Finding the Tones in Your Bass

We all love our gear and how we can use it alter the sound/tone of our instruments. What many folks don't consider is just how many different tones you can get from a single two-pickup bass. First, we have the option of using both pickups or either pickup by itself. That's pretty obvious, but a lot of folks always run both pickups at once. Try using just one or the other. Better still, try differing blends of the two.

The second critical factor is where we strike the string. Most of us have a comfort-spot where we pluck the strings. If you always use the same spot, you're missing out on a lot. I have audio samples of plucking the string over the neck pickup, bridge pickup, and over the fretboard at around the 20th fret. I have a comfort spot, but I will also vary the position - sometimes even within the same song.

Finally, there's the choice of how we strike the string. Do we pluck it? Use a pick? Slap? Each technique provides a different tone. I'm no expert on slap technique and usually slap on the end of the fretboard. There are plenty of other articles discussing that technique.

But for the plucking and picking, I vary my location as described above. Some folks always use a pick, some never. I use a pick when I think the song needs it. For my band that's about 10% of the time.

Now, I could try to describe the different tones to you, but a sound clip is worth a thousand words. Below is a chart with the 21 combinations of pickups and techniques. I did not apply any effects to the bass other than to run it through a neutral preamp for recording. However, I did try to even out the volume a bit.  In real life a single pickup will be quieter than both pickups. I expect you to compensate for that when you're playing.

I suggest putting on a set of headphones to really hear the differences. Some changes are very subtle while others are glaringly obvious. I only give you 21 different clips, but in reality the possibilities are endless. How hard you pluck makes a difference. The thickness and material of the pick makes a difference.  How you fret a note makes a difference.  And that's not even getting into blending the pickups or  using your on-board EQ or passive tone controls.

My only goal is to open your mind to new possibilities. The next time you feel the urge to replace your pickups with some other brand to get a "better" tone, remember this page and the wide range of tones you already have but may not be using.

Audio Samples

Pluck Over Neck Pickup
Both Pickups
Neck Pickup
Bridge Pickup
Pluck Over Bridge Pickup
Both Pickups
Neck Pickup
Bridge Pickup
Pluck Over Fretboard
Both Pickups
Neck Pickup
Bridge Pickup
Pick Over Neck Pickup
Both Pickups
Neck Pickup
Bridge Pickup
Pick Over Bridge Pickup
Both Pickups
Neck Pickup
Bridge Pickup
Pick Over Fretboard
Both Pickup
Neck Pickup
Bridge Pickup
Slap Technique
Both Pickups
Neck Pickup
Bridge Pickup

If you're not hearing any differences, go back and listen again. You should be able to hear a slightly different tone for each clip for each position on a given pickup combination. If not, start training your ears to listen for the differences.

Inside the Mix

I've made a couple of other clips to show how these differences sound in a mix. I'm using a MIDI version of "White Room" by Cream as a backing track for my bass. Here's the first sample where I play everything from a "standard" plucking position over the neck  pickup. 

In this next example I use three positions. For the opening notes I plucked over the fretboard for a fuller sound with less attack (sounds better live). For the parts during the singing (well, lead synth) I played in standard position same as in the first clip. For the little licks between the vocal lines, I plucked near the bridge to give the notes more attack so they would stand out. It gives it a nice growl even though most people would consider this bass pretty clean sounding. In terms of volume the bass sits around the same level and has a wee bit of compression in both clips. 

Personally, I like the second version better. You may not. What's important is that you notice the differences in tone you can make with just your hands. Give it a shot sometime and see what happens.

Gear Notes

I played these clips on my Spector Euro 4LX, which has an active EMG P-Bass  pickup for the neck pickup and an active EMG Jazz pickup at the bridge. I set the on-board EQ settings at neutral. The strings are well broken in  - not too bright but not dark.

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