Bass & Amp sound supprise

topcat2069 · #1 04-24-2010, 10:08 AM

I played a gig in a small bar the other night. I play an American P Bass Deluxe through a GK RB 1001 and GK 1X15 & 1X12 NEO cabs. It was sort of a jam night and only one Bass player showed up. I sat out front directly in line of my amp and was really surprised, my Bass and rig sounded sort of like a Tuba (that's the only way I can describe it)

I understand that I wasn't playing and the other Bass player more than likely had completely different right and left hand technique. But it sure got me wondering how my rig sounds when I'm playing.

toobalicious · #2 04-24-2010, 10:28 AM

the "trademark" GK "growl" perhaps?

JimmyM · #3 04-24-2010, 11:53 AM

your whole perspective on your rig can change if you have speakers that aren't pointing toward your ears. plus if the room is prone to a lot of bass reflection, that can also change it. my solution (after talking about it with the experts on here) is to eq for the room and step off stage with a wireless or long cable to listen, and have my cab either tilted back or tall enough to where it hits my ears more directly.

**nostatic** · #4 04-24-2010, 12:05 PM

That's why I lie down next to my cab when we play live. It is the only way I can really tell what I sound like. The only problem is the band is getting really tired of playing "Horizontal Bop" over and over and over...

johnk_10 · #5 04-24-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

That's why I lie down next to my cab when we play live. It is the only way I can really tell what I sound like. The only problem is the band is getting really tired of playing "Horizontal Bop" over and over and over...

topcat2069 · #6 04-24-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

your whole perspective on your rig can change if you have speakers that aren't pointing toward your ears. plus if the room is prone to a lot of bass reflection, that can also change it. my solution (after talking about it with the experts on here) is to eq for the room and step off stage with a wireless or long cable to listen, and have my cab either tilted back or tall enough to where it hits my ears more directly.

It didn't seem to have the "lows" that I experience when I'm playing and standing in front of the cabs...... I think that's what surprised me so much.... I don't use a lot of EQ (if any, mostly just low or a little low mid).... I'm even thinking it's the Bass... which seems to be very "mid focused" to my ears (but records very full range) Hmmm.... I have a very "tight" style of playing... and lot of right hand note stopping (it's been called funky W/lots of dead string notes that I use for spacers between the note I want to sound) whereas the other player played very fast (lots of notes in scales and riffs) and might have used a lighter touch..... My experience has been that bass blooms into a room, so I've been not very low heavy with this rig...... I also play a 5 stringer and I'm wondering if it sounds the same....

Exploiter8 · #7 04-24-2010, 01:55 PM

Back in the 80's when I used to gig, we would set up in the afternoon and do a sound-check, with LONG cords to listen, but to an empty room. We didn't have a dedicated sound-man. We relied on girlfriends/wives/friends to be our ears. They were obviously familiar with the sound we were after, and would help us fine tune during the first set, and through-out the night. if needed.

Just a random thought,
X8

JimmyM · #8 04-24-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

That's why I lie down next to my cab when we play live. It is the only way I can really tell what I sound like. The only problem is the band is getting really tired of playing "Horizontal Bop" over and over and over...

who could get tired of that?

Kael · #9 04-24-2010, 02:15 PM

I like Tubas.

smoothdave · #10 04-24-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

That's why I lie down next to my cab when we play live. It is the only way I can really tell what I sound like. The only problem is the band is getting really tired of playing "Horizontal Bop" over and over and over...

You guys assume that he's making a joke when that may not be so. I've been known to sit down on the floor and lean back against my cab when I play.

It's cool because I can emphatically state that my bass sounds nothing like a tuba, and that's a good thing to know.

JimmyM · #11 04-24-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothdave

You guys assume that he's making a joke when that may not be so. I've been known to sit down on the floor and lean back against my cab when I play.

you must put on a hell of a show.

rdhbass · #12 04-24-2010, 02:28 PM

speaking of amp/ bass combo..play a bright vm squier jazz bass through a thumpy peavey combo amp, wow what a sound who needs the expensive stuff.

elavate7 · #13 04-24-2010, 02:34 PM

112 and a 115..........sounds like a good match up!

smoothdave · #14 04-24-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

you must put on a hell of a show.

I nearly fell off my chair when I read that.

Thanks, man.

JimmyM · #15 04-24-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothdave

I nearly fell off my chair when I read that.

Thanks, man.

lol! in all honesty, i can't throw stones...the guys in my band tell me i've developed a habit of staring at my amp. i tell them if they had amps as pretty as my vintage ampegs, they'd stare at them too

i have made a conscious effort to stop, but i still catch myself doing it.