Author Topic: Playability or tone?? (Read 498 times)

811952 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2009, 04:32:16 PM »

I've bought instruments for both reasons. Depends on the instrument and other more ephemeral criteria..

John

David Houck · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2009, 05:02:51 PM »

Hi Kenn, welcome to the board!

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2009, 07:13:40 AM »

I could say Playability at first shot, since I don't want to fight against my axe and the Tone you can always sculpt in the Amp's Eqs... But I must say that since I bought my Rogue I can't play anything else.

Ok, it also have a great playability, but Tone is really addictive. I was never satisfied with the sound I used to get when I played other brands. May be I could get happy with the sound at stage sometime, but never had full pleasure when I heard myself in front of the PA (or had to deal with its leakage). Many times I argued with the Sound Tech to get me out of mud... But, now?

Just joy!

So, nowadays I would say Tone first to make a choice and Playability then to discard options.

terryc · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:35:33 AM »

Looks like I created a decent thread here.
Here is a point...
Say you play in a band which does covers, cheesy covers and you are just doing it for the money(this is from experience I might add!!!)
To the audience who are drunk and only want to dance and sing along and the bass goes thru' the PA and you backline is lost..does the playability become more important now??

nnek · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:44:03 AM »

If it's a cheesy bar gig or an open mic I go for comfort and quick every time

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2009, 08:59:20 AM »

If you put it that way, me too... This looks like the Gig you'll not want to take your most expensive and valuable basses.

David Houck · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:06:39 AM »

Terry; if your audience is a bunch of drunks who only want to dance and sing along, then I'm guessing they're not going to care about the bassplayer's tone. You might, and maybe your bandmates might, but the drunks, I'm thinking no.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:48:42 AM »

Dave, aren't those the gigs that you take a beater to? hahaha

Jazzyvee

David Houck · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:50:14 AM »

Jazzyvee; nowadays, those are the gigs I avoid!

terryc · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2009, 12:59:20 AM »

dave..the band that I was in earlier this year didn't care about my tone at all so in that respect I guess playability comes to the front.
I was in that band for the money only BUT NEVER AGAIN WILL I DO THAT.
The two bands I am in right now are great musicians and great people.

nnek · « **Reply #25 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:05:05 AM »

In 44 yrs of playing I've only had two situations where a band noticed my tone enough to say never get rid of THAT bass
The first was a first issue musicman stingray that I bought in the first few weeks of musicman production. (yes that was a while ago....)
The second was my present series I Alembic.

Unfortunately I did sell the musicman but had two others right after. Then I bought a first run G&L and I have four of them (they get good reviews from the band but not an unsolicited request to play exclusively)

There are amps that will make any bass sound good and then there are basses that will make any amp sound good. I find it best to have one of each!

bigbadbill · « **Reply #26 on:** October 14, 2009, 05:25:32 AM »

Interesting question. I would've answered playability, but in my current band I use my old Rick, which is probably in some ways my least playable bass and has the highest action. However I've tried loads of other easier-playing basses (including my old Alembic)and they don't work the same in the band, so I think the band context and how the tone fits it is an important factor. It's no use having a great playing instrument if the sound doesn't fit the music you're playing (unless you're a soloist of course!).

garth4664 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 16, 2009, 09:51:38 PM »

Tone. All of my favourite basses including my series one, a 78 music man stingray, and a custom 6 string warwick thumb with ebony f/board are far to heavy to be considered comfortable although they are easy'ish to play. In contrast I also play a hollow body 60s teardrop maton lute bass that is very light, very easy to play, and fantastic for folk music - unfortunately it wouldn't hold down the solid grove you need when you have to lock in with an 'animal' drummer.

If your back can take it - go with tone every time.

rockbassist · « **Reply #28 on:** October 25, 2009, 11:14:44 AM »

Say you play in a band which does covers, cheesy covers and you are just doing it for the money(this is from experience I might add!!!)
To the audience who are drunk and only want to dance and sing along and the bass goes thru' the PA and you backline is lost..does the playability become more important now??

If I found myself in this situation, I would find another band to play with. Why bother showing up if your bass just gets lost in the mix and nobody can hear you?

But to answer your initial question,I prefer playability. You can always shape your tone but if the bass is difficult to play you will not enjoy it and will sound aweful.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #29 on:** October 25, 2009, 03:44:18 PM »

Now that I have a selection of guitars & basses that are all very good in terms of playability, I tend to pick a guitar or bass for the sound I want for on a particular gig. Or sometimes I pick a particular one just because I haven't played if for a while.
Jazzyve