Why so many "Bass" posts vs. "Guitar" posts?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri May 11, 2007 4:45 am

Contrary to all the "bass player jokes", we tend to be more creative, suggestive and open.

winston · Post by **winston** » Fri May 11, 2007 4:51 am

Where to begin? Well! First of all a disclaimer: I play both guitar and bass. IMO the instruments are so different in approach that I fail to see how one is better than another. I am a guitar players guitar player, and that means that I love those flashy but melodic and tasteful guitar solos that grab your attention and remind you that music is all about soothing the soul.

Bass is the driving force behind the rhythm section and no self respecting band can do without one. My apologies to the Doors who managed to turn me off their music by using keyboards for bass. Yuk!

I see this as a non-event. Bass players must just like to chat a lot and like Paul mentioned they are generally very different from guitar players personality wise. So being the sociable types that they are they spend more time on the forum comparing notes and having a great old time.

I say hooray for these differences. Guitar players you had better get to work and post more. We are lagging behind.

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Fri May 11, 2007 5:16 am

Johnny Marr - This Charming Man. That whole song is practically a solo and it's completely Rickenbacker 330.

Rickenbackers are famous for their guitars. Bases came later...

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Fri May 11, 2007 5:22 am

Yeah, yeah... I know, in all honesty, it is our bass player that keeps us (even our drummer) steady, and he is incredibly creative and open to new songs and ways to play old songs. I would not play in this band without him, period.

I just had to defend us Rickenbacker guitarists amongst all the bass ribbing going down, and number of strings was all I could come up with!!

Oh, but it's our drummer who gets all the girl attention. Hands down.

...Dean

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri May 11, 2007 5:59 am

Well, Carole Kaye played on most of the Doors recordings, so what you are hearing on the radio is a live bass. He just pounded out her lines with his left hand live.

winston · Post by **winston** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:16 am

You have underscored my point in a very precise manner Charly. I did not particularly like what I saw and heard live. Carole was and still is one of the worlds premier bass players. Even if she does play a Fender. But we digress....

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:33 am

"It is the low bass notes and drum beat that gets the girls dancing ... not the jangly guitars ..."

I suppose that's why live drum and bass music is so popular.

chronictown · Post by **chronictown** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:33 am

What about a bassist who plays his or her instrument like a guitar?? Peter Hook comes to mind... Perhaps we can create a separate posting section for them

Seriously, though, this is such a non-issue. There are certainly differences between guitar-types and bass-types and those differences are exactly what can make a band great (or...really stink...).

wints · Post by **wints** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:46 am

As my Indie DJ friends say back home spinning out to the masses from their houses on pirate radio..

"Drum and bass...in your face"

It's all about the groooove...

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:02 am

Groove!!!!!!!!!! What else matters?

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:18 am

Q: What could be more interesting than discussing guitars?
A: Discussing basses.
Seriously, though, i'd agree that bass players are generally more easy-going and talkative. And two best friends of mine from the University were/are both bass players...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:34 am

Andrew, "Drum and Bass" is a category of music that is seldom (if ever) performed live. It's DJ stuff.

I believe that music, as we usually think of it, covers a wide range of frequencies of the audible spectrum, with every member of a band carrying his (her) share of what is heard. The fun (and challenge) of it all is the teamwork. And team players are the most fun for everyone to hang with and make music with, regardless of number of strings or cymbals or keys or effects.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:56 am

Charly, are you sure about Carole? I thought Joe Osborn played on most of their recordings.

Brian, Carole used a Fender on the important stuff, nowadays she uses - get this - Aria and Ibanez basses.

winston · Post by **winston** » Fri May 11, 2007 8:16 am

That's a bit of a strange choice of instruments John when you consider her impeccable work using a Fender. "Whatever gets you through the night" I suppose.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Fri May 11, 2007 8:39 am

You'll find that this "Drum and Bass" band sounds pretty cool:

Clatter

She has the only bass cam that I've ever seen.