P Bass and the Grammys

[One Drop]

That implies that it's the only thing that "works" and there are so many choices available the also "work".

I don't see any implication.

 

[Phil Smith]

I don't see any implication.

That doesn't mean it isn't there.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

My wife is getting pretty good. "This old thing" doesn't work anymore.

That's because she's making notes on how much you spend on gear

 

[thmsjordan]

Sure, but the upright sound is very different than electric bass and not used frequently in pop music. So let me rephrase, the P bass is *the* sound for electric bass. Certainly *the* sound when recording and playback was good enough to actually hear the bass instead of the click from the fretboard and the strat that they doubled an octave higher over the upright.

Now with that rephrase, we agree. The Precision was without doubt "the" original electric bass sound.

That Strat doubling you mention comes from a period where the music got louder and so did the drummer. I remember it well. The upright simply couldn't compete at those volumes. It was at this point that the electric bass became dominant. Many hit tunes didn't have to do that.

"These Boots Are Made For Walkin" by Nancy Sinatra, or "Fever" by Peggy Lee, and certainly any "Pop" tune by Sinatra carried an un-doubled upright. It was the volume that created the need to double.

Personally, (and I know this is an aside) I love the electric bass and I love the upright bass. I think upright still has a place in 'pop'ular music, and so do these artists.

Norah Jones:
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why - YouTube

Stevie Wonder:
Stevie Wonder (HQ) - Ribbon In The Sky - YouTube

I could go on but I digress. Electric and upright are very different but both essential tools in my book anyhow. Long may they both grace our music.

 

[GreenWithEnvy]

"These Boots Are Made For Walkin" by Nancy Sinatra, or "Fever" by Peggy Lee, and certainly any "Pop" tune by Sinatra carried an un-doubled upright. It was the volume that created the need to double.

You know, Boots was recorded by the wrecking crew, the same band of studio musicians who did the Phil Spector stuff. And I've read that Boots has two basses on it, an upright and an electric. And if you listen to it closely, you can hear both an upright and an electric, not necessarily playing at the same time, though.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

That's because she's making notes on how much you spend on gear

I can't complain. She's bought me a couple basses and the only thing she hates is that I can resell my hobby stuff for little loss or sometimes a profit. She scrapbooks and it's worthless after the purchase.

 

[WorshipBassist]

I loved how the bassist could play so well while dancing so fast . Liked his red P-Bass too.

If I'm not mistaken, he was playing a Pino Palladino Fender Custom Shop P Bass or a Fiesta Red 1962 P bass.

 

[thmsjordan]

You know, Boots was recorded by the wrecking crew, the same band of studio musicians who did the Phil Spector stuff. And I've read that Boots has two basses on it, an upright and an electric. And if you listen to it closely, you can hear both an upright and an electric, not necessarily playing at the same time, though.

True enough, I stand corrected on that one...good catch! The point is still a valid one though.

 

[WorshipBassist]

I loved how the bassist could play so well while dancing so fast . Liked his red P-Bass too.

Also, I'm pretty positive he wasn't really playing. Just like Taylor Swift didn't play the banjo, and the singer of Coldplay DEFINITELY wasn't playing that guitar.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Also, I'm pretty positive he wasn't really playing.

His bass sounded very live and his fingers were very much in sync with his performance.


Check out the tone of the bass starting at about the 1:58 mark.

 

[electracoyote]

Just like Taylor Swift didn't play the banjo.

It's a six-string banjo, strung and played just like a standard guitar. There is no reason to believe she wasn't actually playing it. It was kinda low in the mix, but she can play guitar.

 

[electracoyote]

It bass sounded very live and his finger were very much in sync with his performance.


Check out the tone of the bass starting at about the 1:58 mark.

Bruno Mars 'Runaway Baby' Grammy performance 2012.mp4 - YouTube

I had listened to that video again, and I too think he's playing it live. His tone/mix is also among the best of the evening IMHO.

 

[Luckydog]

That doesn't mean it isn't there.

An implication is "implied" from the sender of the communication, which in this case did not occur. An assumption, however, is assumed from the receiver of a communication. The latter is most likely what you are experiencing.

 

[Gaius46]

So there was actual live playing at the Grammies? Amazing.

 

[brndn123]

Anyone get a chance to see what Nicki Minaj's bass player was using?

 

[One Drop]

An implication is "implied" from the sender of the communication, which in this case did not occur. An assumption, however, is assumed from the receiver of a communication. The latter is most likely what you are experiencing.

Thanks, couldn't have said it better myself. Literally.

 

[Bassmunnky]

An implication is "implied" from the sender of the communication, which in this case did not occur. An assumption, however, is assumed from the receiver of a communication. The latter is most likely what you are experiencing.

Yeah that...

I've been assuming from some of the posts that somehow some folks have been claiming a P bass isn't a good choice, or questioning it, even when there are plenty of things to chose from, and in that case, why ask why, and just have a Bud.

 

[GreenWithEnvy]

Yeah that...

I've been assuming from some of the posts that somehow some folks have been claiming a P bass isn't a good choice, or questioning it, even when there are plenty of things to chose from, and in that case, why ask why, and just have a Bud.

Yeah, well, some posts have hey, you're in The Gripweeds! Cool. I have a couple of your band's CDs. Love you guys. Seriously, I totally dig your band. Cool to see you here on TB.

 

[Batmensch]

That implies that it's the only thing that "works" and there are so many choices available the also "work".

For a lot of people it is indeed all that works. It's called personal taste, why is that so hard to believe?

 

[musicloverpdc]

I noticed that too. Hardly anyone of the bassists on there were any good anyway, but still interesting.

to play that groove, and hit all the dance steps the bassist for bruno mars did, i would have to say, he's a pretty good bass player. to say there weren't any good bass players that played the grammy's is a bit of a bold statement. pretty sure none of us knows what each of those bass players is really capable of... and i could be wrong but i'm pretty sure he was playing with his fingers.... just my opinion