bass choice for audition

[Gaolee]

This is Talkbass and we are slacking badly. The correct answer is buy another one.

I know what I would take, but that would probably lose me the job. In your shoes, I would probably take the Lull.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I like how there's a thread about an artist whose iconic bass player I mainly associate with an extended range modern bright J sound with tons of high and low notes. And still people still say P with flats.

Except I am asking about 5 specific songs - only two of which include what you are talking about.

 

[honeyiscool]

Except I am asking about 5 specific songs - only two of which include what you are talking about.

For two of the other three, all you need is a muted sound that you can get easily on any bass. For Sunshine, authentically it's pretty far from a P or a J, so you'll be doing whatever on it anyway. To Eric's credit, he always just let the bass player be the bass player. When Nathan East played that song, he would play all the way down to D on the B string and would go up to the 19th fret on the G string and would do his trademark Nathan East thang.

It's far easier to get a 5-string J to cover the entire Eric Clapton discography because it can fake all the other songs.

 

[bloobass]

In retrospect, Jack Bruce, Carl Radle and Willie Weeks served miniscule amounts of times with EC compared to Nathan East, and Nathan East has played every hit EC ever had live, so....
my priorities would be:
1) take my "go-to" instrument that I'm the most comfortable playing
2) Take my most tonally versatile instrument. You have to be able to hear some top end for the 80's & 90's EC, then roll the tone back and shift your hand for the 70's stuff...and dig in and rip for the 60's!
in that order.
Funny, all this mention of Carl Radle and Willie Weeks, but only ONE mention of Jack Bruce!

BTW, That is the perfect audition list to find the right player for an EC tribute...I'd jump on it with both feet if it were around me.

 

[honeyiscool]

This is Talkbass and we are slacking badly. The correct answer is buy another one.

I know what I would take, but that would probably lose me the job. In your shoes, I would probably take the Lull.

Oh yeah, most definitely buy a white Yamaha BBNE2.

Except I much prefer Laklands, so buy a white Lakland DJ-5 instead. Heh.

 

[buldog5151bass]

For two of the other three, all you need is a muted sound that you can get easily on any bass. For Sunshine, authentically it's pretty far from a P or a J, so you'll be doing whatever on it anyway. To Eric's credit, he always just let the bass player be the bass player. When Nathan East played that song, he would play all the way down to D on the B string and would go up to the 19th fret on the G string and would do his trademark Nathan East thang.

It's far easier to get a 5-string J to cover the entire Eric Clapton discography because it can fake all the other songs.

Agreed, but that wasn't the question. If I get the gig, I will be taking a couple of basses to gigs - one with flats and one with rounds. The entire point of the question was which of the basses would cover all those tones for those five tunes the best.

 

[honeyiscool]

Agreed, but that wasn't the question. If I get the gig, I will be taking a couple of basses to gigs - one with flats and one with rounds. The entire point of the question was which of the basses would cover all those tones for those five tunes the best.

Then the J, and maybe get used to dropping the E to a D for songs that need it.

 

[Runlikegregg]

i'd go either '69 Fender or the Lull with Low Riders

 

[Devnor]

The entire point of the question was which of the basses would cover all those tones for those five tunes the best.

Any of them. Any of those basses will do. Good luck. I bring my #1 Fender Jazz to every audition. But if I get the gig they may never see that Jazz bass again lol.

 

[shadven]

I am auditioning for a Clapton tribute band. Songs for audition include:

"Forever Man," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Have You Ever Loved a Woman," "Bad Love" & "I Shot The Sheriff."

I plan on bringing one bass to the audition. Here are my choices:

- 2001 Fender P with Chromes
- 1969 Fender P with Precision Flats
- Lull P4 with Nickel Low Riders
- 1976 Jazz (P neck for what it's worth) strung with worn Roto nickel Swing strings

Obviously the choices include a wide selection for tones. But which do you think would be best at nailing a tone that works?

The '69 will work and sound great and it'll give serious street cred.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi bulldog

Clapton tribute band

!!!

This

^ That!

Chances are big that your BL is a Strat player and Fender junkie.

Make sure to have the "F word" on the headstock!

Sound wise I would go with the Jazz Bass.

You can cover the sounds you will need (close enough), without endless fiddling on your amp.

When you need to change the sound, be fast! IMO that' s crucial for an audition! (and on gigs too)

1976 Jazz (P neck for what it's worth) strung with worn Roto nickel Swing strings

Worn in, like played for 10 hours or

worn out, like 10 years old?



IMO they will sound right when they have lost that "out of the pack zing" after 10 - 15 hours of playing.

When they have lost their brightness, rather get a new set!


Have fun!!! Get the job!


Wise(b)ass

 

[TonyP-]

Hi bulldog



!!!



^ That!

Chances are big that your BL is a Strat player and Fender junkie.

Make sure to have the "F word" on the headstock!

Sound wise I would go with the Jazz Bass.

You can cover the sounds you will need (close enough), without endless fiddling on your amp.

When you need to change the sound, be fast! IMO that' s crucial for an audition! (and on gigs too)



Worn in, like played for 10 hours or

worn out, like 10 years old?



IMO they will sound right when they have lost that "out of the pack zing" after 10 - 15 hours of playing.

When they have lost their brightness, rather get a new set!


Have fun!!! Get the job!


Wise(b)ass

The scooped sound of a J bass and it non-intrusiveness works well for a lot of auditions in a 'guitar forward' band.

Hence my suggestion was the J...Kill it my friend.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The scooped sound of a J bass and it non-intrusiveness works well for a lot of auditions in a 'guitar forward' band.

Hence my suggestion was the J...Kill it my friend.

Gracias. I played the jazz at a jazz concert last night and it felt good, but will put some fresh Rotos on this weekend.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Yeah, gonna play the jazz. Just put on some fresh Rotos - should mellow a touch by next Thursday, which is my date. Since it is at a backlined studio, it's no problem bringing a P with flats just in case.

A guitarist friend loaned a TC Chorus/Flanger, which works for the Bad Love intro. If I get the gig, will have to get something practical - may even have to built a small pedal board (only took me about 39 years of playing. Spending time each day 'shedding the tunes.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Update. They are auditioning at least 8 guys. Even though they haven't heard everyone, they told me they want me back for final cuts.

I ended up bringing the Jazz. BL mentioned he likes Precisions, so maybe next time I'll bring the sunburst Lull P4. Gotta learn two more tunes.

So light a candle, sacrifice a virgin, or call upon whatever greater power you know to send me some luck.