How do I get This tone?

woodsideh · #1 11-12-2009, 01:41 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qfL_gih4mY

This is Blood Sweat & Tears at North Sea Jazz Fest in the 90's. I love this tone. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to achieve it. I understand that technique has a lot to do with tone. He is obviously using an effect of some sort to assist. You can see him adjust it before the song starts. I am primarily using a GK700RBII with an Avatar 212 NEO. I have a SansAmp DI that I can add to the mix if needed. My main bass is a G&L L2000. HELP

PlanetEarth · #2 11-12-2009, 01:58 PM

Man, I don't really have a direct answer for ya - FWIW: You pretty much hit the nail on the head, most of it's from your hands assuming you have a good axe to start with. My personal benchmark for that is: unplugged, does it sound good, is the wood resonating nicely and projecting a good basic tone. With that in place any decent pickup will transfer the qualities of a well built instrument, from there it's all technique and hands.

One Drop · #3 11-12-2009, 02:00 PM

Beautiful!

My guess is old rounds (nickel?), play near the bridge, some bass boost at the amp. He's got some great growl going there.

I didn't watch the whole thing, couldn't see what kind of bass he was using.

I think a Sansamp could help you to warm up the sound and add some tight bass.

dougjwray · #4 11-12-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Drop

Beautiful!

My guess is old rounds (nickel?), play near the bridge, some bass boost at the amp. He's got some great growl going there.

I didn't watch the whole thing, couldn't see what kind of bass he was using.

I think a Sansamp could help you to warm up the sound and add some tight bass.

And favor the bridge pickup. (I know you can't blend pickups on an L2000, though. Try using just the bridge pickup while boosting low end on your amp.) Also, it sounds like he's playing a five string... a few LOW notes there. (Sorry, I also didn't wait around long enough in the video for a good view of the bass player.)

woodsideh · #5 11-12-2009, 02:51 PM

I am using nickel rounds. What type of pedal do you think he is adjusting prior to starting.

I am loving the growl also.

Thundar · #6 11-12-2009, 03:05 PM

To me it sounds like he has a bit of sub-harmonic effect added to his tone..and it also sounds very similiar to my '93 Ibanez Soundgear SR885 tone-wise.

woodsideh · #7 11-12-2009, 03:08 PM

How would I achieve adding some sub-harmonic effect?

Steve · #8 11-12-2009, 05:10 PM

To my ears, that tone has urban gospel all over it.

I'll bet one of those players could put you on the right track.

He do have some horsepower on the bottom...don't he?