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country bass question

#81
bassist4dalord said:
Show up with a BEAD-tuned P-Bass and see of he notices.
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I started playing 5 string because I had a 4 string and changed the strings( and tuning) and loved it. I love the playability of the 5 string. I have owned a dozen or so basses now and have learned through trial and error to like what I like.
I admit, I almost never use the G string for anything (only in rare occasions). So, to play a 4 tuned BEAD would not hinder me in any way.
I do love this suggestion, and did consider doing it. I don't like the way a P Bass feels. I have played P's in the past and don't have an appreciation for them.
 
#82
No 5's in country, what a load of horse hockey! I played for a long time in one of the best country bands in SC and I never owned a Fender, other than an acoustic bass that I never play. I've always been one to want to be a little different. Back at that time, 70's, 80's and early 90's I played a Gibson EB3, then a Rickenbacker 4001, followed by a 1981 Gibson Victory Artist delivered to me by a Gibson rep because I could not get a local music store to order one without purchasing. I called Gibson and they brought me one, told me to play it awhile and if I wanted it, told me what music store to go pay, which I did! It is hanging on the wall right behind me. It was my my main bass until 4 months ago and I bought an Ibanez 5 string, my first. I like the b string so much, that I rarely play the Gibson and now have ordered a new 25th Anniversary Music Man 5 string HH model. Just for the record, when I got the Gibson there were several country bassist using them. The one I can remember for sure is Crystal Gayles bassist!
Also, while its true you don't need the 5 on any classic country, that is not totally true on the newer stuff! Also to the guy talking about the Eagles stuff, great band and I love there stuff along withe the Doobie Brothers, Skynyrd, CDC, all those great bands. When I play their tunes on my 5 string, no one knows the difference. I don't use the b string on that stuff. However when you work with people that sing songs in keys other than the original, sometimes using the b sting is the only way to get the correct bass lines in a song without playing it way up the neck. This guy must be a real dummy, I already knew that GC had plenty of them, along with a few knowledgeable people.:eyebrow:
 
#83
I play in a country band & only use a 5 string. P basses are good in the studio but I don't even use one there unless requested. The guys at GTC were just trying to generate sales. The band guy is just stupid.
 
#84
When will folks learn -

Who is Guitar Center's target audience? As one music store owner said (whom I used to do some work for), "I'd rather have 10 soccer moms walk into the store than one musician."

Some of the guys in one country band I used to play in couldn't figure out why no other bassist makes the band sound like it sounded when I played in it. That's because I played a six string - fretless - with Bartolinis and a Bartolini pre-amp in it - for all of the singer's original tunes. The recording used a studio guy who played a P because that's what the producer wanted. The record was never released.

It also all depends on you as the bassist. If I ever get to Nashville and try to build a name for myself as a studio cat, I'll have to play whatever the heck they want me to play to get the gig. However, can you imagine anyone telling Victor Wooten, "I'm sorry, but your Fodera won't work for this tune. If you don't get a P, I'll have to replace you."

Personally, I can respect someone wanting a "P" sound, since it is a very "classic" bass tonality. Personally, though, I have NEVER been able to play a Fender as well as I can play on something with a much thinner neck such as an Ibanez, or my current custom-made Adler. If all you want is root-5th, or Alabama covers, I'll play a Fender P. But if you're going to do some Trace Adkins and Rodney Atkins to Phil Vasser stuff, you'd better have at least 5. Maybe even a 6.

Z
 
#85
unbridled said:
Michael Rhodes- possibly the top Nashville session bassist. A 5er and not a Fender, or a P style for that matter.

rhodes_3.jpg
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Hmm.. sure does look like a Precision pickup in the neck position. ;)
 
#86
Bobbybunante said:
Thanks Gents. I know a p bass is common, but for someone to say "all country players play 4 string P basses" hit me funny. I am 40 and have been playing for over three decades. I had never been confronted with anything like this before. It took me off guard. He told me if I wouldn't agree to play a P bass he'd find someone who would.
Oh well.
Habe an audition for another band tomorrow night. Wish me luck.
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This would be but one of many problems you'd have with this guy.

Find another gig and then quote David Allan Coe & Johnny Paycheck. :D

--------

BTW. At various times I played a four string fretless P, and later a 5 string fretless Steinberger in country bands.

On the old country standards I'd mimic that 'dog house' Wurlitzer jukebox BOOM by using my thumb and palm-muting at the bridge.

Make root - five come alive and they won't care what you :bassist:! :)
 
#88
stflbn said:
Here around Nashville you see many may 5-strings. Musicman, Laklands, many Sadowskys with major acts or recording players as well as other custom Fender on steroids type basses, then your expected fenders as well as other models. It's pretty mixed.

Here's what I'm playing for my current chick driven country cover band, and the response has been resoundingly positive, both visually and regarding it's tone. It can 'do' vintage with the front pickup and in passive mode, but in active mode it's far from a vintage instrument.

Invalid Link Removed[This invalid link has been removed]
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Gorgeous! :)
 
#90
Country Music is changing, no doubt. There are more types of Country Music now than there are any other genre of music. The sound of the bass on country records is definitely changing, or rather, evolving. But if you think about it, its always changing with the times. From its start in the early 30's-50's with the Upright or Doghouse Bass, to the Fender Precision, to Dano's and Rick's in the 60's, the first Active Basses of the 70's, then Graphite, Multi-String Basses in the 80's, Boutique and Imports in the 90's, and now in the new Millenium, were using all of the above, whether your in a retro country, trad. country, alt-country, country-rock, country-goth, bluegrass, texas country, etc, etc. Bottom line, though the P-Bass is a great default bass, there are no bounderies in this genre anymore, and you should play whatever makes you most comfortable. Ive even seen a few players in town playing 7 string basses, and they work alot. However, personally, IMO, these days I get more excited when I see someone playing something unusual, like an old B.C. Rich, or an Explorer Bass, a Rickenbacker, or an Epi Jack Casady with flatwounds. As I mentioned earlier, the Thunderbird bass is being used more and more often. I do see a passive bass trend though, seems were getting tired of (hi-fi) active preamps, and are getting back to the ballsy, bassy tone of passive basses.
 
#91
I play nothing but country primarily, alongwith some blues and southern rock mixed in. The GC guy does'nt know diddle on what's going on out here. I play my Warwick Corvette 4 or my MM Bongo 5, which ever strikes me when I leave out for a gig. I do have a P bass, I've had for years, but very seldom play it anymore. Look at George Strait's bass player, Terry Hale. He's been with George since inception, he plays a Warwick Thumb 5. Many bass players in other top named country bands play different brands of 4s and 5s. It's what feels good to you. Your group should'nt care as long as you can play what's required.
 
#93
Bobbybunante said:
Thanks Gents. I know a p bass is common, but for someone to say "all country players play 4 string P basses" hit me funny. I am 40 and have been playing for over three decades. I had never been confronted with anything like this before. It took me off guard. He told me if I wouldn't agree to play a P bass he'd find someone who would.
Oh well.
Habe an audition for another band tomorrow night. Wish me luck.
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Good. Don't waste your time with that other boob. I WILL say however, is if it's a good paying serious pro gig, and stylistically (I mean visually as well as sound-wise) the p-bass is the deal, then that's a different story. What I mean is, I've played in decidedly retro-flavored country bands that not only had to sound authentic, but LOOK the part too(stage attire and all---I had a wardrobe of stuff that looked straight outta the 50's and early 60's, and my gear matched, and my Brylcreem). Then, a vintage-looking P with flats 'n foam was the ticket. Heck, my strap even looked "correct". But if it's not that kind of "show band" or "period correct" band and you're getting a good sound that fits the music, then ***, who cares what you're playing.
 
#95
I've always been a fan of the "use what gets the job done" way of doing things, but I were working for a certain artist or band that was that set on certian gear and sounds that they said I want a P bass then I guess if it paid enough then I would to it....but, and here's the big but dottie...I've found that that most don't care as long as you have good working gear, and can play your instument....now I've some bluegrass and country fill in work using an upright and electric...and both are 5ers...I prefer a 5 on that type of music because the b string allows my to walk into certain notes in ways I cant with a 4 string.
 
#100
Ozonbass said:
It don't get much more country than this...course I like my country a little edgy...and that sure isn't a P-bass.

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Sorry, Oz, but it gets a LOT more country than that. Hell, even Mike Ness gets more country than that on his "Cheating At Solitare" album. When I saw him live a few months back, that same bass player had a P in his hands more often than not.

That said, I love this cover of Dylan's "Don't Think Twice" - one of my favorite songs - but this is way more Social D flavor (imagine that!) than country.
 

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