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Reggae doods
- Thread starter Tony h
- Start date
I would say all kinds. I play a lot of reggae and I play a Fender American Jazz Deluxe and an EB/MM Sterling. I just cut the highs a bit and boost the lows a bit, and either palm-mute or play closer to the bridge.
Famous reggae bassists play all kinds of basses: Family Man plays American Jazz Deluxes too, Robbie Shakespere plays vintage Jazzes and used to play Steinbergers. I saw the bass player with Burning Spear playing some sort of headless bass but with full body, like a Status Graphite, etc. Producer Bill Laswell plays P-Basses with groundwound strings.
So, I think it is really all over the place. You can play reaggae with any bass, just adjust your setting accordingly.
Of, in general, a passive bass with flatwound strings with give you a dubby sound, but I have surprised to find that many reggae players use regular roundwounds.
Famous reggae bassists play all kinds of basses: Family Man plays American Jazz Deluxes too, Robbie Shakespere plays vintage Jazzes and used to play Steinbergers. I saw the bass player with Burning Spear playing some sort of headless bass but with full body, like a Status Graphite, etc. Producer Bill Laswell plays P-Basses with groundwound strings.
So, I think it is really all over the place. You can play reaggae with any bass, just adjust your setting accordingly.
Of, in general, a passive bass with flatwound strings with give you a dubby sound, but I have surprised to find that many reggae players use regular roundwounds.
thanks guys, I saw Burning Spear and noticed he was playing a headless, I wonder of it was a Status
great gig as well
great gig as well
I remember the guy from Senser / Lodestar played Status. He got some great dub sounds out of it. They have a super-clean sound, with massive low end. The one I tried (like, 10 years ago!), was not really like the Mark King sound. The high were extremely clean, almost 'synthetic', very piano like, and the low were very deep, but pretty dull when slapped, no crunch. Maybe the strings, I don't know... Was a long time ago anyway!
i play reggae and mostly influenced by reggae and i use a fender jazz with rounds mainly.
also use a precision fretless with flats.
back in the day most used fender jazzes with flats. now heaps use different kinds.
i get nice reggae out of them, but reggae is more about the timing and feel then the bass.
if your after buying a bass for reggae buy whatever feels comfortable and sounds good not what others play.
also use a precision fretless with flats.
back in the day most used fender jazzes with flats. now heaps use different kinds.
i get nice reggae out of them, but reggae is more about the timing and feel then the bass.
if your after buying a bass for reggae buy whatever feels comfortable and sounds good not what others play.
just take any bass, turn the treble down halfway, cut the mids slightly, and play with your right hand (plucking hand) up on the end of the fretboard and you'll have a nice low, full sound
as far as a certain bass, i think any fretless with an ebony fingerboard works well
oh yea and flatwounds too
as far as a certain bass, i think any fretless with an ebony fingerboard works well
oh yea and flatwounds too
If you're talking about the original Jamaican greats - then amost all those I've seen have been using Fender Jazz or P bass.
i'm going to get a jazz for reggae and funk. unless i find an absolute amazing precision while i'm at the music store. and you can't go wrong with either, they both sound sick for reggae.
i'd play both and get the one you like better. originally reggae was like all fender jazz basses... but that doesn't matter as much right now. you could play anything, like everyone here has said. but if you want the bob marley + wailers tone or whatever, get a jazz.
i'd play both and get the one you like better. originally reggae was like all fender jazz basses... but that doesn't matter as much right now. you could play anything, like everyone here has said. but if you want the bob marley + wailers tone or whatever, get a jazz.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I've seen players with pretty much every bass under the sun. The most popular of course are Jazzes and Precisions, but then, thats the same across ALL genres, isn't it? I've even seen players with Gibson EB's on stage.
I've said this before, and I'll keep saying it when this topic comes up...there are very few basses that aren't suitable for reggae. Spend more time sorting out your tone (your amp, cab, and EQ settings) than worrying about what you're playing.
In recent years I've used: Fender Jazz & Precision, PRS (as did Robbie Shakespear for a while)...and most currently, my Dingwall. I'll continue to use a Dingwall because I can get clean tight low lows out of it.
Over the years, reggae has spawned a whole variety of sub-genres, all of which have slightly different sounds so what you want may be dependant upon what you're playing. I would guess that most of the advice you'll get in this thread is aimed at 70's style roots and dub.
I've said this before, and I'll keep saying it when this topic comes up...there are very few basses that aren't suitable for reggae. Spend more time sorting out your tone (your amp, cab, and EQ settings) than worrying about what you're playing.
In recent years I've used: Fender Jazz & Precision, PRS (as did Robbie Shakespear for a while)...and most currently, my Dingwall. I'll continue to use a Dingwall because I can get clean tight low lows out of it.
Over the years, reggae has spawned a whole variety of sub-genres, all of which have slightly different sounds so what you want may be dependant upon what you're playing. I would guess that most of the advice you'll get in this thread is aimed at 70's style roots and dub.
I use a p bass, or my jazz on the neck pickup whenever I'm playing reggae.
that's with nickel rounds. works for what i want, but i dont exactly play roots stuff.
that's with nickel rounds. works for what i want, but i dont exactly play roots stuff.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I guess you don't approve of me using a PRS or a Dingwall then?
How about people using Steinberger basses?
How about when I did shows with the Skatalites, and Lloyd Brevett played an electric upright that was as modern as can be? And after all, he invented the style.
The notion that reggae bass is in any way based upon how the bass looks is just ridiculous. From my fortunate time in rubbing shoulders with some of the 'giants' I can say that the Jamaican players could care less.
They care about two things.
1) How you sound
2) How you play.
I've walked into shows or jams and never had one person all night care about the shape of the bass or the name on the headstock. Just in the same way that all the Jamaicans I've met or played with are colorblind...The couldn't care less what color you are...just if you know how to play.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Ok then...I'll tell the guitarist for Yellowman that he needs to get a different guitar. Also, the guy who plays for Toots Hibbert. Also the guy for Inner Circle.
While I'm at it would you like me to tell Cat Coore he needs to stop playing reggae cello? I'm sure the rest of Third World will support you fully.
