Guest MoJo Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I'm sure this subject has been broached before, but I have recently switched from my staple diet of Yamaha BB414's to an Ibanez BTB1605. It's a great instrument, lovely to play and has received a lot of admiration from fellow band members and other bass players who have come to see the band, not only on it's looks but also how it sounds through my rig. My issue is that I also play in a 'Classic Rock' covers band and as yet, have restrained from introducing them to the Ibanez, purely because I don't think that the 'fancy woods' look looks right in a rock band. I'd be interested in everyone's thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) i used to play a white 50's style precision with red tort pickguard in a metal band, at the end of the day it sounded good. unless you have a classic rock style image that you have to stick to i wouldn't worry about it. Edited January 12, 2017 by RockfordStone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazhowe Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Sound and playability over aesthetics every time. I play a Status Series 2 Classic in my rock covers band. 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) Frankly I don't think anyone in the audience gives a cr*p about the bass I'm playing unless they're another bass player... I play a Dingwall Z3 or ABZ5 in my classic and contemporary rock covers band... Which is about as much off piste as you can get.. Edited January 12, 2017 by markstuk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 in my rock covers band i play my SR1805, lovely looking bass fits just fine IMHO. ive seen BTBs being used in metal bands so just use it if you like the sound and playability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 When I [had to] play in a classic rock band I used a Status Streamline more often than not......so I'm in the 'who gives a rats....' category. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1484217340' post='3213560'] When I [had to] play in a classic rock band I used a Status Streamline more often than not......so I'm in the 'who gives a rats....' category. [/quote] "had to" ? community service order again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I play in a very metal band. I did play to coolest looking bass, which got a lot of comment with regards to visuals, however the output was low so switched to a much punchier warwick. Saying that the K5 has gone to a luthier to sort the output out, so I suppose for me image is important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 IMO it depends on whether your band also dress to look the part or not. If they do, then you really need period appropriate instruments (and possibly back line too). However that doesn't automatically mean a P (or J bass). Most of the bands I was into back in the 70s seemed to use Gibsons or Rickenbackers rather than Fenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 IMO any bass that shows the wood grain looks pants in any band. Leave the woodgrain for the coffee table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 As a bass player, I usually have a 'Oh what bass is that then..?' moment eg Dave Swift on 'Hootenanny' then forget about it and listen to what's on offer. I find Fender derivative basses comfortable and that's what I play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I played a Steinberger headless in a death metal band because it's what I wanted to play. Sounded great... Needless to say, the rest of the band hated it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1484218052' post='3213575'] IMO it depends on whether your band also dress to look the part or not. If they do, then you really need period appropriate instruments (and possibly back line too). However that doesn't automatically mean a P (or J bass). Most of the bands I was into back in the 70s seemed to use Gibsons or Rickenbackers rather than Fenders. [/quote] I was thinking that I should have included EB3/Ripper derivatives in the poll. We tend to dress in jeans and 'rock' t-shirts rather than period correct clothing Edited January 12, 2017 by MoJo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I used to play in a classic rock band and was told by the singer that my trusty Fender Precision was not "Rock and Roll' enough, and to get a Gibson TBird. I no longer play for that band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I played a Thunderbird at a function gig once - great sound, no-one cared, but the Thunderbird shape wasn't for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I admit to specifically searching out a P bass for my band as the guitarist is a strict strat and Les Paul man, just wanted to complete the look along with his marshall stack and my Ampeg Rig, probably a bit vain but hey ho! (P does just sit right in the mix though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I've been using my Ovangkol faced Yammy for the past years, i've used it in Rock covers, Acoustic sets, Funk, Soul, R&B covers, Pubs, Bars, Weddings, Formal cerimonies, etc. Never felt it came short of anything or looked like it didn't belong there and all comments i've had about its looks were to say how pretty it is. I would choose a build quality, comfort and core sound that fits my needs any day over lots of pieces of wood glued together randomly and bolt-on to each other without any QC, finished with lots of paint to hide the ugliness and cheap hardware... and don't get me started on the premium that is payed for the waterslide decal on the headstock... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 As stated before it really depends how important the image is to the overrall product. Most of us would be a bit surprised at seeing something like a BC Rich Warlock in a funk disco band. It gets more important when you go into the serious tribute market I guess. Eyebrows would be raised at seeing 'Paul' in a Beatles trib hefting a T-Bird etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) I have the 400 version of this: https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/SR500BM/electric-basses/ibanez-sr500-bass-in-brown-mahogany?LGWCODE=SR500BM;56375;6335&gclid=CjwKEAiA79zDBRCgyf2FgeiY-CESJABzr0BM0XaOcyFB5zLPxsytRJCd4efxisgNLZVRs_yoE9V5XBoCnIjw_wcB No one has ever said anything. But then I'm so awesome most people are looking at me, not the bass. . Edited January 12, 2017 by TimR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1484219406' post='3213593'] I was thinking that I should have included EB3/Ripper derivatives in the poll. We tend to dress in jeans and 'rock' t-shirts rather than period correct clothing [/quote] I that case I would think that anything that sounds right and is comfortable to play will be perfectly OK. In my short stint of playing covers I used my Gus and Overwater basses. Sonically they fitted fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Although even in the serious trib world it doesn't always happen - I got chatting with the singer/bassist from Limehouse Lizzy, who plays a black and chrome Stingray. I asked him why... "I don't like Precisions" Ummmm...OK... I play any bass I want in any band (I've used my Shukerbird for wedding gigs and acoustic trio sit-down ones, too), pretty much on packing-the-bag impulse, but I have to say I do like slinging said Shukerbird around low with the 70s/80s Rock band...it's just so much more rock'n roll... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fftc Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Depends how seriously you take 'the look' and whether you think it matters to the audience you usually play too. Perhaps not an entirely relevant anecdote, but I recently watched a video of a blues trio. The music was great, the singer and guitarist is a young guy dressed normal and playing a Les Paul. I'm sure the bass player was fantastic, but he was playing a modern looking six string and it just jarred! Looked wrong and I thought the same thing every time the bass came into the shot. Didn't change the music though, so how important is look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I was kind of hoping you'd be asking if you should use a bright pink Danelectro Longhorn with a Hello Kitty picture on it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1484230740' post='3213765'] I was kind of hoping you'd be asking if you should use a bright pink Danelectro Longhorn with a Hello Kitty picture on it.. [/quote] I want one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='fftc' timestamp='1484230264' post='3213761'] Depends how seriously you take 'the look' and whether you think it matters to the audience you usually play too. Perhaps not an entirely relevant anecdote, but I recently watched a video of a blues trio. The music was great, the singer and guitarist is a young guy dressed normal and playing a Les Paul. I'm sure the bass player was fantastic, but he was playing a modern looking six string and it just jarred! Looked wrong and I thought the same thing every time the bass came into the shot. Didn't change the music though, so how important is look? [/quote] Laurence Jones ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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