BassAdder60

I’m the same .. played for years never ever considering a pick even though before bass I also played guitar to a decent standard using a pick. Having returned to the bass about four years ago I just found my finger tone was getting lost especially in certain rock covers. Playing with a pick has created a better sound for myself and the band and I found after trying many pick types that 2mm Delrin Prime Grip ( black ) just worked very well. Gator picks in same gauge were close but still not as good. And now we can enjoy palm muting 🤟

Keeley Bassist Limiting Amplifier is my chosen compressor Simple to set up and works without tone suck or colouration This kicked the M87 off the board

RED HEART ❤️

I’ve tried Nylon too and yes very warm sounding but not as robust as Delrin. I have the Big Stubby ( nylon ) in 2mm but the tip is too pointed for me After using triangle picks going to the smaller Delrin 500 Primegrip was a challenge but the grip keeps in place and the size allows for faster picking

I’m finding the very best tone I can get is using Dunlop Delrin Primegrip 2mm picks These are the black ones and have a fuller sound compared to Ultex or Toretex Using the Keeley Bassist Comp. is helping too adding a depth to the tone when pick playing

Have you changed string type ? I found different tension from brand to brand can make a difference in neck relief

Just found these and I’m enjoying the depth of sound ( deeper ) and nice feel to using them They have a good grip surface too Delrin 500 in 2mm Ive tried the Red version 1.14mm and it’s very surprising how much deeper this thicker pick sounds

I’m back on this tone challenge and I’m on occasions happy finger style but then sometimes pick. I can do both equally as bad !! Or good I guess so it’s more of best tone with the band. I now use mostly my CTM100 head and it works well with the picked PBass Found I needed better EQ so added the MXR preamp and for faster compressor the Keeley Bassist I would say that’s the best I can make it sound using a pick. Note definition is better and less boomy and even removing some mids it’s nice and punchy

My backup Elf is loud enough with the band using a 4ohm 212 cab ( Ampeg ) I gig with 100w valve amp through the same cab and it’s very loud running approx 3/4 output

I would look at the Ashdown Rm500 with either a 212 4 ohm cab or two 210 8 ohm cabs and you’re set for home and gigging GK do have some nice heads and cabs too such as the GK Legacy 800 Orange Little Bass Thing is a lovely 500w head so perhaps another option

Very nice looking

Good luck I hope it goes well 🤟🎸

And that will be a function of the FOH sound My point is more relating to back line ONLY in small to medium gigs where PA is vocals only. Sometimes less mids are required sometimes more it depends on so many variables at the time and other instruments in the band etc

Are you on guitar for that band ?

Sad really as I was a long time user of Marshall back in the 90’s As mentioned it’s a sign of the times and perhaps Jim’s family decided to sell up and retire This may be a good opportunity for Blackstar to gain ground perhaps ?

My board for Pick Playing Corona Chorus set with “ Duff” tone print Keeley set for a nice “ pick compression” and MXR preamp set to reduce the mids that pick playing a PBass has too much Im liking the set up and the chorus will be mostly off where as the MXR and Keeley always on Finally the result is very quiet pedals and no tone suck

Some great comments coming back Curious though to how many who like to boost or have plenty of mids play fingerstyle ? Set up EQ for fingerstyle and then grab a pick and the whole sound changes dramatically ( does for me ) Playing a PBass with a pick in my band for rock needs those mids pulled back and this in turn sounds like an increase in bass which isn’t so prominent when using a pick I find finger style that a boost of high mids helps for clarity yet on the same bass with a pick the 400-500 hz need pulling back unless you want that nasal clanky sound ( I don’t ) I guess there are so many variables to consider as mentioned but many say how they boost mids but don’t say how they play as I find the difference between fingers and pick massive for me in terms of EQ and how it sits with the band, drums, guitar and vocals

This is spot on .. I have the HiMass bridge on my Pbasses and when called for palm mute nicely. I too can play my whole set ( even the Trooper ) with fingers and it sounds decent but .. to really hear tone differences I find the clarity of a pick is hard to beat. Using a good compressor with a pick adds to the thump too 👍 Keep practicing and it will become easy after a time. I think incorrect holding techniques will hamper any progress and you’re more likely to drop the pick or miss a string !

I actually really like playing Zombie especially with a pick. Simple but a song that always goes down well if you have a good female vocalist ( which we have thankfully)

Resurrecting this old thread as I’ve been on this road of discovery for the last two years One thing I didn’t read or see mentioned was playing with a PICK ! Ive discovered that a PBass played with a pick is very different in EQ content compared to finger style, in my case very different The PICK played PBass as an example would sound massively mid heavy if you didn’t pull back something such as high Mids or treble etc The sense of reduced bass fullness with a pick also needs some EQ tweaks and also a compressor can help with initial note attack etc. I still see the Pick as the best method to squeeze out the tone of the amp ( especially a valve amp ) and bass and it provides clarity that finger style smothers. The challenge is filling the band with the right bass EQ to sit with the drums and guitars So I think “ you need the mids” depends on many factors and in reality is too many Mids is harsh and too few is lost in the mix. The effect mids have on perceived bass is immense, turn mids down and it sounds more bassy, turn them up and it’s less bassy !! I think typical amps have limited EQ points that suit everything hence why I use a floor preamp with sweepable mids etc for a bit more tone control

Try a triangle shaped pick Tortex or Ultex and practice on the E string and A string only at first alternating between the two with 8th notes Don’t grip the pick too hard and I find anchoring my picking hand on the bass helps a lot. If your picking hand is floating around or hovering you will be very hit and miss !! Also pick closer to the bridge as the tension is higher on the strings and reduce string bounce. On a PBass just over or behind the pickup is best for me. Finally adjust your EQ as it will sound weak and bass lacking if not !

Love a black PBass .. very nice I tried the CS62 in my player and found it lost a few high mids The stock pickup went back in and they do the job well. Lovely looking bass 👍

Well I’m going to try my third Keeley Bassist Compressor later when it arrives this week The first one I reported an odd crackle noise and it went back. Second one came and same fault ! Tried the MXR as an alternative but didn’t really like it so third time lucky with the Keeley I had tried the first one with the band and it worked very well either as mild compression or limiting. The noise issue wasn’t really noticeable at rehearsals volume etc but it showed me how good it was at its job. That should be my final addition to my board and I’m happy

I too live about an hour from Peach Guitars and have used them before. They offer a very good service and I plan to visit them again as I’m itching to add a third bass !!!

Post gig update Yep it works very well I’ve got better EQ control over my CTM100 head plus a little push into the amps input for more valve goodness. Added the MojoMojo and I have all pedals ON and back off my bass volume slightly so I can increase at will depending on song