10 Bass Tone Fixes (Beginners Don’t Make These Mistakes)

[@avmiii7968]

There's a performance tone, and a practice tone. To practice, I turn up the treble, and back down the low bass, then turn up the tone knob to create a brighter, cleaner, hotter tone, more Entwhistle style. This clearer tone exposes every misstep made on the fret board by the hands. It forces more accurate placement of the fingers to control the tone, muting, and you hear all of the little nuances that otherwise might be overlooked. It leads to more relaxed, accurate and confident playing when fully amped in a performance situation.

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

Another thing for bassists to remember: what sounds good in the practice room won’t always sound good in a mix (or even be audible for that matter). I am completely at peace with the fact that my practice tone and band tone are miles apart.

[@Ensign_Redshirt]

The amount of times I needed to turn down for a gig... in the end I got hacked off with carrying an amp and 6x10 cab about and just used a compressor into a DI. If the sound engineer is going to ignore what I sound like why break my back. With good enough foldback and an active bass I really didn't miss my amp at times.

[@kylec2761]

In fact the tone that sounds good with your band might sound like crap when isolated! That’s life on the low end, folks.

[@crimfan]

@@kylec2761 It's like that with a guitar too. A good guitar tone in a two-guitar band definitely needs to have a very different EQ than in a one guitar band. A lot of tonal mud in a band is caused by a guitarist with too much low end. Once that gets dialed back, the mix will clean up, leaving more room for bass and not fighting with the drums as much. Another big one I learned from a Rick Beato vid was that the bass and kick drum fight a lot. He said something to the effect of "decide who's going to be the lowest tone and then EQ accordingly". It really, really helps.

[@bassmanjtfunk]

It's my opinion that a Bass Is relatively easy compared to guitar in a live situation.. I know guitar players that have spent hours and hours refining their Tone at home. With fancy boxes that aren't easily adjustable. And when they get on the gig there tone sucks. This is why for bass And guitar for that matter. I like to use Boxes I can just reach down and adjust. These boxes were you have to go through pages and pages to fix your Sound. Are useless to me. If you want bass effects my suggestion is to get ones that are easily Adjusted.

[@patrickfarley8036]

I'm just finding this out myself! I'm a drummer by birth and a newly minted bass player. I've known for years my cymbals and drums sounds were at the mercy of the room until I got drum mics! I'm finding out now though that the great sound I have in my home studio doesn't come with me to any of the rehearsal spaces we play in! I'm wasting a lot of time trying get an even tone to carry me through rehearsal. My biggest problems of all is I'm playing the right notes but I always sound flat when we're playing together and also the lowest F, F# and G on my E string all sound like the same note most times. By myself it's fine, it's when we're all playing that it sounds off. Any ideas?

[@SmlzBam]

one bass tone fail i would say is constructing a tone that dosent suit the application that you play in. what i mean by this is even though you might love the tone john entwistle got from his status buzzard you cant use that tone in a motown style application. i spent years trying to get an entwistle/ mark king kinda tone but for the indie band that i play in with 2 guitarists and a keys player a tone like that dosent fit so construct your own tone based off of many different influences that fits your application

[@KirillAfonin]

Yep, this is me from 2002, playing in reggae band on hi-end bright as hell 6-string.

[@chrisdiboll2256]

I would also say, try your tone out in your band setting. So you might have a great tone on your own, fully appropriate for your style, but when your band kicks in you never know if any of the frequencies clash or if you’ll be drowned out for whatever reason. This was me for years playing metal with that scooped sound. Sounded great on its own in my room, as soon as a couple of syrup thick guitar tones were laid across it, all you can hear is clank and the actual notes being played don’t cut through

[@slash196]

I had my tone completely dialed in - four string jazz bass with the neck rolled about halfway off, Markbass 115 cab, really old dead strings for a nice flat, round, warm thump. Then that band broke up and I joined a heavier band, NOTHING worked anymore. Now I'm on a five-string active multiscale bass with a 210 and three different dirt pedals. Gotta stay flexible!

[@garyferguson9934]

It's an excellent point. I've always played a Fender P bass and don't know whether it's factors such as the way I'm plucking, not changing the strings often enough (as it does brighten it up) or simply just the tone of the instrument, maybe all combined. But what can be described as "warm" in some styles/genres, can also sound a bit of a "dull" tone in others. Doing a recording session today, the new band I'm playing in have an eclectic mix, and my playing seemed to suit one song more than the other. Now if I don't want to start playing different instruments, can I fix this.. Well it's just occurred to me I'm texting this before watching the video, haha! Oh my will I be a bit of a d1(k if Scott has given the correct solutions. I'll send this anyway for a laugh... :)

[@ixa-3140]

Well if it's really even a entwistle tone you would turn the treble up. Your bass pickups should give you all that versatility in terms of what you need to play in your band with a good tone naturally. It's more about the context of your bass in the band and less about the genre. Although I understand the clash with frequencies that's highly unlikely. Usually theres a way to make it work unless your pickups are crap. Or your doing some extreme tone sculpting it shouldn't be that bad lower your dam treble put it flat. You can play a jazz bass on any gig for example. Really it's the pickups that define tone as well as the electronic components but you can always switch that out if you like a certain bass models. Anyways its complex we cant simplify things man it limits expansion and creativity. Let's get weird guys take care.

[@porkchop2471]

Great general information. After years and years of playing, I think one of the most important things to getting the tone “you“ want is to have a properly set-up instrument f i r s t. $100 instrument, properly set up, with a fresh set of strings can sound like 1 million bucks right off the bat. Cheers!

[@FrederickTSchurgerDC]

Agreed. It also sets your intonation right. A good bass will likely hold in tune without much work. The guy who would set-up guitars and basses back in Ft Wayne was so good that he didn't have to adjust my bridge after about the 3rd set of strings (GHS Progressive strings with the E-saddle hugger). That was a Charvel bass. When I took my Smith bass in, he barely changed anything. The quality of the bass makes a huge difference!!

[@EvilSean62]

one of the best things i ever did was dig into set ups and wiring ... saved me a fortune and allowed me to realise the bass can sound very different with a few tweaks obviously pickup placement and type make a massive difference along with string type / age / cleanliness but to be clear ... most basses can sound wildly different with a few tweaks so dont rush out and buy 6 ...and you can get your rick tone back with a jazz bass without re-spending ££££££££ ( ask geddy lee)

[@Treklovful]

Thanks for the video. I've got a Squier VI. Watch The Beatles Get Back documentary: occasionally John and George are playing the VI as well. Amazing different tones can come from that. But I realise I didn't experiment with it the last 5 years or so. And I just loved the 60's twangy sound. I'll start experimenting with it straight away!

[@Pastor.Dragon]

Bought a brand new bass, but it had sat on the shelf for two years and I couldn't figure out why the A string was dead. I was starting to regret the purchase until I put a new set of strings on, and bam! Now I love it. Don't be afraid to change your strings!

[@juggalo7718]

My tone fail - since I am self taught I always thought I had to be in the middle of the frets when hitting a note . Learned bass starting at 16 years old and I’m 43 now and still learning always striving to some day be a master .🤔🤟✌️

[@TheTwangKings]

If u want to get a bit of that rasp & rattle we all love, play toward the back of the target fret.

[@RadicalRumin]

#1 Trim your fingernails so the don't touch the strings while you play. 1:33 #2 Use Rest strokes instead of free strokes 2:17 #3 Change your strings! 3:24 #4 Check out different string types. Some may suit your style and tone better than others. 3:50 #5 Tune your bass. Every day. 5:47 #6 Fret notes correctly. Right behind the fret or almost on top of the fret. 6:22 #7 Learn about your pickups. 7:17 #8 Learn your controls. 8:38 #9 Learn how to EQ your AMP. 9:54 #10 Level up your plucking hand. 11:25 Seriously though, change your strings. And if you want to keep them clean for longer, wipe them down with a mircofibre cloth after playing.

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

Tuning once a day sounds like an impossible dream if you play acoustic instruments.

[@dale116dot7]

@@d.l.loonabide9981 I mostly play upright and some days I’m tuning after almost every song.

[@bassmanjtfunk]

2 things I'd like to mention. One is to instead of boosting frequencies low mid and high. Also experimentings with cutting frequencies. This for me personally gives a clearer tone . Also when you are practicing sitting down. Don't put the bass on your right leg if you're right handed If you normally play standing up this changes all of the angles and all of your techniques will feel Foreign. Stand up put the base in a good position that you play in every night and when you sit down tried to keep it in the same position. Give it a shot. You might like it. Don't be afraid to experiment. Scott. You're a wonderful musician and teacher. Bravo.

[@andtothewestamerica]

I get so many ads for Scott's Bass Lessons that sometimes when I click on your videos I forget and think I'm waiting for an ad to play

[@miahorg]

3:24 Get a bunch of those microfibre cloth type things for cleaning guitars and wipe down your strings after you are done with a long session. That'll keep lots of gunk off of your strings. We could all stand to wash our hands more for non-bass reasons, but this will also help keep crud off of your strings if you do it right before picking up the axe. Also, I played a set of flatwounds for a loooooooong time on a P bass, they were probably old enough to vote by the time I had to replace the nut on that instrument and did the strings at the same time. If you are going for a very bright tone you'll need to swap the strings out but if not I don't see why to drop $50 constantly.

[@ethanlocke3604]

Well flatwounds don’t need to be replaced nearly as often as rounds. Flats can last years, but you just don’t get the same punch with rounds if you don’t replace them ever several months. Not that I’m not guilty of not replacing them enough 😂

[@carlmontney7916]

What I did for years when I gigged nighty was to use those Alcohol prep pads. I'd religiously use them to wipe down the entire length of my string on every break. Just so I could keep that *piano* sound. We played clubs all through the 70's and 80's and that tone with a P bass was essential.

[@miahorg]

I made my mother very, very unhappy by using one of her nice pans to boil a set of strings after reading a hawt tip online that this works. It clean the strings, but it also ruined the pan. Live and learn, love you mom.

[@jery3385]

@@carlmontney7916 I'll start using that, I started loving the zing of fresh strings so I guess this will help.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

You're right about the handwashing, I used to wipe down my strings all the time, but with the pandemic, my hands are like a mummified alligator. You could light a match of 'em! Can't wait for this to be over with and I can go back to my slovenly habits.

[@jpeck04]

Make sure that your bass is setup up right. String height, neck relief and the distance between the strings and pickup poles all have a drastic effect on your tone, sustain and clarity. If you don’t know how to do it yourself, save some sheckles and have a local luthier do it for you. It can make what initially may seem to be a crappy bass, sound fantastic after 3 minutes of tweaks.

[@thomascraymer8712]

Definitely agree with that! Even a pickup height change can make it sound like a completely new instrument

[@frankhoeppel2314]

As a ex-player that learned many things the hard (read: embarrassing) way, I truly appreciate the effort and skill put into this. Bravo, Scott.

[@godzillandmore]

Why an EX player? Moved to a different instrument?

[@pabloxanaxbars4664]

Once a bass player always a bass player, lol

[@daveez54]

Many new players also forget or dont know about intonation - may be helpful to mention that. Keep up the good work Scott

[@thomascraymer8712]

Informative video to say the least! One thing I might regard differently though: for the amp setting, although everything at 12:00 is a good starting point, I'd say boosting the treble is just as important as boosting the bass, as boosting only the bass gives it power but can sound very muddy, whereas the treble will give it some clarity, and the mids can be scooped for an even clearer sound. Just saying this as a mistake I made as a beginner, which was boosting the bass, and in a band setting or when recording my music, it would often sound muddy against the other instruments

[@TheTwangKings]

I think that depends on where the other instruments sit in terms of frequency and position in the mix... bass needs to be in its own space to come out clearly in the mix.

[@KevinLaurico]

8:05 notice where he plucks the strings depending on which pickup is on

[@Silent_Stillness]

you actually don't have to necessarily do that to sound good... It's just more frequent that people do that...

[@iqi616]

Probably subconscious on his part but it does compromise the A/B comparison.

[@justintaylor8528]

"we gotta be changing our strings" James Jamerson: *unsubscribe*

[@kennet7837]

This applies more for roundwounds. Flatwounds like Jamerson used just last longer.

[@rodshop5897]

Yep, I've had the same set of flats on my bass for about 20 years. They sound great.

[@richardwilliams877]

@@kennet7837 use Roundwounds on my bass for like... 3-9 months maybe? I use Rotosound Swingbass and love the way they die down slowly quite equally. I think it's quite good advice for a beginner though. Dead strings can be harder to deal with imo

[@kennet7837]

@@richardwilliams877 Slapping sounds horrible on dead strings.

[@richardwilliams877]

@@kennet7837 I can only just about slap to save my life. I'd generally instruct my band to stop me (using any means necessary) if I ever started to slap seriously in a song. So not applicable to me xD

[@Igor_Vinicius]

Music is kinda like nature: either you adapt yourself, or die. Living in a place (Brazil) where a set of good new strings can cost more money than a musician makes in a gig, I managed to develop a taste for the sound of old strings. Today, I even find the sound of new strings a bit annoying. Here, it's not rare to buy strings and split the payment in up to 10 installments.

[@diegodefante]

então compra flatwound já vem com o som mais apagado e dura até uns 10 anos

[@Igor_Vinicius]

@@diegodefante Na verdade, duram até arrebentar. Esses dias o Ed Friedland, do canal The Bass Whisperer, estava vendendo um baixo com cordas de 20 anos.

[@thebigempty_5792]

I'm sure some American friends would gladly send you some strings...if your Brazilian customs agents wouldn't steal them (very likely)

[@bassman5123]

I couldn't agree more. The new string sound is highly overrated and it greatly depends on what genre of music one is playing anyway. For example, new strings and Reggae never mix! However, for rock and funk, new roundwounds do kick ass! But like you said, new strings, especially roundwounds, sound annoying. To me, that means they have way too much top end until they're broken-in.

[@jery3385]

@@bassman5123 i personally think that for metal, especially for a newstedish tone, new strings are a must, you get that zing without having to EQ the shit out if your tone.

[@liligman]

5:37 I highly recommend Cobalt slinky flats. Best of both worlds

[@wszystkojedno696]

Thanks to my bass guitar I cut my nails so often.

[@Skelterbane69]

I'm the opposite

[@bassman5123]

It's the only reason I even bother to cut mine. And that's good thing, because my nails grow like weeds. If I didn't play bass, I'd probably be unable to turn a doorknob and I'd scratch this hell out of everything. Lol

[@HazTheGuitarApprentice]

I CAN RELATE AHAHAHA

[@juggernog1236]

Dude yes lol if i don't cut them,they break,so ever since i started playing bass,my nails don't grow 🤣

[@Taylor_5724]

I'm out here using a pick

[@Bassplayingypsy]

Pickup height also made a big difference in over all tone. Especially during recordings. Many years of buying and selling basses due to NOT knowing about this. There is also pickup upgrades. Yup many other tiny things to improve on tone. I have all the mentioned necessities on video. Then I mucked around with pickup height and found yet another smooth to harsh tone with no $$$ out of pocket. Great video Scott. Keep em coming.

[@billjones8640]

Always, always have your volume on FULL to get full tone. Strings, I have a 74 precision which up until about 5 years ago had the original F80’s light gauge flat wound stainless strings on it. I started playing again after 35 years and put a “new” set of F80’s on that came with the bass. It sounded exactly the same. As JJ said “don’t loose the funk, only change strings when they break”!

[@Eric-jd9re]

Volume knob on the instrument. I truly believe it makes a huge difference. Opens up a whole new world.

[@williamhosford2796]

My god! You are so super friendly and casual. You are a gift to all potential bass players. Thank You!!

[@kiereluurs1243]

Not mentioning along the pickups that you are putting your fingers on a different position on the strings, which makes a lot of difference.

[@eliseoborrerobass]

Hey Scott, thanks for sharing your knowledge. I am a 61 year old bass player from Puerto Rico, and I wish I had someone like you when I was starting, but there was no internet then :-) I like to use my nails some times specially when playing super fast Flamenco because it gives it more definition, but it has to be controlled (not at random). I like round wound strings because I get more of an "electric bass sound." I use an acoustic or electric contrabass for the flatwound dark sound, and I also have a Moog Multimoog for a really funky keyboard bass sound (making a video on that right now). I would tell my students to experiment more at home, when practicing, and play in a more deliberate way when they are at a gig. You can be free at a gig, but everything should be closer to "under control." Great luck in every endeavor, and keep up the good work!

[@jonathankessler4684]

Definitely feeling the correct fretting problem.. I love the sound of Pino, Sting, Jaco and the like so I started out on fretless and while it is getting easier (starting on a wind instrument and already having developed my relative pitch helps a LOT) it’s still hard to make sure I always fret in the correct place

[@josephinecaruana3847]

Well done on fretless I never played fretless been playing four string bass 6 years No prior experience with music Lent a unmarked warwick fretless bass had it for four months wow Played it at a gig before I gave it back What a sound lush although it was a struggle at first i was shocked I sounded rough Four months hard work gave me more clarity I have now ordered an unmarked fretless Ibanez She's beautiful can't wait to get her this is for my enjoyment So different to fretted

[@nacahmiller]

Thank you so much.....I have suffered from all of these mistakes, but I discovered the finger nail problem a while back on my own, did not like the tone then realized my nails needed trimming, but you helped me so much, like tuning my Bass everyday...….that's why I am a member of SBL

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

If the "emotion of the tone" doesn't match the emotion / story of the song, even the "theoretically best" tone won't be perceived as good. And, "emotion of the tone" is what the ear of the masses are subjectively used to hear. Therefore; It is important for beginners to learn what gear can provide the industry-standard traditional sounds, and maybe then start exploring from there to find their own sounds. For Jaco burp, you need high mids (typically the Jazz bridge pickup). For traditional motown & blues & rock, you need low mids (typically the split P pickup). For funk slap, you need scoop (typically two Jazz pickups or StingRay). For a brighter sound, you pick maple but for a warmer sound, you pick rosewood. Stuff like that.

[@danielnielel]

I play bass with nails and I like so much the attack-click, it remembers me a lot of using a pick, but with my fingers. Sometimes I cut my nails and play just with a naked finger, but it fells stranger for me, 'cause my middle finger sounds a little different from the index finger.

[@Mezziah777]

What you demonstrated as playing too hard is my main playing tone, and I find it perfect for heavy rock and metal music. I do of course utilize softer plucking for other things though.

[@taijeeshavers4733]

I feel like I struggle a lot with finger placements on the fretting hand. I was always taught to go in the middle, but now that I’m getting back into it I’ll learn the “behind the fret” way. Thank you so much!

[@buckemptier]

I've been playing 30 years and I didn't know that. I honestly don't think lots of people play that way, but if you ever switch to fret less it will help a lot to play near the frets now

[@michaelevans6485]

I’d definitely recommend 45s over 50s for beginners as well as for most people. I’ve seen them called “standard” or “regular light”. That’s because they come stock on most basses, and IMO the “medium” gauge 50s are actually pretty heavy.

[@tunesarms2586]

Cool video. I've heard the hands explained close to that : the fretting hand is the steering wheel & the plucking hand is the throttle 🎸😁

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

FINGERNAILS! What can I say, I just get lazy sometimes and _forget_ (?!) to clip those mothers. The result is exactly what you describe, a "clicky" attack that almost sounds like I'm using a pick (which is, incidentally, something I am experimenting with at present.) With everything else, I'm golden - including tuning EVERY practice session. Okay, I might NOT change my strings every 3 months, but at least it's not every 3 years... 😄 Great stuff, Scott, keep up the -good- GREAT work. And thank you! - JD, Montreal

[@ResidentRob]

I probably played bass for about 15 years before my friend introduced me half-rounds which became the X factor in my sound. IMO they are perfect because you get the thud of a flat and the snap of a round.

[@cbring458]

I think you might want a comma after "Beginners" in the title? Since, as of right now, it says that these are mistakes that beginners don't make.

[@thetoddkeith]

I was under the impression that the older strings got the more character and thump they had. I once read Bernard Edwards never changed the strings on his Musicman.

[@alansmith9869]

I seldom change strings... In fact I have a 68 P bass that have a set of flats that have been on it for at least 10 years.

[@Funkybassplayer]

Hello there, I have a fender p bass with a setup almost like the Jameson one. I’m a beginner and my flatwounds are +/- 6 months old and they still sound great. I’m not planning to change them soon. I’m not shredding anyway. Just cool easy licks. Have a nice day.

[@thomascraymer8712]

Definitely true for flatwounds!

[@TheTwangKings]

Yes that is true! New strings can sound too bright and brittle. Don't we need to break them in first? Unless a string sounds dead in relation to the others, I'm never in a rush to change them. Too expensive!

[@milkomonaco109]

Great lessons mate! (I studied at Goldsmith college with Laurence Canty & Eric Richardson...) Very old bass player 1955 with a ...1966 Fender Pbass...Cheers

[@michelrousseau4452]

Hello. (forgive my broken english ; I'm french). First of all, your videos are always precious, even for professionals , and it's always a pleasure to see 'em. You should add (for beginners, mainly) : ALWAYS TRAIN WITH METRONOME !!! and on the first steps learning a score, play it with no "intentions", no "pathos", as we say in theater "lecture à l'italienne" : the more "neutral" it's possible. Then, when familiar with the score, add the intentions (pianissimi, fortes, decrescendos, und so weiter). Otherwise, the main issue I met was with active basses in order to find an appropriate sound for me. I used to play (and still play) lots of "variétés Françaises" (50's, 60's and 70's styles) and progressive rock, and all these active basses never met my expectations. The 4 basses I kept by my side are all passives : my jewel : Rickenbacker 4001 fretless, and a Burns Barracuda 6 strings (the one with tremolo harm and 7 sets of pickups configurations ... so old style sound I looooooove). And for "variétés" : Noguera fretless 5 strings and Squier Jazz Bass 5 strings (fretted). All passives, and I'm glad with 'em. Listen to : Francis Darizcuren (Claude Nougaro "La Décharge" "Dansez sur moi"), Tony Bonfils (Michel Jonasz "Ne M'Oublie Pas" "Sur La Lune"), Pascal Arroyo (always playing on an old Gretch) (Bernard Lavilliers "Fauve d'Amazone" "Lettre Ouverte"), Jim Lea (SLADE "Dirty Joker" "Move Over"), Chris Squire (YES), and you'll understand why. In any event, GREAT THANKS for all you videos and advices ... And have a nice summer. Kisses. Micha

[@JJDugan-ss9oq]

I like the segment on fretting close to the frets not in the center. I will keep that in mind!

[@Falasi4]

Recently found that even with enough volume to rattle windows during sound check, needed more mid to not get lost in the mix. My in-ear mix didn't matter but what was coming out of the main speakers improved clarity dramatically. That's where cooperating with the sound booth pays off for everyone.

[@mionome501]

I did not know not to press on the center of the fret! Such a relief now

[@kodykindhart8230]

Double negatives 🤓

[@timothysmith7868]

I miss seeing you in my fretboard acc course.. I am on MODULE 9... number 9, number 9... 6 more keys to get the 1625 progression done on G flat major. it has been a great course and I feel like I have made major strides in learning the fretboard... so anyone out there thinking about it.. GO FOR IT.. cause it really will do everything Scott says it will do. Love SBL

[@johnnoahacosta2930]

I always watch your tutorials and I learn a lot and even though I don't have my own bass, I just borrow to use it, and sometimes I can't play well because, he has something wrong but I just persevered to learn. I hope you give me a new bass so I can practice and be better at bass 😊

[@michaelroche4559]

Love that flatwound sound on your Precision bass!

[@1MasIM]

You guys are the best. These tips add precision to what I learned through years of trial end error. Versatility of setting up the tone wether I play with my head set, the bands shed or on stage shure brings it to an other level of challenge and fun.

[@michigan21]

Good video. I would also recommend figuring out muting your strings early on.

[@petershekeryk1430]

My fingers would cramp up quickly until I learned to get the notes right by the fret. Tuning was also an issue for a while. I would play and notice the sound wasn't right,duh out of tune. Really appreciate you and your tutorials

[@tommy49elliot]

Great video, Scott. Thanks. May I add one thing about using the gain on your amp. Many amps have a gain and a volume knob. It’s really important not to overdo it or under do it with the gain knob if you want a nice, clean tone. You want to set the gain just before it starts to “clip”. Also, if you play with an amp live, it’s a good idea to raise it off the ground. It serves two purposes, one you’ll hear yourself better and two, you won’t need to play so loud reducing overall stage volume. Good luck everyone.

[@toongurl]

These are great tips. Thanks for taking the time. I'm practicing fretting right along side the Base 101 course on SBL. Side note: That lightning scared the shit out of me

[@TheConsciousEvolutionchannel]

It always seems to be the fundamental issues that can change everything. This time, the fretting technique was my wow moment, you also helped me with correct hand position too sometime back. That was over thirty years of fighting my neck because of the little things I never thought of. THANK YOU KINDLY!!

[@kazooman2462]

like the video . I'm going to watch it again though. I'm still learning from your other videos.

[@paulleeming5733]

Some good tips Scott. I guess getting your own bass tone and sound really boils down to so many variables, but great tips to consider for everyone and especially beginners. Even cheap well made basses like squire and others gives the intrepid bass apprentice something to aim for. For those who have reached bass Nirvana, they could well have a Bass for every day like changing your undies. Maybe one segment you could talk about( if not already) about those basses which are like Meat and potato or in your case yorkshire pudding and roast beef e.g. P bass, Jazz Bass, boutique basses like that great Sadowsky you have (Similar to mine). Love ya work mate and U- tube clips.

[@bossenelke8312]

Hey Scott, I love your vids, especially the ones where you do biographies of bass players. So was wondering if you could do a biography of Chris squire? It could be awesome!

[@dcmurphy5157]

This was aimed at beginners yet you recommend changing strings every few months for tone. Beginners shouldn’t care about tone that much. As a beginner you are learning the bass not playing live music where tone would matter.

[@ryoaev]

for about a year of learning bass, I didn't learn my eq. I didn't know what the knobs did until I played around on my first bass, I always used to have the tone dialled right back and on the neck (p) pickup. it sucked for playing some baselines that needed different pickups and/or a brighter tone. when I got my new bass, it came with a diagram but I didn't pay attention and just kept everything on flat but my amp eq was terrible and I had a horrible thin sound. however, I realised this and did my homework and now I know how to tamper with my eq for the best sound and when I get a new bass I can find what works

[@Silent_Stillness]

The relative proportions of the volumes of the various frequencies vary greatly depending on whether you're playing towards the neck or towards the bridge. So, you might have a lot more use for adding bass if you have a bridge centric positioning than if you have a neck centric kind of positioning, that's pretty much why ppl who say EQ doesn't matter are just one-tricking playing positions where it matters less... like inbetween pickups or towards the neck.

[@elizabethroth5350]

I had to learn the bass with nails. I couldn't cut them when I picked up the bass, because I was already a professional acoustic guitarist / vocalist and I use them for the guitar. Yes, I had to compensate for it by the angle of my right hand (using the side of the nail), keeping them as short as I could while still being able to play finger style guitar, and filing them to have a smooth catch free edge (which I have to do for the guitar, too) and being mindful of tone. I also can't play directly on top of the pickups, or else I risk hitting them and clicking with the nails. As such, I probably have an attack more like a bassist who plays with a pick. But it's working! (Hey, if it was good enough for Paul McCartney and Chris Squire to use flat picks, I guess I''m good to go with my nails). I love being a bassist in bands more than anything else I do now. But I'm not about to give up my ability to gig as a soloist.

[@hearpalhere]

Awesome tips... I would only add that muting unplayed strings is critical. Working on left hand and right hand muting are equally important.

[@riverlandrez6300]

your glove adds to teaching…for me anyways…what is reason you wear one?… I Have a Vintage Vantage 4s. just got a spark 40 amp for it….freestyle but kinda wanna learn more …so I’m In. …. the tuning lesson added..I guitar/bass tuna. then use your 5th fret octave method to retune

[@johnwade7430]

Great introduction. Your scales sound SO clean!:-)

[@victorskinner1998]

I subscribed to you A few years ago when I first started playing the seven string guitar... I got my first bass this year!

[@mrcodhead67]

Great video, again, Scott. Many thanks for them.

[@timvanboening9432]

Enjoyable video, Scott! I suffer from the last example, I play too hard with my right hand, so I get lots of clacky clacky slap sounds even when I’m not meaning to. I believe it’s due to nerve damage I’ve had since birth, because I have less dexterity with my right arm which is part of why I’m a lefty (but I play guitar right-handed). It helped when I was playing guitar for the past 25 years, because I could strum and pick and not really worry about it. It’s a fun journey.

[@granthostheflatulent]

Clean your bass and when you change strings de-grot the fret board. After a few years of smoky pub gigs and never cleaning mine I tried a shiny new bass - and realised mine was grim and the neck was sticky. Started cleaning mine regularly and still play it 30 years later - and no, I didn't buy the new one. Didn't need it.

[@johnmoser2689]

Excellent tips Scott thanks mate

[@fredherfst8148]

The room..the room! & What kind of band/music? I use my low mid to suit the size and reverb of the room to take the resonance out. Nothing worse than a freq that resonates in a small to medium room. My final note is...do not assume anything about the sound the audience hears. Go out and listen. I'm often amazed at the difference. Cheers.

[@περδικιοςπερδεμενοςπερδικας]

9:07 scared the shit out of me . my heart is sprinting like hell fuuuuck

[@Town101]

Agreed! WTF???? put a warning in for those of us with a heart. sheesh.

[@rowanmacwan3630]

I'd like to see a video where you compare old strings that you boil to new strings

[@ZephyrBassPiano]

I always was very suspicious how every Bassist is so close to the frets and now I know. Thanks! Let’s better not talk about tuning and getting new strings 🤫

[@leonprod]

Its been years high schol it was the upright & at home it was electric ..... But ill be coming back thank you for the tips.

[@DeanHammantEdwards]

Im watching this to see if I can get better and it reminds me when I first started, I have my tone settings Bass-max Mids-off Treb-off and maxed everything on the bass, and my only resoning is its a bass and its just ment to be bass only, yeah 13 year old thinking they know everything, I understood more about 15 when I acually played with a full band and shaped my tone to work with and not againgst my guitarists (but didnt really cut through the mix kind of sat behind them) now I play by myself use 12 - 2oclock tones and its sounds alot snappier and bigger and with sometimes playing with one guitarist my sound makes him sound bigger but I cut nicely.

[@timmasonguitar]

Was really funny hearing you say that the right hand is the engine, as that's exactly what I tell my classical guitar students, along with the left hand being the steering wheel :)

[@groovexmedia]

... notification comes in... grabs Bass :) 👍🏻👍🏻

[@calebh2053]

Yep same

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

Great info. Did the 60s players actually use flatwounds? Were flats available at that time?

[@DarylSawatzky]

re: your fancy Active Jazz bass... what about my cheapo Squire Jazz bass that buzzes when the pickups are not dialed in exactly evenly? The best tone for me is the one that isn't humming along with my playing.

[@elbiso2004]

Great video, whoever is editing has done a great job!

[@josephjester4917]

On strings: I use D'Addario strings on my guitars and basses, so there isn't any need for me to change strings so frequently as recommended. Bass strings have lasted me years, but bass isn't my primary instrument. On tuning: I used to tune by ear. Then one day I got a multi-effect pedalboard with a tuner built into it. I no longer tune by ear unless I'm forced to. And I say this as a person with a good sense of pitch hearing.

I believe EQ settings could be better explained IMHO. The thing I struggled with was that people say "test those knobs and hear what they do" (just like in this video). However that doesn't clarify how much your sound is dependent on the rest of the mix. So adding a quick blurb on mix and how you should adapt to your band would help. Thanks!

[@danielirvine7468]

If you have no money boil you’re strings in a pot for 15 mins if they sound dead . I personally hate new strings so this option works for me . I also love the sound of old flat wounds aka Jamerson never changed his strings

[@babayaga1767]

In my 45 years of experience, boiling strings sounds ok for a day or two but then they go dead faaaast. Don't like the feel of boiled strings either. Just 2 cents

[@charlotteice5704]

Also, make sure that the pot you're using for boiling your strings isn't the one you use for cooking, unless you're into doing gross stuff.

[@milkwalkerjones633]

@@charlotteice5704 This cannot be stressed enough. Learned that the hard way.

[@chriswright2553]

Interesting to hear that it works for you. I've never had much success with this, and gave up doing it years ago. What's your secret? I think some people add a small amount of washing up liquid.

[@bassmanjtfunk]

Boiling your strings compromises the core of the string. Terrible idea terrible thing to do. Go buy a new set of strings or a new set of Flatwounds if you like the dead sound. Or clean your strings and just leave them on. Jamieson never change strings probably because he was a stone cold alcoholic. Hah hah. With all due respect

[@andrewbrown1936]

I recommend Ernie Ball Slinky HYBRID gauge (orange packaging) for slapping, I have a set on my music man and they are perfect 👌🏾

[@warwickdennis4114]

Hey that was very helpful for me, I’ve been working on that for awhile, you cleared everything up, Thanks

[@joshfarinas]

I was fretting notes halfway between the frets and practicing without plugging in my guitar/bass for 16 years... Then, in 2018 I watched SBL videos about bad habits and have been working on it since!

[@Chef316]

So many people in bass forums and groups I'm in laugh at how often I change my strings. Absolutely love the sound of fresh strings...flats or rounds

[@sheldonnicholl3599]

Good video. My big tone monsters have usually been finger nails (mine grow wickedly fast) and rest strokes. I primarily use open strokes. I am going to experiment though. I like old strings. There, I said it. I usually dislike new strings because they are too "tinny". I already to a mid (or high mid) scoop to get a more round sound. New strings gets me messing with EQ even more until they are broken in.

[@RobertThomsonlawyer]

OMG the lightning scared the crap out of me. Lol! 😂

[@RobertWadlow292]

Good tips, thanks Scott

[@abacadaniel04]

Cheers Scott, this has helped me a lot!! ✌️☺️

[@beornthebear.8220]

I have 2 5-string active basses both with steel round wound strings. I like the tone of one better than the other, but the neck is wider than the other and very hard on the knuckle of my little finger on the 5th string higher up on the neck . With both I need to play carefully so I don't make string noise when I move my fingers, and it takes little extra work to mute 4 strings while playing one. If I don't, the strings tend to drone. They both have 3 tone controls, and the one I don't like as much has a frequency control for the mid control. I also use more of the neck pickup on this bass.

[@dragonslayr]

I totally suck at fretting. I always played in the fest pocket and not right behind the fret. This is going to be a great challenge to fix. I'm 56 and never had a bass lesson. I don't know scales and can't read music, but I play in a very good worship team. Sometimes I think I'm bringing them down. Augh ranting sorry....

[@tedingram516]

Great info, may I add to the string options one more,,half rounds or groundwounds.I know many players crap on them,but I've found them great best of both worlds and less fret buzz which annoyed me in the beginning stages of my playing. ✌

[@stickster]

One addendum for tip #9, which is learning to EQ your amp... Know what "flat" means on your amp. For bass, mid, treble, etc., 12 o'clock is almost always correct. If you have an amp that has sweeteners, like the enhancer on an old SWR amp, or the VLE and VPF controls on a newer Markbass, you need to turn those all the way off, which is counterclockwise. I've seen a lot of beginners, and even experienced folks, miss that, and often I hear them say they can't get a good sound from their amp. That's because they have a lot of extra filtering engaged and they don't know it!

[@marcsullivan1545]

I have a question, and I am sorry its been asked before, but why the white glove?

[@mycofairbanks3321]

My right index finger has a hook nail. It's really curly and the quick is almost on the tip of my finger. I have to cut it to the quick to get rid of the click and it hurts. But I do have an upright bass and can play with the side of my finger like you demonstrated. I will experiment on electric.

[@emanuelbassist]

I’d attempted to attach a screenshot that I had marked up to illustrate the point I’m trying to make Scott but I couldn’t paste it in here. Just look at the picture, read the caption and stop. This looks like something my 5 year old would subscribe to. Brother you are an extremely proficient and knowledgeable musician. Not the absolute best as a teacher per se but you know that and your channel isn’t strictly for that anyway. It’s got a bunch of entertaining elements to it and I find it enjoyable and informative. If nothing else it’s informed me that I would do well to remain humble and always keep learning cause I’m never gonna best that 8 year old from halfway around the globe! Yeah man and ever since I subscribed your content has dominated my feel, search etc. All good stuff Sir just a bit heavy handed. It looks like your doing real good with the show so maybe you could lighten up a bit. It borders on invasive. Thx, Manny Los Angeles California

[@politicachata1164]

Perfect video, Great Teacher!! Love the channel!!!

[@thijs199]

I use pretty much always the original bass tone in any of my works before, so never did major processing. I got now this virtual speaker plugin now, so I'll be using that to replicate harmonics. Further, I never really care about sound to much. I'm not too picky about it and if someone criticizes me on sound I pretty much take it as a compliment because apparently they got nothing better on me

[@andjelo555]

tone fail i did was digging with the plucking hand too much in rehearsals because I had low powered amp and I wanted to be louder, and it did louden me up, but it destroyed my tone. Once I bought a real amp, I had to adjust my band playing, and it fixed all my problems. Beginners, there are a lot cheap high powered amps, better buy a cheap loud amp, then a higher end low powered amp, never go under 200 Watts of power (look for the sign "RMS" and avoid "peak to peak"), better to have more power on tap, then be too quiet.

[@riccitone]

Outstanding...sounding great, and wonderful tutorial (really kind of for any instrumentalist). Can I please ask, what kind of glove are you using? I’m also dealing with focal dystonia in my left hand, but am s tenor saxophonist. I’ve tried latex gloves, helpful but not a good long term solution. Thank you in advance! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@TheBaro81]

Aah.. Dat smooth feel of flatwounds...😊