Comparing Apples and Oranges

[Lowner]

At the guitar shop we got into one of those whose better discussions. It started out with only guitar players and since Iwas the lone bass player I was asked if I thought that victor Wooten was better than Jaco. Here is my answer: Its like comapring apples and oranges. Both men are good and I dont think that one is any better than the other. Just like eating apples and oranges where you get differnt health benefits, listening to both bass players will give you benefits and so will learning some of their chops. But I cannot say that one is better than the other . Both bassists have influenced me a great deal. No one ever thought to look at it from my perspectibve but instead argued for their favorite musican. Shortly there after the sublect of conversation changed.

So is saying one bass player is better than another really comparing apples and oranges ?

[superbassman2000]

in that case, yes. you can't compare vic with jaco, although they are both uber-talented, jaco did a lot of work with giving the bass a melodic voice, and vic does a lot of work with expanding the slap vocabulary with his double thumbing...he also did a lot with tapping...so they really are apples and oranges imo

[P_bass]

I couldn't have said it better!

[Matt Till]

It can be said of all music... the whole "who is better" thing is BS. Who is more talented can be argued, but even in a situation like:

"Who do you think is a better bassist, Marcus Miller or Cliff Williams (AC/DC)."

Marcus Miller clearly displays his chops/ability to compose brilliant basslines, but Cliff has completely unshakeable timing... the guy is a rock, and what he does fits AC/DC perfect. For all we know, he is hiding some major talent, I know he is capable of doing more than keeping steady 8th notes going, but does AC/DC need Marcus Miller as a bassist? Nope.

I hate the whole apples vs. oranges comparison though, because apples totally suck compared to oranges.

[txbasschik]

I think you're right.

I love to listen to Stanley Clarke, and I love to listen to Les Claypool. Both are astounding bassists, but their styles are very, very different. I learn different things by listening to each. They are not better than each other...they are both great. Just different!

Cherie

[labgnat]

yeah it's all opinion when it comes to who's better. big ups on the Stanley Clarke and Les Claypool comparison. my 2 favorite bass players. Les did cop the chord strumming thing from Stanley Clarke tho

[Kickin'Fruit]

Oranges have way better chops than apples. Although Apples have a certain... "tone" about them that makes them really unique. I think if I saw an Orange in a shop for a good price I'd buy it. But if my Apples ever got stolen I'd definitly replace them. Really if you want to get into the "specs" of an Orange and an Apple you'll find they're pretty much the same but hey, if you like it the sound of it and it sounds good to you then you should definitly get it.

[kelbrihan]

Even though styles are completely different, you can say that without Jaco, there would be no Wooten.

[Lorenzini]

I like orange juice better to drink and apples better to eat.

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by labgnat

yeah it's all opinion when it comes to who's better. big ups on the Stanley Clarke and Les Claypool comparison. my 2 favorite bass players. Les did cop the chord strumming thing from Stanley Clarke tho

Yep...I could listen to either of them all day.

A bassist buddy was at my gig last night, and on break, there was a group of us bassists, visiting. He made the comment that there is no "perfect" way to play. You provide the groove, you support the song, and the band sounds good. Everything else is gravy.

Cherie :-)

[j-raj]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

I hate the whole apples vs. oranges comparison though, because apples totally suck compared to oranges.

I have to disagree... I happen to like both Apples and Oranges.

BTW Matt, why can't you go back to your old user name... I liked it better.

[bassfastpik]

ive said it once ill say it again. it's all bout what you like 2 listen 2 and play. you can't compare 2 superb bassists with to seperate styles. That's how you start wars between the victor wooten clan and jaco clan lol

[mimaz]

Carrots!

[morf]

To me, Jaco is better. A musician's music has to reach out to the crowd and whoever does that better gets the win, IMHO (and IMO only so dont start a flame war).

Jaco vs Wooten is kinda like Hendrix vs Malmsteen to me. Not to mention there would be no Wooten without a Jaco.

In any case a discussion like that is purely opinion-wise, so I dont think its silly to have a personal preference and saying so. It's too easy to say "you cant compare etc" cause then you can't compare anything and you're right back where you started.

[j-raj]

Originally Posted by morf

Not to mention there would be no Wooten without a Jaco.

really?

please explain.

[morf]

Well, seems to me alot of Wooten licks come somewhat from his copying Jaco's technique. Sure he's taken technique to another level but from what I've heard so far he didnt revolutionize bass playing the way Jaco did, but took some of Jaco's ideas and developped them further.

[j-raj]

ok, I see (sort of)where you might be coming from... but unless Jaco was Vic's dad, I'm pretty sure that Vic would still exist w/out the existance of Jaco.

[morf]

Obviously thats not what I was implying...

[j-raj]

sorry morf, just having fun .

[morf]

bleh, influence. thats the word i couldnt remember