When does a bass stop becoming a bass ?

[GM60466]

The Jacks did it.
Jack Bruce and Jack Casady around the early part of 1966. They proved that 4 strings were enough

[stepswork4me]

Some of these folks are like the Westboro Baptists of bass.... God Hates More Than 4 Strings!

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by Kmonk

I don't see any reason for more than 5 strings.

Your point?

[Solarmist]

Since the 70's; the 4 string bass has evolved past that into the extended range category not to mention the addition of active electronics. Just look at all the options, and possibilities we have now! While I don't need anything more than a 5 string, many people do, and I think that's fantastic. Companies like Stambaugh, Benavente, and Jerzy Drozd are putting out works of art with 10+ strings. These are indeed basses.

Look what's happened with electric guitars - now we have 8 strings. They are still guitars ... right(?)

So when is a bass not a bass? When it's Salmon

[john m]

Originally Posted by Kmonk

I don't see any reason for more than 5 strings.

Maybe "glasses" would help.

[Jason Brown]

A bass becomes something completely different if you take away the B.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Jason Brown

A bass becomes something completely different if you take away the B.

[mcm]

When it's more than 4 strings

[stepswork4me]

Originally Posted by mcm

When it's more than 4 strings

REALLY?








REALLY?!?!?

[dorknowitzki]

sub'd!

[FrenchBassQC]

Originally Posted by 3234718

Once it's cooked


Oooh! (ala Andrew Dice Clay)

Not true. it's only when it's eatin....

[FrenchBassQC]

Originally Posted by Chef

" When does a bass stop becoming a bass ? "

When it turns into my ex-mother in law.
Man, I hate it when that happens.

I know, it ruins the supper and everybody has to leave....

[M.R. Ogle]

How about, when the instrument (by whatever design changes) simply can no longer produce the low-frequency range sounds "traditionally" attributed to the bass?

For the player, I think one stops becoming a bassist when he/she stops contributing those low-frequency parts altogether. Venturing up into the guitarist's range, or lowering into the key-synths range is okay (ERB guys, relax!). but you gotta still bring the thump back to the music to be a BASS-ist.

EDIT: There's no real good answer to this question, only responding for fun discussion.

[thesearchbass98]

A bass will always be a bass i think what your trying to get at is when does a bass stop becoming a rhythm instrument.

[petrus61]

I think it's all about occupying a certain sonic territory. If it pushes air, and fills out the bottom end, it's operating as a bass. The same way a tuba is often the bass instrument in New Orleans style jazz. It goes the opposite way too these days, with bass instruments stepping out of the confines of their respective frequencies (Stanley Clarke on piccolo, all those Conklin 87 string "basses"). In music, instruments serve certain functions toward a song. Many solo guitar renditions have a bass line that is played under the more melodic parts, but all on the same guitar. In that case, the guitar is providing the bass role. I think when you look at it like that, a bass never stops being a bass. I think a more appropriate question would be 'When do other instruments stop being what they are and become a bass'?

[hgiles]

...When you need a second bass player.

[DeMayunn]

If the room isn't shaking, if your heart isnt racing with every THUMP THUMP, driving you crazy, moving you around and making you enjoy everything so much more, its no longer a bass.

[adk teleman]

For me, I prefer a 4 string. I do tune to D instead of E. Some guys seem to have issues with that just as some have issues with a bass that has more than 4 strings. Who cares! Just play and love your instrument!

[tmdazed]

usually when I pick one up to play it , then it becomes a mangled mess of bad sound

[darkstorm]

In the 70 bass players like Chriss Squire and John Entwistle put bass more in its proper place. As a complete musical instrument. Those who think bass has to conform the very small box of "traditional basses role" are idiots imo. lol.