Author Topic: Mark King! (Plus a an Alembic sighting) (Read 276 times)

wishbass · « **on:** March 01, 2012, 08:16:00 PM »

I don't have the link, but there is a cool video on Youtube titled Mark King for Prague Proms 2011.It was recorded in his home studio, with all his basses surrounding him, thus the sighting.The vid speaks for itself.Worth a look if you are a fan.....

rustyg61 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2012, 11:02:34 PM »

AMAZING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-7pQJN9v58

Glynn · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2012, 03:02:14 AM »

He is well above the others and if that wasn't enough - he sings. And if that wasn't enough - he is just a nice natural man who talks on the same level (no pun intended) as the rest of us. Yes, you guessed, I am a fan. Glynn

jazzyvee · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2012, 11:09:28 AM »

Does anyone play these basses without a chorus and with some bottom end. The sound is very bright and lively in the top end but I've never heard any clips of those status basses showing that have anything in the lower frequencies and any warmth in the tone?

Jazzyvee

wishbass · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2012, 11:20:48 AM »

Good question Jazzy.Status basses are virtually non exsitant on the West Coast.I think MK's sound is that way because he is so rythem oriented,and uses a lot of keyboards to provide the bottom end.Personally I thought his sound was best on his Jaydee basses.They had more growl and bottom.

bassilisk · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2012, 11:51:53 AM »

I had a Status KingBass Standard with a bolt-on graphite neck and a mahogany body with a rosewood cap. Though they can be extremely bright I can vouch for their bottom end. The sound was also very focused and tight. Besides the bass/treble EQ it had a sweepable midrange with a 3 position switch that offered +6dB/flat/-6dB. MK gets that tone very deliberately because the bass itself offers a very broad tonal pallette. I liked this bass a lot.

Unfortunately it suffered from the same thing as my Alembic MK Sig. Unless you wear it like he does that short upper horn makes it a bear on balance. It was difficult to play the Status comfortably and eventually I flipped it for this reason. But, I would have no problem getting one of their more comfortable body styles with this same electronics package. I thought it was very versatile.

tncaveman · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2012, 03:05:03 PM »

That was freaking awesome - I haven't heard any Level 42 stuff that really turned me on - but his solo stuff is amazing! I love the headless design ------>>>>> Strings w/ two balls (LOL)

Stephen

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2012, 05:32:27 PM »

Cool video!

dannobasso · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2012, 08:56:11 PM »

I have 2 MK black beauties. One 5er and one 6er. I got a great sound right away and with the 3 band eq plenty of whatever you want. I love Mark King, got his signature axes but I want to sound like me not him. Couldn't pull off his thing if I tried! Cheers

bigredbass · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2012, 09:15:42 PM »

MK reminds me of most very accomplished musicians I've been around at close range: They're talking along about the weather, whatever, while just goofing off this amazingly terrifying stuff, and it hits you, this is just him goofing around like me . . . . me, that is, if I'd slept with the thing for 25 years and never once put it down !

Also, he also reminds me just how different Brits speaking English sound so different that us speaking American, supposedly the same thing.

Well, I've just fixed bangers and mash and I've got to catch something on the telly, Cheers !

J o e y

mb94952 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2012, 07:59:25 PM »

I have always LOVED Mark King. I've been a fan since 1987 and I got to meet him a few years ago in SF. He is very nice, indeed, and has a great sense of humor.

He NEVER takes his fans for granted.

I WISH I still still had my Mark King and Alembic poster... My dad threw it out when I was partying at college. (never graduated)

Glynn · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2012, 03:58:51 AM »

I have still got a programme from a Level 42 concert many, many years ago. He was really young then, full of confidence but in a nice cheeky sort of way. I agree that he cares for his fans and I can imagine him being the same talking down the pub as on stage. I was inspired at the time, and still have, a custom Jaydee made for me by JD in 1986 (I live very near to Birmingham UK)which combined the MK and George Anderson versions. I never did and never will slap - am content to watch MK and admire. Glynn

jbybj · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2012, 09:05:49 PM »

To my ear, underneath all that flashy technique and blinding LED'S, is an awesome groove, and great melodic lines. I just don't understand why he had to speed up the video like that :-)

Glynn · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2012, 03:14:22 AM »

It is interesting how words come across! The words from the last poster jbybj came over to me as rather condescending - I don't know you so I may be totally wrong and this is not a personal attack BUT words like 'flashy' and 'blinding' rather give an impression of grudging praise when followed by the pleasant comments on groove and melody. As to the speeding up - doesn't any musician doing practice, or a drummer building up a solo, increase the speed because they can? If a clearly very talented artist is not to anyone's liking, then perhaps the opinion is best not posted in an otherwise positive forum otherwise it may come over, however unwittingly, as what may be seen as 'sour grapes'. No offence intended and I hope none taken,jbybj. Glynn

wishbass · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:50:20 AM »

Glynn, I see what you mean,but he may also have been using humor to point out how ridiculously talented MK is. I couldn't play have of it ,even if you backed it off 10 or 20 beats/min! It's amazing to me when watching players like MK ,Michael Manring(this man is NEVER discussed enough,and very gracious and friendly as well.I've seen and met him twice at a small venue)Victor Wooten,Steve Baily,and of course Jaco and Stanely play.They are so relaxed,and fluid.They play effortlessly.Repitition helps,but this is another level.