These are great tips. Some I already know, but even after 40 years of playing, some I didn't know to try and, of course, there's a few of those tips that I knew but I always conveniently forget to work on!
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Best things you can do for your tone
- Thread starter alex1fly
- Start date
in most cases, don't worry so much about "perfecting" it.
Absolutely nobody in the listening audience is going to notice, or care, about the vast majority of things we as players put so much emphasis on tone-wise.
Absolutely nobody in the listening audience is going to notice, or care, about the vast majority of things we as players put so much emphasis on tone-wise.
Most people nowadays hold cell phones away from their ears, put it on speaker and yell at it. I don't think most have the ability to appreciate good tone anymore. Just enjoy playing and don't worry. It seems you are already doing all the right things to care about good tone.
Or, get a bass that has the tone you want. If that first element delivers, you won't have to worry about what you play it through.
Find the frequency that is naturally sympathetic in the room, and dial it out.
Boom, clarity forever.
Boom, clarity forever.
Agree that the bulk of it is knowing your gear/knobs, and getting comfortable with particular instruments and technique.
I recently started learning electric guitar and it was great to have this perspective from the beginning. I got 2 comfortable guitars, and 2 amps with features I liked. Then I just stopped shopping/browsing and focused on musicianship. My technique and tone are improving and I don’t get distracted by GAS!
I recently started learning electric guitar and it was great to have this perspective from the beginning. I got 2 comfortable guitars, and 2 amps with features I liked. Then I just stopped shopping/browsing and focused on musicianship. My technique and tone are improving and I don’t get distracted by GAS!
After all that cash spent chasing the infamous tone……. Basses, Amps, Pre-Amps, pedals of all sort,………. New strings make all of that gear do it’s job. I see many post that they never change strings unless they break, and never do so…
Setting eq “ for the room” being in tune, intonation set, so many things can “ruin” your sound if not right I guess. I personally think old strings do not sound good in a live setting. Ya want to “cut thru” the mix .
I found for me that those new strings will amplify any “off note” and it takes some practice to be able to control your attack or holding back some when needed and those new ones want to ring out or…..
So, these are my thoughts so as in TB fashion, have at it.
But new strings are always on my bass for every show. After it becomes my rehearsal bass until it comes around again as I rotate 3 like basses ( 3 colours ). I also found the finishing touch is my Aguilar 599 compressor. The simple “one knob” unit makes it simple to use and adjust if needed at sound check.
Even if you don’t like bright rounds ringing, new flats will do you right and help keeping your sound consistent.
I’ll stop as too many espressos this am again.
Setting eq “ for the room” being in tune, intonation set, so many things can “ruin” your sound if not right I guess. I personally think old strings do not sound good in a live setting. Ya want to “cut thru” the mix .
I found for me that those new strings will amplify any “off note” and it takes some practice to be able to control your attack or holding back some when needed and those new ones want to ring out or…..
So, these are my thoughts so as in TB fashion, have at it.
But new strings are always on my bass for every show. After it becomes my rehearsal bass until it comes around again as I rotate 3 like basses ( 3 colours ). I also found the finishing touch is my Aguilar 599 compressor. The simple “one knob” unit makes it simple to use and adjust if needed at sound check.
Even if you don’t like bright rounds ringing, new flats will do you right and help keeping your sound consistent.
I’ll stop as too many espressos this am again.
I have only 3…
1. Do not be afraid
2. Play what you feel
3. If you’re not smiling, at lease inside, you’re doing it wrong.
1. Do not be afraid
2. Play what you feel
3. If you’re not smiling, at lease inside, you’re doing it wrong.
Actually I keep my guitar amp on an angle in a corner of the room. The triangle behind it makes good pedal stack storage too.
The emphasis was on "your." As in, can I get better tone by stacking preamp pedals in my own closet? Or do I need to rent space in yours?
You can use your own closet for pedal stacking. Try putting them in a big Rubbermaid storage bin too. I’ve had good results with that technique.
