FW: Fender bass [was: [Dixielandjazz] Answer to the Million...

[randymillan]

I have been playing Electric and Acoustic Bass (I prefer the term Double
Bass) for 30 years now.  I've played in every kind of group in every
style including concert orchestra.  I truly don't understand why people
like the sound of a Double Bass in a large band size like Dixieland or
Big Band.  The group sound is so large that it covers up the acoustic
sound of a Double Bass. So what do a lot of bassists do?  They amplify
the bass.  Well, if you are going to amplify the bass, why not use the
instrument invented strictly for that purpose.  It has much more range
and depth and 10 times more control.
In a smaller group where you can hear all of those beautiful acoustic
vibrations, Double Bass sounds wonderful.  Once you put a mike on it, DB
gets very muddy.  I don't like that sound at all.  Give me a Fender any
day for larger bands.

Randy Millan
Dixie North Jazz Band
Vernon B.C.   ph:  250.260.7744
web:  www.armenterprises.cjb.net 
email:  randymillan@shaw.ca
icq # 3377917
"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an
hour.
Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute.
THAT'S relativity." A. Einstein



-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-admin@ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-admin@ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of David W.
Littlefield
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2002 8:00 AM
To: dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com
Subject: Fender bass [was: [Dixielandjazz] Answer to the Million...


At 08:20 AM 7/18/2002 -0400, Ron L'Herault wrote:
>Maybe the problem with seeing a Fender bass is that many players will 
>play them as if they were in a rock band and not a jazz band.

I haven't used an electric bass for dixieland gigs, but did in my dance
band for many years. My bassist played it so that to non-musician ears
it might as well have been an accoustic, and I've come to know a few
others who can do the same...My current bassist uses an old, I think
Ampeg (?), bass guitar that sounds close enough for most purposes, when
we need the old sound. 
  
--Sheik

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