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Bassists are lazy.

Will your problem become someone else's?

  • Yes, I don't really want to play bass.

    Votes: 3 10.0%

  • No, I am a bassist and I can handle it.

    Votes: 27 90.0%
  • Total voters
    30
#41
mbelue said:
This reputation that we have as lazy irks me a bit.
Still every day I read a new thread here and believe it's true.

No body wants to carry anything. Even though cabinets are featherweight now.

We have to goto extraordinary measures to leave our cabinets somewhere.

We want to drive impossibly small cars and complain when our teensy 1x8 15w combo isn't loud enough.

We want to play bass but anything approaching a callous is anathema.

A 10lb bass is too heavy, but have to have an XL scale.

To me all this means:you don't want to play bass.

If you do want to play bass:
Carry your own poopie.
Carry enough poopie to get the job done. If the poopie you brought didn't get the job done:its your fault. Stop blaming other people.
Carry your poopie from some place you are responsible for to wherever you are playing. Then carry your poopie back when you are done.
Live in a house/apartment where you can store your poopie.
If your spouse won't let you keep your poopie at home, get a new spouse. Or a storage unit. Deal with the problem on your own. Your poopie is your problem.
Drive a car that will hold you and your poopie. Expect to have to do so. Public transportation is not how construction workers transport their equipment. They have trucks for that, so should you.
There is nothing wrong with asking for "a hand" to move your poopie, when you need it. This should not be every time, if it is: get a cart. Your poopie is not the responsibility of the drummer, so stop asking them every time. They still have 6 cymbols to hang( even if you are rehersing at their place and made the schedule themselves).
Stop comparing what you do or play to the guitarist. You don't play a guitar, why do you think you should be using the same poopie? You play bass, your poopie will be bigger. If you don't like it, stop what you are doing and become a guitarist. That is how you make things "fair".

You have to have some sort of callous or hand toughness to play bass. Stop complaining and practice your scales. By the time you know your scales your hands will stop hurting.

10lbs it's too much? Buy a different bass. Try a different scale. Who cares what bass The Ox played? Get something you can work with. There are lightweight options in every price range.
These are not excuses for laziness.

Stop being lazy.
Click to expand...

Given that tonight I'll load up my rig, the full PA and the drummer's stuff for tomorrow's gig, I'm not buying it. Given I practice more than most if not all of my band members, I still don't buy it. Given that I not only make it to every practice while others find excuses not to come and that I'm the one who organizes the practices...I dont' buy it. There are guys in my band who would rather use a provided kit at a club they've never been to (though they've never seen it)...and a keyboard player who has gone from 3 boards to 1 because he doesn't like to move keys (have you lifted a modern keyboard? They weigh like 8 pounds), and often chooses to not bother with an amp because they're heavy although he knows he'll get shafted by whatever monitors are at a club...says I' don't buy it. I carry a double 15" rig to every show whether it be a coffee house or a festival. I get there first and am the last to leave. Tomorrow night I have a gig where I'll be moving couches and furniture to set up the 'stage'...

Who does 90% of the booking and social media and promotion...or makes the posters for the shows... take a guess. ;)

Definitely not lazy.
 
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#48
About five years ago, after getting rid of my van, I bought a Chevy HHR to be my Gigmobile. With the back seats folded down it will easily hold my 810 and everything else, and gets good gas mileage.

Not sure why Chevy killed them, pretty sweet little ride.

Sometimes I need a hand with the fridge but 99.9% of the time I'm good solo.

It also handles the Antarctica ice like a beast...
 
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#50
Freightshaker said:
I've never understood the bassist or drummer who only owns a compact car. I drove a mini van all through college. It required an explanation to all potential females that is was full of gear not child seats.
Click to expand...
I drive a Scion XA. ;)

For my main band, I carry my upright bass, my biggest amp, the guitarist, his guitar and amp, and two music stands.

Why? Because it was cheap and gets good mileage. It's cozy, but I don't want to spend more on my daily driver, just for the few times that I have to transport music gear.
 
#55
Gaolee said:
Vans are sexy. Vans say: I'm a musician or an artist or a person who is so competent he or she hauls tools. That's sexy. I saw a young woman in very tight jeans get into a van very similar to mine and drive away recently. I was in love. Except that I'm already married, so I had to turn her down before even talking to her. Did I mention that vans are sexy?

My son learned to drive in my old van. His girlfriend's parents let her go place in it with him. I don't know why. The animal magnetism of a van is overwhelming.
Click to expand...

So a young woman got into a van question.

Was the driver escorting her into the van wearing a mask or offering candy and why you didn't call the cops?

Ok joking, joking I will admit I am currently on the kids and minivan tour which there is nothing remotely attractive there. I am just making fun to feel better about my situation and it didnt work. I will gladly trade my mini van for your musician van any day.
 

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