Tone or Style?

[parttime]

which is more important? is there a difference?

i have been grappling with this question since i first started playing music. is the word "tone" what we use when we really want to describe a player's "style"? interested in others thoughts since i never really cared too much about "tone" when i played guitar. i just tried to get things sounding "like they should" and then worked on how i played the instrument. but when i started really getting into bass this word tone is thrown around here like there's no tomorrow. i feel like i'm actually just working on how i play the bass and technique and the "tone" finds itself. or really, i just know when it sounds like crap to me and i need to change something. anyone feelin me on this??

 

[fretno]

feel and phrasing for me . A great bass line = feel + tone like for ex LaMarquis Jefferson's lines on waterfalls

 

[UNICORN BASS]

I am not going to choose or go down this bunnie hole.

 

[Flaked Beans]

My style sucks. My tone sucks as well. Where is the carrots button?

 

[parttime]

 

[Clark Westfield]

Both!

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've always seen them as two distinctly different things If I had to choose which was more important it would have to be style. Tone can be changed with a twist of a knob or swapping out a bass. Its also ultimately much more in the hands of whoever is doing the mixing, whether it be live or in the studio, than in our own.

As far as them being 2 separate things, the 3 first bassists that came to mind were Jaco, Jamerson, and Flea. They all have very different styles, AND tones. Could you imagine Jaco or Flea playing with Jamerson's tone, or imagine what Motown would sound like on a nasaly, trebly Jazz bass? I think style and tone lend themselves to each other, but are two entirely different things.

 

[Killing Floor]

Yeah, @Joe Nerve . I changed my vote. If I'm the one playing I am a total A-hole to myself in my head, scrutinizing even the most mundane things. But If I am enjoying music as a listener I can't say I even notice the tone unless it is remarkable either in a good or bad extreme. In a greater sense style and tone are related and they are both relevant to the music, the application. I appreciate the style as a listener maybe a little more than the tone.

 

[Gsnorgathon]

Tone is what you get when you play a note, IMO. Style is what you get when you play more than one.

 

[4andnomore]

Without a doubt, carrots.

 

[sears]

I am not going to choose or go down this bunnie hole.

+1, I'm kind of a fuddie duddie

 

[GodPlayedBass]

Tone is the way a bass or bassist sounds. Style is more about how you play.

 

[JoeWPgh]

I'm not sure where the line is drawn. I am a big proponent that your attack is a crucial part of your tone - and your style

 

[Pings Bass]

Tone can be changed with a twist of a knob or swapping out a bass. Its also ultimately much more in the hands of whoever is doing the mixing, whether it be live or in the studio, than in our own.

This times a million. Good technique is required, but beyond that, tone matters only to the extent that you deliver a usable signal to the mix desk.

Assuming the cat at the board is competent and the audience can hear you, it's your style that they hear and remember. This is also why pros sound good on whatever POS instrument they pick up.

I feel like obsession with tonal nuance (and neck profiles) is in the realm of hobbyists (not that there's anything wrong with that). I definitely hone tone production with my fingers, but I don't eff with nobs and pedals and amps and cabs beyond what's required to get my signal to FOH, DI straight off the instrument whenever possible.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I think a specific tone is overrated. I've had my jazz for about 35 years, my P for about 15. Which tone do I prefer? Whichever one I'm playing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Bad tone is a whole lot easier to clean up than bad style.

 

[pcake]

i would say style is more important, but both are important. when i was stuck with a bass and rig that didn't have the tone i wanted, it still did fine when played with bands, and the bands were very happy. sure, better tone is always better, but even with lackluster tone, the songs sounded great.

 

[Claymore]

I was frequently told "Don't use that tone with me" so I guess that leaves style.

 

[Sean150]

Tone is essentially the voice of the bass/bassist. Style is essentially what and how the bassist uses their voice. Style is definitely more important thought. To continue on the analogy someone could have a great voice for commentating sports but if they have the vocabulary and grammar of a five year old they will still sound like a five year old.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

which is more important? is there a difference?

i have been grappling with this question since i first started playing music. is the word "tone" what we use when we really want to describe a player's "style"? interested in others thoughts since i never really cared too much about "tone" when i played guitar. i just tried to get things sounding "like they should" and then worked on how i played the instrument. but when i started really getting into bass this word tone is thrown around here like there's no tomorrow. i feel like i'm actually just working on how i play the bass and technique and the "tone" finds itself. or really, i just know when it sounds like crap to me and i need to change something. anyone feelin me on this??

I believe experienced bassists are probably in pursuit of a specific tone or a “better” tone. Less experienced bassists might be more focused on how they play the instrument and might not be as focused on tone.

I know that I was a lot less concerned with tone for the first several years I played. I just wanted my amp to work and my bass to stay in tune. The knob I turned most often on my amp was the volume. String changes were based more on three pay-period months instead of when the strings became dead. Noisy cords were fine as long as they kept working. A single 15” speaker combo amp was fine and one with an 8 band rotary-knob EQ was advanced. Tone wasn’t very high on the list of concerns, but as the years passed, and my playing ability improved, tone moved up the list.