Should people mention their basses on recordings?

[serialnumber12]

although lots of players dont mention the brand of bass......... an alembic Can speak loud and clear for it's self http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP7UbIJkg_k

[hendixclarke]

Actually, I didn't know the Group: Pleasure used Alembics. This was my point exactly...
 
Sometimes the combination of recording and Alembic bass mixing, may clouds the instrument(s) sound identities to where, it just sounds like any bass guitar.
 
Or... perhaps it just me, and I can't tell the differences from one bass to the next... or maybe the artist makes his or her bass sound like any ordinary bass... (Who knows).
 
I just think (believe) people should list their sources (instruments) for the listening audience gaining a greater understanding of the sounds used.  
 
There might be a note one wish to replicate, enhance or avoid altogether with such information.
 
Just my opinion, no harm intended.

[briant]

A fond memory I have from high school was when I saw that Rush listed 'plywood' as an instrument on their album 'Moving Pictures'.
 
You can hear said plywood for the first time at 2:28 into YYZ.  The weird snare sound is a piece of plywood being broken over the back of a folding chair.  True story.
 
Of course nearly everyone knows that YYZ is the airport code for the Toronto international airport (where Rush is originally from).  And the song's opening riff is YYZ in morse code.

[elwoodblue]

Nice bits of info, thanks Briant.
I didn't know it was morse code.
Now I'm gonna have to listen for the 'chair' next time I hear YYZ .

[lbpesq]

I too saw John Hartford with his stompboard.
 
I'm gonna see you get that Golden Globe Award
... for both of your globes,
You can stick them in my face just any old time,
Your golden globes
there ain't none better
Gotta have 'em both
'cause they both go together,
Gonna see you get that Golden Globe Award
 
Bill, tgo

[basstard]

I'm not going to have Alembic bass put next to my name in the credits of my band's CD that is to be released later this year (mainly because Alembics were not the only basses I used there) but I think I might include the Wickershams and all the wizards of Santa Rosa in the thanks section ;-)

[chalie_holmes]

When I release my CD I'll state the basses that that I use because I'll be using a few of them too. In addition, my friend Kenny Wittman made an awsome 5 string for me. I asked Kenny to put a 5 pin in the bass so I can smoothly transition from my Alembic to the Wittman and split the Bartolini pickups which he did. I gotta mention his axe!
Granted it is not an Alembic but my Wittman has it's own unique tones and can kick ass too! Did I mention my Wittman is a one of a kind?

[pace]

I remember reading the credits on a recording that fellow club member Dean M did (probably 10 years ago), and along with all the other players endorsements it read something like Dean M uses Alembic basses exclusively. I always thought that was funny...... No artist endorsements, but Susan can't stop us from endorsing her... lol....
 
A couple of years ago I auditioned for a band (the guitarists are a couple of uber-gearheads), got the gig, etc etc... A couple of days later I was on the bands website and in the anouncements section was we have a new bass player, his name is Mike, and he plays ALEMBICS, watch out..... I thought it was hysterical, because during the audition I don't think any of us talked gear, let alone had the Olympic?!? conversation!

[pauldo]

I recently finished a cd Dexter Bracket. and I had the producer specifically put down Alembic Distillate Bass.
 
It only shows up on the actual CD liner notes and not on the web page bio information. (you may download all of the songs for free on the website - or pay for shipping and get the cd with the cool liner notes)
 
(Message edited by pauldo on June 18, 2009)

[serialnumber12]

if you pluck & smooth yo baby then you bring out the 'ALEMBIC' in your bass that's when it speak's for it's self!http://mghost.musicgroups.com/sitephp/musicians/public/music.php?Music=kbarnes

[dadabass2001]

Pauldo,
The Dexter Bracket CD sounds real good, I particularly like your tone on Sweet Life and Baby's Cry
Mike

[jazzyvee]

I think it was in a Marcus Miller interview where he stated that  People seem to enjoy music more when they know who is playing it.  
 
Maybe that is true with instruments too.
Unless the person listening to the music is aware of the brand of instrument, i can't see how being told it was alembic or Fodera or Ritter etc would enhance their enjoyment of the music at all.
 
For those who do know or can hear the subtle differences that a certain instrument gives then i can see how that would enhance their pleasure of listening to a piece of music,  especially if it was an instrument they too wned or were aspiring to. :-)
 
if I recorded my album I would indeed list the instruments and brand names.
 
Jazzyvee
 
(Message edited by jazzyvee on June 21, 2009)

[jazzyvee]

 
 
(Message edited by jazzyvee on June 21, 2009)

[dannobasso]

Its for the gearheads and for a few of us a point of pride that we chose our instruments with more than a modicum of care. I have listed them when i was consulted on the liner notes.

[hendixclarke]

I do believe Jazz and other improvisational forms of music, is the deep end of the music pool and far more listeners of this art form, are musicians themselves, and it would come natural (or should be a normal question) to dare ask performers to list your sources...
 
Knowing the details, is a good thing and it should be a standard for people who document great works  
 
(Message edited by hendixclarke on June 21, 2009)