The way bass "should" sound

[UntitledUser]

This for a "Classy Elegant sound"


This for "Rock bass with high testosterone"


This for "Violent distorted bass"


This for a good modern rock bass -in the mix- (but also good for thrash metal if you want, specially the fast part that is after minute circa 1:00)


This for "A good standard tone"

 

[bass.slinger]

Geddy's jazz on Limelight - perfection.

 

[giacomobass]

Bonus:

 

[singlemalt]

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

That is a great one.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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."

 

[QRanc]

I love the tone in this song, which is kinda funny. Because it's not a tone I ever try to attain.


This on the other hand, I do try to attain:

 

[FenderB]

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."

Very nice. Would love to be able to play like that.

 

[comatosedragon]

Ross Valory has the 'it' tone for me.

 

[dennis james]

I love B.B. DICKERSON's tone in just about anything WAR recorded in the early seventies with THE WORLD IS A GHETTO being maybe the best example. Also love his playing.

 

[imdkoz]

This was a game changer when it came out.

 

[imdkoz]

And of course one of my new favorite tones.

 

[Rib 13]

for fingers: Marcus Miller
for slap: Marcus Miller
for pick: Jimmy Bain

 

[JimmyM]

I love B.B. DICKERSON's tone in just about anything WAR recorded in the early seventies with THE WORLD IS A GHETTO being maybe the best example. Also love his playing.

Me too. When he left, he was replaced by Luther Rabb, who was excellent as well, but he used roundwounds and a somewhat brighter sound, and it just wasn't the same.

 

[Fretlessaurus]

Mark Egan and Bakithi Khumalo both play on this track. :00-:45 is Mark Egan. Not sure about 1:05-1:25. 1:28-end is Bakithi Khumalo. Both are amazing (yet different) fretless tones that don't ape the Jaco sound.

 

[jimmyjames77]

Red Hot Chili Peppers SUCK ME KISS. That Wal sounds amazing.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

One of my all-time faves.

 

[Fretlessaurus]

Gary Grainger playing a Music Man Stingray, doing what it does best. Killer slap tone:



Also:

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I don't think there is a "should sound like" thing. It depends on the on context. Macca is great, Verdine White is great, Larry Graham is great . . . It's about the song, the band and the mix.

Favorite bass sound in general would be then basic Motown sound.

 

[stringthrough]

Sorry, not a bass sound, more like an overdriven guitar sound played at the bass' normal register.