Great Advice From Marcus Miller

[madbassplaya]

Your bass buying purchases shouldn't be influenced by a quote. On the opposite end of the field, Anthony Jackson, who's played on even more records than Marcus and is arguably a far more influential figure, plays a $20k bass and has advised people to buy the best bass they can afford. I wouldn't alter my purchases based on either quote.

I agree with you but I think that most people's bass buying purchases are influenced by quotes and what others play.

There's a difference in getting the best bass you can afford and obsessing over getting another bass because someone else likes it or says its better.

I've been guilty of this myself. Focusing more on getting a different/better bass than focusing on becoming a better player. Bass A and Bass B are both very similar in quality but I feel like I'm going to be a better player on bass B because it's new and someone else sounds good on Bass B. After having Bass B for a few weeks though, I realize I'm still the same player so I start looking for Bass C because it's surely going to be better!

With all that being said, there is nothing wrong with buying a quality bass or even the best bass you can afford whether that's a US Fender or a Fodera NYC. My point is find a really good bass that you really like and focus on technique and playing. That's what i'm trying to do!

 

[Fletz]

I agree with you but I think that most people's bass buying purchases are influenced by quotes and what others play.

There's a difference in getting the best bass you can afford and obsessing over getting another bass because someone else likes it or says its better.

endorsements and the wisdom of crowds. It's the way marketing is done now. Talkbass.com is both the best and worst thing for Fender, Ric, Gibson etc.

 

[T. Alan Smith]

I agree with you but I think that most people's bass buying purchases are influenced by quotes and what others play.

There's a difference in getting the best bass you can afford and obsessing over getting another bass because someone else likes it or says its better.

I've been guilty of this myself. Focusing more on getting a different/better bass than focusing on becoming a better player. Bass A and Bass B are both very similar in quality but I feel like I'm going to be a better player on bass B because it's new and someone else sounds good on Bass B. After having Bass B for a few weeks though, I realize I'm still the same player so I start looking for Bass C because it's surely going to be better!

With all that being said, there is nothing wrong with buying a quality bass or even the best bass you can afford whether that's a US Fender or a Fodera NYC. My point is find a really good bass that you really like and focus on technique and playing. That's what i'm trying to do!

The problem, really, is how most of us focus on getting the next nicest bass we can afford. ...instead of focusing on the nice bass in our possession.

 

[Fletz]

The problem, really, is how most of us focus on getting the next nicest bass we can afford. ...instead of focusing on the nice bass in our possession.

+1,000

 

[seungkoo]

My main bass gets all my attention and time when I play live or studio. The other basses are just fun to mess with, I usually don't buy unless I can sell for the same or make profit. It's just something my wife said is ok with since everyone needs a hobby

 

[57pbass]

Two: Who listens to drummers?

If Poogie Bell gave me bass advice, I would listen very closely.

 

[57pbass]

I know I'm going to bring on the wrath of many here, but that is exactly why I play a Fender P strung with flats. I'm in a classic rock cover band and it just plain sounds good all night. Your experieence and needs may (and probably do) vary, of course.

Amen brother, amen.

 

[burk48237]

Brad JohnsonI agree with him that many expensive basses sound like science projects. So I tend not to gravitate towards those basses.

Signature worthy line.

I think the real important part of Marcus statement is to check out how the bass sounds in the mix. I think this is the most missed aspect of most high end bass buyers. That said a lot of high end basses are being used in small group traditional Jazz soloing situations where they excel.

OTOH I've heard some world class players who I wouldn't consider trading tone with in a hundred years. And some of them may sound good, but they could sound a whole lot better with different stuff. And if your as mediocre as me you need to sound good.

I also suspect that Leo Fenders basic formula. 34" scale, bolt on, alder or ash body, maple neck with Rosewood or maple fingerboard is the starting point for success in sitting in the mix. And while my quest is done, if your spending that $2500 on the ultimate Fender your probably on the right tract .

Where I disagree with Marcus is while an off the shelf Fender can do the job they do not have the consistency in QC they had forty years ago. And while you can still find a good one, there are several small makers building better Fenders than Fender. A few months ago I played KJungs Nordy P bass. I'll bet you'd have to play a hundred new Fenders to find a P that was a good of P bass as that Nordy was.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The problem, really, is how most of us focus on getting the next nicest bass we can afford. ...instead of focusing on the nice bass in our possession.

That's why I started my thread about "what was your last bad bass?" The truth is that most of us own good or great basses, we are just greedy, and always want something else.

 

[burk48237]

That's why I started my thread about "what was your last bad bass?" The truth is that most of us own good or great basses, we are just greedy, and always want something else.

I must admit it's a good place for me to know I don't need another bass. While I could justify a larger cab for some bigger rooms, if I ever buy another bass it will be a back up. My quest for # 1 is done.

I was playing last night working out a Michael Buble tune for church. And I just couldn't put my bass down. I actually thought to myself, could I sound any better? I could play better, no doubt about that. But my thirty plus year quest for "great tone" is concluded.

 

[MikeBass]

That's why I started my thread about "what was your last bad bass?" The truth is that most of us own good or great basses, we are just greedy, and always want something else.

You really have to stop with all that logical talk.......

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Anthony Jackson, who's played on even more records than Marcus and is arguably a far more influential figure.

I think both are pretty much highly influential. But I think Marcus influence is a few steps ahead of AJ. Especially when it comes to the 19 - 40 year old crowd.


A lot of players have no clue at all who AJ is. But mention Marcus name and they can name at least 6 of Marcus songs.

 

[madbassplaya]

The problem, really, is how most of us focus on getting the next nicest bass we can afford. ...instead of focusing on the nice bass in our possession.

You summed up my whole post in a sentence.

That's why I started my thread about "what was your last bad bass?" The truth is that most of us own good or great basses, we are just greedy, and always want something else.

Agreed

 

[MikeBass]

I must admit it's a good place for me to know I don't need another bass. While I could justify a larger cab for some bigger rooms, if I ever buy another bass it will be a back up. My quest for # 1 is done.

I was playing last night working out a Michael Buble tune for church. And I just couldn't put my bass down. I actually thought to myself, could I sound any better? I could play better, no doubt about that. But my thirty plus year quest for "great tone" is concluded.

It's funny, because I go in circles with my sound/tone.
I'll always have my Jazz bass going on, so I'm set there- and I'm a Jazz Bass guy.

BUT...I reciently heard a recording of me playing my old Warwick Thumb Bass and was flat out stunned at how I sounded on it.

These days I'm circling back around to that tighter punchy-er sound (like that Warwick) from a "Jazz Bass" type of tone. (I've onwed more Warwicks over the years than I have SAdowsky/Jazz Basses).

It's not that one is better than the other. Or sounds so much better than the other. Sometimes we just want a different flavor of good.

And to be honest, sometimes I just like to have a "new" bass.
I've logged more gigs and hours on my old Jazz than I can remember. So, the line of getting to know your instrument to find your voice.....done it.
So now I just switch things up all the time to keep it interesting and have fun with it.
But I know if all else fails, I have my #1 to go back to for a "reset".

Like you Burk, I've found my #1 a long time ago. And I won't sound any better than I do on that. But I like to mix it up.

And my God did that Warwick just kill on that recording!

 

[MikeBass]

I think both are pretty much highly influential. But I think Marcus influence is a few steps ahead of AJ. Especially when it comes to the 19 - 40 year old crowd.


A lot of players have no clue at all who AJ is. But mention Marcus name and they can name at least 6 of Marcus songs.

And play them badly......

 

[JAUQO III-X]

And play them badly......

 

[lowendgenerator]

Sure, he tells me this AFTER I picked up a Marcus Miller Jazz lol.

 

[FC Bass]

I know they made a 5-string early on for Jimmy Johnson (IIRC).

Very true
It was in 1976 and this is the bass:

(from the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] page on the Alembic site.

From Mica (Alembic, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed])

Jimmy Johnson's 5-string bass was delivered in May of 1976.

Same month I was delivered

I totally agree with Mr Miller btw, there's absolutely no need for an expensive bass for anyone

 

[mongo2]

I know they made a 5-string early on for Jimmy Johnson (IIRC). Hadn't heard of an early 6. Ken Smith was already making them for AJ in the early 80s- it'd be interesting to see if Alembic made one around the same time.

Didn't Carl Thompson work on a 6 string for AJ prior to Smith?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Didn't Carl Thompson work on a 6 string for AJ prior to Smith?

Yes he did. It was the first modern 6 string electric bass. Then AJ went over to Ken Smith who made some killer 6 string basses(still does). And from there AJ went with Vinnie Fodera where he's been ever since.