Why did I do that...

[RiZzBot]

So a couple days ago I score a sweet late 60's Ventura violin bass. In almost 20 years I have never played a violin bass. The tone is something new and exciting to me, and i'm loving it. I havent been able to put the bass down since. Beatle tunes now sound like Beatle tunes.

Well, at last nights gig I thought I'd use it instead of my P bass that I normally use; big mistake. In hindsight another failure I can see was not taking my P as a backup. At home I'd been playing the new bass sitting down at lower volume, so playing it standing up and cranked was a whole other story. The feel of the bass completely screwed me (well in all fairness, I probably screwed myself worse than the bass did). I kept playing wrong frets because of the slimmer and shorter neck profile. I was reduced to playing staring down at the fretboard the entire night. On top of that the EQ for both my amp and pedals is set to my P bass.

After stumbling though the entire set; and frustrated af, the BL asks if I was under the influence. I tried to explain the whole bass thing to him, but he didnt believe me. He thinks I'm in denial and should check myself into a rehab clinic. Wowzers! Have any of you guys had similar experiences?

 

[Jimmy4string]

Man, that is a rough one -lesson learned i guess. You said the feel was odd but how was the sound?
I like your description of the BL

 

[ZenG]

So a couple days ago I score a sweet late 60's Ventura violin bass. In almost 20 years I have never played a violin bass. The tone is something new and exciting to me, and i'm loving it. I havent been able to put the bass down since. Beatle tunes now sound like Beatle tunes.

Well, at last nights gig I thought I'd use it instead of my P bass that I normally use; big mistake. In hindsight another failure I can see was not taking my P as a backup. At home I'd been playing the new bass sitting down at lower volume, so playing it standing up and cranked was a whole other story. The feel of the bass completely screwed me (well in all fairness, I probably screwed myself worse than the bass did). I kept playing wrong frets because of the slimmer and shorter neck profile. I was reduced to playing staring down at the fretboard the entire night. On top of that the EQ for both my amp and pedals is set to my P bass.

After stumbling though the entire set; and frustrated af, the BL asks if I was under the influence. I tried to explain the whole bass thing to him, but he didnt believe me. He thinks I'm in denial and should check myself into a rehab clinic. Wowzers! Have any of you guys had similar experiences?

I wouldn't bother. It will play and sound the same at the rehab clinic.

 

[RiZzBot]

Man, that is a rough one -lesson learned i guess. You said the feel was odd but how was the sound?
I like your description of the BL

Paper thin. I usually lower the bass and lowmids for my Pbass. After making some on the fly adjustments, I was barely able to scrape by. Also I dont think these older pickups were designed for effects.

 

[RiZzBot]

I wouldn't bother. It will play and sound the same at the rehab clinic.

Unless they put me in one of them special padded cells.

 

[dtripoli]

I've done that a time or two.
Bought my daughter a used Yamaha RBX and thought I'd use at the next gig.
Should have given it a test run at a rehearsal first.
The bass is perfectly fine and has a good tone.
But, noodling around on the bass in the living room is far different than in the mix at a gig.
No time to really dial in the tone. Thumb rest spot was different, neck felt shorter, all in all,
most the familiar things I do without thinking on the bass suddenly required 100% concentration.
The gig came off OK but I didn't feel on top of my game.
Besides, I think my blonde G&L ASAT was jealous I took a brunette RBX to the dance instead of her.

 

[RiZzBot]

It's was a very nerve wracking experience; but one i'm glad to have encountered at a smaller gig. My wife was on the far end of the venue, but I could still see her just shaking her head (in a I told you so/you sicken me/I should have married your brother kinda look) the entire time. That was another bad trip, all in itself.

I've done that a time or two.
Bought my daughter a used Yamaha RBX and thought I'd use at the next gig.
Should have given it a test run at a rehearsal first.
The bass is perfectly fine and has a good tone.
But, noodling around on the bass in the living room is far different than in the mix at a gig.
No time to really dial in the tone. Thumb rest spot was different, neck felt shorter, all in all,
most the familiar things I do without thinking on the bass suddenly required 100% concentration.
The gig came off OK but I didn't feel on top of my game.
Besides, I think my blonde G&L ASAT was jealous I took a brunette RBX to the dance instead of her.

 

[dbase]

I'm surprised it didn't feedback at a higher gain setting.

 

[Madhouse27]

Hey, there's nothing wrong with getting some help brother. No one's judging you here.

 

[RiZzBot]

Hey, there's nothing wrong with getting some help brother. No one's judging you here.

Good to know

 

[RiZzBot]

I'm surprised it didn't feedback at a higher gain setting.

I probably would have went full Moon and smashed all my gear on stage if that had happened. By moon, im referring to Keith Moon.

 

[StringNavigator]

...I'd been playing the new bass sitting down at lower volume, so playing it standing up and cranked was a whole other story. The feel of the bass completely screwed me...

I find that I have to practice bass while standing, as the feel is different and can catch you off guard when you hit the stage. Even practicing at low volumes or using a separate practice amp or instrument can set you up for failure at performance time or at band rehearsals.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

When I was in the army, I was given a horrible violin bass to play for the New Year's Eve, 2004. Never played a violin bass before, not even a good setup one. We played for 7 hours, and it was like 7 years to me. Similar to your story, only I had no other choice..

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Ouch. I could see how it all became foreign territory onstage. I bet that won't happen again.

 

[RiZzBot]

Ouch. I could see how it all became foreign territory onstage. I bet that won't happen again.

I'll never betray my P bass again. Lesson learned.

 

[mpdd]

My Vox was so much smaller than my grabber I couldn't realistically use it except for one or two songs that were simple with the notes concentrated in the same region of the neck

 

[Imaginary Pony]

I probably would have went full Moon and smashed all my gear on stage if that had happened. By moon, im referring to Keith Moon.

If you'd done that, theBLwould have been even more convinced that you were drunk or cranked up.

 

[draygriff]

I feel your pain. Had a similar experience when I played a 5 stringer live for the first time (or three). But that's the thrill of playing live... You never know WHAT'S going to happen when you least expect it.

 

[bobba66]

I love rehab!

 

[jamro217]

Could have been worse, it could have been an unlined fretless, too.