Need feedback on bass tone and playing.

[oreo speedwagon]

I'm a guitarist playing bass in a new band. I'm trying to not play bass like a guitar player but also trying to let the melody inform the bass line.

Is the playing and tone decent? I don't know. Still figuring out what I like for bass tones. I like the bass line I came up with but could have been tighter in spots.

 

[Minimalist]

IMO you have good taste in tone and playing. I likely would have played less, but I'm not you and I have to be true to my username.

 

[60bass]

Overall, I think it sounds pretty good. Personally I'd use more hi-mids and a bit of treble for some "zing" but your tone is decent and stands proud in the mix. As far as a guitarist on bass you'll need to do some rethinking about your place in the band.

You are now part of the foundation. You and the drummer will provide the foundation that everyone else will build upon. Remember as a bassist you need to sometimes live by the "less is more" philosophy. What you are playing in this song sounds a little busy but I don't think that it detracts from the tune. That said, it doesn't make me want to get up and shake my booty and stomp my feet either. Both of which the bassist in conjunction with the drummer provides to the audience. I can hear times where you're not locked in with the drummers kick drum. The guitarist in your ear isn't tuned in to that yet. But as a bassist you will always need to be locked in with the kick and form the "pocket". When you listen to a song concentrate on what the drums are doing and in your head think of what kind of a baseline you would put in there by listening to the kick snare and high hat. If you commit yourself fully to the bass, a whole new world will open up for you.

All this is coming from a guitarist who switched to bass decades ago. I ended up finding out that the bass was my true calling so I fully committed myself to the low end life. I also learned to sing lead and harmony. If you do that you will NEVER be without work unless you choose not to play. Always remember that guitarists are a dime a dozen but a bassist who is solid in a pocket and can also sing can pretty much name whoever he wants to play with. You may end up going to auditions but realize you will be going to audition them. Not the other way around. Because like I said a bassist who's solid and can also sing and play will always find work of his own choosing. Keep it up and you may find your inner bassist coming out.

 

[Geepers]

I like your playing a lot. I don't agree with the "you always need to be locked in with the kick drum" mantra. Some of the best bass lines deliberately DON'T do that. It depends on the song (yes, even the lyrics) and the overall vibe that's being aimed for. What DOES matter is that you do what YOU feel is called for. Your playing will naturally change and evolve over time as you gain experience. Meanwhile my main suggestion is to listen to the "whole of band sound" if you can when you play back your band recordings rather than just home in on yourself - ie like a radio listener would - and see if anything jumps out at you as aggravating. That will guide what you need to do next. I know there are exceptions at different points in a song but, generally, a bass player is working well when they're invisible . Great job!

 

[FatOwlBass]

The track sounds good. A bit more clarity and slightly less bass IMO. Great job!

 

[Gopherbassist]

Sounds pretty good to me.

 

[DeepHz]

I like it!

 

[brianrost]

More important is whether you like what it sounds like.

Sounds good to me.

 

[DaBigBadaBoom]

The bigger issue is the guitar playing IMO. Your bass playing was totally fine. The tone was also totally fine.

 

[BaltBass5]

I thought the playing is great. Tone-wise, I prob would have gone for more High-Mids and maybe a hair more treble. The tone sounds a little muffled and gets a little buried in the mix IMO.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Sounded good to me. I disagree with some of the previous posters who say you need more mids and treble. As long as it can be heard in the mix, the more bass, the better IMHO. I play a bass not a mid.

 

[BassBrass]

First, I like the cover graphics a lot! It's very sharp 2tone design, and remember, "put a bird on it" always has appeal.
Sometimes your fills come just before a transition point and it takes the attention away from the transition (it IS a guitar song, you are copying, following the guitar) start writing some bass lead bass groove songs) but I like the drums and guitar production. I also want to hear more upper mids in the bass but the drum attack is kind of sufficient so it's a quibble. A lot of people like bass without intruding tone, you are getting the preference of bass players!

 

[faulknersj]

I dig the tone and the playing. Great job!

 

[socknroll1]

You sound like a bassist to me. Good luck with the band and enjoy.

 

[ole Jason]

Sounds good to me. Bass lines don't have to be constantly locked to the kick or as simple as they can possibly be. Personally I like busy/interesting bass parts (not saying your lines are overly busy).

 

[Wasnex]

Your tone and playing are entirely appropriate for the recording. Sounds like solid pro-level work IMHO.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The guitar is too prominent in the mix IMO. I'm having trouble hearing the bass or drums.

 

[Patrice B]

Great playing, I like it and miles ahead from my skill level!

I think it fits perfectly.

 

[oreo speedwagon]

More important is whether you like what it sounds like.

Sounds good to me.

To me it sounds a little on the muddy side but the engineer was a bassist as well. I trust his ear and overall I’m cool with it. Learning for the next go round.

 

[Michedelic]

Your sound and playing are fine, your lines make sense and are melodic, but the rhythm/chordal guitar should be mixed back a slight bit, it overwhelms everything.