Well since Bootsy played a Fender Jazz through an SVT quite a bit, his gear would certainly have been appropriate for most genres. Both Porter and Bootsy were customers of the famous Nudie clothing designer, so in addition to being complimentary in music gear for their respective styles, they both took their stage costumes from the same place.
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Does bass appearance matter for genre?
- Thread starter fourstringbliss
- Start date
Well since Bootsy played a Fender Jazz through an SVT quite a bit, his gear would certainly have been appropriate for most genres. Both Porter and Bootsy were customers of the famous Nudie clothing designer, so in addition to being complimentary in music gear for their respective styles, they both took their stage costumes from the same place.
It's the musicians who pick on this sort of stuff (okay, the warlock case might be more severe). I know because I've played in a blues cover band for the past 6 years using a Warwick Thumb NT6 and no one ever said anything about it. The last year when I wanted to buy a '55 P-bass, our singer / guitarists said I should get a Jazz bass instead because the P reminded him too much of greenday...and "we're not going to play any greenday are we?"...
- Jan 27, 2010
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It's the musicians who pick on this sort of stuff (okay, the warlock case might be more severe). I know because I've played in a blues cover band for the past 6 years using a Warwick Thumb NT6 and no one ever said anything about it. The last year when I wanted to buy a '55 P-bass, our singer / guitarists said I should get a Jazz bass instead because the P reminded him too much of greenday...and "we're not going to play any greenday are we?"...
I'd think a 55 P would fit perfectly for blues. It's period-correct.
I guess the answer is, "it depends". If the sound is what matters the most, then if you're gettin' it, no worries. On the other end of the spectrum, if it's a tribute band, then, yes the look matters a lot. Here in Vegas, there's a couple of good Beatle tribute bands. Two guesses what kind of basses the (lefty) bassist plays. Doesn't hurt that they're very good musicians, of course, but they also gotta have The Look. If you're getting paid, then like most everything else in life, the Golden Rule applies; "He who has the gold, makes the rules".
Back in 90s I walked onto the Stage at Buddy Guys legends w a Guild pilot w the pointy headstock to sit in w some folks
George Baize (rest in peace ) looks at me and goes "what the hell is that thing and why you bringing it on my stage "
Yea, some basses have right and wrong places....
George Baize (rest in peace ) looks at me and goes "what the hell is that thing and why you bringing it on my stage "
Yea, some basses have right and wrong places....
I used to think Rics were the most ugly-god awful looking basses, but I loved their sound.
I wound up liking their looks a lot eventually, so i guess things worked themselves out.
I wound up liking their looks a lot eventually, so i guess things worked themselves out.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, your opinion, man.
No no, it's true (desperately tries to ignore your avatar) - I conducted a focus group which came to that conclusion.
There may have been some biases - the group was my mates, we all like the same band and it was held in the pub but I like to think there was some rigorous scientific examination of the issue and I stand by the results!
- Mar 8, 2011
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I've never asked a bandleader what bass I should bring and I have no memory of a band leader saying anything negative...maybe after a few gigs, they'll say they liked a certain bass better, but I'm not really even sure if that's ever happened.
And to all the folks who said you should bring 'X' to a country gig, you need to come to Nashville for a week or two! P basses aren't as ubiquitous as you may assume. In most modern country bands, you'd stand a much better chance of getting a gig with a 6 string Fodera than a '55 Pbass.
To the OP...there's no way I'd send the band leader a picture of your Mil and ask what he thinks...learn your parts and play them great and he won't care...it's not like it's a freakish looking bass. The only thing you'd accomplish by sending him a picture of a bass is to inform him that you lack confidence in yourself and your ability to make choices. I mean this as an encouragement, not a dis
And to all the folks who said you should bring 'X' to a country gig, you need to come to Nashville for a week or two! P basses aren't as ubiquitous as you may assume. In most modern country bands, you'd stand a much better chance of getting a gig with a 6 string Fodera than a '55 Pbass.
To the OP...there's no way I'd send the band leader a picture of your Mil and ask what he thinks...learn your parts and play them great and he won't care...it's not like it's a freakish looking bass. The only thing you'd accomplish by sending him a picture of a bass is to inform him that you lack confidence in yourself and your ability to make choices. I mean this as an encouragement, not a dis
True. A lot of people on this thread have already used BC Warlocks in any genre but metal as an example. I would add most of the $1500-$3000 coffee table/boutique basses would be out of place in punk, garage rock, grunge, indie, or any kind of trashy/low-fi to mid-fi rock. I can't picture Mudhoney, Queens of the Stone Age, Clutch, Supersuckers, or The Hives playing Foderas or Warwicks. It wouldn't fit the vibe of the band at all.
The look of a Fender or Gibson will pretty much fit any genre of music.
- Feb 5, 2013
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The guy I replaced in my PT country gig played a Warwick - and also wore funny hats - but no one seemed to mind. What they did mind was the noodling and slapping all thru the songs ending with him getting lost. He was just way too talented to be Root Note Jesus. 
Bootsy Collins and Porter Wagner ... I'd pay big money to see that show!
Bootsy Collins and Porter Wagner ... I'd pay big money to see that show!
I think the main reason for a selection of bass should be sound but, I do think there are certain basses that wouldn't suit certain situations! For example, I don't think my Traben Array 5 would suit at a wedding for example lol sounds mean as **** though so they would probably just have to put up with it lol
i play in a 60s cover band and sometimes use this period correct fenton bass and some folks comment that its a bit spaceage for the time but i point out that the 50s and 60s were a time when spaceage was the IN THING.i think only another musician would notice that your bass was not period correct. play on man.
Image is the moot point here. Quite often management etc. will wish to create an image in order to be a money magnet. If a guy can play from average up to virtuoso level and deliver the goods, then image is a secondary factor. That is both instrument & equipment and stage apparel. In music, the sound is top of the agenda and in theatricals, image has more bearing.
Roy Vogt
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- Sep 20, 2000
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The only time I've considered that in the last few years was subbing for a Waylon Jennings tribute. I thought about it and brought a Fender and played the whole night with a pick. "Waylon" thought it was cool.
I showed up for the gig and there he was in full Waylon regalia. I looked at him and said, "So, I take it we're doing a lot of Willie Nelson?"
Now, if you do a gig with Shooter Jennings you can probably bring that Warlock. I think his bassist uses a Thunderbird.
I think the OP is safe in a Classic Rock Band to play his bass. It doesn't look too far out.
Tribute bands are another thing. I use a Kalamazoo EBO when I'm playing in my Cream Tribute Band. Gotta have that look to be Jack Bruce.
I showed up for the gig and there he was in full Waylon regalia. I looked at him and said, "So, I take it we're doing a lot of Willie Nelson?"
Now, if you do a gig with Shooter Jennings you can probably bring that Warlock. I think his bassist uses a Thunderbird.
I think the OP is safe in a Classic Rock Band to play his bass. It doesn't look too far out.
Tribute bands are another thing. I use a Kalamazoo EBO when I'm playing in my Cream Tribute Band. Gotta have that look to be Jack Bruce.
Roy Vogt
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- Sep 20, 2000
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Apparently. I bought a Ferrari red 1989 Carvin LB75 recently. It was traded in by a bow-tie type jazz musician who thought that it looked too "rock star" for his music style.
I've got a black bass with a big old skull and crossbones graphic nibbling on the pickup. Should I take that one to church on Sunday for the worship band?
That whole image thing can be important, ya know?
