Not Impressed with wooten's tone

[JAUQO III-X]

yeah man, its not prejudice. Its just not my thing, and like you said, I dont listen to it.

Your gripe about modern bass tone and extra light gauge strings came off a little more like having a prejudice than it just not being your thing.

but dont say prejudice, thats a word people use too loosely.

Some people do use that word too loosely but not me. Maybe it was the passion that you expressed with so much conviction that had me feeling that it was just a little more to it than it not being your thing.

 

[snaverb]

I am not prejudice against modern bass players. Its just not my thing man, its not my style, and its not what I like to hear. Its not the tone Im after, Its not the playing style Im after.

You probaably took it the wrong way b/c its my typing you are reading, not hearing my tone of voice and seeing facial expressions.

I love to see youtube videos of YOU play, honestly, I love to watch Marcus Miller and Wooten play, because they are so talented and skilled, but my ideal tone that Im after is totally different. I really dont listen to Victors music, or Marcus music, but I do like to '' watch '' them play.

Its kind of like my deal with hockey, I dont like the sport, I know nothing about it, but to go to a live hockey event, and see them play their sport, is something that is enjoyable to '' watch ''

No hard feelings whatsoever, different strokes for different folks, sorry I came across as a '' hater ''

But i just dont consider the modern solo, out in front bass players my kind '' Bass '' playing. And im not an old school fart either, Im in my 20's

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I am not prejudice against modern bass players. Its just not my thing man, its not my style, and its not what I like to hear. Its not the tone Im after, Its not the playing style Im after.

You probaably took it the wrong way b/c its my typing you are reading, not hearing my tone of voice and seeing facial expressions.

I love to see youtube videos of YOU play, honestly, I love to watch Marcus Miller and Wooten play, because they are so talented and skilled, but my ideal tone that Im after is totally different. I really dont listen to Victors music, or Marcus music, but I do like to '' watch '' them play.

Its kind of like my deal with hockey, I dont like the sport, I know nothing about it, but to go to a live hockey event, and see them play their sport, is something that is enjoyable to '' watch ''

No hard feelings whatsoever, different strokes for different folks, sorry I came across as a '' hater ''

But i just dont consider the modern solo, out in front bass players my kind '' Bass '' playing. And im not an old school fart either, Im in my 20's

Thank you and I fully understand your position and your views.

 

[cnltb]

Do you mind being a little more specif(with this being a compliment)?

+1

 

[7StringBassist]

wow I never expected so many responses I mean its an opinion to be honest as a bassist he runs laps around me I've been playing serious bass around 2 years and hope that I can get to a point where I can achieve as much as him on bass.

Again its just tone has nothing to do with his talent

 

[Cyber Soda]

Lol, everyone breathe. He doesn't like his tone. I didn't read through it all, but it seems that he at least respects him for a player, so why all of this? It's not as if Victor Wooten is Jesus, his bass was made from the finest tree in Heaven and blessed by all of the funkiest beings in Hell. I know I have no right, and I do highly respect him as a musician, but simmer down a bit.

To the OP: You saw it coming.

Flame on.

 

[IdealWay]

I love Vic's tone. One really has to hear him live to adsorb the totality of the tonal palette he presents, which is so greatly exceeded by his completely eudemonic playing that it's of no consequence, imo. I was lucky enough to play with Victor at UNCA when he came and did a masterclass, and being 2 feet away from him, I was blown away by the articulation and low-end of his setup. Love him!

 

[7StringBassist]

Lol, everyone breathe. He doesn't like his tone. I didn't read through it all, but it seems that he at least respects him for a player, so why all of this? It's not as if Victor Wooten is Jesus, his bass was made from the finest tree in Heaven and blessed by all of the funkiest beings in Hell. I know I have no right, and I do highly respect him as a musician, but simmer down a bit.

To the OP: You saw it coming.

Flame on.

yea I should have seen it put vic on TB and there will be a huge response positive or negative

 

[gimmeagig]

I will add, I think alot of these modern '' bass '' players have taken the instrument out of its context. Bass is meant to be low, and drive the song.

All these modern slap/pop/solo players have began to get away from ''bass'' . They OVER PLAY everything, and while they do have skills and talent, they dont know the true meaning of sitting back in the mix and complimenting the song.

These new guys want to play louder than the whole band , play solos, ect

If you want to solo and play extra light gauge strings that doesnt even sound like a bass is supposed to, get a guitar and play lead.

There are so many guys with clips on youtube who play thin strings on 9 or 11 string basses showing us how not to do it.If that's what you are referring to I agree with you.But they would still suck even if they did switch over to guitar.
But we are talking ( i think about Victor and the likes here)
Why knock these"new guys" for being able to expand on the traditional role of the bass.
Marcus, Victor,Wayman Tisdale,Anthony Jackson,Stanley Melvin Davis etc. They can all groove their ass off, probably can lay down that bottom better than any of us.But then they can do this whole other thing.Being able to play solos and great melodies, solo over changes and laying down some serious bottom should not and are not mutually exclusive.
If you don't like it, fine.
I for one am greatful to them for pushing the boundaries of the instrument. Those guys have kept me and after 35 years of playing still keep be inspired and continue to give me something to shoot for.
What a terrible loss it would have been if every bassist that falls into the "new guy" category would have just gone to the store and traded his bass in for a guitar.

 

[BananaKing]

My post was supose to be a compliment on Wootens talent.I have no idea where you are reading any comment on his mental health.

BTW, when you play at that level tone really is not a part of the picture anymore.

You said right in your comment that you think that people who are very talented (as you said you do in the quote) generally have some screws loose.

Due to the fact that you connected the two and the context that it was said in, it comes off as though you think there is some sort of instability to his personal health.

Also, what is that "Tone" remark supposed to mean? At that level, tone is one of the MAIN things that people talk about! That is one of, if not THE most Prominent things that helps you figure out who is playing on recordings.

Also, since Tone is such an important thing, it takes time to develop a signature tone that is YOU. Everyone has a different idea of the ideal tone, but everyone is looking for theirs all the same.

 

[Mr_Sore_Fingerz]

The bassist on that track is Sekou Bunch not Marcus Miller.

oops! yeah you're right

 

[David Jayne]

I would never deliberately go for a tone like his, but, I don't play like him. Tone/playing style go together, compliment and support each other, IMO. Can't have one without the other.

 

[perfektspace6]

Did you hear him live and in person?

Saw him up close at the birchmere and his tone sounded great in the context of the flecktones. FYI, I tend to favor EMG's. I'm sure his sound would need a tweak in a "heavier" setting but it works pretty well in the context of what Victor generally does for me.

 

[7StringBassist]

I guess I call my self Modern but I'm fond of erb's myself I use light gauge on my 7 and probably will on my 9 but I still can get a great tone

I guess tone is one a one mans quest

 

[groovenut57]

I will add, I think alot of these modern '' bass '' players have taken the instrument out of its context. Bass is meant to be low, and drive the song.

All these modern slap/pop/solo players have began to get away from ''bass'' . They OVER PLAY everything, and while they do have skills and talent, they dont know the true meaning of sitting back in the mix and complimenting the song.

These new guys want to play louder than the whole band , play solos, ect

If you want to solo and play extra light gauge strings that doesnt even sound like a bass is supposed to, get a guitar and play lead.

I'm with you 100%!

Is Victor Wooten technically brilliant and out of this world? YES!
Does he inspire me musically to want to play like him? Not in the least. Why? Simply because I'm here to learn to PLAY BASS!

 

[Skywalker83]

Does he inspire me musically to want to play like him? Not in the least. Why? Simply because I'm here to learn to PLAY BASS!

I think Victor and the likes would rather just musically inspire, than wanting you to play just the way they do. Players like Victor (i refer to him because im sticking to the player mentioned in the thread title) time and time again say how important it is for a player to find their own voice, but how important it is to be inspired by other players.

I think the "i want to play bass" comments are a bit narrow minded. And would no doubt have an impact on your playing.If you choose to play an instrument, are you not going to become a far better playing by exploring all the avenues and really seeing what the instrument can do. Rather than, lets just play root notes.

Originally Posted by EBMM7181
I will add, I think alot of these modern '' bass '' players have taken the instrument out of its context. Bass is meant to be low, and drive the song.

All these modern slap/pop/solo players have began to get away from ''bass'' . They OVER PLAY everything, and while they do have skills and talent, they dont know the true meaning of sitting back in the mix and complimenting the song.

These new guys want to play louder than the whole band , play solos, ect

If you want to solo and play extra light gauge strings that doesnt even sound like a bass is supposed to, get a guitar and play lead.

I think your generalising all modern bass players which is wrong. The likes of Victor, Marcus, Stanley have always been the front men of their own bands. So in this set up, yes they do play solo's and go out of the stereotypical bass players realm. BUT all these guys and many more have played in the bands of many other artists and if you listen to alot of stuff these kind of "front men" bass players do with other artists, when needed they are right there in the mix supporting the low end.

 

[gimmeagig]

How many bass players does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

One Five One Five One Five Five.......

 

[David Jayne]

Ya know, in interviews Victor has said that he'd love to play more 'roots' type stuff, and that he loves to play that way, simply, just 'in the pocket,' but people don't hire him because he's not the first guy you'd think of for that.
I suspect his albums are the way they are partly because it's what his fans expect of him.
I also suspect that at some point he will release something totally different and unexpected, and many of his non-fans will be blown away by his straightforward, solid playing. Maybe a Blues album, or straight-ahead Jazz.

 

[Clark Dark]

I will add, I think alot of these modern '' bass '' players have taken the instrument out of its context. Bass is meant to be low, and drive the song.

All these modern slap/pop/solo players have began to get away from ''bass'' . They OVER PLAY everything, and while they do have skills and talent, they dont know the true meaning of sitting back in the mix and complimenting the song.

These new guys want to play louder than the whole band , play solos, ect

If you want to solo and play extra light gauge strings that doesnt even sound like a bass is supposed to, get a guitar and play lead.

maybe one valid point here, e.g. when I started to learn bass my teacher told me "all the money is between the first and ninth frets", so when I see a bassist using another bassist in a live setting to hold down the bottom while he's beyond the 13th fret soloing I just try to listen and learn both parts. It's a wonderful thing. Vic's development to do both (hammer ons at both ends of the fretboard) though is inspiring. Vic's not a "new guy and I'll bet a few other pros that you infer "play louder than the whole band" if you look closely you'll find they stay in the pocket and their volume is consistent with the others. For example I like "wild dog" by Stanley Clarke and I know George Duke takes over the bass part and Stan plays picolo but it's magic, I listen and learn both parts.
As far as extra light strings go check out any of Level 42 songs, check out their Wembley performances or listen to the new stuff. Those .030 > .090's sound bassy balsy and punchy to me because Mark tailors his sound and in my experience I've found it's important to create "your" sound and amplify the signal you are getting from the instrument in a way that gives you what you want to hear and what you want others to hear.

 

[otis_thick]

I am still waiting to hear an example of what Victor does and the tone you you would like to hear.....this is not a challenge to you but if there are players or examples you can point too...although VW's voice IS his voice as well as Marcus, Stanley, Jaco .... you have to agree he is one of the very few that has defined his voice to where you know its him when you hear it. There are certain little nuances that they do that is their figerfrint...there are other players that come close but usually they are missing that ONE thing

IMHO some of Doug John's stuff sounds Victorish and has a meattier tone but Doug appears to focus more on band funk than solo bass highlights.

I may do a Victorish banjo-y type lick during my solo but that type of "lick-i-ty Plick-i-ty flloom" sound needs nasty mids and highs to get the articulation out...I also play 30-50-70-90 guage strings on all of my basses and still get a fat baloony tone..am not a lead bass player..but I can articulate when needed