If tone really is in the fingers...

[Dan_reeves]

Sometimes I think that "tone is in the fingers" is simply shorthand for "don't buy and sell a crap-ton of basses and other gear - you will equally suck and sound bad on all of them if you don't practice and play with others, etc." It is more meant to encourage those that practice and knowing an instrument is important. It also is something that is meant to confront lame gear snobbery, which is unfortunately a real thing. The new player who just got a Squier Affinity really doesn't need to be discouraged by sometimes helpful, most of the time not, gear snobs who tell them they need to immediately start saving for a pre-CBS Fender or they'll never amount to anything. This is not just hyperbole - I have actually seen this very thing happen, albeit in other words. Although I see it in the guitar world more so.

There is also an onslaught of NBD's on this site of someone who just got some relatively expensive piece of gear. Newer or more economically challenged players see them, and although they don't need to click, it happens. And gear envy festers where maybe ignorance kept it initially in check.

So maybe it could be stated better - but it really is meant, at least I think, as a shorthand encouragement that "hey - you have a bass and music is really cool. Focus on being the best player you can be and really enjoy the process."

For the top guys, I wonder if it is an expectation of sorts. I watched the Scott Devine video where he interviewed Sean Hurley about why he plays a P bass - I think when you are at that level a certain sound and look is expected and everyone goes with it. Nothing wrong with that at all, but I think that's the deal, ultimately. Plus, endorsements of course.

This is all just my opinion of course.

 

[40Hz]

Here's a better question. Why the hell can't people have nice things without someone making a fuss about it?

That’s a question that’s been asked throughout history. And not one the people creating the fuss are comfortable answering. Because the the truthful answer doesn't reflect too well on them.

 

[bassliner50]

It makes them feel justified and complete. Also there are endorsement opportunities. A brilliant musician can make any serviceable instrument sound very good. Thank God for my (aging) fingers.

 

[NKBassman]

Have you ever played a $30 Craigslist bass? It might still sound like you playing it, but it is not an enjoyable experience.

 

[micguy]

I often play with musicians that are playing instruments (piano, harp, cello, etc) that cost tens of thousands of dollars. If my bass is worth 2 or 3 grand, my question is: why do I play such a cheap instrument?

One other relevant question: Don't you feel lucky for playing an instrument where, for a tenth of the price of a fabulous one, you can have a really good one?

Face it, we all make out like bandits when it comes to prices.

 

[Eminor3rd]

Are you trying to start a thread about every bass-related strawman argument you can think of?

 

[bearhart74]

IMHO...
Tone is in the complete signal chain from player to audience.
Technique is in the players hands.
Musicality or musicianship is the ability to combine tone, technique and musical knowledge & experience to express ideas and feelings while playing a given piece of music.

For some the gear is important. For some it is not. This is subject to change at any point in the life of a musician.

 

[Savage_Dreams]

for the same reason some people buy expensive shoes while others are happy with 15 buck payless shoes. you can walk in both, but the feeling (and look) sure can be different. and oh yea..... because they can.

and even though i do believe tone is partly in the hands, its completely ridiculous to think thats the only component of tone

 

[SteveCS]

... A brilliant musician can make any serviceable instrument sound very good.

This is true, but they will be better placed to exploit the full capabilities of a finer instrument. There are the subtle things that are 1/ beyond recognition by less competent players no matter what they play or 2/ simply not possible with poorer instruments regardless of how good the player.

 

[JohnArnson]

Tone is in the fingers as in the sense that you will always sound like you no matter what you play through, doesn't mean you will sound exactly the same through different kind of equipment or not having an easier time playing on certain basses over others though, and I don't think that expression were ever meant to be taken otherwise.

 

[Texican]

That’s a question that’s been asked throughout history. And not one the people creating the fuss are comfortable answering. Because the the truthful answer doesn't reflect too well on them.

That’s a pretty bold, broad, and absolute statement to make. Sure it CAN be true at times. But it can also be true (at times) that people buy expensive gear to try an compensate for a lack of talent technical proficiency. Neither statement holds true all the time.

Edit to add: I’m not saying I disagree with you, but I think it’s important to remember that small mindedness exists in both camps. I almost didn’t get a gig because I auditioned with a Squier classic vibe. The bandleader and I are now friends and he told me that he was torn because I was the right musician for the job, but he was concerned that I didn’t have “professional gear“.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Sometimes I think that "tone is in the fingers" is simply shorthand for "don't buy and sell a crap-ton of basses and other gear - you will equally suck and sound bad on all of them if you don't practice and play with others, etc." It is more meant to encourage those that practice and knowing an instrument is important. It also is something that is meant to confront lame gear snobbery, which is unfortunately a real thing. The new player who just got a Squier Affinity really doesn't need to be discouraged by sometimes helpful, most of the time not, gear snobs who tell them they need to immediately start saving for a pre-CBS Fender or they'll never amount to anything. This is not just hyperbole - I have actually seen this very thing happen, albeit in other words. Although I see it in the guitar world more so.

There is also an onslaught of NBD's on this site of someone who just got some relatively expensive piece of gear. Newer or more economically challenged players see them, and although they don't need to click, it happens. And gear envy festers where maybe ignorance kept it initially in check.

So maybe it could be stated better - but it really is meant, at least I think, as a shorthand encouragement that "hey - you have a bass and music is really cool. Focus on being the best player you can be and really enjoy the process."

For the top guys, I wonder if it is an expectation of sorts. I watched the Scott Devine video where he interviewed Sean Hurley about why he plays a P bass - I think when you are at that level a certain sound and look is expected and everyone goes with it. Nothing wrong with that at all, but I think that's the deal, ultimately. Plus, endorsements of course.

This is all just my opinion of course.

Pretty much that. Though in my experience the intent behind it isn’t always as benign; “tone is in the fingers” is also a handy way to implicitly put down a player with nice gear, implying that if they could play competently they wouldn’t need the gear.

 

[scuzzy]

Strange..when I switch from my fretless acoustic to my big Al, my fingers remain the same, yet the TOANZ dramatically change...must be placebo. No way they actually have their own distinct inherent sound. I should practice more.

 

[walking Bass]

I've seen plenty of inexpensive basses and guitars played by working pros. Sire, Ibanez and cheap imports from years past. The fanciest instruments I've seen were played by amateurs with high paying jobs not in music.

 

[Nephilymbass]

...why does most every top notch bassist or guitarist play instruments that cost thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars? Why aren't they just playing $300 basses and guitars off the rack from Guitar Center? I mean, if tone is really in the fingers, it shouldn't matter right?

I’d say a big chunk of having good tone is in the fingers. I have a somewhat expensive Dingwall bass and a couple much less expensive import fenders. I think I make my cheaper basses sound good

But yeah if you want to get super literal about it there’s a lot of things. Everything from scale length to Pickups, amps and cabs has an impact on the frequency range of every instrument. Probably two of the most important factors imo are strings and setup. What type of string, how old the strings are, is the action super low, so high it causes intonation issues or somewhere in the middle. Then there’s production for example us often playing through a DJ level PA at a small venue is not going to sound like your idols who are often playing through massive PA systems same goes with studios. A bedroom studio is not going to sound exactly like a recording that cost many thousands of dollars in a nice studio with people who really know what they are doing.

 

[Nashrakh]

Strange..when I switch from my fretless acoustic to my big Al, my fingers remain the same, yet the TOANZ dramatically change...must be placebo. No way they actually have their own distinct inherent sound. I should practice more.

Has your audience ever noticed?

For all they care, we could slap a steel string against a trash can and it would sound the same as a bass. Just make sure to do it at a low velocity so you hit the appropriate Hz. Swing it slow!

Just kidding. Or not?

 

[Element Zero]

Dude... why are you looking for arguments?

 

[DrMole]

...why does most every top notch bassist or guitarist play instruments that cost thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars? Why aren't they just playing $300 basses and guitars off the rack from Guitar Center? I mean, if tone is really in the fingers, it shouldn't matter right?

As one becomes more experienced, the tiny subtleties that comprise that final 1% of the playing experience become the Holy Grail.(I am not even close to that level on the bass but have incrementally been improving my stable so as to at least have a bevy of "no excuses" instruments and amps.)

Most people in the audience will never know the difference between an Ibanez SR100 and an Alembic- but the player?
It's the same with any tool, car, gun, etc.

 

[pappabass]

Hey, don't worry about pickups, strings, just buy a pedal and be done with it!

 

[Texican]

Pretty much that. Though in my experience the intent behind it isn’t always as benign; “tone is in the fingers” is also a handy way to implicitly put down a player with nice gear, implying that if they could play competently they wouldn’t need the gear.

Well then those people are ridiculous and probably don’t have a lot of experience. Otherwise they wouldn’t believe that the “nice“ gear was somehow helping the mediocre Musician’s “cheat“ to begin with... or that anyone playing a nice instrument must inherently be mediocre.