Just me, or does anyone feel like they HAVE to play a certain bass when playing a certain artist?

[MovingPitchers]

TL;DR: I feel that when I play to Rush tunes, it has to be on a Jazz Bass and nothing more. I can't explain why, but it just feels...right.

I tried playing Limelight on my Precision Bass a few days ago, but it's like trying to build an airplane with scissors. It felt so weird.

Likewise, I can't play any punk/pop songs on a Jazz Bass..only on my Precision.

It sounds stupid, but it just feels like this for me.

 

[two fingers]

No. And I once made an amazing airplane with scissors.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I don't care at all. The artist may like an instrument I absolutly hate.

Just find a tone that is pleasing an play

 

[Groove Doctor]

Moreso with Tribute bands I've played in....
- active 5-string for 80/90's bands;
- P w/ flats for Creedence stuff, Doors, Country, etc.

Also
- Fretless w/ Tapes for Big Band;
- Hollowbody w/ TI flats for plunky 60's bass tone.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

not me.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

If the guy who you're covering doesn't care which basses he uses, why should you?

The world opens up when you realize your sacred cows are just walking piles of cheeseburgers.

 

[40Hz]

Unless it's needed for purely for visuals in a costume tribute band, I can't see it.

 

[jazzyvee]

No not at all. I play everything on the bass I have which is an alembic so I guess when I play a stanley clarke tune then I guess that the OP's scenario happens by default.

 

[gjohnson441496]

You gotta do what you gotta do. Personally, I just use the bass that captures the tone I'm trying to achieve. For example, I tried a passive P, an active P, and finally settled on my passive Jazz for a bass cover of Hysteria by Muse. Wanna hear it? Here it is...

 

[bobba66]

I use what I have. It's a Precision.

 

[Steve]

only to the extant that if I'm hearing Marcus Miller in my head, Playing a gibson EBO is probably not going to be all that satisfying.

I can play McCartney without a Hofner if that's what you're asking

 

[Badwater]

I agree with the above posts that it's all bout the sound I get out of a bass. I'll use a stingray for Rush and rock tunes.

 

[JMacBass65]

For the most part, no. That said - playing Led Zeppelin on my Rick does feel "wrong" somehow. Ditto any SRV.

 

[City]

I don't feel the "need" but I do pull out my semi-hollow fretless on the country stuff, and tunes like "Keep on Smilin'".....It just adds something, at least in my mind. Of coarse the drummer notices, but following the protocol here, his opinion really doesn't count.

 

[Thumb n Fingers]

Nope. Never experienced this. Like @gjohnson441496 said, try to match the tone to whatever's in your arsenal and go with that.

 

[madbass6]

TL;DR: I feel that when I play to Rush tunes, it has to be on a Jazz Bass and nothing more. I can't explain why, but it just feels...right.

I tried playing Limelight on my Precision Bass a few days ago, but it's like trying to build an airplane with scissors. It felt so weird.

Likewise, I can't play any punk/pop songs on a Jazz Bass..only on my Precision.

It sounds stupid, but it just feels like this for me.

Only if playing in a tribute band !
where looks do matter!
example : a Beatle tribute Band where the fake Paul is using a custom 6 string fodera /Smith/modulus etc.
and not using the iconic Hofner Beatle Bass would be noticed!
Besides that nope!
My opinion is, it shouldn't matter!

 

[Kombo]

If the guy who you're covering doesn't care which basses he uses, why should you?

The world opens up when you realize your sacred cows are just walking piles of cheeseburgers.

To that point though, I don't think the Wal sounds too spectacular on that song. Wal's are great though; Justin Chancellor.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Kinda-sorta-maybe.

I play with about 7-10 different original artists in a range of styles. One of the ways I've found to differentiate them all sonically is to use a specific instrument with each of them. I'll try out various things, but different basses rise to the top for any given artist, even when they share the same backing band.

The ones that are paying attention seem to get it and appreciate that I don't treat their music as one-size-fits-all.

 

[XLunacy]

For a tribute band, maybe. Otherwise no.
I like my main bass because it's versatile. Adjust the pickups (balance, series/parallel modes), change the EQ, move the plucking hand towards the neck/bridge, pleeenty of ways to achieve the right tone with one single instrument.

 

[micguy]

I wouldn't do Jaco on a Steinberger.



Not because the bass is wrong, though - 'cause I don't play like him.