Anyone flip or swing their basses in shows?

aaronhutson · #1 07-06-2011, 06:33 PM

I have seen guitar players do it and one or two bassists do it, but I have always been two afraid due the fact that my basses have long necks that would hit the floor.

But I'm modding a squire P-Bass that I picked up for pretty cheap and am waiting on the parts to get here. Since Im swapping pout the neck, pups, electronics, PG, and everything but the body, I am thinking maybe its time to learn. Its a smaller scale than the others plus I wear it a little higher. It wont hit the ground.

So should I learn? I practiced with a guitar hero guitar awhile back just for fun. And of course its not even close to the same. But I thought it was funny enough to share.

Anyways, any tips? Im picking up straplocks tomorrow so I dont throw it across the room. But any other tips would be great!

The1bassist06 · #2 07-06-2011, 06:36 PM

I can do it, just never have done it in a show. It would prolly be hard to do it at a show considering I dont have a wireless system =D

aaronhutson · #3 07-06-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1bassist06

I can do it, just never have done it in a show. It would prolly be hard to do it at a show considering I dont have a wireless system =D

I can see where that would be a problem!

But Im all over the stage and have wireless and tape it to my strap. So there is no chance its coming off or undone or anything. Plus I superglue my straplocks into my bass. So all I need to know is some pointers or stuff like that! Ha.

hover · #4 07-06-2011, 07:00 PM

Stop posing and start playing, Rudy Sarzo.

Stinsok · #5 07-06-2011, 07:02 PM

"So often, rough housing turns to tears."

hover · #6 07-06-2011, 07:09 PM

You too could be Sam Rivers
YouTube - ‪Funny: Failed Bass Guitar Flip‬&rlm;

or this one
YouTube - ‪Bass Flip gone wrong‬&rlm;

sure looks awesome Pete Wentz.

A-Step-Towards · #7 07-06-2011, 07:09 PM

I have done it with squiers many times its not hard but there is a level you need to throw it at , meaning if you throw it to hard it is possible for it to fly off , to soft and it will hit you in the elbow or something , I have never done it at a show i just do it messing around , i never would do it with a good bass.

Basses are long so it hard to totally avoid the band and all the gear around , just not worth it to me.

Stinsok · #8 07-06-2011, 07:15 PM

If it wasn't fake this is the best reason not to.

YouTube - ‪The Nirvana Bass Throw (1992 MTV VMA's)‬&rlm;

Also, a guy showed me his custom Warwick that he dropped while trying to look cool at the end of the show. Major lower bout gluing/repair.

edbass · #9 07-06-2011, 07:22 PM

OP; do you mean on purpose?

aaronhutson · #10 07-06-2011, 07:26 PM

edbass- Well of course I do! Ha. Of course I wouldnt do it with an expensive bass. Just one of my players. Im not going to risk something that I cant replace or afford to lose. Not that I want to lose it. But if something happens, I still have others.

cableguy · #11 07-06-2011, 07:39 PM

Back in the late 80's my roomate decided to try it during a late night jam session. There was a heavy drinking involved. I saw his Gibson SG go headfirst into the apt. floor which was carpet over concrete. It snapped off the neck right where it met the body. I felt bad once I got off the floor from laughing so hard. I think I laughed for almost 5 minutes. Mishap #2 he was doing it while sweaty and had the guitar bash him in the face when the strap didn't spin. Again I got a great laugh. He finally got it down and had lots of fun with it. Good luck!

**jmattbassplaya** · #12 07-06-2011, 08:14 PM

I do it. Always gets a great crowd response at the end of a funky jam.

floridagatorfan · #13 07-06-2011, 08:45 PM

YouTube - ‪Bass Flip Coolness Fail‬&rlm;

LongHairFreak · #14 07-06-2011, 09:02 PM

I thought it was cool when I was a teen (many years ago), but I've never tried it. Mainly because--and here's a very valuable tip, since you're asking--I'm blind and it doesn't really sound like a smart thing to do.

JimK · #15 07-07-2011, 04:24 AM

Wooten. Who else...I mean, c'mon-
YouTube - ‪Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - The Sinister Minister‬&rlm;

Better if you watch it all...or fastforward to approx. 4:30

TombassCaton · #16 07-07-2011, 04:37 AM

Heres the bassist from a band called Drive Like Red, he shows you how to do it with his Jazz YouTube - ‪Guitar flip tutorial: How to do a guitar flip‬&rlm;

it starts at about 1:52 into the video

Turock · #17 07-07-2011, 05:19 AM

No, I've never swung their basses.

Eric Scholz · #18 07-07-2011, 11:03 AM

I used to do this when i was 16. It's very easy, just dont try it too many times, or you'll burn your neck.

carlos840 · #19 07-07-2011, 01:47 PM

IMO lame emo crap!

But hey, what do i know, i like the Beatles!

fenderhutz · #20 07-07-2011, 01:50 PM

The crowd couldn't care less if the bassist twirls his bass like a baton.

Save the headache.