Can we stop with the balls references already?

[ChadTheRat]

I don't care what your gender or orientation are, but can we please stop using genitals as reference words for tonal characteristics, etc? I can only imagine that most female players are more sick of it than I am. It's the 21st century, and I'd like to think that we as musicians and creative types can agree that bass is not just for 12 year old boys who think that every balls joke is the most clever thing in the world. I for one would like to see manufacturers take a more inclusive, mature, and professional approach to marketing. And tone is so subjective, you can literally use any word to describe what you're hearing, so why do we constantly refer to balls when other words like punch, boom, gusto, substance, drive, and many others can serve essentially the same purpose?

Anyone feel similarly? Anyone have suggestions for alternative words?

I just want to ensure everyone who wants to play bass feels welcome in the club!

 

[bholder]

My bass tone has a whole lot of spleen to it! (Any better?)

 

[QweziRider]

Anyone feel similarly?

Nope. Not particularly.

 

[Peteyboy]

Not sure where you live but there is one whole hell of a lot going on right now. Under ordinary circumstances (whatever THAT looks like) this would strike me as an odd thing to focus on, but I'd keep my mouth shut about it. As it stands I'm just gonna say that I do not imagine that this is anyone's highest priority right now. Doesn't make it a completely invalid concern, but on a scale of 1-100 you're looking at like around a 4.

 

[Stumbo]

My bass tone has a whole lot of spleen to it! (Any better?)

My bass tone got some booty?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

you can literally use any word to describe what you're hearing,

You'd have to do it literally, because that's how words are used.
I want to know what Wooly means, & how about Warm?

 

[Roland GR 88]

"Balls" is a colloquial expression carried over from the days of cannons and cannon balls.
"That guy has balls." "Balls to the walls boys!" and other expressions of the day all have roots in naval campaigns of yore.
The correct term has always been testicles. You've simply been understanding it incorrectly.....

 

[Lowbrow]

I totally understand why you feel its crude and maybe a little immature.
Yet as this point it is a pretty baked-in term in general parlance, and as such easy to interpret and hard to eliminate -- also a bit past being truly offensive.

 

[CaptRigaud]

Yes, it has been ever so slightly bothering me for a while. I don't find it particularly offensive but I agree that there are much better non-genital(/gendered) expressions.

 

[ChadTheRat]

Good points, all around. It just struck me as a little tired and I'm curious about what others think.

 

[Nashrakh]

And tone is so subjective, you can literally use any word to describe what you're hearing, so why do we constantly refer to balls when other words like punch, boom, gusto, substance, drive, and many others can serve essentially the same purpose?

Those are also very masculine, aggressive terms. I'm sure we can do better.

 

[ChadTheRat]

Not sure where you live but there is one whole hell of a lot going on right now. Under ordinary circumstances (whatever THAT looks like) this would strike me as an odd thing to focus on, but I'd keep my mouth shut about it. As it stands I'm just gonna say that I do not imagine that this is anyone's highest priority right now. Doesn't make it a completely invalid concern, but on a scale of 1-100 you're looking at like around a 4.

I totally get this sentiment. I live in Ontario, Canada, and though our cities are not burning we do have many issues to deal with here as well. I didn't mean to distract from the reality of the pain and discrimination that so many are going through and have been going through for centuries. My friends to the south, you're dealing with real actual chaos right now, and I recognize things are pretty ugly. I have hope that people can come through it and make the world better for everyone, but right now things are pretty scary. I apologize if I've stepped on anyone's toes. No harm intended. I hope you are keeping healthy and safe.

 

[Funky Ghost]

As in all communication, context and the person delivering it set my flags flying, or not. Generally it's complimentary and in fact I've heard more than my fair share of women using it as well in the same manner. I personally don't use it but it's only because I like to think of myself as a wordsmith and like to flex the vocab a little It doesn't offend me and unless it's demonstratively negative in it's delivery I couldn't be bothered.

I respect others that find it less than desirable.

 

[kodiakblair]

please stop using genitals as reference words for tonal characteristics, etc?

No.

 

[Killing Floor]

I like that better than the way we used to describe mid-range.

 

[Killing Floor]

What's the consensus around bronze nuts?

 

[baileyboy]

You've got balls for posting this. I identify as a 12 year old boy.

 

[oldrocker]

As Gunnery Sgt Hartman would say:

"Sound Off Like You've got a Pair"

 

[RodneyM]

I'm with ChadTheRat.

Let's move on to d!ck references.

 

[rufus.K]

My skin is too thick for things like that to offend me.

I can dig if someone doesnt feel in their power because theres a heterogametic reference.. we should not , however, all close our eyes and ears and ignore that everyone else is different yet they still exist.

Balls in this case is an adjective, not a noun.
Its not derogatory towards testicles.
Even if a female says it.

Its just like your tone may have grace, bounce, zest, richness, or grit... theyre all descriptive terms dissociated from gender, race, or politics... until someone drags them in to gender, race, or politics.

Nobody giggles when they say their Pbass with flats and tort has balls... we know what theyre trying to say to describe.