Simplicity is the Key?

[honestjohnny]

Lately, I've been reading and posting on the TB Forums, which is cool. I've learned a great deal about bass gear and the different approaches and techniques. The summary of technique is to play the way I play, "borrow" from styles that I like and go with what works for me, e.g. pick, slap, tap, etc.

The gear front has been not so good. I have read about a lot of things and have achieved a sort of "paralysis of analysis." Beaming, comb filtering, sensitivity, watts, volts, speaker mass, I now think about these things constantly when playing. Short scale, long scale, extra long, J vs.P vs. PJ vs. MM, versus ? And so much of it seems to be aesthetics.

Last night, I jammed at my friend's house with an Alvarez MSB1 bass with a built in iCoustic speaker and amp. Tuned up, turned on, and played. Tone was fine (I moved my plucking hand around to achieve different tones with the piezo and roundwound strings), could have been louder, but kept up just fine. I had a blast. So I'm wondering if all the worry about tone and amps, pickups, etc is just wasted time that could have been spent playing? Back in the day, you got a bass (upright or guitar) and used an amp with a big speaker (or a bunch of speakers) and played. I wonder what we've lost to demographical marketing and "boutique" snobbishness?

Personally, I plan to simplify and be happy with good enough.

Sorry for the ramble.

[Basshole]

I think you're on the right track. Keep it honest, John.

[crazyguy832]

The Player
9/10 practice
1/10 gear

Time spent
1/10 practice
9/10 gear

I think that pretty much sums most people up.

[Deacon_Blues]

I honestly don't care too much about the equipment, as long as the sound is somewhat OK and loud enough, the playability is OK, the equipment isn't a hell to carry, the groove is on and I have fun.

That said, it's very good to have some knowledge about the gear and sound engineering in general, just like music theory knowledge is helpful in many senses. It's not required to play good music, but it is helpful to know something about.

[The Golden Boy]

I used to spend a lot of time (and money) evaluating gear. I think once I figured out what works for me, not what works for other people (or what they think works for them ) I could get closer into what I "heard" in my head.

Although I did own a Squier P back in the 80s, I was not cool with having a Fender bass. Maybe it was just to be different or some doofy reason. I had a couple of Gibsons, a Rick, Ibanez... When I finally played a good Jazz- there was the sound I was looking for. Duh.

As far as amps- everybody and their mom will tell you that 'tube amps are best,' and 'solid state amps are for beginners.' It's hard to climb out of that mindset. Once you start evaluating quality amps, you find what best relates the sound you're trying to achieve. I initially was using SS amps because they were inexpensive and available. The tube amps I used and tried never gave me the sound I was looking for. It was hard to admit that a 20 year old SS amp sounded better to me than any tube head I'd had my dirty paws on.

I don't think I'm completely "done." But I'm not exactly out looking, like I used to.

[GeoffByrne]

You could change bass & amp every song/number and 97% of the audience wouldn't notice.

[baba]

Originally Posted by honestjohnny

Personally, I plan to simplify and be happy with good enough.

And you'll be a better bass player by it. You have seen the light.

[sb69coupe]

Originally Posted by honestjohnny

... Tuned up, turned on, and played. Tone was fine .... I had a blast. So I'm wondering if all the worry about tone and amps, pickups, etc is just wasted time that could have been spent playing?

Personally, I plan to simplify and be happy with good enough.

Now you're getting it. When I sit in on someone elses rig, I still sound like "me". Find a setup that you like and stick with it, don't end up like so many guys who spend more time tone-chasing and never take the time to practice.

Step away from the computer and PLAY YER D@#N BASS