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What makes a bass a "one trick pony"?

#21
nocontrols said:
So he can't get alternative tones out of it by, oh I don't know, let's say... switching from fingers to a plectrum? Slappping it? Changing up speed and dynamics? Using more or less force? And you're taking lessons from this person? Really?
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Careful, his bass teacher might be Gary Willis :D

Obviously you can bust out the coat hanger and scratch the strings with your fingernails but a 5 string fretless is not going to sound like Marcus Miller's Jazz on one tune and James Jamerson on the next tune although with enough work you can approximate any electric bass to sound similar to others.

When people say "One Trick Pony" they're identifying that particular bass with a certain sound. I've heard the term applied to P-Basses, Stingrays, any Fretless bass and maybe a few more.

I'm not sure why a bass teacher who loves one sound out of his bass and wants to retain that sound should have his credentials or ability to play called into question :confused:

Back in the day in LA it was standard fare to want to be able to sound like a number of great players on different gigs or recordings. Gary Willis even talked about how he was so sick of being a "chameleon" when he was in LA and wanted to develop his own voice. In terms of having a versatile bass, I think the jazz bass is one of the best you can pick from because you can get close enough to Marcus, close to Jaco, close to a P-Bass etc.

Of course you can be as versatile as your imagination and use any instrument to get there but some instruments will make that more achievable. I've never really thought of the term as being derogatory honestly, if you really want to get a Stingray sound or a P-Bass sound then you should probably pick up a Stingray or P-Bass.
 
#22
Question: What makes a bass a "one trick pony"?

Answer: In the majority of cases, the player.

I hear this cliche a lot, usually from people who have a sick inexplicable hatred for a popular bass. It didn't work for them, their style, limitations, and lack of creativity and experience brought out the worst in the bass, they have a deep-seated jealousy and resentment for the continuous popularity of a bass that didn't work for them, so the bass must be a "one trick pony."

It's one of the oldest, most tired cliches on TalkBass. I'm a little sad for people who feel compelled to walk around on that crutch.
 
#23
electracoyote said:
Question: What makes a bass a "one trick pony"?

Answer: In the majority of cases, the player.

I hear this cliche a lot, usually from people who have a sick inexplicable hatred for a popular bass. It didn't work for them, their style, limitations, and lack of creativity and experience brought out the worst in the bass, they have a deep-seated jealousy and resentment for the continuous popularity of a bass that didn't work for them, so the bass must be a "one trick pony."

It's one of the oldest, most tired cliches on TalkBass. I'm a little sad for people who feel compelled to walk around on that crutch.
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Way to be supportive of people with different experience levels. :rolleyes:
 
#27
electracoyote said:
People with less experience should pick their terminology a little more carefully or wait until they have more experience before commenting. It's a good rule to follow in life in general. :rolleyes:
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How versatile is that danalectro in your avatar? Is that the bass you grab to practice your Marcus licks?

Why should people be careful with their terminology or gather experience before they express an opinion about an instrument they've tried?

Most of the generalizations I've heard from instruments comes from studio players and studio engineers who have plenty of experience to back it up, doesn't mean they're always right but their previous experience has prejudiced them one way or another. On the other hand, sometimes stereotypes are there for a reason, it's not hard to pick out a P-Bass or a Stingray or a Fretless bass from a blind test.
 
#28
No such thing as a otp bass - maybe a otp player, but a bass like the tele clearly has its limitations
0326902500%20-baafdb151277bc81bfb9f9fda0d8172e.jpg
 
#32
I *do* thinks some basses, by design, are "one trick ponies" - The Gibson EB0 and the Rick leap to mind. What they do, they do well - but they don't really do other things.

I also think that the P-bass falls into this category, but in a lesser way - Some things just don't sound that good on a P-bass (to me, at least). Other things sound perfect.
 
#34
I always saw basses that have a very narrow tonal spectrum as one trick ponies, e.g. Rics, Gibson T-Birds, single pickup EMG basses, etc. Sure, you can use those basses in a variety of settings and with various playing styles (player depending), but they're very limited to the adjustments that can be made without modifying style, amp settings, etc.
 
#36
BigOldHarry said:
I *do* thinks some basses, by design, are "one trick ponies" - The Gibson EB0 and the Rick leap to mind. What they do, they do well - but they don't really do other things.
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I'm listening to McCartney. I'm listening to Geddy Lee.

And I'm listening to this guy:

YouTube - Rickenbacker 4003 Slap

And I'm thinking, someone's definition of a "one-trick pony" is very, very different from mine.
 
#39
jlane72t said:
I certainly believe the tone is in the hands......but that's not 100% of the equation. There's no way I was ever getting a good funky slap tone out of my '67 EB0.

Maybe someone will post a youtube of someone else doing it, but, my hands know how to slap and MY EB0 just wasn't going there no matter how much I adjusted technique.
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So, your EB0 isn't a slap machine. There are plenty of other "tricks" it can do regardless.



Mr.Hat said:
No such thing as a otp bass - maybe a otp player, but a bass like the tele clearly has its limitations
View attachment 208370
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True. ...but it too is far from having only one trick.
 
#40
While the player has a great effect on the sound that comes out, I'd say the "one trick pony" designation lies in the bass itself. Across the same playing style, some basses don't change in sound much, If you wire a single pickup straight to the jack, the bass itself doesn't have many tonal option in and of itself. Basically: Less options=less tricks.
 

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