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Not Impressed with wooten's tone

#21
He seems to be one really cool person, but I also have zero intrest in his tone, honestly do not like it.

But then, I bet he'd not like the tones I use, and thats perfectly ok with me, I'm happy with my tone, and I'm glad he's happy with his.
 
#22
Take pretty much any player and somone will not like their tone. Its a very personal and subjective thing and to critisize it is a jerk move really. Tone, especially is Vic's case, is who someone is on the instrument. Unless it is completely "wrong", like to the point of notes/rhythms being pure mud, not audible ect... live and let be.
 
#27
bluewine said:
I've seen these guys like Wooten in the past.These guys are really coming from somewhere ele. Maybe another planet or other dimension.

I wonder how stable he is mentally. Most guys that are as talented as he is are usually missing a few screws.
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I'm reading Wooten's "The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music" (actually, I'm rereading it!). It pretty much gives you all the answers regarding Victor's philosophy of music. This is a seriously intelligent man coupled with a true musician's soul. I've gotten a lot out of his book the first time around but I feel it needs at least a second reading in order to really understand it.

And, no, I really don't care for his tone or style of playing. But I think Victor is OK with that, after all we're all individuals with different tastes, and I can still appreciate his monster talent and work ethic.
 
#28
Who really cares about his tone! All that matters is, it is HIS tone. He likes it. And if you do or do not really is no big deal. I like my tone and I am sure everyone writing on here has a different tone than I do and a tone they like. VW is one of the greatest players in the biz, and he just happens to be a very sincere gentleman. Perhaps if you get a chance to meet him, you will be less caring of his tone....
 
#29
I noticed that as well on the live SMV clips I watched recently. I agree, he certainly had the weakest tone of the three. Can't knock any of their talent.

I dare say Marcus had the best tone, Victor the best chops and Stanley the only one with his one unmistakable sound/technique somewhere in-between. With Marcus, not knocking him, I hear Stanley & Larry Graham combined (not a bad thing)
 
#30
to paraphrase wootens new book, if you don't like something, its not that the something is bad, its that you can't see the beauty in it (yet). This opened my eyes in regards to me thinking that rap sucks, metal is stupid, etc. Any musician that has fans must have something good about their music otherwise they wouldn't have any fans. Basically, saying that you don't like wootens tone is not a statement about him, but rather a statement about you, and frankly who cares if YOU like it or not. If you don't, then listen to something that you do like.
 
#32
7StringBassist said:
Great Bassist Horrible tone. It sounded as if there was no balls to his sound when I heard his live material Id hate to be a flamer but, I seriously had to get this off my chest.

Stated before, he is a amazing player not to be a nay sayer on his talent but just his tone and I'm very unimpressed coming from a 5K bass :hiding:
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...it´s exactly what i´m thinking when i hear him. and i´m also convinced that he´s a real nice guy and a fantastic player. a good example of which tone i consider "thin" is in this duet with jeff berlin (his sound is much "rounder" and "fuller", to my ears....)



ps don´t fry me... ;-)
 
#33
"if you really don't dig it, don't mean it's not the thing or thang to do, it's up to you"
....standing on the verge of gettin' it on

honestly I enjoy the tone of his well worn Monarch over his yin-yangs anyday. The one with the whammy bar is at the top of the list. I don't know if it's the particular controls or pre in that Monarch but it sings. When I looked at the youtube link above it seemed as if he was trying to emulate a picolo type vibe (but that could just be me) and his overall tone was thin, on that same page however he was with Dave Matthews with a Monarch playing that same vibe and it sounded fuller and more definitive. I guess that's why the word subjective is in the dictionary.
 
#36
bench said:
...it´s exactly what i´m thinking when i hear him. and i´m also convinced that he´s a real nice guy and a fantastic player. a good example of which tone i consider "thin" is in this duet with jeff berlin (his sound is much "rounder" and "fuller", to my ears....)



ps don´t fry me... ;-)
Click to expand...


Jeff Berlin looks like my old Government teacher in that vid.

I just figure differ'nt strokes for differ'nt folks. No biggie. I don't really dig Stanley Clarkes' tone on most of his recordings (though I never have seen him live).
 
#38
thunderbolt said:
to paraphrase wootens new book, if you don't like something, its not that the something is bad, its that you can't see the beauty in it (yet). This opened my eyes in regards to me thinking that rap sucks, metal is stupid, etc.
Click to expand...

Well said. I try to remember that all music has it's place and is worthy. I mean, I really don't dig John Denver, but he has a huge fan base and his music has made a big impact on a lot of people. That's what it's all about.

Anyway, I think Victor's tone is pretty great. It's sure not MY tone, I mean I play fingerstyle, thumpy stuff most of the time. I have pretty wide musical tastes, though. It's okay to like BOTH vanilla and chocolate, right? ;)
 
#39
I think these kind of threads are really good, they allow people to discuss topics like this and give their opinion.

BUT, regardless of his tone, Victor is a Grammy Award winning bassist with fans all over the world....so, he is obviously doing something very right!
 

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