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Help me dispel the myths...

MK1

MK1

Nov 23, 2009
836
20
Grand Rapids, MI
#1
Most of us have a lot of experience behind us, both playing and buying, and some of us have less. It can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming listening to all the myths that are perpetuated by one source or another. I want to help those who may have a little less experience than others (I even have a lot I could learn). I have bought and even passed up a lot of gear that I would really enjoy based on myths that I have heard. Some of these myths are...

Short scale basses are only for students.

Neck thru basses are better than bolt on.

You need a 5 or 6 string bass to be a serious player.

Active electronics always sound better than passive.

What are some of the myths that you have heard? Please help educate me and others.
 
#2
MK1 said:
Most of us have a lot of experience behind us, both playing and buying, and some of us have less. It can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming listening to all the myths that are perpetuated by one source or another. I want to help those who may have a little less experience than others (I even have a lot I could learn). I have bought and even passed up a lot of gear that I would really enjoy based on myths that I have heard. Some of these myths are...

Short scale basses are only for students.

Neck thru basses are better than bolt on.

You need a 5 or 6 string bass to be a serious player.

Active electronics always sound better than passive.

What are some of the myths that you have heard? Please help educate me and others.
Click to expand...

Most of what I hear is the opposite, usually against active, 5-6 string basses, and neckthrough. Although I really don't hear too many comments overall regarding short scales. Musicians tend to be too dogmatic and slow to adapt to other ideas or unconventional ones.
 
#9
"The __________ bass is a one-trick pony that's only good for __________ style."

The only limitation with any well-crafted electric bass guitar lies with the player. Anyone who tells you that jazz can't be played on a P-bass or reggae can't be played on a Stingray is too lacking in experience with the bass to be passing around advice or perpetuating myths.
 
#15
You can't be a real player without an expensive axe.

The bigger amp the better.

Everything is preference. Anyone who says anything is better than anything else is just the same as the old man who says Chevy is better than Ford, or I will never own a Craftsman tool.

Jaco, Jamerson, Bona, Pino, Levin, etc. Sound like Jaco, Jamerson, Bona, Pino, Levin, etc. on any bass or equipment they play on. It is in the fingers...and the soul!
 
#16
Myths? No. Those are Truths.

Short scales (anything less than 35" scales) are amateur basses and only for students with small hands. String tension is higher with longer scale lengths, and good string tension is necessary for any professional.

Neck-thru is simply a better-construction method and a more sound design. Bolt-on necks should be reserved for short-scales (aka student instruments). There's no use in making amateur basses with better quality. When the bassist is good enough, he should upgrade to a pro instrument.

5-strings are the old 4-strings, and 6-string are the new 5-strings. What that means is that 4-strings are obsolete and 5-strings are the new standard for students and amateur-grade instruments. Pro bassists should not, under any circumstance play fewer than 6-string basses.

Active electronics are ALWAYS better than passive electronics. Firstly, active electronics can cop those "vintage, passive tones" that some of the older generations prefer (even though they are no longer acceptable in today's music). Active electronics are a must for pro instruments (again, passive should be left for the not-so-professionals) because all situations a pro bassist will encounter require on-the-fly EQ changes to suit the house mix and overall band sound.


This may seem a bit rash, but there is way too much diversity among bassists these days, and conflicting views lead to arguments that have no justification and are based on "preference." By mandating some of these changes, the system is better conformed, but leaves ample room for personality (wood types, paint jobs, scale lengths above 35", number of strings above 6, hardware type and color, onboard preamps, pickups...etc). However, it also sets clear lines for amateurs and pros so that the unworthy amateurs with little musical ability can stop saturating the market and let true artists fill the roles they deserve.
 

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