Bandmates and your basses

[Plectrum72]

My bandmates have definite preferences over amp/cab combinations (GK head into 810 is their favorite). The bass itself is more a visual aesthetic for them. They seem to enjoy my white T-bird and my oceanburst Brice the most.

 

[gjohnson441496]

P bass over J & P bass over Dimension when I had it.

 

[rashrader]

I had an old bandmate get really ticked off when I showed up to practice with a Rickenbacker.

 

[40Hz]

There was only one band I was in where our B/L singer thought “the stage optics” would be better if I were playing a Fender instead of the Ripper I usually played. So after listening to it long enough, and him not backing down about it, I brought the JB along for a gig and used it first set. At the break he asked me to switch back to the Ripper. (Yay! I’m vindicated. Rippers Rule!!!! )

But during break I asked a few friends in the audience how the bass sounded during first set. They all thought it sounded “really good.” And…same thing went for the second and third set with the Ripper. It sounded “really good.”

Hmm…

I felt oddly conflicted by the end of the night.

 

[packhowitzer]

nobody in my band cares what bass I play, what amp I use, or what effects I use. sometimes i wish they did, but on the other hand- if they had some negative criticism, i'd probably ignore them and do what i think is best. so all in all, it's probably how it should be. they are oblivious/keep their traps shut, and I thump along with complete freedom to craft my tone as I see fit.

 

[jeff62]

Twice, the band commented that they loved the sound: my ‘80 Ric that has a toaster and a California Amplification pickup in the bridge, and my Aerodyne PJ that’s loaded with Fralins.

 

[Scoops]

One BL requests a specific bass I have, but I usually take what I feel like playing for that gig. When I take the bass he likes, he makes mention.

I get more criticism from my wife that says my basses should get equal playing time, and why don't I play this or that bass more.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi jeff62

Twice, the band commented that they loved the sound

Only twice?

my ‘80 Ric that has a toaster

Get a Ric that can make pizza instead!


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[Stewie]

I had a drummer(who I liked) tell me repeatedly that I oughtta get an upright. He was surprised when I showed up with one. Took a while to figure out electronics to make it crank. Both band members and audiences love it, some for the tone, and some for the look. My Fenders mostly gather dust now.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

I get a lot of compliments, but my upright and my Roscoe 6 get the most

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Sometimes they might ask me while we're setting up- "which one are you playing tonight?", but I don't think they have a preference.

 

[Koog]

I play mostly blues, old style R&B, and swing. My PJ and fretless basses built by Drake Custom are preferred by others in the band. Musicians in the audience often comment favorably about them as well.

These are my favorites too, so I'm always happy to bring them out.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

If we're talking about which bass they prefer when I'm playing it myself with the band: More or less any decent Precision. P-basses just sit in the mix like nothing else and makes it possible for my bandmates to hear what I'm playing without being ridiculously loud on stage (or at rehearsals). After a period when I used a Rick for almost a decade and went back to a P-bass my bandmates just went "we can finally hear you". The AVRI 57 is probably my personal favourite and the one I use the most.

If we're talking about which bass they prefer when they borrow it and play it themselves: Hagstrom HIIB. My bandmates aren't bass players and this bass is very much a guitar player's bass. Extremely slim and "fast" neck. Probably the slimmest I've ever owned or player. Very low action too. It's actually a bit on the thin side for me but I'm almost shocked how well this thin neck has held up over the years. I've never had to adjust it for as long as I've owned it. The bass is from the 60s and I've owned it for about 20 years. The neck just stays dead straigh, even after I changed the strings to flats. Every guitar player that has tested it falls instantly in love with it.

 

[TNCreature]

They prefer my Warwick sound.

 

[Tony In Philly]

For some reason, the drummer prefers my Fender's to my Ric's. The others barely even notice.

They all seem to prefer the sound of flats to rounds.

 

[Robscott]

Hello everyone.............Do any of your bandmates prefer any of your basses over a different one, that you play at gigs or practice? I've had a guitarist and a drummer both tell me how much they liked my Warwick Thumb and Sadowsky.
Any other bass I bring no comment either way.

I'm happy enough if they say hello when I turn up. But then, I'm the bassist so no-one knows I'm there.....

 

[Jaycephas]

My keyboard player likes my gold basses. Otherwise, not a comment.

 

[Steadfast]

I have not usually noticed band members particularly preferring one bass over another. There is one exception: a particular guitarist I play with once a month, who is a legend in these parts, wants me to play my parts bass I cobbled together. It is a 2 band Ray 4 with a fender fretless neck. It puts a big smile on his face.

 

[TheReceder]

I was given a hard time about not having a back up bass to a vintage jazz. So a I bought a peavey foundation, cleaned the stickers off it and did a set-up. They were thrilled... until it became my primary bass. For fun I started picking foundations up left and right just to mess around. Now I occasionally will play a Ric or one of my vintage fenders, but typically I'll take the foundations since they're more comfortable. Since they're easy to set-up, typically I have better action and I don't have to care if they get a ding, or have beer spilled on them...

but the bands seem to prefers the eye candy of an old fender or a Ric.

 

[darwin-bass]

I was in a band as a guitarist. Bassist played a P and the sound was like a big fluffy marshmallow. Not distinct. Next week he brought a Stingray. We all said "Yes, we can finally hear and follow the bass!"

Next rehearsal he returned to the P because it matched the tone in his head more than the Stingray.