- Oct 18, 2012
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How did you find your sound?
- Thread starter slipknotmaggot3
- Start date
I think I found my sound, when I could not find any equipment that enhanced my ability more than what I was playing with. Of course, my technique will hopefully continue to improve my tone and sound.
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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When I started playing a 5-string back in '92-93. I had played 4's for 20+ years prior (yeah, I'm that old). Not sure why; it just clicked for me, and not so much for the extra low notes.
I honestly don't worry about a specific tone or sound. I play a lot of different styles of music, and what works with one song may not work with another. I have also realize, like many others, what sounds great in one setting may not in another either.
While I might have my bass and amp dialed in when I'm playing in the garage for the ultimate tone, it's going to sound like garbage when I'm playing with a full band. It's probably going to sound even worse at specific venues.
What I worry more about is technique, my ear, and the ability to adapt to different situations. I don't pluck strings with one method in a constant area. I move my hand to get the optimal tone for the song. I use different plucking/picking/slapping techniques when called for. I play notes in different areas of the neck for different tones and movement efficiency. I pay attention to muting techniques in both hands.
I also pay close attention to the rest of the band. The sound. The groove. Syncing. Harmonies.
My sound is fitting in to the song and the band that plays it. Not forcing a specific tone or forever chasing it.
Or this could all be because I don't have the money or time to be testing out every piece of gear to find something special. There are just too many variables that affect sound: technique, strings, bass (wood, pickups, settings), amps, effects, other instruments, venue, FOH, etc.
While I might have my bass and amp dialed in when I'm playing in the garage for the ultimate tone, it's going to sound like garbage when I'm playing with a full band. It's probably going to sound even worse at specific venues.
What I worry more about is technique, my ear, and the ability to adapt to different situations. I don't pluck strings with one method in a constant area. I move my hand to get the optimal tone for the song. I use different plucking/picking/slapping techniques when called for. I play notes in different areas of the neck for different tones and movement efficiency. I pay attention to muting techniques in both hands.
I also pay close attention to the rest of the band. The sound. The groove. Syncing. Harmonies.
My sound is fitting in to the song and the band that plays it. Not forcing a specific tone or forever chasing it.
Or this could all be because I don't have the money or time to be testing out every piece of gear to find something special. There are just too many variables that affect sound: technique, strings, bass (wood, pickups, settings), amps, effects, other instruments, venue, FOH, etc.
I play as much gear as possible. Play many basses, effects, amps, cables, etc.
Then, pick one that FIT me.
It could be a very long research
Then, pick one that FIT me.
It could be a very long research
I never thought about "my sound" as an isolated target to strive for.
Circumstances in the music, the venues, the studios ,
and esp the heads of people in control of knobs downstream of you
will conspire against this constantly.
It is better to become skilled at responding appropriately in varying situations .
Instead of "What is my sound" Ask "does this sound good at this moment,
for this tune, in this situation?"
in other words flexibility and ears > having "your sound"
Circumstances in the music, the venues, the studios ,
and esp the heads of people in control of knobs downstream of you
will conspire against this constantly.
It is better to become skilled at responding appropriately in varying situations .
Instead of "What is my sound" Ask "does this sound good at this moment,
for this tune, in this situation?"
in other words flexibility and ears > having "your sound"
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While equipment plays an important role, I think it's more about how you approach the instrument (timing, intent, plucking style, where you position your hand, how hard you play).
I experiment all the time with plucking in different places, different gear, picks, pickups, instruments etc. but, I always come back to a certain "thing" that I do. It's just what sounds best to me while working with what I've got.
I experiment all the time with plucking in different places, different gear, picks, pickups, instruments etc. but, I always come back to a certain "thing" that I do. It's just what sounds best to me while working with what I've got.
My sound ones from my compositions. With my playing, my sound is whatever I feel will best fit the music. You can't approach playing a Prince Buster song with the same tone you would take to a Marcus Miller tune.
My sound is single coil single pickup Fender bass playing through an Ampeg tube amp. My B-18n and SVT blue sound quite similiar. I push the mids and often add a little Aguilar compresser. I love the sound, the engineers love my sound, my dog loves my sound, it mixes well with the band. I walk like a man, I talk like a man, call me the man. Grand Funk RR.
Being a fairly new bass player from a classical piano background I was totally overwhelmed at how little my ear could distinguish. I can tell a Kawai from a Yamaha with my eyes closed, but I'm still making big adjustments to notice any real difference.
Last Sunday when I was playing I noticed I was lacking something and saw that I only had the neck pick-up half-way (American Standard J). I gave it a twist and I was right back to what I wanted. I'm not sophisticated yet, but I was proud of myself for hearing a tone difference that a year ago I never would have heard.
I bought a Line6 Bass POD xt Live floor pedal set up and I throw different stuff on just to mess around. I doubt I'll replace my amp/head, but I did try the Ernie Ball Cobalt strings and really liked them.
I might be missing out, but for now, a little tweak here and there until something just sounds "right".
(Still have no clue on the knobs on my head unit..... Lol)
Last Sunday when I was playing I noticed I was lacking something and saw that I only had the neck pick-up half-way (American Standard J). I gave it a twist and I was right back to what I wanted. I'm not sophisticated yet, but I was proud of myself for hearing a tone difference that a year ago I never would have heard.
I bought a Line6 Bass POD xt Live floor pedal set up and I throw different stuff on just to mess around. I doubt I'll replace my amp/head, but I did try the Ernie Ball Cobalt strings and really liked them.
I might be missing out, but for now, a little tweak here and there until something just sounds "right".
(Still have no clue on the knobs on my head unit..... Lol)
I didn't realize I had a recognizable sound until I heard it played back on recordings and I could listen to it without having to be reacting to what was happening at the time.
I didn't particularly like it until years later when I was a better player.
I didn't particularly like it until years later when I was a better player.
