Guitar player thinks my tone is thin - is it?

[sean_on_bass]

I always take suggestions from other bandmates. It makes me easy to work with and a team player. If the request is not achievable I'll simply say so and we move on. No drama or ego needed.

Some guitarists are also bassists and vice versa. We absolutely should consider suggestions from our fellow string players, stupid not to.

 

[JonathanPDX]

IME it's rare for anyone to get perfect sound on stage, but some are willing to take more than their fair share. If the guitar player is willing to negotiate and make reciprocal changes to better meet my needs, I tend to be willing to strike mutually beneficial compromises. If the guitarist always takes/never gives, it's another matter.

There is zero evidence this is the case. It's pure projection and imagination. You guys want to assume the worst when it sounds, based on the OP's actually words, like he's just trying to give some friendly advice.

You guys are looking for a conflict when there isn't one.

 

[Wasnex]

There is zero evidence this is the case. It's pure projection and imagination. You guys want to assume the worst when it sounds, based on the OP's actually words, like he's just trying to give some friendly advice.

You guys are looking for a conflict when there isn't one.

It's pretty ironic that you accuse me of projection. In the section you quoted, I presented opposing hypothetical circumstances, one in which I would be inclined to make the requested adjustment and one in which I probably would not.

If anyone here is projecting, it's you.

Have a good day.

UNSUB

 

[0260n25]

I would send pre-eq DI to the FOH and let them work out how to mix the bass. That's why you have FOH. The guitarist can have the conversation with FOH, who is better qualified to address the request (FOH hears what the audience hears).

Does the FOH think the bass is thin? (Apologize if I missed it in this thread.)

 

[Elmstreet]

I would send pre-eq DI to the FOH and let them work out how to mix the bass. That's why you have FOH. The guitarist can have the conversation with FOH, who is better qualified to address the request (FOH hears what the audience hears).

Does the FOH think the bass is thin? (Apologize if I missed it in this thread.)

Not a bad plan. I didn’t ask him directly but he didn’t say anything to me.

 

[sean_on_bass]

I would send pre-eq DI to the FOH and let them work out how to mix the bass. That's why you have FOH. The guitarist can have the conversation with FOH, who is better qualified to address the request (FOH hears what the audience hears).

Does the FOH think the bass is thin? (Apologize if I missed it in this thread.)

I believe he is sending a post HPF signal to FOH, so only so much can be done at the board. But still good suggestion to consult with sound tech

 

[Bullitt5135]

Unless your guitar player is standing in sweet spot out on the dance floor, then there's no way he can accurately critique what your tone sounds like. Tell your soundman (if you have one) what you're trying to achieve, then trust them to do their job. I've run FOH sound on enough gigs to know that bass tone fluctuates significantly depending on the room.

 

[Heiwa]

Some degree of respect should be given to veteran group members as well. If the bassist thinks his sound is great and the guitarist thinks it sucks, who is right? The answer may be neither because tone is subjective. The OP suggests the bassist, audio tech, and rest of the band think the tone of the bass is fine. Why do you think the guitar player is the only one who has a clue.

I think the guitar player should get some say. However getting a sound on stage should be a negotiation between all members. If guitar ask for the bassist to bump the low end, reasonable concession can be given. However, consideration should be given to how the change impacts other band members and how it impacts house sound. If there is a disagreements, the group leader normally gets the final say. I would suggest the group leader consult with the audio tech on this particular matter, as having massive lows bleeding of the stage is a pretty reliable recipe for bad house sound.

If the guitar player is being judgy and acting like his opinion carries more weight than the everyone else, he probably needs to be checked. Of course, one might consider how rare and valuable the guitarist's skillset is. Sometimes the situation warrants giving someone who can who really bring "it" a bit more latitude, regardless of whether they or correct or being rationale. Sometimes the price of dealing with super talented artists is accepting a narcissistic attitude and offensive behavior. I don't necessarily like it, but it is sometimes a valid choice IME.

And why would he ask anything here then. Makes zero sense

 

[Heiwa]

FINALLY!

Someone who gets it!

Maybe but the bass sounds bad here

 

[Heiwa]

Anyone that wasn't at that show has no clue what the bass sounded like, not anyone defending it nor critiquing it! With that said! this is obviously not this man's first gig! I personally find it hard to believe that a P Bass and Mesa/Boogie were too "Thin"!

He asked how it sounded in those videos. And it's obvious the tone sounds thin with a lot of compression. Half the posts here are ridiculous, insulting the guitarist, from people whose hearing I'm honestly worried about. They don't deserve a better comment because they only focused on attacking one person.

 

[FRoss6788]

He asked how it sounded in those videos. And it's obvious the tone sounds thin with a lot of compression. Half the posts here are ridiculous, insulting the guitarist, from people whose hearing I'm honestly worried about. They don't deserve a better comment because they only focused on attacking one person.

Oh brother.

 

[Pep]

The rig definitely has much more on tap, I have it pulled back quite a bit with the HPF. We do have a practice space that I leave my backup rig in, so I'm not lugging the whole setup as much but It might be worth bringing the whole setup to figure this out. The main reason I haven't don this is because the room is pretty boomy on its own, so I usually have to EQ quite differently in there.

You have rig that should give the guitar player a run for his money. Great amp. I’ve had one since they came out and they have plenty of low end.
I’m not familiar with your Ampeg cab. I assume yours is a 212, 8 ohms, 500 watts. I know nothing about the Lavove Neos. At 8 ohms you’re getting 400 watts.
I don’t know if that’s the problem or not but the Mesa 212 is 4 ohms so it’s getting 800 watt so it’s twice as powerful as your Ampeg.
I’m playing my 800D through a Greenboy fEARless F112 and F112 sub. My overall load is 4 ohms so I’m getting 800 watts as well. It’s extremely powerful and can get really deep if needed.
I suppose you could add another Ampeg 212 and that would give you double the power and double the speaker area. If that cab is considered a high end speaker then you should be fine.
If not get (2) Mesa 115s. You won’t be able hear his comments.

 

[Pep]

When using FOH and using the amp/cab for you to hear, dial it in the way you like it.
The tones, depth, etc should not be important to anyone but you. You don’t need to get so loud as to fight with the FOH.
It your band doesn’t use in-ears then you need to be loud enough for the other members to hear.

Oh also, make sure your signal to the FOH is “pre”. That way your soundman gets pretty much what’s coming from the bass guitar to sculpt for the house mix.

 

[FRoss6788]

He asked how it sounded in those videos. And it's obvious the tone sounds thin with a lot of compression. Half the posts here are ridiculous, insulting the guitarist, from people whose hearing I'm honestly worried about. They don't deserve a better comment because they only focused on attacking one person.

What’s ridiculous is anyone claiming that they know how the bass sounded at that gig.

It doesn’t sound “thin” in most of the videos, though that’s very subjective as everyone has different opinions.

 

[Pep]

You guys are looking for a conflict when there isn't one.

But there is one brewing . . . . . . right around the corner.

 

[Pep]

He asked how it sounded in those videos. And it's obvious the tone sounds thin with a lot of compression. Half the posts here are ridiculous, insulting the guitarist, from people whose hearing I'm honestly worried about. They don't deserve a better comment because they only focused on attacking one person.

 

[retslock]

Based on the videos, I'd agree with the guitar player. Your sound definitely lacks low end.
EDIT: As others have stated, it's hard to tell due to the quality of those videos.

I'm not familiar with that amp, so I can't be much help there.

I would agree with this. I also thought you could have been a bit louder.

 

[Pep]

I would agree with this. I also thought you could have been a bit louder.

MonetBass said:
Based on the videos, I'd agree with the guitar player. Your sound definitely lacks low end.
EDIT: As others have stated, it's hard to tell due to the quality of those videos.

I'm not familiar with that amp, so I can't be much help there.

There are too many things that factor in, making it nearly impossible to make an accurate assessment.

If you feel obligated to listen to the guitar player’s suggestions, go ahead, but I would also add in the conversation that you trust he will be just as receptive if you have any suggestions for him.

If not, Set it up the way you want to hear it and loud enough for all the band members to hear it as well. Send the “pre” (not post) signal to the FOH so the soundman can do his job. Enjoy your gig.

 

[retslock]

If not, Set it up the way you want to hear it and loud enough for all the band members to hear it as well. Send the “pre” (not post) signal to the FOH so the soundman can do his job. Enjoy your gig.

This is how I always do it.

 

[richntiff]

The big problem I had watching the videos is that your band is also clearly very…. well…. Small. I mean, I have a standard iPhone, and y’all only took up about 1/3-1/2 the screen. I tried rotating my phone 90 degrees, and while that did help, I have to say that I don’t think your view is big enough for most audiences. People will be squinting.

Ridiculous, right?