Self-Imposed Bass Monogamy Period?

[+6dB Dan]

Tearing down and rebuilding your technique is what's required here.

I've been throught it: 4 string, then fretless, then 5 string, then Floating Thumb technique, then DB, then 30"/fretless/piezo/tapes. Hard work at first but the rewards greatly outweigh the effort.

+1 to slow tempos with 100% accuracy. Then work on speed, then endurance, followed by practise using gig-conditions (standing, memorised, one attempt only, full setlists, etc).

Thanks! I hear what you're saying. Some quality time with my metronome is probably in order soon

 

[AngelCrusher]

I played one jazz bass for over 5 years. I did every single session on it and every gig, it recorded great and killed live. Only reason I ever changed was the Jazzbass was not really my ideal voice, so I finally started looking at gear and over time switched to the Pbass. Funny thing is that what I think I really preferred most was either a P or a J and having Chrome flatwounds. So all that time I probably could have just gone to flats and been fine, but I am quite happy to have my Pbasses so it all worked out.

 

[Lobster11]

Yeah, I wonder if I'm making too much of the whole multiple basses thing.

I think you are. I really don't think it will make enough difference to matter -- and certainly not enough to waste a perfectly good New Year's resolution on. There are lots of things you could resolve to do to improve over the next year, but this probably isn't one of them.

 

[fermata]

Here's my take, partly grounded in a classical music formation, where players are generally less likely to have (or regularly use) multiple instruments, and partly grounded in decades of playing acoustic instruments:

The instrument is the means, not the end (TB heresy, I know). The goal is "instrument transparency," where the instrument is such a good fit for the player that the focus is on the music, not the instrument. The first step is finding an instrument that just feels (and sounds) right, and the rest comes through spending enough time with the instrument that it becomes an extension of the player. I think this is what the OP is getting at with spending one year with one bass, and I think it's a good idea.

When one reaches a deep level of familiarity with an instrument, the focus shifts from playing the instrument to playing the music.

Although electric bass has become my primary instrument, I still think like an acoustic player in a lot of ways. Part of that mindset means prioritizing physical technique over knob twiddling. Now, with an electric instrument, knob twiddling is very much part of knowing and fully utilizing the instrument's tonal palette, but it's also easy to rely too heavily on electrical circuits for making sounds. (It's such an easy avenue to new sounds that it can short circuit--pardon the pun--developing great technique, and as a result, it can fuel needless GAS--spending money to develop tone instead of time.)

Here's a good (if a bit wordy) demo of using technique to get different sounds instead of making electronic adjustments:



I see electronics as a complement to (or maybe extension of) the primary sounds created by the player's physical interaction with the instrument. The point at which a second bass becomes necessary is when physical technique and electronic adjustments (and different types of strings) fail to deliver a sound you want to create. But when one gets a second (third, etc.) bass, the goal should be to learn it as intimately as the first.

This thread offers some good points around the idea of bass monogamy (based on the premise of becoming a pro): GAS free guide to Bass purchasing

 

[MD]

Sounds like you're doing something right! Yeah, I wonder if I'm making too much of the whole multiple basses thing. Thanks for your thoughts!

Yes, you're over thinking this. Just play.
However, if you're going to gig a 5er, then shed on a 5er.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I can't see there being enough between those basses to make any difference. When I was young, I went from a Ric 4001 to a Jazz with a P neck (used). I didn't know there was any difference between those two necks, I just played them. I think we sometimes make problems for ourself that are not there.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Just put the other basses in their case for a few months, or until you need them. That's all you need to do.

I play electric bass and DB. I can see monogamy helping there. Getting your first 5-string or Fretless, you'd only need 3-6 months of daily practise to become completely familiar with it IMO IME.

 

[lomo]

I play a few different basses. They are all 5ers with 34" scale and 18-19mm spacing....that's consistent enough for me. I suspect you may be overthinking it

 

[twinjet]

Have any of you out there who play multiple (non-identical) basses forced yourselves to only play a single bass for an extended period of time, for the sake of building playing technique or "chops"? If so, did you find it helpful?

Here's why I ask: I've been playing bass seriously for a little over 5 years, and I consider myself an intermediate player. I have a non-musical 9-to-5 job, and between that and my commitments outside of work, I can consistently put in at most 45-60 minutes of practice a day. I'm trying to grow as a musician and bass player as much as I can within those constraints.

I'll also add that one challenge I have in particular is physical technique. I feel like most of my practice work is making my body do reliably what my brain knows what it wants to do. I spend a lot of time making my fingering and picking clean and consistent, and minimizing flubs when I play at rehearsals or gigs. My technique and sound aren't horrible or anything, but I do want to make them stronger and more reliable.

I'm fortunate enough to own the following 4 basses:
- Squier VM 70's Jazz Bass, 4-string, 9.5" fretboard radius, with Dunlop Marcus Miller roundwounds
- Fender MIA Precision Bass, 4-string, 9.5" fretboard radius, with La Bella 1954 flatwounds
- Fender MIA Jazz Bass, 4-string, 9.5" fretboard radius, with D'Addario Chromes flatwounds
- Sire V7 Bass, 5-string, 7.25" fretboard radius, with D'Addario NYXL roundwounds

These basses relatively similar in design and feel, but have differences in string choice, number of strings, and fretboard radius. I enjoy that they're each a little different. I tend to select the best bass for my next upcoming gig, and play that consistently for a few weeks while preparing for it. Generally speaking, I play a different bass every month or several.

I'm considering making a New Year's resolution to pick a bass and play only it for a year, for all practice, rehearsals, and gigs. (I'm leaning towards picking my Fender Jazz and putting some versatile roundwounds on it.) I wonder if that will make it easier to build technique without getting distracted by the differences in the basses. What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Dan

A year! Wow!

I participated in an anti-GAS challenge. 2.5 months of only practicing and gigging my new American Standard P Bass. After that time, I realized the P was not for me. I kept it a few months more and eventually sold it, having transitioned to my G&L as my full-time bass.

The effects of practicing just one instrument should be obvious but you may discover your preferences could change after that year!

 

[fermata]

A year! Wow!

I participated in an anti-GAS challenge. 2.5 months of only practicing and gigging my new American Standard P Bass. After that time, I realized the P was not for me. I kept it a few months more and eventually sold it, having transitioned to my G&L as my full-time bass.

The effects of practicing just one instrument should be obvious but you may discover your preferences could change after that year!

Interesting--I had a similar experience where every time I gigged one of my basses, I wished I was playing my other (main) one. So I traded the less favored on for a different bass...the jury's still out on that one.

Just out of curiosity, what was it about the Precision that didn't do it for you? And what is it about the G&L (L2000?) that does?

 

[twinjet]

Interesting--I had a similar experience where every time I gigged one of my basses, I wished I was playing my other (main) one. So I traded the less favored on for a different bass...the jury's still out on that one.

Just out of curiosity, what was it about the Precision that didn't do it for you? And what is it about the G&L (L2000?) that does?

Sound was great, but too limiting with regards to what I wanted to hear. Ergonomics also did not fit me. Those two plus dashing looks are why my L-2000 has taken the #1 spot.

 

[Russell L]

When it comes to playing different basses I am a slut, even if it isn't mine. I have no shame.