Other fun instrument to play, except bass?

[Old Garage-Bander]

Two suggestions:

What is the best Kazoo for metal?
and

 

[Gully Foyle]

Octave mando is great too, and for my fingers, lots easier to play!

Mandolin is really addicting, and expands your musicality by teaching you to think in 5ths as well. Super portable and fits into almost any acoustic setting too

 

[design]

+1 for pedals!
+1 for EUB, especially with the bow!

 

[LowDownHawkeye]

WHat can I get into?

Pedals my friend. Get some pedals.

@Nephilymbass is probably joking somewhat, but in all seriousness-one thing I had to mess with a few times last year was running a BeatBuddy drum machine pedal while playing bass guitar. Some of you may be used to stomping on things while the song is going on, but my experience with pedals was mainly limited to “set it before the set.” It was challenging but turned out to be fun.

 

[arthurasmith]

I'm the bassist in a trio that plays kind of psychedelic, progressive, jam based rock music. The other two guys plays drums and keyboard instrument (mainly Hammond organ) respectively. We have been talking about getting some new and fun instruments to play along with to broaden our sonic palette and expand our jam sections. The keys guy have a bunch of different synths, a mellotron, a Pianet and some other stuff. He also plays flute. The drummer has been bringing some percussion instruments to rehearsals. But what about me? What could I get into?

Guitars are out, the principle of this band is "No six strings allowed". The synth and keys parts are covered. I already have a couple of FX pedals (delay, chorus and other) to play around with while playing bass. I have been thinking about Theremin, especially the Moog Theremini. I already have a cheap Theremin that I have used a bit, but it's hard to control volume and pitch on that in a live situation.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

Of course, Tuba/Sousaphone, Contrabass trombone.

 

[gsquare]

How about cello. It has a great sound and it might be interesting with effects.

Octave mando is great too, and for my fingers, lots easier to play!

I recently picked up an Eastman Mandocello, it’s really cool. Cello tuning, fretted, guitar sized, tons of cello manuscript available, really excited to dig in... check this out, I found it pretty inspiring...

 

[Londo Molari]

I like to use these:

 

[Edulob]

With a contact microphone, some objects to attach to, a bow or other items to hit the objects and some pedals (ring modulator, delay, reverb, looper,...) you can get some cool sounds and textures...
I'm also playing in a trio (sometimes we invite other people) playing same stuff like you and I'm experimenting with the contact mic and I like it. Lot of psychedelic sounds. There are endless possibilities.

 

[J_Bass]

Otamatone!

 

[Captain Chaos]

Keyboard

Edit:never mind

 

[Strung_Low]

Mandolin, charango, congas, steel drums

 

[Gully Foyle]

A nice mandocello is definitely on my list, but they are awful pricy! Jealous, love the look of the eastmans.

I keep debating one of these conversions

Douglas / MORTone Hollow body electric mandocello guitar conversion
Douglas / MORTone Hollow body electric mandocello guitar conversion

I recently picked up an Eastman Mandocello, it’s really cool. Cello tuning, fretted, guitar sized, tons of cello manuscript available, really excited to dig in... check this out, I found it pretty inspiring...

 

[beatlebass64]

Take your pick...



I'm partial to that guy on the right...

 

[gumbynotpokey]

It's a toss up between mellotron and sweet potato. I kid you not on sweet potato.

 

[pappabass]

more fun than bass ?? that is a tough one, for a few years I was a keyboard player for a band, that was pretty fun.

 

[Tony In Philly]

 

[Tony In Philly]

I'm the bassist in a trio that plays kind of psychedelic, progressive, jam based rock music. The other two guys plays drums and keyboard instrument (mainly Hammond organ) respectively. We have been talking about getting some new and fun instruments to play along with to broaden our sonic palette and expand our jam sections. The keys guy have a bunch of different synths, a mellotron, a Pianet and some other stuff. He also plays flute. The drummer has been bringing some percussion instruments to rehearsals. But what about me? What could I get into?

Given that you're from Sweden, I'm curious about what kind of Mellotron you're using -- i.e. an original from Streetly, or one of the types that Markus Resch has created - either analogue or digital.

 

[fourstr00]

Irish Bodhran. Crazy fun to play.

 

[Sunset Shalom]

If guitar is out does that include lapsteels? You said no 6 stringers but what about 8+?

I have been wanting to grab one of these babies:

Link Removed

The 6 string ones are super cheap but I love the look of the natural ash and sunburst 8 string lap steels drool I bet they sound great with those P90s.

 

[jamro217]

Get a talkbox and play your bass through it. You'll end up sounding like Darth Vader, but it'll be unique.