First Edition Victor Wooten Bow Bass

[Just Thumpin']

I've had the pleasure of speaking with some of the guys at Fodera and they seem to very much appreciate constructive criticism (not that I had any to give, but I've seen enough out of them to recognize it is in their DNA to build for the customer, not themselves). Much of the preceding posts, however, were less than constructive and in my opinion, conflating the issues.

Absolutely no issue whatsoever with constructive criticism...it's how we improve things. But it does seem to me that much of the criticism centered around the way the Bow Bass looks and, for better, or worse, much of the design of this first prototype was based on how it needed to play and what it needed to sound like. I also think that using words like "hideous," tends to diminish the utility of constructive criticism however much we may value it -- especially in light of a very specialized design that needs to look significantly different than an ordinary bass in order to function the way it was designed to...

All of that said, we very much respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that what we build (especially with custom pieces) will not have universal appeal.

Regards,

J

 

[steubig]

hi,

everyone has an opinion, that's great.

what i think is interesting is that people sometimes base their opinion on the fact that they *can't imagine* what something might be capable of and therefore think it's useless . . . and then down people for that.

what i think is this: if i have a lack of imagination, it's my problem, not the other person's. further, i'm often struck by the idea that people who are supposed to be creative can be pretty dogmatic about stuff like this. the reason i became a musician was to be creative and have some personal expression, not to follow other people's rules or notions of what i *should* do. i think it's worth considering this when getting involved in these sorts of conversations.

imho, ymmv.

 

[king_biscuit]

Absolutely no issue whatsoever with constructive criticism...it's how we improve things. But it does seem to me that much of the criticism centered around the way the Bow Bass looks and, for better, or worse, much of the design of this first prototype was based on how it needed to play and what it needed to sound like. I also think that using words like "hideous," tends to diminish the utility of constructive criticism however much we may value it -- especially in light of a very specialized design that needs to look significantly different than an ordinary bass in order to function the way it was designed to...

All of that said, we very much respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that what we build (especially with custom pieces) will not have universal appeal.

Regards,

J

There have been maybe three posters out of 123 posts that have said anything negative about the bass (mine included), the rest has been sheer adoration and unbridled fawning.

 

[king_biscuit]

what i think is this: if i have a lack of imagination, it's my problem, not the other person's. further, i'm often struck by the idea that people who are supposed to be creative can be pretty dogmatic about stuff like this. the reason i became a musician was to be creative and have some personal expression, not to follow other people's rules or notions of what i *should* do. i think it's worth considering this when getting involved in these sorts of conversations.

imho, ymmv.

I actually don't think Victor is all that creative compared to guys like Jaco, Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, etc. I love the guy, but I think of Victor as more of a technical virtuoso/stunt bass player. I'm sure others will disagree, but I wonder if it can be done without personal attacks on the messenger -- nah, it's TB!

 

[steubig]

fwiw, i'm not a fanboy, but i do respect that he has a vision of what he wants to do.

 

[ole Jason]

I actually don't think Victor is all that creative compared to guys like Jaco, Marcus Miller, Michael Manring, etc. I love the guy, but I think of Victor as more of a technical virtuoso/stunt bass player. I'm sure others will disagree, but I wonder if it can be done without personal attacks on the messenger -- nah, it's TB!

I think because his solo playing is so far above what most other guys can do it can easily overshadow his ensemble playing. Vic is a great pocket player, it is unfortunate there aren't more youtube videos and whatnot highlighting that fact.

 

[cnltb]

I think because his solo playing is so far above what most other guys can do it can easily overshadow his ensemble playing. Vic is a great pocket player, it is unfortunate there aren't more youtube videos and whatnot highlighting that fact.

Sunset road by the flecktones is still my favorite tune with wooten I recon(in terms of the bassplaying).
The CD version.