Trying to find a sound

[savanaman]

Lately, late night, I've been listening to a lot of smooth jazz. It seems that most of the bass players have many different sounds but along with that they all seem to have one common underlying sound. It's a low growl. Weather the bass sound is high treble or low bass or mid range punch, the growl is still there. Can anybody tell me how to get this effect LIVE??

[Swimming Bird]

Link?

[asherthemachine]

fingers, tube head (svt-cl), maybe a fretless. throw a little octave or chorus in. bam.

[Deluge Of Sound]

i've got an awesome sound for ya:
YouTube - Ween - Awesome Sound

[JimmyM]

it's called "playing well." most smooth jazz guys don't use a lot of effects. once in a while chorus, maybe a little light compression (and maybe not, too), but they play well.

[smo]

B15?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

it's called "playing well." most smooth jazz guys don't use a lot of effects. once in a while chorus, maybe a little light compression (and maybe not, too), but they play well.

Yes, it's one of concerns with the newer generations of bass players.

This thing where you think you can buy something to give you a sound.

I think a lot of you haven't even learned how to play yet.

I use a lot of $hit, but I know how to play (I started playing bass in 1966)and didn't start using using compression and overdrive until a few years ago.

[BogeyBass]

OK settle down im sure it very much has to do with the playing skills of the player.

But that is fairly obvious. Of course a recording artist is using good players, and yes playing well is a good 90% of the sound

But I am guessing that their is a overall distinct tone that the OP has heard and was just curious what it might be, as if there is a generic standard of some sort.

Maybe he is just hearing a somewhat basic modern bass sound, Clean solid state amps with more modern EQ's. Active bass pickups and the occasional 5 strings.

Maybe he just heard the distinct tone of active basses and more riffs on a low B string. Which has a unique overtone as well. Just my random guess, some sound examples would help.

[JimmyM]

well a lot of them use boutique basses and new roundwounds.