Can you think off a song....

[Minimalist]

I have been a lifelong P-Bass player and recently got into Stingrays. The music I am playing ranges from Elvis to Blackberry Smoke and everything in between. Whatever you want to call all those genres. My theory is that any of the big 3 (P-Bass, Stingray, J-Bass) can produce an at least usable sound for 100% of those songs.

I am sure there are other instruments that sound great and some songs sound better with a P or a stingray or a J, but that is not my question. I’m talking about weekend warrior usable sounds here.

Can you think of a song that cannot be played with either of these 3 basses?

 

[lug]

When Doves Cry - Prince

 

[Gorn]

If you're trying to recreate the original studio version of a song note for note, then I suppose you'd want a specific bass. Otherwise I think any bass works for any song in any genre.

 

[lyonaudio]

I can do many things but thinking "off" a song is difficult.

 

[lyonaudio]

Rite of Spring by Stravinsky

 

[blr2]

Everything played with a Ric. Yes, Joy Division, Motorhead, some Rush (although Geddy is always himself)...

 

[5StringBlues]

John cage, 4'33

 

[bholder]

Rite of Spring by Stravinsky

Anything that can incite a riot during its debut performance at a Paris Opera House gets my vote!

 

[buldog5151bass]

You should be able to get a usable tone from any decent bass.

Entwistle and Townshend changes instruments more often than Moon changed his underwear. Tiran Porter said he changed basses for every tour so he could date concert photographs. Geddy Lee played Roundabout with his fingers on a Jazz. Etc.

 

[Minimalist]

Rite of Spring by Stravinsky

Where does Stravinsky fit between Elvis and Blackberry Smoke? That's way to intellectual.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Just missing a Rickenbacker for Rush and Yes like me but my right forearm says nope !

 

[Killing Floor]

Seinfeld theme?

 

[Sharko]

Some Death From Above 1979 songs require a bass with 24 frets.
I guess you could get around this on one of “the big 3” this by using a pitch shifter or alternate tuning.

 

[mrjim123]

Can you think of a song that cannot be played with either of these 3 basses?

Absolutely not.

 

[mrjim123]

Seinfeld theme?

Interesting reply. I used to think that theme was simply slap bass. Research it and you'll find a bass was not involved. It was done electronically - heavily layered and edited.

 

[Old Blastard]

P/J, H/H, SS, SSS I think you can play a song with any bass. My BL prefers one or two specific basses I have and my mates in the secondary band prefer a different one and a guy I back up on guitar/bass duo just wants me to hit the right notes.

He's unreasonable like that

 

[pfschim]

Seinfeld theme?

keys/synth

 

[JRA]

any bass instrument for any bass instrument part, any genre, any tune. if adjustments have to be made = that's on you!

 

[Killing Floor]

keys/synth

I know. Any song can be played convincingly on any bass.
So a tune that’s not a bass isn’t going to sound the same with a bass.

 

[jimmydean]

That music does not exist in this Universe .