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Who do you think has the perfect tone?
- Thread starter danielfnj96
- Start date
There's really no perfect tone as it all depends on the context of the band and genre. But personally, I really like Justin Chancellor's tone in Tool. I'm not even a huge Tool fan but I love his tone because it fits the band's style perfectly. It also sits perfectly in the mix. It's never mixed low, it's always clear as day, and when it needs to it can move their songs into certain directions.
Ooohhh...that's a toughie lol. It's hard to narrow down on fingerstyle and slap, but for picking I'd call it a tie between Krist Novoselic and Chris Joannou. Chris' tone was dirtier at times, but I think both of their bass tones were very appropriate and punchy 
EDIT: Ohhh...good one, Jmatt! Yeah Justin has some freakin killer tone when it comes to pickers. 3-way tie now lol
EDIT: Ohhh...good one, Jmatt! Yeah Justin has some freakin killer tone when it comes to pickers. 3-way tie now lol
A broadside - but I need to go by category to give examples...
Metal - Justin Chancellor, Geezer Butler
R&B - Duck Dunn, James Jamerson
Rock - John Paul Jones
And about a thousand others have amazing bass tone - as close to perfect for the music needs as I can imagine at least.
I think Geddy's tone on Tom Sawyer is one of the finest distorted bass tones I've ever heard. Though his Rickenbacker is also wonderful (perhaps even better) in Exit...Stage Left.
Personally just to put it out there for me its a 3 way tie between the bassist from Gatherer, Flea's modulus tone, and Mike Dirnt's G-3 tone. Oh yeah and that slap tone in Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz is really cool.
Coming up my favorite tones were Anthony Jackson on the Chaka Khan CDs, Mark Adams with Slave, Bernard Edwards with any Chic project, Louis Johnson, Marcus Miller, Jaco, Jeff Berlin, the guy with LTD (who recently passed on,) John Wetton, Chris Squire, and Geddy Lee. I also loved Norman Durham with Kleeer, who a master of funk with a pick. Finally, I absolutely loved Larry Graham!
I always enjoyed Commerford's tone on Evil Empire. I also like Becker's tone (I think he was the bassist on most of the early Steely Dan stuff). +1 on Geddy's Tom Sawyer tone as well. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other bassists who have an incredible sound.
All great players - I'm a little embarassed I forgot Bernard Edwards. Superb tone... legendary bass playing!
ingenious.
I think I have the perfect tone, and that's why I use it 
But seriously, I think this is an impossible question to answer, given many of the statements already given. To me, I think the better question would be 'Who's tone fits their band or style the best?' and for me, the answer would be Rocco Prestia. Everything he does playing wise and tone wise just fits TOP like a glove. Plus, the man can just flat-out play the damn bass!!
But seriously, I think this is an impossible question to answer, given many of the statements already given. To me, I think the better question would be 'Who's tone fits their band or style the best?' and for me, the answer would be Rocco Prestia. Everything he does playing wise and tone wise just fits TOP like a glove. Plus, the man can just flat-out play the damn bass!!
I think I have the perfect tone, and that's why I use it
But seriously, I think this is an impossible question to answer, given many of the statements already given. To me, I think the better question would be 'Who's tone fits their band or style the best?' and for me, the answer would be Rocco Prestia. Everything he does playing wise and tone wise just fits TOP like a glove. Plus, the man can just flat-out play the damn bass!!
yeah but when you say it like that it sounds kinda awkward and a little dull
I just heard some great tone in the radio, the old rap hit by Whodini, "Five Minutes of Funk." The bassist was their producer, Larry Smith.
Depends on the day of the week. As I read your question, Eddie Jacksons (Queensrych), tone from the Empire album popped into my mind. One of the best rock/metal bass tones ever. In my mind anyway.
The Jet City Woman intro makes me smile every time. Very simple bass line, but oh that tone!!! Della Brown, Dag, I gotta go listen to that CD, like right now!
The Jet City Woman intro makes me smile every time. Very simple bass line, but oh that tone!!! Della Brown, Dag, I gotta go listen to that CD, like right now!
