Do you lower your Bass for a Biker Gig ?

[Makatak]

Random thought , youre at tonights Biker gig , you throw your Bass on and its still at the same height as last nights prog Rock underneath the chin " stare at the fretboard all night " gig ........do you automatically lower it to avoid looking like a tool ? .
Just a fun question , im sure it may have crossed many of youre minds at some stage........or not ??

 

[carlos840]

Dont see the point!
The height of my basses is decided by comfort and ease of play, not looks...

 

[selftitled907]

Dont see the point!
The height of my basses is decided by comfort and ease of play, not looks...

+1....

why exchange comfort and ease of playing for a look? and if needed, I would still prefer to stand behind something and not be seen rather than be uncomfortable. but thats just me.

 

[bmc]

I think the more appropriate question is do you shower before a bikers gig?

 

[cccy]

For some players, being visually appropriate is an important aspect of their performance.

I agree with that, but musicianship comes first. An unreasonable strap length affects muscianship negatively. Then again, having the bass below my chin is as uncomfortable (and harmful) as having it just above my knees.

Should you lower your strap: Yeah, maybe a little bit.

 

[JTFormula]

I would be there on my own bike so it wouldn't make a difference. Seriously, who cares where your bass sits on your body. None of the bikers are going to give a hoot. Play the music well and that's all they are going to care about. I've never been to a bike run where I was watching the band and said "look at how high/low that guitar is". Trust me, no one is going to care if u hang your bass the normal way you would wear it.

 

[onda'bass]

I messed around with different heights ie: lower and developed rt hand issues, went back to my original tried and true height....problem gone. In my exp your body get used to one position and does not take kindly to drastic changes in angles ect... Billy sheehan said something like set your strap where it works and never touch it again, I agree 100%

 

[Prezel]

For some players, being visually appropriate is an important aspect of their performance.

I prefer playing my bass seated as well in studio as in the rehearsal room. But on gigs I have it hung pretty low. About the middle of my waistline. Even though I have a decent amount of slapping and tapping technique in my playing.

As much as a high position would support my playing style, it equally if not more makes me feel uncomfortable on stage.
I can´t help it, but I feel plain "naked" with the bass hung high. Plus it leads me to silly movements when I try to groove... just look at Marcus Miller, his bass is pretty low as well and he´s a monster when comes to technique!

 

[Antny]

Same height regardless of the venue. Same height whether seated or standing too. I prescribe to the Billy Sheehan school of bass technique.

 

[tdub0199]

Personal preference and too subjective...

 

[TMart99]

I set my height for comfort and optimum playability.

Not for visual coolness.


I'm already cool enough ...as it is. I don't need to rely on bass height positioning to increase my cool factor

(BTW, the last two sentences are playfull jokes, not to be taken seriously)

 

[Dave W]

I'd leave it where it always is, whether that be right below my chin or hanging an inch off the ground.

I'd say mine is at a very normal height. It's the same height when I sit or stand...so my bass is always in the same location no matter how I decide to play.

 

[snyderz]

Not all bikers are Fieldy fans.

 

[bassplayerbob]

I played at a bike run a few years ago and a guy assumed I went to berklee because I wore my bass kinda high. Jazz style as he called it. We were doing classic rock. Go figure!

 

[countrybass007]

I think I've seen basses at all heights at various biker gigs over the years.

 

[RedLeg]

i have one strap with 3 strap locks on it (2 on the end, 1 on the front). The hi setting is for sitting, the low setting (4 inch difference) is for standing. My bass sits around my gut.
I give less than a damn what people think about what position I play my axe. I am paid to play and that is what I do.

 

[billiam5billion]

Just played a "biker" gig last weekend, didn't adjust my strap at all. Never would.

 

[Altitude]

I wouldn't, but I see your point. I've got a blues gig next week (I never do blues gigs) and had the same thought.

 

[zachoff]

Mine's always low, so no.

 

[SCMan88]

I REALLY don't care if I look funny,weird,or whatever nickname someone can give me when wearing my bass high.

I had a gig in my school(high school),and well,all the guitar players were with their straps to their balls,and I had quite a hard song to play.
In the end,I did no mistakes(was actually shocked about it,lol),and the guitar players were wrong wrong wrong!!!

So thats a funny story about putting the bass where it feels good for you and makes you comfortable as much as possible.
If you rather show off with your guitar/bass all over your balls,you have to deal with the consequences...