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Do certain basses have Mojo?
- Thread starter BassplayinBob
- Start date
I see what you did there; for Verve (V), over Mojo (M), becomes the constant squared, while Flummery (F) remains inverse with Cromulence (C)...giving the Bass number every time!
I still contend(days later) that mojo can be real. A bass doesn’t possess mojo(or any magic powers)but can initiate a heightened sense of satisfaction and/or comfort in the player. Instruments can also be inspiring. Yes, a bass is just a tool, but it’s a tool for making music which is sometimes art. Imagination and inspiration can be a thing when doing art.
I have a few basses and they all have their individual attributes. Certain basses do certain things very well and I try to optimize my approach in order to take advantage of what’s there. In my tiny world of bass playing I would consider this inspiration, at the least it’s a thought process that changes my tactical approach and has a significant effect on the outcome.
I concede that often, as a bassist I’m not doing art, I’m selling beer or simply providing a service. Having a bass that feels good physically, sonically and visually gets me through the gig happier.
Have you ever been or seen a kid with his/her first bike? You’ll never see anyone more proud or invincible...that’s mojo...it’s not the bike itself because chances are another bike would initiate the same response, but the response is real.
Yes, it’s childlike and illogical. You can grow up if you want to.
I have a few basses and they all have their individual attributes. Certain basses do certain things very well and I try to optimize my approach in order to take advantage of what’s there. In my tiny world of bass playing I would consider this inspiration, at the least it’s a thought process that changes my tactical approach and has a significant effect on the outcome.
I concede that often, as a bassist I’m not doing art, I’m selling beer or simply providing a service. Having a bass that feels good physically, sonically and visually gets me through the gig happier.
Have you ever been or seen a kid with his/her first bike? You’ll never see anyone more proud or invincible...that’s mojo...it’s not the bike itself because chances are another bike would initiate the same response, but the response is real.
Yes, it’s childlike and illogical. You can grow up if you want to.
I agree with lowphatbass, that it is often a combination of player and instrument. As the player becomes more proficient, in fruitling out good sounds from the bass, a level of knowledge and skill has been obtained to look or measure from, and compare against other similar instruments. This information sets the player on a search which often involves money, where one also gets exposed to hype and temptation to buy Basses "with Mojo" Not sure if you have ever seen the guitar of the late JJ Cale ? He tweaked his guitar to his liking, where it started to look like an autocross car, adapted for the event. Once the player is comfortable with the tweaks and performs, the combination can get mojo, and his music was well liked. In the case of JJ Cale, I assume his wife owns that guitar, and could sell it for a lot of money. The new owner more than likely is not able to get JJ's mojo out of that guitar.
Let us examine the situation like this.....You buy a bass because you like it, it sounds good, etc. SOME non-believers preach that it’s personal preference that creates the mojo, but, in reality, the bass enables one to sense the power of mojo in the first place. Without the bass, without the catalyst, there is no satisfaction. Therefore, the bass is the mojo. Personal prefer all you want, but it amounts to no fulfillment without the mojo bass. I thought on this while sealing my driveway. Would I feel satisfied with thoughts of my driveway looking nice? Or would I feel satisfied with my driveway actually looking nice?
A person may find the one bass that he/she absolutely loves...thats the bass they should play....no matter the cost...might be $300.00 or $3000.00...as long as it feels right..
Now, if you'd only do something with that atrocious lawn of yours!
I could consider you trolling me right now. I swear, go on with yourself.
The fact is, I knew if I even offered my opinion that some basses can have a positive effect on a player that this guy would attack me for my opinion, and that’s totally fine. I don’t think mojo is real, as has been stated numerous times, but I do believe in the positive benefit of playing an instrument that fits you. That positive feeling wouldn’t exist without the catalyst.
I tried sparking a genuinely respectful conversation with mongo, but then the guy proceeded to deliver a rude response. But, as it appears, kicking off with presumptions and rude comments is a thing around here. Then, when a negative response is hit, people are shocked as if they did nothing wrong.
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“Yeah, but isn’t the instrument the catalyst? I mean, without it, there’d be no internal trigger.” -Me
“Do you really think an instrument is emitting some sort of supernatural energy that forces someone to like it?“ -Mongo
I don’t know, seems to me to be a presumptuous, odd response that only someone experienced in next level trolling would make (or Devil’s Advocacy). And, so, the long mojo or nojo battle will ensue.
“Do you really think an instrument is emitting some sort of supernatural energy that forces someone to like it?“ -Mongo
I don’t know, seems to me to be a presumptuous, odd response that only someone experienced in next level trolling would make (or Devil’s Advocacy). And, so, the long mojo or nojo battle will ensue.
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If you think they do, or if you think they don't, either way you are right. 
That is the case with all things. But, one of you will ultimately be right, or both of you will ultimately be wrong. I suppose you may both be right as well. Either way, only one way to find out....debate it on the Internet.If you think they do, or if you think they don't, either way you are right.
So incredibly sensitive. Grow up.Your attempt at being clever is not working.
On to the ignore list you go.
You’re right. I definitely prefer real life conversations and interaction. Socializing through a keyboard isn’t exactly what I would call fulfilling. But, if that’s what you like, go for it. At least you get to be someone else on here other than who you really are.
I think less of bassists because of this site. That’s basically all I’ve gained from it. Which is a true shame.
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Fixed.
Let's try to stay on topic moving forward. This is a reminder to all that continued personal snark in this thread will be treated as trolling.
On topic, I would say the answer is "both". Some objects/machines/instruments are exceptionally resonant/user friendly/really good at doing whatever it is they do etc. for whatever reason, and these could be said to have "mojo". Certainly great players seem to either create or draw out "mojo" from the instruments they play, so they could also be said to have "mojo". Which is chicken and which is egg is unsolvable, IMO.
Thread cleaned up again. I don't have time to clean up a 14 page thread at the moment, but let's try to remember that the OP asks a simple question on a matter of opinion. It is asking for opinions. It's fine to weigh in with your opinion, but posting multiple times in the manner of "Mojo exists!/No it doesn't!/Yes it does, and you're WRONG because I've experienced it....../No it doesn't, and you're WRONG because empirically ......" doesn't help anyone in this thread or on this site.
A reminder that the site's first rule reads:
So it's fine to weigh in with your opinion, but posting with the intent to prove another member's opinion wrong, especially posting over 10 times in this manner, is not in keeping with the spirit of the site rules.
A reminder that the site's first rule reads:
Talkbass rule 1 said:
So it's fine to weigh in with your opinion, but posting with the intent to prove another member's opinion wrong, especially posting over 10 times in this manner, is not in keeping with the spirit of the site rules.
