Tone Talk

Born in Chicago · May 7th, 2003, 02:43 PM

I have two basic settings I use on my Jazz Bass: either both pickups on full, or the neck pickup backed off just a bit to induce more growl. I keep the passive treble circuit (the tone control) rolled off just a bit to cut down on extraneous fret noise. I am curious about what other bass sounds you guys have found on your basses, either Jazz or not. I would like to get a range of sounds that I can get from my Tele, only in the bass format. I would like to be able to go from P-Bass sounds and McCartneyesque Hofner sounds to woody growl like what you hear on Meters records. Any thoughts?

maxvintage · May 7th, 2003, 03:30 PM

IMHO it's hard to get a p-bass sound from a j-bass. As I hear it, the trademark j-bass growl with both pups full on is a cut-midrange sound. it's a great sound but diffeent from the P-bass which has a humbucking pickups with a lot more midrange bark to it. I can never get j-basses to sit right in the mix, whereas for me p-basses are right there and solid all the time.

I like flatwounds (TI Flats) fingerstyle, and the ampeg sound, which is heavy on the low midrange

Bob Rogers · May 7th, 2003, 03:37 PM

One of the advantages of using a J-Retro with a J-Bass is that you can boost the low mids and get the J-Bass to sit in the mix in almost the same way as a P.

I have a J-Retro on my fretless J. I usually play with both pickups balanced and a bit of boost in the lows and upper mids.

I guess that if you want a wide range of sounds a J-bass with a J-Retro has them. Of course, if you are like me and 80% of the time you want the sound of a P-bass with TI flats....

brock29609 · May 7th, 2003, 05:11 PM

Every tried a pressure wound string to reduce that finger noise, but retain that round wound liveliness with just a hint of flat wound thump? I absolutely LOVE the GHS pressurewounds. Heard good thing about the Rotosound 55's, but never have tried them. I believe the SIT Silencers are similar too.

Born in Chicago · May 8th, 2003, 09:07 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the input. I have been using La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats. I think I'll give the TI flats a try. Maybe the P-J pickup combo seen on a lot of basses is a good combination? Or is it difficult to integrate the two pickups? Not sure if I want to go the active J-Retro route. Active electronics can only boost and cut what is already present in the sound of pickups and the instrument, right?. I'm using the fabulous Aero pickups in a lightweight swamp ash body.

4mal · May 12th, 2003, 07:21 PM

The P/J is extremely versatile. Depending on the set you pick, the P can over power the J though. I'm using Duncan's vintage in one I just built and they seem to blend nicely. Not as Gucci as the Aero's though ...

I'm thinking about a call to Lawrence and see what they can do about balance for my next one.

I would have to say that the hofner is a sound that pretty much needs a hofner or maybe another hollow body to get. There is some *air* in that sound that a plank just doesn't get. The P&J basses regardless of pickup have a whole lot more substance to them. Kind of like comparing a 335 and a Tele, both cool but complimentary, not competing for hte same space.

May 7th, 2003, 02:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Born in Chicago TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 27	Tone Talk I have two basic settings I use on my Jazz Bass: either both pickups on full, or the neck pickup backed off just a bit to induce more growl. I keep the passive treble circuit (the tone control) rolled off just a bit to cut down on extraneous fret noise. I am curious about what other bass sounds you guys have found on your basses, either Jazz or not. I would like to get a range of sounds that I can get from my Tele, only in the bass format. I would like to be able to go from P-Bass sounds and McCartneyesque Hofner sounds to woody growl like what you hear on Meters records. Any thoughts?

May 7th, 2003, 05:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
brock29609 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 106	. Every tried a pressure wound string to reduce that finger noise, but retain that round wound liveliness with just a hint of flat wound thump? I absolutely LOVE the GHS pressurewounds. Heard good thing about the Rotosound 55's, but never have tried them. I believe the SIT Silencers are similar too.

May 8th, 2003, 09:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Born in Chicago TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 27	Good info Hey guys, thanks for the input. I have been using La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats. I think I'll give the TI flats a try. Maybe the P-J pickup combo seen on a lot of basses is a good combination? Or is it difficult to integrate the two pickups? Not sure if I want to go the active J-Retro route. Active electronics can only boost and cut what is already present in the sound of pickups and the instrument, right?. I'm using the fabulous Aero pickups in a lightweight swamp ash body.

May 7th, 2003, 03:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
maxvintage Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Age: 49 Posts: 427	IMHO it's hard to get a p-bass sound from a j-bass. As I hear it, the trademark j-bass growl with both pups full on is a cut-midrange sound. it's a great sound but diffeent from the P-bass which has a humbucking pickups with a lot more midrange bark to it. I can never get j-basses to sit right in the mix, whereas for me p-basses are right there and solid all the time. I like flatwounds (TI Flats) fingerstyle, and the ampeg sound, which is heavy on the low midrange

May 7th, 2003, 03:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Rogers Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,710	One of the advantages of using a J-Retro with a J-Bass is that you can boost the low mids and get the J-Bass to sit in the mix in almost the same way as a P. I have a J-Retro on my fretless J. I usually play with both pickups balanced and a bit of boost in the lows and upper mids. I guess that if you want a wide range of sounds a J-bass with a J-Retro has them. Of course, if you are like me and 80% of the time you want the sound of a P-bass with TI flats....

May 12th, 2003, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,153	The P/J is extremely versatile. Depending on the set you pick, the P can over power the J though. I'm using Duncan's vintage in one I just built and they seem to blend nicely. Not as Gucci as the Aero's though ... I'm thinking about a call to Lawrence and see what they can do about balance for my next one. I would have to say that the hofner is a sound that pretty much needs a hofner or maybe another hollow body to get. There is some air in that sound that a plank just doesn't get. The P&J basses regardless of pickup have a whole lot more substance to them. Kind of like comparing a 335 and a Tele, both cool but complimentary, not competing for hte same space.