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Post subject: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:55 pm
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I thought I would share a kind of cool thing that happened....well I guess it was last night, as I just got home and it is now the next day.

Since I finally found a 51P I decided it was safe to gig my 52P, for the first time. Tonight we played two short 50 minutes sets, one Delta Blues, one Motown. Everyone in the band knew I was playing the 52P. When we were done, the drummer asked me if I was exceptionally on tonight, or if it was the bass that sounded that good. I told him it was the bass, of course.

We have kicked around many threads on the forum about this subject, but as I drove home, feeling pretty nice about the compliment, I wondered:

Was I having a really good night?

Was my playing better because I had a bass in my hands that made me connect to the music?

Does the bass actually sound better than the others I gig?

Was the drummer swayed by the fact there was a 63 year old bass on stage, and therefore it sounded better to him?

I will admit, when I play a vintage bass, I might play a little better because I appreciate what is in my hands, it is a mental thing. And this gig was perfect for an early Precision.

What is interesting to think about, is does the vintage bass hold weight with a band mate (or anyone), as far as what THEY hear? I mean, he an I have formed the rhythm section in both our bands for a few years, so what he said was more than the nod he gives me when he likes a new riff, or I give to him for a solo that rocked. Did the age of the bass influence his hearing?

Or, and this is the thing that has been discussed forever, is it just a better sound, or a unique sound that attracts interest? Were the first basses actually that good? Has all the technology we have gained over the years failed to improve on a version one Precision?

Anyway, I thought I would throw it out there for discussion, if anyone is interested. Tonight will go down as one of my favorite gigs, and I know it was because of the bass I had strapped on, the music we played, the outstanding audience, and the the acknowledgment from my bud. Hard to beat. Great night.

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 5:24 am
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This is about as deep as you'll ever hear me get. I have no idea if there are souls, or any sort of afterlife, but I can only say that every vintage bass I've played made me "feel" something. Made me play in subtle ways differently than I do when I play other basses. What does that mean? I don't know. However, if there's such a thing as a soul then there's probably something of it that exists in the electromagnetic spectrum. Given the nature of pick ups. Who knows? All I know is when I played that 52 in the shop a few months ago I ran through a few of the lines I play in my current band. There had been a transition I was having trouble deciding which way to go with on a line since I had wrote it. I played the line on that bass and I played something completely different than I had ever tried before. Nothing super fancy or beyond my abilities. Just something that I would never "think" of. It just poured out of me like I wasn't in control. That transition is now what I play. So. Is there something to old basses? I don't know, but I know there's something that old basses do for me when I play them. Even for just a few minutes. I think it's combination of a lot of things. You, the bass, the fact that you know you're playing it, and ... maybe a little something else. Enjoy.

As far as the P's design. I'm definitely in the camp of the longer I've played the more I think Leo got electric bass right the first time around. There is truly nothing like a single pick up, single coil, slab ash bodied Precision. Purity.

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:33 am
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I will say, although it's always been bubbling under the surface, after watching a few demo videos (including an actual 1957 model) yesterday, the GAS is seriously been strong with this one. Yeah, those are pretty f'n cool. I did play one (it was a Japanese reissue from the 90's) many moons ago (well, back in the 90's) and I loved it. But alas, I didn't wind up with it. I did have another Japanese 50's reissue (the kind with the split pick up and gold pick guard) and that was also a really sweet instrument that I got rid of like a dumb $@!.

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:15 pm
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The answers to your questions could all be yes but I wonder if the band's prior knowledge that you were playing an original '52 Precision colored their impressions of your bass tone and prowess.
If you hadn't said anything , would they have known the bass was an original P-bass?

I have no doubt that playing such a cool old bass affected your playing. I would suspect it would affect any player who values a vintage Fender.
You played your '52 at a gig for the first time and you had a great night. It was you they heard more than the bass!
I am reminded of a story about Chet Atkins who during a recording session had someone say to him that the guitar he was playing really sounded great. Chet put the guitar on a stand and asked ,"How does it sound now?"
Even a '52 Precision can't play itself.

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 5:45 pm
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1952 original Fender Precision electric bass guitar plugged into a Fender Super Bassman. How in the world could that possibly sound less than great? Even if it is self-fulfilling prophesy, who cares? You sound great!

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:46 pm
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A great bass sound will inspire the guys in the band. Playing with a great bass sound inspires the bassist. All true I say. Playing one of those killer sounding old basses is a memorable experience every time. To be known as the guy with the sound makes one feel good.... just don't let it go to yer head. :D


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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:00 am
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Some good points that I have enjoyed reading.

Like KOP, I always get a cool feeling when I play a vintage bass. I think you tend to channel the bass, or at a minimum the era it came from. And if the bass has a story to it, or historical significance, so much the better.

Quote:
If you hadn't said anything , would they have known the bass was an original P-bass?


Probably not. They're used to me showing up at practice with a different Fender bass and a short history lesson. But if I hadn't introduced the bass I doubt any would have picked up on it. They might have asked though, they always seem interested.

Quote:
To be known as the guy with the sound makes one feel good.... just don't let it go to yer head.


No need to worry there. I am way past having an ego that needs stroking. (And aging, slowing fingers help keep you humble.)

Bottom line, I think it was just one of those nights where the stars all lined up and the band and the music merged. You know, where everything kind of feeds off everything else. A great sounding bass, a playlist that could not have been better for that bass, an appreciative and encouraging audience, good friends in the band who were also playing up - and maybe a little karma from the past. Whatever it was, it was nice.

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 3:35 pm
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I think I need to hear it for myself to form an opinion. When & where's your next gig? I might take a ride & give a listen.

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:33 am
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I agree with KOP when he said Leo Fender got the bass right the first time. There is NOTHING like the original single coil tone. It is right between a 2nd Gen P-Bass and a Jazz. One tone control does SO much more on them. You can get up front or lay back. Just a remarkable beast tone wise. No other passive bass comes close. You are a lucky ducky. I will NEVER sell my first gen basses, everything else is for sale. Well except one ukulele, but everything else. I'm about to clean out a whole bunch of instruments, amps, pedals, stands, mics, mixers, etc and truck it all to a storage locker. I'm tearing out my recording workstation and moving in a killer stereo where it is now. I'm keeping both 1st Gen basses, a practice bass amp, two guitars and the new Mustang amp. Been working on this for two days now. I'm hanging it up and just going to listen for a while.


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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:46 am
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You're not going to gig anymore?

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:19 pm
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PaulLF wrote:
You're not going to gig anymore?


I haven't gigged in a year and no prospects either. No point in staying sharp anymore here in the middle of nowhere.


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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:45 pm
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BD... you sound discouraged.?


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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 11:20 am
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brotherdave wrote:
PaulLF wrote:
You're not going to gig anymore?


I haven't gigged in a year and no prospects either. No point in staying sharp anymore here in the middle of nowhere.


Wow, sorry to hear about that. I haven't done much either, since my girlfriend, whom is a solo artist that I play bass for as well as occasional guitar, has gone through some serious health problems in the past year. We just acquired a bunch of new gear, too. Sometimes life throws you a massive curve ball and you have to fight to get back at it. I'm confident though that things will get back into action sooner or later. As long as she's healthy, that's what matters first.

I know what you mean about being in the middle of nowhere, though. Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt.

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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:37 pm
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My town used to have live music 5 nights a week at just about every bar. Now is all Karaoke or DJ. A few places still have bands on Friday and Sat nights but I don't know of anyplace that still has a 5 night a week house band. Maybe that is why so many gigging players are working at Guitar Center. Well, the employee discounts must be nice too.


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Post subject: Re: Nice bass, nice confidence, or a space/time mind warp?
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:20 am
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Yeah, it seems that DJ gear might be more popular than guitars these days, anyhow. I could be wrong, though. It's a lot easier to push some buttons than learn some chords or scales, I suppose. :P

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