jontywisp Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I just bumped into my dream bass tone, largely by chance. I've played bass for over 3 decades now (getting old), but without ever obsessing too much about gear or tone. I always just used a well-established mainstream combination (e.g. Fender P with LaBella flats through old valve amp; or J with rounds through modern cleaner amps). On a whim after a nasty motorbike crash, to cheer myself I just bought a Rick 4003 (thanks Slazman!). Put on some new TI flats, plugged it into a borrowed Mesa Walkabout set flat, selected both pickups with neck backed off a bit ... Instantly the best bass sound (for me) I've ever heard! The perfect mixture of warm yet clear, deep yet with highs, distinctive but not intrusive, musical rather than bland. It's not just the Walkabout, nor the strings, as Fenders, Musicmen and Sadowskys can't quite do it. The moral : while obsessing over gear can become a distraction from music, ignoring gear issues (as I've done for >30 years) is also a mistake, it's definitely worth trying out different combinations to find the perfect brew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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