Creamy tone.

tooloudalex · #1 02-04-2011, 10:04 PM

Oh great and mighty gurus of TB.. in searching for a creamy tone, I can hear it in my head, but I can't find it anywhere... any thoughts as what bass I should be looking at?

My definition of creamy would ne I'd the sound was tangible, imagine half and half being poured..

MarkusBass · #2 02-04-2011, 10:15 PM

A bass with a humbucker in the extreme neck position, and flatwound strings.

IconBasser · #3 02-05-2011, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkusBass

A bass with a humbucker in the extreme neck position, and flatwound strings.

it would depend on the humbucker.

personally, I've found that J pickups usually possess a smoother and thicker tone. In my experience, the easiest way to acquire "creaminess" is to play through both pickups, with slightly more emphasis on the neck. Place your thumb right on the end of fretboard. The closer you pluck (or pick) the strings to the bridge, the snappier and harsher the sound will be. Playing closer to the fretboard will yield a much fuller, rounder tone. And yes, flatwounds will definitely help you in this regard.

I haven't tried a ton of basses, but the ones that really stood out as being "creamy" sounding were Fender style jazz basses and the ESP B-5E. Sadly, I don't think the B5E's are in production anymore.

Luckie · #4 02-05-2011, 01:21 AM

Creamy as in how? Roll of the highs/mids on most any bass and you've got creamy low end.
My P w/ tapes with the tone knob half off does mad cream.

One Drop · #5 02-05-2011, 01:41 AM

Guild Starfire with Bi-Sonics, flats, and a little bit of OD.

When I think creamy I think about some OD with the highs rolled off, mostly.

MarkusBass · #6 02-05-2011, 08:21 AM

There are always going to be exceptions on pickups, and what people perceive as creamy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IconBasser

it would depend on the humbucker.

personally, I've found that J pickups usually possess a smoother and thicker tone. In my experience, the easiest way to acquire "creaminess" is to play through both pickups, with slightly more emphasis on the neck. Place your thumb right on the end of fretboard. The closer you pluck (or pick) the strings to the bridge, the snappier and harsher the sound will be. Playing closer to the fretboard will yield a much fuller, rounder tone. And yes, flatwounds will definitely help you in this regard.

I haven't tried a ton of basses, but the ones that really stood out as being "creamy" sounding were Fender style jazz basses and the ESP B-5E. Sadly, I don't think the B5E's are in production anymore.

shawshank72 · #7 02-05-2011, 08:39 AM

P Bass with old chrome flats
Creamy and buttery.............

ggunn · #8 02-05-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkusBass

There are always going to be exceptions on pickups, and what people perceive as creamy.

Word. Creaminess is in the ear of the beholder. Go to music stores and play basses of as many different types as possible. But first twiddle those EQ knobs on your bass and amp extensively to prove to yourself that you don't already have the solution in hand before you out looking for ways to spend your money.

BobWestbrook · #9 02-05-2011, 08:54 AM

Labella tapewound strings are a great way to move towards "creamy" tone

tooloudalex · #10 02-05-2011, 09:04 AM

right now ive got a MIM P bass with chromes? or DR flats i cant remember which one i had laying around. i think its chromes.

In any case, from my inquire's in the amp section it looks like my cab could be the problem, not so much my bass (which makes me happy because i like the feel of my bass, just not the current tone :P)

ggunn · #11 02-05-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooloudalex

right now ive got a MIM P bass with chromes? or DR flats i cant remember which one i had laying around. i think its chromes.

In any case, from my inquire's in the amp section it looks like my cab could be the problem, not so much my bass (which makes me happy because i like the feel of my bass, just not the current tone :P)

Again, play with EQ - a lot. Next change strings; they are relatively cheap; flats may not cut it for what you are looking for. If you still think you need a new cab, take your bass and head to a well stocked shop and try some different cabs.

I guess what I am counseling against is dropping some considerable change on something that someone told you will get you where you want to go but which may or may not be the answer. Add to that that there is rarely a magic bullet that will by itself turn your bass tone into the tone that you hear in your head.

lowjoe1 · #12 02-06-2011, 11:10 PM

TI jazz's on an EB3. front pickup, tone at 2. Smoooooooth.

**woolysock** · #13 02-06-2011, 11:32 PM

I'd humbly suggest more of the cream comes from the amp than the bass. Today I played my Sadowsky UV70 -- with well worn DR Highbeams, both pups full on, treble wide open -- into my all tube Aguilar DB359 in to my Berg HT112ER. Sounded pretty darn creamy ;-)