The Insane Quest for Tone!

[baddarryl]

I mean really, one guy picks up a bass and loves the tone, another picks it up and hates it. If I read these forums long enough I will start to question my own tones. I mean, the amount of $$$ and effort many spend for that magic tone when 95% of the audience could care less or not notice. I get it to some degree, but most are splitting hairs. Talk about dogs chasing their tails! How far have you gone or others you know?

 

[Charley Umbria]

In 25+ years of playing live, the majority of bassists I know (outside of top-tier touring or studio musicians) only own one or two basses and “an amp.”

I think there’s some kind of virus that’s downloaded into you the first time you log on to TalkBass!

 

[ZenG]

I wonder how many people are just searching for a tone that sounds nice while they're sitting around noodling solo at home..

I've done that a million times...and in 99% of the results that tone never worked as soon as I fired into a mix.

Usually the tone that works best in the mix is one that I don't particularly like solo.

 

[Mike N]

P Bass with flats.

 

[MrLenny1]

The quest fir tone is never ending.
Drummers go thru this trying to find
the right cymbals.

 

[baddarryl]

I think there’s some kind of virus that’s downloaded into you the first time you log on to TalkBass!

Bingo!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Unless you're playing small bars and clubs, your bass tone has a lot more to do with the person running the front of house than it does your amp or bass.

And when you're playing small bars and clubs, it usually has a lot more to do with the room you're in, than your bass or amp.

Being meticulous about one's tone is IMO a sure recipe for unhappiness.




The only exceptions to the above, IMO, are if you don't know how to get a decent sound out of your bass in the first place. And/or if you have a very good relationship with your sound person. But even that's iffy.

 

[wideload]

If I could just sound like Prakash John on "Rock'n'Roll Animal"... I know I'll never be able to play like him!