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Bandmates prefer Jazz Basses...

#181
mdogs said:
Holy crap, does anyone around here actually function in a real world? When my band members tell me something they like or dislike about what I am doing, I listen. When they do something I don't like or think is wrong, I tell them. I don't get my undies in a bunch thinking they are all idiots and I am just going to do and play whatever I want. Last time I checked, a band was a team effort and the way the band sounds as a whole is what matters, not your independent opinion that, "that gui**** has no idea what he is talking about and I am just going to do whatever I want."
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This.

I was kinda kidding around before (not really- pbasses do sound better IMO), but I would at least check it out. It could be that he wants you to play *his* bass (which makes sense- he probably got his bass because he likes how his bass sounds), or it could be that he has an idea of the sound he wants but might not know the exact way to get there. Either way, letting your pride determine how you act is a recipe for unspoken grudges and discord down the road.

I know that between my friends and I we are always telling each other what gear to get. It is kinda playful, and kinda annoying, but good-spirited. I'll tell him to buy a Badcat amp, he'll tell me to buy a Pbass (which I actually just did. That was something I was very much against at first until I realized that he was right). He'll tell me to buy this pedal, I'll tell him to sell his whatever. He'll say I'll love bridge pickups when I get better at music, I'll tell him he has fallen for various guitar myths that aren't true. It could be half-serious ribbing going on for you, too.

And he could be listening with his eyes, but being disagreeable isn't going to change that or make it better. I'd say give his bass a chance and see if you like it better or not. If you don't, then you have at least shown you have listened and y'all can probably come to an agreeable disagreement, or work and figure out how you can get a tone you both like. And, hey, at least he wants you to be heard.

If y'all are making an album together, than you don't want to ruin it with attitudes.
 
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#182
Charlzm said:
Maybe the OP should say, "You know, that Les Paul is ok, but I have a Strat that I can't wait to hear you play on the album!"
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I've done similar on sessions I was in charge of. And there was a reason for it and it wasn't about having a big ego or listening with my eyes or any of the ridiculous reasons people are giving for digging their heels in.
 
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#184
Hey just to clarify with everyone.. There are no hard feelings between us. We are working together as a band and he understands the differences between the two main fender basses. I just made this post to see if others have gotten similar responses from band mates that prefer J's over P's. And this will be an excuse for me to tell my girlfriend "hey a couple of our songs are really asking for a jazz bass..." ;)
 
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#185
AlienLanes said:
Hey just to clarify with everyone.. There are no hard feelings between us. We are working together as a band and he understands the differences between the two main fender basses. I just made this post to see if others have gotten similar responses from band mates that prefer J's over P's. And this will be an excuse for me to tell my girlfriend "hey a couple of our songs are really asking for a jazz bass..." ;)
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Well, you sure can't go wrong having a P and a J in your quiver. Get some kinda quirky retro shorty/hollowbody too and then you're covered for just about anything with just those 3 basses.

The only question then that would remain with the P and J is: which one for flats and which one for rounds?;)
 
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#186
pbass2 said:
Well, you sure can't go wrong having a P and a J in your quiver. Get some kinda quirky retro shorty/hollowbody too and then you're covered for just about anything with just those 3 basses.

The only question then that would remain with the P and J is: which one for flats and which one for rounds?;)
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I'm thinking 60s style jazz bass with flats and a pick. Might keep rounds on both depending on how I end up feeling about flats (not super experienced with using them)
 
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#187
AlienLanes said:
Hey just to clarify with everyone.. There are no hard feelings between us. We are working together as a band and he understands the differences between the two main fender basses. I just made this post to see if others have gotten similar responses from band mates that prefer J's over P's. And this will be an excuse for me to tell my girlfriend "hey a couple of our songs are really asking for a jazz bass..." ;)
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You sound like a wise person, and a whole lot of people in this thread sound like egotists.
 
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#188
Doctor J said:
And this is the difference between being a session player and a band member.
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No, it's the difference between someone who wants to do the most good for the project they're doing and someone who's mostly interested in whacking themselves off.

You can go a long way in this business by manipulating the producer's knob.
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It's hilarious how a joke by Lee Sklar gets interpreted as how to do business. Yes, everyone's an idiot but you. Do you REALLY think that's Lee's attitude? I assure you it's not.

OP, you are the bassist. You're in the band because bass is your field of expertise. Were I in your position, I would explain to the guitarist that, while you have a J bass and are familiar and, indeed, appreciate all that instrument has to offer, you are of the opinion that your G&L is most appropriate for you as a player and for the band's sound as a whole. If he can't or won't get on board with that, perhaps you need to explore other band-related opportunities.
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I'm sure people will line up around the block to take advantage of the services of someone who's difficult to work with. I know lots of really good players on my local scene who can't get a gig because they're difficult to work with. At one time they were the hot players in town.
 
#189
It's all about working together in a band, but also allowing people the individual freedom to do their thing. Give an take. Be open to it... Especially if they are guys who have good ears, and can articulate a reason why you should use one piece of gear over the other.

I've come up on guys who really wanted me to play the hollow body bass in my profile pic, and I know it's just because of the way it looks and it makes them think of McCartney or they think it will give some kind of old-timey credibility to the band. Sometimes I accommodate, and sometimes I don't.

I often wish my bandmates would use a cretin amp, guitar, pedal, drum kit, etc... Used to kill me when the drummer would bring out his little Jazz / Bop size drum kit for shows... but I'm not the one hauling the drums or playing them... I would usually make a comment like "Ya, this kit is cool, but your other one just sounds so good!" I knew he just liked to change it up sometimes. No big deal if the band plays good and does a good show.
 
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#191
The guitarist in my band(Traditional Country/Bakersfield) has mentioned each time I play my Jazz bass how much he likes it. But when we talk about the gear we are going to use live, we both say it's a no brainer to go with a Tele and a P Bass. He really likes the Jazz Bass sound, but knows that for the type of music we play, P Bass is the way to go.
 
#192
You know, I am always writing on here from the perspective of a hobbyist, not someone who gets hired to play in a group or do session work. OP sounds like he is in more of a similar boat to me than a session guy. If you are a session guy, or hired to play with a group, then yeah, do what they ask you to do, they are paying you.

If it is more about having fun and personal expression, I would be hesitant to do anything I didn't want to do. That's all.
 
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#193
Try his Jazz Bass just to satisfy his needs, but explain to him gently and with a ton of knowledge/logic backing you up as to why you prefer your own bass.

Guitarists will know. Those guys spend their lives chasing "tone" via pedals, amps, guitars. We do too, but I feel like it's more notorious with guitarists, which is why they tend to be very egotistic.
 
#195
JimmyM said:
No, it's the difference between someone who wants to do the most good for the project they're doing and someone who's mostly interested in whacking themselves off.
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No whacking off, for once, just highlighting the difference between a paid session where you do as you're told and a collaborative band situation where you're there to contribute and influence as an equal, not an employee.


JimmyM said:
It's hilarious how a joke by Lee Sklar gets interpreted as how to do business. Yes, everyone's an idiot but you. Do you REALLY think that's Lee's attitude? I assure you it's not.
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I REALLY assure you it was a smutty double entendre and not to be taken literally. In many cultures, the word "knob" can refer to a part of the male genitalia. A joke, you see, a joke. I also REALLY do not think Lee refers to the producer's penis when he tells this story. Honest.


JimmyM said:
I'm sure people will line up around the block to take advantage of the services of someone who's difficult to work with. I know lots of really good players on my local scene who can't get a gig because they're difficult to work with. At one time they were the hot players in town.
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What's difficult about not folding like a deck chair? I suggested he talk to the guy, not challenge him to pistols at dawn.
 
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#198
Fwiw my earlier post was (mostly) in jest.

I have played/toured in bands where I was an employee, and I did as the boss instructed. You want the bass tuned to "floppy" and you want me to play it lefty? No problem boss. I do enjoy getting paid to play.

My current project, however, is some dudes hanging' in my garage, shootin' the shiz and having some beers. I usually play whichever bass I am in a mood to play. The P bass sits better in the songs we play, so I prefer it.
 
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