Attitude > Bass choice

NickyBass · #1 09-02-2008, 02:14 PM

You know, sometimes I wonder if it's really worth the 'fight,' or if I should just stop logging on to TB all together. On one hand, I could just ignore all the threads of this ~vs~ that and be content to never think about this nonsence. After all, I've never encountered the anti-any bass sentiments until I joined here. Noone has ever said two words about my bass choice. I got all the gigs that I did through either my playing, word of mouth or just being easy going/positive. I can't imagine showing up to a gig with such negativity about someone's instrument and getting called back. It just doesn't happen. People lose more gigs for being a jerk than for showing up with the 'wrong' bass. (Of course, this is all in the 'jazz' and 'fusion' scene. I don't have alot of expierience in the rock scene, but enough to stand behind what I'm saying here.)

I just want to make good honest music and could not care less which bass I'm doing that with. It is a tool of self expression. Sure, the music has to be accessable, but I've never had any complaints about the style being inappropriate for the venue. I feel that if one plays with conviction, then there are venues out there that will cater to one's music.

The issue, however, is that there is so much negative talk about brands around here and I feel that it does a dis-service to the bass community as a whole. There is enough day-to-day headaches that when I try to chat with 'like-minded' people, it just ends up with me in an argument with someone whom I've never met---even though my intentions were simply to convey that everyone has different needs and may play different styles.

It would be so trivial for this to upset me, so I just chuckle sometimes. There is no need to let a snide comment about bass choice ruin my day. I have alot going on, and there is little time to worry about this stuff. It does bother me a bit that some can be childish and really take an uniformed dig at another musician.

People say that tone is in the fingers. I disagree. I think that tone is in the attitude. It is a product of something that you believe in and have cultivated for years and years.

I don't think that there is any serious musician here who would show up with the wrong tools for the job. The thing is the 'wrong tool' for one job might be the perfect tool for another job. However, the wrong attitude is always the wrong attitude no matter where you are. Furthermore, with the wrong attitude, it can take many years to gain back the respect from other musicians. I've seen many talented people throw away many gigs just by having a negative attitude.

I'm not saying that any bass can be used on any gig. I'm just saying that there are so many genres out there, and every bass that I've owned, as different as they all have been, has served a certain genre perfectly.

I just wanted to throw this out there and ask that we can all respect each other's choices. There are 'common' arguments that we hear everyday. Not all of them apply to everyone. We are all different, and we should celebrate that fact--all the while show each other support. That supportive attitude may just carry over to the next gig, and may help you keep that gig, regardless of your gear.

Again, there is a place for every bass, and I'm aware of the importance of that. Showing up with the right gear may help one land a gig --but conviction, a positive, suppotive attitude and general people skills--coupled with talent and feel--are what will keep the gig.

I hope that this doesn't turn into a 'sterile coffee table basses ~vs~ uninspired drift wood' discussion--though I fear it will. Life goes on I guess.

VisualShock · #2 09-02-2008, 02:15 PM

Do what you do best, and dont let anyone else deter you.

CraigG · #3 09-02-2008, 02:18 PM

+1000. Well stated (both of you!)

Michelob_64 · #4 09-02-2008, 02:26 PM

I totally agree, very well put!!! You give a horrible player a multi-thousand dollar bass and he/she is still a horrible player and the bass won't change it on bit.

But someone with true talent, conviction, "the feeling", and drive can make a cheap bass sing like a canary!

Fine Cut · #5 09-02-2008, 02:29 PM

vinxbass · #6 09-02-2008, 02:29 PM

This is a forum of experience, knowledge, and opinions that come first to my mind. You have to simply learn to accept what you want and leave the rest, or comment on what's been posted if you feel it is what you need to do; that's what I do. There are threads and posts on this forum that I find test my patience and sometimes I will comment on it, but pretty much I just let it go and move on to the next order of business. There are people on this forum who take stuff way too serious, and to those I still say lighten up brother or sister, it's not suppose to be so damn serious.

You've expressed your point and that's a right that anybody who subscribes to this forum has, as long as it's with the parameters of the forums rules and regulations.

RickenBoogie · #7 09-02-2008, 02:38 PM

I agree in principle with the OP, but my expirience on TB doesn't really seem the same. Oh, sure, there's alot of brand bashing going on, but I think that's mostly a bunch of youngsters who still have discontent in their hearts. I can't afford a (insert bass), so they suck, and you suck for playing it, etc.. usually just makes me chuckle. It's fairly easy to wade through the garbage, and read the many gems I've seen in 18 months. I'm mostly done with my gear, and quite content to play what I own, but there's always someone who's willing to take a crack at knocking me down. Don't let that part get under your skin.

dj150888 · #8 09-02-2008, 02:40 PM

Nickybass.....thats just what a communist would say? Are you a communist?! WELL?! COMMIE!?

Fretlessboy · #9 09-02-2008, 02:42 PM

FINALY A THREAD I AGREE WITH... Everything is so indidual. One guys bass or amo works for him then let it for god's sake. So where in Jersey are you. You strike me as fun to hang out with once in while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyBass

You know, sometimes I wonder if it's really worth the 'fight,' or if I should just stop logging on to TB all together. On one hand, I could just ignore all the threads of this ~vs~ that and be content to never think about this nonsence. After all, I've never encountered the anti-any bass sentiments until I joined here. Noone has ever said two words about my bass choice. I got all the gigs that I did through either my playing, word of mouth or just being easy going/positive. I can't imagine showing up to a gig with such negativity about someone's instrument and getting called back. It just doesn't happen. People lose more gigs for being a jerk than for showing up with the 'wrong' bass. (Of course, this is all in the 'jazz' and 'fusion' scene. I don't have alot of expierience in the rock scene, but enough to stand behind what I'm saying here.)

I just want to make good honest music and could not care less which bass I'm doing that with. It is a tool of self expression. Sure, the music has to be accessable, but I've never had any complaints about the style being inappropriate for the venue. I feel that if one plays with conviction, then there are venues out there that will cater to one's music.

The issue, however, is that there is so much negative talk about brands around here and I feel that it does a dis-service to the bass community as a whole. There is enough day-to-day headaches that when I try to chat with 'like-minded' people, it just ends up with me in an argument with someone whom I've never met---even though my intentions were simply to convey that everyone has different needs and may play different styles.

It would be so trivial for this to upset me, so I just chuckle sometimes. There is no need to let a snide comment about bass choice ruin my day. I have alot going on, and there is little time to worry about this stuff. It does bother me a bit that some can be childish and really take an uniformed dig at another musician.

People say that tone is in the fingers. I disagree. I think that tone is in the attitude. It is a product of something that you believe in and have cultivated for years and years.

I don't think that there is any serious musician here who would show up with the wrong tools for the job. The thing is the 'wrong tool' for one job might be the perfect tool for another job. However, the wrong attitude is always the wrong attitude no matter where you are. Furthermore, with the wrong attitude, it can take many years to gain back the respect from other musicians. I've seen many talented people throw away many gigs just by having a negative attitude.

I'm not saying that any bass can be used on any gig. I'm just saying that there are so many genres out there, and every bass that I've owned, as different as they all have been, has served a certain genre perfectly.

I just wanted to throw this out there and ask that we can all respect each other's choices. There are 'common' arguments that we hear everyday. Not all of them apply to everyone. We are all different, and we should celebrate that fact--all the while show each other support. That supportive attitude may just carry over to the next gig, and may help you keep that gig, regardless of your gear.

Again, there is a place for every bass, and I'm aware of the importance of that. Showing up with the right gear may help one land a gig --but conviction, a positive, suppotive attitude and general people skills--coupled with talent and feel--are what will keep the gig.

I hope that this doesn't turn into a 'sterile coffee table basses ~vs~ uninspired drift wood' discussion--though I fear it will. Life goes on I guess.

spade2you · #10 09-02-2008, 02:42 PM

I'll agree that everything plays a role in how we sound. I think a big hangup with some TB members is the desire to convey opinions over fact and would rather win arguments/fights than inform people for the good of the cause.

Heh, kinda reminds me of my former guitard who would rather "win" the argument than to win the battle.

Fretlessboy · #11 09-02-2008, 02:48 PM

ps... I used to teach with this ( I am the one with the Daisy Bass) to cut the "Well f I had a ______________ I could play like you too.

Smallequestrian · #12 09-02-2008, 02:50 PM

I agree with most of your points, but honestly, I see threads like this and I don't understand the need for it. I don't think there is nearly enough negativity on TB for this to be that big of an issue. And no offense to you Nicky (You're one of the posters that I find myself noticing for "good" qualities), but I think you might be just a little to sensitive to what you are perceiving.

Any large size public forum is going to have it share of haters,trolls, newbs, etc...that will make you cringe at some point, but even when somebody disagrees with you, its not exactly like God or the Chuck Rainey is calling you out, its just not a big enough deal where it should matter what random putz says.

StarscreamG1 · #13 09-02-2008, 02:55 PM

Good comments! And I agree with it all. I don't know if what Im about to say falls into what you are saying but;

Maybe I am an odd one but when I am looking for a bass, I am more interested in how it feels in my hands (and yea ok some cosmetic issues like color does help to) and how I can play it over /its/ sound and its brand. Now thats not saying that I don't have my preferences in brands. I am die hard Peavey. They work for me and I will recommend them any day. Its interesting to recommend a Peavey and someone tries one and are shocked at how good they are and love them. And before they wouldn't give them a chance because of whats on the headstock. I have read comments here from people that won't give a Peavey (or some other brand) a chance because of the brand...thats just...WRONG and it goes into the this vs that mentality. I was guilty of it with Fender when I first joined here and I learned I was wrong.

The brand of the bass should mean nothing. Its what it does in the hands of the player that is the most important. Sure there are basses that are better suited for some sounds/styles then others but I think the majority of it rests on the player, not the brand of the bass.....

pointbass · #14 09-02-2008, 02:57 PM

Very little that is said here at TB upsets me .... probably because I'm old and have been playing for a very long time, so nothing new is cropping up here in terms of criticism. And playing primarily ERB's has made my skin even thicker.

I do agree that on a professional level, on the job nobody cares what bass I play as long as I do my job .... not the band mates, not the audience, not the owners. They only care about their own anticipated end result (mates= the band sounded good, audience= they had a good time, owners= they made money). I guarantee you that none of them care what the brain trust at TalkBass is talking about day in and day out.

So if someone here at TB wants to focus in mind-numbing detail about the perfect setting for a XXX pre-amp, or the ideal XXX head/cab rig, or the best way to run 18 pedals on one board, or even wax euphoric about the girl in their math class .... good for them

This is a community of bass players, some really great and some really bad, with the huge majority right in the middle .....

Fretlessboy · #15 09-02-2008, 03:20 PM

I think the key is to take it all with a grain of salt. I also think when you look at the number of posts daily, is it really a posability to not have some one tick you off? I get fired at a few times a week and that's honestly how I know I making a point... because some one dissagrees with it. Don't listen to me either, I amjust another opinion in the mix.

NickyBass · #16 09-02-2008, 06:09 PM

Fretless boy, I am in southern Jersey. The Medford/Marlton/Cherry Hill area. I think I saw you post in the Bass Specialties GTG thread. I wanted to make it so bad, but couldn't find the time. We should hit up Glenn for another....

btw, I think pink may be your color.

Smalleq, I'm not too affected by it. I generally don't take the opinions on TB too seriously. I'm just trying to spread around some love.

Pointbass, you are elequant as always. Thanks for the perspective.

Spade, I knew a guy who was always right. It was the oddest thing.

Actually, I think people just gave up because he didn't make any sense and it was pointless to argue with him. He was a vocalist, by the way.

LP75 · #17 09-02-2008, 06:40 PM

This board is like many others - you find plenty of useful information, and lots and lots of NOISE.

With the noise, you have all types. The type that irritates me the most isn't the "X - type of bass sucks" comments. Those are simple to ignore. But the ones that are probably responsible for the most unpleasant bickering are the ones who cannot discern an opinion from a criticism. If - in the course of a thread - I say: "I don't care for the X-brand basses" or "Artist Y's music never did much for me" it's an opinion - yet invariably the fans of those things then follow on with their indignation about how WRONG I am for not knowing what is great.

Learning to discern a non-offensive personal opinion about something from an attack on that something is a skill that many here have yet to learn. Look carefully the next time you see a flame war erupt, and see how often it's the intolerance of an opinion that fans the fire.

BurningSkies · #18 09-02-2008, 08:28 PM

If people didn't have opinions and didn't voice them this wouldn't be Talkbass. It would be Silentbass, and it would be pretty boring.

NickyBass · #19 09-03-2008, 05:33 AM

I don't have an issue with opinions. I respect everyone's opinion, and welcome them. I just think that people could have a bit more respect toward fellow bassists.

Honestly, though, it isn't something that I'm losing sleep over. I just thought that a discussion about a positive attitude and how it relates to the community as a whole would be an intersting topic.

lamarjones · #20 09-03-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyBass

I respect everyone's opinion, and welcome them.

and then you need to toss them aside like sweaty underwear. Other people's opinion should only mold your thoughts a little bit about what you think you like or don't, and the rest should be what you KNOW about yourself.

That will lead you to a good bass choice. Desire is a whole different ball game regarding self control.