How Do You Get That Fat Reggae Tone???

[@martinepstein9826]

Metal bassist here. This is exactly how I get my tone too, except the opposite :p Great vid!

[@francmittelo6731]

I wish more metal bands used a reggae tone. I don't know why metal bands hate bass.

[@ratkebab9536]

@@francmittelo6731 Most don't but some could definitely benefit from better bass

[@textnumbers22]

A lot of stoner and doom bands are kinda in the same ballpark, check out sleep maybe

[@francmittelo6731]

@micropastel "Makes sense, as metal is all about aggression..." It doesn't make sense to me. For example Slayer's "Praise Of Death" has a "round" bass sound similar to reggae, and it doesn't lose any aggression. I like a "round" bass tone similar to reggae, and I have heard metal songs with that kind of tone, and they sound much better. It is just a personal preference. I prefer a round bass over a "scratchy" bass. If that makes any sense. If I was a musician, then I would make metal music using the current trends in 808 bass. I think that would be a great combination.

[@diegotr1903]

I cannot conceive a bass without bass tone. I like to hear and see my bass making everything vibrating lol

[@davidreichert9392]

"The tone starts in your hands" - spot on! I went years without realising this, and when I finally did, I vaulted a huge step forward as a bass player.

[@thabisobaloyi7431]

The fingers are indeed the tone. both left and right hand must work simultaneosly togother in harmony. Viva Don

[@radical_ans]

Started playing this on my phone then stopped and thought. "Nah we're gonna need the big speakers for this one"

[@Diaaze]

same here

[@donstrumental8905]

You actually don’t need the big speakers, more talking than playing unfortunately.

[@rasamerlock4042]

@@donstrumental8905 You do have that Don tone though. But true so much info in your words. Raspex Maximum! (Sounds good in the studio)

[@donstrumental8905]

@@rasamerlock4042 Thanks Bro👊🏾

[@rasamerlock4042]

@@donstrumental8905 Thank you Bredrin! Raspex!

[@mediamunchin]

I love how you just cut to the chase and get to teaching. Everything in your vids is there to serve a purpose. Thank you sir.

[@prpwnage9296]

I played death metal for around 15 years and then nothing for 5 years. Then this style of dub reggae made me want to pick up my bass again, still have not but want to (bit scared)!

[@martinepstein9826]

Hey, if your strings are 5+ years old you might get some good reggae/r&b tone!

[@gabrielfranca7211]

The channel that has it all, good bass and reggae content! ❤️💚💛

[@pooppet1768]

I'm a new bass player since 7 month and i'm playing with an ibanez GIO GSR200B. Your video is very instructive so thanks a lot !

[@texasorange285]

Thank you Don!!! As a Beginner Bass player the statement that “Good Tone”comes from your fingers/ hands. One finger, one fret, really hit home. Thank you for the gems of knowledge!!!!!!!

[@EaZSpam]

Just love this complete guide to fat reggae tone. Again, it's always more simple than expected: it simply starts in your hands. Very helpful, thanks for sharing knowledge and experiences, well done!

[@gregoryherson2095]

Play softly and turn it up. Great simple tip👍 thx Don

[@daltonvanhorn5167]

hey man, love your videos. all I want to say is White Belly Rat is my favorite reggae bass line of all time. Lee Scratch Prerry lives.

[@naturaIIydifferent]

Used to change the eq on my friends amp everytime we jammed and he'd always fight me on it.. Then he listened to a recording of what we played and finally understood. Bass doesn't need a bunch of treble in reggae music, a good bass line should be felt in your soul before you know what your listening to.

[@deepeeonline]

Some years ago I went down to a festival in Germany to see my favorite foundation artist Johnny Clarke and at the same time I had the pleasure to get to know about the baddest backing band in Europe of all times 🙌 Large up yourself Don and give thanks for sharing those great videos!!!

[@Denver_Risley]

I don't play any instruments but I compose digitally for television. Knowing these things that musicians do to get their signature sounds really is quite helpful when a unique and colorful sound may be the only thing that gets my song placed. Thank you for sharing.

[@FabioStoppa]

Should be nice to learn at least the piano

[@marcovietti1572]

Been playing reggae/cumbia guitar for the past 30 years and recently switched to a bass. Loving it!! I appreciate the info👍👍

[@Mrnw10]

Respect for doing this donstrumental! Glad too see my current methods weren't too far off what you do. ✊🏿

[@mikaso]

That was great info. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@DevinC_]

Just picked up bass a month ago got a Squier Classic Vibe Precision Bass 70s. Found an online sale I priced matched for $300. Loving bass a lot.

[@egbertsouse8487]

I got one myself a few months ago. Put some flats on it and your good to go. Decent bass for the price.

[@adroc9101]

Hey Don! Adam Welsh here. Just started following you here on YT, and also went to your website for more info. I’m only one year into learning the bass but reggae has always been VERY special to me. I am a reggae fan since I was a wee tot back in the 70s. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. 🙌🏼✌🏼❤

[@JaredBathurst]

I love this video. Straight to the point and perfect execution of all of the steps needed. Thank you.

[@s3hooligan]

This video is gold! Thank you for sharing. I’m a novist bass player and I’m playing a G&L JB and a Ibanez TMB600. Found both on a steal of a deal that I couldn’t pass up.

[@MrTwelvecaesars]

This is the best bass teacher I have had. Thank you so much! I've been practicing Black Uhuru and Positive Vibration... Your lesson material. Excellent.

[@zaum2002]

'61 Jazz bass with a '71 P-bass neck. Love it for 38 years. Good vid man.

[@zmoore5555]

I like how the bass is turned up to "11" on the video preview tile. LoL,

[@donstrumental8905]

I was wondering who was going to be the first to spot the Spinal Tap quote👍🏾

[@zmoore5555]

@@donstrumental8905 That was immediately what I thought of...One of the funniest amplifier moments ever LoL 😂. Btw this vid was a huge help!!! I play Fender American Ultra Jazz and bought that Mark Bass Big Bang 500 thanks to your earlier words you had about the brand.

[@zmoore5555]

@Rex Estremera 😂 LoL 😂

[@markberglund2056]

I play a PJ Mustang through a fender Rumble. Cutting the treble to zero as you mentioned helped a ton. Thanks 😀 ✌️

[@DocBolus]

Appreciate the guide, every little helps, technique, tone shaping and little bits of foam.. Cheers!!

[@dubby13]

I discovered Rotosound Tru Bass flatwounds about 10 yrs ago. Wound with black nylon tape... Sound is so deep and clear, and they look stunning on a Maple fingerboard... Don't think I'll ever change from these...

[@donstrumental8905]

Sounds interesting👊🏾

[@PaulSloman]

You do have a lovely tone. You have an excellent channel! Thank you

[@SoulForty5Music]

Man, Ive been working on making Reggae backing tracks for my channel. Your videos have been Gold for helping me learn how to make some reggae grooves. Thank you

[@kijekuyo9494]

Something to try if anyone is still looking for a good bass, while I have a Squier J-Bass similar to Mr. Chandler's Fender Jazz (I've tuned mine to BEAD), I have gotten great tones out of my short scale bass, a Squier Jaguar SS (with P-J pickups and tuned to EADG), which has won me over and become my main bass. I see that Robbie Shakespeare sometimes plays a violin bass, which is also a 30" short scale. The shorter strings provide a slightly mellower sound. The 30" Jaguar was discontinued and is only available used now, but Squier makes a 32" Jaguar as a replacement. Other 30" short scales are available from Fender/Squier, Ibanez, Sire, and Gibson. By the way, I play both basses with flatwounds and foam muting. I always enjoy these videos. Mr. Chandler really speaks my language, and I wish I had been able to have his assistance when I was first learning reggae bass. But learning never stops and I still find them value today.

[@donstrumental8905]

I've always taken 5 strings out on the road prior to around 2014 when I switched to mainly 4 strings. If I were to go back out on a reggae tour I would seriously be considering a 4 string with BEAD tuning. Tried to get a Jaguar when I was in the U.S around 5 years ago, couldn't find one like you said. Great advice Kije👊🏾

[@sub-jec-tiv]

I have an Ibanez Talman bass, short scale, and it sounds freakin’ amAzing. Played it in the shop next to a couple of Fenders and the Ibanez sounded better, if you can believe it. And it cost like $250 🤯

[@chopshop777]

What a fantastic video, you should win the Noble Prize for saying that tone comes from Technique, man, I am a metal guitarist, and as a technical player, if you don't get it right, the tone is the first thing to go. I have subscribed to your channel. cheers from Vancouver, Canada. Ed

[@rasamerlock4042]

1979 Ibanez Musician- recently modified to run stereo to two rigs with a switcher on the bass.(for when one Ampeg svt4pro +6x10 isn't enough Got to run the 2 x 15s too) Replaced the old Active set up for that. Big Ups one of the best reggae bass/musicianship engineering documentary/video Ive seen. RASPEX Maximum for the work you do! I

[@donstrumental8905]

That sounds like a monster rig. 👊🏾

[@rasamerlock4042]

@@donstrumental8905 Jah blessings fe true. Jah works ! Blessed Raspex!

[@victorledoux984]

PB with Flats for vintage sound and JB with rounds for modern tunes. Don't need no more 🙂

[@donstrumental8905]

You absolutely don’t👊🏾

[@omg_wtf]

I've started playing with my thumb for reggae and I love the round tone it gives. Completely changes the attack.. I'm playing a Fender Stu Hamm Urge II, a Fender P, and a Sire V7 v2. I usually run through a Zoom B3 I to an SWR Workingman 10 at home. Although now with kids and late night practice it's usually into my DT-770s ;)

[@WR-dv2qt]

A few years ago, after decades of finger plucking, I began using the thumb. I was amazed at the tonal difference that I got with that attack. I never imagined thumb tugging would be any different, but it is. Tone definitely starts with the hands and where you pluck, tug or strum the strings. The knobs won’t help if you don’t start with good technique. Sounds like you’ve honed in on a great tone Meh. Keep groovin.

[@eaglebauer944]

I tried to play with my thumb several times, but it feels kinda strange and I'm incredible slow so I'll always go back to normal fingerstyle. How long does the readjustment take? I'm already 46 and a slow learner.

[@rainbowslushy223]

Ive always wanted to try a urge

[@AsaphSoundbyephrem]

Got great insight to do on my coming my first reggae recording. Big up ! I’m using Ibanez SR205SM 5 string Active Bass.

[@emilbergdahl3063]

You are truly a king! Thank you so much for this.

[@steadyeddie3291]

Great information Don ! Respect Maximum.

[@mythcrab6047]

Wow! Since I heard your tone, I've been trying to get that on my setup. So good.

[@w.a.s.fernando3883]

It’s Awesome don. I’m crazy on bass Guitar 🎸 It’s my favorite instrument. You are a perfect teacher for us. Thank you 🙏. Hanging with you 🤛god bless you ✝️

[@nevillechichester4175]

great information brother! Keep up the good works.

[@mykallstarrtafari9638]

Oh my! seen you playing bass at so many shows and had no idea you were a bass teacher you’re playing is spot on for real. I actually call you the straight face bass because of your lack of movement when playing, not even a smile 😂 probably the best I’ve heard for many years.

[@WastedContender]

great advice. Thanks for sharing!

[@Guillaurent]

Good stuff. I concur 100% on everything on this. Playing softly was the revelation of a good tone IMO. Since you asked, I play a 5 string modified passive Steinberger Synapse.

[@bassiehd]

Thanks Don for all your info. One of the greatest things you mentioned was that great tone starts from the fingers! You can have all the best gear in the world, but the hands and the feel are what's most crucial. I play a Steinberger 5 string (love that phat B string!), or if I'm playing rocksteady, my '75 P bass, through a 30 year old Trace Elliot AH350 with 4 10" cab. It's ridiculously easy to dial in a big round tone on the Trace. I'm in the minority, but I go with roundwound strings, there's just more "meat" on them for the pickups. I notch out the string/finger noise from the windings on the Trace's 12 band EQ and use a "smiley face" EQ setting, adjusted for the room, and the contour (mid scoop) on. I leave some highs on the EQ for definition...the Trace gives me plenty of lows. I'm getting too old to lug around the Trace, (70 lb head, heavier cab) and I can't afford a roadie, so the newer lightweight amps like the Markbass or the Genz Benz shuttle with the neodymium speakers are tempting. I know that's TMI, but it's what works for me. Looking forward to your videos, keep 'em coming.

[@IJAHWAY]

Great tips as usual ! Thanks Don.

[@eSSentialplaysYT]

Reggae Tone, not to be confused with the music genre Reggaeton. Absolutely love the insight and info, great stuff. Riddim up!

[@bryanwahlstrom6300]

You’re a legend mate. A real Don

[@rafbass]

Playing with the right thumb also helps to get a fatter sound

[@izethewise]

Great vid man. Have you thought of doing a book on reggae bass etudes? There's loads of stuff out there for jazz and funk but not a lot for reggae. I know you might say listen, transcribe etc etc and I agree but having it down on paper (or pdf) from a guy who really knows the genre can help the student cut to the chase!

[@donstrumental8905]

Interesting🤔

[@francescoalfinito6252]

Pls do this

[@skasez]

@@donstrumental8905 I'd surely buy it!

[@thehighdeath5562]

I have a black ‘77 P bass and I’ve always heard the old school funk players say “keep the flatwounds on forever , the deader the better.” BUT, they do lose intonation after awhile, something I hadn’t noticed til I went to the studio. A new set of Fender flats and the intonation was near perfect.

[@kaysCV]

Great vid! Greetings from Brazil!

[@dubroomdread]

I'm gonna try that foam thing. Wow! And yes, great start: it starts with your fingers. Never heard such a true statement about bass playing in such easy wordings. Great channel, great knowledge!

[@kiwibass6207]

Some really helpful tips mate, thanks.

[@trumpetplayer6397]

I have a blond Fender Jazz bass that I bought in the '70s. I'm grateful that I still have it and never thought of selling it! It's heavy!

[@smuleplayz]

I have a Sub Series Music Man Sterling Stingray with flat wound chromes and a Fender Rumble 40 amp and everything you said about your tone I was surprised to have it already set the same settings and this is the first time I’m actually watching someone teach reggae bass because I spent all my time learning songs by ear and I feel confident in my abilities now. It’s been a year since I first bought my bass and it’s been a couple months since I first converted from roundwound to flatwound. Each day I feel closer to achieving that perfect feel. You’ve earned a new follower my friend.

[@ricardojmestre]

Wow, must be an honor to play with Horace Andy. Amazing.

[@donstrumental8905]

Yes is an Honor

[@mipsungvuclam]

Tony Franklin and Squire Jaguar medium scale. Both with flats. Thank you for what you do!!

[@anderscarlsson3387]

Great tips on great channel!!. Love your playing and tone. Jazzbass with maple neck and flats is great combination for almost any kind of music. Got the same but added an old badass bridge on it. Little more sustain and a bit more even tone up the neck. Fender makes a new version of it. Great for all Fender basses. Tip of another really great reggae and deep bass tone is, in my case a Maxon AF9 filter box. Turn down the peak and keep the sensitivity high. Instant super low full tone. Thanks for a great channel!!

[@mysteryblackstudio6185]

Much Love for the share, That setup is much Happening.,

[@FitAndSaxy1]

Another brilliant video. Thank you, Don! 😀

[@timothyd9543]

I play a Sadowsky 5 string through a Mark Bass for reggae and will try out these settings. Great video!

[@nicoantuna1454]

No idea you played with Horace Andy! A true legend. I've always loved Massive Attack and wondered why their bass lines are always so dope; it's from the Reggae influence and now you are helping me understand that. Much love!

[@newthrash1221]

That bass is beautiful.

[@BONGOGO100]

Yes Sir another great video 👍👍 I use /play a J bass no muting and a P.bass muted both with Crome flat wounds ( sooo deep and fat) through a tc electronic bh 800 into vintage SWR 15 and a peavy 4 x 10 and man it drops 👍👍keep the vids coming brother

[@b500l8]

lot of great gear there, superb, but lot of people forget it's all in the hands too

[@enparticular]

great that the first thing you say is that essential things that lots of dub / reggae playing ignore - play softly, let those notes bloom.

[@renzorabot4141]

Awesome videos sir 👌🏿.... Meanwhile im using a steinberger spirit xt-25 bass

[@mrloudpipes68]

Love the content and that backing track is fire love it...blessings from Aotearoa New Zealand

[@ljt3084]

Excellent video. 👍

[@RyanWBassist1990]

Inspirational as always! I've gotten hold of a Squire Jazz Deluxe to handle the Reggae (and some misc recordings). The tone out of that is amazing with the flats! Occasionally I'd use my Lakland if the mood hits!

[@ianwhitehall145]

I’m a terrible reggae bass player but these videos are great and give me lots of little tips to help improve my lack of style

[@daviddbsir]

'82 Alembic Distillate and MIM Fender Precision both with flats...am loving learning your 20 Studio One bass lines.

[@JimiCSt]

Great lesson. Your point about technique is spot on. I grew up listening to Stanley Clarke play his jazz-rock in the mid to late 70s, which inspired me to take up the bass from the start. I loved his technique and tone (and still do), and his attack is often very aggressive. I made the mistake of never taking lessons, and developed some bad habits over the years trying to emulate his sound. But I made mistakes in trying to achieve this, one of which was to play with too much attack all the time (and also increasing the relief of the strings from the body (i.e., high action). Dynamically, I think it is fine to play more aggressively at the appropriate time, just not all the time. It took me years to unwind the bad habit of playing aggressively ALL the time. And using the amp volume is important too, as you suggested. I would characterize this as letting the amp do much of the work for you to relieve the power required from the hand for the audience to hear. The approach definitely helps avoid fatigue if playing for a longer gig. And I believe the tone and the ability to control dynamics is superior as a result. I appreciate you sharing your bass and amp control settings, which I can hear well in your tone. Sounds great! Thanks.

[@chriscuthbertson]

I'm playing a Cort A5 Custom and a Cort GB 'Jazz' style bass. Both currently with roundwounds, but gonna change the GB over to flats for more of a 'vintage' vibe.

[@SenorCross1]

Good stuff Don! Thanks for sharing. I play a P-Bass with flatwounds as well. I've been messing around with a preamp a bit lately, but agree that technique is most essential. Big up.

[@gratefulila9980]

I love my jazz bass neck, but I have a fretless p that is magic. Always flats.... Bless up... Bass!

[@ikhowaka1471]

Thanks Don you are the best

[@johncatongreasley]

Enjoyed your video and as i play reggae bass i will try the foam under my strings..cheers

[@sukychima5363]

Thanks for the advice. Playing fender precision pro 2 and fender jazz active player plus. 👍

[@romainr4275]

SO cool. thanks man !

[@alejopeth]

Your videos are very helpfull, i would love a video of you showing the process of creating the backin tracks, drums, etc for your videos, they sound very nice, thanks.

[@Diaaze]

I had a feeling you were gonna drop a new one today

[@derdietberth]

thank you this is really helpful and nice to watch and listen !

[@nickygee2466]

78 P bass (comfy B width nut) with Dunlop flats, Markbass Jeff Berlin 15" combo and bottom heavy old Laney 15" cab, + BBE Opticomp and Catalinbread SFT for a bit of Ampeg drive and tone shaping.

[@shoryman3576]

such a great job Tone man, yes I, this the right way of teachings, not just bass cover! yes respect

[@shoryman3576]

Don, do a video talking, and showing some way, about walking bass, in reggae style, Bless up

[@theduppykillah]

Just discovered your channel. Great tips. I play a jazz style through Ashdown head set up almost the same as yours, no treble, bass about 2 oclock low mid 9 oclock, everything else down. I play up the neck finger style and use thumb further back like Flabba on the old school, Gregory, etc… /flatwounds and short fingernails important for sure…

[@dexocube]

Great advice bro, simple and to the point. Markbass gear is great.

[@d.towerz]

Appreciate the videos! Respect General !

[@jeisonleonardoguevara]

thank u for this bro, im making my bass tracks with a plugins because i dont know to play guitar, but it helps me a lot to understand the playing feeling. ill check your other channel videos.

[@vrsoriano]

Great stuff!! I stopped playing flats because they got slippery over time on me. For my hands, went to GHS Bass Boomers, roundcores. Running a TH500 into a 15” neo and a 12” SL112. With rounds, I take your same approach, just lowering kids more and I get the finger fell I want with the wonderful round reggae vibe. Bless up

[@calash2136]

Great videos, always more to learn. Similar set up to you, 1970 Precision with tone rolled off and foam. Used to have an Ampeg V4B with touch of bass and mids out, but now it's an Eden amp. speakers are Epifani with either 2x10 and 1x15 or both, love these speakers - really musical. Flat would strings, at the moment they are Thomastic. Keep up the good work!

[@d.s.9692]

Playing with the softest part of your fingertips (the pads, not the tips) helps a lot with reggae I've noticed.

[@carlosbell1132]

Thanks this actually worked lol

[@ianbellert2154]

Thanks Don…loved the EQ demo. I’m into the blues and that’s sorted my tone out. I play a 62 reissue Precision through a Fender Rumble 15”. Thanks for the technique tips too. Really glad I’ve subscribed.

[@rastanz]

Nice video, very detailed presentation on your personal equipment and tone settings. My current instrument is a Steinberger Synapse XS-15FPS 5-String.

[@donstrumental8905]

Thank you, Steinberger. The go-to reggae bass of the 90's

[@promisespleases]

Mostly a guitar player, but record bass and drums. 55 reissue p bass with flatwounds. A combo head II Mark Bass. Thanks for the great video.

[@arkystarch]

Cool stuff Don, I have a active Warwick bass(Rock bass corvette) and a Warwick LWA 500 the settings watching the vid and my amp on the desk it is almost exact as what you have. I play also around the same spot on the bass and started using a slight comp(which is on the bass amp).

[@matthiasgerlach786]

have been waiting for this 👍🏼👍🏼

[@michaelcampbell8205]

Honour & Respect Don Great works - Mikey Irie Heights

[@warburgaby]

great lesson and W Markbass :))

[@deviationblue]

I have a MarkBass CMD121P and I love it. Light as a feather, with heavy, heavy sound.

[@donstrumental8905]

The wonderful people at Barefaced let me borrow a 2x12 for a tour. Up until that point I hadn’t even thought about 12 inch speakers. The best I’ve come across.

[@Phaidrus]

@@donstrumental8905 fat round sound!

[@alexandergriboedov4319]

Thank you very much, Done, again. Bless you.

[@pagesegovia2026]

The closest I ever got to an authentic dub sound was playing through some massive old karaoke speakers