My NS Design Omni Bass always gets noticed. Also, EBMM Bongos get noticed. Bongos are just far enough removed from tradition to stand out and are great basses.
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Unique Bass to stand out
- Thread starter Luke S Mouse
- Start date
Thundercat signature will do it. Even better if you get a matching hat, a la Tcat or Dr John.
Maybe just go with a p bass and a cool hat instead.
Maybe just go with a p bass and a cool hat instead.
You’ve asked a couple of Q’s.
First, “older instruments.” Musical instruments tend to have the potential for longer lifetimes than people. So, “older” doesn’t really mean much. There are quite a few older instruments, which are still perfectly useful.
Second, you would be best to let your playing make you stand out from other players, and learn to use the instruments that help you do that. That journey will actually lead you to play instruments that you have refined in your unique ways, making those instruments unique.
In selecting any instrument, you need to be clear about what you want it to sound like. What are your gigs? Original? Cover? Country? R&B? Jazz? Metal?
One issue with older instruments is that the ones that still produce useful tones tend to be pricey. For example, the clear lucite bodied Dan Armstrong Ampeg bass produces outstanding old school tones that are still applicable today. But, they are also priced accordingly. Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot of low priced older instruments that will have really useful tones. They’ve been priced accordingly.
When I think of practical somewhat unknown non-boutique instruments, I guess I tend to think of Bossa, G&L, and some others. Bossa might have been boutique-ish; but, they are no longer made and available at nice price points. Those are a couple of lower mid price options. I’m sure there are others; and if you want to spend twice as much, then there are a lot of options. BTW, most musicians have no idea what a Sadowsky is. FWIW.
That's my take on a Steampunk bass. Full story of the build found here As for where you can get one, I could build one for you.
Gotcha.
Yeah I was thinking mainly for just the sake of getting a band to play with in the first place. If I have to adjust accordingly, I can deal with that. It's mainly just for the sake of getting said gigs I suppose. I have no doubt in my skills as a musician, just a matter of I can use all the help I can get to get my big ol' feet in the door.
While I can’t claim that this will work for every gig, (I mean, obviously!), I’m finding that it has been working splendidly for three of my five projects. I built it specifically for an “old-time” group after the upright posed a few transport challenges, but now also use it with two more semi-acoustic groups.
I can almost guarantee you’ll stand out, and with the right folks, no one will complain about the tone!
BTW, there are some really wonderful basses and suggestions on this thread!
-robert
It's like Bootsy's evil alien twin. I like it!
That's the weirdest one I know:
Man the pickups are wide on these... Weird.
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If you have a serious budget and serious bassistic intentions take a look at the amazing Invalid Link Removed Quasar
So sexy! I was too late to the party to buy one of those Washburns. So I got something similar made...sort of.
