Pick vs fingers

TheGreatSealof · #1 07-10-2011, 08:42 PM

About four months ago I replaced the stock pups on my Ibanez SG300 with Bartolini MK4 pups.

I installed Rotosound 77 flats. I am a beginer. I have been learning as a finger plucker (I'm not sure if this is the correct term). I have a P-bass and Jaguar. Fngering sounds great.

The Ibanez sounds muddy with fingers no matter how I tweak EQ. I had an epiphany and tried a pick. What a difference! I have discovered that my Ibanez with MK4's likes a pick! The whole tonal sound is completely different. The pick (plectrum), produces a heavy bass tone with unbeliveable clarity.

I prefer the finger sound of Motown on my other instruments, but I have learned that my Ibanez is more compatible with a modern sound. (duh)

Am I wrong or is the Ibanez MK4 more suited to a pick?

Fretless1! · #2 07-10-2011, 08:44 PM

If it makes a sound you like, you're doing it right.

IronLung1986 · #3 07-10-2011, 09:09 PM

it's true that basses "like" and "dislike" being played certain ways. it's hard to explain or justify, but it adds to the whole mystery of music and instruments. i have a warwick bass that sounds amazing fingerstyle but just OK with a pick, and a rick 4003 which is the complete opposite. i use my P bass for most situations now because it sounds great with fingers or a pick, and i like playing both ways. luckily you have a variety of basses so you can just pick one depending on what you feel like playing.

one thing to keep in mind is that basses are going to sound different in a band context than they do by themselves. even experienced players are often surprised at how a particular bass "sits in the mix". a P bass doesn't sound like anything too special on its own, but when you play it with a band you learn what all the hype is about. this would be an important consideration before writing off one of your basses or relegating it to a certain task.

SGD Lutherie · #4 07-10-2011, 10:09 PM

Some basses and pickups work better with certain strings too. The Ibanez might need round wounds with those pickups.

I have a '73 Rickenbacker that had Hi-A pickups, which was the original name for Bartolini. It sounded god with certain brands of round wounds, and not others. For example, GHS Boomers made it sound too mid heavy, but it sounded great with GHS bassics.

So don't get stuck on one type of string if that doesn't work with that bass/pickup combination.

I also play both with a pick or fingers depending on the tone I want, and on the particular piece of music. Some stuff just works better with a pick.

cmlax21 · #5 07-10-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatSealof

Fingering sounds great.

That's what she said.

Gear_Junky · #6 07-10-2011, 10:23 PM

wow, you're pretty articulate for a beginner then! when i was a beginner i usually rolled off the tone knob 100% and boosted the "Low" on my amp, while lowering the Hi and Med - thinking that's the way to get the best sound. It took me longer than you to figure that out

SGD Lutherie · #7 07-10-2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gear_Junky

wow, you're pretty articulate for a beginner then! when i was a beginner i usually rolled off the tone knob 100% and boosted the "Low" on my amp, while lowering the Hi and Med - thinking that's the way to get the best sound.

I've seen people who have been playing a while doing that still, and they think it's a vintage tone (it's not), and wonder why no one can hear them!

Bass players started using a brighter tone about the same time bass was no longer relegated to a background instrument. Bass used to be a vague thump, but now we get to be heard. Doesn't help when you remove most of the signal though.

allexcosta · #8 07-10-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gear_Junky

wow, you're pretty articulate for a beginner then! when i was a beginner i usually rolled off the tone knob 100% and boosted the "Low" on my amp, while lowering the Hi and Med - thinking that's the way to get the best sound. It took me longer than you to figure that out

That's below "beginner".

bassgod0dmw · #9 07-11-2011, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretless1!

If it makes a sound you like, you're doing it right.

Exactly.

Finger, pick? Who cares. Use whatever gets you the sound you're after. I'm probably 80% pick / 20% fingers these days...

Gear_Junky · #10 07-11-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

That's below "beginner".

So, how long does one have to play to graduate to "beginner"? How long after the beginning?

TheGreatSealof · #11 07-11-2011, 07:55 PM

Wow! Amazing feedback. I love this site! Thanks to all for the info. Looking forward to learning more about my instruments. Each has it's own personallity.

RBX4 · #12 07-11-2011, 09:36 PM

Dunlop big stubbys

254 stringer · #13 07-11-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBX4

Dunlop big stubbys

I used to use those too I didn't even know they still made them I need to get out more. I use fingers most of the time but when I pick I use the pick of destiny. I got them off of ebay and used one when i didn't have a different pick laying around one day and for some reason i really liked the shape.