The Praise and Worship Band Bassists Club part 22

[SteveC]

Wow. I must be in an unusual situation at church. We have really none of the "drama" I read about here. Good gear, good musicians that know what to play and how to improvise if/when necessary and we all pretty much get along and agree.

[MissingHighs]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

Same!! Is that a lightwave bass? I was going to see if i could find one to see what they were like?

Thanks again. And I am on the mend, so prayers are being (retrospectively) answered!

Well spotted. The SL-5 is not everyone's cup-o-tea, but I just love it. I'll first tell you what it's not good for and that is slap and pop. The headroom (electronically speaking) of the audio sections runs out too quickly; but as I don't slap or pop, it's not a bother to me. I also believe some folk do not like the string spacing - I play 'thumb style' and it suits me just right (and no pick-ups in the way).

The sustain on that beast is incredible. On songs where the bass note stretches, say, 2-4 bars I just have to pluck once and have time for a sip of coffee. The tonal purity is something to behold too, to the point where some folks have said it lacks "character". A few tweaks on the tone controls and I can get what I (and they) want. Gorgeously quiet, and not affected by hearing loops (or any other magnetic disturbances for that matter).

And there is something I feel you can not beat; it is exceptionally light! There is no other bass I put on that does not make me feel like it's pinning me to the floor. This one I can wear for hours.

But, like most things in life, you need to try it out for yourself.

M. <><

[MissingHighs]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Wow. I must be in an unusual situation at church. We have really none of the "drama" I read about here. Good gear, good musicians that know what to play and how to improvise if/when necessary and we all pretty much get along and agree.

I hope your church has some issues, because if not then somehow we have a guy chatting to us from Heaven!

M. <><

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by MissingHighs

I hope your church has some issues, because if not then somehow we have a guy chatting to us from Heaven!

M. <><

It's not that we don't have issues, but they seem insignificant compared to some I read about here.

[jmclearnon]

Originally Posted by MissingHighs

Well spotted. The SL-5 is not everyone's cup-o-tea, but I just love it. I'll first tell you what it's not good for and that is slap and pop. The headroom (electronically speaking) of the audio sections runs out too quickly; but as I don't slap or pop, it's not a bother to me. I also believe some folk do not like the string spacing - I play 'thumb style' and it suits me just right (and no pick-ups in the way).

The sustain on that beast is incredible. On songs where the bass note stretches, say, 2-4 bars I just have to pluck once and have time for a sip of coffee. The tonal purity is something to behold too, to the point where some folks have said it lacks "character". A few tweaks on the tone controls and I can get what I (and they) want. Gorgeously quiet, and not affected by hearing loops (or any other magnetic disturbances for that matter).

M. <><

I first saw it on the Bass Central website when browsing some stuff.

Then looked up a video as you do and the tone was pretty nice! I wouldn't mind trying out a fretless one.

Is it ok to ask how much you roughly bought it for?

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

Yes. When we rehearse, everyone knows what they should be playing. I'm not going to play the lead guitarist's part on bass and wouldn't expect the keyboard player to take my bass line.

Years ago, a kid in my wife's youth group told me how much he admired my "lead bass playing".

I was mortified...

Thankfully, I've settled down again since then.

[jmclearnon]

unless your playing a jazz-funk yellowjackets type worship session

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Wow. I must be in an unusual situation at church. We have really none of the "drama" I read about here. Good gear, good musicians that know what to play and how to improvise if/when necessary and we all pretty much get along and agree.

You'll find that this group is all over the map. Small churches in particular, often have more "drama" over skill levels, simply as a matter of numbers.

An urban megachurch could hardly fail to have at least one or two teams worth of experienced musicians, and the money to buy good gear. OTOH, a bassist in a small rural congregation might consider themself pretty fortunate to work with a decent sound system, and to have at least one experienced musician to lead.

A lot of my work as an itinerant church musician involves special music for conferences, anniversary services, etc., and I've pretty much seen it all.

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

unless your playing a jazz-funk yellowjackets type worship session

Which is kind of what we get to do at times with Kathryn's touring band. After a few weeks of regular church music, those events feel a bit like visiting a theme park- buckle up your seat belts, and hang on!

[MissingHighs]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

I first saw it on the Bass Central website when browsing some stuff.

Then looked up a video as you do and the tone was pretty nice! I wouldn't mind trying out a fretless one.

Is it ok to ask how much you roughly bought it for?

Fretless is the one thing that still scares me stupid - maybe I need to find some 'courage' potion! Hmm. Could always yank all the frets out of my Westfield and turn it into a fretless beast (except that's my "outdoor" bass... oh well).

Seeing as you asked soooo nicely.... £950 from Bass Direct (ex demo, but in pristine condition). Their normal price is circa 1150.

I would never believe gaining an extra low string would cause one to start experimenting with the upper octaves... well, on one song I'm muckin' about with ("practising" at) I ran out of 24 frets on the G string! I can now honestly say I understand why they make 6-string basses. Maybe it's time to remember I'm there to play "bass" and leave the soprano bits to the soprano bassist!

M. <><

[MissingHighs]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

Years ago, a kid in my wife's youth group told me how much he admired my "lead bass playing".

I was mortified...

Thankfully, I've settled down again since then.

Maybe I need to take a leaf out of your book!

M. <><

[jmclearnon]

Oh cool. tbh the next bass i would like to buy is probably a 5 string fretless with a drop D tuner and strung EADGC.

On the fretless point, i play cello so no markers at al is not that daunting just practice my scales for a few weeks

I have a 6-sting ..... but its mostly for jazz stuff, mostly use a 5-string in church

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

I first saw it on the Bass Central website when browsing some stuff.

Then looked up a video as you do and the tone was pretty nice! I wouldn't mind trying out a fretless one.

Is it ok to ask how much you roughly bought it for?

For trying-out purposes, Bass Direct in Warwick has them in stock. £1,050 for the SL5 in either fretted or fretless.

[jmclearnon]

They also deal in Berg cabs is that right? Cus i was looking into getting some of those. I'm actually living in essex this year so its just a small roadtrip

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

Years ago, a kid in my wife's youth group told me how much he admired my "lead bass playing".

I was mortified...

Thankfully, I've settled down again since then.

I did have to take a "lead bass" role one week when the teenage guitarist decided to show up an hour late for pre-service rehearsal. The WL had to assure him that no, it wasn't a joke, he really wasn't going to be playing that morning...

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

They also deal in Berg cabs is that right? Cus i was looking into getting some of those. I'm actually living in essex this year so its just a small roadtrip

I believe so, but I never pay much attention to amps and cabs!

I'll warn you, it's a dangerous, dangerous shop. Take a large towel for wiping up the drool!

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by MissingHighs

Maybe I need to take a leaf out of your book!

My dad tended to hire older jazz musicians as sidemen, even for wedding gigs. One of the many gifts they gave me as a youngster, was a pretty clear understanding of the difference between playing with sill and authority, vs overplaying.

Still, I've struggled with this from time to time throughout my career. Especially during the first year or two after college, and again since I started playing in churches.

The first time around, it was just a young man sowing his oats. In church, I think it's been because so many of the people around me are overplaying, and it's easy to get sucked in.

[jmclearnon]

Hahaha lol good to hear!

In the process of buying a top range amp+cabs. But as always i want to try everything out extensively before purchasing anything so its actually becoming a long process....

I'm planning on keeping them for a long time so just want to get what is right for me

[MissingHighs]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

They also deal in Berg cabs is that right? Cus i was looking into getting some of those. I'm actually living in essex this year so its just a small roadtrip

He deals in all sorts of things bass related. Nice chap. If you want to keep you bank balance intact, leave your plastic.... make that your whole wallet at home!

SVT is right, for some reason I looked at the VL (carved out) version to get you the going price - but that one I would voice caution as is can be very "feedbacky" on stage.

M. <><

[MissingHighs]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

I believe so, but I never pay much attention to amps and cabs!

I'll warn you, it's a dangerous, dangerous shop. Take a large towel for wiping up the drool!

you and I have each suffered his influence then.....