Joe on Baritone in something called Dragon Fire, but get a good number of casuals doing Fake Book gigs again with some faded stars. Can't complain, one of the wannabe's just took us to Europe for a few dates. Cold as winter June 1, 2013 in Paris.
Have a couple of Fenders, recent additions: P Frankie with a through body Epiphone bridge and a baseball bat neck; a practically new Mexie Jazz fretless. But my go to axe for the last ten years is the Sparkle Blue MM Sterling, like me, a native Californian. Love the range of tones, the playability of the neck and the solid road warrior construction. Only critique is the input jack that I have to change out every couple of three years or so. I bought a Craig's List $100 wonder, a Tone bass, which is a pretty good Korean copy of a very good Japanese bass. That is my jamming bass that if something should happen to it, no great loss.
Swapped out all the 4ohm stuff last year, running Markbass II and Eden, Avatar cabs. Pedal train haunts me and sucks up more resources than it is worth, however at times it makes a big difference in solos and performance.
Can't play classic rock anymore, just no good reason for it. Like the challenges of a new book that jazz presents although it often doesn't move enough air for me, so there's definitely a tendency towards guitar driven jazz/fusion. Love the notion that in Jazz, context is king, and active listening, playing follow the leader/soloists is the job. Love the big boy bass with its earthy, organic tones, things you can't get with the slabs.
Well, said more than I intended. Hi everyone.
I think that these experiences shaped my career, as I do not like to record, preferring live performance, even to the point of keeping out of garage bands and studio rat packs. Performance music is my thing, and I'm a backup guy, a third row Shrek in a blue gig with Vans on my feet.
Play in a couple of different bands these days: a group of explorers who teach, record and perform in the LA area who get together perhaps once a month for some benefit or party and riff off classic rock and funk, probably the most musical thing I have done, ever; backup for wannabe American Idols, showcases, one 40 min. set, with drummer and kb, guitar varies; and straight ahead jazz, hard bop my fav, currently playing steady with Lil Joe on Baritone in something called Dragon Fire, but get a good number of casuals doing Fake Book gigs again with some faded stars. Can't complain, one of the wannabe's just took us to Europe for a few dates. Cold as winter June 1, 2013 in Paris.
Have a couple of Fenders, recent additions: P Frankie with a through body Epiphone bridge and a baseball bat neck; a practically new Mexie Jazz fretless. But my go to axe for the last ten years is the Sparkle Blue MM Sterling, like me, a native Californian. Love the range of tones, the playability of the neck and the solid road warrior construction. Only critique is the input jack that I have to change out every couple of three years or so. I bought a Craig's List $100 wonder, a Tone bass, which is a pretty good Korean copy of a very good Japanese bass. That is my jamming bass that if something should happen to it, no great loss.
Swapped out all the 4ohm stuff last year, running Markbass II and Eden, Avatar cabs. Pedal train haunts me and sucks up more resources than it is worth, however at times it makes a big difference in solos and performance.
Can't play classic rock anymore, just no good reason for it. Like the challenges of a new book that jazz presents although it often doesn't move enough air for me, so there's definitely a tendency towards guitar driven jazz/fusion. Love the notion that in Jazz, context is king, and active listening, playing follow the leader/soloists is the job. Love the big boy bass with its earthy, organic tones, things you can't get with the slabs.
Well, said more than I intended. Hi everyone.
