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more basses = less skill?
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Can you elaborate on this? How would you quantify "more incredible"?
I wouldn't because it's not needed. You most likely know what i mean.
I wouldn't because it's not needed. You most likely know what i mean.
I suppose I could have just settled on one bass and made that "my sound", but the reality is as a bass player AND songwriter, I am looking for the best sound for the song. On some of my heavy stuff, nothing beats my Euro 5LX. But when I apply that same bass to a light song, IMO it doesn't work, so I try my Lakland or Modulus.
Spector has a sound - you can't get it out of other basses IMO. If the Spector sound inspires me to play something I wouldn't have played on my Stingray, or vice versa, how is that bad?
I've gone through the exercise of bringing a different bass to every rehearsal for the past few months. I finally decided the Spector is the right bass for that band.
Could I get by with just my Stingray for all my projects? Absolutely. But I don't have to.
Spector has a sound - you can't get it out of other basses IMO. If the Spector sound inspires me to play something I wouldn't have played on my Stingray, or vice versa, how is that bad?
I've gone through the exercise of bringing a different bass to every rehearsal for the past few months. I finally decided the Spector is the right bass for that band.
Could I get by with just my Stingray for all my projects? Absolutely. But I don't have to.
I deleted my post because the following poster kind of answered it. But I maintain quantifying something as "incredible" vs. "more incredible" is pretty vague.
+1 TRUE THAT!
Yeah, there are those. But most musicians seem to be more Type B or C. So they operate like youngsters that think they are gonna be a pro ball player: lots of people with plenty of talent, not many get to play out consistently in decent teams, let alone make it to the top. Many guys who really would enjoy another ax(might invigorate them...or force them to face what a slacker they are) would rather get another pair of Oakleys, another leather jacket, another bag of weed, chase more tail than they can possible handle. I just wanted to stress that some of the one ax guys have painted themselves into that corner by themselves. I drive an uncool vehicle so I can have extremely cool instruments.
Some great players only have one ax, but I bet they went through a bunch before that. Some people are just better at selling off their old stuff.
And of course, those product endorsements deals might lock you onto a particular instrument for any public appearances.
Actually, no. What makes one "better"?
How do I know I'd be better if I just used one bass? My point is you can't quantify it. I think there's a large assumption being made here that through some kind of symbiotic existence with one instrument a musician will somehow perform in a way never thought possible. In reality, practice makes perfect, regardless of the instrument. Inspiration is key, regardless of the instrument.
So, if using only one instrument inspires someone to be a "better" player, great. That is obviously not the case for everyone.
If you can afford to have multiple basses, and you like the way different guitars feel and sound, go for it. A lot of top pro Players have a ton of instruments because they have the financial resources to obtain them. I'm fortunate to have the guitars I like because I've been at the right place at the right time. What I think are great instruments may not be someone elses cup of tea and vice versa. I just know that most of the instruments I've acquired, I wouldn't be able to walk into a Guitar Center or any other local music store for that matter and purchase off the shelf. A lot are irreplacable. If I had to pick just one bass I think I'd have a lot of trouble. Many basses = many hours of fun!
- Sep 4, 2010
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- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
It is how one defines "skill". When I look around me, I tend to see most musicians of any instrument who play on a basis of personal expression, using 1, maybe 2 instruments.
While I own a few basses and are as GAS-subject as anyone else, I practice and play my my LINC fretless 95% of the time.
Now if I were playing in a sonically highly processed, more commercial environment (say a wedding band, or a recording session, that needs me to reproduce a bunch of different 'hit tones'), well, yes, I'd be probably needing a bunch of basses and/or circumstantial processing.
While I own a few basses and are as GAS-subject as anyone else, I practice and play my my LINC fretless 95% of the time.
Now if I were playing in a sonically highly processed, more commercial environment (say a wedding band, or a recording session, that needs me to reproduce a bunch of different 'hit tones'), well, yes, I'd be probably needing a bunch of basses and/or circumstantial processing.
It should be pointed out the poll is currently showing 4% of responders think multiple basses hinder ability, and another 1.5% think multiple basses should be of the same make.
So I'd say the overwhelming majority vote has spoken here. Not to mention, I doubt we'll ever see a thread which tries to cast aspersions at people who only have one bass.
So I'd say the overwhelming majority vote has spoken here. Not to mention, I doubt we'll ever see a thread which tries to cast aspersions at people who only have one bass.
I personally consider a musician over the age of 30 who can only afford one instrument as suspect - they obviously [to me] have never been committed enough to put all that other crap aside. You don't own a "spare"? - I'm not going on a trip with you. You are unprepared on many levels. IMHO.
I´m sorry, but I know a lot of "street" musicians that are far better than 90% of the well known players of their respective instruments.
Maybe it´s because of where I have grown up, but in the town I live in, there are currently over 50% unemployed, and 75% of the ones who have jobs, earn less than 1.000 a month.
The current world we live in means not only do we have to be good, but also lucky enough to find ourselves in the right place at the right time.
In fact, I have a close friend who spent years without being able to afford new strings for his guitar, yet name a song and he could play it on the 4 strings he did have. He now only owns 1 guitar, and believe me, he is one of the most talented flamenco guitarists I (and many others) have ever heard!! (although he may be classed as "suspect"
)
The only real danger that lots of basses could hinder ability: spending all your time as a guitar tech (and TB/GAS addiction) instead of practicing and playing music.
I totally agree that having one instrument doesn't cast any aspirations against your playing - I grew very poor and also am seeing a lot of musicians down to their last dime in this area. I was thinking more about the "working musician" who could do more with another ax or two, but chooses instead to think it is a lofty goal to be a semi-starving artist. I'm probably in the wrong thread...that one would be entitled something like, "keeping it together, not selling your soul and still being successful at some level." Peace.
The premise of this thread is ridiculous. Random assertions and baseless correlations seems to be the way of the web these days.
Some players with lots of basses have less skill than others with only one bass. Otoh some players with lots of basses have more skill than others with only one. There are also players with lots of basses that have exactly the same skill level as those with only one.
Seriously though IME once you get to a certain playing level, physical differences between basses are less of a hindrance.
Some players with lots of basses have less skill than others with only one bass. Otoh some players with lots of basses have more skill than others with only one. There are also players with lots of basses that have exactly the same skill level as those with only one.
Seriously though IME once you get to a certain playing level, physical differences between basses are less of a hindrance.
TRUTH!
Or one casting aspirations at 4 string players.
Yeah,I can see the poll questions now:
Does more than 4 strings mess up your playing?
Do string counts less than 5 make you better?
If you play on four strings, all should be tuned the same?
Huh? This sounds like you became worse over time and without 7 other basses. Can this be possible? Did you practice less because you didn't have as many basses as you used to have? That would be the only explanation.
Other than that, I wouldn't see why anyone would get worse because they own less basses. Doesn't make sense.
