Deep Reggae Bass sound,

[BurningSkies]

Whatever you do, don't bring a viola to a reggae gig!

Why not? Cat Coore brings a cello?

‪Third World In Concert (NYC) - Stephen Cat Coore Plays The Cello‬‏ - YouTube

 

[BurningSkies]

+1

i tend to gauge the amount of mute against the amount of attack for the desired effect. it can go from subtle to bone-crushing according to each songs requirement. gl.

Yep. Muting very important, and getting it down right for the music can take a lot of practice.

 

[bass12]

Why not? Cat Coore brings a cello?

‪Third World In Concert (NYC) - Stephen Cat Coore Plays The Cello‬‏ - YouTube

Ha-ha - nice one.

 

[onosson]

Though not really a reggae band, Gary Lowe of Big Sugar was definitely a reggae player - he used a Stingray and a couple of SVT 810s when we toured with them in the 90s. Profound bass tone!

 

[MNAirHead]

tapes... big cabs... timing and muting.... leaving space...

Unfortunately for this type of music, I have a bass specifically setup for the music.. I believe a high pass filter is helping a ton

 

[Jazz Ad]

The Steinberger thing came from the period in the mid-to-late 80's when Robbie Shakespear played a Steinberger...Lots of people playing follow the leader.

It's more a matter of climate.
Tropical weather is very rough on instruments. Lots of moisture in the air and excessive heat.
Steinies with their graphite necks and super stable tuning are ideal in these conditions.

 

[ajunea3]

tapes... big cabs... timing and muting.... leaving space...

I believe a high pass filter is helping a ton

I think you meant to say "high-cut filter right? Other than that, yes, tapewounds and big cabs that move lots of air are a big help.

 

[chuck norriss]

all of the above
+
short scale bass with a humbucker in the neck pos

shorty=boomy (see ed friedland/youtube)
hummer @neck=big fat juicy meatball (you know this already)

but wait that's not to say you need new gear. i think it's in how you play-- most obvious
i've seen reggae bassists play using all kinds of stuff new school old school doesnt matter

 

[BurningSkies]

It's more a matter of climate.
Tropical weather is very rough on instruments. Lots of moisture in the air and excessive heat.
Steinies with their graphite necks and super stable tuning are ideal in these conditions.

The Steinbergers didn't hold up for him...they fell apart while he played. He stayed with them a few years then moved on...graphite or not.

 

[wideyes]

all of the above
+
short scale bass with a humbucker in the neck pos

shorty=boomy (see ed friedland/youtube)
hummer @neck=big fat juicy meatball (you know this already)

This all seems to make sense, but I've see no (zero) reggae bassists doing this. Not to say it's a bad idea, I just haven't seen it reinforced by any reggae acts.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Many zouk, maloya and reggae bassists still play Steinies today for the same reasons, regardless of Robbie Shakespeare's opinion.

 

[Session1969]

+1 to most of what's above. I also got myself a two-fifteen cab for $100 used off of c/l. It came with newer delta pros, so what the hey ! It is mostly feel and flats help at first. Nowadays, I can get a good sound with rounds but I have to pay attention to not play too hard when I get into it. I will add that I just picked up a SWR Mini MO preamp that has an lfo I can blend a bit with my regular signal. Pretty cool but not at all necessary. I actually got it for some funk stuff but also affected reggae tones. Strings with low string tension help because you don't want alot of sustain. Pay close attention to the decay of notes on songs that you're learning on old school stuff. It'll help with your feel, imo. Reggae bass is awesome , the days of being drowned out by guitars are long gone LOL!

 

[BurningSkies]

Many zouk, maloya and reggae bassists still play Steinies today for the same reasons, regardless of Robbie Shakespeare's opinion.

That's fine.

 

[chuck norriss]

this is just like a best-bass-for-metal question so in that case the ultimate answer would be play what darryl jennifer (bad brains)plays & you'll be covered.

 

[BurningSkies]

this is just like a best-bass-for-metal question so in that case the ultimate answer would be play what darryl jennifer (bad brains)plays & you'll be covered.

Nah...not really. Its a talk about basic reggae technique. Some people have more invested in certain instruments than others...

 

[Toolmybass]

Though not really a reggae band, Gary Lowe of Big Sugar was definitely a reggae player - he used a Stingray and a couple of SVT 810s when we toured with them in the 90s. Profound bass tone!

Gary started def as a reggae player....although he only used the ampeg/mm for '95 and 96', i have seen him use a few different combinations in the 15 or 20 times i have seen them live

These days he uses strictly Traynor and a T-Bird

 

[onosson]

Ah well that's when we were on the road with them! I remember one gig in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, the bass was seriously pounding! I learned a hell of a lot watching him play every night.

 

[The Lurker]

Though not really a reggae band, Gary Lowe of Big Sugar was definitely a reggae player - he used a Stingray and a couple of SVT 810s when we toured with them in the 90s. Profound bass tone!

Really? When I saw them he had a Jazz, a Beatle Bass, and a Thunderbird.... I never knew he played a Stingray. A Thunderbird makes a damfino reggae bass, too

 

[onosson]

It was when they were touring Hemivision. I wanted a MusicMan for years after that.

 

[Toolmybass]

It was when they were touring Hemivision. I wanted a MusicMan for years after that.

Kewl...that was one of my fav tours. just before the MM he was using a Fender Jazz with the Ampegs...that was probably my fav live sound of Gary's