Who plays basses that just don't visually fit the style of music you play?

You know, it's funny you mention that as I've always thought it would be really funny to show up to a traditional jazz gig with one of these:



The funny part is the Vampyre looks like it has the same basic pickups and electronics as the Infinity and very close to the Dolphin. Should sound fine for straight ahead electric work.

 

http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=3540258402

 

Eh, I stick to playing basslines that just don't sonically fit the style of music I'm playing while looking appropriate.

 

People really do listen with their eyes.

 

The Roscoe isn't that much out of place on a metal gig. The main thing is it sounded good.

Now if you'd used a Hofner that would be different. Or how about a Wishbass? That would stand out in just about any genre.

 

I´ve played this bass on straight-ahead jazz gigs(and other type of gigs, of course):



It´s a Lado Lacewood Bass and it has a piano like tone, but you can make it fit quite well in a more acoustic environment.

 

I've often carried a Cort EVL(Goth Bass), or a Traben with a flame bridge to a blues/ballad session, but not professionl stuff(I ain't no pro).

 

I have done a Blues Brothers Review with my Alembic Stanley Clarke and got some strange looks but the sound guy loved it!

 

I played MANY private suit and tie parties where WE were the ones in the suit and ties also, and regular gigs weekly at Atria's restaurants for almost 4 years with my pointyhead Jackson Tbird playing quiet/slow/mellow music, and never gave it a moment's thought, and at the same time played in a Maiden tribute with the same bass. If I was in a band that required the "SHOW" to be important for videos and pictures, then yes, I would play something appropriate if I had one that "fit" the look, because someone else would be buying it for me

if a square box with a clear plastic neck could get me the same tonal characteristics, I'd use that ( and probably get noticed even more )

 

always cracked me up how Nirvana came along with beat-up Fender Jaguars/Mustangs, and made a bigger roar than all the Kramers/Jackson/Charvels being used by the hair farmers of the time.

quite simply, if it feels/sounds good, run with it.

 

This goes back a long way, but: In the early '80s, I played for a few months in a super-fast hardcore punk band and used a Vox Cougar (it's a hollowbody). Hey, it was the only bass I had and couldn't afford another. Fingerstyle, too. No one bothered me about it--I used a modest OD pedal with that bass on just about any gig, anyway, so it worked tonally.

 

actually, i used my Epiphone Viola (Beatle bass) in a heavy indie rock band i played with for a while. it had serious thump, and went smoothly into harmonic feedback if the volume was up.

then i'd bring my Precision to practice/shows, and the guys would go "dude, go get the McCartney bass..."

 

That photo is so cool! I was thinking about one of those Kydd or NSD basses, but that photo says "independent rocker" all over it.

 

My Schecter Stiletto is a bit too conservative for the gig I play with it. If I didn't love it so much, I'd get something with a little more pizazz!

 

@#%^@#$ wank harp!!!

 

Me.



i play metal/funk/hard rock/etc.

 

Man, it's hard to beat a P for any of those Genres. i'd say that's not out of place at all.

 

Ever tried playing punk rock with a fretless bass? Well, that happened for a year until I got a G&L LB-100.

 

Yeah man, the P works everyplace, from James Jamerson to Steve Harris.