Fodera Club Part XXV

[tombowlus]

Even though not a Fodera owner myself, couldn't help but stumble on the thread. RE the slap fest, I'm with y'all, just pure wankery and having no musical substance whatsoever. Granted, I have heard examples of slap playing that are musically interesting and well thought-through, but sadly it doesn't happen enough. When I saw that little NAMM vid, the only thing I could say was, where's an angry grizzly bear when you need one?

Our running joke for the NAMM Show was "bucket of chicken!" We'd say that whenever we heard a player going all slappity pappity (which was pretty much non-stop). Phil Maneri vowed not to slap at the Show at all, but even he violated that rule on a couple of occasions. Not sure what it is about that show that makes folks want to play that stuff...

 

[Vic]

i mean our instruments are a fraction of the cost, so why worry.

IMHO, what happened with that instrument doesn't have any relevance to how I value my Fodera. Just because a more expensive instrument was treated carelessly, doesn't mean I should disregard concern for mine since it's value is so much less.

that guy has probably made that walk hundreds of times, so i'm not sure he's an idiot.

people have also left strads or similar in taxi cabs.

Sorry, but "getting away with it before" doesn't make it smart. Doesn't change my opinion on the matter... he was careless... way too careless considering what he was carrying around. Consider the case of moving a valued piece of art from one museum to another... do you think they'd just let one guy walk out the door with a painting to his car to drive it over? I don't think so. We disagree.

i've taken my basses to some fairly sketchy areas. as todd says, if it's safe enough for me, it's safe enough for my bass.

Agreed. I think the main point is, security is relevant to the specific scenario. As long as we're smart about where we are and who we're with and what we're carrying around, we're good.

IMHO, the guy in that article was not, which is why I'm harshly critical of him... and now as a result, who knows when that fine instrument will be heard again... we all lose because of his actions. *sigh*

 

[sanwin17]

Maybe in 400 years Fodera's will be worth millions, adjusted for inflation of course and assuming our race and monetary system will survive until then. Most of my instruments are priceless to me regardless of value. That doesn't mean I won't take them on gigs. Unless you're a pure collector or non gigging musician what's the point of having them?

Regarding the slap thing - the more techniques you master the more tools you have in your box. That hopefully translates into more creative situations. Technique for it's own sake might be fun to show off but doesn't necessarily make you a better musician.

 

[LakeEffect]

Regarding the slap thing - the more techniques you master the more tools you have in your box. That hopefully translates into more creative situations. Technique for it's own sake might be fun to show off but doesn't necessarily make you a better musician.

Yeah, thats where I'm at with it. I generally give people with flashy technique the benefit of the doubt - the fact they're letting thumbs fly for the sake of making thumbs fly does not bother me at all.

If they were doing that in an honest attempt to fill some musical role, however, then that is a different story. I get the sense that they weren't.

 

[LakeEffect]

By the way, sanwin17 your "GAS List" is hilarious.

 

[Lugzy]

Thanks Lenn, Nice basses.

Here you can see the new TKS - in a NAMM quality

 

[Vic]

Regarding the slap thing - the more techniques you master the more tools you have in your box. That hopefully translates into more creative situations. Technique for it's own sake might be fun to show off but doesn't necessarily make you a better musician.

+1!

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

+2!

 

[steubig]

agreed . . . and p.s. my comment about "that stuff" was not about slapping per se, nor massive slapping chops; it was about the athletic competition aspect of it so prevalent at namm.

 

[Lugzy]

I can't view the 1st video, apparently not accessible in my country?? But that Nash the Flash video #2 is hilarious...I'm still cracking up while writing this. Thanks for the clip, that made my day

Even though not a Fodera owner myself, couldn't help but stumble on the thread. RE the slap fest, I'm with y'all, just pure wankery and having no musical substance whatsoever. Granted, I have heard examples of slap playing that are musically interesting and well thought-through, but sadly it doesn't happen enough. When I saw that little NAMM vid, the only thing I could say was, where's an angry grizzly bear when you need one?

 

[Vic]

Consummate professional... breaks a string and what happens? Nothing. The show goes on.

Also interesting that even after the G string snaps, I'm not hearing the bass go out of tune much if at all. Nice.

http://youtu.be/LpMeebtwXB4?t=2m40s

 

[Baird6869]

... who might be the only ones you'll impress. You'll send me to pro audio for a while.

Good point... Then I am unintentionally that guy. Circle of life, guess.

But if I pick up a guitar after and play any part of Eruption, Crazy Train, Hotel California, Stairway to Heaven or the Trees by Rush, I would fully expect to be banished from said store for life.

 

[Baird6869]

sorry to have started the cavalcade of negativity here.

of course, people will find 90% of what i do to be of no musical value, so i shouldn't talk . . .

also, next time someone asks you about taking your fodera on a gig, consider this:

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If a competent thief wants your instrument (or anything as you own) bad enough, you are very likely S.O.L.

Personally, I only worry about the drunks damaging my bass or the idiot that steals my bass when I am not looking. I feel I am covered for both scenarios, so I play my best basses. If anyone wants to stun gun me for a guitar, I likely have other problems.

P.s. A stun gun is much better than a bullet!!!

 

[sanwin17]

Consummate professional... breaks a string and what happens? Nothing. The show goes on.

Also interesting that even after the G string snaps, I'm not hearing the bass go out of tune much if at all. Nice.

http://youtu.be/LpMeebtwXB4?t=2m40s

Nothing he does surprises me. Reliable rumor has it he did a complete restring, all 4 strings, in the middle of a performance, without losing the groove or breaking a sweat, just to make a point.

 

[Munjibunga]

Whew! All this slapping bashing has reassured me that jealousy and my lack of skill aren't the only reasons I don't see any point in gratuitous slapping.

 

[Steve York]

also, next time someone asks you about taking your fodera on a gig, consider this:

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My friend who lives in Wisconsin commented " This is happened near where I live. They'll recover the violin as soon as the thieves try to trade it for an accordion!"

 

[steubig]

My friend who lives in Wisconsin commented " This is happened near where I live. They'll recover the violin as soon as the thieves try to trade it for an accordion!"

lol.

 

[Angus]

Whew! All this slapping bashing has reassured me that jealousy and my lack of skill aren't the only reasons I don't see any point in gratuitous slapping.

Indeed it is not you- I make a point of not doing it because I'm so tired of listening to that kind of playing.

But I do mean to distinguish the gratuitous slapping from the guys that can slap and make it extremely musical- Victor and Alain Caron come to mind, among others. Great playing and I love listening to the music, though the playing is not my style nor something I can do.

 

[GHOST AT]

I love the look on Anthony Jackson's face at the end of the slapathon. We all know how he feels about it. Labex is great but ,when it comes to slap I prefer Larry Graham.

 

[cnltb]

I love the look on Anthony Jackson's face at the end of the slapathon. We all know how he feels about it. Labex is great but ,when it comes to slap I prefer Larry Graham.

slapathon?
What did I miss?