(First published by Global Bass in November 1999)   I have
always been struck by preponderance of poor live bass sound.
Bassists show up at gigs with thousands of dollars worth of rig
and bass yet the results are often dismal. The bass sound seems
clouded with extraneous noise. The sound person's best efforts
are usually for naught so the sound person takes the bass down
in the mix, inevitably filling in the mix with extra kick drum.
Many bassists are oblivious to their predicament, having long
since relegated such responsibility to others.  The challenges
to getting good live bass sound are many. First is the source,
the bass itself. Most players imagine their sound in a vacuum.
Unfortunately what sounds good solo in their bedroom has little
in common with what is needed at the concert hall. When bands
practice there is seldom enough thought given to how the
instruments blend, who will fit in where in the sound spectrum.
Guitarist thrill with extended bass in their sound, while
bassists think that every sibi