Surprised I don't see a DMV bassists thread. Anyway, where are my locals? Seen any odd stuff at Atomic lately? Who has some new music to share?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
DMV Bassists - DC, Maryland, Virginia
- Thread starter scott sinner
- Start date
Fairfax VA !!
by the way, i've been hankering for some type of jam situation. i'm not sure exactly what i'm looking for but don't want to just jam covers (unless there is a fair bit of improv and song bending going on). i want something a bit more open/expressive/creative.
any ideas?
by the way, i've been hankering for some type of jam situation. i'm not sure exactly what i'm looking for but don't want to just jam covers (unless there is a fair bit of improv and song bending going on). i want something a bit more open/expressive/creative.
any ideas?
Loudoun County here! Not sure I'm up for meeting strangers yet, but hopefully soon.
Fairfax VA,
Been playing self taught since college but finally decided to get some lessons and learn a few new tricks after 30 plus years, (and forgive me but taking 6 string guitar lessons too).
What's everyone rocking with?
Been playing self taught since college but finally decided to get some lessons and learn a few new tricks after 30 plus years, (and forgive me but taking 6 string guitar lessons too).
What's everyone rocking with?
Still have my first ever bass after 36 years.
Rickenbacker 4003
Danelectro Silver Sparkle
Beatles love with my Hofner Ignition
Fender Blue Burst Jazz
Current favorite JMJ Road Worn Mustang
Rickenbacker 4003
Danelectro Silver Sparkle
Beatles love with my Hofner Ignition
Fender Blue Burst Jazz
Current favorite JMJ Road Worn Mustang
Excellent.
As I'm always curious about other folks influences here are the players who have been important to me.
Bruce Foxton - The Jam (my all time Bass hero)
Paul Simonon - The Clash (pure attitude and style)
Paul McCartney (no explanation needed)
Colin Moulding - XTC (always in awe of the creativeness)
DMV Area Influences
J. Carson Gray / Jim Gray - Last Train Home (alt. Country / roots rock)
J. Robbins - Government Issue / Jawbox
As I'm always curious about other folks influences here are the players who have been important to me.
Bruce Foxton - The Jam (my all time Bass hero)
Paul Simonon - The Clash (pure attitude and style)
Paul McCartney (no explanation needed)
Colin Moulding - XTC (always in awe of the creativeness)
DMV Area Influences
J. Carson Gray / Jim Gray - Last Train Home (alt. Country / roots rock)
J. Robbins - Government Issue / Jawbox
Baltimore city. This is a very self-selecting thread since nobody outside this area will know what/where DMV is. And that's OK.
My main bass is the one in my aviator, 2020 60th Anniversary Jazz. I like the articulation of the single coil pickups and the neck profile, but dislike the look, weight, and fact that the intonation on the G string can not be properly set. But it sounds and plays lovely. I've gone through a few Js and that's the one I've kept.
My main bass is the one in my aviator, 2020 60th Anniversary Jazz. I like the articulation of the single coil pickups and the neck profile, but dislike the look, weight, and fact that the intonation on the G string can not be properly set. But it sounds and plays lovely. I've gone through a few Js and that's the one I've kept.
You're right about DMV. Not sure how well known the acronym is outside of the region. I've lived here most of my life and I don't recall it even being a thing until a few decades ago.
I was never into Jazz basses but I got my Blue Burst Jazz late last year and it really is a nice player and after getting a proper set up I have no complaints.
I was never into Jazz basses but I got my Blue Burst Jazz late last year and it really is a nice player and after getting a proper set up I have no complaints.
There are definitely some bass players that have been a big influence, Ben Shepherd, Justin Chancellor, Les Claypool, Joe Lally, but Ill end with Mark Sandman….in a lot of ways, seeing Morphine for the first time harmonized the disparate ideas of bass in my mind.
At the time, I was as perhaps even more compelled by the way bass (synth bass granted usually), was used in electronic music compositionally often the central 'riff' if you will. Somewhat of a 'duh' moment, but seeing Morphine made me realize I could play bass guitar in a way compositionally like electronic bass.
I can actually play keys pretty well too, Ive been the key player in groups too, but I prefer bass.
And another way of saying that harmonized things, I like some simple groovy bass lines as much as flashy ones, like I said, I love Primus and Fugazi bass lines…But what I dont enjoy playing is de minimus bass lines. Lines that just dont add anything but an octave. Thats boring for me and usually unnecessary layering of things easily dealt with with effects or mixing. Guitar player in my current group, for example, finds that quite freeing to not feeling like he has to just strum chords anywhere as I'm providing all the core rhythm voicing needed. He gets a certain freedom to play more interesting things.
So that had the most lasting influence on me. Ive mostly since been a bass playing primary song writer.
Last edited:
I almost put Joe Lally on my list of DMV bassists I admire / influenced me but I didn't want to drag on. I am aware that Mark Sandman / Morphine are a glaring blind-spot in my musical vocabulary. I've been aware of them and heard a little but have never gone down that rabbit hole for myself. I'll have to correct that soon.
I admire players who have their own sound and can both hold down the bottom end simply or create complex melodic lines and interesting musical textures.
Ironically, the older and better I become, I find myself drawn to a simpler style of playing.
I admire players who have their own sound and can both hold down the bottom end simply or create complex melodic lines and interesting musical textures.
Ironically, the older and better I become, I find myself drawn to a simpler style of playing.
Morphine is a worthwhile rabbit hole imo. Like, I've never tried to play like that, with a slide, fewer strings, but the context of composition, it is a different and interesting use of bass regardless even of those particulars.
Some really fun basses and players popping up in this thread!
My main go-to is a Fender Roscoe Beck V, but also hanging out are:
Moollon P4
Fender JMJ Mustang (using it on a show run right now, actually!)
Fender '61 Roadwork Jazz (the shell pink Flea model)
Sire fretless 5er
And after some hunting, I found "my" first bass (same model, era and color anyway), an 80's Peavey Patriot.
(Oh yeah, and an NS electric upright and an old Wilfer double bass)
My main go-to is a Fender Roscoe Beck V, but also hanging out are:
Moollon P4
Fender JMJ Mustang (using it on a show run right now, actually!)
Fender '61 Roadwork Jazz (the shell pink Flea model)
Sire fretless 5er
And after some hunting, I found "my" first bass (same model, era and color anyway), an 80's Peavey Patriot.
(Oh yeah, and an NS electric upright and an old Wilfer double bass)
Also, been kicking around the idea of hosting a local bass hang sometime this summer. Just something chill on a weekend afternoon.
Set up amps in different rooms and let folks bring fun basses from their herd. Would be a fun way to get to try a bunch of cool basses and meet some low-end friends IRL.
Still kicking around the idea, but I'll be sure to keep this crew posted!
Set up amps in different rooms and let folks bring fun basses from their herd. Would be a fun way to get to try a bunch of cool basses and meet some low-end friends IRL.
Still kicking around the idea, but I'll be sure to keep this crew posted!
I would definitely be up for that.
Harford County bass player here. You all still thinking about a bass hang?
Didnt get many replies but maybe more are on now. DMV low end where y'all at?
Just seeing this now! It's been a minute but a DMV bass meetup sounds great!
