Jaco-Tone: Do you really like it?

[fiendn]

I never really either understood his choice of music or choice of tone.

Both sounds wimpy and lifeless to me, which you can't really say about his playing.

I acknowledge that he was in deed very talented, just don't understand his choices musically.

???

His "choices" were to play what he dug.

unlike a zillion other ppl who play what is hip and makes $$$.

Yeah can't really see how anyone could question why someone would play what they loved.

thats the *opposite" of a sellout.

 

[Mdrummey]

Love his playing and tone.

Especially with Joni Mitchell.

 

[NoiseNinja]

???

His "choices" were to play what he dug.

unlike a zillion other ppl who play what is hip and makes $$$.

Yeah can't really see how anyone could question why someone would play what they loved.

thats the *opposite" of a sellout.

?????!

You are assuming I meant things I never mentioned in my post.

I did nowhere say in my post state that you should not be allowed to play music or have a tone I don't get.

On the contrary I said it was his choice.

And in my world people are free to chose what ever they want as long as it is not with the intention of hurting others.

All I said was that I didn't understand his choices, certainly hope I am allowed to be dim witted in that department, I didn't say people should keep to what I can relate to.

Neither did I say he was a sellout, on the contrary I said I respected his playing.

How you could get out of my post what you did is a bit of an enigma to me.

 

[fiendn]

You are assuming I meant things I never mentioned in my post.

I did nowhere say in my post sate that you should not be allowed to play music or have a tone I don't get.

On the contrary I said it was his choice.

And in my world people are free to chose what ever they want as long as it is not with the intention of hurting others.

All I said was that I didn't understand his choices, certainly hope I am allowed to be dim witted in that department, I didn't say people should keep to what I can relate to.


chill bro... i think what you meant was you aren't a fan of the styles of music he played. nothing wrong with that! the 70's jazz-fusion thing is my single favorite movement in modern music so i would disagree with you strongly.

however... i am an American dude.

i would fight and bleed for your right to disagree with me.

you are equally entitled to your opinion for sure.

 

[consectaneus]

This guy likes it:

 

[Tube Amps Rule]

Here's the "opposite" of a Jaco tone.

 

[Korladis]

Honestly, while he's obviously a fantastic player, I've never liked his tone that much, or his music.

 

[Jaco Taco]

It's one of my favorite tones of all time, certainly THE fretless tone. Partly because of how he played, but his bass always sounded to me like a brass instrument, and I think that's cool.

 

[Gideon352]

It's not my thing either, but I understand why people like it. To me, it's a pretty unique tone. Points for that!

 

[Norwegian Bass]

I like it. I like his tone the best when it's fat; when he has a little neck pick up and/or treble cut with the tone control in there. And there are examples out there, where it's brighter than I'd ultimately like, so I see what you're saying. But in those cases I tolerate it and focus more on the playing aspects of the whole thing. But I do like the "favor the bridge" tone, if it fits the music; and then it's usually jazz: Tal

or heavy stuff:

Tim Commerford; the king of distorted bass IMO; check out 3:47-4:32. Passive J in BEAD!! Well, he used three SVT Pro 2 on this record, plus the secret "fear this" pedal; so...

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I don't like the tone he used, either. Maybe that is why I don't listen to his work very often.

 

[ONYX]

I liked it when Jaco did it. But it generated a never ending parade of tone-clones. Seemed like after the "Heavy Weather" album, everybody started to sound like Jaco. It got old real quick.

 

[tlc1976]

I like his tone, it's the type of tone I liked most on my fretless long before ever hearing Jaco. My 6 does it better with the brighter sounding ebony fingerboard. I had heard OF Jaco early on, but it wasn't until 15 years later when I heard Joni Mitchell's "Coyote" that I actually heard his playing. And even then I didn't know it was Jaco. Last year I picked up Heavy Weather and a Jaco Birthday concert CD at the resale so I could listen more to his work. I prefer what he played for Joni.

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

I agree with it depends on the song... Not a fan of the tone on many things I have heard BUT check out the "Trio of Doom" album. In particularly Continuum, studio version not the live (both versions on the album). That tone has to be one of my favorite tones ever. Not sure what was used but to my ears I am hearing a tube amp and a mic mix.

 

[Batmensch]

I like it just fine for what it is, it's tone fit the music he played, but I prefer a Jamerson/60's R+B type tone.

 

[staccatogrowl]

. . we know Jaco for mostly playing at or near the bridge pickup, with a strong midrange. I don't consider this tone so much a product of his gear as much as his technique. Give me a Jazz bass, a fretless Ken Smith, an ACG or a Modulus Quantum and I will reproduce that tone for you in a roundabout fashion through technique alone. .

Essentially, Jaco unlocked a new way of playing the bass and I don't think the raft of bassists that arrived in his wake as being derivative for seeking that same sound. . Jaco wasn't just defined by his tone though, his notes and phrasing gave him away too, moreso than his tone ever did. . His resolutions, the patterns his hands took to, even the canned licks that he could transpose to different keys to play over a given chord, were all trademarks of his style.

Jaco is credited for pioneering a distinctive sound. The sound is so profound that anyone that reproduces the sound is considered a Jaco counterfeiter. However, his sound is more than just the physical sound of his fretless bass. It is rhythm, sense of bass, harmony, improvisation, and instrument proficiency and technique.

Although many can achieve Jaco's distinctive tone, few can achieve his level and style of playing. Many tribute recordings have been made and none surpass the master. Jaco's musical artistry is that strong.

Bass players that catch flack for enjoying and using Jaco's tone are done great disservice. Once a certain tone is invented it belongs to the world. Those that argue to the contrary are disingenuous and shallow. For example, take the sound of a Hammond B-3 organ. It is a staple in rock, gospel, and jazz, having a distinct tone with many followers. Throw in the sound of some floating Leslies, and the B-3 sound is remarkable and identifiable. The differentiating factor is always the player. As there are thousand of B-3 players that find their own voice in the world of B-3, so it can be with "Jaco tone" electric fretless bass. The exact premise also applies to Fender Rhodes, traditional instruments in general (trumpet, saxophone, piano etc), and virtually any instrument.

I hear few criticisms of players that play and love Precision basses as being James Jamerson wannabees or clones. That tonal signature gets plenty of love and respect by many. Rightfully so. The distinct tone signature of the fretted Jazz bass gets similar respect. Rightfully so, again. Pull the frets out of the same Jazz bass and it becomes Jaco tone, disrespected and disdained by many.

However, the fretless tone that Jaco pioneered is truly a delicious color of the rainbow. May its practitioners nurture it, and handle with love and care. Be brave and develop your voice using Jaco's invented tone. Jaco will be proud!

 

[bucephylus]

The OP was referring to the "tone" that Jaco used/created. So, the thread to be on track ought to be discussing what some aspects of the tone were, where it has been used by other players, and how or where it works or doesn't. Make sense? No need to argue about whether or not one happens to appreciate or not appreciate the player. Different topic.

I haven't seen many clips showing where other players are using what might be considered Jaco tone. My definition of "Jaco tone" is only partly related to the instrument. For me, it is a tight and fat tone obtained by playing near the bridge with great rhythmic definition and punctuation.

Here is a clip I consider to be influenced by Jaco's playing:


And, no doubt, others will say that is nonsense. But, I NEVER heard bass played that way before Jaco appeared on the scene. And, yes, it's not a Jazz Bass. News flash: there's more to it than just the instrument.

Here's another common one where the bass sounds influenced by Jaco to me:


Is it EXACTLY "Jaco tone?" No, of course not. But, again, I just am pointing out that such tight and fat bridge oriented tone was not widely heard prior to Birdland. That tune stuck a stake in the ground.

I'm sure I will take a lot of flack that neither of those bass tones are similar. I'm just relating my perspective on the influence as I watched it unfold. Jaco was a massive influence. Whether or not you like the guy's playing or sound. That's what happened.

Anyhow, I think it's more interesting to use your ears and observe where the influence went. It's out there. And, I will just add that the so-called "Jaco tone" works extremely well in cover situations with these kinds of tunes. IME.

 

[consectaneus]

^^^
In this portion of the masterclass, Jeff Berlin contrasts long tones with what he refers to as "the legacy of the Jaco Pastorius approach".

 

[chilliwilli]

It's a good tone when Jaco does it....in the 70s and 80s. When people emulate it today it just sounds corny, dated and becomes exhausting to listen after the 1,000th time.

 

[Lownote38]

Great tone when Jaco used it (and invented it), but I dislike the imitations I hear on The Weather Channel.