When does a bass stop becoming a bass ?

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by Blue_Whistle88

Yea, but posting pejorative comments and posting useless information aren't the same thing. Insults are moderated here but spam information isn't. People are allowed to write whatever they want here as long as it relates to bass playing, but the bigger problem that stems from that is that people spend too much time worrying and talking about things like this, that aren't real problems.

Then perhaps you should stop wasting your time here.

[coda]

I appreciate the many comments and as stated its a very subjective/objective question. I own many 4 string basses, including a 6 string and 8 string bass. But I find for me, I lose my feeling of the groove after 4 strings and take on a more rhythm groove (chords) after the 5th string instrument. I applaud all those how injected their useful personal thoughts and apologize to those who felt this was a ridiculous question. Rock on brother...

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by coda

I appreciate the many comments and as stated its a very subjective/objective question. I own many 4 string basses, including a 6 string and 8 string bass. But I find for me, I lose my feeling of the groove after 4 strings and take on a more rhythm groove (chords) after the 5th string instrument. I applaud all those how injected their useful personal thoughts and apologize to those who felt this was a ridiculous question. Rock on brother...

Why is that? Are you not yourself when playing different basses?

I tend to be roughly the same on any of my basses. I usually bring my 6 and 7 with me because I don't feel like also lugging around a few other basses like my 4s and 5s.

[bikeplate]

When your guitar player friend picks it up and try's to play bass!

[stepswork4me]

Originally Posted by coda

I appreciate the many comments and as stated its a very subjective/objective question. I own many 4 string basses, including a 6 string and 8 string bass. But I find for me, I lose my feeling of the groove after 4 strings and take on a more rhythm groove (chords) after the 5th string instrument. I applaud all those how injected their useful personal thoughts and apologize to those who felt this was a ridiculous question. Rock on brother...

Please don't apologize for me or insinuate that it deserves apology. That is worse arrogance than saying a bass stops being a bass if it isn't played traditionally and that a player that moves above the 7th fret should get a guitar.

[capnjagg]

When it's broken.

[BobaFret]

I find playing bass to be a state of mind. It's way more about 'how' you play, than 'what' you are playing on.

[bluesblaster]

Technically I suppose it can have as many strings as you want so long as it still has the traditional E-A-D-G in there somewhere. For the life of me dont know how you get around on some of these extended range instuments, unless you have freakishly large hands, but to each there own I guess. Seems like it would just be easier to play the piano. Personally, I've just gone back to the plain jane 4 string. I feel no need to break sonic barriers with the bass, just put out a decent groove and go with it, that concept seemed to work pretty well for a lot of years.

[affprod]

I love this thread...and the fact it has continued for years shows interest.

I love it because I had the same question. As a four string player who started in 65, I am an opinionated, crusty, old fart. Hey, I gave in a little to active electronics, and even have one bass with a hipshot drop D on it...looks nice there on the E peg.

I have heard bass player play the melody on basses with necks so wide you could drive a compact car on it - and....wait for it.....they are very talented musicians. I love it. But my love is in the old, deep beat of a four string.

There is no place where a bass stops being a bass, there is only musical expression with a guitar. What a blessing that I have lived to see the bass change music. But, being the crusty old fart, give me my four sting passive and leave me alone.

[Blue_Whistle88]

Originally Posted by spade2you

Then perhaps you should stop wasting your time here.

Is that how you usually respond to criticism? By rhetorically telling people to get lost? Do you mind if I ask why?

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by Blue_Whistle88

Is that how you usually respond to criticism? By rhetorically telling people to get lost? Do you mind if I ask why?

You're the one who commented that we're not talking about theory or technique enough and made it sound like we're a waste of time.

Personally, if I didn't like this place or the forum members I'd leave.

[lowendmafia]

When a bunch of people on the internet decide that its no longer a bass... Clearly.

[4StringShooter]

Originally Posted by coda

This has puzzled me for years.
Through its a subjective question and open to personal interpretation, nonetheless where does a bass grow into a different instrument?
I have played 4 strings since the mid 70s. If you struck a single chord in those days the band would stop and say if you want to play chords, play a guitar. Bass lines then were all about the groove. As more and more bass players use 5,6,7 etc. strings, when does the instrument evolve into something else? These players are unbelievably talented and their music is magic (just listen to Zander Zon on a 4 stringer) but just curious to other bass players opinions.

When it has MORE than FOUR strings.

[Herrick]

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Thing is, it doesn't matter how much strings you have, the concept still is bass guitar.

I wouldn't buy a bass with more then 6 strings, but many other do. And if it has 7, 8, 9, 10 or more strings, it's still a bass.

Agreed, mang.

[Joedog]

Originally Posted by BobaFret

I find playing bass to be a state of mind. It's way more about 'how' you play, than 'what' you are playing on.

Well said! To the OP's question...I don't know...none of my basses have ever stopped being basses. Personally, I only play 4 and 5'ers, but there are plenty of guys playing 6'ers that can kick my arse playing BASS. Why do we pic nits so much here???? Close your eyes and listen.....all that matters is the quality (subjective to be sure) of the music. Play what you like, strive to be great, and applaud/encourage the next guy. I don't suck, but there was a day I did! The # of strings didn't/don't matter.

[Blue_Whistle88]

Originally Posted by spade2you

You're the one who commented that we're not talking about theory or technique enough and made it sound like we're a waste of time.

Personally, if I didn't like this place or the forum members I'd leave.

I didn't infer that, I made that comment to explain what I consider to be a lack of genuinely useful information that is both posted and fostered here. Arguments over how many strings an instrument requires to be conceptually definied help no one become better musicians.

This would be fine, if those sorts of threads comprised a minorty in a site that is postulated to be a "bass player's" discussion forum. But they're not. "Bass playing" is decreasingly discussed here, with "bass ownership" being apparently much more worthy of discussion. Anyone who thinks this community needs to keep arguing over string numbers, whether Mexican Fenders are worse than American, etc, is absolutely kidding themselves.

I didn't make any comments about the people here. But maybe one of the reasons few people make open criticisms of this forum is because of the kind of unnecessarily personalised responses they get, like this one. I criticised with the intent to help improve, not to insult.

I'd also like to applaud the comment made about playing bass being a state of mind. It's a very astute way of defining the bass guitar in a way that avoids arguing over pointless design paradigms.

[Mind Eroded]

When does a bass stop being a bass?

when stuff like this starts happening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSYrTKXLYH0

how piccolo can you go?

[marcblum]

Just call it "bass guitar", because constructionwise it's a guitar. And it covers the range of "bass"-notes.

As long, as it covers the very low end, it's a bass guitar.

Whether or not it covers additional range makes no difference

[phillybass101]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

You can use a baseball bat to play a fun game of baseball, or you can use a baseball bat to bludgeon someone to death. Different people use objects for different purposes.

I have been playing bass for 40 years, and I only play 4-stringers. And most of the time, I play one note at a time. And I never play slap. But just because I choose to do what I do with a bass sets no expectation in my mind as to what someone else chooses to do with a bass.

My philosophy is, each person should go forth and do what makes them happy in life, and don't spend time worrying about what others choose to do. And also, I don't spend time worrying about what others think *I* should do. We are all individuals with different interests, and thank goodness for that. It would be nightmarish to live in a world where everyone likes the same thing.

All IMO, of course.

+1 on this and I happen to slap all the time. It's what I like to do and I'm good at it. I also like a funky percolating fingerstyle as well. To each his own. Play a two or three string if you want.

[Jim Nazium]

Originally Posted by Habilis

In response to the original poster: I feel that you are asking two questions here: One is "When does a bass guitar stop being a bass?" I think it's just a name, given out of convenience. And, as with all other naming conventions, it tends to break down over time.

I agree.

Originally Posted by Habilis

The second question is perhaps more important: "When is a bass player no longer 'playing bass?' "

I agree with that too, and to me, the answer is "When you need another bass player in the band to hold down the groove." I've seen both Brian Bromberg and Victor Wooten in bands where they play the melody / solo part, and another guy plays the groove (on a conventionally-tuned bass guitar). Nothing wrong with that, they sound great, but they aren't functioning as bass players.