I mean really, one guy picks up a bass and loves the tone, another picks it up and hates it. If I read these forums long enough I will start to question my own tones. I mean, the amount of $$$ and effort many spend for that magic tone when 95% of the audience could care less or not notice. I get it to some degree, but most are splitting hairs. Talk about dogs chasing their tails! How far have you gone or others you know?
In 25+ years of playing live, the majority of bassists I know (outside of top-tier touring or studio musicians) only own one or two basses and “an amp.” I think there’s some kind of virus that’s downloaded into you the first time you log on to TalkBass!
I wonder how many people are just searching for a tone that sounds nice while they're sitting around noodling solo at home.. I've done that a million times...and in 99% of the results that tone never worked as soon as I fired into a mix. Usually the tone that works best in the mix is one that I don't particularly like solo.
Unless you're playing small bars and clubs, your bass tone has a lot more to do with the person running the front of house than it does your amp or bass. And when you're playing small bars and clubs, it usually has a lot more to do with the room you're in, than your bass or amp. Being meticulous about one's tone is IMO a sure recipe for unhappiness. The only exceptions to the above, IMO, are if you don't know how to get a decent sound out of your bass in the first place. And/or if you have a very good relationship with your sound person. But even that's iffy.
If I could just sound like Prakash John on "Rock'n'Roll Animal"... I know I'll never be able to play like him!
