OT: The Ox

[spectorbassguy]

From a previous thread which I can't find right now, I decided to buy a copy of The Kids Are Alright restored double DVD. Man, Entwhistle is so calm and cool on the isolated bass tracks for "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Reilly". Can you imagine how loud it must have been standing right in front of those banks of Sunn 4x12 cabs?!? There IS a reason he was called Thunderfingers! Makes you realize how little of the bass you actually can hear when all other instruments and vocals are added! Great DVD overall.

 

[Chet the Jet]

Makes you realize how little of the bass you actually can hear when all other instruments and vocals are added! Great DVD overall.

Certainly notice if it isnt there.

Since I have started learning the bass,I also take more notice to it in the music I listen to in general.Seems you are right .Have to really focus sometimes to pick out the bass over the other instruments.

 

[johans]

i agree

plus ...

a bass' low end is meant to be 'feel' ... rather than 'listen'

in other words .. you feel bass, not you hear bass

 

[prickly_pete]

i agree

plus ...

a bass' low end is meant to be 'feel' ... rather than 'listen'

in other words .. you feel bass, not you hear bass

A loud rock band in a bar, perhaps, but there are styles of music and players who are meant to be heard clearly -- Jaco, for example... Mark King for example. Where you stand depends on where you sit. In my experience, great players want to be heard, not just felt. Entwistle complained loudly that his bass was being mixed too low and too wrong! His ideal tone was a slightly distorted bright, piano like tone -- almost a slap sound. In fact his finger technique -- slapping the strings close to the neck with his fingers, really produces the same tone as a slapped bass. Entwistle was a great player and deserved to be heard loud and clear. There are plenty enough no-playing hacks that we can spend time just feeling

 

[tkarter]

When the bass is solo it should be the only thing heard. Loud rock settings the bass may be blasting the first two rows. Bassist still can't hear.

I think playing bass is more of a feel for where to go next on the bass. Even if you can't hear what you are playing. If you can count you can do it.


I like to be heard as well as the next guy. But.. I am getting old and hearing is more important My bass can ruin ears even when I can't hear it.


tk

 

[Aussie Mark]

Great DVD, and not just for the Ox solo tracks.

 

[prickly_pete]

"When the bass is solo it should be the only thing heard. Loud rock settings the bass may be blasting the first two rows. Bassist still can't hear."

I never want to play loud rock again if I can help it btw, in my 20 plus years of playing I've played everything from Dixie Dregs, to Metallica, to Bobby Brown.

"I think playing bass is more of a feel for where to go next on the bass. Even if you can't hear what you are playing. If you can count you can do it."

Generally when a bass player can't hear himself, but is killing the front row, its because he has too much low frequency dialed into his amp, and/or he is playing with a drummer with no touch and plenty of hit -- read LOUD!


"I like to be heard as well as the next guy. But.. I am getting old and hearing is more important My bass can ruin ears even when I can't hear it."

I have hearing damage too, and that is the main reason I don't play loud rock anymore.

 

[midopa]

Generally when a bass player can't hear himself, but is killing the front row, its because he has too much low frequency dialed into his amp, and/or he is playing with a drummer with no touch and plenty of hit -- read LOUD!

Hm... Sometimes I find myself turning up the volume to be heard just a bit and end up having members of the congregation complain about the volume of the bass! I suspected it to be the drummer, but now with this I'm a bit more confident on placing the blame on him.

 

[skabassist13]

i have a 412. its loud.