Why are bass players such techies?

mastershake · #1 05-21-2011, 07:07 PM

I dont know if just me but i never really see this quality in other musician. are we bass players just inherent audiophiless?

s_mcsleazy · #2 05-21-2011, 07:08 PM

i think its because we have to do alot more reserch on how to get the sound we want and it snowballs from there.

theundecidedone · #3 05-21-2011, 07:22 PM

I hadn't really thought about that... but its SO TRUE!!

Apt403 · #4 05-21-2011, 07:26 PM

A guitar can play through a phone's ear piece and sound alright (Kinda like a low quality version of boosting the treble and cutting everything else...). Finding the right amp for that elusive low C#? You better have multiple degrees in physics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and maybe materials science thrown in for good measure.

mpdd · #5 05-21-2011, 09:27 PM

i think it's because i can easily get a good sound out of a 100 dollar amp, a 12 dollar pedal, and a 200 dollar guitar

tanner · #6 05-21-2011, 09:28 PM

most definitely, the majority of the time i see a bassist who's obviously a noob (yet still playing on a professional level) its because he was "relegated" to that position (i.e. was a third guitarist and forced to switch) or they started playing bass because their friends band needed one and it looked easy. Maybe this is just me but i feel like especially in metal genres the bassist is either a real whiz at his instrument or a real beginner, theres almost no in between ground.

Downunderwonder · #7 05-21-2011, 11:19 PM

There does seem to be a "bass player" character trait. You read everyones posts and get the picture that we're all alike, even though we're not, if you get what I mean. It doesn't surprise me that bassists get themselves involved in holding down the electrical works as well as the bass.

Ron Plichta · #8 05-22-2011, 08:38 AM

I beg to differ. I'm a former guitarist and I recall the litany of pickups, effects pedals and amp combinations that went into getting "my" sound. Ask most guitarists about the Ibanez Tube Screamer and you'll get a long explanation on which era and mods were best to get SRV's tone. Check out Weber speakers and their "doping" process.

The big difference between "us" and "them" is really in the amplification process. The boutique manufacturers seem to be basing their amps on the early Fender or Marshall designs, whereas Class D amplification and lighter weight rigs are our thing. The difference in instruments is really just a matter of active vs. passive since very few guitars use preamps.

**VincentSalizeri** · #9 05-22-2011, 08:49 AM

To me, it seems that most of all the technical knowledge comes from the difficulties associated with making low frequency sounds.

Floyd Eye · #10 05-22-2011, 08:51 AM

It's also because we have to spend so much damn money on strings we are forced to do our own repairs and set-ups. lol

steveksux · #11 05-22-2011, 09:05 AM

Somebody's got to do it.

If not for us and our technical expertise to guide them, guitar players would try to plug their dick into a light socket.

Randy

Floyd Eye · #12 05-22-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Somebody's got to do it.

If not for us and our technical expertise to guide them, guitar players would try to plug their dick into a light socket.

Randy

This is true. Somehow I got saddled with all tech duties for my band. Luckily for me I kinda enjoy it.

Phendyr_Loon · #13 05-22-2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Somebody's got to do it.

If not for us and our technical expertise to guide them, guitar players would try to plug their dick into a light socket.

Randy

Ahhhhhhh Haaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaa!

I almost choked on my beer!

But in most cases so true.

Oh, and sigged.

Mike M. · #14 05-22-2011, 09:36 AM

I was the one always given the chore of making speaker cabinets! I've made monitor cabinets, two huge bass bins (there was a lot involoved with those) and quite a few others. I'm not a carpenter by trade either, just took my time and did it right.

fokof · #15 05-22-2011, 09:45 AM

I don't agree.

Guitar players a keyboard players are waaaayyyyyyy more techies than most bass players I know.
98% of bass players I've met was: a bass , a cord , a DI , an amp , thank you. While guitarists were all about changing the tranfos in amp , moding pedals , keys players had all the latest sequencer/computer etc....

The drummer are more often than not lower in tha food chain.

In the same vein I have to admit that I know a lot of bass players who became very good soundmens and I think it's part of the role of bass in music in general. Since we have a backseat , we can have a better view of the 'over all' picture where gtr and vox are more concentrated on the looks or the chops.

Beersurgeon · #16 05-22-2011, 10:02 AM

I agree!!!!

Not only I'm a particular about my tone, I'm the one with the mixer, the keyboard, the drum machine, the DAW. I can MacGyver an amp with an apple and a bong and make it work better than ever for the night. Who has extra guitard strings, I do... Cuz he doesn't. I have learned from his mistakes...

As I saw the tag on the board, I thought I was the only one. As we set up, I'm the one thinking, how are we going to get the best sound tonight? I feel I think about it more than the other guys.

Then I look over to see a couple guys trying to hump the wall

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

If not for us and our technical expertise to guide them, guitar players would try to plug their dick into a light socket.

Metal Bassist · #17 05-22-2011, 10:02 AM

Is it just me or do a load of bass players turn to keys as well, Look at Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, myself and probably tonnes more.

iPie · #18 05-22-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beersurgeon

Who has extra guitard strings, I do... Cuz he doesn't. I have learned from his mistakes...

OMG ME TOO. last gig i played the lead guitar needed a new set of strings in the morning, so i gave him some, he broke them, i gave him another set, then just before we went on rhythm player broke his string :P guess its a good thing i had 3 sets of strings for them!

Floyd Eye · #19 05-22-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPie

OMG ME TOO. last gig i played the lead guitar needed a new set of strings in the morning, so i gave him some, he broke them, i gave him another set, then just before we went on rhythm player broke his string :P guess its a good thing i had 3 sets of strings for them!

Me three. More than once I have saved the day by being prepared, knowing full well that my guitarist breaks strings every time he plays. lol

I have 3 or 4 extra sets of guitar strings in my bag. 1 spare set of Blue Steels for me, which I never need.

mboogiemanusa · #20 05-22-2011, 10:17 AM

In my band now I would say that everyone is about equally tech savvy. This is because we are all older and most of the band work in technology jobs during the day. Your observation was probably true back in my happy garage band days when I play bassed and provided all the PA gear and home recording equipment.