What Kind of Music Do Yall Play?

[Bob Faulkner]

If I went to a gig and the band demanded I play a Fender, I would turn around and walk out..

[Roger Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

If I went to a gig and the band demanded I play a Fender, I would turn around and walk out..

You know, I would walk out too if they demanded what axe I play. But I might audition for a gig where the req was a Fender. Might be a good reason why. Otherwise, I'm the bass player, deal with it.

[Dave Martin]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

If I went to a gig and the band demanded I play a Fender, I would turn around and walk out..

Really? With no disrepect intended, does income from music make up the bulk of your living? Or, perhaps, is your schedule full enough that you can afford to walk out of a paying gig?

Understand that I came to Ken's forum to read about and learn more about the multiple facets of playing and owning double basses; I'm unqualified and disinclined to discuss the instruments that Ken builds, but anytime a statement like the above is made, I'm curious about the person who made it...

Since my personal taste in electric basses was set long before I learned about Ken's instruments (in 1971, when I bought my first Fender - a 1969 Precision), I'll happily play acoustic, 5 or 6 string or fretless basses when either the music or the person hiring me requires them. I'm honestly not trying to stir up anything here - I simply wonder how you have the freedom to walk out of gigs because you don't like being told what instrument to play.

[Roger Vaughan]

Any self-respecting carpenter will be affronted if you tell them they can't use their Estwing hammer. They just ain't hearing that kind of thing unless it's a sensible point in their view.

Also it's easy to spew attitude without "being there" or having a real context to the question. Me, I'm only doing pickup gigs or small cover gigs, and the above scenario's just not likely to happen.

If a musical director tells me he wants an instrument, he'll give a clue about why. Now I'm being asked to have a tool-box, and that's different. If a band represents a real business venture and offers a decent livelihood, it again becomes a tool-box issue. I'll attempt to get 'er done.

But I've been hounded by an obnoxious, aggro, "dues-all-paid-up" drummer before about what bass, how I played, etc., and had to finally decide that I was doing just fine and didn't need to hear it. So now, generally when I walk into a situation, I am the bass player. I'm not there to get a bass lesson or be 'placed' with another's choice of instrument, etc. You will either dig it or not dig it, and that's the deal. Same with instrument choice. If I really want the gig, I'll be looking for what I have to do.

But don't cross me, man...!!

[Bob Faulkner]

I play for the fun of it. I'm in a band, and we get paid for the shows we play, but even with that this is purely what I do for fun. I make my living in the computer field, so I have complete freedom to do as I wish musically. If I made my living playing bass, I probably would still walk out rather than play a Fender..

I'd probably agree to play almost anything else though. I just seriously dislike Fender basses.. They are kindling for a good fire IMHO and that's about all they are good for.. I've never in my life played a good Fender bass. I've played many Fender's in my time, trying them just to try and find one that doesn't suck. Some were almost tolerable, but most would better serve as a door stop than a bass. If all basses in the world other than Fenders evaporated tomorrow, I'd probably just quit playing bass rather than be forced to play Fenders..

I hope I successfully conveyed my feelings about Fenders..

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

I play for the fun of it. I'm in a band, and we get paid for the shows we play, but even with that this is purely what I do for fun. I make my living in the computer field, so I have complete freedom to do as I wish musically. If I made my living playing bass, I probably would still walk out rather than play a Fender..

I'd probably agree to play almost anything else though. I just seriously dislike Fender basses.. They are kindling for a good fire IMHO and that's about all they are good for.. I've never in my life played a good Fender bass. I've played many Fender's in my time, trying them just to try and find one that doesn't suck. Some were almost tolerable, but most would better serve as a door stop than a bass. If all basses in the world other than Fenders evaporated tomorrow, I'd probably just quit playing bass rather than be forced to play Fenders..

I hope I successfully conveyed my feelings about Fenders..

So, Bob, how do you really feel?

[Dave Martin]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

I play for the fun of it. I'm in a band, and we get paid for the shows we play, but even with that this is purely what I do for fun. I make my living in the computer field, so I have complete freedom to do as I wish musically. If I made my living playing bass, I probably would still walk out rather than play a Fender..

I understand, Bob - when i asked the question, I wasn't aware of your freedom to take gigs or not.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

I understand, Bob - when i asked the question, I wasn't aware of your freedom to take gigs or not.

I've just ventured down into this territory (The Bass Guitar Threads - I usually hang out in the DB department). In my bass guitar playing lifetime I've only put my hands on one Smith bass Down here (NZ). It was a six string and the guy who played it really made it sing. He gave me a go, albeit brief, and it felt like gold. Having said that I've played a trillion gigs using Fenders and they've never let me down - I love them. I've seen many great bass players perform on Fenders.