• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Matthew Garrison DVD

Papersen

Supporting Member
Mar 22, 2002
2,927
242
52
Well, I`ve just received yesterday Matt Garrison live DVD. It contains mostly tunes from his first album and some live jams.
It hasn`t a really a "live" feel to me since it`s filmed in a studio with all the musicians. Although the mix is not superb, it`s great to see Matt playing, mainly for those like me who never had the chance to watch him playing.

I`ve personally always loved his compositions. His concept of solo albums is very refreshing. He`s not a "here goes my chops" kinda guy (and he`s got great chops indeed) and is mainly focused on the compositional side of tunes, with an eclectic, jazzy vibe.

Something that really intrigued me was his RH technique. I knew he had a 4 finger approach, curling his finger under the strings. It`s obviously very effective and some of his fast runs demand such a technique for sure.

Good chance to see a great bassist in an intimate setting, with less then average production.

BTW, can somebody explain me howe do with those 3 contiguous soapboars work in his Fodera Sig Model ?
 
steverosati said:
I have taken a few lessons with Matt and I have seen the fodera up close its not a willis ramp it is more like a dummie pick up in between the 2 standard pick ups

I have played both basses several times. It is a willis ramp between the p'ups. That is where he got the idea as well. The material does not matter, it is the function of the ramp that matters.
 
Davehenning said:
I have played both basses several times. It is a willis ramp between the p'ups. That is where he got the idea as well. The material does not matter, it is the function of the ramp that matters.

+1

It sure looked like a ramp when I played it. It's there as a governor, keeping one from digging in too far. Playing over the pickup accomplishes the same thing (depending on how high you have your pickup set).
 
Brad Johnson said:
Did you ask Matt what it was? Did he say it was a dummy pickup?

:)

I played both of Matt's basses and he just said it was the Willis Ramp idea. I am not sure of the material, but I don't remember him saying it was a dummy pick-up. It was more like a plastic-ish feeling material.

On an interesting note, fhere is a new Fodera that a friend of mine has that has the ramp as one big piece functioning both as ramp and pick-up cover.

I'll ask Matt about the ramp next time I talk to him.
 
steverosati said:
I didn’t mean to get anyone’s panties in a bunch. It just did not have the same shape or texture as the Willis ramp it looked to be another pickup cover call it what you will. Dummy pickup ramp what ever it just arguing Semantics

:eyebrow:

A Willis ramp has nothing to do with texture and it doesn't have to be curved like the one on his Ibanez. His personal ramp is curved because his Bartolini pickups have the same radius.

A Willis ramp is something on the playing area of the body of a bass that has the same height as the pickup(s). The object is to "govern" your playing by giving the same effect as playing over the pickup wherever you play (over the ramp).

A Dummy pickup vs. block of wood(/plastic/whatever) is not semantics.

Nobody's panties are in a bunch... except maybe yours;)
Just trying to be accurate. Is that so wrong?

:eyebrow:

:hyper:

No hard feelings, okay?

http://www.talkbass.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1009&password=0&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
 
Well...back to our program formerly in progess...

This DVD/CD combo is well worth buying! The live performance is a fair bit better than home movie quality-clear with good enough sound. With an accompanying CD the price is a good deal.

I got mine from www.audiophileimports.com with fast...py from Matt's site [url]www.garrisonjazz.com but I couldn't wait for the longer shipping time compared with audiophile...after listening to Matt's first CD for 4 years daily, I HAD to have his new project NOW!

I had a lesson with Matt also. An experience I'll always treasure. I remember his ramp as being just a solid block of wood-taped to the body with carpet tape-but it has been 3 years...so I'm not absolutely positive...

Anyhoo, if you'd like to get a real clear idea of how Matt does that very original/innovative thing he does, this DVD is indespensible! Support the guy so he can afford to continue giving us great music and awesome technique expansion/possibilities for our favorite instrument! He's one of the nicest guys imaginable to boot!

Jim T.