Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
East Tennessee Talkbass
- Thread starter Michael Vee
- Start date
Well for me, 'playing' the bass, instead of 'noodling around' on the bass, started in 2018, or so, at a church I was attending in Georgia. The worship band needed a bass player, I had a bass, so I volunteered. (If they needed a drummer, I would have been much more comfortable doing that.) The core of the band was the WL on guitar, a drummer, and me on bass. We used IEMs backing tracks with clicks and ques.
Thankfully, the WL gave the drummer and I the freedom to play what we wanted, as long as it served the song. We ended up making many of the songs 'ours'. I frequently go back and listen to the livestreams from this period on YouTube. (I especially love the tone and growl I was getting with LaBella Deep Talkin Bass flats on my J-bass running through a Behringer BDI-21 in this setting.)
Moving temporarily to the Oak Ridge Tennessee area in 2022, I started playing with a church there. The music was done 'live' (no backing tracks, click, or ques). This scenario was definitely a learning experience, especially since from one week to the next, the make up of the musicians in the band changed. Many of the musicians and singers were way above average, some could have even become pro. (I especially liked playing with one specific drummer and guitar player. The three of us really gelled, almost an ESP-like situation.) Unfortunately, the EQ and compression going to the livestream cut off my low end and 'pinched' my notes (no sustain). (I was using the DTB flats, then DR Pure Blues on the J-bass, running DI through the church's amp head.) Again, I was 'allowed' to do what I wanted, as long as it served the song. A lot of risks taken when playing, some were bad choices, but most were good. (Some sounded good in my head at the time, but not so much when played back on the livestream.)
In 2023, I retired to Cumberland Gap Tennessee. For about a year, I played with a church in Middlesboro Kentucky that used IEMs with backing tracks, clicks, and ques. This was fun, but mostly it was a drummer and myself, with singers. (I went back to playing flats - LaBella Low Tension Flats - on the J-bass with the BDI-21.) The livestreams sounded okay.
Earlier this year, I felt that I was being led in a different direction. So now, I am at a different church in Middlesboro, again playing with a 'live' worship band. There are challenges, but main WL is good with me encouraging (pushing) some of the younger other members. (Again, LTF / J-bass / BDI-21) The Livestreams show that we have a lot of 'tightening up' to do.
I've learned a lot in each situation. Each worship band has a slightly different feel and approach to playing the same songs. The hard part for me is to not rhythmically overplay when the song loses energy. (Making my notes shorter only goes so far.)
_Bobby
I'm sort of back on here after a self-imposed hiatus, nice to see this thread is still going! Seems like traffic is way down all across TB since a year ago?
I bought a new bass for the first time in many years and came back on here to sell a few things, but there didn't seem to be much activity in the classifieds. I really need to pare down a bunch of gear.
Anyway, NBD photo below!
I bought a new bass for the first time in many years and came back on here to sell a few things, but there didn't seem to be much activity in the classifieds. I really need to pare down a bunch of gear.
Anyway, NBD photo below!
I was needing a 5-string and ended up going down the Lakland rabbit hole and bought this unique spec instrument from their website. Model 55-94.
Good gosh, Bill, that's a beauty! Congrats on..
and also to Jeff on your new bass as well..
These Dingwall SP-1 models are selling fast!
Born in Maryville, but grew up on the plateau in Jamestown. Hopefully that counts lol. I miss East TN.
Jamestown has one of my all time favorite venue/brewery!
Sawbriar Brewing https://share.google/dLzfhF981yLIxMePf
That place is pretty damn cool! I left J-Town pretty much when I graduated high school in 96 and nothing like that was there back then. We had Juanita's Pub right on the city limits and that was it. Blessing and a curse hahahaha!
Glad to have you in here, Sylvan! And you too, Pontiac.
It's good to see ETTB picking back up again. It has been around for quite a while now. A lot of good players and people have been a part, and still are.
It's good to see ETTB picking back up again. It has been around for quite a while now. A lot of good players and people have been a part, and still are.
Played the Pub many times way back. Is it still there? I played there to a completely packed house right after everything shutdown with Covid. No masks, no craps given by anyone (including me) lol. I think everyone was just happy to see and be around people again. Good times.
@Bassguitar1919 - Josh, just my doing a quick count off the top of my head, I think there are around 15 ETTB'ers who are playing at church regularly. It probably is more than that.
I'm glad that Jeff is back with us. He's been playing at River Oaks Community Church for years now. Check out the platform picture with his PJB rig!
Also Bill (projectapollo) is in the rotation at Fellowship Church.
Everyone who is actively playing at their church, post a hello to Josh when you can. Josh plays at Sevier Heights
I'm glad that Jeff is back with us. He's been playing at River Oaks Community Church for years now. Check out the platform picture with his PJB rig!
Also Bill (projectapollo) is in the rotation at Fellowship Church.
Everyone who is actively playing at their church, post a hello to Josh when you can. Josh plays at Sevier Heights
Last edited:
I'm not currently playing at a church on a regular basis, but am actively looking.
Now retired, I've been playing almost weekly at Fellowship Church and their various church plants. Last year I took a deep dive into pedal boards once I discovered the CCM "Bethel Sound", really pretty awesome bass tones there. This coming year I'm getting back into 5-string instruments with less emphasis on octavers with a 4 string. My go-to bass for the past few years has been a Fender CS Precision. Last year I bought a 30" short scale w/flats and have been very impressed in how well it sits in a dense mix. The bass inventory count at the moment is two Laklands, three Fenders, one Sadowsky.
Hey all, I've got one of my Mad Man basses up for sale. It's a Sklar tribute and the 6th bass that I've made for my friend John. I'm currently working on number 7. The Sklar didn't sound like John expected. So, he shipped it back for me to sell. The sound won me and another friend @MaxSpinrun over… very growly!! Seriously… we loved it! But, I have over 35 basses and Max isn't ready to buy another bass at this time. If anyone has interest, PM me. I'd prefer to sell locally before I list it.
Picture taken just after assembly. Strings centered afterwards during setup.
Picture taken just after assembly. Strings centered afterwards during setup.
Let me tell you, this bass slays! I love it. Sounds AMAZING. I realize sound is subjective but it is one bass I would love to have. Just can't do it RIGHT NOW. If it's available later, cool, if not, I would not hesitate having JJ build me one.
One thing I appreciate and sometimes is overlooked is the attention to fret and neck work JJ puts into his builds! I am picky and like very very low action. JJ is able to deliver playability I want out of my basses, and has done so on at least 3 of my basses!
One thing I appreciate and sometimes is overlooked is the attention to fret and neck work JJ puts into his builds! I am picky and like very very low action. JJ is able to deliver playability I want out of my basses, and has done so on at least 3 of my basses!
Max, didn't know that you and JJ knew each other! Good on both ends..
Yeah me and Max have been buds for years now. We're both Lākland guys from way back. In fact, Carl Pedigo has been my mentor/instructor from afar. I always give Carl credit cause his guidance and fretwork are what I compare my necks too.
