Ideal Bass for Bluegrass - Challenging Preconceptions

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I've played in all kinds of bands over the last 45 years, and all kinds of genres. But ever since I came back from a hiatus, all that exists as far as bands to jam and/or gig with, meh...I find most of them boring and stagnant. Same old, same old Blues/Rock/Pop covers. They all seem to be stuck in a mindset where only certain basses and techniques and traditional bass lines within the genres are expected, if not demanded. Good for them, but I'm just not into it.

Well, I hooked up again with my old guitar player/singer/songwriter that I've played with off and on over the years. We jammed a lot yesterday and he gave me a bunch of tunes to add my bass parts to. We discussed that all these years we've always blended genres together within the same song. He'd write a song that with him alone sounds more like a country song...but found with a different beat we turned it into a reggae tune. Many other examples like that.

So now, he's playing with others (whom I've also played with in the past) and they are playing bluegrass. Three acoustic guitars, a violin player and no drummer (yet). He invited me to join this bluegrass band and it just so happens, it is my least favorite genre. He said, so what? Just because it's "basically" bluegrass, don't let it influence you. Play any kind of bass lines you want...let's flip this around and do what we've always done...blend genres with our own distinct parts.

I came across this guy and I love his bass, as well as his playing (perhaps he's a member here?) SO inspiring! He goes by "groove_a_holic". He has totally changed my idea about joining a bluegrass band because I can see this fitting into the genre in a new way. So it got me thinking...

What is an appropriate bass for Bluegrass? I'm going to use my GSR202 six string (BEADGC). What? Yes! I have a whole new perspective on bluegrass. Funkgrass? Bluegrass Fusion? I saw another "bluegrass" band and the banjo player used effects (including distortion) and was playing the meanest "head banging" metal banjo. Blew me away.

So this is my "Bluegrass" bass...

And my "Bluegrass" bass rig...

 

[JRA]

i don't have any preconceptions about what bass 'should be used' for any genre --- i've used fretless EBs for everything i've ever played --- so, i'd hardly protest or challenge your thinking on the subject of best bass for bluegrass!

that said, i think it's very cool that you have an ensemble/project to work into. congrats, and good luck with it!

 

[5StringPocket]

Good for you. Break the stereotype mold and create something fresh.

 

[wjcstp]

I saw a bluegrass/roots band last year where the bass player had a new-looking Jazz bass and played slap lines on several songs. Any axe that works!

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I'm thinking along the lines of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, or Jazz Fusion, etc.

ProgGrass

Thinking outside the box (and labels)

Box? What box?

 

[lomo]

Excellent! I only enjoy covers if I make them my own. Years ago I was in a classic rock cover band and we had a particular patron who loved Abba's Dancing Queen. She'd repeatedly ask for it and we'd refuse....until we transmogrified it into a punk version.

 

[lug]

 

[klattman]

I'm thinking along the lines of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, or Jazz Fusion, etc.

ProgGrass

Thinking outside the box (and labels)

Box? What box?

Victor tells a similar story about bluegrass in his book. Ask him how that worked out

 

[Bringindafunk]

He invited me to join this bluegrass band and it just so happens, it is my least favorite genre. He said, so what? Just because it's "basically" bluegrass, don't let it influence you. Play any kind of bass lines you want...let's flip this around and do what we've always done...blend genres with our own distinct parts.

I love this. What a fantastic attitude! While original bands often don't make the money that cover or tribute bands get, they offer something that (imho) is much richer: the ability to be creative. The songs don't exist until you write them so you are free to do them however you want and you get to decide what genre they are or just make up a whole new genre to describe what you're doing. Have fun!

 

[JazznFunk]

I spent almost 7 years in a 'jam-grass' band which played a mix of jamband tunes, original compositions, and traditional bluegrass songs, with a healthy amount of jazz influence thrown in, thanks to me and the drummer. During my time in the band I used a Warwick Corvette fretless, fretless StingRays, and Lakland fretted and fretless basses. In short, do what you want. John Cowan played his '62 Fender Jazz with Newgrass Revival and almost single-handedly carved a voice for the electric bass in the 'bluegrass' realm, with broad acceptance. The biggest hurdle you'll have to overcome with bluegrass purists is having a drummer in the band!

This was one of the last times I was in the studio for a live broadcast with the gang before I split. This was always a fun original tune that the banjo player wrote. There's even a bass solo that I forgot about! I always leaned on the front pickup for these more 'traditional' feeling tunes.

Brushfire - Moonlight On The Camp

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Victor tells a similar story about bluegrass in his book. Ask him how that worked out

informative interview with Wooten.

 

[JazznFunk]

Is that the 'Washtub' line or the 'Washtub Express'? I joke, as a Sadowsky Metro Express owner!

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I love this. What a fantastic attitude! While original bands often don't make the money that cover or tribute bands get, they offer something that (imho) is much richer: the ability to be creative. The songs don't exist until you write them so you are free to do them however you want and you get to decide what genre they are or just make up a whole new genre to describe what you're doing. Have fun!

Thanks.

The band I've played with on and off for over 40 years never did covers. It was always our own original music, and right from the very beginning we had and developed a following, despite all the "cover" bands that were around. It was a blend of almost all genres.

This is a gig we put on two years ago. A gig shared with two other bands (that were put together just for this gig) where we played in the afternoon on into the night...so many different genres and individual musical influences. We packed the place (main floor and balcony) which also overflowed into the surrounding outdoor lawn (had to leave all the garage doors open) even though all three bands did very few covers, and if they did they were re-worked.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Cool, even though I prefer a different body finish and neck style. What kind of fretboard is that?

 

[ezstep]

The perfect bass for bluegrass (or any other genre) is the one you have in your stable.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

 

[lug]

Cool, even though I prefer a different body finish and neck style. What kind of fretboard is that?

The fretboard in ths case is a combination of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, plus some trace elements. I was very lucky to run across this bass, I had no idea Sadowski sold basses out of a van at the beach. Right place at the right time, I guess.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Bluegrass "purists" will stick their nose up at anything other than an upright. But your friend know you play electric, so that isn't an issue.

1. Bring what you play well.
2. Nothing flashier than necessary.
3. Have fun.

 

[Paul New]

Why are you calling a band with three acoustic guitars, a violin, and a bass, bluegrass?

 

[GreyBeard]

if it sounds good, it is good