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Good bassist, bad tone
- Thread starter ChopperDave
- Start date
+1
Even with the limited technology available I always thought Jamerson had a good tone. Sure, it isn't the thinner trebly tone a lot of bassists use today, but it is actually audible, which makes it fairly rare for a '60s recorded tone. Who else had such a fat bass tone in the '60s that was audible over rich orchestrations, on mono mixes, AND had nothing much going on below 100 Hz...
I didn't want to be the first one to say it. I DO love his playing, but his tone...not my cup of tea, we'll say.
Rex from Pantera is another example for me. Solid bassist, not good tone imo.
A lot of players have tone that I personally would not go for but it is integral to what they are trying to do. I am talking about cats like Billy Sheehan, Stanley Clarke, Peter Steele, etc. However some tone I do not dig...
Tony Choy...I actually love the staccato latin tone but not in a metal band. I know that Atheist had a jazz vibe about them but his tone was too nasally,
I love Sir Paul's Ric tone but hate his Hofner sound.
Steve Harris...he'd sound better if he just used rounds ans called it a day, IMHO.
Geezer's tone was horrible on those firsf Sabbath records. I guess he used a guitar amp on them.
+1 on Jeff Berlin...great player, anemic tone.
I actually love Wooten's tone, though I prefer him through Ampeg. And I say that as a Hartke fan.
Tony Choy...I actually love the staccato latin tone but not in a metal band. I know that Atheist had a jazz vibe about them but his tone was too nasally,
I love Sir Paul's Ric tone but hate his Hofner sound.
Steve Harris...he'd sound better if he just used rounds ans called it a day, IMHO.
Geezer's tone was horrible on those firsf Sabbath records. I guess he used a guitar amp on them.
+1 on Jeff Berlin...great player, anemic tone.
I actually love Wooten's tone, though I prefer him through Ampeg. And I say that as a Hartke fan.
I think Rex's tone was an attempt to overcome Dime's bad tone. I like Pantera as much as the next person but I have to point out that the emperor has no clothes: Dime's tone sucked. Scooped SS guitar tone that doesn't cut? Yuk.
I've always admired Rex's playing, but I have to agree on the tone... way too much scoop.
The name I will chuck in the hat is Ben Shepherd from Soundgarden. The guy can play (somehow - his bass height doesn't seem to affect him very much), but IMO his tone on the prime SG albums was often pretty horrendous. It wasn't so bad on 'King Animal'.
The name I will chuck in the hat is Ben Shepherd from Soundgarden. The guy can play (somehow - his bass height doesn't seem to affect him very much), but IMO his tone on the prime SG albums was often pretty horrendous. It wasn't so bad on 'King Animal'.
Not a fan of Roger Glover's live tone... sounds way fuzzed out for my taste (i.e. Smoke on the Water off Made in Japan). I know that whole "wall of sound" schtick was part of Purple's claim to fame, but it feels a little excessive at times.
Steve Bailey - Worst tone for a talented guy, actually can't listen (or watch) him.
Agree with Entwistle and Jack Bruce. Basically with me - Fuzz Bass: I detest. Why the hell do you want your sound to sound like it's a loud fart through broken speakers? Yuck. My opinion.
I try to have a clean, full, well rounded tone. (Although I grew up with Geddy's playing so maybe I am juxtaposed there).
Vic - I never will understand why he plays a piccolo bass, seems silly to me - so I don't like that sound. I like his Fodera sound on the 4 string, usually, but the baby bass not so much.
None of this matters, however, because I am a nobody and these players are making a career out of their sound and ability so kudos to them!
Agree with Entwistle and Jack Bruce. Basically with me - Fuzz Bass: I detest. Why the hell do you want your sound to sound like it's a loud fart through broken speakers? Yuck. My opinion.
I try to have a clean, full, well rounded tone. (Although I grew up with Geddy's playing so maybe I am juxtaposed there).
Vic - I never will understand why he plays a piccolo bass, seems silly to me - so I don't like that sound. I like his Fodera sound on the 4 string, usually, but the baby bass not so much.
None of this matters, however, because I am a nobody and these players are making a career out of their sound and ability so kudos to them!
I really dislike the tone Victor Wooten had in the 90s, but his recent tone is lovely IMO, especially when he takes a solo. ). Aside from that his tone is pretty bland and indistinguishable IMO.
Agreed, I love his classic studio tone though. Rick 4001 with fresh roto flats and a pick.
Agreed, I love his classic studio tone though. Rick 4001 with fresh roto flats and a pick.
No doubt, his studio tone kicked ass. Didn't know he used flats, though... cool insight! I always assumed it would've been Roto 66s.
He only used flats for a few years, I think his P bass always sported rounds though.
I can't believe that no one has mentioned Michael Anthony...
I bet he played some decent lines in his VH years, but most of us will never know it because we can't hear it!
Fishheadjoe
I bet he played some decent lines in his VH years, but most of us will never know it because we can't hear it!
Fishheadjoe
Geezer is a tone monster IMO, I love all of the sounds he's gotten. But I guess not everyone is into that distorted, thumpy sound with lots of mids.
And I can't believe you said that. There are plenty of vh tracks that display his thick tone well. 'beautiful girls' for just one example.
The dude in APB just kills it... summer love, shoot you down great stuff. Not in order just naming some of the greats, Simon Gallup, Sting, Eric Avery, Steve Severin, Andy Rourke are just undeniable. Darryl Jenifer, Mike Mills Someone mentioned Mike Watt, love him but is he in this genre, if so MIKE WATT.
oh yeah and some guy who calls himself FLEA
REASON FOR EDIT -- PLEASE DISREGARD MY LAST TWO RESPONSES WERE INTENDED FOR FAVORITE POST-PUNK/NEW WAVE BASSISTS -- I love those guys and and have no criticism for their tone. SO to be clear, pretend I didnt mention any of those guys in this thread.
REASON FOR EDIT -- PLEASE DISREGARD MY LAST TWO RESPONSES WERE INTENDED FOR FAVORITE POST-PUNK/NEW WAVE BASSISTS -- I love those guys and and have no criticism for their tone. SO to be clear, pretend I didnt mention any of those guys in this thread.
