• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

This video makes me think

#21
Ryan L. said:
Didn't you just do that not too long ago when you had your Geddy?:eyebrow:
Click to expand...


Yeah, I did. You know me, endless internal debate. Part of me feels like I was playing better in some ways back then.

I also like the challenge of trying to cover players like Jimmy Haslip/Yellowjackets on a 6 (which I'd need to buy) but there is nothing practice on that. I'll never be in a band that does that stuff or anything.

The church gig is all I have and I think a plain old 4 can do that just fine and give me some money for other things.
 
#23
Well, as an Old Timer who started with flats on a Kalamazoo EBO copy in 1970 it tickles me to see the Young Folk rediscover Music History and Historical Gear anew. :) (BTW, in the 70s we weren't all that impressed by the 70s Fenders-too inconsistent, hinky necks, etc.)
Personally, I've had several iterations since then. For a good while I've been working on all the old Jaco solos on a Fender-ish fretless and it's true that they lay really well on them. A couple of days back I was playing on my Hotwire fretless 6 and started working through Continuum on it. It was so comparatively easy and I realized the 6 is home to me, although I will play a 4 or 5 if some Producer or Bandleader requests it or I think it's the best choice. The 6 has been home to me for 30 years, so that's the default these days. It's all a personal choice. YMMV.
 
#24
you can only play one bass at a time anyway, maybe just worry about playing that one bass the best you can and stop worrying about how much gear you have or dont have. Personally I would rather hear a good player on one bass than a guy that shows up with a boatload of stuff and is just mediocore. Just play, there will be plenty of gear to collect whenever you have the means to aquire more.
 
#26
Roy Vogt said:
Well, as an Old Timer who started with flats on a Kalamazoo EBO copy in 1970 it tickles me to see the Young Folk rediscover Music History and Historical Gear anew. :) (BTW, in the 70s we weren't all that impressed by the 70s Fenders-too inconsistent, hinky necks, etc.)
Personally, I've had several iterations since then. For a good while I've been working on all the old Jaco solos on a Fender-ish fretless and it's true that they lay really well on them. A couple of days back I was playing on my Hotwire fretless 6 and started working through Continuum on it. It was so comparatively easy and I realized the 6 is home to me, although I will play a 4 or 5 if some Producer or Bandleader requests it or I think it's the best choice. The 6 has been home to me for 30 years, so that's the default these days. It's all a personal choice. YMMV.
Click to expand...
You sound darn good on that Kalamazoo when you do your Cream tribute band, though ;)
 
#30
bluesblaster said:
you can only play one bass at a time anyway, maybe just worry about playing that one bass the best you can and stop worrying about how much gear you have or dont have. Personally I would rather hear a good player on one bass than a guy that shows up with a boatload of stuff and is just mediocore. Just play, there will be plenty of gear to collect whenever you have the means to aquire more.
Click to expand...


Not the first time I've heard this advice. Maybe I should take it.
 
#32
We'll, my history would tend to be on your side. I love the way others sound on a P but when I play I never seem to sound like that. Is it because I'm so used to hearing myself on an active Bartolini 5 or is it because I just don't sound good on a P?

My thought is I could get used to anything. The whole point of this was to sell my bass, make money to pay off debt and buy a cheap bass to play at church. I have had no luck selling, and I haven't found a cheap bass I like so I'm starting to think I should just stay with fancy basses and let my sound be what it is and that's me.

Guess I'll close my For Sale thread and move on to agonizing over a new DI again.
 
#35
SteveC said:
Been struggling with what to do about my playing lately. I only play at church and occasionally fill in with jazz groups in town. I endlessly debate with myself about what bass, how many strings, should I try effects, etc. I have been playing active 5 strings for a long time. I sometimes think that is what people expect me to play.

Recently, I have been listening to people who play a simple Precision (or Jazz) bass and sound amazing - both tone and their lines. My only real gig is church. We do a lot of Chris Tomlin and the like. I ran across this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31q8y1yJbzI

Kind of makes me wonder…

I haven't really worked on my playing for a while. Really worked the fingerboard. Worked on tone. Worked on playing good lines. Yes, one can do that on any bass, but I wonder if the additional options that I always thought were good (5 or 6 string, 24 frets, etc.) can maybe hold you back as well. Does that make sense?
Click to expand...


Everyone is different. I happened to share Jessie's opinion on simplicity "less is more". It's just me, but I loved getting rid of "stuff" and settle down on a good P-bass and let my playing do the talking....not my effects. But, you gotta go with what is comfortable for you when it comes to 4, 5, or 6 string.
 
#36
I want to be a simple guy, but I think I'm probably a 5 string guy. I never have used effects so that part is easy.

The ability to transpose quickly (even keeping hand positions) is a big factor for me. I can keep my familiar fingerlings and just move them where needed for the singer that day.
 
#37
A simple signal path doesn't equal a simple bass line or call for 4 strings only you know ...

I play a 6 strings fretless and the only effect I use is a little bit of reverb. I can play some Dream Theater, or jazz or whatever.

Your problem seem ( well to me ) to come from your mindset than the actual bass ... I play pretty simple stuff on my bass even if I have 6 strings. I can also play the melody and whatnot.

Maybe learning different type of music using that one particular bass may help a little.
 
#39
A great clip!

I share the same simple and organic approach to bass playing.

Passive 4-string Fender Jazz - tuner - SansAmp BDDI - house PA. I don't even bother with any amp/cabs as my church uses Aviom monitors for stage.

I'm planning to make it even simpler by acquiring a P bass hopefully in not too distant a future.

By the way, I get to play with four different guitarists (not all at the same time) in church. Two of them have fairly elaborate pedal boards with all kinds of gadgets, while the other two have much simpler setups. Guess what, the ones with fewer gadgets always sound better...at least to my ears.
 
#40
I also play a simple setup - bass, tuner, amp, cab. But I have no idea why 4 or 5 string makes any difference. You can play just as simple or busy on one as the other - I choose 5. Play the music not the gear (but I like good gear:)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back