evol04gt Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 always wondered about bass players typically playing with the bass so high the strings are about where their nipples are...... its not like they are playing all on the high frets.... and how do you bend your wrist at that sideways 90 degree angle and not have it hurt like hell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 All bass players don't play the bass at the same level. A couple that come to mind that have it as low as Slash, are DeeDee Ramone (not living), and Krist Novoselic (Nirvana). They both played with the bass down to their knees. There is also Dusty Hill (ZZ Top), and many others. I think you are way over generalizing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evol04gt Posted May 18, 2008 Author Share Posted May 18, 2008 i said typically.... its just something i seem to notice most of them doing... its weird.. looks painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkEpTiKaL Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Considering I play bass and guitar, and I have been around other bassists, I would say that the general consensus is that most of them keep their basses at around six-string guitar playing level or lower. Some bassists do what you say but I have never personally seen anyone do that non-jokingly. So..what kind of rumors are the people on the bass forum spreading about us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biff Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Maybe some of them do it so that the chicks can tell which one in the band is the bassist and which one the guitarist... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Well, I guess it's what's most "comfortable" for that individual. Lennon used to wear his Rick 320 pretty high, and Gerry Marsden (Gerry & The Pacemakers) Gretsch Tennessean (and later his 335) was almost under his chin! LOL! So, it's not just "Bass" players, that I've seen do that... Also, it seems the players who like their guitars (or bass) down really low, have pretty long arms, or are "bent over" a lot, when they play. That never looked very comfortable, to me...But, to each his/her own. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cujo Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 I had to check some of our pics and the highest worn guitar in our band is worn by ....ah hmmm...the bass player. On a birghter note, I really, really, like the way Tal Wilkenfeld wears her bass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biff Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Well' date=' I guess it's what's most "comfortable" for that individual. [/quote'] Yep - if you like to wear it high and still look cool, just pull up your pants as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 I wouldn't say it's "typical" either, evol... I'm a bass player and I wear the bass at the same level as I wear a guitar... I only know one bassist personally who plays with the bass above waist level.. It's just a matter of comfort, but I don't think it's that common... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evol04gt Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 it just seems odd to me....i have always noticed it... its weird.. maybe because i started playing when i was 12 and the lower the guitar, the cooler you were..... ha haha the height doesnt bother me really, its that cramped wrist thing... just looks like it hurts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 I had to check some of our pics and the highest worn guitar in our band is worn by ....ah hmmm...the bass player. On a birghter note' date=' I really, really, like the way Tal Wilkenfeld wears her bass![/quote'] On youtube there are some vids of Jeff Beck playing with Tal at Crossroads 2007...some nice...erm bass shots... http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=zncqzITLA3o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Yeah....RIGHT! LOL! You mean, she was playing, a Bass?! Seriously, she's an awesome bass player....And, cute too! Anyone that makes Jeff Beck, smile and shake his head, can't be all bad! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Yeah....RIGHT! LOL! You mean' date=' she was playing, a Bass?! Seriously, she's an awesome bass player....And, cute too! Anyone that makes Jeff Beck, smile and shake his head, can't be all bad! [/quote'] That is not a waist cut my friend... Seriously, she is awesome.. for a girl.. playing 6 years... I hate to be blunt, but unless we stop using different standards for woman they will never be equal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 On the other hand, I look at todays young guitar players and suddenly decide that the reason that the solo went away was that they couldn't solo with their axe touching their knees! Talk about wrist angle... There's no way I could feel comfortable playing with my wrist bent that way. Centered over the belt buckle is comfortable for me. And on the subject of women, they are the civilizing influence that caused MANkind to settle down and actually become productive members of society. Without them, we'd still be living in caves and killing our food with clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 I think the deal with playing bass above the waist might come from a lot of playing while sitting...and then just becomes comfortable at that point. I also find it odd when bass players hold their necks at a 45 degree angle while standing. Although, I must admit that when I'm sitting with my bass on my left leg and the neck at a 45-ish degree angle it is much more comfortable on my left hand and seems to give easier access to the frets. Standing, not so much. As for playing down by the knees...my opinion is either freakishly long monkey arms or they are saying "look how cool I am". Maybe both. And whats with all these girl bass players? Dont they know that the whole "bass is easier than guitar" thing is just a myth? And the fret distance...geez. Speaking from personal experience and smallish fingers, I played bass for many years and got hung up on so many hurdles that I just couldnt get past until I started playing guitar. Leaps and bounds. I've progressed more in the past year than in 10 years of playing bass (ok, more than 10, but admitting to the actual number of years is just plain embarassing). Nothing against female bass player or musicians. I just dont understand the trend, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 How about Peter "Mars" Cowling, of Pat Travers fame? His bass was right below his neck, if I remember correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabeza Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 The lowest bass on a player must have been the guy from Soundgarden. He would have to literally stoop over, bass inches from the ground. I think it looks cool when guitar players do it. Steve Clark of Def Leppard, Slash. Pete Townsend had his axe right under his chin in the early Who days, gradually lowering as time went by. Sid Vicious, but he didn't really play his bass at all! It's whatever is comfortable for the individual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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