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"Bells and whistles" vs. "one trick pony"
- Thread starter Dark Horse
- Start date
I voted One Trick Pony and my usual bass is a P-Bass. I've had three band EQs on board and with my L-2500 I had a certain sound (p-bass like) that I constantly turned to.
At the same time, I'm second guessing myself. My 55-01 got the active EQ ripped out of it, Nordstrand DCs with coil switches (each pickup has series/single/parallel options) put in. It's controls are passive volume/volume/tone like a Jazz. I'm fairly happy with it except I really want to put flats on it.
I don't mind having a lot of options, but I'm not big on active electronics. As with a Jazz Bass or a P-Bass, it's hard to dial in a bad tone on it. It can do a reasonable imitation of a P-Bass (neck pickup in parallel), a Jazz Bass (both pickups in single coil) and a Music Man (bridge pickup in series). It's versatile and without going to an EQ you can bump up the low end by going to series on one or both pickups or the mids by favoring the bridge pickup in either parallel or series mode.
I don't think of myself as someone who likes a lot of bells and whistles. But I like having the means to get myself out of tonal trouble quickly and easily. I'm not big on active electronics or EQ knobs. They aren't as effective for me as the coil switches and two pickups are. I should mention that having both pickups up full, with one pickup in series and the other in parallel is a great tone.
But I don't feel like I am crippled when I go back to a one trick pony bass because my one trick pony basses each have a voice that I can find in a mix and find pleasant.
KO
At the same time, I'm second guessing myself. My 55-01 got the active EQ ripped out of it, Nordstrand DCs with coil switches (each pickup has series/single/parallel options) put in. It's controls are passive volume/volume/tone like a Jazz. I'm fairly happy with it except I really want to put flats on it.
I don't mind having a lot of options, but I'm not big on active electronics. As with a Jazz Bass or a P-Bass, it's hard to dial in a bad tone on it. It can do a reasonable imitation of a P-Bass (neck pickup in parallel), a Jazz Bass (both pickups in single coil) and a Music Man (bridge pickup in series). It's versatile and without going to an EQ you can bump up the low end by going to series on one or both pickups or the mids by favoring the bridge pickup in either parallel or series mode.
I don't think of myself as someone who likes a lot of bells and whistles. But I like having the means to get myself out of tonal trouble quickly and easily. I'm not big on active electronics or EQ knobs. They aren't as effective for me as the coil switches and two pickups are. I should mention that having both pickups up full, with one pickup in series and the other in parallel is a great tone.
But I don't feel like I am crippled when I go back to a one trick pony bass because my one trick pony basses each have a voice that I can find in a mix and find pleasant.
KO
Ha Ha.....great question, OP.
I'd like to say that a "do everything" bass would be best, but I don't think I own one....
Depending on your opinion, every bass could be "universal", and every bass could be a "one trick pony". A lot rides on your amp, string choice, effects, and playing style.
I have two "one trick ponies"....and wouldn't trade them. Neither are Fender P's, though.
But, when you're talking about a P bass, it's a pretty darn good trick (not an original statement, but I do agree with it....)
I'd like to say that a "do everything" bass would be best, but I don't think I own one....
Depending on your opinion, every bass could be "universal", and every bass could be a "one trick pony". A lot rides on your amp, string choice, effects, and playing style.
I have two "one trick ponies"....and wouldn't trade them. Neither are Fender P's, though.
But, when you're talking about a P bass, it's a pretty darn good trick (not an original statement, but I do agree with it....)
One of each! I currently have a Modulus Funk Unlimited FBJ5 for bells and whistles, but I can't help but GAS for a one trick pony Fender Precision American Standard V. The tone is very bassy and I like it as a different palette from which to work from. Having both would be ideal since I love 5 string.
The bands ready and I don't have the time nor patience to find my settings. That's why I have the gear I have: P-basses.
I have one bell and one whistle. a Ric 4003 and a Am.Std.Jazz..so I did not vote in the poll...not "one trick ponies" but not "bells and whistles" basses either..They do have the tones I like and thats good enough for me..
Completly agree... I had a Stingray 3 EQ. I NEVER could find my "sweet spot" so that 3 EQ didnt do much for me.. I guess if a bass brings and rings to YOUR sound i dont care too much if it has 1 pickup and 1 Vol/tone¡
I buy basses with one great sound.
I will always take that over a different bass with 3 Ok and 100 "just alright" variations.
The qty of knobs and switches is pretty much irrelevant, I will dial in and set all of those to the best sound to my ears and leave it there..
Aside from switching from fretted to fretless. Once the band members and the sound guy like a sound, that is pretty it. IME switching basses between songs (assuming you are not going from fingers/ pick to slap, or fretted to fretless) nobody, but you, tends to really care.
I will always take that over a different bass with 3 Ok and 100 "just alright" variations.
The qty of knobs and switches is pretty much irrelevant, I will dial in and set all of those to the best sound to my ears and leave it there..
Aside from switching from fretted to fretless. Once the band members and the sound guy like a sound, that is pretty it. IME switching basses between songs (assuming you are not going from fingers/ pick to slap, or fretted to fretless) nobody, but you, tends to really care.
Why is it that everyone here is always saying is "all you need" is this or that. All you need is one good trick. All you need is 4 strings. All you need is a P-bass with flats and tort guard...
No it's NOT all I "need". It's what I could "get by with" if I had no choice or wanted to, but "need"? What I "need" is killer bass functions that fit the music better than anything else in the world! And that tone is just where you find it.
My 8 string is a pretty good trick, but "all I need"? Don't think so. My 'Ray is a killer trick. And at least that one actually CAN be used for most everything if you have to. But is it where bass tone stops? I don't think so. There are also MANY good tricks down in among the settings on my L2500 GNL basses. Are THEY "all I need". Nope.
Point is I LOVE a bass with a really good "trick". But I also love basses that can move through tonal variety by just adjusting controls. I've even ADDED more switches to the L2500s. Does that mean I have to constantly twiddle them? No. I find what they can give me and when I want it I simply dial it in. Period. When I want what a one trick pony gives, I put down the G&L and pick up whatever it is I want. What I "need" is to be be able to choose a tone that I think fits the music. How I get that tone doesn't matter. Note too that it's not just knobs. My fretless Carvin AC50 only has three knobs and no switches, yet the range of tone you can pull from that instrument with your FINGERS is incredible!
To me saying "all you need" is one particular tone (stingray, P-bass, whatever) is like an artist saying "all you need is blue"! Well, Yeah, there have been some quite famous painters who went through a "blue period", but "blue is all you need"? I don't think so.
slagbass said:
A bass can have more than several great tones. It should always do what you want, not limit you.
What if though you didn't prefer it's myriad of sounds none of them were ugly?
What if this bass showed when you were inspired and showed when you weren't?
Also a good Fender isn't a one trick pony. You just haven't had all of its rides.
It's a Clydesdale, a steeplechase winner and great Kentucky race horse. You've got to expect more than a birthday pony ride. But this is always more about us than the horse.
It's a Clydesdale, a steeplechase winner and great Kentucky race horse. You've got to expect more than a birthday pony ride. But this is always more about us than the horse.
I voted for bells and whistles but both can provide the solution. I use my Aria SB R60 and Stingray for very specific jobs while my Wal is a swiss army knife in another league of sofistication.
It is quite a good question. And let's say that the Precision (for example) is the most basic bass available. If it is well set-up and newly strung, for most situations would it suffice?
Not long ago I would have said no ('76P - I don't play it). Now I say yes ('64P - I can't put it down).
Davo
Not long ago I would have said no ('76P - I don't play it). Now I say yes ('64P - I can't put it down).
Davo
