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Change the bass or the amp?
- Thread starter smgleitch
- Start date
You will probably never get the sound you want out of a Thumb. That being said, try some LaBella (best Motown sound) or D'Addario or Sadowsky (my favorite, but that's due to versatility) flats before switching basses. Do not cut them, and if you decide to switch basses, you can keep the strings, saving ~$50.
The bass you want is a Squier CV '60s P Bass. That is the best, most authentic Motown sounding bass available for less than $1,500. The build quality is arguably as good as the MIA basses, better than MIM basses, and the sound is pure Motown. I still kick myself for getting rid of mine. Best of all, it's only $350, so you may be able to keep the Thumb (maybe with some live rounds, like Rotosound SwingBass 66s) for those times when you want a more modern sound.
Tube amps help, too, as do hybrid amps. I have a pair of Ampeg SVT-3 Pro amps that make a killer tube sound, even though they have SS power sections. I only need one, so I could be convinced to let one go at a reasonable price...
I've found that pedals just don't do it (for me, anyway), they never sound "authentic" enough.
The bass you want is a Squier CV '60s P Bass. That is the best, most authentic Motown sounding bass available for less than $1,500. The build quality is arguably as good as the MIA basses, better than MIM basses, and the sound is pure Motown. I still kick myself for getting rid of mine. Best of all, it's only $350, so you may be able to keep the Thumb (maybe with some live rounds, like Rotosound SwingBass 66s) for those times when you want a more modern sound.
Tube amps help, too, as do hybrid amps. I have a pair of Ampeg SVT-3 Pro amps that make a killer tube sound, even though they have SS power sections. I only need one, so I could be convinced to let one go at a reasonable price...
I've found that pedals just don't do it (for me, anyway), they never sound "authentic" enough.
Where do you pick? Near the bridge or near the neck? Do you use a pick? If so, maybe try felt picks...
Played around with cutting the tweeters and using the vle and vlf knobs on the f1 this morning. Makes a big difference. Guess I am not yet done exploring that amp. I have thoughts about using flats on the thumb but talked with guys in the Warwick forum and they advise against using flats on that bass. I have a feeling they are right. I put some chromes on an old streamer std a few years back and the bass just went dead , totally lifeless. I have a set of fender tape wounds that are uncut so maybe just to see I will set those up and see what that does.
I have played around with right hand position and know how much that can change the sound. Probably a good idea to work a little harder on my technique. I have been playing a lot lately as I have a new band and just finished putting our first 40 songs into good practice. Now that we have a base to play from I feel like I can start to get back to he real work of technique and tone/ volume control with my playing.
Maybe it has just been gas idk. Just know that the whole rig changes face as the volume goes up and when put in the band mix. I love my rig on stage but at home it just feels thin. I can't turn it up can't get that feel out of it and it eventually makes me think I shroud make some change. Maybe this is the reason to have a small rig at home for practice and a gig rig, and then again maybe just the rambelings if an old gas infected bass player.
I have played around with right hand position and know how much that can change the sound. Probably a good idea to work a little harder on my technique. I have been playing a lot lately as I have a new band and just finished putting our first 40 songs into good practice. Now that we have a base to play from I feel like I can start to get back to he real work of technique and tone/ volume control with my playing.
Maybe it has just been gas idk. Just know that the whole rig changes face as the volume goes up and when put in the band mix. I love my rig on stage but at home it just feels thin. I can't turn it up can't get that feel out of it and it eventually makes me think I shroud make some change. Maybe this is the reason to have a small rig at home for practice and a gig rig, and then again maybe just the rambelings if an old gas infected bass player.
I think it's just GAS, and having a Markbass.
I personally find Markbass amps just-okay for solo practice, nothing too aggressive or moving. But they sound soooo good in the mix, I'd put up with it. If I had one anyway
Next step: twist the EQ some more along with the VLE and VPF
Your amp and cabs are fantastic. I think changing them wont make you happy.
Try setting your VLE a 10:00.
Also, you might try getting a VT Bass. They do an EXCELLENT fat, tubey, blues sound. Buy from GC and return it if not floored. I find that pedal works very well with Markbass amps.
For the tone you seek, I think your bass is the thing I would change IF messing with the tone shaping features does not get you where you want to go.
Try setting your VLE a 10:00.
Also, you might try getting a VT Bass. They do an EXCELLENT fat, tubey, blues sound. Buy from GC and return it if not floored. I find that pedal works very well with Markbass amps.
For the tone you seek, I think your bass is the thing I would change IF messing with the tone shaping features does not get you where you want to go.
popgadget
Commercial User
- Sep 4, 2005
- 1,233
- 942
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- Authorized Greenboy Designs Builder, Scabbey Road
If you love your bass and amp, why change? I've never played a thumb so I can't make any informed suggestions, but almost all of the original R&B and blues was a Pbass w/ flats through a B15.
If that's the sound your looking for, the first logical cheapest step should be the flats.
If that's the sound your looking for, the first logical cheapest step should be the flats.
I like what JimmyM had to say about experimenting more with the gear you have. As a frequent lurker here I think his advice is as sound as you will find anywhere. And your gear and bass are all top notch equipment - if it were me I'd keep them for now and wouldn't make any drastic changes, except maybe to buy a second bass.
That being said, if you're looking for the old school r&b funk and blues sound, most of those recordings were made with a Fender Precision bass. Why not try and snag a P bass somewhere? They're easy to find used and there are good MIM Fenders to be had for a few hundred bucks.
And with any bass, an extensive search for the right strings for YOU is an important point to consider.
That being said, if you're looking for the old school r&b funk and blues sound, most of those recordings were made with a Fender Precision bass. Why not try and snag a P bass somewhere? They're easy to find used and there are good MIM Fenders to be had for a few hundred bucks.
And with any bass, an extensive search for the right strings for YOU is an important point to consider.
So I played with strings this morning. Put some tape wound fenders on and then some flat wound chromes and of course I have the original warick round wounds. They do make a good bit of difference. Really thought based on others advice that I wouldn't like the flats on the thumb, but they ended up being my favorite. They came off my fretless jazz so it was a temperary transition and they went back on the jazz. Now to find the perfect set of flats for the thumb.
Thanks for all the advice. Jimmy you are a saint. Tweaked the amp a bit, played with the tweeter control and finally changed some strings. Got a lot of good sounds out of the rig and am very pleased with the results. I will probably always be searching for better, the never ending pursuit of perfection. Maybe it is a bass player sickness. I can't say I won't end up buying a p-bass with some flats (probably a squire vm or something similar) but for now the itch has subsided.
I love bass!!! Love playing, love the gear, love talking about it. If I was good enough, or maybe just had enough guts, I would play full time. Thanks again
Thanks for all the advice. Jimmy you are a saint. Tweaked the amp a bit, played with the tweeter control and finally changed some strings. Got a lot of good sounds out of the rig and am very pleased with the results. I will probably always be searching for better, the never ending pursuit of perfection. Maybe it is a bass player sickness. I can't say I won't end up buying a p-bass with some flats (probably a squire vm or something similar) but for now the itch has subsided.
I love bass!!! Love playing, love the gear, love talking about it. If I was good enough, or maybe just had enough guts, I would play full time. Thanks again
Well I'm hardly a saint but glad you were able to get closer without spending any money. When I first started playing oldies with my band, I was experimenting around and I had an active bass with rounds and a solid state amp with a tweetered cab, and it wasn't 100% but I never got any complaints that it wasn't old school sounding enough. Eventually I went back to Fender/Ampeg because it's 100% for me, but I believe in saving money when you can, especially in the days when I didn't have much so I've learned how to get the sound I want through just about anything. And now you can, too!
but glad you were able to get closer without spending any money. When I first started playing oldies with my band, I was experimenting around and I had an active bass with rounds and a solid state amp with a tweetered cab, and it wasn't 100% but I never got any complaints that it wasn't old school sounding enough. Eventually I went back to Fender/Ampeg because it's 100% for me, but I believe in saving money when you can, especially in the days when I didn't have much so I've learned how to get the sound I want through just about anything. And now you can, too!
