All my basses outshine my playing, even my cheapest Squiers.
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"I really like your bass!"
- Thread starter Lance Bunyon
- Start date
This is why I take a perverse satisfaction in playing Squiers, as obviously they can't be much good. OK . . . .
I always loved Ed VH as when he came out with those junkyard guitars, the vintage people, the screw counters, the whole world was dumbstruck that he didn't play a 'nice' guitar. I remember stories of him coming out of 5150 with the red one, no case, and THROWING it in the back of a truck.
Once and for all, it's the player, not the axe. You can never underestimate the human imagination and a musician's ability to conjure magic out of thin air. All you need is a solid, quiet instrument. Everything else is gravy.
I always loved Ed VH as when he came out with those junkyard guitars, the vintage people, the screw counters, the whole world was dumbstruck that he didn't play a 'nice' guitar. I remember stories of him coming out of 5150 with the red one, no case, and THROWING it in the back of a truck.
Once and for all, it's the player, not the axe. You can never underestimate the human imagination and a musician's ability to conjure magic out of thin air. All you need is a solid, quiet instrument. Everything else is gravy.
I’ve known that for years, that’s why it’s all about that bass…and why EDM is so bass heavy. Decade ago I was in a band with a female keyboardist who was like a sister, but we could joke around with no limits. I once had her sit on a bass cab, I hit my bass, and there was a bit of a squeal, then a laugh when I told her it was “G”.
My 6 Bongo used get a bunch of attention. Not me, the bass. But, someone lliked it more than I did and that would be pretty tough. Some call Bongo's ugly. OK, don't buy one. I think your bass is a beauty.
Chet Atkins used to tell the story of the time he was playing at a club and a patron came up to him and said, "Your guitar sounds really good!" Chet put it down on its stand and asked "How does it sound now?"
It's a flashy for a reason. Show it off or why else have it gig it to it can't gig no more.
I once did the Howard Stern scene with an old girl I ran with (years ago) with the cab facing the floor and her....well...yeah. So I get it
People look at objects with their eyes. If you want someone to notice your playing, you have to figure out how to get them to look at you with their ears. Best of luck with that.
You got a compliment. What are you complaining about? Having someone notice you and your bass is a miracle in itself. You aren't the lead guitar.
I wish I could get someone to be interested in my bass. On Saturday night, I had two ladies that wanted my CGBG shirt, but nobody seems to care about my bass. I like my bass - it's a parts Peavey Millenium 5, oil finish, with Nordys and an Audere pre. It's unique, sorta pretty, but sorta ugly, and sings like an angel. A thumpy, woody, I'm going to make you groove now, angel. But no. They wanted my t-shirt.
Can’t say I have, but last gig I got a lot of complements about my playing. We were not playing with FOH support. When the bassist of a twelve piece Motown Review band with 4 singers start to get those kind of unsolicited complements it means two things. I was too loud and I should have a (ahem) conversation with our sound tech, or maybe I was too over the top..or both….
Congrats on a show stopper of a bass!
And that’s probably where those Les Pauls stay!
People ask about my basses because of the paint schemes. Mostly positive but some not. Either way I love 'em.
Sometimes that conversation leads to my playing, usually positive.
Take any compliment graciously and carry on.
Sometimes that conversation leads to my playing, usually positive.
Take any compliment graciously and carry on.
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For these people who are fixed on how great the bass sounds, I simply say: "Yeah, and you should hear it when it's hanging on the wall!"
