bass players... nicest people in the world?

[Jim Gullen]

I'd have to agree that...in my experience... bass players tend to be pretty easy-going. I think it relates to the instrument itself. Someone opined on TB that essentially every single thing about playing (and maintaining) the contrabass is a pain in the a$$. We put up with all of this because it's what speaks to us...or it's what we hear...or whatever it is that drives us stick with it. But having to deal with all the "idiosyncrises" of the instrument tends to be humbling. It makes it easier to deal with other people, I think.

On a somwhat related note: I was speaking with a colleague last night at rehearsal about service he had recieved sometime ago at a local shop that basically didn't want to work on basses or bass bows but rather than just say that, they gave my friend lousy service...evidently to ensure he'd never come back. We were talking and really confounded a violist when we agreed that we'd much rather just have a shop owner tell us that they don't want to work on our stuff. In fact, we'd UNDERSTAND that 'cause we know what a pain they can be! :-) He couldn't believe that we'd understand...even appreciate...someone saying they didn't want to work on our instruments if that's how they really felt.

Just a few thoughts...best regards!

Jim