Need help with tone and technique - live example here

walknbluez · #1 09-12-2010, 11:03 PM

I'd like to think of myself as an intermediate player and am always looking for ideas about how I could sound better. I was hoping some of you could watch me in a video and give me tips for tone and technique. My cab was mic'd and into the board and so this is soundboard audio.

The tone, I think, leaves alot to be desired. Second, I could use some ideas on how I could improve on playing this song (i.e. am I playing too many notes, not enough, alter the pattern etc).

Tone:

With regard to the tone, I've been trying to figure this out for a long time. I could be wrong, but I've narrowed it down to the cab or the strings (or my touch)

Setup:

MIM Fender Jazz - bridge pup on 9-10, neck pup on 3
Cab - Avatar 212 (4 ohm)
Strings - 1 1/2 year old Swing 66's rounds
Amp - SWR (although same problem with my Peavey VB-2, so I don't think its the amp). Mids are boosted ever so slightly.

Technique:

Sometimes I get stuck in a rut playing the same thing because it works sufficiently but then sometimes I wonder if I could be doing something better. In the opening song, I'm wondering if I should be leaving out a note or two and just letting the ones I do hit sustain a bit more.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to help

Be as specific as you'd like!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_HnMJsLmpQ

WardEarth · #2 09-13-2010, 01:14 AM

1 1/2 years is a long time without new strings. I don't really have a problem with the sound of old strings, but new ones sing! Didn't really know that until recently.

As for any tips, and were basically in similar places here, practice singing and playing at the same time. Playing bass is one thing, but almost anyone who can sing and play at the same time has something.
Also, learning how to use the microphone is part of it, distance from the mic, etc.

walknbluez · #3 09-13-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WardEarth

1 1/2 years is a long time without new strings. I don't really have a problem with the sound of old strings, but new ones sing! Didn't really know that until recently.

As for any tips, and were basically in similar places here, practice singing and playing at the same time. Playing bass is one thing, but almost anyone who can sing and play at the same time has something.
Also, learning how to use the microphone is part of it, distance from the mic, etc.

Yeah I think its time for a string change. I don't know, the tone just doesn't sound "deep" to me. Strings would be a good place to start.

Thanks for the input!

Disco Batman · #4 09-13-2010, 01:40 PM

Strings.

The bass does sound very thin in the mix there. Bring the volume on your neck pup up and down on your bridge or all the way up on both. A JB always sounds far thinner on the bridge pup. At least all the ones I've owned do. And JB pups always sound better to me when they are cranked.

bassmanrocke · #5 09-13-2010, 07:19 PM

In a three piece where the guitarist is basically bending and/or sustaining notes it would fill out the song more if you walked from note to note rather than just sustain with him. In general I believe in simplifying bass lines, but the movement in your band has to come from the bass. I didn't find the bottom lacking in your tone, but the low mids could be boosted slightly. I believe this will help bring your bass out front more.

Listened again, and particularly in Lucy I keep feeling some octave pops are called for.

walknbluez · #6 09-13-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmanrocke

In a three piece where the guitarist is basically bending and/or sustaining notes it would fill out the song more if you walked from note to note rather than just sustain with him. In general I believe in simplifying bass lines, but the movement in your band has to come from the bass. I didn't find the bottom lacking in your tone, but the low mids could be boosted slightly. I believe this will help bring your bass out front more.

Listened again, and particularly in Lucy I keep feeling some octave pops are called for.

Thanks for the tip bassmanrocke. Can you tell me which part, i.e. from what note to what note I should walk it up? Then on Lucy, what is an octave "pop"? I just never heard the term "pop" used before and so I'm assuming you mean to play some octaves off of the root but not exactly sure where and when.

Disco Batman · #7 09-13-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walknbluez

Thanks for the tip bassmanrocke. Can you tell me which part, i.e. from what note to what note I should walk it up? Then on Lucy, what is an octave "pop"? I just never heard the term "pop" used before and so I'm assuming you mean to play some octaves off of the root but not exactly sure where and when.

I believe he is referring to "pop" as in Slap/Pop. So do a little pop on the octave. Lightly pulling the string towards you and letting it pop back to the fretboard.

walknbluez · #8 09-13-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco Batman

I believe he is referring to "pop" as in Slap/Pop. So do a little pop on the octave. Lightly pulling the string towards you and letting it pop back to the fretboard.

oh yeah...duh. Well that rules that out, I can't slap worth a darn.

millerfreak · #9 09-13-2010, 10:59 PM

OK, I'm dead picky about my tone so I guess I could give you abit of advice.

Firstly, try to dial your knobs on your bass all the way up. Yeah, this means full-on. You'll have that deep sound with both pickups fully engaged. Secondly, try plucking near the neck pickup, you'll get fatter sound from there.

Try a preamp? Sadowsky sounds good at this time,, considering your bass is a jazz.

zachoff · #10 09-13-2010, 11:24 PM

Yeah, man... Crank the neck pup and drop the bridge (or crank both) and you'll get more bottom for sure. I think your technique and choice of notes is good. There's a lot of room to play in that song.

MooseLumps · #11 09-13-2010, 11:29 PM

Actually, I think that your playing is very reserved and tasteful. You could walk a little more on the first song and it would not hurt at all. It would help add dimension to the song.
As for the Pickup thing, experiment with it a little. I'm reading after the edit, though. I think it's a solid tone, but it never hurts to fiddle.

walknbluez · #12 09-13-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

Actually, I think that your playing is very reserved and tasteful. You could walk a little more on the first song and it would not hurt at all. It would help add dimension to the song.
As for the Pickup thing, experiment with it a little. I'm reading after the edit, though. I think it's a solid tone, but it never hurts to fiddle.

Thanks mooselumps. I'm trying the walking bassline right now on the C to the B.

With both pups full one, it's alot fuller I noticed but I think a new set of strings is in order too.

MooseLumps · #13 09-13-2010, 11:40 PM

If you like thump, try flats. They might suit you better.

walknbluez · #14 09-13-2010, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

If you like thump, try flats. They might suit you better.

I have flats on my P. I tried it for this song and I don't think it worked as well.