Discussing tone etc in a band setting...

[Nephilymbass]

I posted in another thread where the OP wondered about if his bass, stings etc. were suited for the the band he was in. I suggested that he'd talk to his band mates about it, which got some mixed replies. "Most bandmates don't care about the bass" and so on.

That got me thinking. In my current band, and most of the others I've been in, that has been an often discussed subject. Not just regarding the bass, but every instrument. We offer each other input on how we feel a certain part should be played, what sound is best suited, fitting beat patterns and so on. Everything with the purpose of serving the song and the sound of the band. I find that to be a very relaxed and creative atmosphere, and noting that's at all controversial.

"Put some fuzz on that part, it will stand out more."
"Could you try with straight 8-notes here, if fits better."
"What about a steady 4/4 beat over this riff, it would swing!"
"I'm thinking of playing this solo part on the mellotron instead of the synth, what do you guys think?"

Have I just been lucky with the bands I have been in, or is this something that more bands do? How would you feel about asking your band mates for opinions on your tone or how you approach a certain part or song? About be given advice? About giving advice and sharing your ideas?

I thought this was kinda natural, but it seems that it really isn't.

I’m happy to play in a band with some tone snobs. Drummer has two high end kits and will change his drum heads More often than any other drummer I’ve played with. Guitar player had nice gear as well. I think when it comes to Bass and Guitar at shows there has to be some compromise. We can’t do exactly what we do in the studio because it would require 3 or 4 Guitar Amps and I’d need in ears or something to to hear myself and a soundguy willing to run at minimum two channels of bass. Guitar wise our guy plays a Mesa triple rectifier and it’s a good all around amp. In the studio we all prefer the high gain dirt of his 5150. But the 5150 clean tone doesn’t compare to the Mesa at all so there is some compromise. On our last album he used the Mesa, a Marshall, 5150, and a little fender tube combo That’s just way too much to bring for our typical gigs.

As far as bass tones I have three basic tones my clean tone which is basically the Avalon u5 by itself, my main drive tone which is the Darkglass alpha omega, and really dirty fuzz which I get from the darkglass duality and yes our guitarist in particular loves to hear dirty bass. But yeah it’s mainly “you’re too loud” of “you're not loud enough”

 

[njones89]

My band keeps a pretty open dialogue about this kind of stuff and I think that's important. That said, I have not gotten much criticism because yeah, my bandmates usually don't say anything unless I play too fancy and it just doesn't work.

 

[beaglesandbass]

I've never been asked about my tone. Most people only consciously care about or notice the bass when a wrong note is played.

 

[SonnyBassPlayer]

It depends on the people I guess.

In one of my bands everyone has his own tone, there are things I dislike while surely someone dislikes something about mine (I only play with a pick). That is the less satisfying band I play in. Still, songs are good IMO.

In the other one we strive to make songs the best they can be (they are instrumental) and we discuss every single aspect even just what kind of delay the guitarist uses in that 10 seconds bridge.

 

[Ender_rpm]

I make suggestions to my guitar players all the time,they only really care that I make sure to bring my Casady bass.

My drummer is forever trying new drum/cymbal combos, but hes super tasteful, so its never jarring, just "happy to glad" kind of changes. He's gonna go with a dual ride cymbal and hats set up for this weekends show, should be interesting.