Are Loopers the Scourge of the Modern ERBassist?

[xilddx]

You are never further than 9 feet away from a looper these days. I see very many videos of bassists using them to do improvised solos, usually the ol' 6-stringers. But they all sound much the same.

Now, I understand how useful they are for practice and that, but are they another reason that ERBassists all seem to have similar approaches, licks and sounds?

[Beer of the Bass]

I don't think it's restricted to bassists. I can only think of one or two musicians of any sort (Thomas Truax is one) who do anything inspiring using a looper - most of the time they're a bit of a gimmick and the novelty wears off quickly for me.

[Wil]

Merril Garbus of Tune-Yards puts a looper to good use. I think she's amaaaaaaaaazing:

[u][color=#800080][url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wjrmjvfsa8"]https://www.youtube....h?v=_wjrmjvfsa8[/url][/color][/u]

[color=#800080]*Edit - better link. Oh, and she's not a bassist I realise.[/color]

Edited April 9, 2013 by Wil

[zero9]

Eberhard Weber put them to 'good' use (imo)

[Leon Transaxle]

I really like Ed Alleyn-Johnson's original work, though not such a fan of his 'covers' albums.
But again this is violin not bass.

[warwickhunt]

I have one in the use and I find it hugely useful for building up understanding of scales and modes... I don't use it as much as I should!

[xilddx]

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1365512153' post='2040487']
I have one in the use and I find it hugely useful for building up understanding of scales and modes... I don't use it as much as I should!
[/quote]

But do you put it up on Youtube and call it art?

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1365512597' post='2040499']
But do you put it up on Youtube and call it art?
[/quote]

...no!

[Dave Vader]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1365512597' post='2040499']
But do you put it up on Youtube and call it art?
[/quote]

Clearly it is entertainment......

[bobbass4k]

I've found it's bands and occasionally solo vocalists that tend to make the best use of loopers, solo bassists not so much.

[thunderider]

we had 14 yr old lad open for us last year there was him on acoustic,he had some bongos and a looper he mades some good tunes out of what he did.wasnt overly done he knew when he had enough loops to sound good.

[fumps]

THere is a dude who covers "Would" by Alice in chains with one that's pretty sweet but yeh. I agree unless your doing something good with it, don't bother.

[oggiesnr]

[quote name='Leon Transaxle' timestamp='1365511956' post='2040484']
I really like Ed Alleyn-Johnson's original work, though not such a fan of his 'covers' albums.
But again this is violin not bass.
[/quote]

He's great fun to watch live. His use of pedals and octavers is great, It also helps that he's a really nice guy.

Steve

[ZenBasses]

Again not bass related,

Looping when done right yields amazing results

This is such a performance

KT Tunstall on Jools

[url]http://youtu.be/pdu_IWxSSk4[/url]

Edited April 9, 2013 by ZenBasses

[xilddx]

only one bassist mentioned so far

[Beer of the Bass]

I think there's a theme developing here. I don't know all of the names mentioned here, but the ones I do are captivating performers with or without a looper.

[DorsetBlue]

[quote name='ZenBasses' timestamp='1365528454' post='2040777']
Again not bass related,

Looping when done right yields amazing results

This is such a performance

KT Tunstall on Jools

[media]http://youtu.be/pdu_IWxSSk4[/media]
[/quote]

I was going to mention that one.

[benthos]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1365528981' post='2040790']
only one bassist mentioned so far
[/quote]
Steve Lawson does a mighty fine job of using one creatively.

I do think there is plenty of potential for a looper to be one of the defining characteristics of a clown, though I have one and it's used for mere enterntainment at home - I don't have the necessary creative ability to contemplate its use live either in a band context or solo (perish the thought!)

[mickster]

[quote name='Wil' timestamp='1365510601' post='2040454']
Merril Garbus of Tune-Yards puts a looper to good use. I think she's amaaaaaaaaazing:

[u][color=#800080][url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wjrmjvfsa8"]https://www.youtube....h?v=_wjrmjvfsa8[/url][/color][/u]

[color=#800080]*Edit - better link. Oh, and she's not a bassist I realise.[/color]
[/quote]

Wil - Ta for posting - really enjoyed that, and I'd not heard of her before.

[Wil]

[quote name='mickster' timestamp='1365592683' post='2041426']
Wil - Ta for posting - really enjoyed that, and I'd not heard of her before.
[/quote]

No worries! She's awesome. Her album Whokill was easily my favourite of 2011 (or perhaps 2012, whenever it came out, I forget).

[Bilbo]

They encourage endless repetition which is one of the big turn-offs for me as a listener. They irritate me as they are often just 'filler' and don't really offer much in the way of added value..

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1365595125' post='2041492']
They encourage endless repetition which is one of the big turn-offs for me as a listener. They irritate me as they are often just 'filler' and don't really offer much in the way of added value..
[/quote]

And the fact that you're usually a minute in by the time they've tracked their backing loops and by that point you're bored already.

I find people with loopers to be insufferably tedious.

[Zenitram]

What does ERBassist mean?

[warwickhunt]

Extended Range Bass - ERB i.e. more range than the trad 4 string, likely to be a 6 string (but not exclusive to).

[Zenitram]

Ah. Okay. Yes. Right.