I've been playing SR4's and SR5's exclusively for a few years, but I do own a few other basses. I've noticed I play a lot better on my rays. I picked up one of my other basses and tried to play a Bach piece, and struggled to play it. I can easily play it on my rays. Should I be able to play equally well on any bass? MM necks play like butter.
- Thread starter mobass
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I have more EBMMs than other basses, but I
have various others. I think if you happen to
play one type exclusively for a time it's not
too odd that others feel odd, but if you play
a variety you should find that you are going
to be more flexible about it. Like me ! I can
play equally badly on nearly any ax
OTOH, even those who play a variety are
likely to find they favor certain things ....
like maybe you find you're a "fat neck guy"
or maybe you need that your 5-stringers
have "4-string spacing".
I'll play anything with a piezo and no frets,
so I hafta be flexible about ergonomics !
I have more EBMMs than other basses, but I
have various others. I think if you happen to
play one type exclusively for a time it's not
too odd that others feel odd, but if you play
a variety you should find that you are going
to be more flexible about it. Like me ! I can
play equally badly on nearly any ax
OTOH, even those who play a variety are
likely to find they favor certain things ....
like maybe you find you're a "fat neck guy"
or maybe you need that your 5-stringers
have "4-string spacing".
I'll play anything with a piezo and no frets,
so I hafta be flexible about ergonomics !
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Rick Auricchio
Well-known member
There are a few factors that influence playability.
- The "hang" of the bass: The instrument may sit higher/lower or left/right on your body based on its shape. A couple of inches makes a big difference. The body shape affects how your plucking arm lays along the body, and therefore its approach to the strings. The instrument's balance influences your ability to adjust the neck angle vs. the floor.
- The tone variation with plucking position. Some instruments (like my SR4) provide a wide tonal variation depending how close to the bridge I pluck the strings. Since it's often easier to get fast action near the bridge, you'll only pluck there if the tone is pleasant. If the instrument doesn't sound good there, you'll pluck elsewhere along the string, and experience different action.
The string/pickup/preamp combination reacts based on how hard you play. On some instruments, you may avoid playing hard because the tone doesn't sound as good. Some riffs just require digging in a bit, and your playing will be affected by what you're hearing.
- Neck shape and finish, of course, affect your fretting hand.
- The "hang" of the bass: The instrument may sit higher/lower or left/right on your body based on its shape. A couple of inches makes a big difference. The body shape affects how your plucking arm lays along the body, and therefore its approach to the strings. The instrument's balance influences your ability to adjust the neck angle vs. the floor.
- The tone variation with plucking position. Some instruments (like my SR4) provide a wide tonal variation depending how close to the bridge I pluck the strings. Since it's often easier to get fast action near the bridge, you'll only pluck there if the tone is pleasant. If the instrument doesn't sound good there, you'll pluck elsewhere along the string, and experience different action.
The string/pickup/preamp combination reacts based on how hard you play. On some instruments, you may avoid playing hard because the tone doesn't sound as good. Some riffs just require digging in a bit, and your playing will be affected by what you're hearing.
- Neck shape and finish, of course, affect your fretting hand.
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2ndBassGuitar
Well-known member
You lost me at Bach and other basses ;=)
jlepre
Well-known member
So Kevin,
When you plays sets that don't require fast action do you play 7ender$?
When you plays sets that don't require fast action do you play 7ender$?
No, the P sits in the closet. I think I've touched it once since switching to EBMM's
I use my 25th when I can. I usually practice with it and if I have trouble on a shredder I switch to the SR5. They're both great but I think the SR5 is faster.
I use my 25th when I can. I usually practice with it and if I have trouble on a shredder I switch to the SR5. They're both great but I think the SR5 is faster.
Drmckool
Well-known member
I feel the same thing.
I have a P-Bass and a Warwick Thumb-BO as well and I get a little pissed off when I have to play anything quick and don't have my stingray 5. I live in Montreal, but I visit Toronto quite often, unfortunately whenever i'm playing with my friends in Toronto I don't use the SR5 because it's in Montreal. It's so much faster and easier to play.
I have a P-Bass and a Warwick Thumb-BO as well and I get a little pissed off when I have to play anything quick and don't have my stingray 5. I live in Montreal, but I visit Toronto quite often, unfortunately whenever i'm playing with my friends in Toronto I don't use the SR5 because it's in Montreal. It's so much faster and easier to play.
