I brought a new bass, nobody noticed

[MegaSwing]

I've played with numerous players who have asked me if basses I've had for years—that they've asked me about before—are new.

This covers multiple basses and inquiries.

And I think to myself, 'Good grief! How do you remember songs?'

 

[BooDoggie]

It just proves a point... Nobody pays attention to the the bass player until you screw up...

 

[Deak]

My main bass is a Yamaha BBN 5 with Barollini 18 volt electronics installed by Mike Lull. It's also my first bass. I picked it up in a pawn shop back in 1998. It's light alder or "bass wood". i.e. plain light wood but not a remarkable looking wood.

After playing a few times at my church, I showed up one day with my silver six string I got off the scratch and dent section of Rondomusic for $130. It's very, very pretty and sounds great. It's active but just a standard Chinese/Korean setup. Nobody noticed.

After a few weeks of using that one, I switched back to the fiver and as soon as I set up the leader asked me if it was a different bass as soon as he saw it.

Next week I'm thinking of using my medium blue-green flamed maple five string fretless with black tapewound strings to see if anyone notices.

LOL! So who's gaslighting who? This could play out with some fun.

 

[Wisebass]

he told me he could swear i was playing the drums!!!! LOL

and you did not get fired???

Wise(b)ass

 

[bassbenj]

It just proves a point... Nobody pays attention to the the bass player until you screw up...

Well that, and "It's ALL in the fingers!"

 

[b_carville]

I showed up one night with one of those pink paisley Fender Japan reissue Precision basses.
The only people who noticed were other bass players.
The drummer didn't notice until three weeks & 12 gigs later saying "When didja get that?".

 

[Mandavel]

This is a great conversation... I worship lead at my church for the time being and I know every member's gear in and out. Guitarist brought in a new pedal last week, I noticed instantly and asked about it. I guess some bands/band members just don't obsessively eye each other's rigs like hawks... But I guess that's why people on Talkbass and Gearslutz are the ones saying "No one noticed I got a new Mogami Gold 10ft cable... Do they still even care about our relationship???"

 

[AztecViking]

Last band I was in everybody had questions about my gear and would immediately notice if I changed something up. The drummer especially loved when I brought my fretless. I'm totally not claiming that that's the usual thing for me in bands though. It isn't and that band was abnormal in that regard!

 

[mistergoats]

Our band is effectively a guitar-collector's and alcohol-drinker's club that sometimes plays music, so EVERYONE notices when someone brings something different. The two guitar players have like 30 guitars between them, so you never know what'll show up from jam-to-jam. I have 3 basses. They prefer the P as it usually fits well in the mix in spite of which 6-string atrocity they bring with them.

OP - I love the wine red colour on both of those basses! Super rad!

 

[RustyAxe]

That's great! Now you can play whichever one YOU want to play, instead of having the band dictate. I'd let it go. Really.

 

[MegaSwing]

Well that, and "It's ALL in the fingers!"

Without hands, what else ya got?

 

[BassAndReeds]

What are you, a guitar player?

Nice looking basses. Enjoy.

(BTW, just having fun with you with that first comment)

 

[JRA]

well, FWIW: i noticed! both axes are great looking! but congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

My ex didn't notice any difference between my basses with the same color. My mom doesn't even see any difference between my guitars and basses.

 

[MrLenny1]

We get no respect.
I was in a band for a year before they noticed I played a 5 string vs 4 string.
Nice axe, maybe if you had lights in it like a Status someone would notice.

 

[Bijoux]

My ex didn't notice any difference between my basses with the same color. My mom doesn't even see any difference between my guitars and basses.

And that my friend is very, very lucky! You will really appreciate this in time!!!

 

[AcridSaint]

I'm not even sure my band knows I'm the bassist, let alone what my gear is

 

[jamro217]

Seriously, I think I could show up with a pink 9 string bass and the guys in my band wouldn't notice. Ok, that might be a stretch, but...

Okay. What's the best pink 9 string for metal? Sorry, had to. I only see four pictures of the same bass...oh, wait...

 

[jamro217]

Well that, and "It's ALL in the fingers!"

Yeah, well I got a manicure and no one noticed.

 

[DangYankee]

And don't tell anybody, but to the average person all basses sound the same in the mix. They only really notice sound differences int finger vs pick vs slap, etc. and effects or dramatic cabinet changes.

Tell that to the "How few basses can you have and still survive" thread. Those guys were routinely saying any less than 3 basses and you just cant possibly expect to play properly.