I was surprised Scott chose to post this. The negativity of the topic alone should have made it a no go. But to include names like McCartney, Entwistle, Verdine White, Jaco and Jamerson was a shock. Making matters worse the songs in the list are arguably some of the most important and influential electric bass recordings ever. I get Scott didn’t agree in most cases, but still!
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Really SBL?!
- Thread starter alack
- Start date
Yeah, most of those sounded bad. Most because of mix. What’s the problem? Insulted your hero’s?
This is what happens when you have to constantly come up with clickbait-y video titles--the hyperbole spirals ever upward. I wouldn't take it too seriously.
This. After a while the guy becomes a bit boring. So his "content" must be shocking from time to time.
Just remember that Scott is running a business. He has to keep picking up students to make his money. He has to do stuff just to keep up interest in his business.
I watched the that video. Don’t know more than what was said, which is that this is commentary on the opinion of a group of people surveyed. It was not a single handed SBL crusade to bash people with sub-standard bass tone.
I kind of appreciate pro commentary on the problems with bass tone that go beyond the bassist. In just about every instance the problem was with the production, not the player. I personally filed it away as good info to know.
I kind of appreciate pro commentary on the problems with bass tone that go beyond the bassist. In just about every instance the problem was with the production, not the player. I personally filed it away as good info to know.
I don't see the problem, really. It's not like he came up with the list, he comments on the most popular choices of his audience -- and most of the time disagrees with them.
I thought it was interesting to see what some bass tracks sound like in isolation. Super weird.
And, of course, you HAD to have the boogeyman of bass players everywhere in there. Whenever Fieldy comes up, I'd like to pose the following challenge: Come up with a bass tone that fits into the Korn aesthetic. I dare you! But I doubt anyone would ever try.
I thought it was interesting to see what some bass tracks sound like in isolation. Super weird.
And, of course, you HAD to have the boogeyman of bass players everywhere in there. Whenever Fieldy comes up, I'd like to pose the following challenge: Come up with a bass tone that fits into the Korn aesthetic. I dare you! But I doubt anyone would ever try.
I tend to agree with the posts so far and yes, as I said in my initial post, I’m aware Scott did not agree. And while it was prompted by a survey, was it a survey that needed to be taken? As a public school teacher, I can’t imagine starting a lesson or unit from such a negative place.
I view Scott as an excellent teacher and ideal ambassador of the electric bass. He always shows himself as knowledgeable of the instruments’s history and the value of multiple approaches. Ive watched several of his videos and always enjoy them. This one just came off as extremely “off-brand.”
I view Scott as an excellent teacher and ideal ambassador of the electric bass. He always shows himself as knowledgeable of the instruments’s history and the value of multiple approaches. Ive watched several of his videos and always enjoy them. This one just came off as extremely “off-brand.”
Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger.
I'll have to watch the video, as I'm sure the arguments are valid...most of those players had rather idiosyncratic tones.
Speaking as a Hofner owner, no one in 2021 would be playing one if it wasn't for Paul McCartney.
I'll have to watch the video, as I'm sure the arguments are valid...most of those players had rather idiosyncratic tones.
Speaking as a Hofner owner, no one in 2021 would be playing one if it wasn't for Paul McCartney.
I just watched the video, I don't see how anyone can be mad if they've actually done the same. Not only did he disagree with most, he even took the time to put context behind most of the tones. And honestly, no one marvels over the beautiful "Something" bass line because of the tone.
It's not surprising that SBL gets a lot of flak because he's so popular and ubiquitous. I've noticed that a certain bass instructor who won't be named with very stubborn views on music education seems to be waging a one sided war against SBL, even going so far as to start arguments in the comments on SBL Facebook posts. I'm guessing this is mainly sour grapes, as said bass instructor doesn't have an audience of over half a million people. Can't please everyone.
It's not surprising that SBL gets a lot of flak because he's so popular and ubiquitous. I've noticed that a certain bass instructor who won't be named with very stubborn views on music education seems to be waging a one sided war against SBL, even going so far as to start arguments in the comments on SBL Facebook posts. I'm guessing this is mainly sour grapes, as said bass instructor doesn't have an audience of over half a million people. Can't please everyone.
Yep, yep.
He's gotten me a couple of times because I generally don't look at who posted video. However I immediately exit I wish I could block him.
It seems Scott desperately needs more clicks. I used to often watch SBL but stopped doing so 3 years ago. Not worth my time anymore.
Glad he didn't poop on Ross Valory's tone...Journey's Escape album is one of my fav bass tones ever
I'm not an SBL fan, but I agree with him on most of these. He's not at all negative or critical of the players. This video is good confirmation that the best bass for metal is whatever you've got because they're just going to bury it in the mix anyway.
Nothing in the video worth getting triggered. If you listen his last two sentences he makes the most important point. I like Scott. His click-bait titles do their job, right? He points out that this is not his list and he pretty much disagrees across the board. Again, a play on the, "Why Does This Track Work?" theme.
The full title of the video is
10 Worst Bass Tones in Super Famous Songs (as voted for by you)
Meaning he's going over a list of bass lines that people voted in as the worst and Scott's disagreeing with them in a lot of cases.
It did remind me of being on a Fieldy kick one day and coming to the realization that he gets his tone by setting his bass up to be something along the lines of what I'd consider unplayable. It was always one of the driving sounds behind Korn though and worked well for him.
10 Worst Bass Tones in Super Famous Songs (as voted for by you)
Meaning he's going over a list of bass lines that people voted in as the worst and Scott's disagreeing with them in a lot of cases.
It did remind me of being on a Fieldy kick one day and coming to the realization that he gets his tone by setting his bass up to be something along the lines of what I'd consider unplayable. It was always one of the driving sounds behind Korn though and worked well for him.
I think Fieldy's tone is great, in that context, and I'm not even a big Korn fan. Sure, it'd sound out of place in a Motown tune, but no more out of place than Jamerson's tone would sound in Korn. It's all about context. So yeah, you make a good point.
Not everything is positive (even positivity can be toxic ;-) However, everyone uses provocative titles that don't accurately describe the content. He had one a while back, "Why you shouldn't play 5-string." And instead of bashing 5-string as I expected, he just said why you should, and when you shouldn't bother. Interesting though, because I find that I don't notice things sometimes unless I hear an example of what sounds bad. It didn't really do that, but it could have and it still have been useful to me.
