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Giving the ultimatum

R

remainthesame

Sep 24, 2008
818
48
#1
Hey guys, you might remember the thread I started a few weeks ago called "guitarist keeps tuning down."

For those who don't know (and can't tell by the title of my previous thread) my guitarist wants to keep tuning lower and lower. Now he bought an 8 string guitar and wants to play in E. I am not willing to play in the same octave, I am not willing to tune my bass down to some insanely low tuning that isn't physically audible to humans. :bawl:

Well I ended my last thread because my guitarist told me that he wouldn't get the 8 string. He told me the whole idea was out of his head and that I didn't need to worry anymore. So I was quite relieved about the ordeal being over. :hyper:

But yesterday the band sat me down and tried to convince me to give it a try. I told them that I have to think about it.

So in less than an hour I have practice, and when its over and we are all loading our gear, I am going to tell them how I feel. I am going to tell them that I am not willing to do this. I am going to tell them that its not something I can adjust to.

Then I am going to go to the other room so they can discuss what they want to do. I hope they decide to stick with the 7 string. I really hope they decide that an extra string isn't worth losing a "crucial member of the band." (not my ego talking, this is their wording)

I love this band, and I have never been happier. Nor have I had the pleasure of playing with such amazing talent. That's why I have been losing so much sleep lately. These guys are my brothers and I love them as one would love family. But if the collective band decides that they want to go to an 8 string, then it isn't fair for me to stick around. It isn't fair for them and it isn't fair for me.

Wish me luck guys.
 
#5
Stewie26 said:
Sounds like you really like this band. If they go with the 8 string , would it not be fair to give it a chance before quiting?
Then at least you say you gave it a try and it's not working. I think it makes you look better in the end.
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I do realize that I look horrible for not trying. But this is not something I can do. This is not something I can adjust to. And like I said in my last thread, if you can hit the lowest note on a four string bass, do you really need a bass player?
 
#6
remainthesame said:
I do realize that I look horrible for not trying. But this is not something I can do. This is not something I can adjust to. And like I said in my last thread, if you can hit the lowest note on a four string bass, do you really need a bass player?
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Yes, because he can't play moving bass lines and chords and higher register melodies at the same time. It depends on what he'll actually do.
 
#9
powmetalbassist said:
thats an unfair generalization of the positives while specifying negatives. As much as I hate the downtuning thing too, seems like an unfair this vs that comparison. Though if you've already made up your mind, maybe they would be right to let you go and find someone else.
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its not unfair at all, i have been able to provide them many reasons as to why we shouldnt do it. and they have only been able to give me one reason as to why we should.
 
#10
Some bands have two singers, even multiple drummers and guitar players. Why is it us bassist freak out if anyone else is in our area. It could be amazingly bass heavy. I think you're being pretty close minded. And saying you "can't" when you could is a way of saying you just don't want to.
 
#11
Broadstbully22 said:
Some bands have two singers, even multiple drummers and guitar players. Why is it us bassist freak out if anyone else is in our area. It could be amazingly bass heavy. I think you're being pretty close minded. And saying you "can't" when you could is a way of saying you just don't want to.
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no, i can't and i won't. as a bassist i get musicians walking all over me constantly. i have never been allowed to write in a band. i have never been able to do the recording. i have never been allowed to book a gig. the only thing i have, is my zone. and now my guitarist wants to take that away too.

I CAN"T put up with it. trust me i do want to. but i can not.
 
#12
Perhaps if they all want to play downtuned and you do not you'd just be better off finding some other people to play with? It doesnt sound like you guys are all on the same page.

remainthesame said:
no, i can't and i won't. as a bassist i get musicians walking all over me constantly. i have never been allowed to write in a band. i have never been able to do the recording. i have never been allowed to book a gig. the only thing i have, is my zone. and now my guitarist wants to take that away too.

I CAN"T put up with it. trust me i do want to. but i can not.
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1)i have never been allowed to write in a band
Then you must be joining the wrong bands

2)i have never been able to do the recording
As in play on the recordings? Or record the band yourself? You might be joining the wrong bands.

3)i have never been allowed to book a gig
Yeah, youre definitely joining the wrong bands

4)the only thing i have, is my zone
If thats really all you have then yes, youre joining the wrong bands

Its not that you can't, because you havent even tried. You just dont want to. Why bother with an ultimatum, just leave for something that suits you better. I doubt you'll have any luck changing their minds.
 
#14
remainthesame said:
thats the entire point of this thread. like i said in the original post, its not fair to me nor them. thats why they need to make the decision today.
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The way I see it, you need to make a decision. Youre outnumbered, and they all want the same thing. Why bother with the ultimatum? Is that really the way you want to go out?
 
#16
MatticusMania said:
The way I see it, you need to make a decision. Youre outnumbered, and they all want the same thing. Why bother with the ultimatum? Is that really the way you want to go out?
Click to expand...

yes it is. because they seem to want me in the band. this is one way i still have a way to stay in the band. im letting them decide if playing an 8 string is worth losing their bassist. they have told me on countless occasions that it would be impossible to replace me. youd think they would be a little nicer to me.

but again, as a bassist i am used to all the flak. from musicians and non musicians alike. and honestly its part of what makes bass mean so much to me. but i still want my zone. i still want to be the bassist. im proud of it being the low end. and now i cant be the low end anymore. so yes to me its worth it
 

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