Is there less "Pick" bass playing now than then?

Skel · #1 12-10-2006, 10:35 AM

*starts running for cover*

Is there less recorded "pick" bass playing now than there was, say 20 years ago? I would think so because there are so many more talented fingerstyle bassists these days, along with better recording technology, but I could be wrong.

Thanks.

The_Ryst · #2 12-10-2006, 08:23 PM

locally I can tell you there's more picking than fingerstyle by leaps and bounds, rock wise. I mean...maybe 20 pick players to one fingerstyle. that might be an exageration...but not mucho f one.

ESPplayer · #3 12-10-2006, 08:41 PM

yeah most metal and rock players today use picks.Except for Troy Sanders!

Justin V · #4 12-11-2006, 03:15 AM

I switch off with both depending on what I'm doing. However, most of the people I know use fingerstyle exclusively, but most of the people I LISTEN to use pick either exclusively or 90% of the time. I think a lot of it has to do with style/genre.

Personally: 80/20 : finger/pick

Bruce Lindfield · #5 12-11-2006, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skel

*starts running for cover*

Is there less recorded "pick" bass playing now than there was, say 20 years ago? I would think so because there are so many more talented fingerstyle bassists these days, along with better recording technology, but I could be wrong.

Thanks.

That's my feeling as well - but I think it was because originally bass guitar was designed to allow guitarists to double on bass and the popular "tic tac" bass sound was DB doubled by a picking guitarist - BG was sold as a way to get this sound with just one player!!

Peter McFerrin · #6 12-11-2006, 03:40 AM

I would imagine that picks are a little less prevalent now than 20 years ago, simply because the "glossy" production aesthetic of the '80s favored definition and attack over everything else. Also, bassists in those days typically had massive walls of synthesizers, hyper-processed guitars, and super-compressed drums to break through.

I find myself using a pick a lot more these days than I did 3-4 years ago in college. It probably has to do with all the post-punk (Smiths, Cure, Gang of Four) to which I've been listening lately.

Skel · #7 12-11-2006, 06:46 AM

Very interesting and surprising. Thanks all.

jomahu · #8 12-11-2006, 09:39 AM

we talking about rock, or....what?
rock...everyone i see plays with a pick
everything else....less pick.

God of Rapture · #9 12-11-2006, 09:45 AM

I play with a pick 100% of the time. I just don't personally care for the tone when playing with fingers. Or I should say when playing with my fingers.

Phlintlock · #10 12-11-2006, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God of Rapture

I play with a pick 100% of the time. I just don't personally care for the tone when playing with fingers. Or I should say when playing with my fingers.

I really like the tone when playing with my brother's fingers

Also, at least in what I listen to, there is mostly fingerstyle, and it's usually rock, but there are a share of pick bassists that I like. Although it often seems to come to ,with pick players, that they use a pick just to cut through the mix of really heavy guitar or rhythm guitar, rather than personal preference ( At least from alot of articles I've read ).