Just how bright were the 80s?

[Just Wrong]

I was listening to a new John Patitucci interview this morning where he talked about how he’s been leaning toward darker tones as he’s gotten older: “I lived through the 80s, and I grew to hate brightness.” (37m15s)

I've heard that bass tones and amps in the 80s were notably bright, but since I wasn't around then and the 80s are probably my least listened-to decade, I'm curious—any examples of those overly bright 80s bass tones?

Edit: I don't mean I don't listen to 80s music or that I hate it; I just mean it's probably the decade I'm least familiar with.

 

[RandomKaren]

I remember Trace Elliot stacks with the Bright Box on top, a device clearly designed to shatter glass at 100ft range. I guess in the era when slap ruled so did the higher frequencies. Mark King is one for bright 80s tones.

 

[ad9000]

I listened to that part of the interview, and I didn't quite understand the reference. If John is referring more specifically to his own sound on records, I never thought it was overly bright. You can definitely hear his gradual evolution from the minimally EQ-ed direct sound on the Elektric Band records and early GRP solo albums toward the less top-endy, rounder sound of his last several solo albums.

If you're talking about 80's bass sounds, I can't think of many that are overly bright, except maybe Mark King's and some of Tony Levin's sounds from his Music Man basses, which are occasionally very cutting on the top end but still musical. When I think of the quintessential 80's bass players, who for me were Tony, Anthony Jackson, Marcus Miller and early 80's Jaco, their sounds are all pretty well balanced and not especially bright. The brightness on 80's records was much more from elements like digital keyboard sounds (i.e. the obnoxious Yamaha DX7), the super scooped Rockman guitar sounds, and the splashy digital reverbs that emerged late in the decade. Maybe that's what John was referring to.

 

[BassKees]

And Aural Exciters of course.

 

[Killing Floor]

So bright I had to wear shades.

 

[red_rhino]

So bright I had to wear shades.

Beat me to it. (I was raising my hand from the back of the class “Oh, I know the answer to this one!”)

 

[PapaBearBass]

And lots of straight 8th notes played with a pick

 

[MIMike]

Not sure about bass tones, but the colors were sure bright.

 

[LennyJ]

Sorry I guess I am old - I did not hear anything in the 80's that was really worth listing to. Sorry

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Lots of absolutely great music from the 80s. Lots of absolutely bright 'n trebly bass tones too. Some good, some not so good.

 

[LennyJ]

Lots of absolutely great music from the 80s. Lots of absolutely bright 'n trebly bass tones too. Some good, some not so good.

Guess I missed it. Like the old saying "If you mention you remember the 60's you probably were not there and to me if you remember the 80's for music - who cares. Sorry - I guess I missed the good tunes.

 

[Wasnex]

 

[FRoss6788]

Guess I missed it. Like the old saying "If you mention you remember the 60's you probably were not there and to me if you remember the 80's for music - who cares. Sorry - I guess I missed the good tunes.

Quite the closed mind you have there Sonny….

 

[LennyJ]

No not actually- I did listen in the 80's on the radio and not any of it made my day. My time is late 50's, 60's and almost to the end of the 70's there Sonny

 

[skycruiser]

Bright 80s bass?

 

[LennyJ]

My old saying that is why there were at least 5 buttons on the old car radios and that is the good part of streaming music - I can pick 50's, 60's and 70's music and leave the rest alone. And that is the neat thinks about "likes" not everyone has the same and that is what makes life interesting.

That is what TB is supposed to be about the young, old and the older - I just happened to be on the "older side"

 

[FRoss6788]

No not actually- I did listen in the 80's on the radio and not any of it made my day. My time is late 50's, 60's and almost to the end of the 70's there Sonny

So you like music made in only a 20yr span or so, yet, according to you, you have an open mind.

Ok….

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Bright 80s bass?

this is a far cry from that 60's Motown thump for sure. Great tone though. An good example of how using a pick can elevate the track

 

[LennyJ]

I find the many people I have met on TB - we all can agree on good equipment and do not have to agree on good music.

 

[Paul New]

I was listening to a new John Patitucci interview this morning where he talked about how he’s been leaning toward darker tones as he’s gotten older: “I lived through the 80s, and I grew to hate brightness.” (37m15s)

I've heard that bass tones and amps in the 80s were notably bright, but since I wasn't around then and the 80s are probably my least listened-to decade, I'm curious—any examples of those overly bright 80s bass tones?

I’m sure he’s talking about his own tonal preference with Chick and the sounds coming from other fusion bass players.