How we create our "tone"...

[groovaholic]

I was spacing out the other day while driving, and reflecting on the recent Bass Player cover story about "20 Most Influential Bass Tones" and I started thinking about the differences between how guitarists and bassists develop their signature "sound".

My feeling (and a look at the design of most bass amps supports this) is that bassists prefer to create their sound with EQ, where guitarists will create their sound thru the gain structure.

Of course, bass amps have gain controls, and guitar amps have EQ, and those certainly get involved, but it seems like the first thing someone reaches for when shaping the sound of a bass is the EQ, while a guitarist will start with the gain structure.

This seems odd to me, because a lot of the seminal, highly-sought tones (Entwistle's "Live at Leeds", etc.) were remarkable not so much for the EQ, but for the grind. So, I wonder if that might be an underutilized area in bass amp design -- i.e., can the amp run the full spectrum from squeaky clean to howlin' filth?

Or, even if ONE amp can't do all of that, the manufacturers could have different amp lines; some oriented for hi-fi precision and control, and some created for nastiness and volume.

Seems like the trend might be starting; Mesa Boogie with their M-Series and Big-Block heads, Genz Benz with the Shuttles and Streamliners...

But it seems like the tip of the iceberg to me.

Your thoughts?

[Bassdirty]

Originally Posted by groovaholic

My feeling (and a look at the design of most bass amps supports this) is that bassists prefer to create their sound with EQ, where guitarists will create their sound thru the gain structure.

MY OPINION:
Not sure if I agree 100%..but..
It is most likely because guitarists (for the most part) use more "gain"(or distortion anyway) than Bassists.

Bass amps only come (depends on amp) with "so much" distortion available.(thankfully) ..so, If that knob isn't changing the sound a whole lot... they'll twiddle the only other knobs they can to achieve desired results.(that would most likely be the EQ)

YMMV..
what have you..

and the more I think about it, the more I just agree with the 1st part of my post.

[dmrogers]

I played guitar for about six months last year and I utilized my gain structure in my guitar amps, as well as pedals. I used two tubescreamers. One for distortion and the other for boost/slight overdrive. The sound I was asked to produce was a highly overdriven tone.

With my bass gig, I use the amp only. I like strong, solid tone with a nod toward the mids. Not heavy modern mid sound, and not a muddy bottom. Clear, clean and heavy. But distinct.

I'm not afraid to use the EQ on the head to get the sound I am after. With that said, depending on the acoustics, sometimes I can run the eq flat. That is not, however, what I strive for. The EQ is there to use, so I use it.

I guess the only time I get near grind or a colored sound is when I play my P bass. To me it is much more aggressive compared to my jazz.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by groovaholic

I was spacing out the other day while driving, and reflecting on the recent Bass Player cover story about "20 Most Influential Bass Tones" and I started thinking about the differences between how guitarists and bassists develop their signature "sound".

My feeling (and a look at the design of most bass amps supports this) is that bassists prefer to create their sound with EQ, where guitarists will create their sound thru the gain structure.

Of course, bass amps have gain controls, and guitar amps have EQ, and those certainly get involved, but it seems like the first thing someone reaches for when shaping the sound of a bass is the EQ, while a guitarist will start with the gain structure.

This seems odd to me, because a lot of the seminal, highly-sought tones (Entwistle's "Live at Leeds", etc.) were remarkable not so much for the EQ, but for the grind. So, I wonder if that might be an underutilized area in bass amp design -- i.e., can the amp run the full spectrum from squeaky clean to howlin' filth?

Or, even if ONE amp can't do all of that, the manufacturers could have different amp lines; some oriented for hi-fi precision and control, and some created for nastiness and volume.

Seems like the trend might be starting; Mesa Boogie with their M-Series and Big-Block heads, Genz Benz with the Shuttles and Streamliners...

But it seems like the tip of the iceberg to me.

Your thoughts?

i think this trend started 50 years ago

[s_mcsleazy]

erm i combined 3 bass players i love tone and then added a bit of synth over it.

the closest to my tone i can give is actually a band from the town where i live
YouTube - The Jesus and Mary Chain - Sidewalking (Extended)

[anderbass]

Originally Posted by groovaholic

Or, even if ONE amp can't do all of that, the manufacturers could have different amp lines; some oriented for hi-fi precision and control, and some created for nastiness and volume.

Seems like the trend might be starting; Mesa Boogie with their M-Series and Big-Block heads

Your thoughts?

Mesa started producing an amp way back in 1982 that would pull off your choice of clean and loud
to WAY over the top, nasty-overdriven bass.

The D-180 was designed and marketed as both a guitar or bass amp.

Input channel 2 is the same circuit as a 400/400+.

Input channel 1 has much more gain, and then also cascades through the ch-2 circuitry to combine
for more available gain on tap than even a death metal guitarist would need or probably ever want.

If your into the overdriven bass thang, this is definitely one model worth searching the used market for.
I found mine on my local craigslist priced @ $400.