So what does "punch" mean, anyway?

[Lesfunk]

For me, “punch” means a powerful amplified sound that can be clearly heard when mixed with the rest of the band

 

[chilee]

We have so many terms to describe bass sound but I suspect that few of us really have clear definitions of them. We think we're clearly communicating but I suspect often we not even speaking the same language.

I'd love to have some definitions in terms of volume & frequency. No fair using the term to define the term ("Smooth, you know - when it sounds smooth like a gentle breeze").

• Growly
• In-Your-Face
• Hi-Fi
• Vintage
• Full
• Smooth
• Bite
• Bark
• Burp
• Fart (sorry, but I'm not making these up)
• Thud
• Thump

And the one that leaves me the most confused:

• Punch

Thwacky
Plummy

 

[brainiac]

My concept of "punch" is that synchronicity achieved between the bass drum and bass when working tightly together. It's a sound and a feel throughout your viscera and cannot be reached strictly on a bass.

 

[aureliab20gt]

I always loved Craig Grubers bass tone on the first Rainbow album......RD Artist I think?

 

[jetgraphics]

As an old phart, and ancient member of the order of low pitchers, all this talk of TONE is a joke.
The REAL issue is what the tone is in the MIX with the rest of the band.
A bass that sounds OMG by itself can sound like crap, buried in the overall sound of a band.
And the type of music played can also determine what is "good" and what is "not good" tone.
I once saw a reggae band play live, and the bass must have been on barbiturates it was so LOW. Normally, the wooo wooo bass sucketh, but in that context, it was just perfect. Would Jaco play like that? Who knows?
Just imagine Jack Bruce playing in a marching band of bagpipes, and you'll get the idea.

 

[seamonkey]

Again: "Optimal sensitivity of Pacinian corpuscles are 250hz"

When people say it hits you in the chest - then it's around 250hz

Of course you wouldn't feel this with IEMs, but for me around 250hz is where I hear Punch!

 

[mongo2]

For me "punch" is felt more than heard.

I get a punchy tone by turning my plucking hand so I can get more of the side of the tips of my index and middle fingers under the string like I use on upright to give the string a solid pull followed by left hand muting for a quick cuttoff stacatto-esque envelope. I mostly pluck near the end of the neck which also provides me with a more uprighteous tone. For me flats or nylon tapes work better than rounds and it's more difficult for me with a pick.

My "punchiest" sounding basses have been the Ibanez AFB200s I've owned over the years and my Hofner HCT President 500/5. It seems the deep hollowbody resonance contributes to the impact. I use DIY f hole mutes to control feedback when necessary. My Hofner Ignition Club bass can also get punchy but not as much. I get less punch from solidbodies and I avoid using bridge pickups.

I find amp eq settings are important but I have no specific settings I use. I just play with it until I get what I want. It usually involves boosted lows and low mids along with reduced highs. Then I can control it with plucking technique.

 

[micguy]

So, I’ve never understood what “punch” means (every time I hear the term, it seems the person saying it means something different). As a result, I never use the term, despite many decades of playing bass and running sound.

Having read the previous pages, I am more convinced than ever that “punch” is far more a source of confusion than it is a useful descriptor.

 

[Kaa]

The sound similar to a floor tom with a blanket on it. Sorta.

 

[DJ Bebop]

So, I’ve never understood what “punch” means (every time I hear the term, it seems the person saying it means something different). As a result, I never use the term, despite many decades of playing bass and running sound.

Having read the previous pages, I am more convinced than ever that “punch” is far more a source of confusion than it is a useful descriptor.

 

[Billy C.]

"PUNCH" was THE TERM That DESCRIBED IF you could FEEL the BASS HIT YOU in the chest while standing in front of the stage! This was a 60's early 70's term that was LONG BEFOE Bass amps were ran through a PA System! In other words the BASS AMP had to STAND for It's SELF without any help! I would have to say that pretty much ONLY the ACOUSTIC 360/70 and The AMPEG SVT's Could have Originated the TERM! ( Not to leave out the SUNN 200's ). In the Late 60's & EarLY 70's, "PUNCH" was the TERM that was used WHEN YOU needed the BASS to KICK ASS right off the stage!! I sold and Played The above Mentioned Bass Amps and Believe me, REAL Serious BASS PLAYERS FIRST Asked the Question, "DOES This AMP Have PUNCH??" when looking at a new Bass Amp!! It's almost Impossible TODAY for a BASS AMP to be described in that manner!! You had to be around Back when REAL BASS AMPS were First being Created!!

 

[sleddogn]

asking for 2 friends, chris, and will

 

[pepj]

Yep, its weird. I have no idea what some people 'hear' but I generally can tell whether they hear well pretty quickly.
Having your sound together and having a good sound is different.

So its rather pointless having that conversation and I just say 'great' sound because we both know.
But it's not common.