Chasing a particular sound. Playing technique aside...

[gunboatdiplo]

I was listening go this Tommy Guerrero song and i liked the bass tone.

‎No Time for Time by Tommy Guerrero

I assume he's got a very fast attack on the comp as I can't hear much attack. By my terrible ears, it's not overly bassy, but not much treble. If i had to put it in esoteric terms, it's a big "brrrrap" that hits you in the shins.

I've been chasing this kind of tone for a bit; i've only been playing bass for about a year. i have a Tonehammer and a 2x12 cab. I play a new-ish BB 4-string with flats. yeah, i know there's million variables: equipment, technique, effects, studio mixing and engineering, etc. But I'm just trying to figure out how to get that sound.

Does anybody have any helpful thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[crazyBassClown]

For those without apple music


I'd try plucking as close as you can to the bridge, and probably use roundwouond strings as well, although you might get there with flats as i have very little experience with those.

 

[grouse789]

Round wounds I would think. play the bridge. tone hammer..... hmmm bass at 1:00. treble at 11:00. sweep the mids into that sweet spot. Oh,keep the tone knob on bass at 50% .
Nice fat sound, a lot of it is in the fingers.

 

[Wasnex]

I was listening go this Tommy Guerrero song and i liked the bass tone.

‎No Time for Time by Tommy Guerrero

I assume he's got a very fast attack on the comp as I can't hear much attack. By my terrible ears, it's not overly bassy, but not much treble. If i had to put it in esoteric terms, it's a big "brrrrap" that hits you in the shins.

I've been chasing this kind of tone for a bit; i've only been playing bass for about a year. i have a Tonehammer and a 2x12 cab. I play a new-ish BB 4-string with flats. yeah, i know there's million variables: equipment, technique, effects, studio mixing and engineering, etc. But I'm just trying to figure out how to get that sound.

Does anybody have any helpful thoughts?
Thanks!

I don't think the key is so much getting the attack of the compressor as getting the EQ right.

The closest I get to that sound it when I use my Mesa Titan, engage the OD channel, and turn the gain up just below the point where it breaks into distortion. So there is a bit of compression, and also strong low mids and somewhat repressed highs.

You definitely want rounds that are not totally dead. I agree that playing towards the bridge is correct, but not as close as possible. If you have a two pickup bass, try experimenting with pickup blend and also your plucking position. Try slightly favoring the bridge pickup and then moving your plucking towards the bridge until you find the sweet spot.

Like you say, there are a bunch of factors, and these factors will vary with your gear and technique.

 

[gunboatdiplo]

thanks. I'll give everything a try tonight. I just figured there was almost no attack, but still had a little growl. I understand it's almost 100% technique, but I'm working on that too.