Latest squeeze

[Dave the bass]

OK, it's not so much how he played, but his note choices. He was very creative in making his bass parts melodic.

Here's a clip of his bass isolated in Stevie Wonder's 'For once in my life'.

See how it sings it's own little song alongside the lyrics and melody?




That's what he was so clever at. It's more about his note choice than the technique IMO with JJ.

The 'odd' single finger (hook) style he used was just the way he chose to play those lines. Other bassists may use a plectrum or fingers or thumb technique that creates a very different sound. Marcus Miller and Mark King are both very distinctive Thumb slap style players. Their approach and sound is very different to what JJ did.

[Nick]

Any song suggestions to appreciate his virtuosity?

Sometimes (a lot of the time), its not about being a "virtuoso". Sometimes what is important is playing what supports the music. YouTube and a lot of social media stuff can make you think that doing something just because its hard is the goal.

[The Stratmangler]

Here's Martha Reeves in 1974, and a certain James Jamerson in the band and tastefully going about his business supporting the song.

[jiril388]

Jamerson’s basslines were all about vibe, not flash. He had this way of making the bass sing and support the song, without needing to overdo it. That’s why his playing still stands out.

[ed]

Sometime back my youngest(14) decided he wanted a one string bass and constructed this. It actually played notes!!.

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Sometime later he bought himself a neck from somewhere on the net and wanted to nail it to a piece of wood. He bought a bridge and a single coil. At this point I suggested it might be a better idea to make a real instrument. He looked around the internet and discovered a Kawai ‘moonsault’ guitar, saying I want one like this…….so together we knocked up this, and believe it or not, it’s fabbo!. Its taken from original pics on the net and printed on graph paper to get the scale.

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It seems the moonsault had a following and originals fetch up to £3000. A company called eastwood are now making replicas.

[Dave the bass]

"Careful.....you'll have someone's eye out with that...!"

You're bonkers

[Nick]

Kawai made some odd things. I remember that moon shape one. I used to have a kawai with a solid aluminium 24 fret mech with a rosewood facing.

[andrew Ivimey]

I was thinking about 'latest squeeze'. A while back I set myself 'no more guitars unless the guitar would improve my playing'. Was I safe?
Well, you may think that a Squier Strat would help and yes, I know, I've heard and watched breathless at some young sprite with a Squier sound right like Jimi, note by stunning note...
Then I artfully came across the new Fender Ultra 2 Stratocaster. This could deffo influence and perhaps improve my playing. Ebony neck, compound radius ( so much easier to bend, if you know what I mean), slinky smooth neck, rolled edges and ebony fretboard. - ...cup runneth over.

But the prob is the fender noiseless pickups. These are mk4 versions.....many peeps dont like 'noiseless' because it dont have soul or tone. Even the mark 1s killed the noise, using stacked coils but even up to the Ultra (3) pickups they didnt do Jimi, Rory blah blah. So I I've stuck to more primitive single coils.

I did get a set of DeMarzios in a deal that involved a performer strat and a lorry load of semtex with ( back in 1979 I put a Demarzio pickup in bridge - quite a lot of us did because many Fullerton Strats were stinkers) but these were noiseless Strat pickups &... amazing ; no noise, loud, good tone, split coil - why!
& so I thought, played and listened to the Fender Ultra 2 Strats.

Worth a punt! as GAK was offering a second hand Ultra2 Strat, £500 off. Reader I ordered it. It will arrive.
Looking forward.... I'll let you know what happens if anyone is interested.

[pre65]

Looking forward.... I'll let you know what happens if anyone is interested.

Can't wait, and I mean that most sincerely folks.

[Dave the bass]

Kawai made some odd things. I remember that moon shape one. I used to have a kawai with a solid aluminium 24 fret mech with a rosewood facing.

I remember reading about a guitar made by Travis Been that had an aluminium neck, Stanley Jordan found it great for his 2 handed tapping technique it said.

Take it away Stan...

[ed]

Then I artfully came across the new Fender Ultra 2 Stratocaster. This could deffo influence and perhaps improve my playing. Ebony neck, compound radius ( so much easier to bend, if you know what I mean), slinky smooth neck, rolled edges and ebony fretboard. - ...cup runneth over.

Ahh, grasshopper...we follow entirely different philosophies you and me.

there is no amount of tech wizardry going to improve my playing. I rely entirely on practice. I've found that lack of practice has left me with no ability whasoever on the piano...after almost 10 years I struggle to know what the black bits are for. I bought that 339 nearly 5 years ago and I think I've played it no more than half a dozen times.....I'm ashamed.

[Dave the bass]

Black bits make sad notes.

White bits make happy notes.

Pedal bits do Wah and Fuzz I think.

[andrew Ivimey]

Ultra Strat 11 has arrived. Sunburst with ally gold anodised pickguard, single coils, locking tuners.

In brief this is the second best electric guitar I've ever played or owned. Better weight and balance than PRS Strat, ebony fingerboard with compound radius - superb! V.interesting noiseless pickups. I'm very very impressed. Difficult to put down but impossible to type this message so I have ( put it down).

They do Tele & Jazzmaster versions, I believe. Far out!

[Dave the bass]

We've been up near Liverpool visiting my bro-in-law. He plays guitar, very well actually.

He's recently got a Martin acoustic, it's the most awesome acoustic I've ever played, it plays like every note is the same volume. Some magic and mirrors going on I think, or maybe it's just a very nice guitar built well.

Phwooaaarrrr!

[The Stratmangler]

We've been up near Liverpool visiting my bro-in-law. He plays guitar, very well actually.

He's recently got a Martin acoustic, it's the most awesome acoustic I've ever played, it plays like every note is the same volume. Some magic and mirrors going on I think, or maybe it's just a very nice guitar built well.

Phwooaaarrrr!

Which Martin did he buy?