We’ve all been there. Excited about playing bass, maybe as a beginner, and you spend months researching, debating, and finally drop a small fortune on a high-end bass. It arrives, brand new, the smell of lacquer fills the air, you grab your pick, plug it in and play your favourite riff, and… well, it’s underwhelming. Investing in ‘pro-level’ gear doesn’t guarantee a properly set-up bass or better playing- it’s your skills that make the difference.
Why I Don’t Talk About the Gear
When it comes to bass, the internet is flooded with advice on what to buy. Thousands of sites comparing pickups, preamps, pedals, and the latest branded gear that famous bassists like Chris Wolstenholme use. And while that’s fascinating, it’s not my focus. Fewer than a hundred reputable sources teach you how to play. Knowing which bass is the best for slap technique doesn’t help if you haven’t developed the technique itself.
My philosophy is: It’s you who controls the bass; it doesn’t control you. It’s not about what you have; it’s about how you use it. So, while I love gear as much as the next bassist, I believe your time is better spent mastering the instrument you already own than chasing the latest upgrades.
A £200 bass can sound just as rocking as a £2000 bass in the right hands.
The Real Source of Tone and Style
It’s true that the material of a bass, or the type of strings can influence its sound, but the real tone-shaping factor is you.
Hands and Fingers: Your hands are the first point of connection between your body and the bass. While your hand size doesn’t decide your ability to play bass, it does affect how you navigate the fretboard in relation to it. For example, a bassist who has bigger hands, has a larger span over the fretboard, making it easier to navigate without excessive shifting. Even fingers that are soft or callused can subtly alter the tone.
Attack: The way you interact with the strings will determine the sound created. Whether you play fingerstyle, slap with a pick, or strum with the back of your hand, your approach determines the character of your tone.
Technique: Mastering skills like slapping, popping, and fingerstyle will change how your bass sounds, but the music will always sound like you playing that style. Even with a pro-level instrument, a beginner will still sound like a beginner. It’s your technique, not your gear, that defines your sound.
Phrasing: How do you structure your musical ideas? Do you leave tense pauses between notes or is every beat filled with sound? Phrasing is the way you choose to play the music, it’s the “accent” you bring to your playing.
Note Choice: The position where you fret a note is just as important as the note itself.
Articulation: Dynamics and expression bring life to your playing. A note played softly can communicate the tenderness of a love song, while that same note played with force can evoke power and intensity. These subtle details make your playing distinctive and memorable.
Conclusion
While the allure of new, expensive gear is strong, remember that the real progress comes from playing—not shopping. Spend time honing you’re playing, and that ‘expensive’ sound your chasing will naturally follow.