Poll: Rate my Tone

[prd004]

Sounds great and you play very well!
I love the fact that you have a band that knows how to comp a bass solo! Very cool

 

[Korladis]

There's no such thing as "pro" tone. Professional just means you get paid.

I've heard many novices with great tone, and professionals with garbage tone (that said, everyone has a bad night sometimes). And vice versa.



Personally, I didn't care for the bass sound. But I'm just some guy on the internet. What matters is whether you like the sound you're getting.

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

Sounds great and you play very well!
I love the fact that you have a band that knows how to comp a bass solo! Very cool

Yes, tone does come from the player and yours is great. You have command of your instrument, you play with great dynamic control and know how to touch the strings... and you are singing man! Love it.
You live Atlanta? You best know how to play the bass if you play gospel and live in Atlanta... some great players is your neck of the woods... you are one of them. Thanks for posting.
BTW, your entire band is kicking. Do not like the guitar tone though, he needs some help. Everything else... slammin!

Thanks

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

There's no such thing as "pro" tone. Professional just means you get paid.

I've heard many novices with great tone, and professionals with garbage tone (that said, everyone has a bad night sometimes). And vice versa.



Personally, I didn't care for the bass sound. But I'm just some guy on the internet. What matters is whether you like the sound you're getting.

I can appreciate your opinion. We can agree to disagree.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Most of us have heard that "Tone" has just as much to do with your fingers.... attack of notes....sustain etc as the equipment you purchase to relay the sound of your tone. Please rate my overall tone. I'm posting 2 videos (both are the same song) one which goes straight to both my solos for those who have no time to listen to almost 11 min of the entire band playing and soloing. It's only 3 mins. Please use headphones if you can.

Very good band, and great bass sound. I forgot how much I love gospel for the sweet chord changes and voicings and the deep groove! You guys are sick!

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

Very good band, and great bass sound. I forgot how much I love gospel for the sweet chord changes and voicings and the deep groove! You guys are sick!

Thanks

 

[Brad Johnson]

True but I thought it would be fun to see what everyone else thought. It lets me know whether I'm on track or not. Jeeze what ever happened to the good days of helping your fellow bassist out without everyone being so judgmental. Believe it or not no good bass player on this earth became good all by him/herself. They listen to or was taught things by other players. I posted this video just for that purpose not to upset anyone or make them feel like I'm fishing for compliments. Again if 10 out of 10 people tell me that my tone suck then I don't believe I should have the attitude "it's my tone and that's all that matters." That's 20 ears against my 2. We are all human and humans help humans grow whether learning from others good deeds or mistakes (their wisdom) or your good deeds or own mistakes (your wisdom). Afterall we all have but to think back to our own childhoods. Don't know anyone who taught themselves their own native language or taught their own self in high school or college. How can we teach ourselves music which is basically another language?

Moral of the story...it's always good to get other people opinions whether negative or positive. I heard a wise man once say that people are like a batteries in your car.....everyone has a positive and a negative. You need both to start that car. As aweful as it sounds I wouldn't be who I am today without cutting one my fingers off. Not to mention a lot more I could mention. Just my thoughts.

Hey Deon, what's up?

I think I get what you're after, I think the best way to judge your tone is how well it sits in the mix you're in and whether or not you find it lacking. How did it do? How did your bandmates feel about it? There are things that recordings, even played back through good gear just don't capture. I guess in my mind your question just begs more questions than real answers. There's clearly nothing wrong with your skills or your tone. Do you like what you sound like? Then you're on the right path.


I can think of a few local buddies who sound quite different from me. As far as I can tell they want to sound that way... and I want to sound like me. So it all works out. If you've got another tonal target in mind I'm sure you can work it out, dedication obviously is not an issue.

I get wanting feedback and no offense to anyone here... feedback would typically require judgement and "tone by committee" may not be the best path. People could easily want you to sound like someone other than you. Unless you share that goal...

Anyway, none of this is meant as criticism. You sound great IMO. Keep on keeping on.

 

[Brad Johnson]

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

No offense, I couldn't disagree more. 10,000 ears could easily kill something different. And there is such a thing as bad advice,

 

[Brad Johnson]

So he's fishing for compliments...I don't care. His tone is awesome. His playing is awesome. I'm sorry to hear about your finger, but you've shown the effects of dedication to your craft. You sound great.


But how the hell are you guys set up!?! You're in a different country than the drummer and you're all lined up in this awkward way. I feel for you there man. That can't be an easy way to play.

That's church. Quite often musicians are an afterthought at best, worse when non-musicians design the setup based on no knowledge of what a good stage setup is.

At the church where I play, I'm set up behind the glass with the drummer. It's not a great setup but we make it work. I used to be set up three steps down in front of a doorway, with the guitar amp directly behind me and the bass amp behind that. I've seen some truly weird setups.

Good monitoring can largely address the issues in the setup in Deon's video as far as physical layout. But that opens another can of worms... volunteer amateur soundpeople. I'll stop now.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That's church. Quite often musicians are an afterthought at best, worse when non-musicians design the setup based on no knowledge of what a good stage setup is.

At the church where I play, I'm set up behind the glass with the drummer. It's not a great setup but we make it work. I used to be set up three steps down in front of a doorway, with the guitar amp directly behind me and the bass amp behind that. I've seen some truly weird setups.

Good monitoring can largely address the issues in the setup in Deon's video as far as physical layout. But that opens another can of worms... volunteer amateur soundpeople. I'll stop now.

You are making points, in much better detail, than what I mentioned earlier. Most Black Churches were not designed to accommodate bands. There is usually just space for a keyboard.
The point about amateur sound people is 100% on point. At one time, the church wanted me to go direct, and said no because people running the sound really did not a clear idea of how to eq a band and choir.

The situation is very different in many new Megachurches. They designed much more like concert halls than traditional churches. They also have the budget for good sound and quality engineers.

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

Hey Deon, what's up?

I think I get what you're after, I think the best way to judge your tone is how well it sits in the mix you're in and whether or not you find it lacking. How did it do? How did your bandmates feel about it? There are things that recordings, even played back through good gear just don't capture. I guess in my mind your question just begs more questions than real answers. There's clearly nothing wrong with your skills or your tone. Do you like what you sound like? Then you're on the right path.


I can think of a few local buddies who sound quite different from me. As far as I can tell they want to sound that way... and I want to sound like me. So it all works out. If you've got another tonal target in mind I'm sure you can work it out, dedication obviously is not an issue.

I get wanting feedback and no offense to anyone here... feedback would typically require judgement and "tone by committee" may not be the best path. People could easily want you to sound like someone other than you. Unless you share that goal...

Anyway, none of this is meant as criticism. You sound great IMO. Keep on keeping on.

No offense, I couldn't disagree more. 10,000 ears could easily kill something different. And there is such a thing as bad advice,

Hey Brad thanks for chiming in. I totally understand your point of view! I'm just saying general consensus normally always follows suit. In the poll 90% think the sound is pro so that tells me I'm doing right. Now if 200 people said it sucks butt then I'd be more prong to see what I'm doing wrong. I get that we all come from different back grounds and may or may not play the same genre of music.

IMHO good music is good music and good tone is good tone. For example I don't play country music but I know when I hear great musicians playing it abd good sound from it. Now I totally agree that people's opinion can ruin who you are and what you believe in and I personally experienced that when I was younger looking up to one of my mentors who practiced with me.

I always wanted a Fodera but because he felt they weren't worth the money he influenced me not to get one for years. As I matured through listening to people on talkbass and personal friends I learned that most people (not all) just 99.9% talk to you from there pocket books so if they can't afford one then they down it. Saying things like a $100 bass is just as good as a custom. When in fact they would buy one if they had the overflow of cash to do so (meaning all bills payed).

I like the sound I was getting but I was not totally happy with it even though the band said they were. So I asked my band of bass brothers what they thought. Again I always will eat the meat and through away the bones of what people think and say. I want a bit more grit and piano like tone when I solo. Thanks again for chiming in.

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

You are making points, in much better detail, than what I mentioned earlier. Most Black Churches were designed to accommodate bands. There is usually just space for a keyboard.
The point about amateur sound people is 100% on point. At one time, the church wanted me to go direct, and said no because people running the sound really did not a clear idea of how to eq a band and choir.

The situation is very different in many new Megachurches. They designed much more like concert halls than traditional churches. They also have the budget for good sound and quality engineers.

Right on point. My church just gets any volunteer member to run our board. Pity really.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Hey Brad thanks for chiming in. I totally understand your point of view! I'm just saying general consensus normally always follows suit. In the poll 90% think the sound is pro so that tells me I'm doing right. Now if 200 people said it sucks butt then I'd be more prong to see what I'm doing wrong. I get that we all come from different back grounds and may or may not play the same genre of music.

IMHO good music is good music and good tone is good tone. For example I don't play country music but I know when I hear great musicians playing it abd good sound from it. Now I totally agree that people's opinion can ruin who you are and what you believe in and I personally experienced that when I was younger looking up to one of my mentors who practiced with me.

I always wanted a Fodera but because he felt they weren't worth the money he influenced me not to get one for years. As I matured through listening to people on talkbass and personal friends I learned that most people (not all) just 99.9% talk to you from there pocket books so if they can't afford one then they down it. Saying things like a $100 bass is just as good as a custom. When in fact they would buy one if they had the overflow of cash to do so (meaning all bills payed).

I like the sound I was getting but I was not totally happy with it even though the band said they were. So I asked my band of bass brothers what they thought. Again I always will eat the meat and through away the bones of what people think and say. I want a bit more grit and piano like tone when I solo. Thanks again for chiming in.

The pocketbook think is a great example of why taking advice with a grain of salt is usually wise.

Fodera are nice basses, I have a couple of older ones. A friend played my Emperor 5 and loved it. Said it didn't sound like his newer Fodera.

There are tweaks that you can do that change the playing experience, which can in turn change the tone as you experience the bass on your hands. I have mine set up to get aggressive without having to play very aggressively. If you're interested I can expand on that.

I also have the same MPP1 preamp. Definitely capale of standing out in the mix without being overbearing.

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

The pocketbook think is a great example of why taking advice with a grain of salt is usually wise.

Fodera are nice basses, I have a couple of older ones. A friend played my Emperor 5 and loved it. Said it didn't sound like his newer Fodera.

There are tweaks that you can do that change the playing experience, which can in turn change the tone as you experience the bass on your hands. I have mine set up to get aggressive without having to play very aggressively. If you're interested I can expand on that.

I also have the same MPP1 preamp. Definitely capale of standing out in the mix without being overbearing.

Yes please do expand on that! Interested in how you set yours up.... Also how you typically run you MPP1

 

[Rlbragg15]

What church are you playing at? As a fellow ATLien, I'd love to drop by one Sunday! BTW, great playing and tone!

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

What church are you playing at? As a fellow ATLien, I'd love to drop by one Sunday! BTW, great playing and tone!

That was a visiting church that I played a gig at this last Sunday. It was in cedar town. We just decided to play this after the anniversary service. If your interested in getting my church name and address just pm me. I warn you that I'm north of ATL by Cartersville GA

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

Most of us have heard that "Tone" has just as much to do with your fingers.... attack of notes....sustain etc as the equipment you purchase to relay the sound of your tone. Please rate my overall tone. I'm posting 2 videos (both are the same song) one which goes straight to both my solos for those who have no time to listen to almost 11 min of the entire band playing and soloing. It's only 3 mins. Please use headphones if you can.

Not my thing but way Fn' cool bro. I know what I hear and I like it......all of it!.

 

[B-line]

254,272 TalkBass members; what, only 137 opinions posted here???

Let's keep those votes coming!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That was a visiting church that I played a gig at this last Sunday. It was in cedar town. We just decided to play this after the anniversary service. If your interested in getting my church name and address just pm me. I warn you that I'm north of ATL by Cartersville GA

Cartersville, do you ever play in Rome or Chattanooga? I know you already have a great Fodera, but have you ever checked out Warrior since you live close to them?

 

[Nine-and-three-Quarters]

Cartersville, do you ever play in Rome or Chattanooga? I know you already have a great Fodera, but have you ever checked out Warrior since you live close to them?

Yes my church is in Rome GA. And I've had JD make me 7 warriors. Been there several times. Some of the best basses every made especially when it comes to low action and playing like butter. In fact I can say without a doubt out of all the custom basses I've ever had made and thats many probably over 100 custom builds.

The warriors are the best playing. The only thing I fault them for and what I believe keeps them from being in a Fodera class of their own is their quality control. I've owned around 9 Fodera basses and have 2 now. Apples for apples if Warrior made their instruments with the same QC I'd give the edge to Warrior. But even still if you find the right one (no short cuts taken to build it) I'll put it up against any bass.

Same holds true for Roscoe bass guitars with the exemption of bad quality control. Roscoes QC and build quality is on point and really good. Some of the best playing necks and basses ever made also. Even though they do everything right IMO they Just never got their deserved notoriety IMO. If I couldn't afford a Fodera I'd have me a Roscoe....wait a minute I do have one. Lol. FODERA, ROSCOE, WARRIOR, BRUBAKER. My all-time favorites out of all the builds I've ever had made or owned.