Kevin Dean Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 The other day I spent 6 hours going between my two bass heads & fiddling trying to get a sound I really really like only to end up at the exact same setting that I started with ...is it just me ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 No... it is the curse of the 'tone quest'... which is largely two steps forward and three back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 You are only wasting your time if you did this without it being in the context of the band you play with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Loud amp, comfy bass, no one cares in the audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 The above are all true in practical terms, but I would argue that the futile endless pursuit of the perfect bass/tone/rig is a hobby quite separate from the music. Hobbies are used as distraction/catharsis/relaxation/time away from spouse etc. and that in itself can* be a good thing. *not guaranteed. Please use responsibly. Side effects may include damage to bank balance and/or relationships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1401279896' post='2461941'] ...I would argue that the futile endless pursuit of the perfect bass/tone/rig is a hobby quite separate from the music. Hobbies are used as distraction/catharsis/relaxation/time away from spouse etc. and that in itself can be a good thing. [/quote] You're right, of course. We can rattle on endlessly about the minutiae of basses and gear and buy and trade and sell all sorts of pointless crap (I know I have) and post and read opinions about every possible related subject, but... ...at the end of the day the drummer still plays out of time, so what's the point..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1401279896' post='2461941'] The above are all true in practical terms, but I would argue that the futile endless pursuit of the perfect bass/tone/rig is a hobby quite separate from the music. Hobbies are used as distraction/catharsis/relaxation/time away from spouse etc. and that in itself can* be a good thing. *not guaranteed. Please use responsibly. Side effects may include damage to bank balance and/or relationships. [/quote] Exactly right. In much the same way that some people obsess over their hi-fi cables or pimp their cars. The measurable effects on performance is miniscule at best, but it provides them with great pleasure so what's the harm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 It depends what sort of sound you've got. If it's a standard low end rumble masked by a bunch of guitars, no-one will care. If you're doing something creative where you take up much more sonic-space than that, then it really matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 [quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1401277905' post='2461911'] The other day I spent 6 hours going between my two bass heads [/quote] If you have not got "your" sound after six hours, perhaps your search lies elsewhere. Other things influence your over all sound...not least of which are the strings you use. Perhaps this is an avenue worth exploring ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 We've just spent 20 minutes testing a good old '90's rack mounted ART pre-amp with a vast array of multi-effects. It has zillions of sound options and you could easily spend a day just fiddling with the controls. Literally every effect is combinable (including a tube pre-amp) and each one has total control over each parameter! Then we plugged in a new Demeter head with just 5 knobs and a couple of flick switches. Got a better sound in just 2 minutes with virtually no fiddling Obviously the Demeter is in a different league of quality and construction but it did bring home that starting with something good in the first place could make more difference than loads of options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 [quote name='molan' timestamp='1401283671' post='2462011'] ...starting with something good in the first place could make more difference than loads of options. [/quote] So true. I spent years doing the rack-full-of-gear thing, but now I just plug in my Fusion - and there it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 [quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1401279341' post='2461933'] Loud amp, comfy bass, no one cares in the audience. [/quote] or on stage in my band :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 6 hours..?? yes, you are wasting your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 It takes me more time to carry my gear from the van to the stage than it does to 'find my tone'... I also do my load in with just one trip. If you have to search for a sound, you've got he wrong gear IMO. Should be able to just plug in, make a few small adjustments and PLAY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I thought this was going to be a thread about being on this forum too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 The trouble with finding your sound is in the recognising that you already have it. I have always operated with the idea that one's sound is achieved very quickly and then tweaked as things develop. Being blunt, in my experience, too much tweaking is a fool's errand and, yes, a waste of time. All the noodling in the world will do nothing to counter a hollow wooden stage, a high ceiling or a thrashy ride cymbal. If you cannot get a sound in a few seconds, you are probably fighting the room, not your gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted May 28, 2014 Author Share Posted May 28, 2014 The problem I have is that I have about 5 sounds I like I just can't decide . but the comment has been has been made " No one will notice" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 [quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1401286224' post='2462039'] I thought this was going to be a thread about being on this forum too much [/quote] It kind of is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dyer Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 As most people here have commented, I agree with keeping it simple. I have a Streamliner into a Berg 4x10, everything is flat on the amp and the bass, I'm confident of the sound I'm going to get every time. On occasion I might tweak the cab to the room but it's very rare I do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Yes, waste of time, better to concentrate on playing. This is especially true if you are playing on your own. Tone-fiddling can make you go blind ... or was it deaf? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1401303778' post='2462298'] Tone-fiddling can make you go blind ... or was it deaf? [/quote] Hairy palms, I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Never spend any time getting a sound I like. What I 'like' may or may not be relevant to what's required for the band I'm in at the time or the music they perform. I spend some time getting a sound that I believe to be 'right' in the band context considering how and what they play and the music that's performed. And then I leave it alone unless the room requires a bit of tweaking. Never play my gigging rig at home, what's the point? the rest of the band aren't there and I'll just annoy the neighbours. 25W practice amp is fine, all I have to do is hear myself above whatever I'm playing along to/rehearsing/learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Wasting time; One of my last bands. Every other week at rehearsals , mr vox/ guitar, decides to change the tuning of many songs already learnt from previous rehearsal. Also, psyching yourself up for a pub gig with a big reputation . Then finding yourself playing in front of 1 man and a deaf dog. Plus egocentric rip off manager .( hello grey horse Kingston ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Wonder why so many people have multiple basses if its not worth spending more than a few mins getting a good tone. Maybe its not worth spending the time, but worth sending them money ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1401279896' post='2461941'] The above are all true in practical terms, but I would argue that the futile endless pursuit of the perfect bass/tone/rig is a hobby [s]quite separate from[/s] [i] instead of [/i]the music. [/quote] Corrected for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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