How many guys worry about thier Tone when playing out in a bar or a live audience? It seems that unless your audience is quiet and the room is just right, then it doesn't really matter much.
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If there was only one tone on my timbre, I'd be concerned.
If I were able to choose that one tone, it would be this:
If I were able to choose that one tone, it would be this:
I sure do. I have more fun and play better when I sound great at the same time.
So the crowd noise doesn't diminish the value of the tone. Interesting. I think that I personally overate it. I don't think the crowd recognizes it like 'we' as bassist do. JMO
Yeah. And the singer, drummer, guitarist shouldn’t either. I mean what’s the point. It’s just a paid gig. With an audience expecting the band to sound great. Who cares. 
It definitely matters. Common folk don’t notice or understand good tone. But, go out there with bad tone. I bet they realize it really quick. If everyone in the band has good, pleasing tone, all is well and only other musicians will likely compliment you. If you or someone in your band has an unpleasant sound, the common-folk will let you know.
Sure. We can overdo it. We can "sweat the small stuff". Guitarists and drummers do it too. You think any audience member really cares what crash cymbal you drummer has? Nope. But your drummer sure does.
Perhaps you should consider the difference between concern and obsession. I use good gear and set it up in a way that usually provides good results. I spend a bit of time trying to dial in a good tone. But ultimately there is only so much you can do and I accept the limitations of the situation. It would be far worse if I didn't care.
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I have to agree. Of course I’m always glad when everything comes together, it I try not to let it bother me when it doesn’t. I have lots to do anyway.
Been in the crowd many times. Luckily very few bassists have crap tone. The ones that do? I don't have to wait long to be the fourth person to agree out loud that his tone sucks.
Just as you don't have to be a cattle farmer to enjoy filet mignon, you don't have to own a bass and amp to appreciate good tone.
99.9% care as much about your rig as they do what breed of cow and where it was raised before it was slaughtered, transported, cooked and slapped down on their plate. They just want and expect it to be at the very least "good".
Too much high mids and either no low mids or no near-bottom, too much mud-bottom, too much chorus or other guitar effects going through a single signal amp rig getting bass-amp-ified are the sorts of things that will send wiggling butts either to the chairs and booths, or to another bar.
Just as you don't have to be a cattle farmer to enjoy filet mignon, you don't have to own a bass and amp to appreciate good tone.
99.9% care as much about your rig as they do what breed of cow and where it was raised before it was slaughtered, transported, cooked and slapped down on their plate. They just want and expect it to be at the very least "good".
Too much high mids and either no low mids or no near-bottom, too much mud-bottom, too much chorus or other guitar effects going through a single signal amp rig getting bass-amp-ified are the sorts of things that will send wiggling butts either to the chairs and booths, or to another bar.
I have done a great many gigs where I have been complimented on my tone. A lot of the audience does notice, but then, I suppose this very much depends on the kinds of gigs and crowds at any particular show.
Chances are most of the audience may not know or care about the gear you use. Or how your eq is set,but they know what sounds good and what doesn't.
As long as I get a sound I like, I don't worry about a specific "tone" or sound. I don't have a "tone", I just go for a sound that's pleasing to me.
I'll say it - I don't believe bad tone exists in a purely objective manner. My tone nirvana may be your icepick to the brain and vice versa. Who says who's right? Maybe the tone you call crap is intentional?
It's more about expectations than anything else, I guess.
It's more about expectations than anything else, I guess.
I guess I was just wondering if it matters live and 'tone', regardless of preference, gets lost in a noisy bar crowd.
They would certainly know if it was 'wrong' in the context of the music.
Of course it does matter. If you have great equipment which I am lucky to have, you want it to sound good at least for me anyway. My tone has an influence on how I play, it is a source of inspiration and dynamic on my playing. I’ll be happy and will have an influence on the audience.
Tone matters...as well as balance between all the instruments and vocals in the forefront of the mix. People may not care about your gear, but they care about the way it sounds!
There's a difference between professionalism and obsession when it comes to tone. IMHO lots of musicians of all types can overthink the issue. Being comfortable with a workable tone and putting on a killer performance is a lot better than chasing tonal perfection to the point of distraction. Better is always better, but "best" is evasive, and often illusory.
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