Hey TalkBass! I play most of my gigs as a drummer although I also sing, play guitar, play bass (really?!) and like to write songs. While I've done a decent amount of recording on bass it's been a long time since I played a live show until last night, 10/27/2024 at The Viper Room in West Hollywood, CA. I had a blast! The role of bass player is a really fascinating position in a band. It's the glue that keeps everything together. However, what I realized last night is that while the drums are the heartbeat, the bass is the blood flowing through the veins to give the music oxygen and life. I loved it and hope to play many more shows in this fake it till I make it role.
For last night's show I was going to borrow a 5 string because many of the songs make use of the low B string. What I decided to do instead was to tune my 4 string 1980s E Series MIJ Fender Precision to B-E-A-D. I think this tuning works well for the neck on this bass anyway. There is a definite learning curve to get acclimated to this new tuning. It has breathed new life and enthusiasm in my playing though. I'm a meat and potatoes bass player anyway so there is not much soloing for me up high on the neck, at least as of today! Tight rhythm and warm tone are my strengths.
For gear I have the Fender Precision and also an Ibanez Mezzo that I bought for my daughter. I think I play it more than she does these days though. That bass is fun! Hopefully she'll get back into it. My amp is a GK MB115 and we also have a Fender Rumble 40.
Here is a shot of me at last night's shindig.
For last night's show I was going to borrow a 5 string because many of the songs make use of the low B string. What I decided to do instead was to tune my 4 string 1980s E Series MIJ Fender Precision to B-E-A-D. I think this tuning works well for the neck on this bass anyway. There is a definite learning curve to get acclimated to this new tuning. It has breathed new life and enthusiasm in my playing though. I'm a meat and potatoes bass player anyway so there is not much soloing for me up high on the neck, at least as of today! Tight rhythm and warm tone are my strengths.
For gear I have the Fender Precision and also an Ibanez Mezzo that I bought for my daughter. I think I play it more than she does these days though. That bass is fun! Hopefully she'll get back into it. My amp is a GK MB115 and we also have a Fender Rumble 40.
Here is a shot of me at last night's shindig.