Did a specific tone inspire you to play bass?

[lancer]

What tone inspired you to play bass?

I mean not necessarily a particular player or band but a specific album or track even.

Mine was Sade’s Stronger than Pride album.

Paul Denman’s tone in Keep Lookind, I thought to myself, wow I’ve got to get me some of that

[Frank Blank]

Mick Karn - Gentlemen Take Polaroids

Tessa Pollitt - Cut

Jah Wobble - Metal Box

[SICbass]

Before I even developed an interest in Bass, I loved JJ Burnel‘s sound. He wasn’t particularly an influence, I just loved that sound!

[Lozz196]

5 minutes ago, SICbass said:

Before I even developed an interest in Bass, I loved JJ Burnel‘s sound. He wasn’t particularly an influence, I just loved that sound!

Yep, JJ Burnel and Bruce Foxton were big influences on me sound wise.

[Dad3353]

 

[Geek99]

I loved the tone on all along the watchtower in rattle and hum. I didn’t know it was a p bass, it just sounded heavy and preponderous at the beginning and then I listened to how it sounded under the chords, driving it all along. 

[Skybone]

Geddy Anthem

Geezer's intro to N.I.B.

Lemmy's sound on Hawkwind's Space Ritual

 

 

[jonno1981]

Nicky wire - archives of pain by the manic street preachers. I didn’t realise bass could be that distorted and aggressive, very influential as a teenager.

same with Breed by nirvana. 
 

Honourable mention:

Timmy C for all three rage against the machine albums. Super solid, chunky and groovy basslines and great unique tone. 
 

[Bassassin]

JJ Burnel, Lemmy, Geddy Lee - in that order.

 

It worries me that I may not have progressed particularly far in the subsequent 45+ years.

[iainbass]

Bernard Edwards.

[SteveXFR]

Rex Browns grinding, growling tone with Pantera. The most perfect metal bass tone. No effects pedals, just a Spector NS2 in to his GK amp

[PaulThePlug]

Burke Shelly - Budgie, Great intricate work from a 3 Piece.

[Franticsmurf]

Yesshows - bass solo at the start of Ritual part 2. When I first heard it I assumed it was a guitar solo and when I finally realised it was bass, I knew I wanted to play with that kind of tone. I loved the sound - bass but with a trebly distortion which I later found out was Squire's Ricky with each pick up going into a different amp (I'm sure you know the details). I spent a few wilderness years playing guitar but I always came back to that sound on that track. By the time I took up the bass properly, I had most of Yes' albums and spent quite a bit of time chasing the Ritual solo sound on a minuscule budget (I couldn't afford a proper Rickenbacker). I finally got a sound I was happy with a few years ago with a combination of Ampeg SCRDI and bridge pick-up on my Sterling 34HH and either DI or into the FX return on my Peavey Minimax 600 and through a pair of TE 1x10" cabs. It's not the exact tone from Ritual, but it works for me and the rocky elements of the sets we play.