Yeah, I have been experimenting with a couple of different basses and amps in my band. They always prefer one setup, so that's what I use live. I toy with my other configurations at rehearsal. Who woulda thought they like my cheap P/J over my nicer spector? They also prefer one particular amp... Eventhough I can hear the difference, it all sounds good to me.
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the right tone for your band?
- Thread starter ThunderousFunk
- Start date
Funny, a 'Ray is one of the basses I wouldn't hesitate to use in just about any situation.
I use a modified EBMM Stingray 5'er currently because it is exactly what I need for the music that I am playing. (Contemporary Christian) The extended range allows me to play in many different keys without having to retune or learn different finger positions, and I can easily move up or down the fretboard and have more notes in reach. This was the main reason why I purchased this bass.
The funny thing is, lately we have been playing a lot of Hillsong content. I have owned this bass for a while and recently realized that the bassist for Hillsong uses the exact same bass (minus my modifications).
The funny thing is, lately we have been playing a lot of Hillsong content. I have owned this bass for a while and recently realized that the bassist for Hillsong uses the exact same bass (minus my modifications).
I seem to always be looking for the most innouous bass tone. I want my tone to fit in everything well. So I try to find the most "general" tone. Thgis way I can get by with just one bass. although I own more.
Nope
I've got my general tone, and i change it a little bit by changing plucking location, pots, to fit what i think is well with the band. But in the first time, it's my tone. And perhaps it would sound better with another bass, but it would sound certainly better with another snare drum, and with another guitar rig, etc.. But the band would not be the same. We sound how we sound, as soon as we are all agree about that sound; and except little adjustment do-able with our instruments, we will not change them because someone else think "that could better sounds with this or that."
And if guys told me to change my general tone, i walk away cause i'm not the guy they need. I'm more a "one bass" kind of guy than "multi-bass, one for each different tones" guy.
that said, i'm not a professionnal and i only play music for pleasure. My tone is a big part of this pleasure.
If i would be a professionnal, it would be different.
I've got my general tone, and i change it a little bit by changing plucking location, pots, to fit what i think is well with the band. But in the first time, it's my tone. And perhaps it would sound better with another bass, but it would sound certainly better with another snare drum, and with another guitar rig, etc.. But the band would not be the same. We sound how we sound, as soon as we are all agree about that sound; and except little adjustment do-able with our instruments, we will not change them because someone else think "that could better sounds with this or that."
And if guys told me to change my general tone, i walk away cause i'm not the guy they need. I'm more a "one bass" kind of guy than "multi-bass, one for each different tones" guy.
that said, i'm not a professionnal and i only play music for pleasure. My tone is a big part of this pleasure.
If i would be a professionnal, it would be different.
I've pretty much had plenty of basses that cover a broad range of tonal real estate so I never really needed to buy a bass just to suit a particular band. However, I do select which bass I play depending on the the band's string section and their tone.
Hmm, not a bass-oriented band, you need to change that!
Most of the tunes I listened to have no bass or almost inaudible bass. I think they could use a more growly tone. I'm sure you can get a Warwick to sound right, use flats if you need to, boost the low mids and if you need to, lows. Play with a light touch and turn up the amp, should give you a thicker, darker sound that way.
You may not like it, but listen to some modern country music, a lot of those players get a great growly but round sound that might work really well for you.
Yeah, I figured that too. It's hard for me to place a line in those tunes. The only one I can hear a line to is the beginning to "Here We Are". I can hear what sounds like a P-bass to me. But one of the basses I'm looking into has a Warwick tone(only better), or an SB5000(more of that growly-jazz tone, but cleaner). Guess I will have to pull the trigger on something, and just make it fit. I do like country, so if you have any recommendations, they would be appreciated.
As to those with multiple basses, I agree with you all too. If I had that situation, this thread wouldn't even be here. But I, unfortunately don't. I would love to be in that position, and plan on it throught the years to come.
I don't think you need to focus too much on what the previous (inaudible) bass player sounded like. If you have a nice solid grooving sound, I bet the tunes will come alive and the band will love it.
The SB5000 is the new Carvin, right? Those things sound amazing. That would be my vote for a modern but very versatile sounding instrument for a great price.
I don't know particular country artists, but I sometimes turn on a country station that plays the current hits. I'm always impressed by the quality of the bass tones. Very modern yet warm and fat. And a lot of extended range basses too, it's nice to hear a low C or D in a pop context.
By the way, I have multiple basses, and I pretty much just use one (the Sadowsky) for almost all my gigs. Two jazz pickups, active with a passive option and a passive tone, 5-string. I can get a ton of tones out of that with picking position, finger/pick, and settings on the instrument. The SB5000 is a similar setup, and I'm guessing you could find whatever tone you need in there if you like the feel.
I own 23 basses, and I can get a tone that my band finds acceptable with all but four of them. But, since it's mostly vintage country (silverswitchband.com) I find myself using my Fenders more than the others.
This is so true IMO. It is pure BS to say the audience doesn't care about the bass. They care....but they may not understand why!!! After a few bars of some booty shaking tune, stop playing bass, or thin out your tone and watch them look toward the band in dismay!
I don't give much thought to it. I have a particular tone that I like and I pretty much stick with it. I may adjust it slightly depending on the song.
Nice analogy. Wallpaper with lots of glue to bring everything together.
i like my tone to be able to cut through the mix, but at the same time sit in the back like wallpaper
Yes sir... I passed on a Modulus Q5 and MTD 535 when I bought my Stingray5 HH..... because its the right tone for what I do.
Eventually Ill get the others... who knows when lol....
I was ok with purchasing the stingray because its an amazing bass and fits into most of the music I play..... if i want to do a sort of progressive, jazzy, slappy solo thing the MTD fit my needs better.... but the stingray also gets the job done.
But with my metal band and the industrial band that I fill in for???? the stingray was a clear winner.
Eventually Ill get the others... who knows when lol....
I was ok with purchasing the stingray because its an amazing bass and fits into most of the music I play..... if i want to do a sort of progressive, jazzy, slappy solo thing the MTD fit my needs better.... but the stingray also gets the job done.
But with my metal band and the industrial band that I fill in for???? the stingray was a clear winner.
I play mostly at church so I play from latin to rock to pop to slow songs and all of them need a different tone , and well.... I have a Ray , it just gives me the right tones for everything I would ever need but with a lot of tweaking amp and knobs ....so long story short I played a P bass and I noticed it gives me all i need in all music styles ... but I'm still in love with the ray...o man I just think the basses that are a must have:
P bass and Ray!
(all of this IMO )
P bass and Ray!
(all of this IMO )
That's a factor in all my gear. My problem is I'm in 3 different bands and am trying to get one bass and one rig to cover them all. I hope to try a Fender Standard American Jazz 5 for the bass and a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 (which I already have in my combo) or 9.0 with either a Uber 410 or Uber Quad for a cab.
