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Subcontra Bass Hype or practical

Subcontra Bass hype or practical

  • Total voters
    208
  • Poll closed .
#3
If you can put its output into practice then it would seem to be practical.

Its use in contempory music is probably reasonably limited at this stage, but that doesn't mean that it doesnt have a practical use and cannot be applied to that means.
 
#4
JAUQO III-X said:
This poll was based off of a comment from a fellow tber that feels that my Subcontra bass is nothing more than Hype,that it is not practical at all.this is the Bass in ? Invalid Link Removed
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If you can use it to make music, and you're having fun with it, it's practical. I think it's cool that people like you are pushing the boundaries even though it's not something I would use myself. ;)
 
#5
Gee, the idea sounds absolutely killer to me, if sonically possible. What kind of amplification does it require to push lows that low?
 
#8
Tricky question! Depends on how you want to look at it.

I am certain there's a musical niche for subcontrabass. As noted, the technology is here to make it work. I would enjoy playing subcontrabass within its niche. In fact I think I'd really love hearing/feeling the lowest of the lows. I'd rather have low C# and low F# than high C and F.

However for 95% of us bassists, it's an impractical instrument. I play in bar bands... I don't go below E all that much on my 5-string, and it would never be appropriate to go below low B. So, except for a small amount of curiosity, there's no reason for me to investigate subcontrabass as a possible future instrument for *me*.

All that said: to call subcontrabass "nothing but hype" and "never practical" is, well, incredibly narrow-minded.
 
#9
Fuzzbass said:
95% of us bassists, it's an impractical instrument. I play in bar bands... I don't go below E all that much on my 5-string, and it would never be appropriate to go below low B. So, except for a small amount of curiosity, there's no reason for me to investigate subcontrabass.
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Very good point.I have used this Bass in several genre's and it is very practical but it is(and rightfuly so)to some degree a specialty instrument,(that happens to be mine.I knew what I wanted to use it for way before I had the Idea,concept made into reality)to me it's simply just another tool to include with the 4,5,fretless 6 ,14 string etc.
 
#11
I think it's impractical at the moment, but as more and more people get into it, just like 5-strings, it will become more practical. And once a rock band has a hit record with one, then subcontra basses will be as popular as 5ers.
 
#13
You say hype like it's a bad thing. I applaud the guy. He found a way to make a name for himself and has probably got himself a fairly long-lasting career potential out of it. So what if he's hyping what he does with these polls? He's selling albums and creating quite a stir. If I did it, I'd be a million times worse.
 
#14
...but hype is a bad thing. It masks reality with flashy propaganda. Then it dies.
I dont think that people get moved so much by the low notes alone.. I think that a musicians register is practically limited to notes within the first e below the staff to the next e below that. I mean, its not strict, but it seems like a guideline. Perhaps some interseting and beautiful harmonies can be made witha combination of high and the very low, but I think that the lower you get the less notes you have accessible to your ears (its harder to distinguish between them), so youre pretty limited.
Hype.
 
#15
I don't see it as being very practical at this point. It's like making a car with 5 wheels. 4 wheels is working out fine right now. I rarely use my notes below E. I like to use them sparingly, as I do my high notes. When I'm gigging, I'm always playing popular music, and ALL of that can be done on a 5 string. 99% can be done on a 4.

When I'm playing solo, I use my full range, and I could definately see the need for some low bombers. The more options, the better when it comes to solo or experimental stuff. However, for anything you'd play at a real world gig, I wouldn't want the extra strings to add weight and get in the way.
 
#16
What's wrong with doing the impractical? It just brings the impossible that much closer to our reach. Think of all the musical developments that may have seemed impractical at the time. Electricity, whammy bars, MIDI, etc. If we only did what was "practical" by others standpoint, today we might ONLY be doing computer modeling of virtual instruments.

IMO every art form needs it's fringe drivers pushing the range of what is possible out into the realm of what is assumed to be impossible (or at the least, impractical). For some things, the answer to "Why would you do that?" can certainly be "Because I can." or "Because I want to." (or both) These days there are a great number of people pushing this envelope (You, Jean B, Stew, Al Caldwell, and many others just to name a few of our fellow TBers, there are MANY more outside the realm of bass doing the same thing) and a big Thank You Very Much to each and every one of you!!!!

As for Hype, it won't take you far in the music world by itself. Look at Michael Angelo Batio, Mega-hype over his ability to play his lefty-righty doubleneck at the same time, but can honestly say you can remember any of his music? (or liked it????)
 
#18
Some seem to forget that I had this instrument and string made for me(based off of a concept I have) so the bottom line is it's very practical for me(just like the upright became practical with 4 strings instead of it's original 3 for those who felt it would be more practical)and yes I do play the more accepted Basses:)(I remember when Bassist Randy Jackson said that the 5 string would never become standard over the 4)this is not Hype at all(at least not for me)I'm having a Ball.
 

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