A tone that cannot be overlooked...

two fingers · #1 10-07-2009, 07:39 PM

So There are 3 things I have never really gotten into...
1) P basses
2) flat wound strings
3) playing with a pick

However, a friend of mine and I have been watching some concerts I DVR'd recently. One was The Prince's Trust concert from a few years back, a Hall and Oats show at a small club in LA (Sunday night concerts on HDNet), a few 90's bands concerts, etc. I wasn't into some of the music but one thing really got my attention. Hall and Oats bassist, and several of the bassists from the other concerts were playing P basses with flats and using a pick. We were watching on my big flat screen in HD and it was running through my stereo. The bass tones these guys were getting were AMAZING! They were playing funk, soul, pop, rock, you name it! I'm converted. I've already put flats (Chromes for now and we'll see later) on my MIJ Jazz and I'm thinking about putting them on my Roscoe Beck 5. And I'm working with a few different picks to see which ones I can work use. I won't be totally doing away with rounds and my finger style (good thing I have half a dozen basses), but I'm adding this to my tone bank ASAP! After 23 years of overlooking picks, P basses, and flats, I'm on board! (Now to find a P bass

) To the bat cave Robin!

My point is, it's never too late to open your eyes (and EARS) to a different way of doing things.

Cheers,
Two Fingers...........................and a PICK

HogieWan · #2 10-07-2009, 07:46 PM

flats sound like they are too dull when playing alone, but in a band setting, they really stand out by giving the other instrument room. By not having a lot of high-mids, you don't seem to overwhelm the guitars and you can be a little hotter in the mix and that lets you really stand out without standing on toes.

two fingers · #3 10-07-2009, 08:42 PM

That's exactly what I heard. In a band setting, the "dull" turned into punch and clarity. Go figure!

HogieWan · #4 10-08-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two fingers

That's exactly what I heard. In a band setting, the "dull" turned into punch and clarity. Go figure!

remember that next time your guitarist is excited about his new tone that has lots of low-mids. He will cover your tone and make both of you get lost in the mix

two fingers · #5 10-08-2009, 03:50 PM

I do mostly fill-in stuff so I have to work with whatever guitarist is there. Most are not stupid in my area though. One guy I play with, I actually have to ask him to turn up some!