Justin Raines Signature Saratoga - Tone Check

[@josephharris8411]

Just watched your full interview session on how to crush at gospel bass. Thank you so much for putting everything about how you achieved your level of talent and the best ways to get to my own personal best and so much more. I've got my work cut out for me. I'm 60 years old and have watched, taken advice from countless people and formats, but always little to no results for what I want to achieve. I even listened and watched Victor Wotten but personally felt his transition from slap to finger was sloppy, but his technique was inventive, amazing, and changed how we now play and think about bass playing. But your approach and discipline are exactly what I have been looking for, and thank you for giving me the tools to achieve my goals. Know I gotta go get myself a real bass.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Brotha JR 🙌🏿 Blessed and articulate. The passive sound is so 👌🏿👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@scottclay1]

Right on Justin. This is EXACTLY the presentation some of us bass players were looking for in these spaces. You gave us a true impression of the JR MTD Saratoga in an honest, raw, and functional demo. This is how it's done, folks! Brilliant playing as usual. Sounds amazing. Michael and Daniel may as well start cutting more of those blanks now.

[@Drumsta0904]

Agreeeed!

[@Tredid_it]

If only all bass reviews could be this thorough! 👌🏾

[@JGorg8]

Master Raines, thank you. Absolutely love your approach to your tone and thoughtfulness around it.

[@dwalk764]

Thank you Justin for taking time to show us this.

[@sidbates3423]

Justin I’ve been a subscriber for a long time I’m glad you took the time to let everybody know what their getting if they get your signature bass keep up the great work Bro

[@lakanbass]

Hey Justin, first of all I am so grateful for everything you are doing. Thank you! ♥️ Your playing is out of this world and a role model for me. I would really love to see how you do your setup and how do you maintain your basses in general, would you be able to make a video like that? These basses are the best sounding guitars I've ever heard. I am surely getting an MTD for myself when finances allow me to. Again, thank you!

[@bktekno5267]

Loving these vids Justin. It was you and Gouche convinced me to buy into the MTD sound. Ended up with a 535-21. Not disappointed by any means, does everything I want and more! Though I will say you sound phenomenal on all your basses, your signature bass is my favorite! Love the videos, can’t wait to see more! God bless!!

[@Bassic778]

You're bass sounds amazing in the mix which is the true test! I'm still praying for you!

[@elderms1]

J, really like what you said about it being “in” your fingers and knowing your individual bass tones, I learned a lot from that, started playing bass in a time when there were few pedals for bass

[@roughyyedidia5357]

I ordered from Michael's exactly like this one, expected to receive it at the end of next summer.

[@DjPruneJuice214]

Big Thanks JR🙏🏾

[@son0fsocal]

I hope you don’t mind , I put this video in my Bass lesson list , I learned how to play these bass lines , then I put drums on, thanks!! 😊

[@Jraines112]

No worries!

[@jdms_yt]

Justin, thank you for this vid (and body of wk)! Vid was very informative and relevant to any bass. Most important than anything, I feel your heart and humble spirit, which is everything. Will visit your site also to follow & support. ❤️🙏🏽💪🏾

[@OzgurSalur]

Thank you for starting this series!

[@2funkyfinger]

Excellent video, informative and great tone and playing.

[@Jraines112]

Thank You!

[@MyBassmann]

Your tone is awesome 👏🏾

[@svmarco3304]

Hi there Excellent video with several details sound for this nice bass mtd We can hear clearly the single pickups clear sound Thanks for sharing Justin S.V

[@ederjr.charles686]

Maaaan! Thank you for sharing 🫡

[@DanielDebrah-rb3pi]

Bless you JR

[@justinyamaha77]

Thank you sir 😎

[@luthervannsessomsjr8362]

Let's get it, I'm all in.

[@MarkShephard-y6m]

That MTD is off the hook! Nice playing.👍🏽

[@Jay-vd3ll]

Hey justin could you make a video on how u did the riffs from the song "Rez Power" ? Thankyou

[@chrisedwards8258]

Appreciate you JR❤

[@lodel]

hey!.. please make a video on an effective practice routine for beginner and intermediate bass players🙏

[@MalcolmExchange]

Good content keep em coming 👌🏾

[@kapmusiq5794]

Love your vids🙏🏾

[@Jraines112]

Thanks for watching!

[@tedbogan6099]

What’s up Jose!!! It’s Teddy, Ricky’s son (Rick played keyboards, youjammed with him a lot over on Drextmore).

[@Anointedkeys9600]

Justin Raines the man!

[@teddynruthstudstill1508]

That’s awesome! 🔥🎸

[@Vagner_Bass_Andrade]

Thanks a Lot JR 🎵🎶🔥👏🏽👏🏽

[@Jraines112]

Thanks for watching!

[@dannynbass7]

awesome bass breda! yay!

[@AllAboutBasses]

This one is NICE!!!

[@robertomazzini9564]

You are great!!!Ciao from Italy

[@Jraines112]

Thank you very much!

[@moorejoseph8631]

Amazing ❤

[@Leo-Bassment]

Great demo Justin ! Can definitely hear the difference in the pick ups and when tone is on or off, however not much difference in the passive vs active ! It’s probably much more audible ( for you and your band ) when you play live ! Do you use the same Telefunken DI box for playing live ? Thanks for sharing ! Learn a lot just by watching !🙏🏻👍🏼

[@LukeBass1000]

One thing I'm realising...My action is too high. I'm working tooo hard! This was great...thanks so much!

[@Mr_ang1er1]

How high is it?

[@Jraines112]

@@LukeBass1000Yeah, that high action will humble you lol! But you want to be comfortable on your instrument.

[@ontiretsemagome9154]

great video

[@joaniepeters2565]

I’m been saving up for the signature this whole last year

[@Jraines112]

That's awesome to hear!

[@David4Chirwa]

Very helpful

[@bbqcheese-au]

Love this! Thanks so much for sharing! What EQ settings do you typically play live for your Neyo gig? Do you typically leave settings the same throughout a show?

[@lopes8532]

Justin coloca legenda pra nós aqui do Brasil valeu trabalho magnífico

[@fdcclothing9289]

When you play on live stage, does your amp settings also flat? I really love your tones! That low end! 🔥🔥

[@Jraines112]

Most of the time it is flat. Sometimes I'll cut out some of the harsh high mids.

[@danpaduck]

Great demo of the bass! Very useful information. What setting/s do you tend to favor? I would love to pick up a Saratoga one day.

[@pierreb18]

Just if you don't mind, show us how you adjust or what you look first on the bass head preamp when you first plug the bass

[@lucianomanfrinato5481]

Bro you just look like Israel Houghton’s bassist! It’s incredible

[@korywhitaker9]

Meannn Bro 🔥🔥🔥

[@Drumsta0904]

Yes! These vids are legiiit.

[@Jraines112]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@ernestlmorellsr]

Active and open sounds a bit like um trying to convince everyone that I am in the groove, now that's to me, but um sure there maybe a slew of others who happens to like that sound. As a drummer I like the passive tone open or any sound in that range, passive tone closed you gotta add more ghost notes and go soft on the base drum, sort of like holding back slightly.

[@TyroneCCloud]

OMG, thank you for this lesson, I absolutely needed it! Hey J, you think I might be able to borrow your fingers for about a year, lol!! 😂You're ridiculous bruh!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Veioproprei]

For Brasílian i Love ❤

[@jeangillesguerlin3271]

Amazing bass player only

[@Mr_ang1er1]

Great video, What b string guage do you use?

[@Jraines112]

@@Mr_ang1er1 135

[@Mr_ang1er1]

​how would a 130 or a 125 work@@Jraines112

[@Jraines112]

@@Mr_ang1er1 It would work just fine, it would be a clean B string, not as beefy.

[@jway-z3088]

Thanks JR. I follow your gigging on the Neo tour. Awesome bass sounds. Always wondered what it sounded like raw. Now I know what my next instrument should be. Where did you get your fingers by the way. 😊

[@Jraines112]

LOL! Thanks for watching!

[@travisferrell9832]

Appreciate you. Just out of curiosity, what kind of strings & size? Sending prayers for your health.

[@ocontrerasnrct]

Hi Justin, I would like to know, what kind of pickups do you use? And why do you use that Pickups? Thanks?

[@Jraines112]

@@ocontrerasnrct I use bartolini b-axis pickups. Clean, noiseless, very versatile.

[@ocontrerasnrct]

@@Jraines112 thanks for your answer, God bless you.

[@OlandoMcCall]

The hands😮

[@Jraines112]

@@OlandoMcCall No you won’t sound like me, you’ll sound like you. You are hearing the tone options associated with the bass. When it’s in your hands, these are the things available to you.

[@OlandoMcCall]

​@@Jraines112I changed my comment because you addressed this very issue in the video. Would love to see your approach to developing tone, the touch on the strings, like how you can sort of ew with your fingers, know what I mean?

[@Jraines112]

@ I know what you mean. I can make a video addressing that.

[@RodrickLodowica]

Trying to get my hands on a Kingston Saratoga for now

[@lukekent9687]

How often would you change strings?

[@Jraines112]

@@lukekent9687 Maybe 3 times a year, depending on how much I play this bass.

[@AlbertJasonAlburo]

Can you do a Bass Cover of Dahunog by Influence Worship? It's a Filipino Christian Song.

[@gilnieves7952]

Good stuff Justin, curious, are the pickups in the 60's position? To my ear they do sound like they are in the 60's position as opposed to the 70's positioning ...

[@grooveattitude06]

Fine! Many thanks. But what strings do you use?

[@2stringsbaba]

Sir Jay @justinRaines please is it actually right to use only passive di to active basses

[@Jraines112]

@@2stringsbaba You can use both to be honest. I prefer passive DI’s

[@2stringsbaba]

@Jraines112 okey cool Thanks a lot for the reply sir

[@mauricechatman8685]

Bro just heard about the neyo Mary J. Blige are you on that gig?

[@stascoin]

please thank you!

[@Carlos_AyalaJr]

How often do you change your strings man? Great vid btw

[@EvansAudio]

Great

[@ChazJazzNY]

Sounds great to me

[@Jraines112]

Thanks!

[@elderms1]

Hey J, I’m really considering rebuilding a Schecter Extreme (4 string)that needs a new pre-amp most of all. It’s stripped down literally, What are your rebuild recommendations?

[@tedbogan6099]

He gave you the specs to his bass! Put it in your Schecter! However, I have the same bass but their diamond series, to me, it actually offers more than his bass, I’m never changing my factory model Schecter extreme 4 stiletto bass, it can do all his stuff and more!

[@tedbogan6099]

Also, Schecter Studio 5 and 6 sounds way better and has way more punch!

[@briancriswell3399]

Sounds amazing 🔥 🔥 🔥 What headphones are you using? Also, I have an MTD 635-24…love the tonal variations you can get out of it! However, the preamp seems to be a bit noisy. I’ve had a couple sound engineers comment on how much more noisy it is than my other basses…some of which are also active. I noticed some hiss before you started to play with yours as well. Has that ever been called out by a house engineer or when recording?

[@Jraines112]

@@briancriswell3399 Thank You! I’m using the Audio Technica M50x headphones…I actually don’t have any hissing issues. The hiss in the video was actually from my video/audio cord lol, it’s noisy until I start talking or playing smh.

[@briancriswell3399]

@ thanks for the reply!

[@samuelfafa9589]

🐐

[@waynethomas403]

I agree with you bro, I don’t use pedal either. Learn the instrument I too believe the tone is in your hands

[@danielfmyers]

….. 🧐 ….. off to learn this riff on my bass 😂

[@Jvibes_music8]

What shielding tape or paint you used on that one?

[@Jraines112]

That would be Mike Tobias question.

[@emmanuelkhamsini9788]

I saw the reply that you change strings 3 times per year, how are you maintaining the strings to sound fresh everyday.

[@Jraines112]

Honestly, the strings I use have a pretty long lifespan. I use LaBella RX-S5D

[@emmanuelkhamsini9788]

Thank you 🙏

[@EmmanuelBaidoo-ne8pe]

So is ur signature bass being sold on the market

[@Jraines112]

@@EmmanuelBaidoo-ne8pe yes

[@gmcilwain]

Justin, do yo use your DI when you are playing live?

[@Jraines112]

Sometimes I do...mostly on tour I'll use the passive Radial DI.

[@ontiretsemagome9154]

how are you tuned ? standard tuning ?

[@Jraines112]

@@ontiretsemagome9154 Yes, standard tuning

[@munneysh]

It shines when you engage the preamp.

[@Jraines112]

Absolutely

[@jrcole7273]

lol oh my.. once the clapping started the groove got super funky and um the masterpiece became impossible to copy. even if i slowed it down to one note at a time.. thanks for the info.. i’m going to go throw my bass out the window now… 😂just kidding ,; appreciate the lesson and info..

[@leebates2136]

My bro! Well explained.... can I get you a bottle of water? You seem a little parched doc. 😂❤😂

[@tbarganier8823]

The bad grounding is apparent, with the noticeable hum. With such a quality bass, I hope that is not to be expected in all of their basses. Exceptional playing of course.

[@Jraines112]

@@tbarganier8823 It’s not the bass that you hear…it was my audio cable from my camera to the interface. The grounding on the bass is perfect and quiet.

[@RicTone]

Those bases have zero hum. Really well made.

[@tbarganier8823]

@ thank u for sharing

[@sania3262]

В умелых руках и "член" балалайка !!! ( Русская пословица)

[@jediobi6268]

passive ❤

[@Jraines112]

It sounds amazing!