The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: Bionic-Joe on February 17, 2013, 03:14:08 PM

Title: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Bionic-Joe on February 17, 2013, 03:14:08 PM
So...with my main  Rock band, "Sona Bliss", I play and have always played on the drummer's left side...stage left. Even in our earlier bands that the 3 of us played in, I always played on this side. I play in another band on occasion, a Metal band, called Diamond Rexx (few albums out) and I play on the other side,stage right. NOTHING ever sounds right...NEVER...I can't get my tone...I've tried 3 different amps and it sounds like crap...plus they are WAY too Loud.
   But with my main band,  I've played through MANY different amps, and yet still can get MY TONE. So I realized today that...either I play on the left side of they find someone else...Not to be a jag. Anybody else have wacky ears like this??? I spoke with a buddy this morning...He FULLY agreed with me...it's the way my ears are...
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: iamthatguy32 on February 17, 2013, 05:14:38 PM
It's true. But it's not, at the same time. You definitely hear yourself differently, but that mostly has to do with years of having the same ear to the drummer. Your right ear is more than likely missing a lot of highs from prolonged cymbal exposure, and your left ear probably hears warmer bass frequencies from prolonged bass amp exposure. Check it real quick by snapping your fingers about a foot from your left ear, and then again with the same hand about a foot from your right ear. You'll probably notice that your right ear hears it a little bit meatier, and your left ear hears it a bit snappier.

Well, when you change sides of the stage, you're going to hear the same thing. Lack of treble, lots of white noise, muddy low mids and bottom end. Of course, it doesn't ACTUALLY sound like that, you just aren't used to hearing a different frequency range. No one put a towel over your amp, you just now have your partially deaf drummer ear towards your speaker cabinet.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Hörnisse on February 17, 2013, 05:21:20 PM
Back when I played we all used IEM's.  I could still hear the drums but all I had in my mix were vox, some guitar and my bass! :)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: mc2NY on February 19, 2013, 07:36:53 AM
Stage right for me...on the floor tom side of my drummer or it sounds odd to me.

I think it's a carry over from years ago from basement rehearsals and I just got used to it. Then onstage, I found that when I turn to look at the drummer it also kept my bass neck/headstock out of the path of the guitarists/singer prancing about across the front of the stage.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Pilgrim on February 19, 2013, 10:34:06 AM
I practice standing in front of the drums.  On stage, usually to the drummer's right.

But the acoustics are so different between our basement practice area and any stage that it's a bit disorienting regardless of where I stand during performance.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: jumbodbassman on February 19, 2013, 11:51:45 AM
play with too many bands to be a one position bass man but i am firm on standing near my amp.  did a gig recently that i was on other side of stage from the bass amp and never felt right.  even effected my vocals as i was hearing more of everything else than i am used to.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: uwe on February 19, 2013, 02:25:31 PM
I prefer left, but can also do right. Stage right is Ritchie's side, I am not worthy!

With masturbation otoh, it's the other way around.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Highlander on February 19, 2013, 04:27:43 PM
I learnt to change ears at 99... err, is that mixing my metaphors...?

(right ear is deafer than the left, and "bassier" - my eyes also see colour differently (go figure) - prefer stage left for neck reasons but have worked both sides of the drum riser - modern answer is in-ear for the bigger-gigger - out of my league, though; probably yours at the mo to, Baz... :sad:)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: TBird1958 on February 19, 2013, 05:38:30 PM

I own all of stage right.............. ;D
I don't need anybody over there but me, the occasional visit from our key player to do background vocals excepted. I use IEMs so it really doesn't matter.............

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/NastyHabitsat7Cedars16of175-1.jpg)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Chris P. on February 20, 2013, 12:54:11 PM
I'm always left of the drummer. It just doesn't feel good on the other side. Did it with all my bands. Sometimes I have to change for a gig, but it never feels good. Not a sound thing though.


Masturbation right, Uwe.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: TBird1958 on February 20, 2013, 01:46:50 PM
Quote from: uwe on February 19, 2013, 02:25:31 PM
With masturbation otoh, it's the other way around.

See, if you do it left handed it feels like someone else is doing it  :P
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: godofthunder on February 20, 2013, 02:23:09 PM
 Stage right, if it was good enough for Sir Paul, J.A.E. and Jimmy Lea it's good enough for me! There was a time when the band was talking about adding a keyboard player(what a waste of real estate) I told then now way in hell is he going on my side of the stage..................I never heard another word about it.  ;D(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/JOHNNYSMOKEBuffaloNYwaterfront8-19-13057.jpg) Running for my side of the stage(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/JOHNNYSMOKEBuffaloNYwaterfront8-19-13043.jpg) Once in a while I'll allow the singer in my territory ;) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/JOHNNYSMOKEBuffaloNYwaterfront8-19-13021.jpg)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: patman on February 20, 2013, 03:18:45 PM
I like the hi-hat next to me.  Hearing smaller subdivisions of time help me to drop it right in the pocket.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Pilgrim on February 20, 2013, 04:07:51 PM
Quote from: godofthunder on February 20, 2013, 02:23:09 PM
I told then now way in hell is he going on my side of the stage..................I never heard another word about it.  

Must have had something to do with the Watusi spear you had affixed to the headstock of your bass.....
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: OldManC on February 20, 2013, 08:32:23 PM
I'm OK out front (if I'm also singing) or stage right (my preference, like Paul, Gene, & Nikki). I feel really weird if I have to play stage left all night!
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: uwe on February 22, 2013, 11:21:48 AM
I think my left is your right! I like to play on the left side viewed from the audience.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: westen44 on February 22, 2013, 01:17:47 PM
Quote from: uwe on February 22, 2013, 11:21:48 AM
I think my left is your right! I like to play on the left side viewed from the audience.

I've always been the same way, but now that I think about it, I really have no idea why.  Anything else, though, would seem unnatural. 
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: rahock on February 22, 2013, 02:13:08 PM
Quote from: uwe on February 22, 2013, 11:21:48 AM
I think my left is your right! I like to play on the left side viewed from the audience.

I was wondering when someone was going to define the orientation of right and left ;D.  This is also my chosen spot.
Rick
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Basvarken on February 22, 2013, 02:44:12 PM
I used to prefer standing on the left side so I could lock in with the hi-hat and keep an eye on the kick pedal.
But I've discovered I don't need to look anymore. I don't mind standing on the right or in the middle.
I do prefer to stay within earshot distance of my speaker cab. I like to hear myself pretty loud... :o
Really hate to hear bass through the floor monitor wedges. So when I don't have to sing I step back, closer to my amp.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Highlander on February 22, 2013, 03:04:03 PM
Just don't like clobbering singers is my reasons for preferring stage-left (right audience)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: mc2NY on February 23, 2013, 10:16:01 AM
Quote from: rahock on February 22, 2013, 02:13:08 PM
I was wondering when someone was going to define the orientation of right and left ;D.  This is also my chosen spot.
Rick


Isn't that a drum joke about why drummers set up in the middle?  They don't know which side is stage left or stage right?  ;D

Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Dave W on February 23, 2013, 11:18:16 AM
Quote from: mc2NY on February 23, 2013, 10:16:01 AM

Isn't that a drum joke about why drummers set up in the middle?  They don't know which side is stage left or stage right?  ;D




And the stage has to be level so the drool comes out of both sides of the drummer's mouth.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Basvarken on February 23, 2013, 01:13:27 PM
Lately we've been experimenting with a different stage set-up.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394959_10151264779332737_1859997485_n.jpg)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/32422_305947062857839_972074064_n.jpg)


Works perfectly for all of us.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: jazzbo58 on February 25, 2013, 01:06:46 PM
The majority of the bands I've been stage right.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/jazzbo58/Jim%20Plays/_pgodbey080412rhr13.jpg)

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/jazzbo58/JoeFest%2010-18-2009/100_0006.jpg)

Cheers,
Jim
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: JZumbro on March 12, 2013, 01:11:08 AM
I always stand on the high hat side, because it is easier to make eye contact with the drummer when necessary. If I am on the floor tom side they are usually looking the other way. I have played with a lot of drummers over the years, and there have been a couple of lefties, so I have stood on both sides, but usually that means on the drummer's left.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: lowend1 on March 12, 2013, 07:01:45 AM
Quote from: uwe on February 19, 2013, 02:25:31 PM
I prefer left, but can also do right. Stage right is Ritchie's side, I am not worthy!

With masturbation otoh, it's the other way around.

Our new web banner (once Dave agrees to having a logo): ;D

"Stage positioning, Ritchie Blackmore and masturbation in the same post. Only here at the Outpost."
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/lowend1/BassOutpost.jpg)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Highlander on March 12, 2013, 05:23:40 PM
It's an outhouse, but is it a shed...?
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: gearHed289 on March 13, 2013, 08:38:00 AM
I've always preferred stage right. It's rock and roll!  ;D I've doubled on keys in a few bands, and I need to have my keyboard to my right, so being stage right allows me to keep the keyboard out of the way. Plus, looking at my fingerboard, I can also catch the drummer in my line of sight. I do see the benefit of being on the high hat side, and I've done it a few times, but I still prefer the other side.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Pilgrim on March 13, 2013, 10:42:47 AM
I'm generally to the drummer's left, but all I really care about is having a line of sight to both the drummer and lead geeeetarist.
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: uwe on March 13, 2013, 11:28:37 AM
Quote from: lowend1 on March 12, 2013, 07:01:45 AM
Our new web banner (once Dave agrees to having a logo): ;D

"Stage positioning, Ritchie Blackmore and masturbation in the same post. Only here at the Outpost."
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/lowend1/BassOutpost.jpg)



:rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot: :rimshot:
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: uwe on March 13, 2013, 11:30:01 AM
Quote from: jazzbo58 on February 25, 2013, 01:06:46 PM
The majority of the bands I've been stage right.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/jazzbo58/Jim%20Plays/_pgodbey080412rhr13.jpg)

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/jazzbo58/JoeFest%2010-18-2009/100_0006.jpg)

Cheers,
Jim

When did you get the hair or crew cut?  ;)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Highlander on March 13, 2013, 02:36:37 PM
That's been my hairstyle since I don't know when... (Roshina still wants to dye my beard blue)
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Lightyear on March 13, 2013, 06:36:47 PM
Quote from: HERBIE on March 13, 2013, 02:36:37 PM
That's been my hairstyle since I don't know when... (Roshina still wants to dye my beard blue)

As in Smurf blue!?  Or perhaps senior citizen blue?  As in "blue haired old lady"!  Either would be fetching on you Ken! ;D
Title: Re: My side of the Stage is.....
Post by: Highlander on March 14, 2013, 03:34:07 PM
She did it a shade of blue-green for this gig back in '09

(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Front%20Page/20090314091.jpg) :mrgreen: