• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Your bass, your sound... why?

#41
Thunderbird bass. Because it's sounds killer, looks that kill and i'm a big Nikki Sixx fan.The problem is just one thing. Its only useabble in simple music, like Glam rock/Hard Rock,but it not a problem for me because I play in this style of music :).
I like P basses and P+J basses too .
 
#42
I have been playing most of my life, And I always come back to Fender Basses. Dosn't really matter what model, I have never really liked the way they look But you just can't beat their tone ! I have had Ampeg srolltop ,Rics ,Gibson,Hofner,More Rics,Dan electro And a bunch I can't seem to remember ! Fender for me Oh and an Ampeg amp They ALL sound great! To me anyway !
 
#43
When I could first afford it I bought an Ovation Magnum III in 1981. Over the years it's been a solid performer. It weigh 630 pounds, but it has sustain all afternoon. I've kept rounds on it, but they've mellowed nicely. It sounds killer on Come Together.

This month I went to the other end of the line with my new Hofner Ignition. I wanted a light instrument, loved the look, was intrigued by the hollow body idea, and was attracted to a short scale after all those years reaching to the left to play a low F. It's a dream come true. I was able to swallow my pride (that it's not built in venerable Germany) after hearing people sound fantastic on their YouTube videos with it.

So now I have two distinct sounding basses. It's all I need. Well, maybe a world-class amp.
 
#45
Bought a Rickenbacker 4000 when I was 15 because Paul McCartney played a Rick. No other reason.

I am always on the quest for great tone, and I am happy to report that I am still searching. I think the fun is in the search!

Lately, I favor playing a Hofner Club bass with LaBella extra light Beatle Bass flat wounds, through an Ashdown Little Bastard amp and Ashdown VS-112. I am VERY happy with this rig!!
 
#46
Looks first, feel second. Tone is in the player and the settings.

I'm playing a '78 Peavey T40 as my primary, and a Douglas WOB826 as my secondary. I have a ton of basses (literally if they're in their hardshells, and the T40 has to make up at least half of that ton) but those are the two that get the most play time.
 
#47
Playability, sound, fit and looks all matter. Theres plenty of great inexpensive basses out there by various mfg that anyone can have all 4 points well met. If they take the time to look, and think for themself about what they want.

Before one ever buys there first bass they should try many diff ones by varioius mfg. Make note of what basses fave players use and the type of tone they get compared to others whose tone with same or similiar basses is diff. Pay attention to what changes youd make to fave players tone if you was the one playing. Use the latter as your main guide for what tkinda one your basses are to make.

Become familair with the playability of diff mfg basses for both the neck and overall fit to you. Is the bridge overly close to the end of the body for you and where you mainly use pick/fingers for striking notes? Hows it balance and hows it fit for you wearing and playing it?

What looks appeal to you and what looks do you not like? The above points met then narrow down to those that satisfy those and add in looks. Both for shapes, and colors.
 
#48
The first time I saw a Rickenbacker bass I knew I had to have one. Once I realized my icons played them, it was really a no-brainer! May have taken 7 years from that day, but it still happened. And while the look is iconic, I found the sound to be completely unique, and completely mine. It is capable of a great range of tones, and (like more or less every bass) it is able to fit whatever music I want/need it to. And the feel is perfect! My Precision sounds awesome too, but it's jealous sitting on its stand because the Rick's neck shape is just so perfect for my hand size! While I'm sure I'll eventually acquire more basses, I get the feeling this will always be my go-to.
 
#52
Bought my:

Warwick Corvette $$ - at the time was my 2nd bass, was upgrading from my Ibanez GSR200. Wanted something that was versatile, and just from reading & hearing sound clips wanted one. Love & still love the feel of the neck and the sound(s) I can get from it. My main player.

Warwick Fortress One - no reason, just found a great deal on a minty one on craigslist, and there's not a ton of these out there.

Epi Tbird Pro - always wanted a black Tbird based on looks and rock sound. Don't play it a ton, but it cuts through the mix great live.

Fernandes kinda/sorta Pbass - found a steal on craigslist, impulse buy like the Fortress. Sounds great live also, play this the most after the corvette.
 
#53
Mr_Music90 said:
Any one in here who bought a bass just to have the same sound as the artist he / she admires a lot?
Click to expand...

Regarding that, I just want to comment that I don't see that tendency so often in guitar/bass players. Woodwind and brasswind players, on the other hand, are very prone to that regarding their reeds/mouthpieces. From what I've gathered, of course.
 
#54
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.;12690983 said:
Regarding that, I just want to comment that I don't see that tendency so often in guitar/bass players. Woodwind and brasswind players, on the other hand, are very prone to that regarding their reeds/mouthpieces. From what I've gathered, of course.
Click to expand...

Hmm.. Well you can find lots of video's on the internet from people who bought the same (bass) guitar as the artist they admire. Most basses and guitars from artists I saw so far : Yamaha RBXJM1 and RBXJM2 (John Myung), Yamaha TRB-JP1 and TRB-JP2 (John Patitucci), Carl Thompson basses (same ones like Les Claypool uses), ESP RKZ-1 (Richard Kruspe). So I can't fully agree with you..
 
#55
I've played a Jazz Bass for years and every time I've wandered away I end up coming back pretty quickly. I guess I've owned a half dozen or more over the years and the CV Jazz I have now is as nice as any of them.

I like as tight punchy sound with lots of mids and low mids and to me a Jazz Bass with the right strings just gives me all kinds of workable variations on tonality that I can fit into anything from blues to country.

I typically played Ampeg SVT's or Sunn's back in the 70's but I've played many others since including Carvin, Kustom, Fender, and a hybrid Ampeg/Hartke rig. I like the sound of 10"'s or 12"'s. and the clarity and punch they provide. To me that huge all consuming bottom you get with 15"'s or 18"'s in some combinations is too dated.
 
#56
I got a Ric after years of dreaming, it was a big deal for me, it's worth more than my car

I love the sound, nothing else can touch it. The 'thud' of the neck pickup; which is a rarely heard sound - manufactures seem obsessed with p/j combinations
And the dry "clanky" sound of the bridge pickup, together they kill anything else .. to my ears anyway.

The fact that it looks cool is just a bonus, I wanted one ever since I first heard a 'YES' record, we will never part. ;)
 
#57
Well I simply got an ATK so I could string it up BEAD like Paul Gray first Ilooked at 4 bangers then one day an ATK listed on GC's used section came up and it was a ATK305 meaning it was a fiver something I really wasn't looking at but, then again something I knew I couldn't pass up. So a week later I bought it on Valentines Day. Now it's tuned constantly to BDADG.

I ended up screwing up my mom's Valentines day so to make up for it I used the $100 I had left in my saved stash to take her to lunch, and a movie. Since my Dad was in a mood.
 
#58
I am not sure if my sound is formed by the sound of my band, my guitarists both always want me to bring my Stingray, and I must admit that it does sit better than my other basses in the mix. Which is a small shame, because I quite like my passive bass running through a classic-voiced amp, maybe on another project then.
 
#60
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.;12690983 said:
Regarding that, I just want to comment that I don't see that tendency so often in guitar/bass players. Woodwind and brasswind players, on the other hand, are very prone to that regarding their reeds/mouthpieces. From what I've gathered, of course.
Click to expand...

Talkbass is full of people who bought a Fender P or J or other brand P and J just because the music they listen to was made with P or J bass ... Or because they want the tone of Jamerson or Jaco etc ...

As for the original question ... I don't really care for the instrument I have as long as it as it sound ok to good, 6 strings and it is well setup
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back