If I say it often enough it will become true.
But anything I play; bass, guitar, violin, keys all sound like me. No matter what.
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Where Does the Magic Happen for You? Neck, Body, or Guts (electronics)
- Thread starter Bass Ape
- Start date
If I say it often enough it will become true.
But anything I play; bass, guitar, violin, keys all sound like me. No matter what.
I'm not sure what it is, neck, body or the way they complement each other, but my current #1 literally sings! It is so resonant. I feel like the music is coming out almost as if it is alive. I'm just controlling the notes.
It's not the guts, because it sings unplugged too.
...so carrots.
It's not the guts, because it sings unplugged too.
...so carrots.
Regardless of how great the other components are, if the neck isn't comfortable it's not a viable instrument for me.
From what I've seen, it can go either way. You can do extensive research on various basses and amps until you find the right tone for you, or you can just buy a bass that you like (for whatever reason) and then use pedals to get the tone you want.
For me, researching pedals is more fun than researching basses and amps
so that's the road that I myself took.
When I first began playing I relied heavily on pedals. Now they are more for enhancement, . . if/when I feel like using them.
Edit: This was a response to @MuseChaser post below . . somehow I misfired . . Oops
Admittedly, I am very green in the world of electric basses, having come from orchestral instruments. Having said that, that statement doesn't sit right. Is that a commonly held opinion or even a fact when applied to electric basses or guitars?
Sure seems like tone, at least in my limited experience, is a factor of the instrument and the player's technique and approach primarily, and any processing downstream is for enhancement rather than creation.
Thoughts?
For me, researching pedals is more fun than researching basses and amps
so that's the road that I myself took.
When I first began playing I relied heavily on pedals. Now they are more for enhancement, . . if/when I feel like using them.
Edit: This was a response to @MuseChaser post below . . somehow I misfired . . Oops
Admittedly, I am very green in the world of electric basses, having come from orchestral instruments. Having said that, that statement doesn't sit right. Is that a commonly held opinion or even a fact when applied to electric basses or guitars?
Sure seems like tone, at least in my limited experience, is a factor of the instrument and the player's technique and approach primarily, and any processing downstream is for enhancement rather than creation.
Thoughts?
Last edited:
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I think it starts with the neck and I have personal experiences of putting a few necks on various bodies that seems to confirm that (for me, at least). Moving a sweet neck to any body carried that sweetness with it.
Neck. It has to be comfortable to play, well made, and well seated in the body. As soon as you have this good assembly, the bass will sound good. Then Electronic will be the major part of sound. It can hide a little a poor luthery, but when luthery and electronic are good, you can touch the sky.
I don't care what a bass looks like. If it plays and sounds like I want it to that's what "i" want. I don't purchase a bass for someone to look at. As far as the categories, it takes all and more (minus carrots) to make something playable right down to string choice. Balance, good tuners, nut type, bridge all make a difference.
The “magic” is in the way that the full instrument comes together.
