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Meet Grace, and her bass

#463
vespasian1 said:
There there.

Stiff upper lip, what?

There's a good fellow. ;)
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I know, I know, I'm a total softie when it comes to that kinda stuff. Just the look on Grace's face is all it took for me. The naming thin is kinda goofy, too, but that's how I roll. Plus, it will always remind me of that awesome story of humanity...despite the harshness that I see every day at work.
 
#464
Engine207 said:
I know, I know, I'm a total softie when it comes to that kinda stuff. Just the look on Grace's face is all it took for me. The naming thin is kinda goofy, too, but that's how I roll. Plus, it will always remind me of that awesome story of humanity...despite the harshness that I see every day at work.
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Nothing 'goofy' about the naming. Nothing at all. Hold your head high.

And feel good about the fact that Grace has herself a pretty slick little bass there! It's even purple, even! :hyper:
 
#469
Bassic83 said:
I apologize for being late to this thread, but I wanted to chime in a bit...hope you don't mind!

I was checking in on some threads one day last year, and saw Jeff's post that the Ibby Mikro might be the perfect bass for a girl at his church who had spina bifida, but had wanted to play for a long time. After checking with Jeff, and he with Grace's folks, I wanted to get a few TBers together to sort of get a pool going to get this for her. I was in a bit of a jam, myself, as I was going through a refi on my house, and had been told not to buy anything but food and gas for a couple months by my mortgage broker. So I had to stand pat.

Couple months went by, including Christmas, and my other TBers were having some financial difficulties as well. I got my bonus from work, and it was a little more than I had expected, so I had to share the wealth, so to speak. I've been blessed, so it is my feeling that I should pass it on...pay it forward, so to speak. So, armed with my trusty bank card and my internet connection, I set to work.

I had talked to Jeff about this, and several times he had mentioned Grace's condition. But she showed such spirit and determination, and definitely is aptly named. Few of us could persevere through what this little girl has gone through and still retain our spirit and upbeat attitude. She is very active in her church, and has lots of friends at school. She is a normal kid in most ways. But her size precluded a full-scale instrument. I went to my local shop that I knew had a Mikro in stock, and checked it out.

I was really shocked at how great this little bass actually was- like Jeff said, it has a real P tone, a real Jazz tone, and both together are a great slap tone, or finger tone. I'd venture as far as to say it is "propulsive", especially with both pups selected, and the tone rolled back some. Very authoritative! The fit and finish are excellent, and though they didn't have the amethyst in stock, I checked the bass out thoroughly. Lightest bass I have ever played next to my Ashbory. Insanely playable, and with tone befitting a full size bass.

Since they didn't have the color in stock, I went online and got the bass. As I was poking around, I found a strap that I thought would be a benefit to Grace. It's one that goes over both shoulders, equalizing and reducing the weight of the bass, and not putting the weight on just the one shoulder- something I thought about as her condition might be made worse by having it slung across one shoulder. I also got her a cord, and a Peavey Max 158 amp, which features an aux in for iPod hookup and play-along. Though I wouldn't want to attempt playing at Madison Square Garden with just that, it is fine for bedroom use, and for practicing along with mp3's or CD's.

I got the amp from a friend's music store in Galveston, it helps him out, it helps her out- he gave me a good deal on it, plus he shipped it for me when I told him who it was for, and her story.

Just after she received it, I had been having a really tough week at work, and was pretty beat down. Jeff sent me an email with the pics in it, and I really just about fell apart seeing her face as she received her new bass. My eyes started leaking...just exactly what I needed at that particular point in my life.

Jeff was kind enough to act as shipping recipient, and he also gave it a going-over, and a small setup tweak. I thank you, good sir, for being the "bearer of blessings"! The look on her face, the glow she has, the facilitating of a dream for someone else is all the reward I could ever ask for! I am truly blessed!

I am SO glad that it suits her as I hoped it would...it looks like it fits her perfectly! Right color, right size, RIGHT ON!

Jeff also told me that he gave her a stand to put it on (I stupidly forgot that item! :(), and he told me that she keeps it in her room, and NOBODY can touch it! Not even her parents! :D:D:D

I just think it's so cool that she is this excited, and I hope that she always has the joy and exuberance of music in her life! Rock on, Grace! :bassist::bassist::bassist:

Eric (bassic83)
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There is no greater gift than the gift of giving. I believe you have set an example that many will follow.
 
#470
embellisher said:
OK, I haven't updated this in a while, sorry about that!:o

Grace is currently not taking lessons, or playing the bass. She got busy with finals in the spring, and never has started back up.

I am hoping that maybe once school starts back up, she will want to study some more with me.

I have asked her about it a few times, but have not gotten a commitment from her on starting back up. Just trying to keep her encouraged at this point.

But, she is a teenager, after all, and you know how busy our lives are at that stage!
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Finals trump music everytime, and they should. Be sure to let her listen to some cool bass driven tunes. That always gets things going.
 
#471
I’m so grateful for this thread. It was a real blessing; very moving and encouraging. It just goes to show you how folks can get together when the needs of someone like Grace are so evident.

Her story and the actions of this forum really helped put things in perspective.
There’s so much more to life than what we might initially perceive.

Thanks for posting something that contains so much meaning, value, tone, and presence.

E-A-D-G spells GRACE! :hyper:
 
#472
Hey All,

What an awesome thread this is....might I suggest to motivate the lass to pick up her bass when schools out....

Some of these most incredibly talented bass players on TB could do what they do....

one improvised minute of grace on their bass of choice....I'd be thinking a flood of bass grooves with her name on them would be a nice piece of inspiration for when they are needed....

nothing says Grace quite like 60 seconds of bass.....

now......which one to play......hhhhhhhhmmmmmmm

Terry
 
#473
magickalpig said:
Hey All,

What an awesome thread this is....might I suggest to motivate the lass to pick up her bass when schools out....

Some of these most incredibly talented bass players on TB could do what they do....

one improvised minute of grace on their bass of choice....I'd be thinking a flood of bass grooves with her name on them would be a nice piece of inspiration for when they are needed....

nothing says Grace quite like 60 seconds of bass.....

now......which one to play......hhhhhhhhmmmmmmm

Terry
Click to expand...

She's got "Star" written all over her face!

You mean clips, recorded and mp3'd? Great idea! Man, this is the way it's supposed to happen. This is what people are made of when given a chance, I say! Does a heart good to see it.

I'm subscribed- now what do we have to do to get this kid some regular and lasting moral support / musical edification here? Now that she has that sharp axe, I mean...
 

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