It's not the Bass, it's you

[Neveragain55]

Many years ago in the early 80’s when I bought my first bass (a black Hondo II, 4 string) I let my next door “professional bassist” neighbor play it to get his opinion.


This guy has played with the Trammps, and many other R&B groups from the 70’s, he’s toured the world, done tons of session music, and still gigs today in a jazz band, and an oldies band where they do 70's covers.


He picked that damn (less than $200.00) bass up and the two of them together sounded like Stanley Clark & his Alembic…..pure magic.


Years later I got a crappy used Yamaha bass that had been ridden hard and put up wet. I let another “supper bass player” buddy of mine play it, and you could almost close your eyes and see & hear Jaco.


My present “pawn shop” ESP LTD B-104 that I got for $100.00 bucks - (after a professional set up), is blowing my freaking mind, and I’m constantly amazed at how it not only sounds in my hands, but also in the hands of others that are so much more experienced & skilled than me.


What am I saying: I’ve read dozens of posts of people comparing different basses, different tones, different everything, and I’ve seen a lot of people get really upset about their bass being harshly critiqued as “junk” or lacking in some way.


I submit to all of you, that ultimately it’s not the bass, although good electronics, exotic woods, good construction, etc. etc. helps…..


Ultimately it’s us, our hands, our skill, our passion, our dedication, and our efforts. The bass is the paintbrush, but your arms, hands, and fingers are Michelangelo………

 

[jbalou02]

(after a professional set up)

This + great player is going to make any bass sound good.

 

[David Jayne]

If it plays well and doesn't have awful pickups or other problems it's gonna sound good in good hands. It's the magician, not the wand.

 

[bass12]

On the other hand I've heard great players sound like crap...

 

[pacojas]

what about my bass?!! will it sound good in anyone's hands or just mine. did he wash his hands before you let him play? what about strings,.. flats work for funk when i boil them in reverse osmosis water, but not for metal.

 

[tangentmusic]

85% player
15% instrument/gear

 

[Muddslide]

85% player
15% instrument/gear

Yeah, I'd put it around here too. Maybe even 90% / 10%.

Jimi Hendrix played on a Flying V every once in a while. Still sounded like Jimi.

As long as what you are playing feels comfortable to you, the electronics are pretty reliable, it intonates and holds tune well, the brand name, headstock shape and logo, price point and county of manufacture really don't matter much unless having certain "name brands" is a status thing for you.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I pretty much sound the same regardless of the bass I play. Which is a bit annoying sometimes.

 

[Reggiep]

Many years ago in the early 80’s when I bought my first bass (a black Hondo II, 4 string) I let my next door “professional bassist” neighbor play it to get his opinion.


This guy has played with the Trammps, and many other R&B groups from the 70’s, he’s toured the world, done tons of session music, and still gigs today in a jazz band, and an oldies band where they do 70's covers.


He picked that damn (less than $200.00) bass up and the two of them together sounded like Stanley Clark & his Alembic…..pure magic.


Years later I got a crappy used Yamaha bass that had been ridden hard and put up wet. I let another “supper bass player” buddy of mine play it, and you could almost close your eyes and see & hear Jaco.


My present “pawn shop” ESP LTD B-104 that I got for $100.00 bucks - (after a professional set up), is blowing my freaking mind, and I’m constantly amazed at how it not only sounds in my hands, but also in the hands of others that are so much more experienced & skilled than me.


What am I saying: I’ve read dozens of posts of people comparing different basses, different tones, different everything, and I’ve seen a lot of people get really upset about their bass being harshly critiqued as “junk” or lacking in some way.


I submit to all of you, that ultimately it’s not the bass, although good electronics, exotic woods, good construction, etc. etc. helps…..


Ultimately it’s us, our hands, our skill, our passion, our dedication, and our efforts. The bass is the paintbrush, but your arms, hands, and fingers are Michelangelo………

After going through approximately 30 instruments......Agreed!!!

 

[joel406]

I've played gawd awful bass's and exotic bass's. Having a better quality bass makes it easier to play better. But Geddy Lee can probably YYZ just about anything. Once a player becomes fluent with their instrument just about any will do. What your looking for is one that talks back to you. One that feels right. Whether it's a cheap knock off or an Fodera. One that you can almost play blind folded. Took me almost 30 years to find it too. No one was more surprised than me it was a Fender.

 

[Warpeg]

This is ultimately why I don't experience GAS any more. I've tried all sorts of basses over the years and have come to the conclusion that I can make any fully-functional bass sound good enough for my liking.

 

[Muddslide]

This is ultimately why I don't experience GAS any more. I've tried all sorts of basses over the years and have come to the conclusion that I can make any fully-functional bass sound good enough for my liking.

Yes. This echoes my experience. I have two P basses and a third one I am putting back together after it suffered some damage.

I do get GAS for pedals and amp stuff, but the only basses I really cream over are a Ric 4001 or 4003, an Ovation Magnum and maybe a Dan Armstrong plexiglass.

Since I don't see myself ever being able to afford any of them, and may not even find an Ovation or Dan Armstrong again, I feel pretty much set on the instrument front.

 

[Dbassmon]

I submit to all of you, that ultimately it’s not the bass, although good electronics, exotic woods, good construction, etc. etc. helps…..


Ultimately it’s us, our hands, our skill, our passion, our dedication, and our efforts. The bass is the paintbrush, but your arms, hands, and fingers are Michelangelo………

To the OP,

Of course you completely correct except for this, a simple point which will make it so clear to you why this concept is inconsequential here on TB. Everyone here on TB wants to talk about basses, discussing the Holy Grails of tone, why Fodera is the tone monster, why you need this amp, these strings, etc. Truly its because people here enjoy talking about basses and gear.

If they spent their time becoming better players, practicing their craft, expanding their musical vocabulary, it would make a huge difference how any bass they pick up sounds, as you have so articulately pointed out. But that is not why most are here....

 

[Neveragain55]

I've played gawd awful bass's and exotic bass's. Having a better quality bass makes it easier to play better. But Geddy Lee can probably YYZ just about anything. Once a player becomes fluent with their instrument just about any will do. What your looking for is one that talks back to you. One that feels right. Whether it's a cheap knock off or an Fodera. One that you can almost play blind folded. Took me almost 30 years to find it too. No one was more surprised than me it was a Fender.

Amen, great reply.....

 

[Neveragain55]

To the OP,

Of course you completely correct except for this, a simple point which will make it so clear to you why this inconsequential here on TB. Everyone here on TB wants to talk about basses, discussing the Holy Grains of tone, why Fodera is the tone monster, why you need this amp, these strings, etc. Truly its because people here enjoy talking about basses and gear.

If they spent their time becoming better players, practicing their craft, expanding their musical vocabulary, it would make a huge difference how any bass they pick up sounds, as you have so articulately pointed out. But that is not why most are here....

I understand, and I agree with you.

I just wanted to reset the "tone" (pardon the pun) - of the overall mood after a few troubling posts I saw that unfortunately turned ugly.

 

[KickingBass]

I think higher quality basses tend to just make it easier to play but the beauty is still in your hands.

 

[vmabus]

An analogy:
When I studied pottery, I was disappointed that my work didn't match that of my Guru, even though I had followed his instruction precisely.
He explained that it was the difference in hands, and that the work would always be individual, no matter how hard I tried to make his pots.
Find your own voice.
(valuable lesson)

 

[Lucky D]

The limitations of a cheap bass really come out in a live setting. I make all my cheapies sound great in my practice room. Once I take one to rehearsal with our loud drummer, I like my "pro" basses all the better.

 

[Jonithen]

Maybe not easier, but nicer. You know what you're doing you can work through the sharp frets or the urolled board edge or whatever else is not quite there, but in addition to the sound you hear there's the interaction with the instrument. Nicer stuff (whether that means expensive or not) is nicer to play on.

If you can get a similar sound out of two instruments, but one is a fight you have to grit your teeth for, and the other the pieces just feel good, there's a difference. From the sideline you can't tell, but if you're on top of it you sure can.

 

[jd56hawk]

Yeah, I'd put it around here too. Maybe even 90% / 10%.

Jimi Hendrix played on a Flying V every once in a while. Still sounded like Jimi.

As long as what you are playing feels comfortable to you, the electronics are pretty reliable, it intonates and holds tune well, the brand name, headstock shape and logo, price point and county of manufacture really don't matter much unless having certain "name brands" is a status thing for you.

Jimi even played bass.