Need help building my bass tone - GK 1001RB-II

[Ozzey]

Hello,

I'm trying to build a good recording/live tone right now, and I'm having a little trouble. I've played bass for a few years, but it's only been in the past year that I've had the chance to fiddle with a good amp, so I'm a little new to dialing in tones. The band I'm playing in wants to record an album, so I'd like to have a bass sound for myself that's clear and defined (GK can do that), but with the presence of growl-ish lows (I believe GK does this well too). I'm going to need some help to get there for sure.

I have a few reference points. Back when I was a younger (and a little recently tbh), I was into anime :P. Bash me as much as you want for that, but it led me to some pretty impressive music, and specifically a band named Do As Infinity, a Japanese band who can blow many American groups out of the water with their playing. The band's bassist has amazing tone for rock and slower songs, so I'm just trying to see how to make it a part of my sound. Here are a few songs from the band for reference:

Ska Track: Funky, a little bit of grit?
04 Azayakanahana.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

Laid back/Rock Track: Full, mid-range punch.
03 Sinjitunouta.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

Punk Rock Track: Solid, firm, doesn't lose presence/body in higher passages.
01 Kimi Ga Inai Mirai.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

All of these can be streamed on the site. You don't have to like the music, just tell me what you think of the tone and what are some ways to replicate it recording wise/live... although, I think the singer is extremely good (even if I can't understand what she's saying). Thanks for your help!

[Ozzey]

bump - I know that the japanese is cheesy/off putting, but I'm just looking for the bass tone if someone could help me out!

[christw]

The first one sounded like a P bass with some tone roll off to me. I really advise you to plug your bass into the amp and try a lot of different playing techniques, pickup combinations, EQ knob tweaks, and play with the Boost knob. All of these influence your tone hugely so you might as well jam on it for 2 hours to figure out what you like that you can make it do.

[tdub0199]

I agree with the above post, kinda sounds like a P with the tone rolled off a little.... seriously, you just need to sit down and experiment with your amp..... I have a GK 1001RB II as well & it took me a while to dial in my preffered tone for the band I am in.... also keep in mind what works when you are playing by yourself may not be the best tone in a band situation.....

[christw]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm a fellow 1001RB-II owner. I always just run my basses into it flat EQ and tweak if necessary to fit a mix. 95% of the time it's flat.

[4Mal]

the bass on that first track is pretty heavily filtered. Basically the producer cut the very low to make room for the kick and then some in the upper mids and all the hi's to make room for other stuff. Lot's of production going on there. Probably not a sound that could be pulled off live without a monster big band. Pretty typical POP approach. Sounds great on the record, sound horrible live ...

So - do you want this tone live ? or as you record ?

If live, then what are you using for a cab ? Live there will be a lot more sonic space to fill. If it was recording only, I'd say find and Avalon U5, turn on the hi-cut and the filter, select anong the first 3 filter settings and just record that direct.

[Ozzey]

Yeah, I'm looking at it more for recording purposes. P bass then? Ok, I guess I'll take a look at fender and G&L for bass recording choices and try to get something going on from there.