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Do you go both ways?
- Thread starter BCRichguy
- Start date
Ive owned a few over the years ranging from acoustics to a decent ESP Baritone 7 string. Mainly used them for songwriting purposes. More recently though I’ve been using my keyboards more for that. I got my daughter an acoustic so there’s always one in the house. I’ve only ever played one gig with a guitar (barrowed a $2k Taylor lol) and it was the first acoustic gig I played and I didn’t really know at the time that I could’ve just played electric bass. So after that one gig I played electric bass for acoustic gigs until more recently when I picked up an fender acoustic bass. But yeah outside of bass I feel more comfortable on keys than I do on guitar. I think it’s mainly hand/finger size thing. I have big ol sausage fingers and the narrow string spacing makes it a pain to do much beyond playing basic chords. I’m also mainly a fingerstyle bass player and While I will use a pick here and there I’m much more confident playing fingerstyle.
I have dabled in it as long as i`ve played bass. Been playing drums for the last 9 years too. Out of the whole 17 years, of my 24 lifespan, i`m doing pretty well for myself
I started out on a $25 Stella guitar like many of the greats. I got pretty good but I get more work playing keys and take the guitar along for the songs that don't need keys. I started playing Bass in the late 90's and did a lot of Bass gigs for many years but not as much these days. I got a drum set a few years ago and put in practice time a few days a week. A few weeks ago I got a mandolin so I can do a full-service John Paul Jones when I find a Zep tribute band. I can already play most of "Going to California", "Battle of Evermore", and have started working on "Hey Hey What Can I Do".
I just wrapped up a gig playing guitar. As a solo artist, I use a Boss RC300 looper to record bass and drums and play my Stratocaster (American Special w/ a humbucker in the bridge)...
The Fender Stratocaster is the best guitar ever made. But, I recently bought a Gibson Les Paul Jr. anyway...
I love that Jr. One volume, one tone, and one P90 at the bridge... AWESOME!
Before the Jr I bought this Gretsch...
2420 Streamliner Hollow body electric. Great guitar for the price.
About a month ago I walked into Corner Music the week before they closed and saw the first guitar I ever had in my life. My dad bought it for me in the late sixties or early 70's. Came with a case that was the amp. This is the reissue with an upgraded bridge, tuners and knobs, maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard and mahogany body. The lipstick pups are made to sound like the original...
I absolutely and totally agree with you that playing guitar has made me "a more aware" bass player. It's easy to unconsciously overplay the bass. Playing in the pocket is where its at on bass unless the song calls for a busy bass line.
The Fender Stratocaster is the best guitar ever made. But, I recently bought a Gibson Les Paul Jr. anyway...
I love that Jr. One volume, one tone, and one P90 at the bridge... AWESOME!
Before the Jr I bought this Gretsch...
2420 Streamliner Hollow body electric. Great guitar for the price.
About a month ago I walked into Corner Music the week before they closed and saw the first guitar I ever had in my life. My dad bought it for me in the late sixties or early 70's. Came with a case that was the amp. This is the reissue with an upgraded bridge, tuners and knobs, maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard and mahogany body. The lipstick pups are made to sound like the original...
I absolutely and totally agree with you that playing guitar has made me "a more aware" bass player. It's easy to unconsciously overplay the bass. Playing in the pocket is where its at on bass unless the song calls for a busy bass line.
I tell people, quite proudly, that I'm not that old hackneyed stereotype of the weak link guitarist force to play bass. Rather, that it's my first love and that I will always consider myself a bass guitarist.
But I do play some guitar. I very much enjoy playing acoustic, strumming chords and coming up with riffs. I even play it with my band on an all-acoustic number. I tend to play fingerstyle and, staying true to my roots, play in such a way that I feature bass notes prominently.
I also play piano and have been known to tear it up on the Jew's harp.
But I do play some guitar. I very much enjoy playing acoustic, strumming chords and coming up with riffs. I even play it with my band on an all-acoustic number. I tend to play fingerstyle and, staying true to my roots, play in such a way that I feature bass notes prominently.
I also play piano and have been known to tear it up on the Jew's harp.
Bass is what I do. Guitar is a hobby.
(Not implying I am a professional bassist.
It's just my "thing")
(Not implying I am a professional bassist.
It's just my "thing")
I play guitar when I take a guy thru a piece that can't listen to anything.
Its just faster than the usual negative reinforcement.
Some people literally decided they wanted to play music the same way some people will converse with you by yammering on for 30minutes straight.
Its just faster than the usual negative reinforcement.
Some people literally decided they wanted to play music the same way some people will converse with you by yammering on for 30minutes straight.
I’ve a,ways taken to music for relaxation and fun. Unfortunately I’m a bit of an introvert and really dislike playing out in any form because of stage fright/ anxiety in crowded rooms. While I’ve tried to play more and be more adventurous I most enjoy playing and making music by myself. I’m also too busy to have a good schedule.
So I learned guitar after piano and bass and play a little drums as well. I figure I can record my own stuff and entertain myself until I’m done with school and have the time to play music.
So I learned guitar after piano and bass and play a little drums as well. I figure I can record my own stuff and entertain myself until I’m done with school and have the time to play music.
I've been in bands on guitar but bass is "my" instrument. Just know how to get what the music needs out of it more intuitively. Kinda like how the guitar guys who "get" their instrument can just turn up an amp and ride the volume for their tones but use pedals for spice, it's like that with bass for me. I love my pedals and fun stuff but often I just need a tuner and I've got all I need.
However, on guitar I feel a bit naked without pedals.
However, on guitar I feel a bit naked without pedals.
Last year for our 15th anniversary, I bought myself my first acoustic 6-string and taught myself enough chords to play and sing our wedding song (Hero, by Enrique Iglesias). It made my wife cry and I got to have happy fun time afterwards.
You read that right... I bought myself a guitar, made my wife cry, and still got the happy fun time.
I have 5 basses hanging on the wall, but that 6-string now leans in the corner of my music room and I haven't touched it in ages. I really have no interest in it.
You read that right... I bought myself a guitar, made my wife cry, and still got the happy fun time.
I have 5 basses hanging on the wall, but that 6-string now leans in the corner of my music room and I haven't touched it in ages. I really have no interest in it.
I once daydreamed I'd go to six-string bass and once I got it down cold, I wanted to take a J200-ish jumbo acoustic and string it to the same tuning (B thru C) as the bass. Still looking for the 'Round Tuit' for that expedition, five strings was enough, and Keith already has the trademark on five-string gee-tar . . . . oh well.
I was always more than amazed at the late Walter Becker: Exceptionally tasty guitar and bass weave thru the Steely Dan sides, all by him. What a wonderful player, and he is certainly missed. A real tribute is that of course some of their sides were cut by a who's who of bass session greats, and some by him, and yet I never sense any difference, I could never hear his parts were a little deficient to Jackson, Rainey, etc. I always have to look just who's on this or that tune, his level was that high. Plus guitar parts that easily stood perfectly in line with the axe murderers they used.
I'm not sure anyone else could do both as well, though Darryl Stuermer comes to mind in the Genesis/Phil Collins catalogs.
I was always more than amazed at the late Walter Becker: Exceptionally tasty guitar and bass weave thru the Steely Dan sides, all by him. What a wonderful player, and he is certainly missed. A real tribute is that of course some of their sides were cut by a who's who of bass session greats, and some by him, and yet I never sense any difference, I could never hear his parts were a little deficient to Jackson, Rainey, etc. I always have to look just who's on this or that tune, his level was that high. Plus guitar parts that easily stood perfectly in line with the axe murderers they used.
I'm not sure anyone else could do both as well, though Darryl Stuermer comes to mind in the Genesis/Phil Collins catalogs.
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I started out playing guitar in high school. I went to watch a couple of guys that I hung out with jamming tunes (one guitarist and one drummer). I wanted to be a part of that so I bought a bass and joined them. At that point I pretty much played the bass only. I took a break from music for about 20 years and then I picked up the guitar again. After a couple years, I realized I wanted to play bass again and haven’t gone gone back to guitar. I wish I could ne one of these multi instrumentalist guys, but the guitar feels weird to me now since the strings and neck are so much smaller than bass.
I have an 1980 giannini sonic. It's trash, but I love it.
A piece of wood fell some time ago so I duct taped it because I had no money to fix it and if the guitar is trash it adds to the punk charm.
There is one song I play guitar in my band. A surf with vocals.
A piece of wood fell some time ago so I duct taped it because I had no money to fix it and if the guitar is trash it adds to the punk charm.
There is one song I play guitar in my band. A surf with vocals.
Well, to be honest, I don't know. The bass is a guitar, right? And those other thin stringed things sometime have bass strings too. I've tried to sort this all out but it only resulted in a crowded couch…
I've played guitar since I was 14 (and I'm 63 now). I suppose that I would have pursued that instrument more had my brother not been an astonishingly good guitarist who eventually went pro. I've done shows of various sorts over the years playing guitar (either exclusively or as a guitar/bass double), usually on an acoustic (my first love) and often on a 12-string. Amazingly, I even played in pit bands for semi-pro productioins of "Mame" and "Annie Get Your Gun" doing an acoustic guitar/banjo double. At this point, I have 6 guitars: three acoustic (one being a 12), and 3 electrics. I suppose that acoustic guitar will always be a part of who I am musically and playing one gives me a lot of joy. When I'm writing music or figuring stuff out for arrangements, I alternate between guitar and piano depending on what's to be done. Finally, I should say that there are two instruments that I will never sell or trade away: my 1968 Fender P-Bass and my 1978 Guild D50 acoustic. That's saying something given that I have 29 basses.
I started on guitar at 14 and a year or so later started playing bass. For 50 years I have predominantly been a bass player, but I still play guitar regularly. They complement one another.
I actually just bought my first electric guitar a few days ago. A new Schecter C1. I'm learning quickly and I just got Rocksmith. The first song I want to learn is Sting's 'Shape of My Heart.'
I must say, this has been one of the most revealing and enjoyable threads ever at Talkbass.
I never thought there were as many people here, as I, that could play a little guitar, but not to the level they wanted to be at.
I wanted to quote so many people, but it would be too many.
Now, I'm seriously considering buying a mandolin. I've always loved the sound of a mandolin, and when scored correctly into a song, they add such a different and pleasant tone.
I'm much better at playing guitar melodically (lead) than harmonically (rhythm) but I'm working on it. That's why I think I'd be good at the mandolin.
Keep this thread going!
Mike
I never thought there were as many people here, as I, that could play a little guitar, but not to the level they wanted to be at.
I wanted to quote so many people, but it would be too many.
Now, I'm seriously considering buying a mandolin. I've always loved the sound of a mandolin, and when scored correctly into a song, they add such a different and pleasant tone.
I'm much better at playing guitar melodically (lead) than harmonically (rhythm) but I'm working on it. That's why I think I'd be good at the mandolin.
Keep this thread going!
Mike
P.S. I also recently joined a guitar forum since I bought my Michael Kelly guitar.
I may reveal it to all of you you later.
Don't you love suspense?
Mike
I may reveal it to all of you you later.
Don't you love suspense?
Mike
