Double Bass Different basses for different drummers?

[Michael Glynn]

I work with a drummer who really prefers my plywood bass over carved. His music is pretty dense and rhythmically complex, and whatever warmth and harmonic complexity a carved bass provides is pretty irrelevant, and honestly probably detrimental much of the time. Clear articulation and a nice thump is what is needed, so I agree with him when playing his music.

 

[Sam Sherry]

I work with a drummer who really prefers my plywood bass over carved. His music is pretty dense and rhythmically complex, and whatever warmth and harmonic complexity a carved bass provides is pretty irrelevant, and honestly probably detrimental much of the time. Clear articulation and a nice thump is what is needed, so I agree with him when playing his music.

If you, a topnotch player, think it's worth it then it must be worth it. You know what you're doing. I have to learn from that by taking it at face value and pondering on how that would and does work.

But a beautiful bass sound inspires me. It's never irrelevant to me. And no-one has ever said, "Please bring the EUB and leave the 1850s bass at home, because my music is pretty dense and rhythmically complex."

 

[41 Hz]

I change basses / setups based on what I think will complement the music.
You mentioned a drummer changing a cymbal for different bass players. For the same program of music, in the same venue, but only the drummer changes...let me pose another question. How about changing one element for different drummers? The strings?, the pickup?, the amp cab? Does anyone do that?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

About the only change I make is to occasionally play unamplified with a certain drummer in town who has the musical facility to accommodate that. Other than that, no.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

If you, a topnotch player, think it's worth it then it must be worth it. You know what you're doing. I have to learn from that by taking it at face value and pondering on how that would and does work.

But a beautiful bass sound inspires me. It's never irrelevant to me. And no-one has ever said, "Please bring the EUB and leave the 1850s bass at home, because my music is pretty dense and rhythmically complex."

Sadly I've encounted plenty of people who at first sight of me carrying a DB ask me if I play electric. I get a sour face when i tell them no.

W/e.

 

[Bruce Calin]

From a slightly different perspective: I occasionally play with a drummer who, in my experience with many, is one of the very few who know how to tune drums for musical effect. Unfortunately, he's going to have to retire for health reasons. So many of them seem to show up with an array of drums and cymbals with not much idea IMO of how to make them sound good. It really can make a huge improvement. We as bassists must of necessity listen to the kit and it can be pleasant or a real drag.

 

[41 Hz]

To derail even further. I listened to a set at the Mezzrow the other day and just loved how understated the drummer was. That site is an inspiration for me out here in the sticks.

 

[Papageno]

Why not doing the opposite: switching drummers according to which bass and amp you bring in? ;-)

 

[Lionel Albert]

I sat in on a Rufus Reid masterclass back in college where he mentioned off hand playing with a drummer who liked to choose different ride cymbals for different bassists.

This has stuck with me for 20+ years, as these things sometimes do.

These days I play a regular gig that is often subbed out to different drummers and pianists. I am very fortunate in that I have a stable of bass options (gut/steel, high action/low action, ply/carved, big/small, different pickups, cabs, etc)

I know there are a ton of variables at play, but Im finding that certain basses/rigs work better with some players than others for what seems like a myriad of different possible reasons I can only begin to speculate about.

I'm wondering if any of ya'll regularly swirch out basses or preamps depending on how a drummer (or piano/guitar player) sits on the beat or in the mix?

Thank gang!

I've fortunately got the chance not to ask myself this type of question except for EQ.
Amplification is here to duplicate the acoustic sound (maybe impossible), if it's too loud, just play softer, if it's too soft, play a little bit harder.
If you can't be heard, add some mids, if there is some feedback... No chance you will hear your natural sound.
These are my main problems.

My question is : if you've got the choice why don't you play completely acoustic ?

 

[JBarz]

The booking agent and the crowd generally like uncomfortably (imho) loud volume levels on this gig. It's not uncommon for 4 horn players to sit in, too, which doesn't help to that end.

Certainly a double edge sword with a slippery slope to consider shifting gear for context. I did the same thing in my saxophone days arguably to my detriment. I would carry 4-6 mouthpieces in my case for different size rooms and styles of music. I would always secretly envy the guys who could lock in and do everything with just one setup. There's a lot less variables to consider and adjust for that way, no doubt.

 

[Lionel Albert]

The booking agent and the crowd generally like uncomfortably (imho) loud volume levels on this gig. It's not uncommon for 4 horn players to sit in, too, which doesn't help to that end.

Certainly a double edge sword with a slippery slope to consider shifting gear for context. I did the same thing in my saxophone days arguably to my detriment. I would carry 4-6 mouthpieces in my case for different size rooms and styles of music. I would always secretly envy the guys who could lock in and do everything with just one setup. There's a lot less variables to consider and adjust for that way, no doubt.

I don't own a Yamaha but why not buying one ?
Everyone says it's the best you can find, multiple sounds in one instrument.

 

[Sam Sherry]

Sadly I've encountered plenty of people who at first sight of me carrying a DB ask me if I play electric. I get a sour face when i tell them no.

W/e.

Huy, forgive them. They don't know what they don't know.

 

[JBarz]

I don't own a Yamaha but why not buying one ?
Everyone says it's the best you can find, multiple sounds in one instrument.

I've got a great EUB and a Tonedexter if I wanted to go that route (Yamaha doesn't make a 5 string), but I'm leaning more towards just locking in with the King Mortone->yamahiko->slampegg->ai head->barefaced SMT rig for now. Zero feedback issues at full throttle. That Tonedexter is a whole can of worms all in itself, tbh.

 

[james condino]

Of course I bring different basses for differnt gigs.

Who said I can only have one??????

 

[bass player 53]

Of course I bring different basses for differnt gigs.

Who said I can only have one??????

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Of course! You're like the Toyota techs that take my car over to Chick Fil A to grab the group lunch after they did the service.
How else are you gonna check the repair?

 

[james condino]

100%

I also have more than one in my quiver. When you like to set your bass on fire and jump into the crowd, you need a backup.