Why so many fat bass players?

[Joe Nerve]

Was just looking at the back cover of the new BP mag. Then watched a couple of videos in current threads. Why so many fat bass players, and how come fat bass players can become famous, but not fat guitarists or singers? Does being fat make a better bass player? Like being black makes a better bass player? And being a girl makes a worse drummer? There are a lot of really great fat black bass players. Great fat white ones too. What with the fat? I wanna know.

 

[ric stave]

phat

 

[LiamPodmore]

Fat bassists don't get knocked off balance by our earthquakes that our amazing amps and tone creates

 

[the_fooj]

Ha, I've noticed that too. Never really figured it out. The only fat guitar player I can think of is Shawn Lane (RIP).

I have 7% body fat (but I also play guitar)

 

[ridgeback]

ohhh i have been asked that sooooooooo many times..lol "why are bass players all fat" i always just used to say i need somewhere to put my beer!!(dont drink anymore)..
maybe the belly adds to the tone!! my warwick has a curved back and it fits perfect..
i am a short 5 foot 9 and about 180lbs..i dont think i am fat but lots of people think i am so.. "my name is phil and i am a fat bassplayer"!!

 

[J. Crawford]

This will end badly, Im sure.

But, IMO, it helps tone.. sustain increases immensely.

 

[cap'n crunk]

Like being black makes a better bass player? And being a girl makes a worse drummer?

Hoo boy. Batten down the hatches ...

 

[St Drogo]

We have to be fat. We are the foundation of the band. You want them to stand on a 90lbs groove?

 

[Jon_West]

They eat more because they need the extra strength to carry their 8x10 cabs.

 

[lowdownwalt]

I think it's just your imagination!

There's just as many slim bass players as so called "fat"... just a couple come to mind,
Will Lee, Rickey Minor, Duck Dunn, hell the list goes on.

 

[Godfather]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=680106

Another example of mental deficiency among the TB braintrust

 

[Crockettnj]

Wow, there is SO much I can do with this... so many places I can take this. However, in the interest of not getting (another) TOS violation and keeping TB the cool cordial place it is, I'll edit my post before I even type it.



There.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Playing bass ain't exactly an anaerobic exercise. Perhaps the bass player's goal of achieving "big bottom end" has been somewhat misunderstood. Or maybe having a large and robust profile allows a bass player to feel his / her own groove and really lock-in with what he / she is playing, therefore becoming a better player and getting the gig.

 

[john_g]

Cuz you need to have at least a smidge of the funk and skinny white boys dont...lol (says the skinny white boy)

Im just joking of course.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

America has lots of fat people period. In fact the whole developed world has an obesity epidemic. I guess bassists just reflect it.

Bassists usually aren't the sexy leaders of a group. I guess that allows more of us to be fat.

 

[MohawkHarry]

Out of time without a dime your tires going flat, when it's through you'll see its true.
When starved you'll chew the fat!
My girl said she likes a belly on a guy 20 years ago, so I quit doing setups. LOL

Bass+Beer=Belly

 

[raymondl3]

Ha, I've noticed that too. Never really figured it out. The only fat guitar player I can think of is Shawn Lane (RIP).

I have 7% body fat (but I also play guitar)

Of course, his weight gain was due to the medication he took for severe arthritis. He was skinny back in the day with BOA.

 

[raymondl3]

Was just looking at the back cover of the new BP mag. Then watched a couple of videos in current threads. Why so many fat bass players, and how come fat bass players can become famous, but not fat guitarists or singers? Does being fat make a better bass player? Like being black makes a better bass player? And being a girl makes a worse drummer? There are a lot of really great fat black bass players. Great fat white ones too. What with the fat? I wanna know.

Yeah, I always thought Jaco, Stanley Clarke, and Geddy Lee needed to shed a few pounds. Same for Mike Manring - just obese!

 

[Rushpwnsx]

Why so many fat bass players, and how come fat bass players can become famous, but not fat guitarists or singers?

Tenacious D.

 

[LarkinLondon]

No fat guitar players or singer?
I would say these two guys would disagree:
Link Removed
Chris Burney from Bowling for Soup

MEATLOAF!!

And I can't forget Beth Ditto