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So, like, what is 'vintage tone' REALLY?

#82
alaskaleftybass said:
I was fortunate enough to follow that same vein of profession. We were a professional touring band all over the US and Canada. Worked a lot of 'front 3's' and 'back 3's.' Only us old timers know what that meant. It meant a lot of hassle if they were back to back. We stayed in nice hotels, had tabs and free dinners. I'd say they were the golden years of my youth. Those of us who lived it were blessed to have experienced it. This was also during the 70's and 80's, until I met Mrs. Right the end of the 80's and retired my beat up black traveling trunk.
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I met my Mrs. Right in 1972 while touring. She actually booked us into the club and then came on the road with me at the end or our week there. We've been married for 48-years now... Those were indeed the Golden Years!
 
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#84
andruca said:
First thing that comes to my old dumbed down brain whenever the "vintage" tone concept is invoked is Mel playing "Creepin'"...



Overall, I agree with the many that have pointed to the apparent non-absolute nature of "vintage".
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Great example of jammin vintage bass tone. Also, another good one from GFR - Black Licorice. So much energy in the 70's jam bands, with the bass being a big part of it.
 
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#87
There have been so many advancements in technology that have improved the sound of the electric bass, that I have no choice but to infer that vintage tone has less audio fidelity than modern tones. The electronic components on vintage instruments are not nearly as advanced as current models, and pick ups and tone controls, and even construction techniques and materials were in their infancy during the vintage age, And had not been perfected yet.

Simply put: vintage tone is not as good. Which is not to say it is not useful. When playing a vintage instrument, it evokes the sound and style of an age gone by. Vintage listeners will recognize that tone. It will make them nostalgic—maybe even melancholy.
 
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#88
I’m my case, the Lakland 55-94’s I gig with have a single coil neck pickup, a dual coil bridge pickup with
a three way selector switch, and a variable balance control between the two pickups. If I futz around with those
settings and apply the three band EQ, I can dial in a timbre that’s very close to the sound of any vintage bass provided
I’m using flat wounds for strings. (unless I’m going for the Ric-o-sound) That’s a very time consuming process. It’s
so much easier to pick up my 59 Fender precision and play it. I am aware of just how lucky I am to own that bass. :)
 
#90
The sound of what is now old, back when it was new. I always thought of it as less than hi fidelity. Might be because of basses that came with flats, or cabs without tweeters. Both. Other things. I dunno.
 
#92
Vintage tone for me......
James Jamerson
Carol Kaye
John Paul Jones
Wilton Felton
Chuck Rainey
Joe Osborn
LARRY Graham
Louis Johnson
BrownMark
Mark Adams
Marcus Miller
Sting
Meshelle Ndegeocello
Pino Palladino
Laura Lee
Joe Dart
Bootsy
Geddy Lee
Prince

60’s- 80’s
Rounds , flats , effects pedals , sometimes active , sometimes passive .
It’s all vintage to me.
 

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