BassAdder60 Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 (edited) I’ve come to the conclusion finger style tone is very hard to beat even for rock Until they create a pick that can reproduce that fullness of note I’m sticking to my digits for now ! Edited May 10, 2022 by BassAdder27 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloney Balderdash Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) On 09/05/2022 at 19:05, BassAdder60 said: I’ve come to the conclusion finger style tone is very hard to beat even for rock Until they create a pick that can reproduce that fullness of note I’m sticking to my digits for now ! I know what you mean, but then on the other hand it's equally impossible with your fingers to recreate that specific unique aggressive snappy emphasis on the attack that you can only get from using a pick. Which conclusively actually makes it entirely up to personal preferences, application and context, which technique to use. Also there is more than just one finger style method, there's the traditional classic 2 or 3 finger plucking technique, but there is also the acoustic classical guitar finger picking style technique, or flamenco style index and/or middle finger flicking, double thumbing, thumb + index finger edge of finger/nail faux pick technique, and then of course slapping as well. All with their own unique tone and useability, advantages and disadvantages. Ideally you would want to learn how to do them all, including using a pick. Edited July 30, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 9 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said: I know what you mean, but then on the other hand it's equally impossible with your fingers to recreate that specific unique aggressive snapping emphasis on the attack that you can get from using a pick. Which conclusively actually makes it entirely up to personal preferences, application and context, which technique you use. Also there is more than just one finger style method, there's the classic 2 or 3 finger plucking technique, but there is also the acoustic classical guitar finger picking technique, or flamenco style index and middle finger flicking, double thumbing, thumb + index finger edge of finger/nail faux pick technique, and then of course slapping as well. All with their own unique tone and useability, advantages and disadvantages. Ideally you would want to learn how to do them all, including using a pick. Funny thing I’ve gone full 360 on this and prefer the tone with a pick now ! Rock PBass and valve amp seem to be the ideal match to a pick tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassalbert Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 the pick is just another tool to use on the palette of sounds you can get with a bass. and there are plenty of examples of people getting a warm tone even with a pick Steve Swallow is the first that comes to my mind and here in Spain we have the great Carles Benavent 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Che Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I use this warm plectrum … Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I think an advantage of pick playing is clarity of tone and attack where the bass is crossing over into guitar like territory. This isn’t a failed guitarist playing bass but a good bass player adding bass and guitar like support to a band in particular one guitar type bands come to mind. I need to be a bassist and bassist / rhythm guitar player at times in our rock band to fill out the band sound during guitarist solos etc etc Finger style works too of course but it’s not quite the same as we all know 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Also .. I still love the full tone of finger style and it’s handy I can use either method Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted June 15, 2023 Share Posted June 15, 2023 (edited) Update … finger style tone great that it is but I’m discovering a new love of pick playing and setting everything up to EQ based around using a pick What have I discovered 1: speed is a bit faster than my podgy digits 2: less fundamental in the note ? 3: less woolly tone ( low deep rumble ) 4: clarity improved to the extent strings, effects, basses actually sound better instead of swamped with low bass 5: Sounds very different near to amp and drummer but less so out front 6: pick size materials and gauge make a difference Edited June 15, 2023 by BassAdder60 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted June 16, 2023 Share Posted June 16, 2023 18 hours ago, BassAdder60 said: Update … finger style tone great that it is but I’m discovering a new love of pick playing and setting everything up to EQ based around using a pick What have I discovered 1: speed is a bit faster than my podgy digits 2: less fundamental in the note ? 3: less woolly tone ( low deep rumble ) 4: clarity improved to the extent strings, effects, basses actually sound better instead of swamped with low bass 5: Sounds very different near to amp and drummer but less so out front 6: pick size materials and gauge make a difference I agree. Been a long time finger player but recently played with a rock band for a while. A lot of the basslines just didn't sound right with fingers so swapped to pick and it made a big difference. I now chop and change with the other bands I play with. It's good to be versatile. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted June 16, 2023 Share Posted June 16, 2023 2 minutes ago, gjones said: I agree. Been a long time finger player but recently played with a rock band for a while. A lot of the basslines just didn't sound right with fingers so swapped to pick and it made a big difference. I now chop and change with the other bands I play with. It's good to be versatile. Although I’m a competent pick player I’ve avoided it for too long. It was influenced by what I felt and heard playing next to a drummer ( rock ) and fingers gave me the thump. However the pick really shows the clarity of the note with faster attack that suits most rock songs better in my opinion. I have to resist the urge to stop using a pick as I do think for me in the band it’s got a better sound than the deep thumpy woolly sounding notes. For me I think it’s my large fingers that don’t help the finger tone. I have such a limited attack fingerstyle and for rock you need it I feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 16, 2023 Share Posted June 16, 2023 11 minutes ago, gjones said: I agree. Been a long time finger player but recently played with a rock band for a while. A lot of the basslines just didn't sound right with fingers so swapped to pick and it made a big difference. I now chop and change with the other bands I play with. It's good to be versatile. 3 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said: I have to resist the urge to stop using a pick as I do think for me in the band it’s got a better sound than the deep thumpy woolly sounding notes. Other than those who are soloists, our job is to serve the song, if using a pick does that, job done. I swap between pick and fingers in the band as required, I’ve even started doing some old school thumb style for a couple of songs. It’s also fun to mix it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valere Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 Have you ever tried a pick with flatwound strings and a foam mute on the bridge? It’s the old school rock sound. You can thank me later 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 On 04/12/2023 at 22:21, Valere said: Have you ever tried a pick with flatwound strings and a foam mute on the bridge? It’s the old school rock sound. You can thank me later 🙂 Tried flatwounds and didn’t like them. Roundwounds definitely for me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 I’m using a compressor now to tweek my sound Am I correct in thinking pick playing would be better with a slow release ? Fingerstyle fast release ? Using Boss BC-1X do attack is fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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