5 New Tracks For My Portfolio--All Ric Bass

[cassius987]

Nice to see that someone else appreciates the fretless tone of the 4001/4003.

Yep, it's my favorite. Now I've got GAS for five or six more.

[Tarrbot]

Nice to see that someone else appreciates the fretless tone of the 4001/4003.

Yep, it's my favorite. Now I've got GAS for five or six more.

Don't say that.

I'd just be happy with one right now.

I don't need the evil little GAS imp that hides in my brain knowing anything about more than one.

[cjj]

I have to say Joshua, after hearing the tone of your fretless 4003, I now know I absolutely must get one...
RAS strikes again...

[cassius987]

I have to say Joshua, after hearing the tone of your fretless 4003, I now know I absolutely must get one...
RAS strikes again...

Thanks CJ! Also... I'm really sorry!!!

[cassius987]

New question. On another forum I was criticized for playing my solos with a couple of "bad" traits:

1. Too much like a typical bass line with flairs (not melodic enough).
2. Volume barely increases so is it really even a solo?

I've never had a good solution to the volume question because I don't use a volume pedal at this time (suggestions?). Anyways, could anyone comment on these criticisms? Are they accurate, and what can/should I do?

[walker]

If it was me, I would ignore both of these directives. These are very confining and unoriginal approaches to soloing. There are great soloists who play quietly, and some who play fewer notes within solo phrasing than others. If you decide to play more notes within your solos, that should come from your own artistic interpretation of the music, not just to meet some minimum note quantity prerequisite. If you want to play louder, play louder. In songs where you know you're going to be taking solos, back off on your bass volume to start with, then bring it up before you take your solo.

All this is merely my 2 cents which you can also ignore. It's your thing overall. Do it as you see fit.

[cjj]

I think you should have everyone else play softer during your solos...


Seriously though, what walker said. It's your artistic interpretation, do it the way you want. If it doesn't go over well in "real" life, change it if that bothers you, keep it the way you like if it doesn't.

[ram]

I finally got a chance to listen to your tunes... nice bunch - I like the feel. As for the solo I agree with Mark & CJ - do what YOU want. It is your solo. if you find it not being responded to then you might want to rethink things. If youneed to do a little boost something like a little SansAmp would work nicely.

[cassius987]

I added two new tunes. "Via Volpes" from my 2007 album, and "Kilimanjari" from my friend Kurtis's demo that I played in support of. Let me know what you think. "Via" is about a roadkill fox I saw one night when I still lived in the Ozarks and a weird mental direction it caused me to take as I drove home.

I also made "Hat Trick" and "Red Groove" available as free downloads.

[walker]

Nice job on these. A very serene & peaceful vibe, which is especially appropriate for the fox tribute. The couple of times I've driven cross country along I-90, I-80, etc I saw road kill that just turned my stomach. It definitely can be a transforming experience. I'm glad I don't drive anymore, at least not unless I REALLY have to, which fortunately isn't often.

[rickenbrother]

I've finally gotten around to listening to your songs, Joshua. I thoroughly enjoyed listening. Good stuff! Really nice to hear someone playing a 4003FL in a recording.

[walker]

(Way off topic, but I have to say that new avatar is awesome, Joey!)

[ram]

(Way off topic, but I have to say that new avatar is awesome, Joey!)

Agreed - Sublime with a nice ethnic power touch!

[mtnckr]

Very nice tunes Joshua, congragulations. Keep it up. Your playing and sound is also cool. Groovy first 2 songs and jazzy last ones are my favorite

[cassius987]

I've finally gotten around to listening to your songs, Joshua. I thoroughly enjoyed listening. Good stuff! Really nice to hear someone playing a 4003FL in a recording.

Hey thanks!! My goal, besides just having fun and getting better, is to get the 4003FL out there. A lot of people are taken aback at a guy who's fish of choice is a fretless Ricky. On the other hand I just got picked up for a jazz trio fronted by a session guitarist from New York (and he's a wicked player even without that credential)... so I must not sound that bad, or unorthodox, or whatever. What I keep explaining to people is that I think the 4003FL nails upright tones way better than any other fretless electric out there that isn't a multi-thousand dollar boutique instrument designed explicitly for that purpose. Of course, it's a 4003 in the wiring, so it actually has 1,000+ sounds available...

Very nice tunes Joshua, congragulations. Keep it up. Your playing and sound is also cool. Groovy first 2 songs and jazzy last ones are my favorite

Thanks a lot. I feel like my style is kind've weird because I made a hard leap from progressive metal into jazz at a young age and no one has ever told me right from wrong. Sometimes I think I have made some big mistakes with lots of those recordings, other times I see huge victories. Thanks for the encouragement.