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Basses and genres

Are basses genre specific to you?

  • Yeah, I only rock with a Ric or jazz with a J

    Votes: 5 1.6%

  • No, You can make anything sound right if you’re good enough

    Votes: 259 84.6%

  • Carrots shmarrots

    Votes: 42 13.7%
  • Total voters
    306
#61
A9X said:
Unusual Alembic. What's with the brass plate where to HB coil would be in a Series?

I really like the BEM top.
Click to expand...

In pre-1974 Alembics, the humcanceller coil was glued inside the body, and the battery compartment was located between the pickups. I had them recreate that feature on my bass.
 
#64
It's true that Warwicks like you said may have more of a metal look at times, but also then bassist into things like funk or jazz will use them. Some bassist may make their model know in their genre, but I always saw Ibanez as a metal model, then I seen so many guys use them in jazz. You just have to picture them in a setting. I see your point and think any can work for most situations.
 
#65
When I see a bass player with a 5 or 6 string expensive bass (in my world)
, I immediately think that the player is a progressive /jazz type of player - so it’s kind of a reverse assumptions situation. No genre is assumed, but the player’s mindset is assumed. I know it’s wrong (when you assume you make an ass out of U and ME). When someone shows up with a PBass , Jbass , a Peavy or a Gibson - I make no assumptions other than “there’s the bass player, hope he is good”.
 
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#67
lug said:
I can make any of my basses work for whatever genre. However, when I show up with something like my steinie at a blues jam, my gui****ist gets the shivers.
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Yeah, this. With different strings, tone controls on the bass and amp, and effects pedals, I don't think the actual bass matters that much. The audience won't care. It's more likely other musicians who will complain based on some idea of what they consider "the best bass for [genre]".

micguy said:
I play church gigs - most of them would be (to outsiders) called the same "genre". However, the vibe depends on where I'm playing (I play multiple churches), who I'm playing with, who's singing, etc.
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I wonder whether church is where it might matter most? I have a semi-regular gig subbing for a friend in a church band, and I couldn't imagine turning up with this, even if it sounded great:
SkullBass.jpg
 
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#70
F3C03606-09FB-4AD4-89AD-AF2D1441FF11.png
Yonni said:
When you think of a brand or model do you think of a certain genre? I’m not really talking about Fender here as obviously we’ve all seen Jazz and P basses used across all genres. The reason I ask is because I was playing a Warwick Teambuilt Streamer pro a few weeks ago and loved it. But I’d always thought of Warwick as a rock/metal bass. I now know that Bootsy, Jonas Hellborg, Jack Bruce and Stuart Zender all use them. So clearly I was wrong, and I can’t even remember where I got the idea from in the first place. So do you think Rics are for rock and prog, Foderas are for jazz, Music Man is for funk, etc. And why?
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Just bought this much needed bass!:rolleyes: I like to play smooth jazz and slap with a little
Giles Giles and Fripp thrown in. Upgraded the pickups and put on some La Bella White Tapewounds. Mmm man!
 
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#73
In my head there are a bunch of tropes about which basses and genres go together.

I think the strongest associations in my mind would probably be:

Modern metal - Dingwall (5+ strings, darkglass, pick)
Gospel - Something 6 string and boutiquey
Punk - Stingray or P
 
#75
I'm also all about the "slung what you brung."

Who says you can't use a BC Rich in a jazz-funk setting?

And who says a "metal" bass like the Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) signature model can't be used in jazz/funk/fusion?

Or the Slayer Tom Araya bass?

And who says you can't play metal with a pink "butterflies 'n glitter" guitar? Anwar T: "Shadowsouls" (cover)

I say play what you like and play it with confidence.

TANGENT: Playing a bass that stands out encourages me to be a better/tighter player. Attention will be on me if I'm playing an "oddball" bass, so I'd better bring the groove when I play and bring the charisma when I perform.
 
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#78
So Anyway, when I did a Patsy Cline play I brought my P Bass even though I hadn't used it for a while. Thought it might be a little more time appropriate than my Ric.

When I was in a band with a lady singer, she told me before a wedding gig to bring my purple bass because it accented a dress she wanted to wear.
I complied.
 
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