BIKER OR JAZZ GIG BASS HEIGHT

[Makatak]

Random . You throw your Bass on at tonights gig .... a reasonably heavy Biker scene , and your strap is still set high from last nights heavy concentration "stare at the fretboard" prog Rock gig .
Who would automatically lower their strap to avoid feeling like a tool , and who would just keep it at the same height , even tho you could play this stuff with your eyes closed and dont even need to look at your fretboard all night ?

 

[Pitmaster]

Keep it high! Im a big dude! Take my chances with the bikers!!!!!

 

[monkeyking]

I'd lower to protect my nether regions from flying objects...

 

[MikeBC]

Keep it as you wish. Have your knives and Desert Eagle well concealed.

 

[LC transplant]

Mine would never be up there anyway, I'm way more comfortable in a roadhouse than a prog rock set anyway.

 

[jabsys]

I'd never have it high, so it wouldn't be an issue.

 

[geoff_in_nc]

I've been playing at a place fairly regularly that bills itself as a biker hangout. There's always bikes out front, the walls and bar top are totally plastered with Harley memoriabilia. There's pictures of the owner with some big time motorcycle drag racers. They've got a sign at the entrance saying "no colors allowed", so you know who they sometimes expect. I'll admit when we got our first gig there, I was kind of apprehensive - not knowing what I'd see. I've seen some really cool bikes. I've seen a couple very heavily tattooed women (not to mention men). I have seen some club vests in there, but it didn't seem to be minded.

This is the coolest place we've played in months. The people there - both employees and clientele - couldn't possibly be nicer and more welcoming. I haven't met a single person there yet that I think would give a flip how high my bass is, or that I'm not playing brand XYZ bass, or whatever. We absolutely love playing there. Unfortunately the guy's guarantee is low, and for a variety of reasons (charity ride that ended at another place one night for example), the crowds haven't been so big that we've gotten terribly much above the guarantee. We've got one more firm booked gig there in July, and if there's not a better crowd, we may not come back.

But anyway, my impression is that the real bikers I've met there, the ones who put their money where their mouth is, and live the life are about as cool as they come. I guess that implies something about those who aren't cool to you... take that as you will.

 

[f.c.geil]

Real bikers are the nicest people you could know as long as you don't screw them over. So, I'd leave it where I play it, and wouldn't worry in the least. I might, however, wear my colors...

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

I would definitely wear my bass high and also make sure I was wearing my village people outfit, the policeman one would be great for a biker gig !!

 

[arsie]

Depends on whether you're going in your Nerd persona to match. The irony might hit you over the head though.

 

[Hobobob]

I'd start just one thread asking such a pointless question. And no, my strap ain't movin'.

 

[smcd]

What kind of club books prog rock these days?

 

[darkstorm]

Never occured to me that some peeps might wear their bass at diff heights for different kinds of music. Never had any problem with seen the fretboard just fine with bass worn low. Actually, fretboard is in closer view with it worn low since bass then more points upward and neck is closer to you rather then more pointing away from. Hummm, weird question indeed.

 

[TeamTrejo]

I don't change bass height but I do change pickguards to this one. Made by spray mounting a Harley gift box to an old pickguard.
Link Removed

 

[Russell L]

Do you mean yer not willing to kick some bloke's butt for picking on yer strap height?

LOL, just kidding. Believe me, no one cares. Besides, I'd fit right in (I ride a HD Road King) with my long hair, beard, and moustache. Got that 70s biker look, I guess. And yes, bikers can be a friendly bunch, unlike what you see in the media. I've ridden with a HA before, nice feller. I've ridden with some crowds, all nice folks. There are more bad apples at some of the country bars than at the biker bars I've been to.

Even so, I'll wear my freaking strap wherever the heck I want to, bad guys or not.

 

[f.c.geil]

Do you mean yer not willing to kick some bloke's butt for picking on yer strap height?

LOL, just kidding. Believe me, no one cares. Besides, I'd fit right in (I ride a HD Road King) with my long hair, beard, and moustache. Got that 70s biker look, I guess. And yes, bikers can be a friendly bunch, unlike what you see in the media. I've ridden with a HA before, nice feller. I've ridden with some crowds, all nice folks. There are more bad apples at some of the country bars than at the biker bars I've been to.

Even so, I'll wear my freaking strap wherever the heck I want to, bad guys or not.

Amen, Brother!

 

[skidrawk]

My bassticles touch the floor no matter the height thus my strap never changes.

 

[AltGrendel]

Real bikers are the nicest people you could know as long as you don't screw them over. So, I'd leave it where I play it, and wouldn't worry in the least. I might, however, wear my colors...

And as long as you don't have something they want. I've seen some nasty stuff happen over that.

 

[f.c.geil]

And as long as you don't have something they want. I've seen some nasty stuff happen over that.

I've been in and around Motorcycle Clubs my whole life, and with the exception of a few bad apples (found in any societal subset), bikers are honest, caring, and open people. They live by the same basic set of guidelines as the military (who use the same rules as the Comanche): There are two types of people: "us," and "them." If you are one of us, then there is nothing we won't do for you. If you are one of them, there is nothing we won't do to you.

 

[staindbass]

i wear mine low because it looks more bad azz. its harder to play than a chin fiddle too. (thats what we call guys that wear em high). i think the most practical height is when the bass sits as high with the strap as when you are sitting and playing. thats how most practice, so it makes sense.