New to Talk Bass and a search of forums pointed me here. I am a huge roots reggae/dub fan and am looking for suggestions on what Bass/equipment would be recommended to get the deep tones and special sound. I am new to playing as well and want to narrow my equipment search down to suggestions from those who can make recommendations that play the music. I know that it is not that simple but I need to start somewhere and making good equipment choices will help.

... I know that it is not that simple but I need to start somewhere and making good equipment choices will help.

Equipment choices won't help you at all. Lesson and practice choices will help immensely.

Many will say "P bass with flats" because they buy into the myth that P basses make all the thuddy tones you hear on record, but most of the classic reggae you hear was done with a J bass with rounds. A Hofner works too. So does a P for that matter, a Steinberger, or any other bass you can name.

Amp and cabs? Those who don't know will say you need 18" speakers. Those who do it will say it can be done fine with whatever you can get your hands on. An Ampeg SVT with a sealed 8x10 is not uncommon - no porting or giant speakers in sight, and not much output below 80 hz. Or an Eden with a 4x10. SWR is also fine. Doesn't matter, really.

It's *all* about how you play it, and the note choices and spaces.

It does help if you roll off the tone on the bass - not so much crank the bass if you have active EQ, but just roll off the treble. Same thing on the amp.

Playing up on the neck rather than by the bridge helps a lot, and if your right-hand technique isn't all there yet or it's more comfortable for you then resting your palm on the strings at the bridge and plucking with the side of your thumb also makes for a big phat tone.

Lots of threads on this subject if you use the "Search" function. They all say the same thing.

Welcome to Talkbass, by the way. And have fun learning the style.

Flatwounds can help alot.

I got great reggae tone from a mexican jazz with flats into an Eden head with an Aggie Gs112 and and EDEN T115.

Alot of things will work. I dont think there is really a single amp to recomend. But if the Acoustic 360 is really comming back I assume it would be fantastic.

SMASH is pretty dead on. Here's some other suggestions as well:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376547&highlight=reggae

SMASH, Groovejam and Internal Affair...thanks for the replys, insights and links. I picked up an Ibanez EDB400CNF and Roland 30 Cube Bass to get me rolling and starting with some lessons...