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Reggae bass

N

NCdan

Feb 6, 2010
16
0
#1
I'd like to get some input as to what bass is the right bass for me, a bass that mostly needs to have a killer reggae sound. I know that Bob Marley's bassist used a J and I know that other bassists use Steinbergers, but I've got to say that I'm not sure which direction to go in. Some people say that just about any bass can sound good for reggae as all you have to do is roll off the highs and high mids, but the two cheap basses I have owned, a T and PJ copy are insufferably bright even after I turn the tone knob down all the way. Maybe the pickups are just bad, but I just can't get into basses that sound pingy or twangy, so even if those types of basses would technically work for reggae, I'd like to stay away from those.

Here's the thing: I have been thinking about buying a Carvin, but their guitars are very bright. I haven't tried their basses, but I would assume that their basses tend to be bright as well? Or maybe not? Is there anyone out there who can give me some unbiased info on Carvin basses? I could always play it safe and go with a Fender P, but that is sort of like eating at a fast food chain: it's good enough but nothing special. I don't have the bucks for a Warwick, as my budget is around $1,000, maybe as much as $1,300. So, anyone wanna help out a drummer/guitarist who wants to get a better bass?
 
#2
I use a variety of basses & I started playing reggae in 1973. As you said there are many basses that will work. Mostly it's a matter of how you set your EQ, using flatwound strings & plucking up towards the neck pick up.
There are some basses which stand out as being dub monsters. The Kay Pro Howlin' Wolf ($800) is foremost in my mind. It has massive bottom end, a 31" scale & looks about as cool as it gets. Comes with flatwounds on it. Of course there's the venerable Jazz bass. I use a 5 string MIM Jazz I dropped Barts into. It has more distinction available than the Kay, but not as much bottom. I see many reggae players using the Hohner headless Steinberger copy both 4 & 5 string models(about $700). They tend to use roundwounds on those. Carvin basses will work just fine for reggae. I have an LB75F that's been the bass of choice for quite a few sessions. I usually bring 3-4 basses to a session & let the producer hear them all & he picks the one. That old Carvin has been on a lot of recordings. The Hofner Icon or Epiphone Viola will get the big dub sound as well. Hope this helps.
 
#3
I'd go the Fender Jazz route. You can get a pretty nice J bass for your budget. Yesterday I bought a brand new American Standard P 5-string for $1250 Canadian, so there's no way you won't find something.

I am decidedly *not* a Fender guy. I bought one because it's a good tool to have in the toolbox. My main bass is an Active Lakland. But for Reggae/dub and even Ska, I like the old skool stuff best. YMMV and alladat.

I'm also assuming you already know all about the tone being in the hands and all of that stuff.
 
#4
FWIW, I don't play Reggae (wish I had the opportunity, I'm a huge fan of) but the owner of shop where I get my gear is a pro Reggae bassist.
It probably doesn't make sense, and I've never tried one, but he uses 5 string Bongos exclusively.
 
#5
I see many reggae players using the Hohner headless Steinberger copy both 4 & 5 string models(about $700). They tend to use roundwounds on those.
Click to expand...

So the Hohner Steinberger copies are better than the official ones for reggae (it looks like the "real" Steinbergers are made by Gibson...)? The Hohners are a bit cheaper, but I have never played either.
 
#6
I would take a serious look at the G&L L-1000, Gibson SG Bass (EB-3), and the Guild B302.

Any of those basses can be found on the used market for less than $1k and will absolutely floor you with fat low end.

The Fender Jazz is also an excellent choice but doesn't fit my personal preferences.
 
#7
i play reggae often (florida boy) and love the way my modern gibson thunderbird sounds with flats for reggae when plucking at the neck. It's that super deep and pure da da da, almost synth bass sound. A good substitute is the epi goth t-bird played the same way. Yeah, my jazz bass just doesn't get as low. Of couse big fat flats can warp any bass neck, so tune it down when not using it.
 
#8
NCdan said:
I'd like to get some input as to what bass is the right bass for me, a bass that mostly needs to have a killer reggae sound. I know that Bob Marley's bassist used a J and I know that other bassists use Steinbergers, but I've got to say that I'm not sure which direction to go in. Some people say that just about any bass can sound good for reggae as all you have to do is roll off the highs and high mids, but the two cheap basses I have owned, a T and PJ copy are insufferably bright even after I turn the tone knob down all the way. Maybe the pickups are just bad, but I just can't get into basses that sound pingy or twangy, so even if those types of basses would technically work for reggae, I'd like to stay away from those.

Here's the thing: I have been thinking about buying a Carvin, but their guitars are very bright. I haven't tried their basses, but I would assume that their basses tend to be bright as well? Or maybe not? Is there anyone out there who can give me some unbiased info on Carvin basses? I could always play it safe and go with a Fender P, but that is sort of like eating at a fast food chain: it's good enough but nothing special. I don't have the bucks for a Warwick, as my budget is around $1,000, maybe as much as $1,300. So, anyone wanna help out a drummer/guitarist who wants to get a better bass?
Click to expand...

my 2 cents :).

I play reggae, usually UB40 covers.
you know Earl Falconer plays Steinberger with EMG pups
and I've seem a picture of him playing a Warwick bass
anyway...

I play a JB with rosewood fretboard,
stock pickups (SX) all passive, with very thick
flatwounds: .050 .075 .095 .110
I play near the neck and my amp EQ I tend
to increase the BASS a little bit more than
the other controls.

To be honest with you I've never seem
a reggae bassist with a fancy bass full of
control EQs etc... (at least where I live) they seem to be very simple
regarding their gear.

I've seem a guy playing Yamaha RBX4A those new yamahas..
sounded pretty good too..

I just bought a BOSS GT 10 B for effects but I'm
still getting used to it.

I hope this helps.
 
#10
NCdan, I'm not saying the Hohners are better. Probably the reason I see so many is that they're much cheaper and available in Jamaica. My GF owns a club where many reggae touring acts play (including mine), so I get to see what everybody's playing. I see all kinds of stuff....Fenders, Schecters, MM, a lot of Hohners, PVs and too many others to mention. As long as you're moving lots of air you are in the de ballpark mon!
 
#12
chanson said:
Hofner. If you look around for a while you can get one used for $1300 ish

Click to expand...


This. ^^^

I have a Hofner Club and it is the secret weapon. :ninja:

bd8f_3.jpg
 
#13
Moe Monsarrat said:
I use a variety of basses & I started playing reggae in 1973. As you said there are many basses that will work. Mostly it's a matter of how you set your EQ, using flatwound strings & plucking up towards the neck pick up.
There are some basses which stand out as being dub monsters. The Kay Pro Howlin' Wolf ($800) is foremost in my mind. It has massive bottom end, a 31" scale & looks about as cool as it gets. Comes with flatwounds on it. Of course there's the venerable Jazz bass. I use a 5 string MIM Jazz I dropped Barts into. It has more distinction available than the Kay, but not as much bottom. I see many reggae players using the Hohner headless Steinberger copy both 4 & 5 string models(about $700). They tend to use roundwounds on those. Carvin basses will work just fine for reggae. I have an LB75F that's been the bass of choice for quite a few sessions. I usually bring 3-4 basses to a session & let the producer hear them all & he picks the one. That old Carvin has been on a lot of recordings. The Hofner Icon or Epiphone Viola will get the big dub sound as well. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

+1. I play primarily dub and reggae. I actually use a Warwick Corvette $$ 5 string as my main bass because I love the woody low tones it puts out. Sounds great for dub. Everything Moe mentioned here is dead on. I also have two Carvins. I have an old 4 banger that I put flats on (I don't even know what model it is) and I have an LB75. The LB75 has a nice low growl on it that tends to put out really nice tones for more traditional rootsy stuff. Other guitars I own is a SX Jazz five string (works great for old Barrington Levy songs and such). I think the basic jist of what people are going to tell you is that it's not so much about tone as much as how you EQ your bass, the strings you use, and how/where you place your notes. Good luck and have fun. :)
 
#16
What they said!

Move as much air as you can and pump the low mids rather than the low lows, too.

A Sansamp or VT pedal is a simple way to get a big fat tone by boosting the low knob- it really fattens up things without muddying up the lows. You can get old school tube tones, too, real nice.
 
#20
JoZac21 said:
Anything + Flatwounds + Boost the lows = Reggae tone

I platy a Jag bass w. TIs... I'm always just a simple boost on the bass eq away from family-maning it up all night
Click to expand...

+1

I play an old Fender Jazz / Alleva-Coppolo that has active bass and treble boost. I like to run through a compressor and crank the bass knob on my bass when I play reggae. If I'm playing a passive bass, I just switch the "deep" switch on my amp and turn it up, and play really softly.

I also play on flatwounds, but I had no trouble getting that deep reggae sound with rounds. It just takes the right touch to avoid the clangy sounds.
 

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