Poll: Rate my Tone

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

If someone prefers strawberry and someone else prefers mango, who's right? (Well, the person who prefers mango, of course )
That said, your tone is obviously good. I'd just prefer a bit more grit. Ultimately, don't you think you're the authority on your own tone?

Yes I am in control of my own tone but 10,000 ears will always be better than 2. Advice always helps.

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

This is the opposite of the tone I'm going for and I still love it. You and your tone are pro, man.

Edit: I forgot to mention:: your band is killing it on that recording you guys are serious players

Thanks

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

@Nine-and-three-Quarters I've never owned/played/heard a bad (or average) sounding Fodera in my life. They are brilliant instruments, all of them (IME of course). Your Imperial 6 sounds excellent on my $60 bucks Shure headphones from guitar center and through my Phil Jones Bass Cub 100 amp (aux input, 2x5" speakers 100W amp) and pretty similar to my Emperor dlx 5 (mahogany body/crotch walnut top/maple-rosewood fb neck). Even the whole band/mix on that clip sounds quite good to me (except the huge reverb from the church hall but it's okay). So I can't understand some of the comments here like "it sounds OK" or "it sounds like a bass through an amp, nothing speciall". No man, it sounds fantastic, trust me, and good luck!

Thanks as always everyone has their own diverse opinion and people hear what they hear so in life I've learned that you eat the meat and throw away the bones! So far over 93% think it was either semi professional or profession with the majority of over 70% thinking it's professional so that tells me I'm doing something right and that my tone is desirable to most listening ears.

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

I think the question should be what do you think of your tone?

I think it sounded ok should have added a bit more mid growl. Think it was lacking a little treble.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

 

[sikamikanico]

I like it for what it is, but I'm terrible at figuring out what's missing (if anything). I think you're at the level where your tone works and obsessing over minor details doesn't necessarily make it better or worse, just different. Different is good, it's like adding spices to a good dish... but what makes a good dish perfect on a given day might just depend on the weather and how that 2pm meeting at work went...

Then again, I don't have pro ears, so I cannot give pro feedback. Maybe head over to the pro section of the forum if anyone there can help you with more constructive feedback?

 

[Rib 13]

Thanks sir!

you're welcome .......on TB, "rate my_____ posts" accompanied by video are usually loosely translated to mean "Check out me Playing" posts and you have some impressive skill in both chops and groove

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

Why can't we have a decent conversation around here without judgement? Did you know that I had to stop playing my bass for 15 years due to cutting my finger off with a saw (look at the video my playing hand ring finger?) Did you know that I just started back playing live 2 years ago? I literally haven't played live in that long. And to me playing at home in a headphone amp isn't the same as tone thru a rig. I didn't ask you to rate my playing I know I can play I'm interested in the tone. If you need to know I'm a little iffy about it so that's why I'm asking. I know guys playing a lot longer than me who are better than me but can't even set up a amp or their own guitar for that matter so you can't always judge a book by its cover. A little strange someone judging me who don't know me.

Sorry if you took it that way. I meant it as a compliment. You are incredibly skilled and should have confidence in your tone. But, now that you explained your situation, I get it. I'm glad to see that you are back to playing -- you should be doing what you do well.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

Nice!

 

[Felken]

I voted semi-pro. I suggest a slightly harder pluck and a tad more treble. You get lost in the mix sometimes so it'll give you more presence.

By the way, I love this thread. It's a fun little idea!

 

[Felken]

I think it sounded ok should have added a bit more mid growl. Think it was lacking a little treble.

I agree a bit more treble and you've got the perfect tone. I'd recommend also a slightly harder pluck.

 

[B-line]

Hey 9:
I don't have headphones, just cheap little speakers on my PC. No matter.
My friend, you have got nothing to worry about! Quality of recording nonwithstanding, your tone is right in the pocket and grooves with and carries the band. That's what a bassist is about & IMO you totally get it done.
I mainly listened to the first video, where you get right to the solo, and your facility, lyricism, and chops are evident from the first measure, so it would seem to me that your ability to get a great tone is a no-brainer, not to mention that Fodera giving it up.
I saw you fiddle with the tone control briefly, that shows me that you're aware of making tone/volume adjustments on the fly; also a good thing.

Keep on doing your thing, I like the rest of the band (and their tones as well!)

BTW-
I feel that I've got MY tone down. Conditions and mixes always change, and currently e.g. I'm doing rehearsals in the most gawd-awful sounding room you can imagine, but from my gear, signal chain, and most of all my fingers, I'm good!- In many years of playing, I feel that I got MY tone, my groove and my identity. So long as I'm happy with it, neither high (and sometimes I feel, undeserved) praise from band mates or the audience, or even constructive criticism is of concern to me- Not that I didn't listen when I studied with the GREAT Dave Parlato for instance...

I've come to terms that I'll not be Anthony Jackson, or Vic, etc. and that's good. I want to be ME, and have MY tone.
That's it!
Keep playing that groove.

Peace & Cheers.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Nice playing but I don't understand the association tone = playing skills or professionalism ... uh what's the deal?
Ehm...

 

[B-line]

Nice playing but I don't understand the association tone = playing skills or professionalism ... uh what's the deal?
Ehm...

He's fishing for compliments he richly deserves?
(I mean that- the deserves part, that is)

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

He's fishing for compliments he richly deserves?
(I mean that- the deserves part, that is)

In fact I chose not to vote

 

[japhy4529]

ATL represent! Great city. My sister-in-law lives in Stone Mountain (she used to live in ATL) and I've been down there a number of times.

Anyway, back to your question... I voted "Pro tone." Man that sounded great! Your tone (and playing - even though you didn't ask for that feedback) sound on point to me. The only thing I would suggest is a bit more presence (mids, attack, dirt, whatever you want to call it). The second solo seemed to have more presence than the first - perhaps just a mixing issue. Regardless, you and your band killed that tune.

Now how is it that I have all of my digits intact and I can't even play 1/4 as good as you?

 

[B-line]

In fact I chose not to vote

Come to think of it Gianni, I didn't either! I guess I just forgot!

 

[PauFerro]

Nice playing but I don't understand the association tone = playing skills or professionalism ... uh what's the deal?
Ehm...

This is my take on it. Every instrument has certain sweet spots on it. On my upright the low G, Low A on the E string, the F on the D string, the Bb on both the A and G strings, and Eb on the A string all have a phenomenal growl to them. It really "grinds" there against the keyboard. So, as I've gained experience with the instrument, I know to really milk those notes when they pop up in my bass lines.

If I have a choice of which "A" to use, I'll go with the A on the low E string if I can because of the grind there. Also, there are certain notes where the way I place my fingertip pads (on an angle) on the keyboard creates a particular tone. It's only on certain notes, and again, I know to milk those notes. It sort of comes unconsciously after you've bonded with the instrument for a while. Along with this is vibrato. I know where to do it on various notes for maximum effect, and how to sort of bend the strings on certain notes to create a really unique tone as i play a run.

Last of all -- attack and release of notes creates a fluidity in bass lines. I often have to take the written notes on some songs, or patterns I create myself, and then figure out the best way to hammer on and pull off various notes to give me time to get from one note to another or embed "groove" into the bassline. Also, to create a flow in the bassline so it doesn't sound stumbly or introduce unwanted string noise. I think this influences the other aspects of tone, to create a unique sound in your fingers.

I think it's one reason musicians love to stay with a particular instrument. Jaco's fender jazz, Marcus Millers Blonde jazz, Sheehan's double precision pickup.

Complementing this is amplification equipment. After a while you get to know the kind of tone you want that amplifies or complements the natural tone on the instrument and its sweet spots. So you know the balance of treble, bass and mids that you need. I can get a similar tone on a wide variety of amps and cabs. The biggest impediment is how complicated the manufacturer has made the controls. I have a Peavey Pro Bass 500 and it has such detailed controls I have a hard time finding the tone I want. Perhaps that's why they don't make them anymore. See below:

Peavey Pro Bass 500 - Yahoo Image Search Results

But give me a relatively simple bass amplifier, I can make it sound the way I want. The room you are in influences the tone as well, and some rooms are just boomy. But in decent acoustics, the tone from the amp for me, is driven more by the complexity of the eq and gain controls on the instrument, not the amplifier itself. Complex controls make it harder to find good tone fast.

 

[B-line]

This is my take on it. Every instrument has certain sweet spots on it. On my upright the low G, Low A on the E string, the F on the D string, the Bb on both the A and G strings, and Eb on the A string all have a phenomenal growl to them. It really "grinds" there against the keyboard. So, as I've gained experience with the instrument, I know to really milk those notes when they pop up in my bass lines.

If I have a choice of which "A" to use, I'll go with the A on the low E string if I can because of the grind there. Also, there are certain notes where the way I place my fingertip pads (on an angle) on the keyboard creates a particular tone. It's only on certain notes, and again, I know to milk those notes. It sort of comes unconsciously after you've bonded with the instrument for a while. Along with this is vibrato. I know where to do it on various notes for maximum effect, and how to sort of bend the strings on certain notes to create a really unique tone as i play a run.

Last of all -- attack and release of notes creates a fluidity in bass lines. I often have to take the written notes on some songs, or patterns I create myself, and then figure out the best way to hammer on and pull off various notes to give me time to get from one note to another or embed "groove" into the bassline. Also, to create a flow in the bassline so it doesn't sound stumbly or introduce unwanted string noise. I think this influences the other aspects of tone, to create a unique sound in your fingers.

I think it's one reason musicians love to stay with a particular instrument. Jaco's fender jazz, Marcus Millers Blonde jazz, Sheehan's double precision pickup.

Complementing this is amplification equipment. After a while you get to know the kind of tone you want that amplifies or complements the natural tone on the instrument and its sweet spots. So you know the balance of treble, bass and mids that you need. I can get a similar tone on a wide variety of amps and cabs. The biggest impediment is how complicated the manufacturer has made the controls. I have a Peavey Pro Bass 500 and it has such detailed controls I have a hard time finding the tone I want. Perhaps that's why they don't make them anymore. See below:

Peavey Pro Bass 500 - Yahoo Image Search Results

But give me a relatively simple bass amplifier, I can make it sound the way I want. The room you are in influences the tone as well, and some rooms are just boomy. But in decent acoustics, the tone from the amp for me, is driven more by the complexity of the eq and gain controls on the instrument, not the amplifier itself. Complex controls make it harder to find good tone fast.

All good, all true.

Let me "counter" by saying that gear in fact should make only a limited contribution to tone. It's in the hands, after doing
your groundwork on what bass you play and what amp you use.
Hypothetical situation, but I think it really happened-I'm sure it has in some variant:
Bassist arrives for gig, airline lost gear, uses borrowed bass and backline, kills it with his tone.

The OP could have simply posted: "Here's my project, hope you like it".
But apparently he wanted critiques.
That's cool; he got 'em.

 

[punchdrunk]

Total fishing expedition. Sounds like a Fodera... could certainly use a bit more in the mid frequency, and perhaps a slight cut in the very bottom. IMO