Define your descriptions...

RAM · #1 09-09-2009, 03:33 AM

Basses (which is why I'm not posting this in Misc) are often described as having "mwah" (obviously used to describe fretless), punchy, burpy, sustain, warm, aggressive, growl, etc, etc, etc. However, one thing I've noticed over the years here on TB is that people seem to use some of these words a bit differently than others do. A big reason I'm posting this is because I've noticed how different words seem to have different meanings to different people. Words such as "punch", as used by some, come across to others as having a more detailed harmonic response.

That said, how do you define these words? Can you give examples? What words do you use to describe a certain tone from a bass?

Taking this one step further, how would you describe your tone? Since we all have unique styles, at least to some degree, what words would you use to describe the tone you get from your bass(es)?

Mods - if this should in fact be posted in Misc, please accept my apologies in advance and move this if necessary.

Mr. Lovejoy · #2 09-09-2009, 03:41 AM

Semantics is/are a bitch.

phatbass · #3 09-09-2009, 04:05 AM

Unfortunately, one man's "fat, warm lows" is another man's "sea of mud"; one man's "clear, defined treble" is another man's "piercing horrible clank".

René_Julien · #4 09-09-2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatbass

Unfortunately, one man's "fat, warm lows" is another man's "sea of mud"; one man's "clear, defined treble" is another man's "piercing horrible clank".

+1

Yup... that's even a sigworthy statement.

I know that my tone would probably only appeal to 2% of all bassists.

I like to describe my tone as hifi, clean, sharp, cold, heavy punch, trebly...
so... not for everyone.

mongo2 · #5 09-09-2009, 09:53 AM

How a bass sounds is one thing, but the perception and interpretation of that sound are horses of different colors.

lomo · #6 09-09-2009, 11:01 AM

I suggest it should be common practice to quote a musical reference when discussing tone. For me, an example is: growl and cut bring to mind Graeme Maybe (sp?) on Jo Jackson's Beat Crazy. The ultimate in Spector pick tone IMO.

RAM · #7 09-09-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongo2

How a bass sounds is one thing, but the perception and interpretation of that sound are horses of different colors.

True dat...but my point was to see how you define these words associated with tone. What's your interpretation?

**jbybj** · #8 09-09-2009, 11:28 AM

A warm tone is rich with low frequency content, but in a way that is distinct, that is to say, pitch is easily determined from the low B to the low G. Sometimes a nice warm tone is felt in the sternum or buttocks. It makes you feel as if you are in the midst of a benign earthquake. It can be loud, but doesn't feel loud, just cozy, you know, warm.

Muddy, on the other hand, is also steeped in low frequency content, but in a less defined fashion. You might mistake a low C for a low D. You tend to feel muddy more in your ears, like the pressure of swimming down in 15 feet of water. Muddy causes fatigue, first in your ears, then in your overall being. Muddy feels thick, it's hard to dance in thickness.

It's fun to dance in an earthquake.

vinxbass · #9 09-09-2009, 11:36 AM

The sound of my Jazz V is a low, mid punchy, growl, with considerable top end. My Icon has a nasally sound, but I like it.

**jbybj** · #10 09-09-2009, 11:38 AM

One of my favorite tone descriptions is "fart bucket". Use your imagination.

squashedOpossum · #11 09-09-2009, 11:41 AM

Punchy, burpy, warm, aggressive, growl, etc -- all very nebulous terms.

Cool, however, can be defined in one word -- Pino.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_zRDchkDXg

mongo2 · #12 09-09-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAM

True dat...but my point was to see how you define these words associated with tone. What's your interpretation?

It's subject to change on an hourly basis.

WalterBush · #13 09-09-2009, 12:41 PM

There was an effort here a few years ago to standardize the words used to define tone, complete with soundclips. It was a long thread, and it failed miserably. "Punch" and "growl" alone took a few pages, IIRC, soundclips never got standardized due to lack of interest, and the whole thing fizzled.

Phalex · #14 09-09-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by René_Julien

I know that my tone would probably only appeal to 2% of all bassists.

I like to describe my tone as hifi, clean, sharp, cold, heavy punch, trebly...
so... not for everyone.

I think my tone probably appeals to 7% of all bassists.

Take Rene's description, turn it on it's ear, and throw a couple of couch cushions over the top of it and you have the tone I aspire to. (Actually the sound guy does a heck of a job getting me there.)

**bassybill** · #15 09-09-2009, 12:59 PM

Some time ago now, one of the guys on here actually set up a vocab page to try and define these terms by consensus. It got stickied but seems to have disappeared again now because of a lack of sound clips. People on here seemed to like to talk smack about tone rather than record their own and post examples at the time - things have probably improved just a little bit in this respect.

HogieWan · #16 09-09-2009, 01:06 PM

I define Punch as a quick transient - no matter the other elements of the tone. I would say an antonym would be Fluffy or Pillowy