What is my Ric tone?

[cassius987]

I wish I'd known about RRF a few months ago when my band's CD came out (and before we broke up over an argument! UGH!). When it came out I wanted to share it with the online community and generate a buzz to keep the other two band members excited during a rough time... I was on hiatus, studying pharamceutical chemistry. I posted some links to the music on the corporate site and got a lot of good feeback. However, I never picked some of your minds (those of you who just stay here) I imagine...

I have redone my Myspace for networking and it's just going to focus on songs I wrote or performed on live. I have two of them from the CD up right now at http://www.myspace.com/joshuachandlerplaysbass and they both feature my 4003 built in August 2007. Curt Mangan strings. I'm almost positive that "Hat Trick" features the vintage cap engaged. (It was a decision I waited till the last minute to make.)

If you don't mind, please listen on a decent set of speakers (I'm unhappy with how the album was mixed, although these two songs are okay) and tell me what you think I'm getting with my tone and if I could do anything better with my studio fretted bass tone next time. I may be recording again soon. Also, if you want, comment on "How Ric" my tone is. (I believe Ric basses can do anything, but admittedly, they do have a certain sonic signature, at least the way some of us play them. I'm glad Elnjaybass joined since he's into R&B and is proving my rule that Rics are good for everything... Just like many other people here already have been.)

[dog]

Very nice licks J. I can't offer any suggestions because I really enjoyed both your bass lines, and the tone of your FL. One comment though. I did think that you got lost in the mix more then you should have. Of course as a bass player, I always think that more bass is needed. I have noticed that whenever we put down a song, no one seems to care if the bass lines are almost nonexistant. Maybe I better shut up.

Anywho, nice work

[rickaddict]

Hey Joshua! That was great. I really enjoyed it.

Sorry, but I don't have any intelligent insight to offer regarding any of the questions you asked.

Just thought I'd let you know how I felt about it.



Dat kid can play bass!

[jps]

Songs sound great, I think you need more mids as your bass does tend to get buried.

[beatlefreak]

Bass could be slightly more up front, especially with the melodic lines you're running. Great sound, although the first song is a little long.

[cassius987]

I like long songs... But thank you all for the nice feedback.

The "raw" versions of these songs display the bass MUCH clearer and if anyone wants to hear them I'll let them. The guy we recorded our album with, and had engineer and mix it, was a real traditionalist. He did a lot of work with Brewer & Shipley back in the day and was in that scene, as well as a lot of trad. country. I was disappointed ultimately with the way our album came out but I'm not sure how to swing a remaster (dunno if he kept the tracks and wouldn't know who to send to).

Thanks for noting that I may need mids... I agree, the bass gets a bit buried. I'm not trying to brag but I think my basslines are part of what keep that music interesting and fresh, especially as a trio, so to push them under a bit really changes the resulting sound. When I listen to this CD through my car speakers I almost can't take it.

Thanks again though for the positive remarks. Ron, just FYI, this is my fretted 4003--not the FL. The FL will probably be recorded soon however. Any tips for how to EQ an FL?

I have noticed that whenever we put down a song, no one seems to care if the bass lines are almost nonexistant. Maybe I better shut up.

If no one cares then you need to slap those people. The bass is usually the "boss" of the band, controlling the groove/rhythm AND the chord changes. If they don't respect that then they haven't been taking notes on what good music is. As long as you are an "edifier" as a player--i.e. what you do makes the rest sound better--then eventually people, including your band mates, will start to notice. Keep it up brother!

[dog]

Of course you and I are both on the same page. I don't want to drift off topic, but here's a short story. I was listening to a morning radio talk show (Bob & Tom) and they were discussing a song/band and touting the guitar player's licks. When one of the guests asked "who played bass on that track", the reply was, "what does it matter, anyone can play bass". Of course he got dumped on a bit, but it shows a mind set. It's a pity. We (us bass players) know that if you remove the rhythm section from a band (bass and drums), what you have left is....nothing.

BTW J, when I listened to the two tracks you posted, it reminded me of some of the great progressive jazz from the early 70's. Of course most players aren't in league with the likes of Stanley Clarke & Al Dimeola (is that spelled correctly?) but you guys are certainly knocking at the door.

[ajish4]

I enjoyed the tracks a lot!

GREAT tone, great technique, excellent playing.

But, I too feel....TOO LOW IN THE MIX.

THAT kind of playing should be more up front, IMHO.

[rickenbrother]

Cool tunes there, Joshua. I enjoyed them very much.
Playing and tone like yours should definitely have more presence in the mix.

[jaymi]

Cool tunes there, Joshua. I enjoyed them very much.
Playing and tone like yours should definitely have more presence in the mix.

I agree with Joey...

[cassius987]

If I ever swing a remaster I will keep the advice in mind... thanks fellas!

When one of the guests asked "who played bass on that track", the reply was, "what does it matter, anyone can play bass". Of course he got dumped on a bit, but it shows a mind set. It's a pity. We (us bass players) know that if you remove the rhythm section from a band (bass and drums), what you have left is....nothing.

Wow, that person clearly knows nothing of music. Even in country and bluegrass where it can be relatively simple, the bass is a critical member, and remains so across nearly all genres of popular music. I had no idea there were still people like this.

BTW J, when I listened to the two tracks you posted, it reminded me of some of the great progressive jazz from the early 70's. Of course most players aren't in league with the likes of Stanley Clarke & Al Dimeola (is that spelled correctly?) but you guys are certainly knocking at the door.

Dude... that's a huge compliment. If more people like you with positive comments like yours had gotten to my guitarist before the split up... he might not have gotten so despondent (and thus been so willing to leave when the drummer yelled at him one day for borrowing his iron). I'm truly humbled by the generosity of your compliment. Thank you very, very much.

[dog]

His iron? That almost makes a guy want to

I know that you have read enough of my posts to know that whether what I say is popular or not, I always speak the truth, as I see it. As for the songs...shoot, I saved the link in my music page.

[cassius987]

As for the songs...shoot, I saved the link in my music page.

^^THAT^^ makes me want to ... in a good way! So glad you like it.

Yep, breakup was over an iron. I was gone for a long time... the drummer and geetarist lived together, one day the geetarist borrowed the drummer's iron and apparently mangled it and got it full of black goo. How I don't know. The drummer, who bottles rage like cola, really flipped... and the geetarist and drummer both said they were through with the project. I was heartbroken! And ******. But that's over now.

Thanks again guys for listening to my music and liking it! If anything gives me joy it's to know that someone's enjoying my stuff. It's also great to get some feedback. Will crank some more mids next time. By the way, by mids are you guys thinking 500-1000 Hz or between 1-2 kHz? When I play live I usually bump 1.2 kHz quite a bit--for the fretted anyways.

[johnallg]

Of course you and I are both on the same page. I don't want to drift off topic, but here's a short story. I was listening to a morning radio talk show (Bob & Tom) and they were discussing a song/band and touting the guitar player's licks. When one of the guests asked "who played bass on that track", the reply was, "what does it matter, anyone can play bass". Of course he got dumped on a bit, but it shows a mind set. It's a pity. We (us bass players) know that if you remove the rhythm section from a band (bass and drums), what you have left is....nothing.

I'd hand that person the bass and say "Put up or shut the **ll up!"

Sure, anyone can play bass - badly. To lock with the drummer, propel the song, and complement the rest takes real effort and not everyone (personality) can do it right.

[jps]

Of course you and I are both on the same page. I don't want to drift off topic, but here's a short story. I was listening to a morning radio talk show (Bob & Tom) and they were discussing a song/band and touting the guitar player's licks. When one of the guests asked "who played bass on that track", the reply was, "what does it matter, anyone can play bass". Of course he got dumped on a bit, but it shows a mind set. It's a pity. We (us bass players) know that if you remove the rhythm section from a band (bass and drums), what you have left is....nothing.

I'd hand that person the bass and say "Put up or shut the **ll up!"

Sure, anyone can play bass - badly. To lock with the drummer, propel the song, and complement the rest takes real effort and not everyone (personality) can do it right.

I'm still trying to get it right!