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I was advised to use a Jazz Bass.. help!
- Thread starter Pinta
- Start date
I'm confused. You own both a Stingray and Jazz bass and you don't now what the Jazz bass sound is? Maybe I'm missing something?
Au contraire, Sir Vintone!! I can get seriously dubby tones (sans clank) out of both my 'rays. I've actually used a 'ray on jazz gigs and it sound like i'm playing fat Jazz bridge pickup.
Bring both basses to the studio. That's just a good habit to get into anyway. It's always good to have a backup in case of a technical problem.
yup. it's a matter of using the onboard EQ the right way. most players tend to boost rather than cut. mellower tones are quite achievable on a 'ray.
I guess two people might have the same opinion on a particular bass choice if they have similar tastes in bass tones and musical tastes, or maybe just a good understanding of what tone fits best...
In my opinion, when producing a track, the bass tone and kick drum have a close relationship in a mix, and getting those two to work together sometimes determines the desired bass tone (all depending on the song and arrangement, and interaction between players).
So maybe those two you asked, are hearing something but not explaining why they suggest a jazz over your regular ray... Let's face it, they are very different tones so there must be a reason. Just sayin'
edit: meant to add that I play with various drummers, and often the sound of the kit inspires the sound I go for to compliment, and I have a Vintage Jazz, ray 34 and single coil P-Bass to choose from to compliment the band, style/genre or venue... I think they all have some relevance.
In my opinion, when producing a track, the bass tone and kick drum have a close relationship in a mix, and getting those two to work together sometimes determines the desired bass tone (all depending on the song and arrangement, and interaction between players).
So maybe those two you asked, are hearing something but not explaining why they suggest a jazz over your regular ray... Let's face it, they are very different tones so there must be a reason. Just sayin'
edit: meant to add that I play with various drummers, and often the sound of the kit inspires the sound I go for to compliment, and I have a Vintage Jazz, ray 34 and single coil P-Bass to choose from to compliment the band, style/genre or venue... I think they all have some relevance.
just a note. aeroplane is the only song on one hot minute recorded with a ray. all the other songs, except "Pea", were recorded with one of two Alembic basses.
Interesting thread. I had a bass lesson with my teacher today and was talking about how much I like the sound I'm getting out of my American Special JB... I record for learning purposes jam sessions and rehearsals, and I was floored by the sound I was getting last week out of another bassist's GK amp... I use a GB Streamliner 600 with a Focus 112T live, but my point is you develop your own sound/tone for the most part on the instrument (a point my teacher agrees with - he says "the amp is just how you get your sound out there - its your hands/attack etc.")... e-bass models do vary from instrument to instrument and brand...
I like MM basses even though I own JBs only. If I get into a metal band, I'll probably pop for a Stingray or a P-bass because they've got the crunch and rumble you need for that kind of playing situation...
I like MM basses even though I own JBs only. If I get into a metal band, I'll probably pop for a Stingray or a P-bass because they've got the crunch and rumble you need for that kind of playing situation...
i always thought of flea as "stingray guy forever, discovered the jazz recently" (when there was that internet kerfluffle over him slapping a sticker on his vintage J), but i recently watched the video for "suck my kiss" off BSSM and there he was in the studio rockin' a wal!
so who knows? try the jazz, if it works and you yourself dig it, use it! use what fits the song but still sounds like you. (unless you're a paid session guy, in which case use what fits the song period; "you" don't exist in that context.)
If you're nobody, or somebody (flea/nathan east, etc.) play whatever you want. Otherwise play what you're told.
Unless you listen to the recording and can objective offer a meaningful, alternative opinion that changes minds.
A Jbass is thinner, and has some bite to it.
Determine if this is what works in context.
Unless you listen to the recording and can objective offer a meaningful, alternative opinion that changes minds.
A Jbass is thinner, and has some bite to it.
Determine if this is what works in context.
there was an article in a guitar mag in the 90's after BSSM, where he mentioned the Wal's were his favorite in the studio but they didn't hold up to the abuse on stage and he kept warping the necks...
So the "people you respect", were they bass players? Were they bass players who play both Rays and Jbasses? What do the other members of your band think?
Look. There are a LOT of people out there (usually not bass players but some are) who think that a Fender bass is the ONLY bass. All others are not basses at all. That is all they know, probably because they heard it from someone else and just blindly repeat it. It means little even if they mean well.
A 'Ray and a J-bass are two classic sounds. VERY classic sounds. Which one works best in your music is a MUSICAL DECISION. So the choice should actually be by the BAND (including managers, agents etc with interest). And since you are the bass player you should have final veto over all of it. (you want the singer telling you how to play bass?) But in fairness if there is wide agreement on the sound everybody is looking for then an effort should be made to get it. And that is what you want to be YOUR sound for the band. Not this for recording and that for live. What kind of bait and switch is that?
Quite frankly if some people told me the band needed a 'Ray sound rather than my Fender J (or P-bass) I'd be MUCH more inclinded to give it serious consideration than the other way round.
Ideally you go to the studio and try each, listen to the results and try to make a musical decision. And whatever is decided that is the sound you try to have your band keep. Now if it's not your band, and you are being paid to give people what they want, then you give them what they want.
Use whatever bass will keep you working. Jazz basses and P basses are familiar to most studio techs. They're the standard basses. Anything else can feel foreign to the average mixer. Studio time is valuable. Nobody wants to waste time trying to make one bass sound like another.
Thank you so much for all the answers!
I play rather agressive (which is not always a good thing), I think the manager and the producer were trying to have a more mellow sound.
I'm new in this band, they have been playing for some time now and the original bassist quit because he didn't want to be in such a serious project, he didn't want to earn a living as a musician, he just wanted to keep music as a hobby. He was really honest about it and there are no grudges.
Anyway they asked me to join knowing I have a serious attitude and that I always thought of bands as a job and everything that implies (being on time, rested, fed, with energy to work, etc).
I'm still gaining my place, so if they ask me to record with the Jazz, i'll do exactly that. Im just happy to have landed a spot between people so comitted.
Thank you very much everyone!
I play rather agressive (which is not always a good thing), I think the manager and the producer were trying to have a more mellow sound.
I'm new in this band, they have been playing for some time now and the original bassist quit because he didn't want to be in such a serious project, he didn't want to earn a living as a musician, he just wanted to keep music as a hobby. He was really honest about it and there are no grudges.
Anyway they asked me to join knowing I have a serious attitude and that I always thought of bands as a job and everything that implies (being on time, rested, fed, with energy to work, etc).
I'm still gaining my place, so if they ask me to record with the Jazz, i'll do exactly that. Im just happy to have landed a spot between people so comitted.
Thank you very much everyone!
Yeah it's not the 'clank' I'm talkin about.... and no doubt you can get dubby tones. The 79 MM Sabre I owned had the most massive low end I've heard on a bass but it still always a "grind" to it. I even coil tapped it (rewiring the 'phase' and 'low cut' switches) to see if I could get it closer to a J but the pickups are just different. It still sounded like an MM pickup but a different flavour.
Amazing bass but that's why I sold it. Nothing wrong with the MM sound but it's not a tone that worked for me personally, so I relate to what's said in the OP.
