Are you a tone snob?

zachoff · #1 05-27-2011, 09:07 AM

I see a lot of threads about downsizing and changing rigs and going for lighter rigs and lighter basses... Just wondering how willing you are to compromise convenience for tone. I've found my awesome tone in a big rig & will ride it 'till the wheels fall off & my bass isn't super light either. If I do find my awesome tone in something smaller, so be it... I've tried and I haven't.

Rocky McDougall · #2 05-27-2011, 09:17 AM

I think sometimes we tend to confuse Tone for loudness. In a small recording studio, few players or engineers would choose a 8 X 10" over a nice 1 X 10" or a 1 X 12" I think most giant rigs are suitable for giant gigs. Just my opinion.
Rocky

groooooove · #3 05-27-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky McDougall

I think sometimes we tend to confuse Tone for loudness. In a small recording studio, few players or engineers would choose a 8 X 10" over a nice 1 X 10" or a 1 X 12" I think most giant rigs are suitable for giant gigs. Just my opinion.
Rocky

pretty often engineers have mic'ed up an 8x10 for me. (usually its their idea, im not an 8x10 kinda guy..)

the only other rigs i see getting recorded are b-15s, that sort of thing.

i dont know why its considered being a snob. if your a musician your depended on to have a good sound with reliable stuff. theres nothing snobby about wanting to sound good for yourself and for those that choose to hire you.

baileyboy · #4 05-27-2011, 09:24 AM

My physical health is much more important than having phenomenal tone. I definitely will compromise tone for a lighter, convenient rig. Mesa Walkabout with 2 112 Radiator Scouts do it for me.

olddave · #5 05-27-2011, 09:25 AM

Wow. I was just going to start a new thread asking that very question. (this is my virgin post on TalkBass. Forgive me if I misstep.) I guess I am a tone snob, being adicted to vintage tube power. (Sunn 200s/215 JBL cab and Ampeg B-18 Portaflex), but i am getting older and struggling w/ the heft. Would love some recommendations on newer, lighter amps that at least approximate the tone of these wonderful amps. I don't need huge power; if the venue is big I either mike or di. Maybe 300w or so sounds like plenty to me.

J.Wolf · #6 05-27-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Are you a tone snob?

Admittedly, very much so. But I'm a rhythm snob too..

kellyrojo · #7 05-27-2011, 09:46 AM

No--My whole rig cost three hund from a pawn shop and I always get compliments! I guess I just fell in it

Ric5 · #8 05-27-2011, 09:47 AM

Are you a tone snob?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a tone freak. It is all about good tone. Without good tone the song will suck.

J.Wolf · #9 05-27-2011, 09:56 AM

p.s. tone snob does not neccesarilly mean expensive gear snob. I've heard MIM P basses that kill.

edbass · #10 05-27-2011, 10:27 AM

I admit to being a tone snob. The expense and inconvenience are just some of the issues I have accepted dealing with in order to sound like I want to sound, although less expensive and smaller amps aren't excluded from my arsenal of rigs.
I can't imagine needing anything bigger than my B15 for recording, but I admit to gigging "heavy" both in gross tonnage and money.
It's not like I haven't had and gigged a plethora of class D/neodymium rigs, as well as pretty much had every "flavor of the month" transistor rig over the last 3 decades or so - and probably will continue to do so; they are indeed easier to deal with. but...
Tone is a personal opinion, and in my opinion the light cheap transistor rigs sound and just feel like, well... light cheap transistor rigs, and when it's go time the boat anchors generally win out for me.

zachoff · #11 05-27-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Wolf

p.s. tone snob does not neccesarilly mean expensive gear snob. I've heard MIM P basses that kill.

Oh, for sure. I guess it's more of a constant pursuit of your ideal tone w/o compromise... Weight/money/etc.

I guess I'm not the total tone snob in that I won't buy a $1500 bass or a $3000 head but I do go through cheaper gear and pedals on a pretty regular basis. At $1000, my head is definitely the most expensive thing I've ever bought in the realm of music.

turbo chicken · #12 05-27-2011, 10:41 AM

i like to play with my tone ... i wouldn't say im a "tone snob" per say... but i do like to twiddle with the EQ a lot...

consider the source i haven't been seriously playing for long either... but I think tone should fit the musical situation.... since i will and currently at least "try" to play every thing out there i think this is why i think this way

KsPiNeSh · #13 05-27-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

I see a lot of threads about downsizing and changing rigs and going for lighter rigs and lighter basses... Just wondering how willing you are to compromise convenience for tone. I've found my awesome tone in a big rig & will ride it 'till the wheels fall off & my bass isn't super light either. If I do find my awesome tone in something smaller, so be it... I've tried and I haven't.

This doesn't strike me as being a tone snob, just someone who knows what tone they like and how they want to sound... which is definitely me

dgravesweiner · #14 05-28-2011, 06:17 PM

I am a member of the sonic snobbery club! Proudly I might add. Whatever and how much ever it takes and/or costs is the path to tonal bliss. Now, if that happens to be cheaper gear then my wallet says cool, but and I think most of the time it'll be the opposite, that's fine as well. I spent 23 of my 25 years in music not caring about tone and you'll be hard pressed to get me to return to that mindset.

the byronic man · #15 05-28-2011, 06:20 PM

Personally, if i like the way i sound that is all that matters. I understand when watching another band play that their tone is THEIR tone. Like most others said, it is a matter of opinion.

capnsandwich · #16 05-28-2011, 06:23 PM

I've heard some great tones from small rigs. It's all in how you tweak the EQ and how you play the instrument. I own a huge rig and a small 500 watt combo that weighs 37 lbs. Guess which one gets to go to the gig and which one stays downstairs in the rehearsal room? The older I get, the more the big rig stays home.

Skitch it! · #17 05-28-2011, 06:23 PM

I like all frequencies, in the right time and place.

But to answer your question, I've always gigged with 800 watts and a 4x10 if not 2, you can't cheat mother nature ; )

s_mcsleazy · #18 05-28-2011, 06:25 PM

most times i think less is more. tbh for me its more about how well your sound fits the bands sound. i know when my usuall sound isnt fitting in a band so ill comprimise

Pilgrim · #19 05-28-2011, 08:32 PM

"Tone" is a meaningless word to me. You either like the sound or you don't. To me, there's no need to dress it up as "tone".

Personally - I don't care much what amp and speaker I'm playing through; I just play with it a bit until I get a sound I like. If that's quite different from the sound of my own gear, that's no problem. I use Genz-Benz gear because it sounds great to me and is extremely light and easy to transport.

If it sounds good, it is good. IMO a pursuit of the same "tone" all the time is futile and a waste of time. Just make it sound good.

Mojo-Man · #20 05-28-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Wolf

p.s. tone snob does not neccesarilly mean expensive gear snob. I've heard MIM P basses that kill.

I agree, tone does not equal $$$$.
I lust for great tone.
I've gone from heavy tube heads to a 6 lbs amp thanks to the Genz Benz Streamliner.
That, and my Schroeder 2x15 cab. (45 lbs) is great tone, at 51 lbs. total.
MY BACK LOVES THIS.

I tjink the days of a SVT and a 8x10 cab are over?