BASS
CHASING TONE | Gary Lunn
I have been playing bass for (ahem…choke… cable, and a tuner… and it usually sounded note goes through my hands, into my chest,
cough) a long time. In the first six months that great! So, in the bailing process I chose a single and back to my ears (usually without an amp).
I played I probably learned forty songs (my bass that would best cover all of the material Something says, “This is the one.” Does this
mother was a southern gospel pianist and that I was to play on said cruise. Hmm. I’m sound stupid to you? If you say you’ve never
she taught me how to play by reading straight thinking, “five-string with onboard EQ and experienced this then you need to repent now.
through repeating multiple pickups for the most variations in tone anything). When I discovered Rock n’ Roll I - with only one bass.” I happen to have two Then there is the whole pre-amp pedal thing.
began thinking about the sound of the bass; basses that fit that description: my Alien Audio What pedal is going to have that special
the tone of it. It began speaking to me as if it Constellation Five and my (recently acquired) something that makes every note that you play
had language. Very strange, I know, but true. I Sandberg California 2015 model. I chose the jump out and smack the listener? I have boxes
bought a new set of strings, began dreaming latter out of sheer challenge to myself that I of pedals from different companies that were
about a new amp (not gonna tell you what could actually pull this off with a bass that I am all purchased under the initial assessment that
kind), and then started to pluck with my fingers not that familiar with! Besides a cheap, clip-on they were going to make everything wonderful.
instead of a pick. I could go on and on, but all tuner, the only pedal I packed was my trusty This obsession is concerning.
that to say that I never stopped chasing bass MXR Deluxe Octave as I knew that we would tone to this day. be playing “Sledgehammer” during 80’s night And don’t even get me started about direct
and well, how can anyone ever play that song boxes. Tube or transformer? Teegarden Fatboy,
without an octave pedal? Radial, Reddi, Countryman, Neve, Ampeg
songbooks
and
never
I recently noticed a conversation on a bass
forum that peeked my interest. It was started
Tube DI, or that “unknown” lunchbox secret
by a younger bass player who was questioning How did it go? It went great. I had an Ampeg manufacturer? The choices are many and the
all the hype over expensive tube direct boxes, SVT Classic at my back (eight glorious ten sound men who actually know the difference
pre-amps, etc. He stated that a passive direct inch speakers… yes!) for the outdoor sets, are few. LOL! The truth is after it leaves your
box is just fine, gets him the most compliments, and a smaller Ampeg Portaflex inside. The hands it's all up to everyone else’s ears.
etc. My question to you is, do you agree bass sounded huge in every application. Good or disagree? comments, etc. Recently I was playing on a Christian cruise So. Was the bass player right with his slightly snarky comment about never being
put on by the wonderful folks at K-LOVE radio. comment on the forum? Yes… and no. Did satisfied with my tone. I was merely trying
After doing many sessions in town and lugging I personify his very statement about all the to inspire.
an amp (my wonderful Markbass 121 Combo hype? Maybe… What about all of my years
+ a Markbass New York 15” cab) to live gigs chasing bass tone, to get that perfect feeling of It all comes down to this: Never, ever believe
around town, when I start thinking about taking satisfaction upon hearing the playback through that you have arrived as a bassist. Once you
a lot of gear on a plane, and then on to a ship, finely tuned studio monitors during a session? stop learning, you stop growing. God will
well…I have to confess that I totally bail! (deep breath) always bless the work of your hands. What you
On the subject of the forum, of course, I had
to step in and offer up some silly, know-it-all,
do with His blessings is up to you.
In these types of situations my mind harkens Every bass I have bought has a tone that
back to a simpler time when my only speaks to me when I play it; usually from the
responsibility was to show up with a bass, a first time I take it off the wall. A feeling from every
152 March 2020
Gary Lunn
Gary is a session player/producer/writer in Nashville.
Contact him either by Facebook or email at
[email protected] for scheduling.
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