This video makes me think

[ROBM700]

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.

I play a passive 4-string P through a Radial DI and no amp at my church....just use the Avion monitor system. The sound man is a bass junkie and favors my setup....or lack there of. Been playing 26 years.

BTW.....same thing here....the simple setup guitarists sound better IMHO.

 

[NinetyFive]

Get my focus on basics instead of how many notes I can cram in a measure.

I'm thinking that maybe a four string would rejuvenate my playing. Get my focus on basics instead of how many notes I can cram in a measure.

I want to be a simple guy, but I think I'm probably a 5 string guy.

5 string guys are not more complex than four string guys. In fact 5-strings are simpler to play allowing transposition by pattern without have to internalize the entire fingerboard. Four strings won't get you to basics. A new mind set will. A four string may very well rejuvenate your playing by forcing you to understand the instrument better. The number of notes you can can cram in a measure is unrelated to the number of strings. It is simply a choice.

 

[Kyle_S]

I'm not a church guy, but all the same I give Mr. Reeves a hearty "amen." Just plug me into something and let me play.

 

[cnltb]

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.



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?

Excellent video , that!
Excellent!!
Thanks!