Bass(ist) prejudice?

Jack017 · #1 06-20-2009, 10:35 PM

so when I woke up this morning I turned on the tv and started watching a music show.
after 3 or 4 songs i noticed that every bass player was playing a Thunderbird using a pick.
Next song-Precision Bass, using a pick
and then back to a thunderbird again.

Rick, with a pick.
Finally, a Thunderbird

I'm not sure why, but i found myself groaning everytime i saw a bass-player using a pick, even more so when they were using a Thunderbird

Their playing was what i guess you could call "tasteful" but at the time it just aggravated me, all they were doing was following the guitarist.

it seemed as if there was a "bassist formula"

anyways, I realise what i'm saying is kinda dumb and way out of line.
what do you guys think?
have you noticed it too?
does it bother you?

PS. i have nothing against using a pick or any of the guitars mentioned.

mjwhit · #2 06-20-2009, 10:39 PM

Its just what people expect to see so thats what the producer or director or whoever makes happen.

Ill bet those players were playing through an ampeg 810 in those videos.

Stickk · #3 06-20-2009, 10:46 PM

There's generally a few good music videos with cool bass playing. Hate this band, but check out the bass around 2:29:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I4qP0u8lQ.

T-Bird · #4 06-21-2009, 02:19 AM

Hi.

In popular music:

Thunderbirds are "in" at the moment.

Playing with a pick is "in" at the moment.

Good/bad?

Who cares?

Regards
Sam

jdieh1 · #5 06-21-2009, 05:35 AM

This is popular music. People will play what is popular and what will appeal to a large audience... That is all.

Also, you got a bone to pick with us guys who play Thunderbrids with picks, eh

?

René_Julien · #6 06-21-2009, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjwhit

Its just what people expect to see so thats what the producer or director or whoever makes happen.

Ill bet those players were playing through an ampeg 810 in those videos.

HA!

Yup, so true.

In most music videos I see around here the shots where the band is performing 99% of the time you see an Ampeg SVT CL + 810.
And 99% I see the guitarists "rig" next to it wich is usually a small combo, usually a Fender.

I have nothing against Ampeg SVT rigs, but it kinda annoys me when other musicans assume that there are only two types of bassists:
A) bassists that own an Ampeg SVT
B) bassists that aspire to own an Ampeg SVT

My guitarist sometimes brings it up: wouldn't you like to own an SVT?
I say: NO!

Good rigs, but just not for me.

In all fairness I am guilty of prejudice the other way around.

Also toward my guitarist:
"now, a Mesa Boogie triple rectifier fullstack behind you, wouldn't that be your dream?"
Than he

at me too.
(Or maybe he is aggrevated that he can't afford one.

)

jdieh1 · #7 06-21-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

HA!

Yup, so true.

In most music videos I see around here the shots where the band is performing 99% of the time you see an Ampeg SVT CL + 810.
And 99% I see the guitarists "rig" next to it wich is usually a small combo, usually a Fender.

I have nothing against Ampeg SVT rigs, but it kinda annoys me when other musicans assume that there are only two types of bassists:
A) bassists that own an Ampeg SVT
B) bassists that aspire to own an Ampeg SVT

My guitarist sometimes brings it up: wouldn't you like to own an SVT?
I say: NO!

Good rigs, but just not for me.

In all fairness I am guilty of prejudice the other way around.

Also toward my guitarist:
"now, a Mesa Boogie triple rectifier fullstack behind you, wouldn't that be your dream?"
Than he

at me too.
(Or maybe he is aggrevated that he can't afford one.

)

Haha. Maybe. I do this to poor guitarists as well.

RustyAxe · #8 06-21-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack017

I'm not sure why, but i found myself groaning everytime i saw a bass-player using a pick, even more so when they were using a Thunderbird

PS. i have nothing against using a pick or any of the guitars mentioned.

Seems rather contradictory, don't ya think? I'd be more put off by a bassist following the guitar player than I would be by the use of pick or particular instrument.

rapturebass · #9 06-21-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stickk

There's generally a few good music videos with cool bass playing. Hate this band, but check out the bass around 2:29:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I4qP0u8lQ.

+1 Love this band.

RustyAxe · #10 06-21-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

My guitarist sometimes brings it up: wouldn't you like to own an SVT?

Sure, if you'll load it in and out for me. While we're at it, why not get one of those 810 cabs, too?

winterburn69 · #11 06-21-2009, 06:40 AM

Thunderbirds are in? Explain.

AndrewSixx07032 · #12 06-21-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stickk

There's generally a few good music videos with cool bass playing. Hate this band, but check out the bass around 2:29:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I4qP0u8lQ.

I'll see you and raise you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vdJvHE8qxA

Some really cool bass effects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxZWvhGE7CM

azureblue · #13 06-21-2009, 10:18 AM

Dude- it's about the music, not the gear....

xgator4u · #14 06-26-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winterburn69

Thunderbirds are in? Explain.

Well, last year it was P-basses, with bumper stickers, before that Ibanez... who knows what is next, or who it is that determines the " trendy" instruments. Same way no one seems to know who determines fashions.

popinfresh · #15 06-26-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack017

so when I woke up this morning I turned on the tv and started watching a music show.
after 3 or 4 songs i noticed that every bass player was playing a Thunderbird using a pick.
Next song-Precision Bass, using a pick
and then back to a thunderbird again.

Rick, with a pick.
Finally, a Thunderbird

I'm not sure why, but i found myself groaning everytime i saw a bass-player using a pick, even more so when they were using a Thunderbird

Their playing was what i guess you could call "tasteful" but at the time it just aggravated me, all they were doing was following the guitarist.

it seemed as if there was a "bassist formula"

anyways, I realise what i'm saying is kinda dumb and way out of line.
what do you guys think?
have you noticed it too?
does it bother you?

PS. i have nothing against using a pick or any of the guitars mentioned.

Why do most virtuoso/solo artist/TB'ers (

) use high end/boutique gear?

That erks me TBH. The sound of a Fodera through an Accugroove is completely boring. The sound of Spectors etc through a 'clean' sounding amp pierces my ears.

Why does every bassist who thinks they're any good have to slap over the top?

Yadda yadda yadda. Were most of the bands you were watching playing rock music? I can't imagine going to a jazz or solo bassist show seeing them play a T-Bird with a pick through a fridge.
After playing for six + years, for me, it's tube amp overdriven, solid sealed cab (was using a Bergie because of weight/size over an Ampeg), a pick most of the time and a Sterling or P bass. Cliche? Yes, fit the sound I need? Yes.

In conclusion, get over it.

popinfresh · #16 06-26-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgator4u

Well, last year it was P-basses, with bumper stickers, before that Ibanez... who knows what is next, or who it is that determines the " trendy" instruments. Same way no one seems to know who determines fashions.

Just like Sadowsky's are a fad on TB, before that it was Lakland?, Warwicks were big at one stage.

Let's try amps. EA? Where'd they go? Thunderfunk? So many people here jump on the latest craze and *have* to have the latest brand or trend.

PS. Not directed at you personally, just the attitude here with a lot of people.

popinfresh · #17 06-26-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewSixx07032

I'll see you and raise you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vdJvHE8qxA

Really?

I used to love that video when I first got into bass and saw him slapping/tapping a million miles an hour, then I actually listened to it.

The work in the PTH song is much more musical than that video (especially his brother on guitar

). IMO, YMMV etc etc

GearHeadBassMan · #18 06-26-2009, 07:31 PM

more protest. how can you mention arif without his antics in this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypCdGNe3Bvs

Stickk · #19 06-26-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

more protest. how can you mention arif without his antics in this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypCdGNe3Bvs

Yep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qaur9UcUUs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FMoI...eature=related

xchristopherx · #20 06-26-2009, 07:37 PM

I agree with most of the things popinfresh had to say. I think SVT/810 and a Fender ARE popular because they sound great for any kind of edgy rock music.

And in my opinion, 810s aren't that heavy, I've carried mine up and down fire escapes alone. Svt is in a road case. And I don't mind the extra effort to get the sound I want.