mono boy

I have yet to find a good substitute for a tube amp. A small 15 watter will be plenty loud and give you another tool to get closer to the sound you want amen. a little scrapper is perfect for rock guitar. /jonny

Originally posted by where02190 A good low-mid priced LDC, such as the Studio Projects B1 ($100) or a Rode NTK($450) placed so it aims somewhere between the singers chin and top of breastbone typically yields an excellent vocal tonality. I've never heard this before. this is why I come here. I'm trying this ASAP(!) /jonny

Originally posted by theradvocate i agree ... thats why I really think that style of playing is overatted ... hah! nobody will be lining up to buy a sigur ros signature bass at guitar center. nor will he be on the cover of any bass 'zines or teach the dorian mode at some summer camp for 6 string enthusiasts. so I hardly think he could somehow be 'overatted.' and that's just fine with me: the music itself is what fans are passionate about. the sound of the songs themselves. that's something few self proclaimed virtuosos will ever experience: being apart of something bigger then their inflated ego. (IMHO)

Originally posted by StompBoxLover p.s. that sigur ros dude... yeah right. he does what few musicians have the balls to do---shows restraint and makes simple parts sound very interesting. perfect for that particular music. of course, it helps if you like sigur ros and/or have ever seen them live.

I really like and use digital performer, but pro tools is the 'industry standard'. I can think of a few advantages in using pro tools, such as taking your final mixes to a mastering lab as pro tools files (which could prove to be very helpful) or easily working in multiple studios on one project. to say it's over-rated is a mouthful---most studios have it and there must be a reason for that. that said, I still think mic pres and knowledge will make tons more difference in our recordings then the software. /jonny

Originally posted by BonsoWonderDog Aren't I the audience? I like his playing. and I'm guessing you're a bass player and are impressed with what he does technically or with the sonic extent to which he takes his instrument. sweet. but neither of those things are strongly related to the song itself. that's all I'm sayin'. I'm not trying to hate on virtuosos and fancy wankers out there. more power to em' for all that hard work they put in. I hope having a signature instrument at guitar center named after them makes em' happy. /jonny

Originally posted by BonsoWonderDog But he does actually play a lot of chords ;-) naturally. it's self-focused playing. it's fun for the individual but won't garner a large audience. it's not because life is unfair or that people can't appreciate virtuosity---it's that good songs played with some space for the ideas to breathe are always the most relevant and have the most staying power. of course there are those infatuated with the notion that degree of difficulty makes something 'good'. I certainly can't fault skilled players for being attracted to the idea. why shouldn't they get to have a good time? more power to em' if that's what makes em' happy. I tend to look at things as a songwriter first is all. we musicians are slaves to the song. the song is bigger then we are. that's the way I see it at least. what's funny about this discussion is that I'm going to Germany to visit family and will be playing a bar or two. so I'm learning some covers: hank williams, elvis, willy nelson, beatles, U2. the timeless melodies and lyrics in the songs aren't accompanied by some guy banging away on a 12 string bass. I'll tell you that much. maybe if they're played by a 'pro' session guy on american idol. but not in real life. and I'll leave it at that... /jonny

Originally posted by NeonVomit You have some interesting ideas, but they're a bit narrow minded. As an instrument like any other, the electric bass has developed and changed since the time of its inception. fair enough. what feels good to you is the most important thing. whether you get fullfillment out of playing a 12 string bass or a tin can nobody can argue with you from an artistic point of view. in that way I don't consider myself narrow minded. that said, many instruments have stood the test of time and remain in heavy use in the basic form in which they were perfected. violin or trumpet come to mind. or a classic guitar. and I would predict the P-bass, fender rhodes and mini moog. I think instruments that stand the test of time do so because they become interwoven into the cultural fabric of a musical form and/or they simply mix well with other instruments. whether a 12 string bass will be widely used in 100 years is impossible to predict. I look at it as more of a flashy fringe instrument. but only time will tell. and of course the musical world is changing rapidly making many of these discussions moot. but it's fun to engage in them nonetheless... /jonny

Originally posted by BonsoWonderDog I had a 12 string for a while - it was a huge sound but quite hard to play. I'm all for odd instruments and such but....a real bass does not have 12 strings. nor does it have 5 strings. I think if a bass player wants to be a guitar player and strum chords they should learn how to play a guitar. and if they want to reach 20Hz with a low 'B' they should get a bass synth. [/soapbox]

Originally posted by BonsoWonderDog um........huh? I mean he wouldn't know a groove if it hit him right square in his grill. points for sounding different---which are offset by tacky constant overplaying. (IMO:))

bootsy collins john paul jones georg holm of sigur ros IMO- geddy lee is not a bass player---although he does play a bass. the difference is not so subtle for me. also, I find jaco to be an extremely talented wanker. but these things are all subjective:) /jonny