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Bass Tone That First Blew You Away
- Thread starter JLee
- Start date
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,644
- 2
- 16,406
- Disclosures
- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
It was the *playing style* of John McVie that drew me in, but it surely didn't hurt that he was playing several Alembic basses in rotation.
Agree.
His tone on Mindcrime, Empire, Promised Land,and Hear in the Now Frontier is incredible.
I also really like his fretless tone and playing on Anybody Listening. A very underrated player who deserves a lot more recognition than he gets.
Probably my first Jazz bass. It happened again when I tried a G&L SB-1. As far as artists tone I'd say Flea and a bunch of funk artists from the 70s. I dig the brighter scooped tones I guess.
Although lately I've kinda rediscovered P basses, so IDK. I am starting to really like the way those basses sound especially with the Geezer pups or the MFD for brighter tones, and it's not just because of TB peer pressure. I tried a P bass for an album and I really liked how it performed. Things change I guess.
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My nephew, a drummer, when he picked up my bass, thru my amp and effects, blew me away.....my tone? Not so amazing.
Geddy Lee's tone on "Limelight" was the first song that I could remember where I was enamored with the tone as much as the playing.
So many great ones over the years . . . Here's the most recent one for me, coming from funk/ fusion great Gary Willis:
And for upright, its always been Ron Carter, hands down.
And for upright, its always been Ron Carter, hands down.
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Greg Lake's tone and style on the song From the Beginning. The first time I heard that song was the moment when I decided: I want in! 
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In order, Jack Bruce, the live tracks on Wheels of Fire
Jack Casady, Crown of Creation, and Bless It's Pointed Little Head, all tracks
The Grateful Dead, Live Dead, Phil Lesh
Return to Forever, Where Have I Known You Before, Stanley Clarke
Al DiMeola , The Land of the Midnight Sun, the second side, the first time I heard Jaco
Jack Casady, Crown of Creation, and Bless It's Pointed Little Head, all tracks
The Grateful Dead, Live Dead, Phil Lesh
Return to Forever, Where Have I Known You Before, Stanley Clarke
Al DiMeola , The Land of the Midnight Sun, the second side, the first time I heard Jaco
For me it's Duff Mckagan without question(I started pretty young at 11)!! Of course I love many other styles, my father played me "School Days" and that was a game changer as well, but Hard Rock/Metal is home for me!!
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I haven't listened to the Dregs in years! Thanks for the reminder, gonna dig out the old albums today
Yes, the bass on Kat Food and Go for Baroque are my favorites. But that whole album and Industry Standard are classics.I haven't listened to the Dregs in years! Thanks for the reminder, gonna dig out the old albums today
Rush - Permanent Waves was the first time I really paid attention to the tone. Specifically Freewill. I think that is still pretty much what I strive for.
