• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

9 string bass?

Status
Not open for further replies.
#42
Gubna said:
I just recently got a 6 string, and it's alot of fun, but it's a totally different animal from playing a 4 - or even a 5 - with the neck being so much wider.

I don't know if I'll ever play a 9, but I'll certainly try it if I see one.

and here's a pic from our last GTG of some ERBs:

attachment.jpg
Click to expand...

I have no use at all for it, as I said, but just looking at the hideous claw makes my knees weak.
 
#43
bassteban said:
*Spade*? IMO, not a well-chosen term, particularly in the context of respect(look up the origins of that phrase :hmm:).
Click to expand...

origin? huh? guess I live in a box. whatcha mean?

nevertheless, Al can throw down on those multi-stringed, runway neck basses. Brian Barrett had one of his 9 strings at The LowEnd for a bit. I was fortunate enough to noodle on it one day, and it played and sounded quite amazing. Too much bass for me though.
 
#44
Kind of more like if you are a piano player playing backgroung dinner jazz for a wedding and you bring a stack of synths, a Rhodes, a B3 etc.
Or you are a drummer in a blues band and you bring 2 snares 2 bass drums and a gong.
:)
I didn't mean to offend anyone.By the way, Bill Dickens is one of my least favorite Bassists.
I like the Jaco thing where he talks about "The Real Deal"
 
#49
I thought that little Dickins clip was funny. I don't know if that was meant to be a complete musical thought or just a klang. I could certainly see where it would fit in with some industrial type of stuff.
As for the 11 string, Why wouldn't you play your favorite bass if it's capable of making the sounds you want?
 
#50
gimmeagig said:
Kind of more like if you are a piano player playing backgroung dinner jazz for a wedding and you bring a stack of synths, a Rhodes, a B3 etc.
Or you are a drummer in a blues band and you bring 2 snares 2 bass drums and a gong.
:)
Click to expand...

Actually it'd be nothing like that at all- it's still just one bass; takes up no more room than any other single bass and just as easy to transport.
 
#51
gimmeagig said:
Kind of more like if you are a piano player playing backgroung dinner jazz for a wedding and you bring a stack of synths, a Rhodes, a B3 etc.
Or you are a drummer in a blues band and you bring 2 snares 2 bass drums and a gong.
Click to expand...

Actually this seems to be more indicative of 4 string players, who more often than not seem to need a bass in standard tuning, a bass in drop D, a bass in BEAD, a bass...

Bryan R. Tyler said:
Actually it'd be nothing like that at all- it's still just one bass; takes up no more room than any other single bass and just as easy to transport.
Click to expand...

Precisely. I've seen some 4 strings heavier than my 6er. And its no harder to play either, so the OP's entire argument holds no water with me.
 
#53
gimmeagig said:
I just saw a jazz show on TV with Vanessa Williams as the featured guest.The bassist had this monster bass.It looked like a 9 string bass.Is there such a thing?
At first I was really impressed thinking "Oh, this guy must be really good" but then as I listened I was thinking, what a hassle to drag this thing around and spend 120.- bucks on a set of strings and all of that only to do something that you could play on a 4 string just as well.
I figure if you have a bass like that you better do something special with it or else you look just like a poser.
Click to expand...

So, you never mentioned how he sounded with Vanessa. I'll bet he KILLED!!!

If he was playing a 4 string, would you have somehow enjoyed it more????
 
#54
bassteban said:
I'll repeat: Look it up. :)
That said, googling the entire phrase led me to learn that the racist-tinged *meaning* I thought was the original meaning was not so; I have learned something. A complete day for me. :cool:
Click to expand...

Yes considering it leads back to Plutarch..."calling a fig a fig, and a trough a trough". The trough got mistranslated into "shovel" which then was later translated into English as "spade"...

The moral of the story is that one uses the tools they are most comfortable with and reflects their musical voice. I, too, saw the Vanessa Williams show on A&E and commented on his tone and tasteful use of his beautiful (he used the figured maple bass) instrument when backing Ms. Williams. What does it matter which tool/instrument you use as long as it assists you in getting the job done in an appropriate manner?
 
#55
Gubna said:
I just recently got a 6 string, and it's alot of fun, but it's a totally different animal from playing a 4 - or even a 5 - with the neck being so much wider.

I don't know if I'll ever play a 9, but I'll certainly try it if I see one.

and here's a pic from our last GTG of some ERBs:

attachment.jpg
Click to expand...

and I thought I had a weird-shaped bass :eyebrow:
 
#56
hentor said:
The moral of the story is that one uses the tools they are most comfortable with and reflects their musical voice. I, too, saw the Vanessa Williams show on A&E and commented on his tone and tasteful use of his beautiful (he used the figured maple bass) instrument when backing Ms. Williams. What does it matter which tool/instrument you use as long as it assists you in getting the job done in an appropriate manner?
Click to expand...
For me, this is the crux of the matter .... Al Caldwell is, IMO, a truely world-class musician and is one of the best bassists I have heard in both traditional supporting roles and soloing. As stated, extremely tasteful at all times, and quite diversified in many styles of music.

While I agree that you never need to "earn" the right to play whatever instrument you want, if anyone has indeed "earned" that right it's Al Caldwell .... :cool:
 
#58
James Hart said:
so many people have said... and I've yet to hear. Like the person you originally questioned, I stated my OPINION. Do disrespect to Bill, like I said the man has mad skillz. I just don't dig the music I've heard.
Click to expand...

Exactly...I also listened to many clips of him.

There are several technically wow talented folks in this world who make music i dont happen to enjoy. I also dont like Miracle Whip or Asparagus. What can i do about it?

Examples: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Les Claypool, Jonas Hellborg, Jaco's Solo stuff, Victor Wooten, Ok, i better stop before i get banned for even typing this much. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back