Tubes: Okay I get it, will the audience?

[rodl2005]

+1

 

[bluesdogblues]

Yeah years ago I did my own kind of 'research' when I randomly sampled as many audience friend as I can to give their opinion about my bass sound, on some of my performance.
The result are it seems that they like it better when I use tube than SS.
Ofcourse they don't know what amp I use or technically things like that etc.

To be honest, they care more for good performance than different bass sound from different amps I use (SS, hybrid or tube).
But it's clear to me that 'unconsciusly' they are aware, and I know that my bass & my playing sounds better with tube amp/DI.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Once you throw the full band in the mix, his $3500 kit sounds as good as his $300 'beater' kit...

-r

Not agree, sorry.

Crappy drums would sound crappy even in the full band mix.

 

[will33]

Crappy drums might, good drummers won't. I've heard guys who can make a 5 gallon pail and a coffee can sound better than your $5000 DW kit. Just like bassists, a good one can sound good on anything.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Crappy drums might, good drummers won't. I've heard guys who can make a 5 gallon pail and a coffee can sound better than your $5000 DW kit. Just like bassists, a good one can sound good on anything.

+1

There's a bassist here in Memphis who plays a cheap Spector and a BA115 and sounds AMAZING. Gear is only so much of the equation. Eventually raw talent shines through and negates everything else.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Great drummer + crappy drums...
I think.... = Great drummer + crappy drums.
I know and I believe that the human factor is the most important factor. But good instrument is important factor too.

 

[fish slapper]

Let us not forget: Skunk Baxter made most of the great Steely and Doobie records with a Sears Silvertone guitar.

 

[will33]

Not trying to downplay the gear totally, you need decent gear but it's only one part of a larger equation.

 

[bluesdogblues]

And that large equation is sum of smaller parts

 

[fjadams]

For most of the audience, when they see "bass" they think you're mispronouncing the fish.

 

[fish slapper]

For most of the audience, when they see "bass" they think you're mispronouncing the fish.

Hence, my username.

 

[BassDudeSA]

From years of experience in playing (mostly smaller) gigs, is that to the audience, a bass is a bass. Even to me, I see all kinds of bassists using all kinds of gear, and most of the time, in a loud band, even in some softer bands, there is not much recognizable tone. MAYBE, if there is a breakdown with just bass and drums for example, but all the guitars, keys, vocals, etc. pretty much wash out the ditinguishable tone and all you hear is just bass.

What is most noticable is probably just treble, mids and low end, and sure you will notice some distortion in there if there is any. Tubes, solid state, this bass or that bass? In 90% of the situations it doesn't matter as it all sounds the same to the audience. sure, you or me stand in front of our amp and we can tell the difference. No one else can. What does matter is how you play, they can definitely hear that. Technique, choice of notes, and style can always be heard. All the gear we use pretty much blends together and doesn't make a whole heck of a difference what we use, and as long as it can be heard, that's all that seems to matter, and I say that as a player, and as a member of an audience.

 

[BassDudeSA]

Most people focus on the singer and possibly the guitarist and dont even know what bass is. The only people who will notice your bass amp is mabe another bassist in the audience. I dont even try to pretend anyone can tell if Im getting a good bass sound, i do it for my own satisfaction.

Exactly. Furthermore, some people (mostly women it seems) don't even know which guy the bassist is! We go for the gear that we want because it matters to us. Occasionally it might matter to some other band members, but what most people care about is that we play good. To 98% of everyone else, our gear and our tone does not matter.

 

[mattsk42]

I agree, most audiences notice overall sound but the bass has little effect on that to THEM. Also, in my experience, guitar players constantly change their tone and volume even when playing live and DURING the same song. So, my bass sounds great in the mix but then randomly the guitar player is messing with yet another pedal and I stick out in the mix without changing anything.

 

[BassDudeSA]

I agree, most audiences notice overall sound but the bass has little effect on that to THEM. Also, in my experience, guitar players constantly change their tone and volume even when playing live and DURING the same song. So, my bass sounds great in the mix but then randomly the guitar player is messing with yet another pedal and I stick out in the mix without changing anything.

Good point. Guitarists are changing all the time. IMO, I think it is best that us bassists keep our tone consistant throughout the night (yes there are exceptions) as we are 1/2 of the rythmn sction and providing that solid and consistant support is essential. Just think if a drummer was to change his tones. Funny though, I have noticed bassists fiddling with their knobs while playing, usually just for less or more treble or maybe using the pickup pan, but I never notice a difference anyway, and I am even specifically listening for it!