Vintage vs. Modern tone

ChrisAlan · #1 03-15-2010, 05:01 PM

The "who's tone annoys you the most" thread made me think of posting a poll out of curiosity
I think in a lot of ways it's "high end" vs. "no high end"

Just vote for the tone you play with the most. That you love the most.
The one that you'd choose if you had to pick a prime example of "YOUR tone".

It doesn't matter what you use or how you get it. What is the resulting tone closest to?

There are only two choices, no shades of grey.

fretless Bob · #2 03-15-2010, 05:09 PM

i voted vintage because thats what i use most but i i also have a modern slant on things.

my main players are a 68' jazz and a 79' fretless stingray. Before the 68' came along i was using a geddy lee jazz with a j-retro deluxe as my main bass and it does still get some gig time.

when i got the old jazz it was like everything came together for me as far as what i was trying to achieve tonally, i do have to run it through an xotic bass rc booster that i basically use as a preamp pedal to give it a bit of a level boost as it has a low output but whenever i use it im in tone heaven

Dave

**B-string** · #3 03-15-2010, 05:11 PM

Can't vote twice! I get and use both every gig from my Fusion 550. Need a third choice.

dvh · #4 03-15-2010, 05:14 PM

My main rig is 50s P Bass with flats going through my Markbass LMII and a Dr. Bass neo cab, so maybe I'm in between?

JoZac21 · #5 03-15-2010, 05:14 PM

I tend to like blending the two ideas... lately I've been into active basses w. well-broken-in flatwounds... so my answer is: yes.

groooooove · #6 03-15-2010, 05:15 PM

both, but more commonly a custom 6 string into markbass heads into boutique cabinets..

although other times i turn that rig oldschool with my VT bass for vintage thumpyness.

OriginalCrash · #7 03-15-2010, 05:23 PM

I have a vintage tone but a modern way of getting there... a Markbass LMII (with the VLE filter up to about noon) into a Schroeder Mini 10+L (tweeter all the way up... I prefer the sound of the VLE filter to just attenuating the tweeter) and a Cream Pie for just a touch of dirt.

RickenBoogie · #8 03-15-2010, 05:28 PM

Choice 3 here, too. Vintage warm and fat with modern snap and punch.

dubstylee · #9 03-15-2010, 05:28 PM

I always go for a vintage tone. I use a P Bass strung with flats, it also has a '62 re-issue pickup in it. I use a Peavey VB-2 or an Ampeg V4 into a sealed V4 4x12 with Neo's (still vintage sounding). I also run these tube amps through my Ampeg SVT-410HLF cab as well, however I do like the sealed cab more. I would say that I go for more of Lo-Fi tone, definately vintage, I would say there is no sign of modern in my tone.

Fuzzbass · #10 03-15-2010, 06:29 PM

My live tone is most reminiscent of Entwistle on the Live at Leeds album. The Ox tone -- bright and overdriven -- was modern for its time, but that was forty years ago. Nowadays when I think of modern tone, I think of smooth jazz recordings: you know, ultra-clean and pingy boutique slap tone.

So anyway, I voted vintage.

christw · #11 03-15-2010, 06:30 PM

Precision (with SPB-1) -> Bass VT (for the occasional face-ripping OD) -> SVT-II -> 810E

I use it in a modern metal/hardcore/pop context but the tone is still vintage all the way, even if I am adapting it to a very non-vintage band.

5StringBlues · #12 03-15-2010, 06:34 PM

RickenBoogie · #13 03-15-2010, 06:36 PM

*cream* of carrot soup? looks warm.

powellmacaque · #14 03-15-2010, 06:39 PM

With me it depends on who I'm playing with. Traditional country, blues, and rock guys think I'm super modern sounding; my jazz instructor thinks I'm too vintage sounding.

I think there needs to be a middle ground. To me, vintage tone is 50s, 60s, and pre-synth 70s. Modern tone to me is late 90s and 00s. The middle ground is where I tend to fall in (late 70s, 80s and 90s tone... think Jazz, Precision, or MM with a GK).

Metal Matt · #15 03-15-2010, 06:39 PM

VINTAGE

Jeff Scott · #16 03-15-2010, 06:56 PM

I voted vintage, as in vintage Chris Squire tone!

So, where exactly does that fit into your vintage vs. modern continuum?

UncleBalsamic · #17 03-15-2010, 07:00 PM

Good ol' carrots for me.

vinxbass · #18 03-15-2010, 07:20 PM

I have both.

Jaco who? · #19 03-15-2010, 07:21 PM

Hasn't this kinda' been done to death?

Sartori · #20 03-15-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisAlan

The "who's tone annoys you the most" thread made me think of posting a poll out of curiosity
I think in a lot of ways it's "high end" vs. "no high end"

Just vote for the tone you play with the most. That you love the most.
The one that you'd choose if you had to pick a prime example of "YOUR tone".

It doesn't matter what you use or how you get it. What is the resulting tone closest to?

There are only two choices, no shades of grey.

My tone is not lacking in high end content.

But it's certainly not modern. It's very mid heavy and overdriven.