Country sound

[Tombolino]

Hi all

I just started playing with a country band: Cash, Raitt, Willie Nelson, Lovett, some modern things here and there, all around country/bluesy.

My gear is Mark Bass Little III head and a Markbass 12" cab. I have an Ibanez with actives.

Just curious on any suggestions on tweaks on the head, bass or even external pedals to get a good country sound/tone?

For now I set my head all at 12 and EQ my bass to sound thumpy/low end.

Thanks!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Ole time Country was done with an upright bass, thus "thumpy" still works. As far as the knobs; everything full open. Follow the chords, hit the changes dead on and root on one then the 5 with chromatic or diatonic runs to the next chord - anything beyond that will get fish eyes from the rest of the band - My Country is dirt simple, and I-IV-V7-I works for just about everything we do. I'll let the "New Country" guys/gals speak to that music. My take on new country it's old country played with some of the minor chords, i.e. a little more like rock moving toward dare I say jazz. Still nasal. Little less R-5

Scott Groves has a bunch of Country videos you might pick up some pointers from.

Click the small words at the top of the video for more Country videos.

Good luck.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I use flats on my basses. Ernie Balls to be exact. Big thump. A hint: let the notes ring into each other on old school "ding dong" (root-5) country songs. Let the drums and guitars play accents. You will notice people dancing if you do. You will see them sit down when you don't. Cut the notes off on western swing songs...play "stubby"

 

[Blueinred]

Don't slap or pop, or the other band members will take you out back and slap and pop your head.

 

[Pacman]

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