It's not about the gear...

[Clef_de_fa]

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

I have to say in some cases I'm not so sure about their gear. I remember in 2010 when Victor Wooten gave a clinic in Rotterdam, Holland, he said in a interview that Fodera has the sound he wants. But didn't he play Alembic basses long before Fodera exist? And if Fodera didn't exist at all, what ''would have his sound then'' ?

With that part ... it fits with what I think when people says it is all in the hand. No. Play a different bass and it will sound different. Sure you can recognize him by the playing, note choice and technic used but the sound coming out of the amp will be different.

[topo morto]

It is, of course, always partly about the gear.

There are a couple of ways this can work.

1) you just want to make some music, but are happy for the characteristics/limitations of the gear to push you in a certain direction. That can often be cool, but it is 'about the gear', because the gear affects the final sound.

2) You want to make a particular sound. In this case you must have a piece of gear that makes that sound, and know how to get that sound out of it.

Most people do both.

[SquierJazz72]

Come on, the Squier Affinities aren't that bad... or are they?

They're not that bad. I have two. My Jazz bass and a strat. Love them both. Very few mods to either, and they both sound and play well.

I've been looking at P basses too. Compared to a more expensive Squier VM, and even a Mexican standard, the Affinity P is just as solid feeling and well set-up, right off the wall.

There are often minor flaws in fit and finish which keep them from looking quite as nice as the more expensive versions. And the electronics are cheaper. But I have found new pots and tone cap can improve even the stock pickups a great deal.

Overall, they're good for what they are, and with even just a little work, can be turned into something quite good.

[Geroi Asfalta]

For some reason I think squier affinities have the best fretwork....every affinity I've owned I've been able to dial in the action butt-hair low.

[SquierJazz72]

Never had trouble with the fretwork on mine either. No bad spots, no sharp or unfinished edges. I don't have super low action on mine simply because it's not my preference, not because the instruments can't go lower. Overall, I think the Affinities are great values if you want something backed by Fender, but are on a budget, or just starting out.

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by Clef_de_fa

With that part ... it fits with what I think when people says it is all in the hand. No. Play a different bass and it will sound different. Sure you can recognize him by the playing, note choice and technic used but the sound coming out of the amp will be different.

Everything can make his sound different : Strings, pickups, preamp, bass, amp and so on.

Now a serious question for you (so no trolling) : How do you look at players who use high end basses such as Marleaux, Alembic, Pedulla, Fodera, FBass, Zon, Warwick, etc, etc.

Do you think they really ''need'' the bass for the kind of players they are?

[Clef_de_fa]

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Everything can make his sound different : Strings, pickups, preamp, bass, amp and so on.

Now a serious question for you (so no trolling) : How do you look at players who use high end basses such as Marleaux, Alembic, Pedulla, Fodera, FBass, Zon, Warwick, etc, etc.

Do you think they really ''need'' the bass for the kind of players they are?

Yes I do think the Fodera Victor Wooten uses help him pull off every technics he can think of because of the ease of playing and the consistency of the notes all across the fingerboard.

I also think Micheal Manring would have a hard time pulling off his music without his Zon Hyperbass.

You can ask yourself why those big name doesn't play a Fender or any other Fender clone. They doesn't offert what they are looking for. Be it 6 strings bass, piezo bridge, multi-tuning, 24 frets, pickup different than J and P, active, better access to the last fret, better consistency accross the neck, a set up that a Fender couldn't ever match because of the way they are constructed etc etc etc. You know since a SX can be as good as a Fodera after a setup ... Victor, Anthony, Stanley, Micheal, Marcus and Steve could have same so much money ...

Fender or any other mass manufactued bass isn't always the solution. Everytime I see a Fender or other mass manufactured bass they play rock, funk, reggea or any other kind of mainstream stuff that anybody could play with some practice. When I see costum bass it is always in jazz fusion or solo artist or in extrem technical death metal band. So I think those basses offer them the opportunity of playing at their best, not be a burden, not held them back in their technical wizardry or any other creative ideas they may get.

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by Clef_de_fa

Yes I do think the Fodera Victor Wooten uses help him pull off every technics he can think of because of the ease of playing and the consistency of the notes all across the fingerboard.

I also think Micheal Manring would have a hard time pulling off his music without his Zon Hyperbass.

You can ask yourself why those big name doesn't play a Fender or any other Fender clone. They doesn't offert what they are looking for. Be it 6 strings bass, piezo bridge, multi-tuning, 24 frets, pickup different than J and P, active, better access to the last fret, better consistency accross the neck, a set up that a Fender couldn't ever match because of the way they are constructed etc etc etc. You know since a SX can be as good as a Fodera after a setup ... Victor, Anthony, Stanley, Micheal, Marcus and Steve could have same so much money ...

Fender or any other mass manufactued bass isn't always the solution. Everytime I see a Fender or other mass manufactured bass they play rock, funk, reggea or any other kind of mainstream stuff that anybody could play with some practice. When I see costum bass it is always in jazz fusion or solo artist or in extrem technical death metal band. So I think those basses offer them the opportunity of playing at their best, not be a burden, not held them back in their technical wizardry or any other creative ideas they may get.

Nice story!

Yeah for some people it might work really well and indeed, Fender doesn't solve it all. Strangely enough, I always see people walking to the Fenders in any music store I visite. There are also Sandberg basses, Yamaha TRB's, Spector Rebops, Ibanez SR Premium, Prestige and BTB basses.

Then I'm wondering ''What's so special about Fender that people react like it's the only brand in the world.''

Yes a Fender sounds and plays like a Fender. A Ibanez plays and feels like a Ibanez and the list goes on and on.

But if you just pick a couple of basses and play them, then make a desicion of what you want.

If I visite a music store, I don't even look at Fender, cause there is much more and much better around!

[abstractart06]

I will never forget a show I caught in St. Louis in my youth. Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers were the headliners. He came on and played some of the dirtiest, low down Blues on a cheap imported guitar, that I couldn't identify. The sound he got from that instrument was pure magic. It was raw, distorted, and you could tell that he was loving every minute.

His showmanship was phenomenal. It was not his equipment, it was his emotion that stole the show that night. He did not need a high end instrument. He played what was in his soul.

[petrus61]

You get what you pay for and sometimes it's more than you bargain for.

[millsbass5]

It all comes down to what feels good to you as a player. Check my profile. I've got some pretty nice stuff. And what bass do I drag to the gig the most of the time? My 17 year old Carvin. BUT, it plays every bit as good as anything else I have.

[gearhead1972]

Originally Posted by faulknersj

A great player can make a run of the mill bass sound great. The best bass in the world will not make a mediocre player sound great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9v5e1TTwts

[carlthegroover]

Originally Posted by millsbass5

It all comes down to what feels good to you as a player. Check my profile. I've got some pretty nice stuff. And what bass do I drag to the gig the most of the time? My 17 year old Carvin. BUT, it plays every bit as good as anything else I have.

Just as a guitarist I know said to me today: he had a $300 Epiphone SG and a $1,400 guitar (I can't remember the brand, but it's kind of a high-end instrument). He ended up selling the $1,400 guitar (while keeping the SG) because, to him at least, it played and sounded no differently to his Epiphone, and the Epiphone seemed just as well built (and lighter on top).

To each their own, but sometimes someone does find a nice instrument within the cheapos and starters.

[carlthegroover]

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

They're not that bad. I have two. My Jazz bass and a strat. Love them both. Very few mods to either, and they both sound and play well.

I've been looking at P basses too. Compared to a more expensive Squier VM, and even a Mexican standard, the Affinity P is just as solid feeling and well set-up, right off the wall.

There are often minor flaws in fit and finish which keep them from looking quite as nice as the more expensive versions. And the electronics are cheaper. But I have found new pots and tone cap can improve even the stock pickups a great deal.

Overall, they're good for what they are, and with even just a little work, can be turned into something quite good.

Sounds reasonable. The CV I had, on top of being gorgeous, did sound and played pretty good, almost right off the shelf. I wonder how good it would have been with some mods.

I didn't keep it, though, because I moved back to my home country recently (taking my first bass with me, a MIM Fender Standard Jazz), and because I didn't like the pickup placement too much. And I prefer the sound of a standard Precision.

[duff beer]

Originally Posted by BayStateBass

Well, to me, it's kinda like this;

Buy the best you can afford and learn to use it.

I agree that just buying nice stuff doesn't make you any better of a player, however I also think that better equipment helps you get the most out of your ability.

You will enjoy the sound and features more, so you will probably practice more. And you'll practice more so you'll get better.

I can afford to drop $10k on a bass if I feel like it, but I'm not about to. Value for the dollar is my motto. My $180 Squier Jazz sounds great (I replaced the stock pickups for $90), and in fact, my bass teacher told me it sounds better than his original 1962 Fender Jazz. I only bought it as a backup, and it's now my favourite. My Fender Precision hasn't been touched in over a year.

[Melonthief]

Originally Posted by duff beer

I can afford to drop $10k on a bass if I feel like it, but I'm not about to. Value for the dollar is my motto. My $180 Squier Jazz sounds great (I replaced the stock pickups for $90), and in fact, my bass teacher told me it sounds better than his original 1962 Fender Jazz. I only bought it as a backup, and it's now my favourite. My Fender Precision hasn't been touched in over a year.

Hey could I borrow $20?

[NYCbassist]

You're right it's not about the gear. After 33 years and I still suck on the Ric, The Jaguar & The bullet. Maybe tomorrow I'll remember how to play again. Some days you just don't got it.

[lowsideonacurve]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

You're right it's not about the gear. After 33 years and I still suck on the Ric, The Jaguar & The bullet. Maybe tomorrow I'll remember how to play again. Some days you just don't got it.

I can relate.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by lowsideonacurve

I can relate.

Lol. Thank God it's only once in a while.

[beggar98]

While it is absolutely true that a great player will still sound great on an average bass, I think the same great player will sound better on a nicer instrument.

Wooten says you should never let your technical limitations get in the way of what you want to say musically. I would extend that to say you should never let your instruments limitations get in the way of your technique.