What is up with Ross's bass tone on this tour... PLanky !!!

[Liquid_Drummer]

Sounds like he is trying out for Korn !! That treble heavy bass tone works for Korn, Yes, Rush etc but not Journey !! Weird that he would have such a sudden change in tone.

[Red13JoePa]

Sounds like he is trying out for Korn !! That treble heavy bass tone works for Korn, Yes, Rush etc but not Journey !! Weird that he would have such a sudden change in tone.

I like it.
I thought he had some killer bass on especially NWA and WD, STANDout stuff where he's actually driving tempo changes and stuff.

I don't really know what I'm talking about but I detect killer tone on those 2 songs.

[Duncan]

Sounds like he is trying out for Korn !! That treble heavy bass tone works for Korn, Yes, Rush etc but not Journey !! Weird that he would have such a sudden change in tone.

I like it.
I thought he had some killer bass on especially NWA and WD, STANDout stuff where he's actually driving tempo changes and stuff.

I don't really know what I'm talking about but I detect killer tone on those 2 songs.

Knowing what your talking about is not a requirement of this board - thank goodness. I and many others wouldn't be here if it were

I can confirm the Ross' bass playing is really cutting through live. Someone else said it has a raspy quality to it and I think this is the perfect description. I like it too.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Well I should have considered that the youtube vids offer unbalanced mono sound. Plus the source material (captured by cam corder mic) may cause this quality in his tone to stick out more than it should.. Its no big deal.

[Ehwmatt]

Yea, YT videos are particularly unforgiving to bass. I'd say wait til you see it in person and then make your call

[Schon Rules All]

You can hear it on the DVD too... I believe it is Dont Stop Believin... I was in the other room when I heard the sudden change and had to come out to watch it. It really sounds good this year. Ross is a excellent player and should be right in the mix with his bandmates. Sometimes I think Ross and Jon get lost in the Fireworks that are Neal and Deen. Istrumentally speaking of course...

[EME]

The tone is fine it's just that it's a tad too loud.....it's not unlike Steve Harris' (from Iron Maiden), tone..but certainly louder in the mix than the last time I saw IM!

It makes up for the bass mix on the 'Greatest Hits' bonus disc.

I used to teach electric bass and I always used 'Escape' as reference for good, well structured, bass lines.

Regards,
EME

[Gordon from Edinburgh]

Sounds like he is trying out for Korn !! That treble heavy bass tone works for Korn, Yes, Rush etc but not Journey !! Weird that he would have such a sudden change in tone.

Totally correct mate - the warm smooth depth has gone and it hurts the ballads a great deal - sounds very clunky - i dont get it at all. Its certainly not part of any "legacy sound" i know of.....

[Món]

Isn't he playing a Music Man lately? Thought I saw one on the Viña Del Mar gig....

[ProgRocker53]

I haven't heard too much from this tour yet but the little I've checked out (other than the DVD of course), I've liked.

Yeah the bass is a bit off on the ballads, but I like it for the majority of the set. Good to see a little change-up in tone, the bass is sounding pretty "snappy" these days and I dig it massively.

[StyxCollector]

Isn't he playing a Music Man lately? Thought I saw one on the Viña Del Mar gig....

Yup. He switched it appears before they started touring with Arnel. I've owned MM StingRay basses (a 4 fretted, a 4 fretless, and a 5 fretted) over the years and they have a very distinctive sound. Not necessarily the sound I'd pick for Journey ... but hey, I'm sure he paid a lot for 'em

[epresley]

I haven't heard too much from this tour yet but the little I've checked out (other than the DVD of course), I've liked.

Yeah the bass is a bit off on the ballads, but I like it for the majority of the set. Good to see a little change-up in tone, the bass is sounding pretty "snappy" these days and I dig it massively.

Proggy, I love your posts, but dang, that gaylord avatar..................

[ProgRocker53]

I haven't heard too much from this tour yet but the little I've checked out (other than the DVD of course), I've liked.

Yeah the bass is a bit off on the ballads, but I like it for the majority of the set. Good to see a little change-up in tone, the bass is sounding pretty "snappy" these days and I dig it massively.

Proggy, I love your posts, but dang, that gaylord avatar..................

It's FrigaFest '08.

[Gordon from Edinburgh]

I haven't heard too much from this tour yet but the little I've checked out (other than the DVD of course), I've liked.

Yeah the bass is a bit off on the ballads, but I like it for the majority of the set. Good to see a little change-up in tone, the bass is sounding pretty "snappy" these days and I dig it massively.

Proggy, I love your posts, but dang, that gaylord avatar..................

It's FrigaFest '08.

Is that like Mardi Gras on piano?

[Schon Rules All]

I haven't heard too much from this tour yet but the little I've checked out (other than the DVD of course), I've liked.

Yeah the bass is a bit off on the ballads, but I like it for the majority of the set. Good to see a little change-up in tone, the bass is sounding pretty "snappy" these days and I dig it massively.

Proggy, I love your posts, but dang, that gaylord avatar..................

It's FrigaFest '08.

LMFAO... Will there be keytars???

[Saint John]

Jesus, who's Ross's fucking bass tech...Marlee Matlin?

[stevew2]

I haven't heard too much from this tour yet but the little I've checked out (other than the DVD of course), I've liked.

Yeah the bass is a bit off on the ballads, but I like it for the majority of the set. Good to see a little change-up in tone, the bass is sounding pretty "snappy" these days and I dig it massively.

Proggy, I love your posts, but dang, that gaylord avatar..................

It's FrigaFest '08.

Bring it on

[JrnyScarab]

I haven't heard too much from this tour yet but the little I've checked out (other than the DVD of course), I've liked.

Yeah the bass is a bit off on the ballads, but I like it for the majority of the set. Good to see a little change-up in tone, the bass is sounding pretty "snappy" these days and I dig it massively.

Proggy, I love your posts, but dang, that gaylord avatar..................

It's FrigaFest '08.

Bring it on

Friga want's you to be the Grand Marshall in the FrigaFest parade. Are you up for it?

[larryfromnextdoor]

Sounds like he is trying out for Korn !! That treble heavy bass tone works for Korn, Yes, Rush etc but not Journey !! Weird that he would have such a sudden change in tone.

i kinda like it.. hes out front of the mix....

on this tour Ross seems that he is playing IN FRONT in stead of WITH...

[Crazy4Ross]

Yes, the Music Man bass has a much more exposed sound. Ross is thinking about breaking out the Curbow for the ballads. The bass he played last previously has a much warmer sound.

[WykkedSensation]

His bass is waaayyyy too high in the mix.
Wait till you hear him on the tour over there. Its gets very annoying after a time.
Seen the band 3 times over in the UK recently and they were all the same. Amazing shows, but the bass is too damn loud, and annoyed the fuck outta me.

[StyxCollector]

Yes, the Music Man bass has a much more exposed sound. Ross is thinking about breaking out the Curbow for the ballads. The bass he played last previously has a much warmer sound.

The MM humbucker pickups are about as subtle as a chainsaw. And then add in the MM EQ ... oy. Ross would be well served using something more mellow for lighter songs.

[Ehwmatt]

Yes, the Music Man bass has a much more exposed sound. Ross is thinking about breaking out the Curbow for the ballads. The bass he played last previously has a much warmer sound.

The MM humbucker pickups are about as subtle as a chainsaw. And then add in the MM EQ ... oy. Ross would be well served using something more mellow for lighter songs.

Is he playing a StingRay or what? My roommate had a StingRay and he very much had a love-hate relationship with it. I tended to agree with him. On some stuff it sounded great, but ultimately we both thought it lacked soul.

[StyxCollector]

Yes, the Music Man bass has a much more exposed sound. Ross is thinking about breaking out the Curbow for the ballads. The bass he played last previously has a much warmer sound.

The MM humbucker pickups are about as subtle as a chainsaw. And then add in the MM EQ ... oy. Ross would be well served using something more mellow for lighter songs.

Is he playing a StingRay or what? My roommate had a StingRay and he very much had a love-hate relationship with it. I tended to agree with him. On some stuff it sounded great, but ultimately we both thought it lacked soul.

I only have seen a small snippet of one of the South American concerts and it appeared to be a black StingRay. Didn't look like a Bongo or a Sterling. I didn't get a good enough look to see the pickup combo either (that can really change the sound).

As I said, having owned a few different MM StingRays over the years, I agree with your roommate. On some things they were perfect, other times, vert inappropriate. They can be cold basses with certain setups. I had black nylon tapewounds on my fretless and my usual flatwound set on the fretted ones so it tamed the sound a bit ... but not much.

[Carlitto H@kk]

Something I've noticed watching the DVD and seeing
the recent YT clips...

Is Ross using a "pick" more these days???
Maybe that is playing into the sound change.
He seems to be hammering away with a pick
more often than using the fingers...

I just seem to remember Ross being more of a "fingers" guy in the past...

[StyxCollector]

Something I've noticed watching the DVD and seeing
the recent YT clips...

Is Ross using a "pick" more these days???
Maybe that is playing into the sound change.
He seems to be hammering away with a pick
more often than using the fingers...

I just seem to remember Ross being more of a "fingers" guy in the past...

It all factors in ... pick, fingers, hand position (i.e. up by the neck vs. down by the bridge).

[tj]

Needs more cowbell.

[Ehwmatt]

As I said, having owned a few different MM StingRays over the years, I agree with your roommate. On some things they were perfect, other times, vert inappropriate. They can be cold basses with certain setups. I had black nylon tapewounds on my fretless and my usual flatwound set on the fretted ones so it tamed the sound a bit ... but not much.

Yeah, definitely cold and lifeless on certain stuff. Reminded me very much of my Parker Fly Deluxe when I still owned it. Went back to playing a Strat after that and couldn't believe I had ever left.