is it okay to not play over the pickup

[villarddefender]

Sorry if there was another thread on this but is it okay to not play over the pickup

Let's say your bass only has a bridge pickup but you play near the neck: since there's no pickup under your fingers will the sound be "picked up" less?

 

[fearceol]

Playing at different points either side of the pick up is a good thing, as it will vary the tone. Playing closer to the neck gives a warmer tone, while closer to the bridge generally gives more treble. These variations can be used depending on what the song requires. If there is any loss of volume by not playing over the pick up IMO it will be so minimal as to not be noticed.

 

[villarddefender]

If there is any loss of volume by not playing over the pick up IMO it will be so minimal as to not be noticed.

Interesting so we can safely ignore the pickup(s) position(s) to get the desired tone

 

[eJake]

Playing at different points either side of the pick up is a good thing, as it will vary the tone. Playing closer to the neck gives a warmer tone, while closer to the bridge generally gives more treble. These variations can be used depending on what the song requires. If there is any loss of volume by not playing over the pick up IMO it will be so minimal as to not be noticed.

+1 I like to play farther back towards the bridge for faster staccato stuff and closer to the neck for big round notes.

I do notice a volume difference when playing off the pickup but its just another tool in your bag

 

[villarddefender]

I do notice a volume difference when playing off the pickup but its just another tool in your bag

The trick when the volume difference is noticeable would be to raise the volume then?

 

[villarddefender]

In the picture above it's the new Fender Dimension bass with a simple H configuration but there's another version of that bass with an HH config. Now that I know that we're allowed to play anywhere what would be the advantage of the 2nd H pickup near the neck besides a little volume difference?

 

[Fat Freddy]

If you do not play directly over the pickup, you will be taken out and shot...........

 

[villarddefender]

Lol I know how they like to talk about playing over the pickup in books and use the pickup as a thumb rest when playing the lowest string but they should instead say right away that we're free!

 

[Watchootognbout]

You can play at the twelfth fret if it's what you want/need to do.

 

[bolophonic]

You can play anywhere on the string. As you progress, you will probably find yourself experimenting with your right hand position. Understanding the differences in tone and timbre as you move around will enable you to expand the dynamics of your repertoire. As stated above, playing closer to the neck gives you a rounder, deeper sound and closer to the bridge is where you will find a brighter, burpy tone.

Inconsistencies in your volume will iron themselves out over time if you practice, but you will ultimately want to learn how to control your attack with your hands more than the volume knob.

 

[line6man]

Why wouldn't it be okay? There are no rules for how to play a bass. If it sounds good and you are comfortable, then do it! If it doesn't sound good, or hinders your technique, then don't do it!

 

[ZenG]

Sometimes I play right on the neck.

I almost never play right over the bridge pickup. (On a P/J)

I don't focus much on where I'm playing other than how it affects the particular tone I'm looking for.

 

[Helix]

If you do not play directly over the pickup, you will be taken out and shot...........

I was shot once when I did

 

[Fat Freddy]

I was shot once when I did

You were lucky to only get shot once!....

 

[villarddefender]

I was shot once when I did

Thanks God you survived!

 

[Helix]

Thanks God you survived!

It was in my butt.....because I was running off the stage

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

When you do hammer on and pull offs you're effectively picking the string miles from the pickups, and those are heard as loud as anything.

Have a look at Sleep playing live, the bassist plays a lot over the end of the neck, which gets a bigger vibration along the string.

 

[socialleper]

Sorry if there was another thread on this but is it okay to not play over the pickup

Let's say your bass only has a bridge pickup but you play near the neck: since there's no pickup under your fingers will the sound be "picked up" less?
View attachment 2845387

A lot of players anchor their thumb on the pickups, so that is why you see that so often. You can pluck wherever you want to get the sound you want.
It is your bass. Play it your way.

 

[two fingers]

You can play anywhere on the string. As you progress, you will probably find yourself experimenting with your right hand position. Understanding the differences in tone and timbre as you move around will enable you to expand the dynamics of your repertoire. As stated above, playing closer to the neck gives you a rounder, deeper sound and closer to the bridge is where you will find a brighter, burpy tone.

Inconsistencies in your volume will iron themselves out over time if you practice, but you will ultimately want to learn how to control your attack with your hands more than the volume knob.

This. All of this. Well stated.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Sorry if there was another thread on this but is it okay to not play over the pickup

Let's say your bass only has a bridge pickup but you play near the neck: since there's no pickup under your fingers will the sound be "picked up" less?
View attachment 2845387

Alex, I'll take, WHAT'S TAPPING for $500.