Double Bass do you agree with Spbgma's policy concerning "electric" instruments?

[bassfran]

So, is that thing a music festival or something of a civil war re-enactment? Yeesh.

 

[martinc]

Martinc,
Already gave my thoughtful and illuminating response very early in the thread. I think it tracks very closely with your thinking. The other post was simply referencing an earlier time when the bass player was expected to provide comic relief. And in some cases did wear a red nose, floppy shoes and an outsized hat. No intent to offend, just an extension of another's sentiment.

BobKay: Thanks for elaborating. I have always appreciated your posts and was a bit surprised at the clown reference.
Stringbean was another example of "humor" from back in the day. Not my style either but I do respect the bands that did that because they were thinking beyond the music and wanted to also entertain their audience. Not a bad approach for any bluegrass band.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

So, is that thing a music festival or something of a civil war re-enactment? Yeesh.

Indeed it does have clear similarities to a civil war reenactment or Monteverdi played on period instruments or racing 1950's sports cars. If your aim is to preserve something with historic accuracy (as theirs no doubt is) and you don't set clear guidelines then it looses essential purity of form. It's not like they're telling you it's bad to play instruments falling outside their parameters. Just like it's not bad to dress up in WWII uniforms...but if you do while participating in a civil war reenactment it won't be on the level. It's not bad to play a Kay bass strung with Spirocores through an amplifier...but if you do at an early music concert the music ain't so early anymore. It's not bad to go racing in a Mclaren P1 GTR (**** me not at all!) but if you try to at the Monterey Classic Car Week it won't be all that classic. It's not like these things are cutting into anyone's freedom to create something new. Far from it, it's culturally meaningful to preserve the forms and equipment that the things of right this moment have evolved from. I think you'll find that most truly innovative musicians are well versed in and deeply appreciate the history of the forms they've taken to new ground. Even if it's not yer cup of tea be gracious and understanding. Let them have this.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Indeed it does have clear similarities to a civil war reenactment or Monteverdi played on period instruments or racing 1950's sports cars. If your aim is to preserve something with historic accuracy (as theirs no doubt is) and you don't set clear guidelines then it looses essential purity of form. It's not like they're telling you it's bad to play instruments falling outside their parameters. Just like it's not bad to dress up in WWII uniforms...but if you do while participating in a civil war reenactment it won't be on the level. It's not bad play a Kay bass strung with Spirocores through an amplifier...but if you do at an early music concert the music ain't so early anymore. It's not bad to go racing in a Maclaren P1 GTR (**** me not at all!) but if you try to at the Monterey Classic Car Week it won't be all that classic. It's not like these things are cutting into anyone's freedom to create something new. Far from it, it's culturally meaningful to preserve the forms and equipment that the things of right this moment have evolved from. I think you'll find that most truly innovative musicians are well versed in and deeply appreciate the history of the forms they've taken to new ground. Even if it's not yer cup of tea be gracious and understanding. Let them have this.

That's really well put, Jeff. There's some really great writers on TalkBass.

 

[stringtapper]

What came to mind reading this:

"That bass is made in New York City!"

"NEW YORK CITY?!?!?"

 

[Holdsg]

yeah, by Roger Sadowsky, Vinny Fodera....

 

[neddyrow]

i have been enjoying this thread and all the contributions.

i think the big point is - yes, i agree with what they are saying....this is what preservationists do.

they are not telling all bands that want to be considered a bluegrass band follow these rules. just ones who want to be in their association.

no one should be offended by this....just don't join their association. simple as that.



our band has the required instrumentation and meets the other requirements. i play guts and we even try to do the one-mic setup when possible. i wouldn't consider ourselves preservationists because we break some of their rules -- but i'm glad the spbgma exists.

people can argue now, but in 100 years, it'll be real cool to see a new version of the Earls of Lester playing like they did in the 40's!

 

[Ketchakah]

Jeff,
Awesome post and right on the mark. Was gonna add, But really, you said it all.

 

[brianrost]

I was at the FreshGrass festival here in Mass. a week ago and only saw two bass guitars in use, Doyle Lawson's band and Alison Brown's band (and she's hardly traditional).

What I did see was lots of bassists playing with bows and all of them had E string extenders on their basses suggesting they were classically trained. Every one of them sounded fantastic. When they soloed they went up into thumb position and their intonation was spot on, too.

Is this going to be the next trend in bluegrass bass? Is SPBGMA going to outlaw bows too?