The way bass "should" sound

[HardNHeavy]

Best. Bass. Tone. EVER.

But also, I love how the first few posts in this thread all have wildly different bass tones - all great.

nice, my sister gave me this album in the late 70's, when i was in my early teens. It's def what got me hooked on bass.

 

[dr doofie]

most unique sound and band
There is a bass solo @2:15 for what it's worth

 

[Relayer71]

Electric:

Those Gentle Giant albums were mixed well, every instrument is heard and allowed to breathe. Loved Ray Schulman's tone and note choices. So underrated.

 

[Relayer71]

From all the wonderful examples on display on this thread, it's clear bass should NOT sound ONE way.

Non-bassists (well, guitarists ) think the instrument is not only easy to play but limited in sound, but there are lots of great varying tones out there and for this I'm glad.

Overall, I've always loved Geddy Lee's tone the best. But the title track (and first song) on Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway has always stuck in my head:

 

[TheDayMan]

The answer is Flea on Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

edit: ninjad.

 

[Kilgore777]

Always dug this one.


But Chris Wood is who inspired me to finally give in and get a P bass. Haven't looked back.

Scott Walker? How cool is that?! He started out as a bass player, even did session work before his singing careers. Thanks for posting, love that!!!

 

[Susqmike]

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."

 

[giacomobass]

But something about that vintage P bass with the tone rolled back...

How do you know it's got the tone rolled back?

 

[rmayer]

Correct, there isn't just one answer. It should sound like Jamerson, Squire, Miller, McCartney, etc. But I've always liked John Porter and John Wetton's sound on Bryan Ferry's "In Your Mind" album. Not sure who did which tracks.

 

[Razman]

This is how bass should sound...on 11:

 

[DJ Bebop]

 

[Blaze Barlow]

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."

Gary Thain on bass for Uriah Heep..............

 

[gbrooding]

I've always thought Sean Hurley's tone on this solo was very cool.

 

[DJ Bebop]

This is how bass should sound...on 11:
View attachment 3549934

Nah man, like this:

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[NoSlapForYou]

How do you know it's got the tone rolled back?

I don't. But it sounds pretty dark. That could be the way he EQ'd the amp, too. I just know I get that tone by having my tone rolled back about three quarters.

 

[diegom]

The bass should sound like the PLAYER wants it to sounds, no more, no less.
A few of my faves.
Billy Sheehan



Tony Butler (In my opinion, the ultimate rock p-bass tone)


Enjoy!

Diego

 

[DJ Bebop]

Upright:


Electric:

Those Gentle Giant albums were mixed well, every instrument is heard and allowed to breathe. Loved Ray Schulman's tone and note choices. So underrated.

And on a P bass too!
This was my jam back n da day

 

[giacomobass]

I don't. But it sounds pretty dark. That could be the way he EQ'd the amp, too. I just know I get that tone by having my tone rolled back about three quarters.

I don't think it's got the tone rolled off. What I'm seeing/hearing is just an old P-Bass with flats, played with fingers.

Check these out:





Not a very different tone, is it? And those even have a rosewood fingerboard.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Bruce Thomas

 

[scubaduba]

This: Ric Fierabacci performing with Brett Garsed and Joel Taylor.


It gets more tasty as the song progresses.

Or this...