The way bass "should" sound

[chicago_mike]

Dude still has it!!

 

[Diddywah]

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Obviously there is no single answer to this, but I thought it would be fun to get people to post clips with their favorite bass tones. I'll start. The first 1:20 of this is pretty close to the "sound in my head."

There are a couple that come to mind:

 

[mambo4]

For me the epitome of what a bass should ideally sound like is Tony Levin on a stingray.
I just wish a rays weren't so heavy.

 

[Diddywah]

And this guy

 

[nooffswitch]

Here are two favorite bass sounds of mine:

1) Ron Carter with Jim Hall (ATTYA)


2) Jaco with Pat Metheny (Bright Size Life)


Enjoy!

yeah...bright size life changed my life...

 

[Kyuuga]

For me the epitome of what a bass should ideally sound like is Tony Levin on a stingray.
I just wish a rays weren't so heavy.

The new Stingray Specials are light...and are the best mass-produced instruments in terms of quality out there (imo).

 

[DJ Bebop]

For me the epitome of what a bass should ideally sound like is Tony Levin on a stingray.
I just wish a rays weren't so heavy.

Papa Bear

 

[Jimtoonz]

Some of my favorites in no particular order.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

1) Chris Joannou of Silverchair...just such a freakin aggressive and solid bass tone!!


2) This one needs no introduction...


3) A little different than the typical tone I go for, but still aggressive and just driving the song sooo hard

 

[jj4001]

Clean:


Dirty:

 

[LowRick]

This^^

 

[mambo4]

The new Stingray Specials are light...and are the best mass-produced instruments in terms of quality out there (imo).

My response was "yeah, but can it beat my 9 lb Mike Lull ?" lo and behold I see reports of the Stingray Special 4H at 8.3 lbs. Holy crap , may be time to start saving.

 

[bassballs27]

Justin Chancellor makes a Wal sound great....

 

[dr doofie]

Obviously there is no single answer to this, but I thought it would be fun to get people to post clips with their favorite bass tones. I'll start. The first 1:20 of this is pretty close to the "sound in my head."

Oh that sounds sweet...

 

[dr doofie]

Obviously there is no single answer to this, but I thought it would be fun to get people to post clips with their favorite bass tones. I'll start. The first 1:20 of this is pretty close to the "sound in my head."

I think it's those thirds... man

 

[dr doofie]

"'Ike Tha'!!!"

 

[bassballs27]

Go to about 1:30......or 1:55 on this video...

 

[Ric5]

What I think a bass should sound like

 

[mattj1stc]

As noted in the OP, bass tone is subjective and needs to fit the song. That said, I still play a P bass because (to me) it can fit a lot of songs, and (to others) it can deliver an expected tone.