Hey there, my name is Roland.
Last Friday, I finally got the Ibanez BTB555NTF that I ordered, and I started to play bass seriously, at last. Being a guitarist as well, I've managed to adapt well from using a pick to trying to soften up my right-hand fingers enough for a decent fingerstyle, as well as improving my thumb-accauracy for slapping. The massive "35-scale of the BTB has actually worked wonders for my guitar-playing as well, and makes me wonder how I ever could complain about the "25.5-scale of my RG7321 when doing 3-octave 4 notes per string runs starting from the low frets. That's a piece of cake now, along with the fact that I've now stopped barring and anchoring the fret hand at the fret when making runs as well.
However, I'd just like to say that apart from improving my guitar technique, playing bass is a hoot. It's a massive instrument with an entirely different feel that you're able to put in many different roles, and in the case of my wonderful BTB555, get a load of sounds out of! (The VariMidIII EQ is nothing short of great)
One final input: I don't care about classifying musicians. If you wanna polarize yourself as a bassist, guitarist, drummer, whatever, go ahead. Me, I see myself as a musician. (An artist really - music is a very interesting side-course to my main focus which is visual art)
But dont try to start a massive mudslinging-contest by saying that "all those guys suck", or "that requires no talent". It's true that the bass is an underrated contribution to the band, but don't victimize yourselves. Those of you who see yourselves as bassists exclusively - despite of what you think, you're not all misunderstood geniouses. Guitars aren't easy to master either. What I want to say is - stop focusing on what "they" are doing, and what you think of them, and focus on your own playing, regardless if "they" are practicioners of other instruments, or fellow bass-players.
Peace.
-Roland
Last Friday, I finally got the Ibanez BTB555NTF that I ordered, and I started to play bass seriously, at last. Being a guitarist as well, I've managed to adapt well from using a pick to trying to soften up my right-hand fingers enough for a decent fingerstyle, as well as improving my thumb-accauracy for slapping. The massive "35-scale of the BTB has actually worked wonders for my guitar-playing as well, and makes me wonder how I ever could complain about the "25.5-scale of my RG7321 when doing 3-octave 4 notes per string runs starting from the low frets. That's a piece of cake now, along with the fact that I've now stopped barring and anchoring the fret hand at the fret when making runs as well.
However, I'd just like to say that apart from improving my guitar technique, playing bass is a hoot. It's a massive instrument with an entirely different feel that you're able to put in many different roles, and in the case of my wonderful BTB555, get a load of sounds out of! (The VariMidIII EQ is nothing short of great)
One final input: I don't care about classifying musicians. If you wanna polarize yourself as a bassist, guitarist, drummer, whatever, go ahead. Me, I see myself as a musician. (An artist really - music is a very interesting side-course to my main focus which is visual art)
But dont try to start a massive mudslinging-contest by saying that "all those guys suck", or "that requires no talent". It's true that the bass is an underrated contribution to the band, but don't victimize yourselves. Those of you who see yourselves as bassists exclusively - despite of what you think, you're not all misunderstood geniouses. Guitars aren't easy to master either. What I want to say is - stop focusing on what "they" are doing, and what you think of them, and focus on your own playing, regardless if "they" are practicioners of other instruments, or fellow bass-players.
Peace.
-Roland
