Volume 1 Issue 4

The Colorado Bass Newsletter

Bass Gear Prices Soar!

In the recent edition of "The Guitar & Bass Buyers Guide" it's apparent that equipment prices are going one direction..UP! This resource guide lists hundreds of manufacturer's products, specifications, options and suggested retail prices. For about 7 bucks, you can pick-up this handy 225 'drool absorbing page' guide at most newsstands.

Just to give you some idea of how ridiculously outrageous some equipment - especially bass related equipment prices are getting I'll list a few examples; how about an Alembic Series II 4 string for $8,020 or a Ken Smith BMT for, oh say $4,499? Need a couple of those, don't you? Maybe an S.S.D. -NS240 for right about $ 11,000! Eleven-thousand dollars! That's' not a bass, that's a down payment on a house- that bass must have hot & cold running water or at least indoor plumbing! Need some cabinets or an amp? You can pick-up a couple Bag End 4x12 cabs for $ 1,648 each and maybe an ELF-1 amp for $ 2,460. No more trips to the grocery store for you.

This guide sure is a handy reference tool for getting your heart racing and your mind wandering. But seriously, this is a great item just for the product specifications and manufacturer's address, phone & fax list in the back. Drool on!

"Wacko"- By: SHOCKHEAD

A Funk Forward Roll

Ok, so this month we are going to dig in to the bag-o-funky-riffs and pull out a funk forward roll that is so deftly applied by Ricky Wolking in the Shockhead release, "Television". Specifically, the riff in the intro/pre-chorus sections of the tune "Wacko in Waco" is the one we'll be taking a look at and don't let it throw you off just because it puts a twist in the forward roll motion of the wrist. This is gonna be in the key of E and remember, start slowly and evenly and work your way up and soon you'll be ripping this riff at light speed if you so desire.

Ready... Begin...

Thumb the open E string (downstroke of 1), then

Hammer on the 7th fret (B) to 9th fret (C#) on the E (end of triplet, fret w/ index & pinkie of Lf. hand)

Pop 6th fret (Ab) on D string w/ Rt. index,

(then pulling Rt. hand away rapidly {forward & down}

Pop open G string w/ Rt. middle finger.. (While)...

Pulling off 6th fret (Ab) on D string w/ Lf. index to Ring muted open D & Muting open ringing G string w/ 2nd joint of Lf. index.

1 Beat Rest

Thumb open E string (downstroke of 1) then

Hammer on 7th fret (B) to 9th fret (C#) on E string (fret w/ index & pinkie of Lf. hand, to end triplet)

Pop/Mute 6th fret (Ab) on D string w/ Rt. index..

Then pulling Rt. & Lf. hands away rapidly to get simultaneous Muted open D and Pop/Muted open G string w/ Rt. middle finger then

Thumb open G string and drag thumb and index of Rt. hand back over G to form triplet.

Repeat entire riff.

It's really not too complex after you get the rhythm of the thing, and cop the Rt. wrist motion. You'll get it. For tab or fretboard diagram write publisher.

One Mans' Music

by Steve Brown

Whether you're a player, a listener or just a bystander, music is a part our lives, making us feel and making us think. A constant with limitless boundaries.

Music truly is the universal language. When I was in high school, a friend of mine had a German family staying with them. Their teenage son spoke very little English, so communication was difficult. Until he saw my "KISS" concert T-shirt and made a Gene Simmons face! He knew the words to more Kiss songs than I did. I've heard many stories of bands touring foreign countries and thousands of people without a language in common singing the words they wrote on their living room couch.

Music is timeless. How many of us can remember a certain situation in our lives by the music? Where we were when we heard a song that touched us? Couples always have 'their song', even after they break-up. music is an important part of our lives. Open to interpretation, yes, but it still touches us all in some way.

Look at the resurgence of 'older' bands over the last couple of years, the tribute albums, the remakes and the concert tours. The Beatles haven't played together for 25 years and they're almost as popular as ever. In an impromptu street interview in the mid 70's, John Lennon was asked if he had any message for Beatles fans, he said "Tell them the music was the thing."

I agree 100%. Music is the thing.

The Future of Bassasaurus

Well, it's been a few months and a few issues of Bassasaurus since I began this newsletter. I started this in a effort to bring news and awareness to Colorado bassists.

And now... an update...

Due to overwhelming local and national response, this newsletter is now available by subscription, for only $6.00 you can receive 12 monthly issues of the Bassasaurus by first class mail, delivered directly to your mail box.

And, don't worry, it will still be available at local clubs for the astoundingly low price of Free!

I guess I started to get depressed by the lack of bass news & cool stuff available to Colorado bassists-so I decided to do something about it, you can too- just write to me in care of:

bassasaurus@geocities.com

Bassasaurus

Colo. Springs, CO., 80906-7733

Let me know what you think, contribute an article or just babble incessantly, whatever.

Let me hear your voice & we can all get more out of bass things in general. Hope you enjoy this newsletter, at present I still enjoy publishing it! I'm not real sure, but I think our monthly circulation is right about 350 - 400 issues, and of that almost 3/4 is given away free.

So, next time you ask yourself, "What can I do to help promote awareness, education and fellowship among my musical peers?", look around and see how many opportunities there really are to get better as a player, jam with more and better musicians, promote not only yourself, but other musicians and to make others aware of the startling number of great Colorado musicians.

Keep on the good foot. -Robert Lee

Rob's Links

BASS ADS

Yes, these here are some free ads, so if ya got bass related something's to sell, trade, borrow or buy, send a postcard to the address below with all the info and your phone # and it will appear here as if by magic, and yeah- we'll run it as long as you need us to.

Bass Repair, Set-ups and Technical Advice

All types of repair & assistance available at very reasonable rates. Trouble shooting, technical specifications and documentation available. Why let another day go by when you can get that instrument feelin' it's funkidoobiest!

2 Basses For Sale:

Fodera "Monarch" 6 string, will consider partial trade for quality 5 string, O.B.O.

Custom made Hill fretted 4 string, Pedulla MVP type body style, EMG pickups and more, all reasonable offers considered.

Published by Groove Zoo, Inc.

Questions & Comment?

Or Write:

R. Lee

c/oBassasaurus

Colorado Springs, CO. 80906-7733

Publisher is solely responsible for content.

Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited without written permission.

Copyright 1996.

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