I’ve gotten general requests to bring a 5 string or upright, etc. But nothing super specific beyond that. I don’t do side gigs or fill in gigs these days, but when I did, I just picked the bass that was right for the music and never had an issue.
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How often do BL's request you use a particular bass?
- Thread starter Bar Band Bassman
- Start date
Really just what the title says. I have a BL who is also a good friend (was a guest and played at his wedding, etc.) who I've worked with off and on in everything from duos to 8 piece horn bands for 40 years or more. I have played MANY different basses (and amp rigs) with him over the ensuing years with little or no comment from him. Recently we did a gig and I played my MTD Kingston LK 4. He specifically asked me to bring it to the next gig, which I did. Last Saturday we had another date and while I brough the MTD, I also brought my new to me Ric 4003, which I opted to play all night (it was my Xmas present to myself, after all). He mentioned the Ric "didn't sound too bad"!Talk about damning with faint praise! I think I'll play the MTD next time! I always bring a backup, though... Anyway, this is so uncommon in my experience that I wondered about others' experience.
BBB
Nope. I did have a BL many years ago who complimented certain basses and really liked my precision, but these days nobody really comes in unless it’s a complement.
Most of my gigs are in a tribute to a particular 70s band. I use a jazz and built a setup on my HX that works pretty well.
My other gigs normally include more modern music from the 80s up, for those I use a stingray with a separate arrangement on the HX. Never got any demands for changes.
not really often.
but when I'm given a wish for a specific bass, that's my Hofner.
yeah, right, same as many folks in this thread. there's something magical in it.
audience also adores it.
but when I'm given a wish for a specific bass, that's my Hofner.
yeah, right, same as many folks in this thread. there's something magical in it.
audience also adores it.
I think you answered it when you described your relationship! As his friend he felt comfortable telling you what he liked!
Really just what the title says. I have a BL who is also a good friend (was a guest and played at his wedding, etc.) who I've worked with off and on in everything from duos to 8 piece horn bands for 40 years or more. I have played MANY different basses (and amp rigs) with him over the ensuing years with little or no comment from him. Recently we did a gig and I played my MTD Kingston LK 4. He specifically asked me to bring it to the next gig, which I did. Last Saturday we had another date and while I brough the MTD, I also brought my new to me Ric 4003, which I opted to play all night (it was my Xmas present to myself, after all). He mentioned the Ric "didn't sound too bad"!
I haven't delt with that regarding a band leader but I've definitely had engineers request certain basses while recording. I did a soul/motown session a few years ago and would have bet money that my Precision would be the perfect bass. After demoing everything I brought they picked a neck through Warwick for the album. Something similar has happened several times with that Warwick. It sits beautifully in a mix.Really just what the title says. I have a BL who is also a good friend (was a guest and played at his wedding, etc.) who I've worked with off and on in everything from duos to 8 piece horn bands for 40 years or more. I have played MANY different basses (and amp rigs) with him over the ensuing years with little or no comment from him. Recently we did a gig and I played my MTD Kingston LK 4. He specifically asked me to bring it to the next gig, which I did. Last Saturday we had another date and while I brough the MTD, I also brought my new to me Ric 4003, which I opted to play all night (it was my Xmas present to myself, after all). He mentioned the Ric "didn't sound too bad"!
BBB
My bandmates haven't a clue as to what's involved in my signal chain, but I get asked to crank up louder almost every time we play.
Not directly requested certain bass, but I've had bandleaders that openly "favored" certain instruments... On the other hand, I've had many more sound guys that are not happy when your bring a non-Fender bass, arguing is more work for them to EQ correctly...!!
Sounds like you’re getting lost a lot. You may have too much mid scoop. Pump your mids instead of wasting watts on too much low freq.
- Apr 1, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
No, but not uncommon for my BL to say "love that bass" in-between verses while on stage.
I've really only ever heard compliments on the tone of a new bass brought to rehearsal or the gig. That's always nice to hear though - I love bandmates who are paying attention to something beyond their own little world.
Occasionally I'm told to play a certain bass, and usually it happens when I'm hired to record something. They have a sound in their mind and I get it.
Recording session? Yes, definitely.
Performing live? Not so much.
But, I will often ask a BL if they have any preference out of my options. Such as, “you want a passive fender sound or modern active 5-string vibe?”
Performing live? Not so much.
But, I will often ask a BL if they have any preference out of my options. Such as, “you want a passive fender sound or modern active 5-string vibe?”
I have very seldom been asked to use a different bass than what I brought to the gig or studio session. Most BLs never say a word about it. Over the years I’ve gotten more complaints about amp choices than bass choices.
Most common has been in the studio when engineers suggest switching basses, like the cliche they wanted me to play Fender.
I had one drummer/BL suggest that I dump my T40 and get a P-bass
, which I eventually did and he was much happier. Another bandmate who had perfect pitch asked me to stop using a fretless bass 
I’ve had one BL who wanted only bass guitar and another who wanted only DB. Usually it’s obvious to me up front what works best, no reason to bring a bass guitar to a bluegrass gig or a DB to a funk gig. I've done a lot of doubling gigs, all of them were blues gigs.
I have gotten funny looks when I brought a Steinberger to a blues jam (simply because it was easier to schlep) so I've avoided using it on blues gigs.
Most common has been in the studio when engineers suggest switching basses, like the cliche they wanted me to play Fender.
I had one drummer/BL suggest that I dump my T40 and get a P-bass
, which I eventually did and he was much happier. Another bandmate who had perfect pitch asked me to stop using a fretless bass I’ve had one BL who wanted only bass guitar and another who wanted only DB. Usually it’s obvious to me up front what works best, no reason to bring a bass guitar to a bluegrass gig or a DB to a funk gig. I've done a lot of doubling gigs, all of them were blues gigs.
I have gotten funny looks when I brought a Steinberger to a blues jam (simply because it was easier to schlep) so I've avoided using it on blues gigs.
I was in a band called Orange Sunshine for about 8 months. They played the BLs originals. Some were actually pretty good. Sort of a goofy folky semi hippie-ish sound. None of us wore tie-dye, but he wanted a theme for the instruments. The BL guitarist had an orange Strat and he also owned an orange MM Bongo which he asked me to play on live gigs. OOOKKKK. I sucked it up for about 3 months before I let him know I couldn't stand both the color and bass. Sorry, not a big Bongo fan. He was cool about it and I switched back to my Jazz.
Your advice is sincerely appreciated but trust me, I'm not scooping at all, and am in fact, pushing mids. The issue is they are too loud, always, by a large margin, and I am trying not to escalate the volume wars
Heavy rock gig in the 2000s, the band greatly preferred my Stingray. Classic rock gig last year the BL preferred my Warwick Streamer. Current gig the drummer asks me to bring my Rick.
More bass players should become band leaders and Music Directors.
More bass players should become band leaders and Music Directors.
I've never had the luxury of having more than two basses throughout most of my career. They were typically a PBass and a Jazz Bass with a few other thrown in here or there. I usually know what worked best for what we played so no one ever questioned which bass I played.
Until one guy I did some sub work with in trio actually asked me to play "the black one" next gig. That was the PBass. The Jazz Bass was white. He didn't care about how they sounded he just thought the black bass looked cooler.
Until one guy I did some sub work with in trio actually asked me to play "the black one" next gig. That was the PBass. The Jazz Bass was white. He didn't care about how they sounded he just thought the black bass looked cooler.
