Rolling off the tone

[MycooLeeyun]

For some reason, when I'm playing on my Lakland DJ5 that I just got, I love the kind of tone I get when rolling completely off the tone knob. What would you describe this tone as and why do I like it so much. If I had to describe it, I'd say the tone is "warmer" but I don't really know how to describe it. Are there any strings/pickups that would help me achieve this tone more naturally? Does anybody else feel this way?

 

[jedgargroover]

I'd say it's more like an upright. Play with flatwounds and break them in and you'll get a deader sound.

I go with Carol Kaye's method and play a P bass with a heavy pick, flats, and the tone rolled just about all the way off. Play all the way up right at the neck. Boom. Best tone ever.

I read a great piece of advice on another thread recently: Set the tone just a touch brighter than you want it and it'll sound pretty much the way you want it to the audience. I'll add that you'll also hear what you're playing with more clarity.

 

[MycooLeeyun]

If I had a P Bass, I'd definitely try that. I wonder how flats would sound on my DJ5? Does anybody else have any ideas about this?

 

[Chrisk-K]

My Lakland DJ w/ Fralins gives me the tone that I hear in my head with the following setting: neck pickup 60%, bridge pickup full, tone 50%.

 

[Tim Grant]

I like to achieve the same tone that you are describing. I use a MIA jazz with the bridge pickup completely off, neck pickup up 85%, turn your amp up a little to compensate (I don't know why, it just works for me), Tone all of the way down, a mute (a sponge will work or palm the strings) under your strings by the bridge, a set of flatwound strings (I've had d'addario Chromes on mine for about 2 years and don't ever plan on changing them until they break). Jedgar is right, it's more of an upright-like sound. I do play mostly upright bass and had a really hard time listening to my electric tone until I figured my tone out on the electric.

 

[RBrownBass]

I read a great piece of advice on another thread recently: Set the tone just a touch brighter than you want it and it'll sound pretty much the way you want it to the audience. I'll add that you'll also hear what you're playing with more clarity.

Go Steelers. Was what you were reading a reference to "solo tone" (the tone you sometimes find yourself going for when you're playing alone) versus "enesmble tone", where you might have to find your place (or make one) in the mix? I find myself turning the tone almost all the way off when I'm at home but letting just a bit more treble thru on the gig. I can still hear the rounds, which I like.

I'm going to try some Jazz Flats again soon, tho. The last bass I had them on required raising the action to the point where it didn't feel anywhere close to my other basses (I use rounds and keep my action pretty low). Go Steelers.

 

[MycooLeeyun]

Good to know that I'm not the only one who desires this kind of tone. It's just so smooth sounding. I haven't tried it with my band yet but I can imagine that such a tone doesn't sit too well in the mix and giving some tone back would probably be a good idea. Thanks for all of your input guys, much appreciated.