Great Advice From Marcus Miller

[calebbarton]

That's funny cause about 3 years ago or so I bought a Marcus Miller sig. Came with a crappy preamp (which I switched out) and crappy pickups (which I switched out). But I will say that its amazingly comfortable to play, sounds great in the mix, live and in the store. I have not actually played another instrument since I got it because I love it so much.

 

[onosson]

That's funny cause about 3 years ago or so I bought a Marcus Miller sig. Came with a crappy preamp (which I switched out) and crappy pickups (which I switched out). But I will say that its amazingly comfortable to play, sounds great in the mix, live and in the store. I have not actually played another instrument since I got it because I love it so much.

Aside from the preamp, pickups, and pickguard, are they substantially different than a standard Jazz Bass?

 

[lowendgenerator]

That's funny cause about 3 years ago or so I bought a Marcus Miller sig. Came with a crappy preamp (which I switched out) and crappy pickups (which I switched out). But I will say that its amazingly comfortable to play, sounds great in the mix, live and in the store. I have not actually played another instrument since I got it because I love it so much.

So, tell us how you really feel about the electronics.

I'm on the fence about the preamp, but the pickups sound good to me. The bass plays itself, I'll not be parting with mine any time soon.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

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

Yup- AJ found it to be pretty much unplayable though, so it was almost never used. Steve Bailey purchased it recently- there's a video of him trying to use it on YouTube, and he obviously has a hard time with it.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I bought a Marcus Miller sig. Came with a crappy preamp (which I switched out) and crappy pickups (which I switched out).

After all that it's no longer a MM sig is it?

 

[zeppelinbass95]

Classic Vibe P bass for life yo

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

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.

That's a real shame if it's true. While there are some albums when I really don't dig his tone, pretty much everything I've heard him play has been inspiring.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

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.

I would argue that AJ's influence is greater because even if you have not heard of him, every time you pick up a five or six string bass with a B string, Jackson is largely (not solely) responsible for it.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

After all that it's no longer a MM sig is it?

It still probably weighs a ton- does that count?

 

[west*coast*bass]

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.

Agreed...I have read through threads here where people talk for pages about what bridge will do what for the tone...UGH! The best sound is in the sum of all the parts and it MUST work in the band setting or what's the point?

 

[west*coast*bass]

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. .

Again, agree here... I think Victor is an amazingly talented musician but I don't really dig his tone.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Thanks, Dad.

That was actually my point. And most don't cost money.

I answered a question on the internet ("Which can I improve?"). Not sure what "Dad" is supposed to mean.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I would argue that AJ's influence is greater because even if you have not heard of him, every time you pick up a five or six string bass with a B string, Jackson is largely (not solely) responsible for it.

Not really the case. Especially when so many players have no clue about the history of AJ's instrument contribution. There are kat's who were inspired to play a 6 string bass because of John Pattitucci. They had no clue who AJ was at all.


And just because a player uses a 5 or 6 it really doesn't mean AJ fit's in the players influence consciously or otherwise.. Again some kat's are oblivious to AJ. And if they are playing a 5 or 6 it doesn't mean that they are because of AJ.

I personally have no connection at all to AJ because I play a 5 or 6. I chose to play the 5 originally because I wanted to go lower. And I chose the 6 because some times I want just a little more range.


I have mad respect for AJ but again AJ had nothing to do with me playing a 5 or 6 string bass.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

It still probably weighs a ton- does that count?

Yes they can be heavy.

 

[Brad Johnson]

True, although AJ made his rep on a modified Fender. By the time he went boutique, he already had a major discography as a studio whiz.

Interestingly, the AJ Sig is as simple electronically as a bass can be. The uniquenss is in the construction, IMO.

But his Fender couldn't do everything he wanted it to do. When he played the Fender it was becuase it's what was available at the time. Great example of someone pushing the envelope. On a personal level I've very glad he did. Made it much easier for me to find what I like.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Even though it's all true, he admitted buying boutique basses $2500+ just to mess around during sound check. Even Marcus can't stop the gas

He brought them to soundcheck... doesn't mean he bought them.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Great post and I agree with him 100%. A few years back I tried active basses and kept going up to more custom types. The sound go thinner and in my terms got Hi-Fi sounding. I was told at a gig by the drummer brother to quit playing my active bass and go back to my Fender it was killing the band, so I did, sold the actives and have played Fender P basses with flats since and have never heard of that problem ever again.

You likely didn't try the right active basses. They don't have to be thin or what some people refer to as Hi-Fi. They can easily kick as much sonic butt as a Fender.

 

[Justbleazy]

Hmmmm......I was playing a Fender Jazz last night and fell in love with it lol.

Basses are like women, one isn't enough!

Rule #1 (for me), only buy musical equipment with money made from my music (gigging, shows, etc...). Since I don't get that much that cuts down on a lot of unneccessary purchases.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a better sound, but I've found out that making smaller adjustments (and often overlooked) will eliminate the need to buy new basses.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

You likely didn't try the right active basses. They don't have to be thin or what some people refer to as Hi-Fi. They can easily kick as much sonic butt as a Fender.

Funny thing is that Marcus' bass is active.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Not really the case. Especially when so many players have no clue about the history of AJ's instrument contribution. There are kat's who were inspired to play a 6 string bass because of John Pattitucci. They had no clue who AJ was at all.


And just because a player uses a 5 or 6 it really doesn't mean AJ fit's in the players influence consciously or otherwise.. Again some kat's are oblivious to AJ. And if they are playing a 5 or 6 it doesn't mean that they are because of AJ.

I personally have no connection at all to AJ because I play a 5 or 6. I chose to play the 5 originally because I wanted to go lower. And I chose the 6 because some times I want just a little more range.


I have mad respect for AJ but again AJ had nothing to do with me playing a 5 or 6 string bass.

I think you may have missed my point because were it not for AJ "pushing the envelope" as Brad said, the number of companies making bass guitars with low Bs would have been much smaller than it was by the time you wanted a 5 or 6. AJ was a behind the scenes influence on how bass guitar has developed, and because of that, he is an influence whether one plays like him or listens to him or not.