I completely agree that the player is by far the most important part, then the amplification comes next. My point was not that coming into a discussion where people are discussing the particulars of a bridge design in the luthier's section and saying "it's all in the hands, man!" doesn't really add much to the discussion.
I think, though, that there are two perspectives to view this from. If you view it from the audience's perspective, which you do, what bridge you have doesn't matter. For that matter, what bass and amp you have doesn't matter either, so long as it's audible and sounds ok. Or you can take it from the bass player's perspective, where I CAN hear the difference between bridges when I've swapped them on my instruments I own, and I CAN tell the difference between strings (which, by your arguement, there really only needs to be one set), etc etc, even if anyone else can't. Thus I will strive to achieve the best sound that I can, be damned if anyone else can tell, because *I* know it's better than what it otherwise would've been.
And yes, I realize working on your playing plays a much bigger part of it, but if you can achieve an instant improvement AND still work on your playing, why not take it?
But, from an audience's point of view, none of this really matters. But it matters to me, regardless of them.
And no, I've never successfully installed a bridge that allowed me to use a smaller amp. But if I did, I'd be sure to be freaked out!!
I think, though, that there are two perspectives to view this from. If you view it from the audience's perspective, which you do, what bridge you have doesn't matter. For that matter, what bass and amp you have doesn't matter either, so long as it's audible and sounds ok. Or you can take it from the bass player's perspective, where I CAN hear the difference between bridges when I've swapped them on my instruments I own, and I CAN tell the difference between strings (which, by your arguement, there really only needs to be one set), etc etc, even if anyone else can't. Thus I will strive to achieve the best sound that I can, be damned if anyone else can tell, because *I* know it's better than what it otherwise would've been.
And yes, I realize working on your playing plays a much bigger part of it, but if you can achieve an instant improvement AND still work on your playing, why not take it?
But, from an audience's point of view, none of this really matters. But it matters to me, regardless of them.
And no, I've never successfully installed a bridge that allowed me to use a smaller amp. But if I did, I'd be sure to be freaked out!!
