Favourite recorded bass tone

[Count Bassie]

So I'm reminded: John Wetton- Larks' Tongues in Aspic Part II. Also Red, and Starless.

And heres' a head-shaker for ye: I don't know his name, but the Rickenbacker tone on Foreigner's "Star Rider". Great sound, though subdued. Not raw like Squire's Ric tone- even too refined- but still working as a sweet and deep tone.

 

[pedro]

Many of my favorites have been mentioned. Glad to see John Wetton mentioned as I think he is underappreciated both for his tone and his playing.

Here are some of mine and some have already been mentioned.

* Jack Bruce - WOF/Live Cream/Live Cream II/Songs for a Tailor/Harmony Row

* Duck Dunn - Anything.

* Jaco - Live Weather Report/Shadows and Light

* Willie Weeks - Live Donny Hathaway. To my ears it just doesn't get much better than this.

But I have to side with those who have mentioned Jamerson. To me this is what a bass should sound like at least in this style of music.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I'm gonna say Chris Squire on "South side of the Sky". It's what made me want to play bass to start with, and it's so creamy and crunchy at the same time, kinda makes my head spin.

 

[bajistapromedio]

My current favorites are:
John Patitucci on The Hudson Project (1st generation Yamaha signature)
Richard Bona on Mike Stern's Who Let The Cats Out (Fodera (or NYBW?)
Tom Kennedy on Dave Weckl's Live & Very Plugged In (Fodera signature)

 

[Spencer!]

One of my favorite bass tones isn't a bass at all. Neal Evans of Soulive plays bass on organ bass keys run through Mesa amps, and the tone is amazing.

 

[Tony In Philly]

The version of "The Other Side Of This Life" which can be found on this album is, in my opinion, the most desiralbe bass sound I've ever heard. It blows my mind!!

Unbelievable -- the Airplane version of that song drifted into my head today as I was driving to work and I haven't heard it in over 30 years! What a coincidence....

 

[ninerfan]

John Stirrat's work on Wilco's latest has me really wanting to start a Darkstar project. His tone on Side with the seeds is IT.

 

[jim nolte]

Jack Casady, Crown of Creation album.

 

[thumbslapper]

So I'm reminded: John Wetton- Larks' Tongues in Aspic Part II. Also Red, and Starless.

Nice one, i've always like wetton's tone, hella ballsy.

How about Doug Wimbish in Living Colour "Stain"? I think the best
metal bass playing/tone around.

Have to give it up to Tony "Mr. Tasteful" Levin as well, both
with Gabriel and King Crimson.

-carl

 

[Sneckumhaw]

I agree with mentions of Jack Casady in addition to my earlier choices, although as far as Airplane goes I have to say it's a shame about Balin's voice a lot of the time!

 

[andrew_over]

I personally think the fella who played bass on the most recent Ben Folds album 'Songs For Silverman" is the best tone i've heard in my life. Not to mention he's uber creative.

 

[Marson]

Sigur Ros - Hvarf-Heim disc 1 the whole album has nice bass on it for what ever is heard on it

 

[Hoover]

How about Doug Wimbish in Living Colour "Stain"? I think the best
metal bass playing/tone around.

Definitely good bass tone all over Stain, but I have to confess I rarely pay attention to Doug's tone on that album...I'm too busy being completely blown away by his playing!

 

[Kink Rimson]

JOHN ENTWISTLE - Dancin' master from Too late the hero.

Alembic Spider played through God Knows What!

Amazing. Except that bone-dry slap bit at the end.

 

[Thunder_Fingers]

I would say Geddy Lee (Rush) on the entire album "Counterparts".

 

[Count Bassie]

...although as far as Airplane goes I have to say it's a shame about Balin's voice a lot of the time!

I have to agree. Sorry about it, but it's just so ordinary. Does not inspire, which I need a voice to sort of do. Any musical sound needs to have something inspiring in it- even a little.

 

[pedro]

To my ears Casady had a terrific sound and great instincts but I just never worked up much of an appetite for The Airplane. I thought they were relatively groove-less, as were many of the West Coast Psychedelic bands of the era.

 

[jomahu]

this charming man - the smiths
burnin and lootin - bob marley and the wailers

and anything done by meshell. she is such a tone phreak.

 

[Rob L]

A few cool tones that comes to mind for me:

Jimmy Bain's tone on Holy Diver (first Dio album Holy Diver)

Audioslaves bassist, the tones on there 1st album are great.

Allen Woody on Mule on their Debut album Gov't Mule

Allen Woody on Thorazine Shuffle on Mules Dose

Of course there are countless others that are awesome also.

 

[Qvist]

I love Duff Mckagan's bass sound. Same with Cliff Burton's, it was pretty dark and mean (not talking about anesthesia of course hehe)