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What do you like about bass guitar?

#41
Everything. Seriously.

1) I like that it isn't delicate. I can hit the crap out of it and it responds with "That all you got?"

2) Versatile. I'm in no way knocking effects. But I don't use any. But plucking up and down the strings, by using various picks and picking techniques, by slapping, by tapping, and by slightly adjusting the tone knob I can make one passive bass sound like 50 different instruments.

3) Powerful. For all the reasons stated before.

4) Expressive. I can back up a weeping vocal or a delicate piano and make slow, soft beautiful music. With the same bass and the same rig I can make you want to break a glass bottle over the head of the guy sitting next to you. And I can make your girlfriend jump up from her seat and hit the dance floor.

5) Communication. Melody can't get to the drums without going through me. Drums can't get to melody without going through me. I take that seriously and yet I have fun with it. I love that I can communicate with both musically. I love that I can act as a doorway between the two. It's not an ego thing. I see it as a privilege. It's like holding the door open for all the members of the band. "Please. After you. Let me show you how to get where you're going. Let me know if I can usher you into another musical mood."

Yep. Everything. No place I would rather be on stage.

Great question. @slobake always asks the best questions.
 
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#42
two fingers said:
Everything. Seriously.


2) Versatile. I'm in no way knocking effects. But I don't use any. But plucking up and down the strings, by using various picks and picking techniques, by slapping, by tapping, and by slightly adjusting the tone knob I can make one passive bass sound like 50 different instruments.
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I stopped using effects. I found out that it may change the way my bass sounds on stage but they have little of no effect on the sound that runs through the house. Just my experience.
 
#44
Almost forgot. If you are building a J bass, I've got all kinds of random j bass items so hit me up when you go in search of stuff. The only thing I'm short of ATM is necks but that's always changing.
 
#46
i could tell you all the things i love about playing bass, but it still wouldn't tell you everything i love about playing the bass.

it's versatile. you can hold down the groove or go all crazy on a lead
it sounds great - i love low notes and boom
it fills out songs and makes them more complete
it feels good. even though i now must play short scale lighter basses, i still love how they feel

in fact, i love just about everything everyone said, but after really thinking about it, i'm not sure i can put into words what first grabbed me about playing the bass. i played fingerstyle guitar for decades, didn't love it but liked it; the first time i played the bass, it took me seconds to feel that "click" that had been missing when i played guitar, uke, keyboards or hand percussion. even singing, which i love, doesn't do it for me as much as playing the bass. it's all of the above but it's something more that i can't define.
 
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#52
1) I only needs 4 strings, more are optional
2) I only have to play one note at a time.
3) Big strings and big spaces for clutzy shaking fingers.
4) I like things shaking besides me.
More seriously, the music I like has great bass lines, it just makes the rest of the music work well.
 
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#56
Dee Dee Ramone with that white P slung down somewhere south of Argentina.
Geddy with that double neck Ric.
When my lead guitarists chick comes over and comments on how cool and relaxed I look up there, like I'm not even trying.
The guy from Huey Lewis and the News, with that cigarette butt hanging off his lower lip.
Bassists are just WAY cool. I want to be one when I grow up
 
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#58
I love the way it sounds, so deep but also with lots of dimension from the harmonics and the note envelope.

But I really love making some music we're playing just feel awesome. I think our power over the dynamics and feel of a groove is unsurpassed.

And if I want this to be some kind of a C chord, you're going to have to turn that guitar way up loud to over-rule me! And even so I can still slay with a choice substitution or reharmonization.
 
#59
Stewie26 said:
I love all things about playing the bass. For me, one of the highlights is playing live when there is a large crowd on the dance floor. I like seeing the women shake their butts in time with the bass. Over the years, I have noticed the more I dial up and thump on the bass, the more intense they swing their butts. :bassist:
Don't know...maybe it's a control thing. Just sayin.
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I was going to say the same thing. Love how woman move their hips to the bass line.
 
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