Weird tones anyone likes?

[BassPlayer95]

I was wondering about tonal preference on here. What I've gathered is "P with flats" seems to be the standard. I was wondering if anyone out there had any weird tonal preferences, like a lot of fuzz or grind or something. I myself love downtuned jazz basses. Thoughts?

[dubhnight]

Well, one tone a lot of people seem to enjoy is Geezer Butlers tone that's all over Paranoid by Black Sabbath. It sounds fantastic, like really powerful and it fits in the mix in a really cool way, but he got it by playing through a 4x12 cab with 3 of the speakers blown... Not something most TBers would recommend as a good bass rig.. Just goes to show really.

[ThatBassistDude]

Al Cisneros from Sleep, Om and Shrinebuilder. Plays a Ric through custom Green amps and cabs by the Electric Amp Company with lots of delicious tasty fuzz.

[Silver Blues]

Jazz with flats.
Fuzz.
My P clone with the SR2000s (that is a weird awesome tone).
Colin Edwards.

--Silvie

[bassist4dalord]

I don't think it's very "weird" but it's certainly not something you hear everyday- Tapewounds on a 5-string Jazz-type. D'Addario Tapes on a Squier Standard Precision V, to be exact. Sounds really nice

[infamusblkdeath]

yup. I can't stand just sitting in the mix w/flats and not being heard. I like to be as bright and punchy as possible with fresh rounds. I feel like playing with fresh rounds on a bass with a pick brings out the true tone of a bass. Also, I love pretty much any unique/unusual bass tone under those specs.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by BassPlayer95

I myself love downtuned jazz basses. Thoughts?

You'll love this, then!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzsWo0kXijY

[bootsox]

I love that sea of mud you get out of some early Gibson basses, and I really don't dislike the sound of pickups out of phase

[BassPlayer900]

Originally Posted by BassPlayer95

I myself love downtuned jazz basses.

That is one of the best tones!

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

I don't think it's very "weird" but it's certainly not something you hear everyday- Tapewounds on a 5-string Jazz-type. D'Addario Tapes on a Squier Standard Precision V, to be exact. Sounds really nice

Cool choice.

There used to be an interview of Bobby Vega on the BassPlayer TV site and for his imitation of Larry Graham he played a Jazz strung with tapewound strings.

I currently have them on two basses, a four-string short scale semi hollow bass and my fretless 6-string ABG.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by BassPlayer95

I was wondering about tonal preference on here. What I've gathered is "P with flats" seems to be the standard. I was wondering if anyone out there had any weird tonal preferences, like a lot of fuzz or grind or something. I myself love downtuned jazz basses. Thoughts?

I'm guessing that a Jazz with rounds is more common here than a Precision with flats.

[awilkie84]

Flats with the Low-Mid EQ boosted & the High-Mid & High rolled off slightly, Bass at 12 O'clock. Favour plucking towards the bridge.

[D.M.N.]

I personally prefer Precisions strung with rounds, Nickel Swing 66s to be exact. Not really weird, but for me the flats on Ps just doesn't. I mean, I think they sound great, but it wouldn't work for the music I play.

I also like the sound of an old mudbucker Gibson through a cranked valve rig, think Felix Pappalardi or Jack Bruce.

[GrooveRonin]

Originally Posted by awilkie84

Flats with the Low-Mid EQ boosted & the High-Mid & High rolled off slightly, Bass at 12 O'clock. Favour plucking towards the bridge.

+1