Bass-atmosphere-Re-entry

[sethsbase]

Hello, forum folk...

I've said nary a word here for some time now, and there have been more than a few private messages requesting a reason:

Well, it's certainly been due to a lot of recent activity in my life, but honestly, also due to a bit of a personal disconnect I've been experiencing recently with gear, and I see so many people concentrating on that aspect of the forum lately. I've felt I have nothing to contribute on that front.

I'm sure you know this whole Gear Aquisition Syndrome ("G.A.S.") thing that's been a big factor in motivating posts from a lot of members... well, I've had what you might call "anti-gas" for awhile now, and just haven't found the wherewithal to post much; my heart really hasn't been in it.

What I've been focusing on is PLAYING, really. Writing, composing; exploring sounds, chord inversions, looking for new ways to resolve harmonies; integrating more percussion into my fingerstyle-playing...
then there's the whole lyrical aspect of what I do, which isn't something I ever really get into on here, being a bass forum and all, but it bears mention, because when one is in a lyric-writing headspace, the
last thing you want to do is debate the merits of 3.5778 kHz for optimal growl or take a stance on what finish would look better on a 13-string double-buck with baboon-a$$ inlays...

Sorry... I'm NOT knocking "G.A.S." I should clarify. Usually I love that stuff. I've just felt like I needed to come back to it in my own course, and I'm sure I will.

But something I've been seeing at a lot of the clinics I did last year, and then starting this year off with NAMM, and then the Messe... lots of people who seem to see instruments as some kind of magic means to becoming better players... people who will obsess about the specifications of certain instruments and talk for extensive periods of time about wood, electronics, string spacing, neck profile... they talk about their collections, and the thousands they've spent on owning the best...

...and then I hear some of them play, and it's complete shite. Misery. Awful. Ridiculous. Pedantic. Contrived. Crap. Not in time. Not in tune. Not MUSIC.

So here's a thought to consider: how are those basses that we all already OWN treating us? Or more to the point, how are we treating them? Are we all playing as much as we need to? Has the obsession with "having" the instrument taken over the obsession with actually playing it? Have we earned those instruments we posess? I've got a doozy of a bass myself, and every day I'm realizing how much more I can do with it... so until some limitation of the materials my bass has been made with presents itself and forces me to consider an alternative, I'm going to be giving everything I can to make it sing, and the only way I can do that is by listening and learning.

So... those that have been looking for me will find that I've re-appeared, but mostly on the posts here and there that deal with more musical/playing topics... at least for now.

(Besides, I've also noticed a LOT of people, members both new and old, making redundant posts about things we beat into the ground a long time ago. A word to the wise: if you have a question,
use the SEARCH function first to see if it hasn't already been answered, eh?

Looking forward to being around more often...

Cheers.

-Seth

 

[JanVanHove]

Hi Seth,

Welcome back! I really glad to have you back among us, and although I'm one of the GAS-causing elements of this forum, I agree completely that focussing on playing is not a bad idea at all!

See you around, mate!

 

[iuserneim]

complete shite. Misery. Awful. Ridiculous. Pedantic. Contrived. Crap.

at least they buy warwicks right ?
warwick, the company you play for, seth.
do you really think that it's good to badmouth people who maybe can't play at all but like warwick's craftsmanship ?

your post seems to contain a good dose of bad energy. why didn't you play the blues instead of taking the whole forum for a ride ?

hope that wasn't too straight, but i believe in egality...

 

[kgm]

Hello, forum folk...

I've said nary a word here for some time now, and there have been more than a few private messages requesting a reason:

Well, it's certainly been due to a lot of recent activity in my life, but honestly, also due to a bit of a personal disconnect I've been experiencing recently with gear, and I see so many people concentrating on that aspect of the forum lately. I've felt I have nothing to contribute on that front.

I'm sure you know this whole Gear Aquisition Syndrome ("G.A.S.") thing that's been a big factor in motivating posts from a lot of members... well, I've had what you might call "anti-gas" for awhile now, and just haven't found the wherewithal to post much; my heart really hasn't been in it.

What I've been focusing on is PLAYING, really. Writing, composing; exploring sounds, chord inversions, looking for new ways to resolve harmonies; integrating more percussion into my fingerstyle-playing...
then there's the whole lyrical aspect of what I do, which isn't something I ever really get into on here, being a bass forum and all, but it bears mention, because when one is in a lyric-writing headspace, the
last thing you want to do is debate the merits of 3.5778 kHz for optimal growl or take a stance on what finish would look better on a 13-string double-buck with baboon-a$$ inlays...

Sorry... I'm NOT knocking "G.A.S." I should clarify. Usually I love that stuff. I've just felt like I needed to come back to it in my own course, and I'm sure I will.

But something I've been seeing at a lot of the clinics I did last year, and then starting this year off with NAMM, and then the Messe... lots of people who seem to see instruments as some kind of magic means to becoming better players... people who will obsess about the specifications of certain instruments and talk for extensive periods of time about wood, electronics, string spacing, neck profile... they talk about their collections, and the thousands they've spent on owning the best...

...and then I hear some of them play, and it's complete shite. Misery. Awful. Ridiculous. Pedantic. Contrived. Crap. Not in time. Not in tune. Not MUSIC.

So here's a thought to consider: how are those basses that we all already OWN treating us? Or more to the point, how are we treating them? Are we all playing as much as we need to? Has the obsession with "having" the instrument taken over the obsession with actually playing it? Have we earned those instruments we posess? I've got a doozy of a bass myself, and every day I'm realizing how much more I can do with it... so until some limitation of the materials my bass has been made with presents itself and forces me to consider an alternative, I'm going to be giving everything I can to make it sing, and the only way I can do that is by listening and learning.

So... those that have been looking for me will find that I've re-appeared, but mostly on the posts here and there that deal with more musical/playing topics... at least for now.

(Besides, I've also noticed a LOT of people, members both new and old, making redundant posts about things we beat into the ground a long time ago. A word to the wise: if you have a question,
use the SEARCH function first to see if it hasn't already been answered, eh?

Looking forward to being around more often...

Cheers.

-Seth

????!!!!

 

[boebl]

Sounds maybe a bit harsh - but don't be softies.
I know what he means. The thing about instruments is PLAYING them - and I know a bunch of people who bought stuff I couldn't afford in 10 years. And playing like crap because they don't use half of the time for practice they use for stupid posing around with 3000€ gibson guitars (... 16 year old boys, not able to play in time but parents rich enough to buy them this kind of guitars... *ouch*)

I've also got equiptment that for sure would suit a pro playe better than me. So I bought it in order to "grow in" to it. Someday I'll do justice to my $$NT and my Tubepath

 

[kgm]

I fully understand the point being made and there is most certainly alot of truth in it - we have all seen guys with fantastic kit who sadly don't have the ability to do it justice ,but it is still their dream (and ultimately their money for that matter). Sadly we can't all be professional musicians ( maybe due to a lack of application or maybe due to a lack of natural talent) and some people maybe need a little bit of escapism from their own more mundane lives or jobs (possibly) and GASSING is maybe their way of doing this.

It is also true that there is alot of repeat posts on this forum (as on any forum) which is possibly slightly irritating to some but surely no more than that, eh guys?

Anyway, sorry if i've upset anyone but thats my tuppence worth.

 

[NeonVomit]

It all depends on the individual, no?

Some people will never rest, will always try to push themselves further and harder to achieve new and fresh things on the instrument.

Other people will be more than happy to just sit back, and revel in some good old 12-bar blues.

The instruments are but tools to make such things happen. People love Warwicks for instance, because they sound good and feel nice to play (to us, anyhow... replace 'Warwick' with any person's chosen brand to make a broader statement).

I guess there's some substance to the claim that some people will spend more time focusing on the tools rather than the trade itself, but if that makes them happy then all the best to them.

 

[Florin]

Balance is the key I guess, I know some old rockers that can play good, but have crappy equipment, and don't know to get a decent sound out of it. So... buying gear is good, buying warwick is even better, chatting about gear and sound and specs is good, but never forget is all about MUSIC, about what we are, not about what we have.

Your post is inspiring as always Seth, I guess I needed that too... Thanks !
P.S. I couldn't resist and I bought that 87 5 strings Thumb NT, carved headstock... Don't kill me!

 

[Mr.Demeter]

I agree with Seth, we, the players should concentrate more on playing rather than on the tech-talk. Only the fact that we own a Warwick bass, or any other high-end bass does not necessarily make us better players or experts on all that is bass. THAT still requires a lot of work. Heck, buying my thumb set me back 50% skillwise. I know now what a crappy player i really am :lol: and how much work ( to be read : FUN ) i have ahead of me to reach an acceptable level .

now back to playing



P.S. congrats on the thumb Flo !!!! 87 was a good year - i received my first G.I. JOE action figure that year 8)

 

[Lewis]

i dont know what to make of this post seth.... are you telling us not to buy really good equipment till we are super awesome , because i know i feel 10 times better playing a premium A class warwick than playing a shitty squire jazz. and i know im going to increase my bass playing abiltys by like 50% when i get my CS buzzard. i didnt realise that the best equipment was reserved for the best players??????

 

[Tv IV Dogs]

I come here 'cos pretty mcuh everyone else in my life has a distinct upper limit on the amount of bass talk they can handle.

I love the bass...the sound of it, look of it, feel of it....it's role in the music, and the sheer diversity of roles it can play! I love the way small tonal nuances in bass sound can make worlds of difference to the character of a song, the way the strings feel under my fingers, the way the strings bounce my thumb right back up, and the way that the bass can go from a silent-assassin backing instrument to a fully fledged lead player carrying the main meloides of the song (which I learned, in part, from You, Seth).

I'm obsessed with basses, with playing, with tone, with writing and with jamming with other musicians.

Thats not an easy obession for non-bassists to deal with, and so here I am.

 

[Callum]

i dont know what to make of this post seth.... are you telling us not to buy really good equipment till we are super awesome , because i know i feel 10 times better playing a premium A class warwick than playing a shitty squire jazz. and i know im going to increase my bass playing abiltys by like 50% when i get my CS buzzard. i didnt realise that the best equipment was reserved for the best players??????

nah i think he's saying there is alot of talk about what equipment we want or wish for. We should focus on playing more so than the gear.

Essentially if we are privileged enough to owe an amazing instrument we should be working to be awesome at playing it and not what the next purchase if gonna be.

For those that are happy with what they have all the talk of gas can be hard to relate to.

no one will disagree that playing an expensive instrument definitely helps you to improve your playing...but we should stay focused on playing more so than the next bass we want

Last November i finally got my dream bass, my SS1(which reminds me i never posted pic...) to me its perfect and combined with my $$ mean that i really have no want for another bass anytime soon.

Basically long winded way of saying i fully agree with seths post.

 

[jay]

All right guys. As you probably know, I shoot from the hip. So here's my take on this topic. As always feel free to disagree.

...and then I hear some of them play, and it's complete shite. Misery. Awful. Ridiculous. Pedantic. Contrived. Crap. Not in time. Not in tune. Not MUSIC.

-Seth

I think refering to someone elses playing like this, no matter how bad, is in poor taste and completely unnecessary. Not everyone can play bass like Seth Horan.

complete shite. Misery. Awful. Ridiculous. Pedantic. Contrived. Crap.

at least they buy warwicks right ?
warwick, the company you play for, seth.
do you really think that it's good to badmouth people who maybe can't play at all but like warwick's craftsmanship ?

your post seems to contain a good dose of bad energy. why didn't you play the blues instead of taking the whole forum for a ride ?

hope that wasn't too straight, but i believe in egality...

+1. The tip to play more was great. The rest seemed kind of negative.

It is also true that there is alot of repeat posts on this forum (as on any forum) which is possibly slightly irritating to some but surely no more than that, eh guys?

It is a forum. If you don't like a repeat topic, ignore it. Sometimes someone may be looking for fresh ideas or someone elses opinion. I don't see how it can be irritating.

I come here 'cos pretty mcuh everyone else in my life has a distinct upper limit on the amount of bass talk they can handle.

Thats not an easy obession for non-bassists to deal with, and so here I am.

Agree.

nah i think he's saying there is alot of talk about what equipment we want or wish for. We should focus on playing more so than the gear.

Essentially if we are privileged enough to owe an amazing instrument we should be working to be awesome at playing it and not what the next purchase if gonna be.

For those that are happy with what they have all the talk of gas can be hard to relate to.

Basically long winded way of saying i fully agree with seths post.

I think we should feel free to focus on whatever we want. If it is hard to relate to someones gas, again ignore the topic. I don't have crazy bass ideas or always post about my dream custom shop bass. In fact I am more than happy with my vettes. I had 3 because my cover band uses 5 different tunings. I recently bought the 5 string so I could learn to play with a low B. I don't plan to keep it. That being said, I enjoy hearing about other peoples crazy bass ideas and their gas. I don't mind entering a repeat topic. I just wish I had more knowledge to offer people. Most of my time on the forum is when I am at work and can't play. But either way, I enjoy chatting about bass, warwicks, strings, or whatever...

 

[flipper_gv]

I play easily one hour and a half per day, hope it is enough to justify buying a 2nd bass. But man, sure some guys are wankers being like : ohh man have you seen the new CT I just got and hey I ordered a ritter last week, should be there in 6 months, cant wait.

But again, there's guy buying Hummers and Land Rovers to go to work. These guy ain't paying justice to these great 4x4 and don't go in the woods with em. And I'm kinda dead sure everyone who owns a Ferrari isn't a really good driver also.

Wankery is there in the bass world, and it's there everywhere. Can't do much. (hell I've seen a guy on talkbass with over 100 basses, I mean, come on!!) Also, it's important to know that somewhere deep in us, we all like to be a wanker sometimes, just not realising it.

 

[Gerry]

I think I know where Seth's at. I've been in the gym a long time and always go in old sweats, sneakers and t-shirt. No fancy supplements, pills or potions either. I've seen others try this approach and lose thier will to train quickly...until they buy a new sweatsuit, workout gloves or buy a $200 jar of the latest protien powder they sip while reading a muscle magazine. I train...I eat. That's all the body needs, but I also know the body wont go anywhere the mind hasn't been first. So I won't knock the guys who need "un-nesscesary" things to motivate them to train harder and stay on a diet. I appreciate Seth's advise, but we are all different with the same goal...to become better bass players each in his own way and time.

 

[Michael J]

I tottaly hear where hes coming from. I don't have time to search the forum much anymore, because of my workload at school and my practice schedule. I also find myself completly satisfied with my bass- yes I'd like a fodera or a custom shop Wick, but I've realised all it would change from my Proline now is get rid of that god-awful red finish. So I might just add some nice custom options to my baby here and there, but until I can pay rent and afford more than 60$ worth of food a week, Im not worrying about getting another bass, cause my proline plays as good and useally (because i set it up and customized it for me) better than anyother insturment I play. Now of course- IM STILL GEAR OBSESSED! I love to talk about it, see what people play, its all very interesting, and to some degree gear inspires players. But I no longer let that be my priority.

Victor Wooten told me to try somthing when I was working with him. Play. Play anything. When your done, ask yourself what were you thinking about?

The last thing you should be thinking about is your bass... its an Insturment, which is a word that has a similar meaning to the word Tool. When you carve wood, paint a picture, write with a pen, do you think about the tools when your doing it? Not much... The musics in your heart... not the bass. Thinking about the bass should be minimal- it should only be minor things like "Oh, trebles a little to high" or "A's out of tune". Just like with breathing, its natural and you only should think about it when theres a problem! Get one that works and fits all your needs and PRACTICE!

 

[naetog]

cheers, seth.

 

[Gman]

I'm totally with Seth on this - we've all been guilty (well I have) of thinking that such and such piece of kit will

a) make me a better player
b) make me sound more interesting
c) make me sound like <insert fave bassist>
d) make me more appealing to the opposite sex

etc etc

My take is that rather than spending 30 mins reading/writing about a piece of kit that you'd be better off playing, singing, writing songs, drumming, learning theory etc etc.

He's also expressing a time in his life where he's not got GAS. I went through a 7 year hiatus from bass playing as I'd had enough after 4 years playing 4 nights a week...doing the same stuff. I'd got disillusioned with it all and focussed on other things.

I came back to it and I still love playing but have to say that I get more of thrill nowadays from writing and producing...rather than bedroom bass wanking.

G

 

[sethsbase]

It's nice to see some spirited discussion here, no doubt.

I think all these replies are great... and really interesting.

It's interesting to me to note how many of the responders, both positive and negative, seemed to take my words very personally... as if I was speaking to THEM.

I was speaking quite generally. I wasn't passing judgement on "G.A.S.", but still got some flame for even expressing where I'm currently at with it.

And what's this stuff about "What he's saying is, that WE SHOULD..."

I wasn't saying YOU SHOULD do anything. I was simply asking how you're treating the instrument(s) you already own.

If answering that question made anyone feel embarrassed... well, WHY?

And of course this is a forum, and everyone is free to express themselves or ask whatever they like here. If you like gear, post about gear! My point was simply that I'm not in a place to be concentrating on it right now.

Also, of COURSE I hope people continue to buy Warwicks... I've been representing the company at clinics for a couple years now, going around the world to tell people about what makes these instruments so great... why would I tell anyone NOT to buy one, or tell anyone "you must be at least THIS good to play a 'wick".... ??? Seriously.

Here is what I said:

<<So here's a thought to consider: how are those basses that we all already OWN treating us? Or more to the point, how are we treating them? Are we all playing as much as we need to? Has the obsession with "having" the instrument taken over the obsession with actually playing it? Have we earned those instruments we possess?>>

It doesn't say "stop buying instruments" in there.

As for Jay, our dear hip-shooter: First off, I didn't single anyone out with my shite-playing critique, and I didn't intend to. So to say that it was "inappropriate" is only true if everyone on the forum thinks they "know who I'm talking about". It was a general statement culled from dozens upon dozens of experiences, so please stop the paranoia. And as for, "We can't all play like Seth Horan"... Well why not? I certainly don't claim to be up in some ivory tower, and there's no technique I use that hasn't been developed by someone else. I would say that anyone "can play like Seth Horan"--anyone who spends more time PLAYING a bass than TALKING ABOUT playing one.

So, here, for the record, is what I think we SHOULD do:

KEEP TALKING about playing. That's what the forum is for; that's why we're here.

Just keep PLAYING as well. And remember why we all do that, too.

 

[Andrew O]

sorry seth, but i have a bad GAS for an old streamet stage one in a black oil finish :twisted: