During our rehearsal lead singer looked at my bass after I had played a few notes. We use in ear monitors, so he really heard how clear the bass was. He asked me “what is that”? . I explained, it’s a Sadowsky modern. Then he said “ never heard a bass that sounded that good before”. I am a stickler for clean, accurate warm full bass Sound. I do not use any distortions. My approach is to have the bass sound like a studio instrument but live.
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Tone Compliments
- Thread starter Old Fart
- Start date
When I do receive a compliment the most ubiquitous comment is "love your bass tone, it sounds, well, like a bass!"
Recently swapped my Cali76 for a Line 6 HX Stomp XL and suddenly everyone is praising my bass tone. Bandmates and sound tech are loving it.
Guess I never learned how to dial in the Cali!
Guess I never learned how to dial in the Cali!
Thanks to all.
For a very long time I got almost no compliments at all on tone, but now I get them more often than not. We play dance music across multiple genres and decades so I use two basses during the night. 2013 Fender Precision Deluxe P/J (Labella 760FL) and Sadowsky Metroline Modern (Sadowsky Blue Label) through a Mesa TT-800, direct to PA with no cabinet on stage. Both basses sound VERY good but the Fender gets more compliments. P-bass with 760FL strings is a magic combination.
For a very long time I got almost no compliments at all on tone, but now I get them more often than not. We play dance music across multiple genres and decades so I use two basses during the night. 2013 Fender Precision Deluxe P/J (Labella 760FL) and Sadowsky Metroline Modern (Sadowsky Blue Label) through a Mesa TT-800, direct to PA with no cabinet on stage. Both basses sound VERY good but the Fender gets more compliments. P-bass with 760FL strings is a magic combination.
I get compliments from other bassists that come to our Wednesday blues jam on my tone as well as my rigs tone when they play thru it
Just a basic Rumble 500 into a Markbass cab or an old TL606 EV cab.
Been playing that room for 32 years so I'm pretty dialed in to it.
Just a basic Rumble 500 into a Markbass cab or an old TL606 EV cab.
Been playing that room for 32 years so I'm pretty dialed in to it.
When I was young, much younger than today, my mother used to say, “Young man, I do NOT like your tone.” She said that when I wasn’t playing an instrument.
My guitarist in highschool and l would play in the front yard at times.
Once, the neighbor across the street came and said, " Y'all need to tone that down, I can't hear my TV! "
Guitarist cranked the treble knob down and we kept playing.
I have gotten some compliments on my tone since switching all 3 of my basses to original Fender wide range humbuckers. They give nice definition of the notes and stand out better in the mix now.
Granted, the people that talk about tone are other musicians but I'll take what I can get. I don't use pedals, straight to amp.
Granted, the people that talk about tone are other musicians but I'll take what I can get. I don't use pedals, straight to amp.
The times I get compliments on my tone the most is when I'm using my CS'59 P with Sadowsky Blue Label Flats (much like TIJF's, but with a bit more leading edge attack). Interestingly, this is my lowest output bass and the dullest sounding strings (9yrs old), but it is always heard in the mix without stepping on anyone. A fellow bassist says he loves how it sits in the mix, and has since started playing P's with the Blue Label Flats. Contrary to the OP, the one combo my band absolutely hates is when I run 760FL's or FS's on a P or my J..... The vocalist/guitarist and the key player hate the lack of clarity, especially on the E string once broken in. I really don't hear it as being that bad...... but my job is to make them sound the best they can, so those combos are out. I have been running Olintos on one of my back up P's the last month or so, and while the jury is still out, all current indications are leading me to think these are keepers.
I'll typically run either a Shaw Audio B150 with a Shaw 115, an Aggie TH500 with either a bag end d12 or GK neo 112, or my HX Stomp when running ampless. I spent a lot of time dialing in the Stomp to sound like my late 65/early 66 B15 running through my recording rig (di+mic), and I think it sounds really close.
Compliments from the audience are nice..... other musicians in the crowd even nicer.... but when my bandmates love it, that is the best.
I'll typically run either a Shaw Audio B150 with a Shaw 115, an Aggie TH500 with either a bag end d12 or GK neo 112, or my HX Stomp when running ampless. I spent a lot of time dialing in the Stomp to sound like my late 65/early 66 B15 running through my recording rig (di+mic), and I think it sounds really close.
Compliments from the audience are nice..... other musicians in the crowd even nicer.... but when my bandmates love it, that is the best.
Often relates to a decent room and the right equipment for it.
My show stopper gear that draws bassists out of the audience is a Marshall VBA 400 using either Gibson Flying V, Warwick Thumb or Alembic Essence.
The Alembic/VBA combination even gets the guitarist turning his head smiling on stage.
No pedals of any kind, ever.
My show stopper gear that draws bassists out of the audience is a Marshall VBA 400 using either Gibson Flying V, Warwick Thumb or Alembic Essence.
The Alembic/VBA combination even gets the guitarist turning his head smiling on stage.
No pedals of any kind, ever.
I get a lot of compliments, and I think the common denominator is that I run fairly new strings.
Further, I seem to get the most compliments when I'm using a pick, particularly from soundmen, studio engineers, and even other bassists who comment negatively on me using a pick while asking what gear I'm using.
Further, I seem to get the most compliments when I'm using a pick, particularly from soundmen, studio engineers, and even other bassists who comment negatively on me using a pick while asking what gear I'm using.
Just occasionally from the audience. Makes me wonder why I worry over it. But get more from bandmates when it is sounding good. Especially drummers. Guitar players and singers less so.
Conversley, was complimented by 4 people this last gig. Now I agree it was a good gig but I think a lot of this is how condusive the gig and the audience are.
We are a relatively new band so people are getting used to what we do so I think we are attracting repeat audiences..and beginning to build one, even though we have all been about a bit (a lot)
The pleasing thing about that is that we know there is so much more to come. imv
We are a relatively new band so people are getting used to what we do so I think we are attracting repeat audiences..and beginning to build one, even though we have all been about a bit (a lot)
The pleasing thing about that is that we know there is so much more to come. imv
This past weekend, the guitarist in my power trio told me he's absolutely in love with my tone. He's also a sound guy, producer, etc, and has really good ears. Then, at another gig this weekend with my other band, the bassist in the band that was playing after us came up to me and told me he really loved my tone. I was even happier after he took to the stage with a Spector Euro - his tone was fantastic, so if he liked mine, I'm feeling good about that!
All in all, that about doubles the number of tone compliments I've gotten over the years lol!!!
All in all, that about doubles the number of tone compliments I've gotten over the years lol!!!
Playing; I often get called "solid"
Tone; 9/10 times ill get "man, that sounds awesome".
Im nothing special as a bassist. Finger player, rock, 70s punk 80s alternative style. K.I.S.S is my motto, so driving rhythms without any stunt bass...
My rig is simple, no pedals just plug in and play.
Tone; 9/10 times ill get "man, that sounds awesome".
Im nothing special as a bassist. Finger player, rock, 70s punk 80s alternative style. K.I.S.S is my motto, so driving rhythms without any stunt bass...
My rig is simple, no pedals just plug in and play.
I recently replaced a bass player in a band who played exclusively with a pick. I am a fingerstyle player. The drummer was over the moon with how great everything sounded and that the bass was really full and warm and just simply amazing and you name it... It was a rock band and while I was playing some songs I was already thinking "man, a pick would really drive this thing forward!" I did not voice that thought afterwards 
