Greggo Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) I've often thought about what I prefer playing guitar or bass. I started on guitar some 17 years ago and started dabbling in bass about 4 years later when I bought my first encore p bass copy (actually a very nice sounding bass in retrospect having listened back to some recordings from the past!) I used it primarily to lay down bass lines on the songs I had recorded on my 4 track but I absolutely loved doing the bass parts and couldn't wait to put them on! When I joined college I started playing in bands but my instinct was to play bass and I enjoyed it. In the few various bands that followed over the years including the present I'm still taking care of the bottom end. I did join a band as guitarist for a change once and it was alright but part of me was jealous that I wasn't laying down the bass parts. But it's weird when I'm at home I seem to get more enjoyment from playing the 6 string than bass. But I prefer to play bass in a band situation and I don't want for being the guitarist? I feel like my place in a bands is the bass (and I love playing bass in bands) but I also love the creation of riffs / passages on guitar at home. Anyone else like this or are you hardcore bass all the way? Edited October 12, 2013 by Greggo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) I like recording guitar parts. I sometimes write on guitar, too. But I have no desire to play guitar in a live situation. I have done it once or twice though and spent most of the time frowning at the bass player, thinking, '[i]I[/i] should be over there doing that. Only better.' Edited October 12, 2013 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slatfatf Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Agree with you Greggo. I started on guitar but after learning to play bass I knew that I was better as a bass player. At home I prefer playing guitar, but HAVE to be in a band to play bass! Many on here won't understand that but I do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1381614464' post='2241524'] I like recording guitar parts. I sometimes write on guitar, too. But I have no desire to play guitar in a live situation. I have done it once or twice though and spent most of the time frowning at the bass player, thinking, '[i]I[/i] should be over there doing that. Only better.' [/quote] Haha, yeah I'm the same. When I did play guitar it was weird because I wasn't used to not being the bass player and I found myself either really enjoying what he was doing or as you say thinking I would do that different. He was very good though to be fair and I did get some good ideas from him which I may have subconsciously adapted through osmosis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Slatfatf' timestamp='1381614956' post='2241533'] Agree with you Greggo. I started on guitar but after learning to play bass I knew that I was better as a bass player. At home I prefer playing guitar, but HAVE to be in a band to play bass! Many on here won't understand that but I do... [/quote] Yeah definitely. I suppose people that play basses as a solo instrument and do lots of clever things on it probably don't have any desire to play guitar, but I personally believe bass is a support instrument in a band and I like being that support. There is nothing better than dropping out for a few bars during a song then coming thundering back in and seeing everyone in band smile because everything sounds so good. I'm not a particularly flash player (but nor I am a root notes only all the time kind of player) but I love the idea that without me playing it would sound rubbish! Edited October 12, 2013 by Greggo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 [quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1381615316' post='2241541'] Yeah definitely. I suppose people that play basses as a solo instrument and do lots of clever things on it probably don't have any desire to play guitar, but I personally believe bass is a support instrument in a band and I like being that support. There is nothing better than dropping out for a few bars during a song then coming thundering back in and seeing everyone in band smile because everything sounds so good. I'm not a particularly flash player (but nor I am a root notes only all the time kind of player) but I love the idea that without me playing it would sound rubbish! [/quote] This is so true. I love noodling on my acoustic guitar but bass is where my heart is in a band situation. I used to get p*ssed off when someone would come round to my house and see the bass and say, go on, play me a tune. Twunts. It don't work like that. That's why I bought a guitar to shut the 'ckers up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 [quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1381615785' post='2241544'] This is so true. I love noodling on my acoustic guitar but bass is where my heart is in a band situation. I used to get p*ssed off when someone would come round to my house and see the bass and say, go on, play me a tune. Twunts. It don't work like that. That's why I bought a guitar to shut the 'ckers up. [/quote] Yeah that must be annoying, or when people ask if you can play the "formula one" bassline (because that's the only famous bassline!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I used to always prefer playing guitar, to the point where I only played bass when I was with my band, never practiced at home at all, until I joined my punk covers band, The Daves, in 2009. As they were fairly well known and had a following, I knew I had to up my game, so bought a practice amp, and play regularly at home. Since then, I rarely pick up my guitar, to the point where I`ve realised it`s sat there doing nothing so I`m selling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Love playing bass, but it's a limited instrument imho. Even when recording stuff at home, I feel the guitar is missing. I'm worse than crap on guitar, but I intend to buy a cheap one and try and learn a few licks to put in future recordings. If I was in a band again , it would always be bass for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 [quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1381615002' post='2241535'] ..I did get some good ideas from him which I may have subconsciously adapted through osmosis... [/quote] You mean you nicked 'em? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) I suppose my love of bass is clear in that I joined a bass forum (I'm not a member of a guitar forum) and I don't have any burning desire to be a guitarist again live. I do still practice my bass chops at home, but then probably only in last year since I purchased my new basses - I hadn't bought a new bass since my first encore which I sold when I was given an unwanted 5 string yamaha which I used for about 11 years for playing live and recording stuff (which I always thought was a bit cack and a new bass confirmed it - in hindsight the encore played and sounded better!) Edited October 12, 2013 by Greggo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1381618216' post='2241574'] You mean you nicked 'em? [/quote] I'm not gonna lie, there was one bass line I nicked from him. But then it was a bass line he played over one of my riffs and when band split I made the riff into a song and used his line.. does that count... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 [quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1381618861' post='2241585'] ...it was a bass line he played over one of my riffs and when band split I made the riff into a song and used his line.. does that count... [/quote] Yes, but it doesn't matter. There [i]are [/i]only 13 notes, after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1381619094' post='2241587'] Yes, but it doesn't matter. There [i]are [/i]only 13 notes, after all. [/quote] Exactly! I just happened to pick the same notes in the same rhythm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I play more guitar than bass to be honest but I know I'm a better bass player than guitarist so that's what I end up playing in bands. But I feel the time may be coming for me to play guitar again in a band situation soon. Just something I need to get out of my system I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I play bass in band situations but tonight I did a duo gig with a girl singer and I played guitar for the night. Everything from Jessie J to Edith Piaf. Nowhere to hide and I had to learn 37 numbers over the last 10 days. Some were really easy 4 chord jobs and some not so easy due to the keys she sings in as I hate using a capo. However, it was a fun challenge putting some real effort into playing guitar and, a great night to boot so I've agreed to do more gigs. Still love bass though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I started off on bass when I was 16* and picked up a guitar a couple of years later and I've played guitar in various folk duo's and bands over the years. If someone twists my arm (it doesn't need much twisting ) then I'll play guitar, but I'm primarily a bassist. [size=1][size=2]*So that's about 10 years ago.[/size][/size][size=2] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I can't even play a guitar, so it sort of put an end to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I started on bass & didn't start dabbling with guitar (and also a bit of keyboards) until years later. I got to a point where I was playing guitar almost exclusively & didn't touch a bass for ages. Even though I'm an absolutely appalling guitarist I just enjoyed messing about with chords & stuff far more than just thumping away on a bass (I wasn't in a band or gigging during this period so this probably had a lot to do with it). I've recently gone back the other way & for the last 8 months or so have been playing far more bass - this is due to being involved in a couple of recording projects & getting back into gigging again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I agree with the OP but for me picking up the guitar is again all about rhythm work, I have never had any desire to be a lead guitarist but love playing rhythm guitar and taking the rhythms back and forth between bass and guitar...I think it makes me better and more creative on both instruments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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