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What's necessary for a good sound?

MazzeoLucho

MazzeoLucho

Guest
Nov 1, 2011
95
6
#1
Hi, I've been playing for 5 years and I think I need a change.
My current bass is this one: Invalid Link Removed

And I also have a 35w Peavey amp (U.S.)

I want a good sound like this one:

My opinion is that I have to get a new bass, because the amp sounds well and I'm not playing live at this moment, but yours is better, so, what do you think?

Thanks.
 
#8
A lot of variables here. I've never heard of a Zenit, so that may be a weak link, especially if the electronics in it are cheap. A 35W Peavey amp is probably not going to get you that deeper tone your sound example had. I would try playing through some other amps, if possible, to see if you can get closer to the sound you want, before plunking down $ on anything. Of course the other question is how is the playability of your bass. If you don't like the way it plays or feels, replace it.
 
#9
Well, your desired sound (the RockBass clip) is characteristic of a dual-pickup configuration. I'm sure your single-pickup Yamaha sounds fine, but it won't come very close to that RockBass tone. IMO many dual-pickup basses, such as Fender or Squier Jazz, will get you close to that RockBass tone, and I'm sure you can find one in your price range.



millsbass5 said:
The main thing for good sound is good technique. Good gear helps, don't get me wrong. But, at the end of the day, good technique rules the roost.
Click to expand...

True. I've assumed that the OP is satisfied with his technique, just as he seems satisfied with his amp, and he's posted in the Basses forum
 
#10
I would start with setup, it is just as important to how you hit the strings. First yes how you create the note but secondly is what happens to the string after you hit it. Low action get you closer to the pickups and to the frets that makes a huge impact on the attack of your tone. higher action you will get more of a mellow sound easier to get more low end.
 
#11
I've tried my bass with an old Fender head and a Carvin cab and it sounded decently, but I need more variety in my bass. I think I need an amp and a new bass, but I will have to earn some money, haha. Thanks for the replies!
 
#12
MazzeoLucho said:
But, do you think my bass will sound good with a Seymour Duncan pickup?
Click to expand...

Seymour Duncan makes several different pickups, each sounding different. I've used the SPB-2's that sound like a hotter version of the classic P bass. Your example was using 2 pickups, I couldn't tell if they were Jazz or soapbars. Bottom line is one's tone is a combination of bass, electronics, cab design, # of speakers, technique, strings, and probably a half dozen other things I'm forgetting. Figure out what sound you want and get the equipment you need to achieve that sound.
 
#13
Yeah pretty much any 2-pickup bass will get close to that, and if you're on a budget the standard Squiers are really great value. I've been playing 20+ years and I recently played a Squier Jazz on a series of about 40 gigs, they're good basses.
 
#14
MazzeoLucho said:
Hi, I've been playing for 5 years and I think I need a change.
My current bass is this one: Invalid Link Removed

And I also have a 35w Peavey amp (U.S.)

I want a good sound like this one:

My opinion is that I have to get a new bass, because the amp sounds well and I'm not playing live at this moment, but yours is better, so, what do you think?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


Let's start at a reference point - your current bass. Are you happy w/the bass you have, other than not liking how it sounds? Is it comfortable/balanced? Does it have a neck that feels good? Frets good-no buzzing? Tuners work well? It has a nice 24 fret board and looks to be all there, and Yamaha makes good quality instruments regardless of price.

If you can't find any reason to 86 it other than tone, and you are open to learn more about the process of the search for "that" tone, you have affordable options. A place to start is as what's been suggested - either new pu's and/or possibly a second (bridge) pu added on. This will give you a big difference in tone options w/o much money spent. There are many brands and types of pu's out there, so it will be trial and error to find what's ideal for your bass = your ears. Each type of pu has different tonal characteristics, whether its passive or active will also determine your result, and where the pu's are positioned on the body also enter in to the tone-dialing process. Not going to say it's easy, but it could be fun.
 
#15
I'm surprised only one person mentioned "strings" so far. Not under the heading of "technique" (which, of course, is very important), but "type/brand".

True story; I had just put a Duncan Quarter Pounder neck pickup into a Squier Standard Jazz bass. At the same time I wanted to try out a set of light D'Addario flats I figured the thinner strings, along with the new pickup, would give me a mellow tone with a little bit of bite. Sadly, it was just thin sounding and lacked any "oomph".

I figured either the new pickup, or possibly even the whole bass, had let me down. My thoughts started heading towards ditching it, despite the hoops I jumped through to get it and the work put into it. But before I did that, I decided to try a set of medium-light rounds (45-100's, I think), just to be sure.

The difference was incredible! So the point of the story is to explore the more inexpensive variables first before doing something more radical.

Beyond all that, I'm no expert on "how to exactly achieve a particular sound" (still learning, I am), but I would agree that you're more likely to get the sound you're looking for with either a Jazz or something with a P/J pickup configuration. There's definitely some strong mid-ranginess going on in that demo.
 

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