View Full Version : Blugrass Jam
maidofclay
Jun-10-2005, 4:13pm
Is it traditional for BG jams to be only accoustic instruments? Is it just for the simplicity of hosting a jam? I am very new at playing mandolin, but my husband is an experienced bass player. We thought that going to jams together would be a great shared experience for us. Problem is...my husband has an Eminence upright bass. It is not loud enough on it's own to be heard in a jam situation. In general, would it be rude to ask if he could bring his own equipment?
Ken Sager
Jun-10-2005, 4:23pm
Yes, typically BG jams are acoustic only. However, some will welcome electric basses, some will completely frown on them.
It is never rude to ask.
I bet you'll be welcomed just so they can take a look at an upright electric. If an electric bass is welcomed I'd take the smallest possible bass amp just to avoid possibly intimidating anybody or suggesting that the bass is going to dominate the jam.
Good luck,
Ken
Jasper
Jun-10-2005, 5:22pm
There is a BG jam here in Montgomery, AL and usually there are two or so folks that bring their stand basses. Even when there are upwards of 20 to 30 people in the room, the basses add nicely and can be heard quite well. Go the jam and play and enjoy the music, yours and everybody else's.
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-10-2005, 5:36pm
How many bluegrass (or classical) musicians does it take to change a light bulb?
Five. One to change the bulb and 4 to complain that it's electric.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
El Rey del Mando
Jun-10-2005, 5:57pm
If this kind of thing bothers you,there are some nice old Kays out there.If you keep a close eye out,you may find a good deal too.They turn up in the strangest places.Kay made upwards towards 30,000 bases from 1937 to 1969 and they all sound good.Any way,you never know what you might come up with if you start looking.Good luck with the mandolin maid.A family that plays bluegrass together,stays together !
John
mpeknox
Jun-10-2005, 7:14pm
Wouldn't be rude to ask at all. I've seen real 'grassers using that type of bass on stage before. Of course it's not for everyone but I'm sure most people would be interested to check it out.
FlawLaw
Jun-10-2005, 8:20pm
Alot of bluegrass jams make exceptions for electric basses. Electric basses are pretty common in blue grass now - Barry Bales, Earl Scrugg's son, John Cowan all use or have electric basses. I think your husband will be welcome.
maidofclay
Jun-12-2005, 11:53pm
Thank you everyone for your input. We'll put it to the group and see what their reaction is. And we have met some wonderful people through couple jams we've been to, and some have said they would like to get together in a smaller group to jam and would welcome...even be happy to have hubby and his bass. He is very excited to be teaching me mandolin, and for us to be able to share through music. We've only been married a short time, and for me, having live music in our home on a daily basis has really been a wonderful bonus.
mandroid
Jun-13-2005, 12:19am
Methane Gas Lamps http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
fatt-dad
Jun-13-2005, 6:41am
Kay basses are over $2,000.00 (www.vintagemandolin.com) and new Engleharts are about half that.
FYI
f-d
Ronnie Bowman-Not a BG player.
Sorry,
meant not a bad Bg player. that electric bass sounds great.
El Rey del Mando
Jun-13-2005, 6:57am
About Kay basses.I guess I should have said,not to look in vintage music shops.They turn up in antique shops and bargain news papers etc for better deals.This is what I meant about strange places.
John
Desert Rose
Jun-13-2005, 7:56am
Its my experience that an electric bass will be accepted most anywhere, as mentioned just take a small amp.
Now SPOONS on the other hand http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
Scott
picksnbits
Jun-13-2005, 8:31am
Electric basses are kind of a necessary evil, but for the traditional bluegrass jam keep the volume down and don't do anything you couldn't do with an acoustic. We had an electric bass at our jam a while back and I had forgotten he was there (that's a good thing) until he started making funky noises right in the middle of me taking a break. He was just gettin into it and having fun, but it totally threw me off.
mandopete
Jun-13-2005, 8:52am
Now SPOONS on the other hand
As long as they're acoustic spoons!
Yellowmandolin
Jun-13-2005, 12:02pm
Byron House uses an upright electric like that Eminence. Not really traditional bluegrass but...it is used and does sound very good.
Most of the amateur electric bass players I've heard play too loud and let the notes sustain too long for traditional bluegrass.