hi all

[tigertwo]

hi all first timer on the forum and looking for advice

having been the guitarist in many cover bands over the years, i have decided to change to playing bass (mainly because our bass player emigrated to oz and we couldnt find another bass player that wasnt fifteen years old, a total metal head or already in two bands) music wise we play anything from funk to punk and everything inbetween (no rap or metal)
the question is my laney amp sounds great for the funky/soul/ska/ pop stuff but is lacking for the punkier edgier side of things and was wondering if there were any effects or tips you could recommend as i am a total newbie to the bass guitar playing live. i have messed on in the studio and at practices and such

cheers TT

 

[Steve]

Welcome.

Now drop and give us 50 newbie!

The best advice I could give a total newbie with tone issues is to work with the amp controls and right hand technique for a while before you go chasing effects as a solution.

How and where you pluck or pick the string has a huge impact.

 

[KeithBMI]

Are you using a pick? Try that first.

 

[capnsandwich]

You say you have a Laney amp, is it a bass amp? If so, what kind of bass are you playing and what technique?

 

[tigertwo]

hi guys
the bass im playing is a sqier p bass (i think) not the best in the world but it will seve its purpose and my laney amp is the bass equivalent to my guitar amp i picked it up second hand.
i have not tried a pick yet i have been messing around in different positions with my fingers and thumb.
i can produce different sounds between the bridge and the neck and am getting the hang of playing in different areas for different sounds to suit the song and style.
im not trying slap bass or anything like that i just want to produce a half decent bass line.

white wedding ( billy idol) for example is one song we play
and i can get the riff no probs and the song flows well but the bass sound is lacking i have turned it up and messed on but it still does not feel right
day tripper (the beatles) is fine as is 85 percent of our set

cheers TT

 

[TheMutt]

Welcome to Talkbass!

White Wedding sounds like you need to cut some of the tone on the bass and play with a pick (if you're not already, as being used to playing guitar I'd assume you're already using a pick, but you might want to move up to a thicker pick like 2-3mm).

As far as effects go, I'd highly suggest going over to the effects forum. There's literally tons of information about what effects (if any) were used on bass in specific songs. (for example: the dying battery in a Mutron III envelope filter sound on the bass in Sir Psycho Sexy by Red Hot Chili Peppers that can be done with an Electro-Harmonix Bassballs) You can also find information about pedals that sound like certain types of amplifiers or overdrive/distortion that certain old tube amps generated in recordings. (for example: the Tech 21 VT Bass or Catalinbread SFT. Both of which are modeled after Ampeg amplifiers and are very versatile pedals.)

My only warning is, the more you read things on this forum, the more things that you want to purchase.

You will soon become intimately aware of the acronym: GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)

Wallet beware! Your best bet is to find a way to be happy with what you have for now before it makes you poor. If you don't believe me, check my profile and you'll see how many different effects I've played around with.

 

[tigertwo]

thanks for the tips and advice everyone
i will take a look at the effects board and experiment.

the only thing that puts me off with the multi effects is the fact that out of the hundreds of sounds they produce you only end up using two or three.

will keep on leeping on and no doubt i will be ready for the july gig

again thanks
TT

 

[Mr wiggl3s]

Man. You're following in all the guitarists-turned-bass players foot steps...

So, my advice, just learn the open e string, open a string, and open d string, and you're ready to gig.

 

[Big Daddy Mac]

Welcome to Talkbass!

My only warning is, the more you read things on this forum, the more things that you want to purchase.

You will soon become intimately aware of the acronym: GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)

Wallet beware! .

I had GAS before coming to TB. It's gotten worse since. OTOH, I have lots of nice stuff to play with, through, near, etc. And I just might look into a Tony Franklin fretted P this weekend ! GAS Attack !