'Country bass' with an SKB 3006?
 

I have the opportunity to play on a friend's recording of some of his original music, flavored very strongly in a country direction. Folkish, not twangy.

My background is alternative rock and Americana, with jazz and classical waaaayyyy back there somewhere. Trying not to be in over my head here.

So, what is 'country bass', and is that even possible with an SKB? Is the perfectly appropriate tone a P-bass, or something else?

If it makes a difference, my bass has an OBP-3 preamp and Roscoe Barts.

Thanks,
-DannyV

Danny,
Just pan the blend control to the neck p/u and go for it. I'd start with the bass & treble flat and maybe a very slight mid boost (and tweak it from there).
That should give you a killer P-bass tone.

Have fun! Sounds like a really good time.

Totally possible with an SKB. Listen closely to the music, and use your technique and EQ (and perhaps string selection) to provide what your ears tell you is right. FWIW, based solely on your post, I'd probably start with palm-mute, to see if the timbre was appropriate. My SKB sixer sounds absolutely delicious with this technique.

Good luck and enjoy the recording.

I've played live and recorded country with both my SKB and LG. The SKB has Nord DCs with a Pope Flexcore and the LG has the Roscoe Bart JM option. The growl really added a beefyness to the whole mix that the engineer just loved.

Thank you all! That helps - I'll let you know how it goes!

I was MD of a country band for a bit. Skb 3005 did the job great! I think the bassist for Luke Bryan plays an skb

edit: he plays an LG

James Cook, yup. Was hanging out with him all yesterday afternoon and evening in Fayetteville, NC. And you have surrounded the target, he's got two Century's, and #3 on the way in a few weeks.

Here's a couple photos I took from the monitor mixer's roost last night:







:cool:

:bassist:

EDIT: James is a first-rate cat, a true good dude to hang with and talk, in addition to being one SMOKIN' BAD@$$ bassist, and the clinic he and LB drummer Kent Slucher put on yesterday was one of the best I've ever attended - heavy on the "stuff you can REALLY use" discussions about pocket and groove as a rhythm section, and no cotton candy (i.e. fluffy flashy stuff with no nutritional value). If you have a chance to catch these guys live, do yourself a favor and do so, if you have a chance to see the clinic DO IT.

Oh, and for DannyV: yeah, you can get the tone you need from your bass and hands, I've never not been able to make one of our basses work in any situation. Told people that BEFORE I worked here, back in my Bass Central era, I was the biggest Roscoe cheerleader in the land: they just flat WORK, they play great, they sound great, and they look good doing it. :)

^^^ Cool pics Gard!

I'd say that you enjoyed one of the perks of being the Roscoe GM. :)

Joe, I TRIED to get the other guys to come with...no takers. They would have enjoyed it, it was a great show, and a great hang.

...oh well! ;)

:hiding: Who is Luke Bryan?

Actually I had really never heard of him until this thread ..... :o

But I've heard of Brian Sances & the Big 3!!! :bassist:

Great pics, Gard! It's so awesome to see Roscoe's on stage.

For the OP, when I was in a country band, I first played a Rickenbacker, and one of the earliest StingRay 5 strings. Then I bought a Roscoe to replace them. It fit in perfectly. I'll never forget that tone breaking threw the loud mix. It provided thunderous lows that vibrated in your chest!

Thanks for the guidance, everyone. Turned out not to be a real need, so no country bass recording took place. Good to know for next time, though!