Members Ender_rpm Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Just got back from Chuck Levins in Wheaton MD. For those who are not from around here, they really are what GC wishes they could be. Great selection, decent prices, salespeople who know what they are talking about. Anyway, they have this HUGE wall of amps and cabs, all run through the AMpeg switching system, so you can pair any of about 18 heads and pres with about the same # of cabs. For the record, here's what I tried: Ampeg SVT 3 pro (Used to own one, its the benchmark)Eden WT800GK 700RBGBE 400Peavey and Ampeg 412sGB 210XB and 410XBEden 210 (XLT I think, dual ports?)Ampeg 210 and 115Aguilar 410 and 210 Ashdown MAG 300 210 ComboAshdown ABM 300 210 comboFender 400 Pro 210 comboFender Bassman 115 combo (250 watt) I said all that to say this: No matter what combination I played, they all had the same fundamental sound. I played my SB-2 (Maple, P/J), so that may have something to do with it, but when I tried other basses (Stingray, Yamaha BB) They still sounded like variations on the same sound. My sound. From Me. The amps and cabs modified it, but I came through every time. And I could EQ out most of the differences between rigs (Heresy I know) except for the Peavy 412. Thats a monster cab. I think after this I have established my love for 15s, as 10s and 12s just don't kick enough lows, the exceptions being the GB cabs and the Peavey 412. Of the heads, I really liked the Fender, the Ashdown and the GK. Of those 3, I think the Fender actually came closer to the sound I hear in my head, especially through a 15. Maybe the 400 pro head with the matching 15? I didn't like the GBE 400, maybe I would have better luck with the higher powered ones? Wow, this got long fast. In summation: YOU are the most important item in the signal chain. YOUR touch, YOUR technique, and YOUR style define YOUR sound. You can muck about with GASing for everything under the sun, but if your sound sucks, I dare say 80% is you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Monkabutt Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 How much of my sound is me? Unfortunately all of it. In summation: YOU are the most important item in the signal chain. YOUR touch, YOUR technique, and YOUR style define YOUR sound. You can muck about with GASing for everything under the sun, but if your sound sucks, I dare say 80% is you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LanEvo Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Originally posted by Ender_rpm In summation: YOU are the most important item in the signal chain. YOUR touch, YOUR technique, and YOUR style define YOUR sound. You can muck about with GASing for everything under the sun, but if your sound sucks, I dare say 80% is you. I've always felt the same way. People go on and on about this cab vs. that cab or this amp vs. that amp (or even this bass vs. that bass). At the end of the day, I don't think 99.9% of anyone listening to you would even appreciate even the slightest difference. What you choose to play and the way you play (your technique, your touch) are what people notice. I can pick up just about any bass and amp/cab combination and get a sound that I'm comfortable with. Emre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jackcheez Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 In summation: YOU are the most important item in the signal chain. YOUR touch, YOUR technique, and YOUR style define YOUR sound. The truth is refreshing. Thank you. The great ones eventually learn that there's more than a hundred ways to play one note. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ARES Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 ummm, isn't this painfully obvious to every musician out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 This is true. Give me a Zon, Alembic, Fbass, or Sadowsky and run it thru an Aguilar, Ampeg, Walter Woods,or Eden amp on to an Accugroove, Bagend, or Glockenlkang cab and I can make it sound exactly like a rogue with an intermitant connection and ungrounded bridge run trought a crate guitar amp with a ripped speaker that was dropped into a full bathtub. It's my gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tlaloc Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 +100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bassius Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Originally posted by lug This is true. Give me a Zon, Alembic, Fbass, or Sadowsky and run it thru an Aguilar, Ampeg, Walter Woods,or Eden amp on to an Accugroove, Bagend, or Glockenlkang cab and I can make it sound exactly like a rogue with an intermitant connection and ungrounded bridge run trought a crate guitar amp with a ripped speaker that was dropped into a full bathtub. It's my gift. i'm just the opposite...dare i say we are indeed arch nemeses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 I've come to realize this as well. I call the sound that we make our "tone," while the sound variations that come from different gear is our "sound." If the fundamental tone is weak or flat out bad, no amount of gear can change that. If the tone is good and clean, even moderately good gear can sound wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Originally posted by Bassius i'm just the opposite... dare i say we are indeed arch nemeses? No, I have no animosity toward the Talented. Everyone needs to follow their own path. I choose the road less traveled and that has made all the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Originally posted by lug No, I have no animosity toward the Talented. Everyone needs to follow their own path. I choose the road less traveled and that has made all the difference. You went a lot further down your road than Bassius has gone down his though. Or anyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members L-1329 Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 I'll agree with this but there are other factors. I have several basses and have recorded clips with each of them. I couldn't tell which one I used listening to the clips as they all sound the same, and they are vastly different instruments. The sound the audience hears may be the same but how a bass plays makes a huge difference in my playing. I play better bass on some basses more than others, and get more inspired while playing some basses over others. No one can say an audience can't tell the difference between an inspired and spirited performance regardless of 'how' the bass sounds. My most fun bass is the hardest to play cleanly, but I play better because I am really enjoying it more. This I know comes through the speakers! Tone to me is a description of how a bass sounds, not how it's being played. That is technique and style, and is what is unique to the player and comes through every bass, not the tone. Gear affects tone, nothing affects style or skill but the player. So, if searching for a bass that gives me the inspiration I want, has the playability that I want then you bet it is on the gas list, and will make a big difference in how an audience judges me as a player. Because I will be playing better with it! And this all reminds me, I need to go try out a Ric... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Adrenochrome Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 I think the cleaner, less processed your signal chain, the more the sound is you. My main sound now is EQ'd, overdriven and well compressed. I couldn't honestly sound that my sound is more than 30% down to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Originally posted by L-1329 I'll agree with this but there are other factors. I have several basses and have recorded clips with each of them. I couldn't tell which one I used listening to the clips as they all sound the same, and they are vastly different instruments. The sound the audience hears may be the same but how a bass plays makes a huge difference in my playing. I play better bass on some basses more than others, and get more inspired while playing some basses over others. No one can say an audience can't tell the difference between an inspired and spirited performance regardless of 'how' the bass sounds. My most fun bass is the hardest to play cleanly, but I play better because I am really enjoying it more. This I know comes through the speakers! Tone to me is a description of how a bass sounds, not how it's being played. That is technique and style, and is what is unique to the player and comes through every bass, not the tone. Gear affects tone, nothing affects style or skill but the player. So, if searching for a bass that gives me the inspiration I want, has the playability that I want then you bet it is on the gas list, and will make a big difference in how an audience judges me as a player. Because I will be playing better with it! And this all reminds me, I need to go try out a Ric... It might just be me, but shouldn't the bass be an extension of you, and not the source of your inspiration? Personal take only, ya know. But what you refer to as "tone" is what I call your "sound." You can't alter your tone easily, but you can alter your sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members L-1329 Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Originally posted by sunburstbasser It might just be me, but shouldn't the bass be an extension of you, and not the source of your inspiration? Personal take only, ya know. I'll take inspiration where ever I can find it. Maybe it's me, but some basses I just don't want to play, and that would be apparent to anyone listening. It's like cars, I enjoy driving a real hot sports car more than the family wagon, and try so much harder to drive it well, rather than just going through the motions in the wagon. But what you refer to as "tone" is what I call your "sound." You can't alter your tone easily, but you can alter your sound. I think we're thinking the same thing here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceGhost Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 70% Ric20% Me10% The rest of the stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcrow Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 i havent got the sound i want...not enough gear or effects maybe.. i hear it on CD's and its not a very modern sound...probably scooped but very rich and wide. but the sound i do get at times driving the P hard is pretty satisfying:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ender_rpm Posted September 8, 2005 Author Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Wow, I didn't expect anyone to read this:) Thanks all!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 Originally posted by Ender_rpm In summation: YOU are the most important item in the signal chain. YOUR touch, YOUR technique, and YOUR style define YOUR sound. You can muck about with GASing for everything under the sun, but if your sound sucks, I dare say 80% is you. GREAT post bro! We need to hear more of this here. I'm as much of a GASaholic as the next guy, but folks need to know this. Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members der oxenrig Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 50% me10% bass40% amp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oldivor Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 40 bass40 amp 20 me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NeonVomit Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 40% me40% bass20% amp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members s4001 Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 I bought the bassI bought the stringsI bought the preampI bought the ampI bought the cabsI'm the one playing 100% me, I'd surmise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mudbass Posted September 8, 2005 Members Share Posted September 8, 2005 All of it. I once sat and stared at my bass and amp for the longest time and it was the damnedest thing...they refused to make a sound until I walked over there and picked up the bass and turned on the amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sixgun77 Posted September 9, 2005 Members Share Posted September 9, 2005 50% me, 20% bass, 20% speakers, 10% amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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