Is this tone even possible?

[Jim Carr]

My jaco pastorious sounds nothing like this at all even through my Cali76 compresser. Even if it had frets, it's too clean sounding and doesn't have that meat to the sound...

That pedal just does some routine compression and EQ, nothing that can't be had with a typical pre amp like a Sadowsky pre, bringing out the mids with the pickup settings, and use of most any ordinary compressor, IMHO.

I'll bet it's nice and quiet, too. Better be, for ~$500.

 

[Jim Carr]

...I'm still leaning towards that pedal that you can't get anymore...

API TranZformer LX Transformer / Compressor / EQ Bass Pedal

 

[TonyP-]

Just sounds like an active Jazz with steel roundwounds to me.

This all the way...

I only read a couple of the reponses but it sounds like a bright board active J bass with roundwounds.

 

[luciens]

API TranZformer LX Transformer / Compressor / EQ Bass Pedal

I stand corrected... thought it was out production.

Well there you go.... Yeah kind of pricey at $500 but still cheaper than a new MIA bass..

L

 

[klyph]

just isn't there on a totally clean jazz bass no matter what you pluck the strings with or where.

I’ve owned 70’s Jazz Basses with stock pickups, and yes, this tone is probably not possible running direct. Can’t disagree. I guess I’m just taking the tone of hot pickups as a given.

I have had players better than me sit in and achieve this tone thru my axe/rig. The two axes were a Ken Smith and a G&L L2500. I have been using G&L dual MFD Basses since ‘94, so again, that’s kind of my baseline in terms of tone and response. The gentlemen who sat in just tweaked eq and onboard settings, I don’t use any pedals or rack effects on the gig. So I stand corrected- you need a “hot” signal from the bass, and decent eq to achieve anything close to this tone.

But you also need the fingers.

 

[Ryno1330]

I'm surprised no one mentioned so far that this is (at least to my ears) a 70s jazz bass tone. Getting that bite and sparkle is difficult with a J bass with 60s bridge pickup placement IME, no matter what degree of EQ and comp you apply.

This is a good point I omitted in my rundown of how I can get this sound pretty easily (not the hands part - his are better than mine ). I should have mentioned my bass is a Marcus Miller 70s style jazz. That tone is much more inherent in the 70s pickup positions. It doesn't mean it can't be done with a 60s style and pickups with a little punch and some eq but it's tougher. Good catch!

 

[Funky Phantom]

That’s just your standard ‘Jazz Bass’ tone. How it’s eq’d, what dsp’s he’s using, I don’t know.
But the gentleman in the video is obviously a solid player, his phrasing, touch, feel
we’re all top shelf. That’s the key to his tone. That’s what makes bass so personal.
Everybody plays differently, the way you attack the strings, the way you mute, etc.
If you played his bass, with his settings, you’d still sound like you.
And if he played your bass, with your settings, he’d still sound like that.

 

[BassoSaku]

Is it possible to get the tone from this Youtube video with either of my basses?

I have a passive Fender Jazz (all stock) and an active Schecter SLS Elite.

I've been trying everything I can think of and Im ready to sell my basses and buy a Bass Mods bass if thats what it takes because that tone is like the holy grail for me.

Sounds definitely active pickup to my ears. And definitely compressed.

 

[wheelsup247]

No matter who you are or how much you try to get someone else's sound, in the end you will always sound a lot like you.

... As the saying goes “Wherever you go, there you are.”

 

[voodoobassist]

I just gave this tone a shot with my HX Stomp. Pretty simple to get that tone, low and hi cut at 60 and 3k, a Fullerton preamp model, and the Rochester comp. Running a Lakland DJ5 , passive, aero p'ups. Now getting his tasty chops is a bit more of a challenge.

 

[Sabi On Bass]

Get a Bassmods preamp with your pickups of choice (passive pickups). You will have this tone trust me.

 

[funkinbottom]

Get a Bassmods preamp with your pickups of choice (passive pickups). You will have this tone trust me.

This ^^^ Welcome to Talkbass.

Preamps

 

[bdplaid]

I know he uses DR Fat Beams. (Stainless steel rounds)
I use Dunlop Marcus Miller Super Brights (Stainless steel rounds)

I believe he records direct. Not through an amp or anything.

He says the pedal he uses is just a basic EQ/Compressor pedal.

Big differences between the MM SB strings and the Fat beams. In fact, they are the opposites of one another in tone. FB more midrange, SB very scooped.

A comp can have a huge effect on the tone. And all the comps are different. Ask him specifically which one he uses and what are the settings.

And an EQ pedal - what are the setting?

Edit: I'm pretty sure Fat Beams are stainless compression wound strings, where the wrap wire is smashed into an oval shape before winding to make them feel and sound smoother, and they should cut most finger and fret noise on their own. I play GHS Pressurewounds, same thing but a nickel/iron alloy rather than stainless, I've been meaning to try some.

No. Fat Beams are roundwound, I use them myself occasionally. They sound a lot different than Most DR strings, as they are mid-forward. Go to DR's web site and listen to the sound examples.

I actually find this tone to be a pretty basic Jazz bass tone. No real magic. just focus on detailing the midrange, cut the extreme highs. Lose the Super Bright Strings.

 

[slamsinger]

Playing over the bridge pickup
Sounds panned more towards the rear pickup maybe 60/40
70’s spacing with stainless steel strings

ala 70’s burpy mid focused tone with a nice touch

 

[BaltBass5]

Years ago when I was trying to get my sound, I looked heavily at some of my favorite bassists and what they were using and that was my starting point. Throughout the years I’ve added and subtracted bits and pieces and found my core gear. Having said that, I use different Basses and amps but these days it still just sounds like me.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Thanks for reply!

I've tried all settings on my treble control but havent really tried cutting bass. I'll try that now.

I know he uses DR Fat Beams. (Stainless steel rounds)
I use Dunlop Marcus Miller Super Brights (Stainless steel rounds)

I believe he records direct. Not through an amp or anything.

He says the pedal he uses is just a basic EQ/Compressor pedal.

Notice where he's playing the Jazz. He is plucking right over the bridge pickup for most of the song. That's what adds that crisp attack he's getting on the notes. Notice he plucks the strings one to two inches closer to the neck pickup when he's getting that warmer smoother sound on some of the slower parts. He usually moves his thumb up to rest on the neck pickup when he goes for the deeper, warmer sounds. So much of the sound we get out of our basses depends upon how we play it.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

No. Fat Beams are roundwound, I use them myself occasionally. They sound a lot different than Most DR strings, as they are mid-forward. Go to DR's web site and listen to the sound examples.

DR would beg to differ.

 

[bdplaid]

DR would beg to differ.View attachment 3866923

Then wth am I thinking of? hmmm... more coffee, that's right!

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Then wth am I thinking of? hmmm... more coffee, that's right!

Hi-Beams? I think they're the regular roundwound stainless DRs, but I could be wrong.

 

[Rumblefisher]

Late to the party but my official guess is...

Active jazz, rounds, cut highs and extreme lows, boost high mids, compression for sure (not too squashed).

Attainable and usable sound!
Nice playing!