Game of Tones #1 - What Kind of Bass Should I Buy?
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- The hour is finally upon us - The Quest for Tone begins! This can be a tough decision for any bass player, from the one just starting out to the one who has been playing for years... Which bass do I buy? Surely, the answer couldn't be, "all of them," could it? Let's find out in today's episode of Game of Tones.
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1. Fretted Jazz-Style
2/3. Fretless Jazz (with flats, of course).
2/3. 2H Active/Passive with 3+ band EQ (accomplishes P sound and much, much more, imo).
I find the P sound to be replacable, and I think anything with a single pickup anywhere too close to the bridge or neck to be too specific sounding (some Gibsons, Stingray). Also for me an active passive switch is essential on any active, and 2 band EQ is just unfortunate. Stingray breaks all 3 of those rules, lol. Only significant thing I'd feel I was missing with this was a B string, but thats not too big of a deal. A short scale and semi-hollow might be 5 and 6.
1) Jazz
2) p
3) PJ (active)
This could change tomorrow though...
I think I agree with you :)
@@deadbeatstudios same !
Never liked the stingray, but my #1 is a esp ltd with 2 EMG humbuckers the clean low end especially on the middle pick up is amazing then i blend in a little of the bridge to add a little extra high. prefer a jazz for slaps but its great for everything else
Nice! I'll have to check it out, thanks Simon!
Jayme Lewis the stingray might lend itself nicely to R&B seen as its a bit fatter sounding then a j bass, especially a H H model, but i dont play that style alot
Ya, like I said I've been using it quite a bit lately to see how it fits, and I can certainly see this being accurate :)
Name of the song at 5:45?
Just something I made up apparently :)
Stingray+Flats and playing almost over the fretboard with bass boosted to the max gives you an amazing Reggae sound!...
Diego De León awesome thanks! I'll have to give that a try!
My one desert island bass will be a pj bass, I've had a lot of basses and my 5 string passive and active jazz is my favorite for personal reasons, but in my heart I know that the pj bass is my thing.
The best of both worlds :) I had a PJ Fodera for a bit and loved it too, but I haven't had one since. Maybe one of these days I'll reinvest haha. Thanks for sharing Kenneth! And if it's not to much to ask, would you mind sharing this video for me? I'd really appreciate the help dude!
my 5 string is a pj but the bridge is a double jazz pickup. love the single coil humbucker combo!
Leland Sklar used his franken P-bass on so many studio recordings-so passive 4 string is obviously great advice. After owning hundreds of basses myself over the years, back to a passive P and a J for funk stuff. Your series are awesome, you get right to the point with practical tips--great job!
Right away my eyes goes to the stingray in the background lol man oh man how I absolutely love stingray!!
I played a sterling for years, I firmly beleive in you have multiple basses they need to be very different than each other (unless as acting as a backup) or they dont get used very much. I did have one exception, along side the Sterling I bought a 5 string Rick, they used the same width neck as the 4 though so the difference between the two made it almost impossible to play, back and forth. One of those things I regret selling, along side the Sterling. Today i enjoy a very nice American SB2, once you understand the twin volume it's a very versatile guitar
Love the color of that Stingray. As for the sound of it, people say they're not versatile. But if you compare Flea to Joe Lally from Fugazi or Tony Levin of King Crimson, I think you hear how versatile it can actually be.
Years of buying fancy basses (Mayones, ESP, Maruszczyk, GMR + USA/Mexico Fenders) and ended up with: Fretless Cort B4 FL(Amazing bass for money) Squier Classic Vibe Precision, Squier Classic Vibe Jazz. Classic Vibe series for me is WAY better made than USA or Mexico Fenders... dont be fooled by propaganda on the net people. Decent bass wont cost silly money, will Fodera make me better bass player? I dont think so. Great vid. THANKS
I haven't played the Squier classive vibe but I hear great things! Ya I don't own any MIA Fenders; I think they're rubbish compared to the Japanese Fenders. Those things are slammin!
stingray with distortion for rock and punk. Clean it's funky;add an envelope filter.
Ya I used to play in a metalcore band in high school and for a while I was using my stingray - it really cut through the heavy guitars very well!
cigar the band
Hey Jaymie! I am a complete beginner. Is the Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz Bass a good bass guitar for beginner?
I picked up one a few years back and the neck is super comfortable. Great sounding pick-ups, very versatile. All in all excellent bass for the money. I'd recommend playing a few in the store and pick the one that feels the best to you. You'll know
@@gratefulila9980 i am winding up getting the Sterling by Music Man Stingray Short Scale. I've got small hands and I'm petite. I tried renting Fender American Player and it was way too heavy, too long in the body, and couldn't wrap my hand around the fretboard. It's got an amazing sound for a short scale bass!
I'd love to get a RIC 5-string bass with the triangular pickups. To me, the RIC tone stands alone (I used to have a 4001). However, now I have an Ibanez BTB-575 active with Bartolini II pickups and electronics (neck-thru, but the neck's a touch wide for me) and an Ibanez Premium SR1305SB, both with Rotosound Roundwound stainless steel strings. I prefer neck-thru, but the 1305 is much easier on my fingers because of the much thinner neck. It has Nordstrand Big Single pickups, and like the 575, has 3 active tone controls, but the 1305 has a switch for mid-frequency control. Unless I'm playing something really thumpy,(like the bass on Abbey Road) I use the tone controls very little, and do most of the tone through where and how I pick the strings.
Love it how you talk about the sound and shoe the sounds without using the same old nonsense words most other musicians use. Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
I'm looking for my first bass and I eliminated the P bass right off the bat because 2 of my favorite bassist play Stingrays Bernard Edwards & Louis Johnson may they both RIP and 1 plays a J bass Larry Graham the father of slap so I will eventually end up with both it's just a matter of which one when
I used to think the P bass sucked because it wasn't active or didn't have all the gadgets and fancy features, also because in high school every starter pack I saw came with a black p bass with a white pickguard, so I equated the P bass with= cheap, beginner, it sucks. Boy was I wrong lol P bass does rock
I'm the opposite of you with the Stingray, Jayme. I never used to like Stingrays when other people play them, but every single time I got one in my hands, I absolutely loved the tone. I ended up getting a Ray34 last Christmas, which I eventually traded in for a Fender Precision. I didn't keep that Ray34 because I didn't like the color and I found it not ideal for the little bit of jazz I do (I'm a rock/funk kind of guy), but now that I need a 5 string, I've found that few 5 string basses sound as good as a good ol' Stingray 5!
I'm geeking right along with you and I like you shirt 😎, can you dig on fender p.j.mustangs?
This is a great guide for the p vs. j vs. mm never ending discussion. I conpletely agree about the versatility of a jazz and how it just sounds right.
lockedowng Thank you! Ya I know it's a worn out argument, but I'm just speaking from my experiences. And my experiences say J Bass, all the way! Would you mind doing me a favor and sharing this video? I'd really appreciate the help!
Hey Jayme how bout in the shower. Lol. Really like you I'm not a stingrays fan. G&L more so. P/J fan all the way. Fender Jazz Special or My oldest 80s Ibanez BGR from Japan also a P/J. With Geezer EMGs. Or my P Bass
To follow up on my other comment about the Stingray, Joe Lally uses his with a pick. Not sure if he uses flats or roundwounds. Here's a good example. ua-cam.com/video/gzC0RNkBXM0/v-deo.html
I am a P bass guy-I own 4 of them. they can do it all and they sit in the mix perfectly. they even have a natural compressed kind of gank that is beautiful.having said that, I have a jazz and a few others to round out the stable but honestly, the P gets it done.a J on the front PU gets close to a P sound but it doesn't have the girth,
Nice video mate, I'm in my mid 50s, I bought my first bass in 1981 & have switched between bass, guitar & keyboards ever since but am currently saving for a nice bass & trying to decide between a p & J bass so I appreciate this video although still not sure which one I'll buy
Good review tho,keep them up
Did u ever buy a bass yet?
What about a passive pj for someone who is just starting out? Have been looking at a Yamaha TRBX 174
It's in a different price range, but I recommend the Fender Aerodyne. Great PJ with a comfortable thin neck.
Nice video! What was that semi-hollow?
Nefarius696 thanks! It's a Guild Starfire, 1968 I believe :) one of my favorites. It's shortscale too, so it's really fun to play on. Would you mind helping me out and sharing this video for me? I'd really appreciate it!
Beautiful instrument. I love the design and tone.
Surely will do that!
Thank you so much!
You're welcome, man. Glad to help. ;)
Old School Stingray tone control settings 50/50, volume wide open. When the bass needs to be brighter, back a hair off the Bass control.
Wade Cornett thank you for the clarification :)
Get a Jazz bass.
Can't argue there :)
Three of the most important basses on the planet👍🏻
Howabout the G&L2000 bass which can be used as both actively and passively as a first bass? I am searching for my first bass, however am yet to play any yet.
Check out the Yamaha TRBX 500 or 600 series as a budget alternative to those (cheaper than even the tribute versions). Only significant weaknesses are the adjustable pickup poles, as far as I can tell.
8:17 sounds a lot like the chorus of Nightmare by Avenged sevenfold
Thoroughly enjoying this new series (sorry, "quest"). Great to revisit and think about these basics. Funny how we gravitate to different feels and tonal palettes. Good choice of bass types to demo... three classics! Here's a fun factoid picking up on one of your comments. Did you know that probably Flea's most famous tones (I.e. most of the tunes on BSSM) weren't MM or Spector... main bass on that album was a Wal, boutique bass from England. Now there's an amazing bass!
Thanks Trevor! I'm glad you're enjoying the quest! You know I often mistaken a Wal for a Stingray, both fantastic instruments! If it's not too much to ask, would you mind sharing this video for me? I'd really appreciate the help dude!
Boring he wants a heavy metal one
Interesting what you say about the Stingray. Too much to fiddle with and never find the sweet spot. Haveing said that, I had a 75RI USA Jazz. I sold it because I couldnt get a great sound out of it. The block I sold it too did tho!!!
My bass sounds like a fucking ass
My first and only bass was a First Act. Got rid of it because it was such a piece of junk and now looking for a replacement. Guess I'll have to go with a P bass.
I prefer j basses as well. Or pj's
Can't I have 2 basses on the island with me !!! My Pj and my sadowsky 5
Sure, but you'd have to give up either your shelter or your food supply in order to make it a fair trade :)
My island bass would be the Conklin GT7. Has a huge range and very versatile. I do like the modern tone of it. If I was to use bass terminology. It's a blend of phat & growl. Happy bass-ing.
My desert island would definitely be a good old Fender jazz,passive of course,I really like the bright round sound it gives,and you can get a Pbass sound from it
Get to the Point Please
That intro! Lmao 😂😂
I've always wanted a semi-hollow. Kind of gives you that round, warm McCartney tone (I know, I know... he got his tone from a violin bass).
What about PJ bass ?
The best of both worlds! I just don't own one :/
I'm gonna stick with my Yamaha TRBX604. Major versatility.
for me the JB is the perfect bass though I use a PJ as it is the most versatile but I have to say that the stingray cuts through the mix like no other.
In my opinion the J bass can't get with the P bass sound. I hate the j bass sound, it's too modern.
Could you talk about the relation between scale lengths, fret numbers, comfort, string gauge and tone?
There's a reason why the P bass is the most popular bass in history. Nuff said.
this is gold...
Awesome as always, Jayme! I glad that you start this series. It will be really interesting for me
Also, how do you do that nice little pluck sound around 9:10 ?
sensedatumless thanks dude! But I'm not quite sure what you mean by how I did it - I mean I plucked the string with my right hand. Are you asking what I played in particular?
i think he's asking how to play the ghost notes
Have you checked out status graphite they make awesome botyq basses.
my bass of choice humbucker jazz config wit 3 band eq wit passive switch. Sandberg cali TM , lakland 44-94, MTD Kington heir, , it can do it all, PS FLEA still plays "stingray" style bass just fender custom style so he CHEATS HARDCORE, and just wanted that namesake , i wanna get a PJ and put flats on it , I love love love my baby jazz bass i had since 08 and my surveyor but looks to grow past it
Nice! Ya I feel like I should have PJ too; I used to have one and I miss it now :/
Great info again Jayme! I'm following this quest slightly out of order but always find your vids valuable. I'm curious if you have ever played a Lakland 44-02 or 55-02? Its also possible you've played the 44-94 or 55-94. IMO it combines the best of both worlds by blending the tonal options of a j bass and a MM, while still giving you the 3 position switch on the rear pup.
Keep the good stuff coming man!
Thank you Daniel! Glad you're digging it! Honestly, I've not played the Lakland but I'm sure it's rad. I've been using the MM a ton lately and I'm definitely feeling the love now, but I think I'll always reach for the J as my #1 :)
He looks like an old timmy turner xD
I do what I can :)
The jazz style bass is the best bass out there. So versatile and sits in the mix very well. The problem i've had with them is that most are so heavy they become uncomfortable to play after a while so keep that in mind when choosing any bass. I found a Lakland Skyline 44-60 custom that weighs 8.9 pounds and use it quite often for that sick slap tone you can get. My MTD Kingston KZ and Heir have been my go to instruments however for comfort and playability and I recommend them to anyone needing a light and comfortable bass that sound great. Now I think since your Stingray doesn't have the option to choose different coil settings is the main reason you haven't found a usable tone and again Stingrays like the Jazz can weigh a ton.
Couldn't have said it better myself :)
My island bass would be the Conklin GT7. Has a huge range and very versatile. I do like the modern tone of it. If I was to use bass terminology. It's a blend of phat & growl. Happy bass-ing.
Awesome! Ya I love those basses too.
I have a 5 string Carvin Active. I can get the sound that i want only thru that bass. I have tried Fender Yamaha, Ibanez but non compare to the Carvin. Great on highs mids and lows without tweeking the speaker. Also amazing sustain. Sounds great and easy to adjust to different music genres. Thats my go to bass. Awesome video Jayme
Thank you! Actually believe it or not, I played Carvin exclusively for about 10 years. I had 3 LB70's, an XB76, their Cobalt acoustic bass and an Icon5. I still have the Icon but I sold the others over the years. But yes, fantastic instruments, especially for the price. My only beef with them is that they're near impossible to modify. I'm no tech, so maybe a pro would have an easier time, but putting in new pickups/preamp in was insane - nothing else fit, I had to carve into it, even normal sized pots were too big. But a great instrument in and of itself! Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely agree! When using humbacker bass - always roll knobs there and there every song. But when take Jazz bass - you just roll everything up and it sounds perfect for everything - from pop - to modern metal.
Totally! It's just such a perfect instrument! I hope it's not too much to ask, but would you mind sharing this video for me? I'd really appreciate the help!
Believe we had a back and forth about this already lol my go to 4 string is Ibanez's take on the stingray the ATK series. Absolutely love it, the slap, finger, and pick tone just feel like home and what a versatile home it is. Definitely my island bass 😁
Nice! Ya those are great instruments too. A student of mine just brought in a gorgeous Ibanez TBT 6 string - thing looked like a million bucks!
jayme, please, make a video talking about the differences in types of pickups (singles, doubles, soapbars). And what are each one good for.
Thanks James, will do! Stay tuned :)
Am thinking on getting a 5 string bass Fender jazz. I would like to have a C string what does it take to change it from the B that it comes with?
I'd say just go lower in string gauge, perhaps a 120 or 125 instead of 130.
Fender Flea Jazz - Musicman Stingray 5 - Gamma Precision ... I’m not very imaginative. :)
I'd take either of those ;)
Very well... I think you should broaden your views a little bit. It is too simple to define the bass only by 3 Fenders...
I own other instruments and I love them! I'm just sharing what gets the job done more often than not (and what gets asked for by the people hiring me). What's your favorite kind of bass?
I've got all 3. I love the p bass more. I love my jazz but it always sounds better at home. Doesn't seem to fill the space i want it to at a gig. Ps love you're vids!
Thank you so much, I'm truly honored! If it's not too much to ask, would you mind sharing this video? I'd really appreciate the help!
The stingrays sound great for ska. Roger lima from less than jake uses a sterling and his tone really sticks out in the mix
Roger is one of my favorites :)
My favorite so far is the Fender Active Jazz V. It has the tone quality that I like at a good price point.
Nice! Ya that's a fantastic instrument.
Great Video. Subscribed.
to keep following Leo's legacy, get an old G&L L-2000E, i have one, huge sound
I've played a few G&L's before. And yes you're right, massive sounding instruments!
Would a roger waters precision bass be good to start off with (beginner) ?
I'd say that any P Bass would be great to start off with :)
Something like the Sire MM7 is closer to a J, a P or a Musicman?
I think that's closer to a J, but I have not used one before. I hear great things about those things though!
Oh, man, I would LOVE to see/hear more from that Carvin fretless, it sounds amazing!
Also, my favorite from the big 3 you talked abt at first is the Jazz Bass. I LOVE the sound of it, but, sadly, I don't own one at the time. About the MM basses, I used to have a EBMM Sterling 5 and, while it was really cool, never really clicked with me, so I sold it, similarly to your experience with them.
What about the P bass? I could NEVER get into them :(
Anyway, thank you for your amazing video content, Jayme!
Thank you Gabriel! Ya I hear ya, there's just something about the J Bass. Gotta get one! The fretless 5 is a lot of fun, but my fretless chops are way off these days, I'll spend some time practicing first :) If it's not too much to ask, would you mind sharing this video for me? I'd really appreciate the help Gabriel!
Surely! Love your stuff.
Thank you so much!
You left out Rickenbackers. Fat round bottom and Crisp Highs/Mids.
I feel like I get that from my J Basses, but yes - another great tone!
And a bunch of dead spots in there, because it's wooden UFO and sounds like one! :P
Game of tone? Lol seriously Jamie
;)
Beaucoup TROP bavard
Nice video. What about Warwick basses?
Warwick basses are great too! I just don't own any.
loved the intro man
Had a Musician Stingray 5 String.. horrid.. hated every second of having that bass. Moved on to a Bass Mods K524.. never regret it
Nice! I'll have to check that you!
Im running bartolini brights for my pups and an aguilar obp-3 pre amp!
Nice! Ya, I have the OBP-3 on every active bass I own :)
What bass would you recommend for someone that needs a five string that is a beginner on a 5 string bass
I think a 5 string active J Bass would sound amazing :) But maybe that's just because I don't have one yet :/ Thanks for reaching out Tomas!
I can heartily recommend the Fender Active Jazz V bass!
Nice video! what bass is that at 14:23?
It's my custom M Bass by Jon Maghini :)
You have a really great video presence.
Thank you!
Nice videos you make. I used to play a 74 jazzbass for 20 years, since 77. Many bassplayers didnt find m very sexy and kinda dull. They all drooled over the yamaha bbseries then. Later I switched to a 5 string with a status and then a MM stingray which I love. I had been looking for the sound of Bernard Edwards in those days but didnt know what he played. Nowadays everywhere I look there are fenders for no particular reason. It's become the i-phone of bassplayers. Its all about whats hot and what not. I still have all my basses and play them all for different reasons. But not because someone said I should nor if some guy named Jaco played them. People are such sheep often. Same applies to Aguilar the past years. There are the fanboys and the sheep As if there is no other option that can compete.
Thanks! Of course, there are sheep - but I'd say that doesn't discredit their results, perhaps only their reasons. I didn't arrive to a J Bass being my #1 because someone told me it was, I arrived there because over 25 years of playing I found that 90% of the time it does the job better than any of my other basses. It sits in the mix right, it glues the song together, I have less EQing and processing to do to make it pop... No wonder all of the sheep like it - it has a great reputation, not only from my but many others as well. Not everyone agrees, and that's ok too. I'm just being honest about what I actually use :)
Thanks for the insight.
You're very welcome Andrew!
What about a rickenbacker
I was about to ask the same, but nobody seems to care... my favorite!!
About your problem with the stingray model bass....I believe it has to do with the way you play, lets say genre of music. this type of bass sounds good if you hit it strong and outline the bass lines as a strong solo instrument. if you play something smooth sweet and even kind of light slap, it won t sound good at all.
You missed a PJ my friend, one of the most revolutionary modern designs. Great video nonetheless although you let your personal bias show too much, should've just talked about general specs and how they sound like. But I'm digging this series. Keep it up.
I'd probably have included it if I owned one. But yes I agree, a great sound.
Hi Jayme,
Was wondering if all your basses are using nickel or EVO frets? Would like to hear your opinion on those frets. Hope you can come out a video review, for future generation to understand about it.
Thanks,
Julian
Aerodyne pickups replaced Lindsay Fralin pj with flats preferably.
all this on bass tone yet no mention to the bass amp?
He said he is covering the basses only in this video
If you go to his Game Of Tones playlist you'll find a video on amps
P bass is the best bass for mixing in recordings or gigs IMO
Can't go wrong with a P Bass :)