Do you LOVE your bass tone?

[lordradish]

I have a Wal, so yeah, tonal perfection, nothing lacking.

A bassist who doesn't really care about their tone is not a bassist I would take seriously, or ever hire.

 

[Holdsg]

Ever since I started playing Genz-Benz and then Genzler gear, I have.

 

[selowitch]

A bassist who doesn't really care about their tone is not a bassist I would take seriously, or ever hire.

Tone is important, although it’s probably more important in a setting like jazz when the audience hears the bass alone a lot more or with just light accompaniment. In a loud rock band it still matters but perhaps a bit less so.

Sometimes it’s a struggle just to be heard at all. Too many soundmen/soundwomen are of the “bass-should-be-felt-and-not-heard” school—or at least they believe they are of that school but not actually in practice.

 

[lordradish]

Tone is important, although it’s probably more important in setting like jazz when the audience hears the bass alone a lot more or with just light accompaniment. In a loud rock band it still matters but perhaps a bit less so.

True, in some cases, although I'm sure Chris Squire or Geddy Lee might take issue with that. I'd probably say that I'm biased, in that I tend to gravitate towards music where tone is important. There are certainly many genres where it can sound like a garbage can and be okay.

 

[selowitch]

I find it challenging to guess what tone the audience is hearing based on what I’m hearing through IEMs or monitors. It isn’t always the same.

 

[lordradish]

Ever since I started playing Genz-Benz and then Genzler gear, I have.

Funny you should say that. In my 30 + years of playing, the weak link has always been the amp with me. Had Hartkes, SWR's, Peaveys, TC, and not until I got the Magellan was I finally exuberant over my tone. That amp is so transparent. I love going through my 4 different basses and just be able to hear the differences, so clearly. I probably won't buy another head at this point, because my big-rig days are almost surely behind me, but I'm not getting rid of my Magellan, for anything.

I've reached a point where I'm not compromising anymore on my gear. I'm good enough and can afford it, luckily.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Truth. The PF50 is the perfect little tube amp. And yet still has enough jam to play a stage with...

We always have PA support so volume is never an issue. I would love to try it with an 810 cabinet though!

 

[selowitch]

Learning to make intelligent use of a compressor and a high-pass filter has improved my sound presentation a lot, though I’m not sure that’s what is meant by “tone.”

 

[bikeplate]

Yes

 

[baileyboy]

I do LOVE the tone of my '74 Precision. It might as be one of those pre-CBS holy grails, it's that good.

I don't love the tone of my USA Geddy, but no disrespect to the GL; I just happen to the prefer Precision over Jazz basses. As far as the Jazz goes, it is the best one I've ever tried, so am glad to have it as part of my arsenal. Of course, I have heard others play their J basses and thought their tone was way better than my own, so there's that.

 

[Bassman Spiff]

I love the feel, tone, and look of my Carvin/Kiesel Icon 5. So much so, that I've been GAS-free for at least 3 years!

 

[Wasnex]

No. I learned a long time ago the chasing tonal bliss in a live environment is an effort in futility. My priority is to hear what I need to hear so I can play well.

My hope is the audio tech is concerned with shaping my tone so it sits well in the mix. So, my second priority is to keep my volume low enough that my stage rig is not fighting with the PA for dominance.

In support of both priorities I tend to use a small cab, elevated and tilted back to aim at my ears, so I can monitor at the lowest possible volume. Keep in mind I tend to wear ear plugs to protect my hearing. Because of this, my sound is adjusted to be pretty bright to compensate for the darkening of tone that results from the ear plugs.

So ultimately the way I worry about tone is to try and stay out of the way, so the audio tech has a better chance of delivering great bass tone to the audience.

 

[Dan_reeves]

Not really.

If I say yes though it means I need to stop trying and buying. That’s just crazy talk.

 

[LuckyScott]

Tone is everything. I love my tone

 

[coyote1]

Do you LOVE your bass tone? Do you feel joy, elation, or bliss due to the voice of the notes as you lay down a sweet groove?

Or do you not really care? Maybe it's the notes, not the tone that matters.

Or maybe you aren't happy with your tone, and you can't find that tone in your head that you are yearning for.

I’m very into sound for its own sake. All my instruments have great tone.... and different tone. None of my five basses sound like any of the others.

 

[4andnomore]

Love the tone I'm getting from my Gibson DC, mostly because I don't have to think about. Just plug in and BAM! there it is.

 

[Hundred proof]

Yes I’ve found my tone (folks around here gonna hate this ... it’s not “all in the fingers” )

 

[LowActionHero]

I do, but I'm not all that picky, and I know whatever I hear by myself will get drowned out when the drums and 3 guitars start wailing.

 

[Dincrest]

Heck yeah. I love the tone from my main bass. No matter what bass amp I play through, or even direct into a PA, my main bass's tone is it for me. I wasn't always in love with that tone and it wasn't the tone I sought out, but it grew on me and when I start thinking about the old tone a younger me sought out, I wonder, "How did I find that tone so appealing when my current tone is just so much more... MORE!" The bands I've been in love my tone too.

 

[NOVAX]

It doesn't matter which bass I choose, for I am the conduit to the voice that speaks - I am the catalyst (great pedal) of my tone- that being said - I'm all squishy about my sounds, man! I have many toneful avenues to explore and all pandemic to get there. Peace out bass people.