I know this will aggravate a lot of people...

Midfour · #1 10-17-2010, 04:32 PM

...But doesn't it sometimes seem like Chris Wolstenholme would make a better record producer than bassist? I'm not saying that he isn't an excellent bassist (a bit overrated maybe, but very good nonetheless), but he is an absolutely GREAT tonesmith. He gets some really interesting sounds that always just "fit in" with he rest of the band, even if it's some off-the-wall synth tone run through seven thousand pedals. That just seems like a great talent for a producer to have.

Its probably worth noting that I'm not much of a Muse fan.

Please don't accuse me of trolling.

Midfour · #2 10-19-2010, 12:59 PM

For the sake of discussion, this might be useful:
Chris Wolstenholme: The Sticky Ver. 1

link to Wolstenholme's rig sticky

Tampabass · #3 10-19-2010, 01:01 PM

as long as it's not another Gene Simmons thread, then ... no aggravation.

rr5025 · #4 10-19-2010, 02:14 PM

Must... resist... urge... to ask... how... to.. get... hysteria tone...

Seriously a thread not about hysteria! Yay!

I think he's fine just where he is

but interesting thought!

Meddle · #5 10-19-2010, 02:31 PM

I love how precise his playing is on New Born. Thats one of their older songs and I understand he was using a Boss DS-1 back then, but he sounds like a sequencer. That sort of skill would be wasted if he was just a producer.

Spinal Tapper · #6 10-19-2010, 02:32 PM

I disagree (but am not quite aggravated LOL, there has been much discussion on CW being over rated, not great, etc. I think it's all comical jealousy, really). Have you ever watched him live? The dude has some really tight finger style, that can't really be disputed IMO.

He plays some exhausting basslines, and has the stamina to rock night after night...whether you like CW or not, he's a pro.

About your comment of him being a great producer, etc, I'd say, hmmm perhaps...I'm ignorant to that subject, I dont know if he does the engineering on his stuff on their albums, so I can't really say if that'd be a better fit, but he definitely has the chops to be the bassist of one of the biggest bands in the world.

Meddle · #7 10-19-2010, 02:33 PM

If Chris was a producer he might edit out Matt's noisy breathing, and then it would not be the Muse we all know and love.

Rockman · #8 10-19-2010, 02:39 PM

You think "his" tone isn't massively edited by the producer in the studio or their sound guy at a gig? I propose that his tone is as much "him" and whoever is running sound. I wouldn't be surprised if he says, "Hey guy, I'm using this effect, make it sound good with the band."

rockstarbassist · #9 10-19-2010, 02:50 PM

Lol no. His playing fits perfectly, which is why they're awesome and you're on talkbass whining about it.

But no way. When I was in a 3 piece I had tons of pedals and sonic space stuff to fill up the void. And if you recall they didn't used to tour with full time keyboard player so Matt went back and forth and lots of times it'd just be Chris and Dom and just piano/bass/drums, so he had room to fill up. I'd rather it sound big and fat and beefy than limp, sterile and boring.

It's a totally different way of writing and layering and creating, and if you've always had that extra keys or guitar or horns/sax guy(s) there to take up space, I can see it difficult writing out of that comfort zone or hell even trying to visualize it. I totally reveled in it, though.

FunkMetalBass · #10 10-19-2010, 03:48 PM

I don't like for the band's music enough to claim that his bass playing is the weak link.

He'd probably make a good producer, though.

SMILEYSIXX · #11 10-19-2010, 04:20 PM

He's good at both. Not great, but good.

And I swear, I thought this would be another Gene Simmons thread and I was gonna kill myself.

bassic.science · #12 10-19-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

He plays some exhausting basslines, and has the stamina to rock night after night...whether you like CW or not, he's a pro.

100% agree. I didn't realize until after trying to play some of Muse's material that I had never learned to play 32nd notes for an entire song. Maybe a sustained burst here or there, but not the whole damn song! I was REALLY frustrated at how quickly my forearm tired, only a few measures! I'm better now and can keep track of some of his stuff, but the really relentless songs I still get left in the dust. This doesn't even touch the fact that his basslines aren't just droning on the root note, he's got some very complex melodies/harmonies intertwined throughout. He's quickly become one of my favorite bass players.

Producing I don't know anything about so I can't comment on that.

Midfour · #13 10-19-2010, 05:11 PM

Just to clarify a few things-

1) This is not a Gene Simmons thread
2) when I say that he is "overrated", I'm not saying that he isn't an excellant bassist, which he is (better than I'll ever be, honestly--there, I said it). I meant that some people worship him some sort of deity, and there are better bassists out there that don't get as much respect because their bands are not as popular.
3) I DO like his playing a lot, I just like his tones even more.
4) I know he has a very high level of technical skill, and that some of his lines are highly challenging.
5) it's probably best to take most of what I say with a grain of salt, because I don't know anything about producing.

Sorry for any confusion.
Also sorry for the (accidentally) whiny tone of the OP.

Geddyfleaharris · #14 10-19-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampabass

as long as it's not another Gene Simmons thread, then ... no aggravation.

Did someone mention Gene Simmons?

Well you know back in the day....KISS...blah blah...cold gin....rock bottom and then blah blah.

Sorry. Muse....hmmm. CW ya....that's the ticket.

JimmyM · #15 10-19-2010, 11:19 PM

there's way more into being a good producer than being able to get good sounds.

Mcgiver69 · #16 10-20-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

there's way more into being a good producer than being able to get good sounds.

And you sir have the right answer!!!

Being a good producer is not only sounds, it's being able to get the concept, is commanding the abstracts. It's understanding what the band wants to communicate, what is the album all about.

Maybe he could end up being a good one but at the moment I prefer him as bassplayer he is great and his lines are epic.

countrybassist · #17 10-20-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampabass

as long as it's not another Gene Simmons thread, then ... no aggravation.

Hasn't Gene Simmons done some record producing?

Rocker949 · #18 10-20-2010, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midfour

Just to clarify a few things-

1) This is not a Gene Simmons thread
2) when I say that he is "overrated", I'm not saying that he isn't an excellant bassist, which he is (better than I'll ever be, honestly--there, I said it). I meant that some people worship him some sort of deity, and there are better bassists out there that don't get as much respect because their bands are not as popular.
3) I DO like his playing a lot, I just like his tones even more.
4) I know he has a very high level of technical skill, and that some of his lines are highly challenging.
5) it's probably best to take most of what I say with a grain of salt, because I don't know anything about producing.

Sorry for any confusion.
Also sorry for the (accidentally) whiny tone of the OP.

If some worship him as a deity, this is something not confined to Chris Wolstenholme. I wasn't aware of it, though. I object when any fan does that to an artist. However, I really do like Muse's music and enjoy it for just what it is. CW is better off as a bassist. He brings attention to the importance of bass and is in one of the most visible bands in the world.

Midfour · #19 10-22-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

there's way more into being a good producer than being able to get good sounds.

good point--embarassingly enough, I hadn't even thought about that. Like I said before, I don't know enough about producing to fill a thimble, so thanks for the post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockman

You think "his" tone isn't massively edited by the producer in the studio or their sound guy at a gig? I propose that his tone is as much "him" and whoever is running sound. I wouldn't be surprised if he says, "Hey guy, I'm using this effect, make it sound good with the band."

another excellent point. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I don't like for the band's music enough to claim that his bass playing is the weak link.

He'd probably make a good producer, though.

I never said his playing was a weak link, but thanks for the feedback anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meddle

If Chris was a producer he might edit out Matt's noisy breathing, and then it would not be the Muse we all know and love.

Another valid point

OPBASSMAN1994 · #20 10-22-2010, 09:17 PM

Personally, even though Muse is famous, I don't believe the mainstream ( prog/alt rock oriented crowd as well as the funksters and Jazz guys) bass community really gives him enough credit. I am totally with whoever said the thing about the 32nd notes, how exhausting it is, and how much of a great, tight, controlled style he has. Chris is insane. I also am 100% behind the whole thing about his tone. He has some great tone going on on almost any Muse song. Of course, he plays a Ric, vintage Fenders, and custom stuff that none of us could ever afford, and is a bass beast in his genre, and in others (he really incorporates other styles into his playing very well, and keeps it melodic, like McCartney, but 89.7% more BA and 30+ years younger.) so of course he would soung fantastic. My point is, though, that Chris is a fantastic "new" face on the map of the bass world, and I think he'll leave a decent footprint on it.