Opinions on this bass line?

[mjcarp79]

Hi all, I would appreciate thoughts on this bass line I created. This is for a band called Folkstomp, that I hope to be playing with soon. The band recorded this track (without bass) before I was involved (though I have played with these guys on other stuff years ago.) I recorded this bass idea, and mixed it with the original track. Yes, I know this is a busy bassline, but is too busy/cluttered?

Also, I know that my intonation is not the greatest (a few truly cringeworthy notes in there too), but I am stubbornly determined to get up to speed on fretless, and I love the sound of fretless. Thanks for any thoughts/constructive criticisms you may have!

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[FilterFunk]

I don't think your bass line is "too busy/cluttered" at all. It has plenty of personality, but it's not obtrusive, IMO. I think it fits well in the mix. I actually find the drums to be a bit much in some parts of the track.

 

[mjcarp79]

I don't think your bass line is "too busy/cluttered" at all. It has plenty of personality, but it's not obtrusive, IMO. I think it fits well in the mix. I actually find the drums to be a bit much in some parts of the track.

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, I like the bassline. I think the busy bassline plays well with the lively/happy/quirky vibe of the track. The opinion of the songwriter is ultimately what will matter in this case though. I suspect that he will want me to tone it down a little, but we shall see. It sure is fun to play, anyway!

 

[mjcarp79]

I heard back from the songwriter/bandleader dude: he said: "Nice bass line! It may be a bit too busy, though." I was afraid of that, but oh well. The trouble for me is: what to take out? I like everything in that line.

 

[Hummergeist]

Your bass part is very 70s sounding to me, which is a GOOD thing as far as I'm concerned, nice job. Maybe mixed a bit loud (tho I'm listening on my iMac speakers and not my monitors). Possibly I'd have a section where I wasn't playing so much, to provide some contrast. Also the drums are not great where they depart from the basic beat and do those tom breaks or whatever they're using.

 

[ebo]

Contrast occasionally wouldn't be bad. If vocals or another instrument were added, you could back off a bit to share the overall space but as is, I like it a lot.

 

[flannel cat]

I dig it.. I dont think its sounds to busy....but then again i like to get a little busy myself, and still need to learn when to rest..
and if it wasnt this early in the household my harmonica was coming out to jam along with the track....

 

[ebo]

I loved this bit in Amedeus.