DOES THE AUDIENCE REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR TONE?

[Bassamatic]

I hope that this doesn't start a war here, but as I read many of the recent threads, I see that I am not the only one to use one of several basses on a gig, choosing the one I feel like playing that day. I also see a recent thread about the fact that some premier bassists may use a common bass instead of something exotic, because they concentrate on the playing.

We all work so hard to get that fantastic tone from our basses and amps, but I wonder if more than a very small percent of the listeners appreciate this. Of course a well-made bass is easier to play, but does the audience even have a tiny clue or care that we are playing a Squier or a Sadowsky?

What do you think?

[bassmonkeee]

Of course the audience, for the most part, doesn't care about the tone of the bass. But, I bet most of them would notice it wasn't there--even if they couldn't place what was wrong.

And, honestly, I play the basses that I play for me, not the audience. I get a tone that works with the music and provides a suitable support cushion for the guitar player to play over that also works well with the drums. If I'm happy with my tone, I play better. And, when I play better, the rest of the band plays better.

And, the audience definitely notices that.

Although, I have had more compliments on the tone and look of my Bongo from non-musician members of the audience than any bass that I played, exotic and plain, in the previous 15 years....

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I never think of the tone individually, you want to think of the effect of the bands tones together, you want them to work synergistically.

Ive seen bands go up and play, when sound checking, the tones each instrument have had have sounded dire alone, but when the band played, it just worked amazingly well. Likewise, I've seen bands where each individual had a great tone, but it just didnt work together and the overall tone of the band just didnt work and sounded like mush.

Must admit that when I play with my rig, Stingray HH -> SVT-II -> Marshall VBC810, and it is mic'd or doesnt need to go through the PA, I usually get a number of compliments on the sound of the bass

[fullrangebass]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

I never think of the tone individually, you want to think of the effect of the bands tones together, you want them to work synergistically.

Ive seen bands go up and play, when sound checking, the tones each instrument have had have sounded dire alone, but when the band played, it just worked amazingly well. Likewise, I've seen bands where each individual had a great tone, but it just didnt work together and the overall tone of the band just didnt work and sounded like mush.

Must admit that when I play with my rig, Stingray HH -> SVT-II -> Marshall VBC810, and it is mic'd or doesnt need to go through the PA, I usually get a number of compliments on the sound of the bass

+1

The audience may not understand the individual tones but if one tone does not fit, it affects the sum in a bad way, leading to a negative response (opinion, feeling) from the audience

[Bassamatic]

Yes - these are great answers! You are right that it is so important for the bass to be heard in the overall sound.

More?

[Sufenta]

Be true to thyself. My tone kicks a$$ and thats that. Should I really care if Suzy Soccermom knows if I'm playing my '65J or an '08 Squire?

[Largedon]

I think the audience knows, they just don't really understand what they know. Kind of a "I don't know how to describe it, but I know it doesn't/does sound good" type of thing. I've found people who are paying attention to the music will notice a well played bass and comment on it.

The one thing we do fight against is peoples inexperience with bass. Everybody can sing (I don't mean sing well) and can relate to the singer, just as a lot of people can strum a few chords so they can relate to the guitar player and everybody has banged on something so they relate to drums. Whereas, most people can't slap and don't even have the faintest idea about how you're doing it.

[Chef]

Do they care about great tone?
No.
Do they care if it's bad enough they can't hear things well?
Yes.

[CapnSev]

The general public is not going to notice details in tone. Good tone makes happy players, and a happy audience.

I guarantee that the audience will notice your bad tone.

[kcolyar]

I don't think the masses understand much about music in general. I've noticed that I like certain songs just for a bass line or drum track. I think I am the weird one not the rest of society. I never know the lyrics to a song but the minute I hear the guitar tone or bass tone I either pay attention or tune the song out. I think most musicians are critical of small things like that. Thats why we are the way we are.

[Mojo-Man]

I'm a tone nut.

I don't know if the audience cares?

But, I've had people go out of there way to tell me how well my bass sounded.

I'm talking tone.
Not how well I played.
Or, how bad.

[OtterOnBass]

Yes. I think the tone differences you are thinking of are probably splitting hairs, but thin, weak, or tones that clash with the band will be bad for winning audience favor.

Playing tones that people are used to hearing, or sound 'good' because of their past listening experiences, or even just blend well will be favorably enjoyed.

Like with all music, if you haven't taken time to study it, even informally, you won't know why or how it sounds good or moving. The audience can be assumed for the most part not to have studied music appreciation. They just feel the awesomeness and want to move something.

[trevcda]

I agree. I don't think the average audience is acutely aware of good tone, but inappropriately distort it, make it boomy or excessively boost the mids in the guitar range and they'll know something doesn't sound right. We see it as bad tone; to the audience it all comes out the same way: The bass is too loud!

I also agree that good tone makes me feel and play better. When I have an effortless tone that I can concentrate on the performance rather than struggling to adjust my playing style to force a tone that I can work with becuase of bad strings or bad electronics. It's like playng with a bad drummer with no groove. Rather than enjoying playing, I have to stand there and tap my foot to keep time hoping "Mr. Jazz Fills" can find "1" when it comes back around.

[spade2you]

It depends on the grenres/styles being played. Most pop and rock fans probably wouldn't care or notice if we weren't there.

Play in something where the bass is noticed, perhaps something like jazz, fusion, or funk......people notice. The band relies on you and your tone...and you get a lot of artistic freedom vs. being bossed around.

However, good bands know how to pick each tone and get it work work well with the band and song as a whole.

[Jazz Ad]

The audience thinks the music sounds good or doesn't.
A good tne is one that makes the band sound good.
More than often it means that the bass by itself will sound like crap, in rock at least.

[JimmyM]

Audiences have become more aware of bass as it gets more upfront in modern styles. But they really don't care what kind of bass or amp you use.

[jerry]

Good tone inspires me to play better, and I need all the help I can get.

[smakbass]

I have been complimented on my sound from non bass players in the audience so I would say yes..

I think it matters in the sense if it makes he whole thing (the band) sound better.

[LowBSix]

99% of the audience doesn't know what "good" bass tone is...

You are the artist and that's what matters. If you really like your tone, the other players you play with will usually like it too.

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by jerry

Good tone inspires me to play better, and I need all the help I can get.

Very true. Never underestimate the value of YOU being happy.