Worst tone you've ever heard from a Bass Player (In your opinion)

ChorusPedal88 · #1 05-07-2009, 08:49 AM

Remember seeing Metallica live this past March and damn Robert Trujillo's tone was shocking he's a good player no doubt about it, but I really am not a fan of his tone, and just thought what other not so good sounds you've heard come from bass players? In your opinion of course, as it might work for them.

(Anything but Joey DeMaio)

jgroh · #2 05-07-2009, 08:53 AM

Fieldy...and even though I love his playing: Billy Sheehan (he should get a Wal like when he played Geddy's at a soundcheck jam, THAT sounded fantastic)

Tumeni Notes · #3 05-07-2009, 08:55 AM

Well,

The Wishbass guy is on the top of the list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_u35sHICjE

oswaldvon · #4 05-07-2009, 08:57 AM

chuck dukowski on the black flag nervous breakdown ep

RTL · #5 05-07-2009, 08:57 AM

I hate to say it, since he's one of my favorite bassists of all time... But John Deacon's tone on the Live in Wembley (Magic Tour - 1986) album is just horrible.

Philbiker · #6 05-07-2009, 09:05 AM

My tone in high school and shortly thereafter. Ugh.

ChorusPedal88 · #7 05-07-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

I hate to say it, since he's one of my favorite bassists of all time... But John Deacon's tone on the Live in Wembley (Magic Tour - 1986) album is just horrible.

Have to agree here, I don't know why he used the P-Bass for Another One Bits the Dust, that songs really a job for a jazz bass or a Stingray IMO.

bhass · #8 05-07-2009, 09:15 AM

Fieldy. I can't actually hear any tone coming from the bass...

jimmy rocket · #9 05-07-2009, 09:15 AM

Jaco

Sorry. Can't stand the burpy J

Godbody · #10 05-07-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oswaldvon

chuck dukowski on the black flag nervous breakdown ep

That's one of my very favorite tones. Diff'rent strokes, eh?

I second the rest of the nominees, however.

Hoover · #11 05-07-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgroh

Billy Sheehan

He would certainly get one of my votes. I just don't get why someone would use all that distortion on 90% of the stuff they do. (Though I heard a Niacin track where he was playing with an uncharacteristically clean tone, & he sounded fabulous.)

The first person that came to mind when I read the thread title was Richard Davis' tone on the Pat Martino album Footprints, but since he's an upright player I'm not sure that fits here. But holy crap, that album has The. Worst. Bass. Tone. Ever. Imagine bass without any bass. It's like he's playing walking berimbau lines.

CapnSev · #12 05-07-2009, 10:01 AM

I second the Fieldy comment. It barely holds water as being "bass" if you ask me.

PBass101 · #13 05-07-2009, 10:01 AM

+1 on Trujillo, but I think it has a lot to do with the way they mix him into the PA. Saw Metallica and the "bass" sound was pathetic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumeni Notes

Well,

The Wishbass guy is on the top of the list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_u35sHICjE

What the hell was that?

buzzbass · #14 05-07-2009, 10:12 AM

Geddy Lee & Chris Squire come to mind, as does Fieldy & Gene Simmons. that being said I have tremendous respect for all 4 of them.

ChorusPedal88 · #15 05-07-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

+1 on Trujillo, but I think it has a lot to do with the way they mix him into the PA. Saw Metallica and the "bass" sound was pathetic.

What the hell was that?

A bass with trapped wind? Dear lord its terrible.

CapnSev · #16 05-07-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzbass

Geddy Lee & Chris Squire come to mind, as does Fieldy & Gene Simmons. that being said I have tremendous respect for all 4 of them.

I have to admit that Geddy's tone these days sounds pretty chainsaw-y.

PBass101 · #17 05-07-2009, 10:20 AM

His tone today is actually fairly mellow compared to a few years ago. Listen to "Rush in Rio" or "Different Stages." So mid-scooped and overdriven it almost blends in with the guitar completely at times.

Anybody going to mention John Entwistle's super-chorused, heavy metal distortion tone in his last few tours with The Who? http://www.quadrophenia.net/1996tour...17/515bass.mp3 I think it's cool, but not "good" in the traditional sense of the word (not that it needed to be).

TrevorOfDoom · #18 05-07-2009, 10:20 AM

i got fired from a band because i wanted to write my own bass parts.
i went to see the band with their new bassist, and i learned just how complete a hold the songwriter had.
the bassist was playing a Fender MM5 sig, so nice there. and an Ampeg BA210, so not bad there, either.
however... on his amp, the bass knob was rolled all the way up, the mid selector was on setting 1 (-25dB), and the treble was at noon.
he had no presence whatsoever. however, he was killing in the subs.
i asked him why... he just said "that's how *songwriter's name* like it."
sad day...

Grateful · #19 05-07-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChorusPedal88

Remember seeing Metallica live this past March and damn Robert Trujillo's tone was shocking he's a good player no doubt about it, but I really am not a fan of his tone, and just thought what other not so good sounds you've heard come from bass players? In your opinion of course, as it might work for them.

(Anything but Joey DeMaio)

Most live Noel Redding stuff.

PBass101 · #20 05-07-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

i asked him why... he just said "that's how *songwriter's name* like it."
sad day...

Sounds like one of the bands you don't regret getting fired from. Guitar player in the band I'm in - classic blues/British rock - wants me to scoop out my tone because it sounds "cool". I told him I'd quit if he ever said anything like that again. How ignorant.