09 CMA Observations

Craig_S · #1 11-12-2009, 06:28 PM

Did any of you watch?

Here's what I noticed: The Fender Jazz 4 or 5 string was the most popular bass, by about 80%. The other basses used were two Gibson (T-bird and a hollow body like a ES 335) and one Sadowsky. The Fenders were, by far, the best sounding basses--the fivers being the best of the bunch. The fiver that had a P pickup in it was the best of all, IMO. Gibson took second, with the hollow body beating out the Thunderbird. The Sadowsky sounded just plain dull (I have no Idea why). I can't imagine the Sad being so different from the Fenders.

Though it's impossible to say which basses were stock (if any), one can hear a definite reason why people love their Fender basses.

Comments?

Steve · #2 11-12-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

Comments?

I thought Tully Kennedy (Jason Aldean's guy. PJ5) and the the guy right after him playing what looked to be a Jazz 5 where the only two basses I thought sounded more than generic ho hum. That Jazz 5 had to be worked because the bottom end of that thing was amazing.

The only reason I watch those shows is to see who's playing what. It kinda started to annoy me that the band was always in the dark. I'm sitting through Taylor Swift...the least they can do is turn the house light up a little.

My sense is that for Nashville touring guys, the Music Man 5's seem to be the weapon of choice for the 5er guys.

Craig_S · #3 11-12-2009, 06:58 PM

I somehow missed the PJ5, unless it's the one that had a Jazz body. I recorded the audio to my computer. I'll have to listen to the one after Aldeans song, again.

EDIT: The artist after Aldean was Martina McBride. Very nice tone. I'm listening again right now. Whomever was playing on Reba's song had the best tone, IMO. It was nice and woody with a huge B string.

Steve · #4 11-12-2009, 07:31 PM

you're right. I was thinking of Reba's guy. I just checked. Interesting use of the palm mute w/ thumb technique. Damnsure worked for him.

Craig_S · #5 11-12-2009, 07:46 PM

Yeah, I noticed that technique, too. I was surprised by it, honestly. I had never heard such a tone from someone using that style of playing. He did a great job.

On your Stingray 5 comment: When I was beating around the circuit opening for everyone and their brother's cousin (early '90's), I noticed far more Jazz basses on stage than anything else. I saw a wide variety of instruments, though. I don't honestly remember too many SR5s then. I played a '70's blocked and bound Jazz, myself. It was a beast of a bass running Duncan's at 18 volts. Every one of the headliner's bassists who tried it wanted it! I haven't been to a country show in a good long time, so I can't comment on today's country players. The last Country show I saw was The Highwaymen in 1994.

tycobb73 · #6 11-13-2009, 06:23 AM

What you're hearing has more to do with the feed the soundman gives than anything else. I don't judge bass tone from watching TV. Too many variables.

Steve · #7 11-13-2009, 10:59 AM

Agreed.
Those mixes probably got done over the course of rehearsals with the settings burnt to disc and saved. Then all they do is pop the disc into that half million dollar digital board and click "Load Scene". They might even have been brought in from the touring desk and just loaded.

Who did that mix was one of the things that popped into my mind right next to, Who's that player and what's in that bass.

Craig_S · #8 11-13-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

What you're hearing has more to do with the feed the soundman gives than anything else. I don't judge bass tone from watching TV. Too many variables.

That's the same as saying don't judge the bass tone by what you hear live. I understand there are variables. There has to be a good foundation to start with.

Goodlawdy · #9 11-13-2009, 12:55 PM

I noticed Darius Rucker's guy was cranked in the mix. Sounded like a 5er, but didn't pay attention to what kind.

rooted · #10 11-13-2009, 01:03 PM

Was that a refinished Epiphone Jack Casady that Josh Paul from Daultry was using? Looked very nice in white.

tycobb73 · #11 11-13-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

That's the same as saying don't judge the bass tone by what you hear live. I understand there are variables. There has to be a good foundation to start with.

I wouldn't exactly call the 3 in speakers on my TV a good foundation.

Craig_S · #12 11-13-2009, 03:43 PM

I was listening through headphones, not the TV speakers. Beside that, I have the widescreen recieving high def. It's hooked up via the high def outs from the ATT Uverse box. The signal goes through my stereo system, as well. Beside that, I was speaking of the instrument being the foundation; not the television.

Kids...

LiquidMidnight · #13 11-13-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

My sense is that for Nashville touring guys, the Music Man 5's seem to be the weapon of choice for the 5er guys.

I've kind of noticed that too. One of the best country bass mixes I've heard is on Ronnie Milsap's True Believer album. It definitely sounds like a Music Man, but I could be wrong.

justabass · #14 11-29-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rooted

Was that a refinished Epiphone Jack Casady that Josh Paul from Daultry was using? Looked very nice in white.

Wasn't refinished...One of only 5 made in white. Arlo Gilliam from Emerson Drive has one as well. Pretty cool!

Tullykennedy · #15 12-06-2009, 08:34 AM

hey guys...I love reading the post..good stuff...I love talking tone!!! the one thing you have to remember is that there are only a couple of us actually playing live...most of the show is on track...live vocal only..

Steve · #16 12-06-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tullykennedy

hey guys...I love reading the post..good stuff...I love talking tone!!! the one thing you have to remember is that there are only a couple of us actually playing live...most of the show is on track...live vocal only..

In some kind of bizarre way, I find a lot of that to be even more impressive. Those arrangement are so totally precise and the players execute them so well that even with the Reba song which had a lot more close band shots than most, you can't tell. Everybody's fingers are exactly where they should be doing exactly what they're supposed to be doing.

That's gotta be brutally hard on a drummer to make that happen.