First of all I starting talking to Jorg about being a dealer in Mid December for those who are curious for whatever reason. He insisted on my waiting until after the NAMM show.
There are a TON of exceptionally talented bassists here in Cleveland as there are across the country. They aren't Jamerson or anything real close to him style or tonewise. They're different....But they're in many instances playing Jamerson's (and the other bass icons mentioned) music, not their band's own.
I am not a proponent of stuffing a "modern" tone down anyone's throat. If someone is playing in a Motown or Disco oriented band here, and they sound...tonewise, just like the record, I'm not about to be critical of it...But they don't!!! AND....they are likely not playing most of the recorded parts, many of which are right up there with the most difficult, intense and technical feel of bass parts of all time.
When the local bassist plays nothing close to the record AND if heard, sounds abrasive tinny or like a lead guitar, or in otherwords totally unMotown, R&B, or whatever style they're playing where there was a more "standard, signiture tone," I am going to assume the role of educator or tone policeman.
A couple quick observations: at one of the Jams I set up at, I had the 410 and my focus head. The third bassist came up to me, had a J bass Replica, turned the passive tone off, wanted more bottom, and no mids or treble. I gave him what he wanted, he proceded to both play and sound extremely mediocre, not just in my opinion, but the other 5 bassists that preceded and followed him TOLD me, PLEASE, DON"T SET MY SOUND UP LIKE THAT GUY. I would say that he sounded as close to the bass tone on Goiin' to Agogo about as one could get outta my rig!!! So figure.
Observation two. had my 410 and focus at another blues jam and one of my favorite friends/bassist came in with his 64 P bass. The bass sounds absolutely fantastic, especially with someone else playing it besides me for some reason. Anyway, in spite of this player being very "solid" and tasteful, he doesn't or can't handle the stage volume that my 410 can produce....so he turns down and "guess what?" Ya can't hear him on the dance floor or close to the stage in the audience. He's used to PA support and not the sheer volume that might be needed in other non-supported venues.
In both cases I was critical...told the first guy the bass sounds muddy and I can barely distinquish the notes. I said he's making himself look bad in spite of his being "a decent player." He kept right on a playin' with no changes.
I told the second player you're makin' my rig sound like it's a weak willy .... please turn it up or please use the house bassists rig (set up right next to where I was), .... that woulda taken a 10 second switch of cords. He switched, was happy and so was I.
Whether these guys listen or not to what I'm commenting on , that's obviously up to them. If they can play the parts in a stylistically authentic manner and sound like a 60's or 70's typical system, AND it's hearable in that venue set up that way, I'm not going to tell them that they should "modernize" their tone.
Other than the above examples there are more times than not where the bass players around here can not be cleanly heard, yet have a tremendous amount of musical talent and value to offer their bands and audiences. A great player or a really "tasty" player who can't be heard isn't doing their band or audience justice in my mind. A great player who's system makes every note mushy, harshsounding, and/or ear piercing also takes away from the musicality and talent they offer.
Like me or not for it, I will go up to them and question whether they like how they sound, how they feel it sounds out here in the audience, discuss it civily not go up to 'em and say "man, your tone sucks" for cryin' out loud. I'm very tactful and because of that have gotten a tremendous response from people I don't even know to live demo my stuff. Not only don't they know me personally, they've never heard of any of the big names in cabinets, let alone Jorg's line!!
Regarding the 410 vs 21012, I plan on getting a 21012 in stock over the next couple of months, and will be using both for gigging and demoing and will report the "real" skinny comparison between them (if you trust my opinion). Also between the 1212 and 1210. If anyone has both and have used them in similar or the same venues and if there's any more feedback on the Lights, I'm sure many of the posters here would like hear it from you guys.
Thanks
Lkaye
TheCabZone
Dealer for Schroeder Cabinets
, this is part of my cure to paying off a huge chunk of cash after getting divorced.
