Hello all,
I am on the never-ending journey of finding the perfect BASS TONE.....
I am seeking BIG sound.... something with high output, powerful lows and low mids, and high sustain. My favorite players play very lightly to get that beastly sound I'm after, and I try to do the same, but it helps to have the gear to enable that tone better. I like when plucking the bass (I play fingerstyle with some interest in slap) sounds close to hitting a bass note on a keyboard (if it were emulating an electric bass). No buzz or harshness - just a full, modern sound.
I play in a jam/funk style band as well as a slacker rock style band, but I would say the tone I seek most closely parallels that of gospel bass players. Warm and full. It is important to me that the low B string notes don't bottom out, and that I can perform slides (or whatever you call them) that also don't bottom out (need sustain).
It is my understanding that a humbucker style pickup may be the best for me. However, those fat stacked pickups won't fit into my Jazz bass.
Bass players, let me know what pickups you would recommend. Is it a worthwile upgrade for my Mexican Fender? Or should I be after a more powerful amp (I have only a Fender Rumble 200)? A different bass? A pedal (I currently run a VT Bass pre amp to get more output)? Let me know your thoughts, I would greatly appreciate any guidance I can recieve on this difficult, but fascinating, tone journey!
P.S. Here is a linked video of a tone that captivated me. A transcription/cover of that awesome Sharay Reed video. Yes, I know it's a $15,000 dollar bass running direct through an interface. Extra points to anyone who can tell me what arrangement of Joy to the World that is. The key change gives me chills.
Thanks,
clivemonkey
I am on the never-ending journey of finding the perfect BASS TONE.....
I am seeking BIG sound.... something with high output, powerful lows and low mids, and high sustain. My favorite players play very lightly to get that beastly sound I'm after, and I try to do the same, but it helps to have the gear to enable that tone better. I like when plucking the bass (I play fingerstyle with some interest in slap) sounds close to hitting a bass note on a keyboard (if it were emulating an electric bass). No buzz or harshness - just a full, modern sound.
I play in a jam/funk style band as well as a slacker rock style band, but I would say the tone I seek most closely parallels that of gospel bass players. Warm and full. It is important to me that the low B string notes don't bottom out, and that I can perform slides (or whatever you call them) that also don't bottom out (need sustain).
It is my understanding that a humbucker style pickup may be the best for me. However, those fat stacked pickups won't fit into my Jazz bass.
Bass players, let me know what pickups you would recommend. Is it a worthwile upgrade for my Mexican Fender? Or should I be after a more powerful amp (I have only a Fender Rumble 200)? A different bass? A pedal (I currently run a VT Bass pre amp to get more output)? Let me know your thoughts, I would greatly appreciate any guidance I can recieve on this difficult, but fascinating, tone journey!
P.S. Here is a linked video of a tone that captivated me. A transcription/cover of that awesome Sharay Reed video. Yes, I know it's a $15,000 dollar bass running direct through an interface. Extra points to anyone who can tell me what arrangement of Joy to the World that is. The key change gives me chills.
Thanks,
clivemonkey
