Tone Description struggle

[MAGUS®]

Was just wondering about how difficult describing a certain tone is when it seems that one man's overdrive is bordering on another man's mild distortion

For instance - the clip i've included, ( its not me ) i would describe as quite a thick tone with " slight overdrive "
Maybe someone else would say " mild distortion "

I dont know how much of that tone is to do with the pup, but there is definately a Sans BDDI pedal used, but no other FX, just a mixer.

What would you describe it as ? I'm a tad curious as to the differences in what people hear, and their interpretation.

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[RSchuster]

If there was any actual distortion/overdrive/whatever added, it was so minimal there that it's not really an issue. That seriously just sounded like a nicely mixed fretless bass.

If I had to go with anything, though, I would "VERY LIGHT overdrive". Distortion for me tends to be much harsher, whereas overdrive is simpler "thicker".

 

[MAGUS®]

Thanks Schuster - minimal overdrive is how i was thinking of it. Theres no grit there at all in my opinion.
I'm sure i've heard a similar tone from an older Warwick thumb ( jazz pups? ) without any pedals

 

[Newget]

For a minute there I thought the bassline was going to be Boogie on Reggae Woman, I wouldn't say distortion in the same sentence as that tone. Overdrive is a bit much, it had some high gain added I suppose but more, to me at least, was alot of bridge pup on a Fender fretless jazz tone. Great tone by the way, I love it, which is why I got me a jazz too.

 

[MAGUS®]

So you think a bridge Jazz pup can emulate that tone, with maybe some EQ tweaking ?