Modulus Flea Users: Pick use- sure, sometimes, no way?

[rockstarbassist]

I'm looking to get a 4-banger that's a little different than my Q5 for stuff when I tune down to D, so I can leave one bass in standard and the other in alternate tunings.

I'd LOVE to stay w/ Modulus, but in the 4 string camp, really only the Flea interests me. But I guess the VJ could work too...

Question, I've heard it rumored that it's a pretty big no-no to use a pick with a Flea, or the results just aren't that tasty.

Is there any validity to this? If so, I need to look elsewhere, as most of our songs in D I use a pick on.

Thanks!

 

[afroman]

I don't think there is a bass that doesn't work for pickstyle.
Some basses do have the traditional pick sound that we here more often than others. I for one, love passive basses for pickstyle since I think you get a more dynamic and your stroke controls the volume, more than active basses which to me have a more even response through all the strings/frets.

You should try the Flea bass out if you can and see if the sound is good for YOU. Maybe you discover that you found a diff pick sound than the norm but that it pleases your style, if not then try something different.

For me a P-Bass, Jazz and Ric have the best pick sounds to my ears.
But I've heard and played Stingrays and Acoustic basses with a pick and you can get some interesting yet different tones.

Wait a bit, and some Flea user will surely chime in with their opinion.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Yeah that's a thought too actually.

I just can't really remember from the prior FB's I've owned if I liked them w/ pickstyle or not... It's kinda been a while.

 

[Rusty Chainsaw]

Fleas work fine for pickstyle - great sound, just don't go too crazy with the treble boost. For example, Parallel Universe, off the RHCP's Californication is a Flea played with a pick (by Flea, of course. ).

 

[rockstarbassist]

Fleas work fine for pickstyle - great sound, just don't go too crazy with the treble boost. For example, Parallel Universe, off the RHCP's Californication is a Flea played with a pick (by Flea, of course. ).

That's right. I forgot he used a pick on a good bit of stuff on that and By The Way...

And yeah- I usually cut the treble back to halfway off before even tuning up when I touch a FB!